Missing School for Disney... Yay or nay?

[delilah]

Just to address a few comments:

I agree with the teacher that said Kindergarten and Education are very important. Kindergarten is alot harder than it was when we were kids. DS went to full-day 5 days a week Kindergarten. He is very intelligent and knew his ABC's, colors etc. In his school, they are already reading by 1st grade (obiviously not War & Peace ) He takes computer lab and has "written" and illustrated his own books on the computer. He is doing addition and subtraction. It's not "just" Kindergarten anymore.

Also, yes there are 180 days in the school year....and yes my DH CANNOT get off during the summer or during school holidays. In his profession, that is the busiest times of year for him and he cannot take vacation then. He is also not the highest on the seniority list. He also works nights and alot of OT. There are times when me and the kids don't see him much except in passing. If we want to get a family vacation, we need to do it during the school year. We do try our best to do it around 3-4 day weekends and the holidays where not everyone gets off school. (ie Rosh Hashannah and Yom Kippur)

Alot of people are really in the same situation in terms of when they are permitted to take time off work. This past spring break, three of seven doctors were off, and we had days when there was only one doctor scheduled to work. The second week in June, there were a total of four of seven doctors out of the office. I was on call that weekend, and, trust me, it was no picnic. I don't like to take my son out of school for vacation, but, sometimes I do, because if I don't, we may not get a vacation.

 

[andromedaslove]

With all the reference to the spending family time because it can't be done the rest of the year that doesn't say much for families today. If that is the case what is happening to all these children throughout the year. It sounds as though there isn't alot of parental involvement if this the case. Children need daily guidance and attention. That one week of family time is not going to help the child if the rest of the year parents are too busy working etc..

I also have to say that I find your response quite rude. I am also a SAHM that gave up not only my job but my education (for the time being) in order to have QUALITY time with my children. The difference between the time I spend with my family at home and the time we spend while on vacation is huge. At home I have responsibilities that I have to take care of along with spending time with my kids and my DH. I have 4 dogs, 2 cats, a yard, a home, laundry, dinner, etc... While we are on vacation the only thing I have to worry about is getting everyone up and dressed in the morning for a wonderful fun filled day, and bathing them at night before we go to bed. I dont have to worry about cooking dinner, washing laundry, taking care of the animals, cleaning the house, every single moment of my time while there is focused on having fun and making wonderful memories with my children.

It wasn't that long ago that I was in high school (OMG it's been almost 10 years!!) but not that long. I still remember my family trips, Christmas dinners, walking through WDW holding my Mom and Granny's hands at 17 years old, I DO NOT remember what I was learning in high school, what we were studying or anything else that had to do with school. I remember that a year later my Grandmother passed away, and there are times I can barely picture her face in my mind. However, I do remember the look on her face as she rode Splash Mountain, and as we watched SpectroMagic and FITS together.

That is what everyone means by Family Vacations and the memories from those vacations are more important than school. You will always remember the good times with your family and they are one of the most important things you will have. As your children grow up, and loved ones pass on, the memories you have of them having the times of their lives will ALWAYS stay with you.

OKAY done ranting now!!

Dana

 

[madge]

My children don't miss school for vacation, simply because it is not allowed by the school districts in our area. We have plenty of opportunity for vacations during the school year-our calendar is a "modified" year-round schedule with 2 week breaks scattered throughout the year, we vacation in October each year.

If either of my children miss school for an unexcused reason, they are unable to make up the work...my oldest is in high school, that simply isn't an option for us. Vacations are definitely considered unexcused. The schools provide the schedule early enough for families to plan accordingly.

 

[andromedaslove]

It has been brought to my attention that my previous post may have come across rude in some way. I wanted to make sure that everyone knew that was not my intention, and that all I was trying to do was state my opinion. Again, if anyone took my post personally I apologize.

Dana

 

[puddleduck]

Just wanted to chime in with some personal experience. I feel that as long as your kids don't normally miss a lot of school(some children are more prone than others to illnesses) I don't see where one vacation will make or break his school year. As a teacher, I have had student's go on vacation and I feel it is a family decision, not a school district decision.

Now my personal experience: My dad was in the Navy up until I was a senior in high school. We moved a lot. Sometimes it was (gasp) in the middle of the school year. Once we moved from S.Carolina to California. By the time we got there, moved into our house and registered for school, my brother and I had been out of school for 2 weeks. On top of that, the school was on a different calendar, a different curriculum, a different text books, different everything. You how it effected me? Not very much. I passed with all A's and B's. We moved from Cal. to Ill. in the winter. It took several days to drive, then we had to stay in temporary housing for 2 weeks, and when we got into our house it was only 2 days until Christmas Break. I was out of school for 4 weeks, in the 8th grade. When I started school same as other move, everything was different. I did fine and my brother did fine. Those were only 2 of several moves. Military kids around the world do fine missing a couple of weeks of school several times in their lives. I think most kids can do fine with the occasional vacation during school.

My tips:
1. Do not plan your trips during any statewide or district wide testing. That really is not fair to your kids or the teacher.
2. Remember it is your responsibility to make sure your child keeps up, not the teacher's. She did not plan your vacation. S/he should not have to go through extra lengths (other than providing a list of missed assignments) to make sure your children will catch up.
3. Do not complain or blame the teacher if your child fails to keep up or has trouble getting caught up.
4. Let the teacher know you will be gone and for how long. Teachers really do worry and are concerned when kids miss several days in a row and no one lets them know why.

If you think you are okay w/ the above, then go and have fun. I also agree w/ pp that education is cummulative throughout the year, and anything covered while your child was gone, will come up again some way or another.

 

[rob'n]

We planned our second trip to WDW for this Oct...when I urged DH to go last year it was because DD would be entering middle school next year and the boys are getting bigger everyday! Well, I must tell you that we had the most incredible family bonding time that we have EVER had...this is coming from a quite devoted SAHM who spends most of her time helping to keep our family tight. The time away from home and schedules and work for DH was such a welcomed thing! The time there was truly magical!

I came searching for a post like this because our second trip is approaching (we just had to go again!) and I am feeling anxious about pulling DD out of 6th grade for 4 days of school (Mon-Thurs). She is an excellent student and very conscientious.

Our current plan is to talk with her teachers (go! go! go! in elementary school!!! It's so much easier talking to one teacher!!) and talk to my daughter once she has an idea of what is expected of her in middle school...if she is uncomfortable we will go for 4 days and cut the vacation short (she will miss no school)...our inbetween plan is to have her take 2 days off from school and still come back early...or if the teachers and my DD are in agreement...we will go for the full time...I have no worries with the DS's (8 and 3) Middle DS will have an easy time making up work in 3rd grade. Both of my kids missed 0 days of school last year besides the days we were in WDW.

I can't tell you how great it was to read your comments. Afterall, we are all just families who love being with each other...we talk about our last WDW trip every night at dinner...it's all about the memories and the experiences!!