Missing school to go to WDW?

[pinkhart]

Hi,

We have now booked our trip - going to Sheraton Vistana Villages in October next year, mostly in the school holidays but my girls will be missing 3 days of school.

I am feeling guilty about this already and just wondered - do those of you with children take them out of school because of crowds/weather/prices and if so for how long do you think is ok....?

 

[JohnnySharp2]

We don't take Joshua out of school because we have to go in the summer holidays, my wife is a teacher - hence we now go for 3 weeks then.

However, we have in the past taken Josh out of school, like you for a few days.
For the amount of time being missed I really do not think it's a problem, unless the school have any objections I wouldn't worry, in many ways visiting Florida can be educational and the girls are only missing a few days.

Don't worry and have a great holiday.

 

[Lizzy Lemon]

We are going October 2007 and are tagging a week term time onto half term because Easter sounds too busy and I can't get that time off work, summer is too hot and we have problems getting time off as everyone else wants the same and there are limits on how many people are off at the same time and DH being a postman can't have Xmas off so that leaves a one week holiday or taking the children out of school. Both of mine will be at secondary school when we go one in year 10 the other in year 7, school have been pre notified and are ok with it. We offered to make up the work and pointed out the benefits of travelling to another country, plus its our 25th wedding anniversary present to ourselves and a one-off (that's what I told them anyway, only I know I'm planning one for the future, but the children should have left school by then.)

 

[alisonbestford]

We have taken DD (7) out for 7 days this year and 9 last.

We've never had any problem with school, they just ask that you don't plan trips around SATs time

If Eve were at secondary school I guess I'd be more hesitant but that's my personal opinion and would depend, ultimately, on circumstances at the time

 

[wayneg]

Do not feel guilty, do not listen to people who tell you you are a bad parent etc.
Only you know your children and their abilities.
You will see from my trips to Florida below (this is on top of trips to a lot of other countries) We could not possibly fit them all in school hols. We have taken our son out of school for 2 weeks in Oct every year thru Junior school and the 1st year at High school(This will be the last time we do it).
He is 12 years old this month, he is is top groups in all his lessons,can read music very well, just taken his 2nd Keyboard exam and he has just been accepted into Nagty (National Acadamy for gifted children) run by Warwick university. He has achieved all this in our local junior and High school, no top school or expensive lessons.
Education is not just in the classroom, there is a big world out there.
Do what you know is right for your children.

 

[Midnight Belle]

I am too taking my children out of school next June we travel on the 26th May for 21nights so the children will be missing 10 days from school (as one week is half term). It is year 6 for my eldest and year 3 for my middle one. As it is the last year my son will be at junior school we thought it would be the last time we could go at this time of year at least until he leaves secondary. We will still go over the Christmas period, money permitting which will mean he will only miss a couple of days at the most, but we will cross that hurdle if and when it arises. I do not feel guilty about taking my children out of Junior school to have a holiday but obviously avoiding Sats week. Next year we have a problem the week before we travel to Orlando my eldest has a trip to Hindleap Warren, (4 nights residential) the only worry I have is that on the Friday we leave for the airport, that is the day they will be travelling back from the trip. They will not be back until around 7.00pm traffic permitting. Not sure if he will be going to Hindleap!!

 

[gilld]

This subject always produces very varied opinions - obviously I have my own views, which probably don't agree with many, but my children have grown up so I don't have to decide either way.

 

[carolfoy]

I'm taking my son out of school for 2 weeks to go this year - I'm regretting it as his academic progress is not up to scratch this year! I will see his teacher before we go and see if there is any work he can take with him - it'll be the last year he is taken out of school as he will be in secondary next year.
If you don't HAVE to take them out then don't, if you feel they will gain other things by going on holiday then DO, either way don't feel guilty - its your child, your decisions.

 

[Miffy2003]

This is always a question that provokes strong responses.

I believe that different things are right for different families; some people will feel comfortable with this and some won't.

I think the decision is yours to make

 

[angelbaby29871]

i will be taking both my children out of school for their holiday this year, granted one is at nursery. But i feel that if your children can catch up on the missed work on top of their regular school work then its no big deal. in Scotland most of the school are following the Scottish Exec ruling that all holidays within school term will be put down as "unauthorised absence", so unless your child has and you want to keep a perfect attendance record i wouldn't worry about it. If people think i am a bad parent for taking their child out of school for a holiday then more fool them, experinecing the world and meeting other people are just as important as eduction in a school.

 

[xox_Violet_xox]

Hey!
It shouldnt be a problem, my parents took me out of school for holidays once or twice, they just wrote a letter into the head. The longest i've been out of school for, was the one school week (5 days). A teacher may suggest your girls to make scrapbooks or keep a journal on their holiday to show to the other children when the return. Which is a plus, you then have keepsakes!

It's only 3 days, so i wouldn't imagine there to be any hassle! Enjoy your holiday!

 

[Mrs Doubtfire]

I'm taking my daughter out just before Christmas for 7 day - don't think she'll miss much - just the Christmas play but she says she would rather be at Disney. Given what they have done & are planning to do before school breaks up for summer (not much - just 'fun things' as my DD says) I would think about doing it again at this time of year.

Our school allows up to 10 days off (with permission) and from what I've seen many parents take advantage of it to get cheaper holidays.

 

[pinkhart]

Thanks for all the replies. I'm feeling much more relaxed about it now!

 

[mushumadness]

we are taking my dn dn dn out of school for two weeks, dnephew is in year 11 and will be missing 2 weeks study leave, which he wasnt likely to do any way lol

 

[Gonz Of Lancashire]

I wouldn't worry. This year was the first time we worked around a school holiday, (February half-term) so it only meant my kids were only missing a week of school, never again. It co-incided with Presidents Week and the parks were really busy. Booked for two weeks in January next year. Your children could learn some basic maths by this, if by delaying your holidays by two weeks from Christmas to January you will save £1500. I run my own business, so I only allow myself two weeks holiday a year. and I'll be damned if it has to fit in with the three and a half months the "poor" teachers get.

(Blood pressure returning to normal)

 

[Lisash]

This is the one topic nobody ever agrees on. Something I have not heard mentioned much but is a particular problem for us is the fact that you don't make yourself very popular with your employer/colleagues if you try to hog booking the main holiday weeks every year without letting everyone else have a turn. Subsequently I tag most of my holidays onto either the beginning or end of a term to lessen the lost school days as much as I can. I know some people frown upon this but I have no other viable option except only holidaying every 4 or 5 years when I can get 'prime' weeks off and as my DD left school last year with 9 excellent GCSE grades I know her education hasn't suffered as a consequence. In fact I think quality family time is just as valuable

 

[THE COLONEL]

We thought long and hard about when to go and the end result (Early Nov07) means my daughter who will be in year 6 will miss 6 days schooling. The only other time my daughter has missed school through holidays was last visit to Florida in Feb 03 (5 days missed).

I agree that its a personal decision and must take account of a host of factors including your childs academic progress.

However we were helped by the attitude of my daughters headmaster. When I sought permission back in 2003 he agreed to the absence on 2 conditions

1. The holiday had to include a full day at EPCOT
2. My daughter sent him a post card

 

[wayneg]

I agree that its a personal decision and must take account of a host of factors including your childs academic progress.

However we were helped by the attitude of my daughters headmaster.

3 things made our decision easy.
1. Never had a day off sick (even now at the end of year 7)
2. Top of class in all subjects.
3. Headmistress said if it was her with our child she would have it booked without question.

Our decision has always been easy thankfully and fully backed by the school.
Dont know what we would have done with different circumstances.

 

[catrinuk]

dont feel guilty, the experience and pleasure they will get from your travelling and spending time just with family is just as important, we are taking our two out of school for two weeks in december and two days in January as we are ,going to SSR - looking forward to it so are they - school already know - not a problem

 

[minnie29uk]

Hi,

We have now booked our trip - going to Sheraton Vistana Villages in October next year, mostly in the school holidays but my girls will be missing 3 days of school.

I am feeling guilty about this already and just wondered - do those of you with children take them out of school because of crowds/weather/prices and if so for how long do you think is ok....?

No,dont feel guilty.Im a Teacher and I get 4 weeks unpaid parental leave.So Ill be taking my 4 year old son out for the first two weeks in Dec (hopefully) to visit again.

Regards,
Lynn