Missing School for WDW

[murcor]

Thank you for all who have reply. I appreciate each and every response.

Angela

 

[CharlesTD]

Tiger a friend of our families is a teacher up near New Market and when the strik happened a few years back or whenever that was she sent letters home with her students and had the parents drop them off at her house to teach them because she didn't agree with the strike. She has since been blacklisted there is another word but I don't think it is appropriate for here from her fellow staff and union rep. I have no problems at all taking my kids to WDW for 2 weeks at a time and our kids love AK and Epcot they are their 2 favourite parks. They love the kidcot setup as it teaches them something about every country represented in World showcase. They also love innoventions so not all kids think Epcot is boring. Our kids get their makeup work a week before we leave and have almost all of it if not all of it done before we even leave.

 

[Bonnie40]

We just finished pulling our 18 year old (Gr 12), 15 year old (Gr 10) and 13 year old (Gr 8) for the 4 days between March break and Easter and the Friday before March break for a total of 5 days. They are working on getting caught up now, but haven't found it to be a problem and quite honestly, they're not geniuses!

Notified teachers, etc., but feel that family vacations are important and if they were sick, they could quite possibly miss that much school too! Teachers were very supportive...

 

[SnowWhite]

When I was 8 my parents took me to Disney for 2 weeks and boy was I surprised our first night in the hotel when my mom pulls out my school books from her suitcase!!! She had spoken to the teacher ahead of time and had every major assignment with us for me to complete while we were away!!! We are taking our DD8 and DS2 this fall and I am NOT taking school work with us!!! She is a very good student and I think she deserves to have a "homeworkless" vacation!! She will probably miss 7-8 days of school but she will just have to work harder when she comes back to make it up.

 

[SplashMom]

We just returned and took our children out of school for 4 days (extended the March break and combined Easter holidays). They are teenagers (high school senior and freshman) and there were no problems, although I was concerned. After speaking to their teachers, they assured me that they would keep a folder with any assignments/handouts. When we returned, they got all their notes from friends and combined with the folder from the teacher, were able to catch up in a very short time. Since it was the short week between March break and Easter, there really wasn't too much work that was missed--some teachers were absent and substitutes didn't cover too much work. I think it really depends on the ages and abilities of the children. Most are able to miss a week without too much trouble but I would be worried about more than that amount of time once they reach junior or high school. Elementary students should be fine--have fun!

 

[SnowyPrincesses:)]

I'm going to explain my situation and why I have decided to take a little girl even though she will miss school. Nov26-dec 11. This girl will be 13 and is a family friend. She suffers from Fetal Alochol Syndrome and although she is at age level with her classmates she is academically behind by over 2 years. (they have a new policy here and they don't hold students back)
Her mother is a single mom, recovering alcoholic on welfare and this poor girl has had her share of troubles. She is very tiny and looks only about 8 or nine. She has difficulty reading and because she doesn't have a grasp of basic skills is quite frustrated with anything academic in general. We have been planning this trip for over a year and Jerri herself has made crafts and participated in yard sales in order to raise funds for her trip. (my mother and I are struggling to do the rest but its a labour of love so a few extra shifts a week are worth it.)
I know from experience how educational Disney can be. Jerri is very visual and hands on and I firmly believe that this trip will open her eyes to new possibilities. (she's never even been to TO) I'm hoping to raise enough money(or work for it) to take her on the Dolphins in depth because she is a Dolphin nut and I want her to understand that things ARE possible for her! In her case I think that the experience far outways the damage of not being in school for those 2 weeks. School time I can help her with, I want to give her something to believe in.

I want everyone to know that I'm not a fan of taking kids out, I know school is important but I have been a big sister of sorts to this little girl for almost 3 years and I really think the benifit for her personally will outweigh the loss.

 

[Kaiya]

Just wanted to let anyone with kids in intermediate grades - 4-7 that there is an educational math video/dvd called "Donald in Math Magicland" This video is math based and tours kids through the Magic Kingdom (although older) - You may want to purchase this through Ontario's Educational videos if you're planning a trip soon (approx $50) - it's also a nice gift for teachers if you don't need it when you're finished with it

Also, it comes with activities that you can do with your children. I'll have to look for the web address again but if anyone's interested please let me know. It's been recommended by professors lecturing at professional development workshops for teachers and is a great teaching tool.

 

[PrincessasMommy]

We are leaving next Friday and DD will miss 8 days of school. We weren't planning on an April vacation but my Grandma (lives south of Orlando) is very sick and how could we possibly travel from Toronto to Florida without taking DD to WDW??
I feel comfortable with my desicion because I notified her teacher 2 months in advance, I have prepared a daily journal for her, she will write a report on her studies and my DD is more bookworm than thrill seeker - very excited about Epcot and turned down Space Mountain. I think it's all about how the parent handles the situation. Our teacher knows we appreciate her time making DD's package, it will be completed and DD will experience so many new things, it is so important in my eyes to allow my children to travel and to do so when it is affordable/convenient for us is also important. As long as your children see you make their school work a priority so will they. Our DD is a figure skater too and we always tell her A's & B's or no skating - it's amazing how they will achieve what you want to get what they want!

 

[Joann]

I have no problem taking my kids out of school for holidays we do it every year. I think it is worth it just for the experinces that they recieve in doing so. They see different cultures, eat different foods,meet different people, and hopefully learn from it all. With florida and disney world they can learn especially at epcot but it is up to the parents in doing so to take them to the educational stuff there. I know of alot of children in my kids classes that have never left the town they were born in and thats sad. My kids teachers have no problem with it and don't even give them work to do while there all they ask is for a trip report on return to share with the class. I traveled while in school and it had only positive effects on me nothing negitive.

 

[Jamesbyr]

This seems to be a Canadian question and schedules are a bit different from my experience. Young kids, pre school and the first years, seem to be able to handle a week out of school. Older kids should be taken when their schools have vacations. Yes it can be more expensive. Raising kids: it is part of life!
But if you do it right, they will enjoy it so much that they will take you when you are older.

 

[msmere]

From grade one through grade eight we took our girls out of school in January for between 5 and 10 days to go to Disney and have never regretted it. The girls learn so much on our trips that I see it as an extension of the curriculum. My kids were journal junkies so the teachers always had lots to read when we got back. If your kids are just starting school don't sweat it, just go and have a great time! Next year we hit high school so our travelling days may be through for a while. Still, I'm definitely glad we did go while we could and at the time of the year when it was quiet and affordable for us.

 

[cassmat]

We have taken our kids out many many times. My son was gone for a month in both JK and SK, and he is now in Grade 5, and an A/B student. Now both kids normally miss about 8 days, and every teacher we have had, has been great!!

His grade 3 teacher did kind of grumble, about getting stuff done, BUT said now she had the whole unit done and didn't have to worry about it on the XMas break. His Grade 4 teacher, gave him no extra work, just said have a great time.

As long as my children continue to do well, we will go.....