Missing the first day of kindergarten

[MandiC]

Glad it sounds like you can switch the dates!
I also wouldn't have any one of my kids miss the first day of kindergarten, especially if it was their first day of school ever. They may not learn much academically but that is when schools are really going over the rules and how things work. I know our school also does a gradual start for kindergarten and 4k but once the whole school starts they spend the whole first week going over lunchroom procedures, safety procedures, classroom, bathroom, hallway and playground expectations...ect. Not to mention kids getting to know their classmates. Lots of friendships bloom that first week. I'd be afraid missing that first week could have a child feeling left out the whole rest of the year.

 

[Feberin]

That's great that you should be able to switch the dates. If it falls through and you're stuck missing the first day I would contact the school and explain the situation. Perhaps the teachers can meet with your kids ahead of time.

 

[jodifla]

Glad the change may work. K is a big deal, and first day is important so it would be good to be there if you can.

That being said, my son did miss the first 3 days of third grade with the flu. It actually worked out OK, because the chaos of the first days had worn off and everybody could just focus on him and getting him settled into class.

 

[lmbcdb]

If he hasn't went to ANY structured preschool I would think it is critical that he be there. He is already going to be behind the other kids as far as knowing the ins and outs of being in a class, lining up, putting his stuff in his cubbie, etc. The first day is when they go over all the rules and how the room is run and he has absolutely no reference to these activities at all so he will be very lost if he walks in once things are rolling.

I've been teaching elementary school for 12 years. Yes, they go over rules, lining up, cubbies, etc the first day. And the second day. And every day after that for about 6 weeks. The second day (and often the entire week) is a repeat of the first day. Kindergarteners need that repetition!

He will be fine missing the first day. And it will still be his "first" day. (And it also won't be quite so chaotic in the room...)

 

[MomtothreeEs]

Glad it sounds like things are working out for you. I used to be a teacher before having kids. DS5 starts kindergarten this August as well. I'm in the camp that it's not a big deal. He probably won't remember his first day of kindergarten anyway. I bet he's much more likely to remember a trip to WDW.

 

[MmmSuite]

If there is a preview night or a back to school night I would take them to that and leave the trip the same. My oldest son got so sick after gradual entry and missed the first week of school. He was fine!


We had a White House tour for the second week of school and he went to that too. We couldn't get one over the summer. We tried many times. When he introduced himself and brought in his White House pic everyone loved it. Thought it was so cool he got to go where the President lived. Especially later when they learned about the White House.

My boys did no preschool or any of that. My youngest missed a day the second week to go to the Grand Prix. He was also fine.

This year they'll miss four days in September for Disney. We pull them for all kinds of experiences.

It'll still be his first day! He won't feel any differently from Monday to Tuesday. I think you shouldn't feel guilty if you can't move things! You didn't know! Good luck with whatever happens! Enjoy your trip and I hope your baby enjoys school when he starts!

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

I've been teaching elementary school for 12 years. Yes, they go over rules, lining up, cubbies, etc the first day. And the second day. And every day after that for about 6 weeks. The second day (and often the entire week) is a repeat of the first day. Kindergarteners need that repetition!

He will be fine missing the first day. And it will still be his "first" day. (And it also won't be quite so chaotic in the room...)

Not a big deal at all! As mentioned, meaningless in the big scheme of things.

 

[bdcp]

What I didn't appreciate 25 years ago when my DS was sick on the first day of kindergarten was the teacher acting like she didn't believe me when I said he was sick. I almost offered to bring him in so he could throw up on her floor

 

[pinoke]

Teacher here….
The first day of school may have a special activity ( did anyone write their name on every line as carefully as possible, then repeat during the last week to compare?) or two, but by no means is it that big a deal. Kids get sick, things happen. If you were missing the first week- that would be more of a concern.
I would suggest finding out about the visiting days, which are usually done in the spring. They allow children to ride the bus with Mom, run across the gym floor, see the lunch room, etc. If there isn't one I wold ask about doing that, and meeting the teacher ahead of time might be fun too.
But don't worry! They'll all be there when you get back and in my opinion quality family time trumps everything.

 

[StitchesGr8Fan]

How does your son do with change, in general? Does he interact with kids other than his siblings? Has he been in any structured activities where he has to listen to someone other than mom and dad and make new friends? If he is good with things like that, then he can probably quickly catch up socially. If this is his first time with anything structured outside of the family, then missing the first day might make the transition very hard for him.

 

[Zeebs]

I am in the UK and the school my son goes to has a preschool attached that you didn't need to go to. My son went else where. So when he started his first day most of the other children knew each other and the school.

It took him weeks to settle crying every day and begging not to go and he was very comfortable at his previous setting.

I hate to think what it would have been like had he missed that first day and EVERYONE had met each other the day before.

My second son went to the preschool and made a little friend almost to the exclusion of all others, first day of Reception/Kindergarten his Mum texted me to say he was going to a private school Luckily he made friends with two new children (so you can never get it right )

Glad it looks like it is going to work out for you

Kirsten

 

[ML_LovesDisney]

A couple months ago we planned and booked our first family WDW trip for August. We tried to schedule it one week prior to school starting, hoping that would mean lower crowds. Well, we've since found out that the first day of school is earlier than prior years, meaning if we leave the trip as-is, our boys (5, 7, 10) will miss their first day of school.

Here's the rub. Our youngest starts kindergarten this year. He didn't do preschool, so this is his very first day of school ever. I feel terrible about him missing it.

We're staying off-site in a condo and our tickets are through the Education Series. We're making some calls to see if our dates can be rescheduled at little to no cost.

If it doesn't work out and we keep the trip as planned, obviously it's not the end of the world. But if it's possible and practical to move our dates around, I'd like to.

So I'm curious. How many hoops would you jump through to reschedule your plans under these circumstances? If you're a kindergarten teacher, I am especially interested in your opinion.

Our oldest DD missed the first 2 days of kindergarten, due to exact same reason as you. We tried to plan in advance, and wrongly estimated the first day of school. I think our daughter was fine, but the teacher was pretty mad about it and brought it up 3 months later at parent teacher conference. Me personally, I wouldn't do that again. If our kids miss school for vacation, its more towards middle to end of school year when they are all settled in (February, March)

 

[delilah]

I totally empathize with OP about rescheduling the vacation due to changes in the school schedule. I wouldn't take my son out of school for the first day of school. One time, I took him out of school one day early for a Christmas trip to Disney at winter break. He was angry with me because he missed the class Christmas party. It was a half day of school, and he missed absolutely no content. I think he was in in first or second grade. So, we never took him out of school again for a trip.

This year, we had trouble with our trip at the end of the school year, mainly because we had the snowiest winter ever around here. The original schedule ended May 24, so, I had our vacation scheduled for May 25-30. Then, my son has a week of boy scout camp. But, because of the snow days, they extended the school year for the entire week after Memorial day. Since he is in HS now, that is exam week. So, it was a total no brainer to reschedule the vacation. Now, we are going June 8-15, because our annual pass expires June 16. Cost me $450 to change the plane reservations, but, otherwise, it is all good.