Missing School Guilt

[ajh88]

Our trip is coming up in LESS THAN 3 WEEKS!

A little background on our thought process: We have been planning it since February - knowing full well that DD would miss a week of school (2nd grade). I am in graduate school and I have a fall break the week we are going - which is one reason we planned it when we did. I'm a staunch supporter of education (heck, I'm on the 19th year of school myself - with a 10 year break in between!), but honestly, I don't feel strongly that missing 5 days of 2nd grade is going to permanently harm my DD's educational future. She has near perfect attendance otherwise.

OK, so today I get her Monday Folder with school announcements, etc. First, there is a permission slip for a class field trip that will take place the week we are gone - they are going to a pumpkin patch/orchard. Then, in the principal's weekly update, the very first topic was that attendance was down in September due to students being "out of town", so please try to schedule trips when school is not in session.

I was planning on officially letting her teacher know this week - do I have bad timing, or what? I really don't think it's going to be a big deal - but I've always been a teacher-pleaser and I don't want to be on her naughty list. Oh well - we are NOT cancelling our trip! Thanks for letting me get if off my chest!

 

[lntsmom]

I wouldn't worry too much. My guess is that your state's funding count is coming up soon...ours is this Wednesday. If your kiddo misses that day, the district doesn't get whatever your state pays per pupil for funding. For instance, if the funding is $5000 per child, your district would lose out on $5000 for each child who is absent the day the count is taken. Odd, but true.

If the school didn't advertise the date in advance, don't worry about your daughter missing it!

I've been one of those teachers who has always been thrilled when my students get to go on cool trips. Until this year. One of my kids went to WDW for two weeks last month. Now she's angry because she doesn't understand what we're doing very well. School today isn't like it was years ago...there are things you can't get from a worksheet. I've never had a kid gone for 2 weeks before. Based on this experience I'd say that if you're gone a week your kiddos should be able to catch up without much trouble. Any more than that and you're taking your chances!

It sounds to me as if things will be fine for your daughter...go and enjoy!

 

[daisyduck123]

Hi! 1st grade teacher here

Go have a great time on your trip & don't worry about missing school at all....and about the field trip...WDW is MUCH BETTER!!

There will be many more field trips. I have pulled myself & my kids out of school for MANY Disney trips & my DS missed a field trip once too. We didn't give it a second thought, & to look at it now: WDW trips are discussed & remembered for YEARS. How often do people talk about their past field trips?

Have a great time & don't feel bad!!

 

[Aunt Flancy]

I am taking my two boys out of high school for three days in October and their Principal had no problem with it at all. I really don't think second grade for a week will be a problem.

 

[Ames Dizney1]

Go ahead and take your trip without guilt! I raised my first child who is now 25 never taking him out of school. Now I have two more children that are 9 and 5 and I am bringing them up "missing school" for Disney! I realized life is too short! You can save money, it's not crowed and weather nicer. I have always gotten the support (so far) from my kid's teachers. I have always given them plenty of warning and asked for the work upfront to take on the trip. We drive 12 hours, my 9 year old does it in the car!

 

[cougar4camping]

Another one guilty here!

We planned this last year as well knowing full well she was missing (5th grade) but now that it's getting closer, I'm feeling really guilty. Especially since she has a tough teacher this year that I'm not sure will give her the work that DD missed.

Oh well, I'm not cancelling either!

 

[lovepooh]

I am a 4th grade teacher and I am taking my two children (6th grade and 1st grade)out of school so we can go to Disney for one week at the end of this month.

I planned it so that they will only miss three days of school due to teacher's convention that week. I don't see anything wrong with kids missing a few days of school to go on a family vacation.

I think it is important for parents to let teachers know well in advance. Your school may have state testing coming up or something else that would be very important for your child to be at. That is why it is important to let your child's teacher know ahead of time.

I wouldn't stress over it. Just contact your child's teacher as soon as possible and let them know you are willing to work on anything he or she might miss either before you leave or when you get back.

Have a great trip!

 

[teachermom]

I am a first grade teacher and my children will miss 4 days of school to go to Disney. We are going the Friday before Thanksgiving and coming back on Thanksgiving day. My kids are in 2nd grade, kindergarten and preschool. All of which I have taught, LOL. They won't miss much. Maybe a test for the 2nd grader but they always drop the lowest test grade anyway. On a side note, my kids have NO IDEA they are going to Disney! I do not want to hear "Do we leave today?", When are we going?" over and over again. I have to let the teachers know that the kids are not aware of their vacation destination!

 

[roliepolieoliefan]

My DS is in 4th grade, DD in pre-K and I am pulling both kids for a full 5 days in 2 weeks.

Don't feel a tinge of guilt at all.

DD is going to miss her pumpkin patch field trip and a "princess makeover" birthday party.

DS is going to miss a neighborhood kids sports banquet.

I told them they could both stay home with my mom and not miss their events and DH and I would gladly go alone. The activities aren't all that important because they both yelled no no and jumped up and down when DH and I suggested it.