Need help to get DS out of school!

[becjlek]

Our school has inconsistant policies. My son missed 7 days due toa severe head injury at a school event (a freak accident). Even though he was in the hospital and recovering a few days a home he had to go to 6 Sat. schools to make up his time even though all of his work was made up. A friend of his missed 5 days to go to WDW and had to go to no Sat. schools.

 

[memymomonica]

My daughter is going to miss 5, maybe 6 days of Kindergarten to go to Disney. Her teacher knows, but I haven't told the school yet. I will ask them what they want me to write. Sometimes, they want you to say your child is sick so they still get their money. I will tell the truth to the school though. Either way, 2 unexcused absenses won't damage your child's record. Especially if those are the only ones. We wanted to go in April before my daughter started Kindergarten. My husband is a Marine and was extended twice during the war. After being gone 9 months, family time is much more important than school right now. Family time doesn't get near enough respect. Sometimes you just need to reconnect and recharge as a family. Schools are just going overboard about their policies. Most schools here don't even consider missing school for a grandparent's funeral as excused. And we wonder where family values are going? Take your son and have a great time......Guilt Free!!

29 days and counting!!!

 

[3MGIRLS]

I agree - family time (particularly when it's at Disney World ) is most important. Especially when a child is oinly in kindergarden - I mean, come-on. Besides, who's raising the kids - parents or the public school system....Unfortunately too many people feel it is the latter, or at least the responsibility of such.

Have a great time, make it a point to spend a day of learning at Epcot and Animal Kingdom and your 5 year-old will be able to stump their teacher with things they've learned in the time they were gone.

The days you have now with your child will be gone before you or yourkids know what happened. An though your child may not get "perfect attendance" - measure what that will mean 10 years from now compared to spending time together whether at Disney or anywhere else.

Have Fun!!!!

 

[gshoemate]

I'm taking DD out of school in a few weeks to fly to Michigan to visit family. We moved over a year ago and haven't seen my family since. My father is sick but he is not dying or anything so it will be unexcused, but the teacher says it's ok. The absence policy in her school are 15 unexcused in a 90 day period so I am not to worried about it. The teacher is going to send some work with us so she won't get to behind. She is also in kindergarten.

 

[ashlet]

Last October, my sister and I missed a couple days of school for our trip, but it was no big deal.

This year, we're going from December 4-12, so we'll be missing seven days of school. I'm a senior in high school, and my sister is in third grade. I don't think it'll be a major issue since I am a diligent student, and the make-up work really isn't that bad if you get some of it done ahead of time.

As far as attendence policies are concerned, my parents can pass it off as something "family" related to get me excused. The only other way for an absence to be excused is a doctor's note or a college visit at my school.

 

[mom2smjn]

I made an appointment with the principal and had no problem.
We are farmers and the only time we have to go on vacation is the true winter months...but we can't afford the christmas/spring break prices so we always take the kids out of school. As a matter of fact the principal of the middle school said that she feel if they have good grades, are not disipline problems, don't miss school regularly THEN she feels that a family vacation is the BEST thing for the student. As quality one on one family time is so limited and why not reward an excelling student?

However this said, next year my dd enters high school...we are not planning a trip because we thought this would be a serious adjustment period and wanted to be sure she was still doing as well.

As far as kindergarten goes....they will miss so much school with all of the colds and such they will get 1 day here or there is not a problem.

 

[mom2smjn]

Originally posted by 3MGIRLS


Have a great time, make it a point to spend a day of learning at Epcot and Animal Kingdom and your 5 year-old will be able to stump their teacher with things they've learned in the time they were gone.

TOTALLY LOL at this! My son stumped his 5th grade teacher several times last year with tidbits he learned at epcot. She called me and said she wishes she could take the class because she was amazed at the amount of learning (and remembering) he did on a fun vacation!!!

 

[Eeyore's Girl]

Have you learned exactly what the new rules are? For us, it's 6 days per semester before absences become an issue. With a clear understanding of the county's policy, you'll be better armed to go forward with your plans.

When notifying the school, I go straight to the teacher. I've never had a problem, although each teacher's reaction has been a little different as far as make up work is concerned. One teacher sent so much work, it was virtually impossible to get it all done during the trip. Last year the teacher was so excited for us because she is such a big Disney fan, she sent no school work with DD10. I think DD may have done a little extra at school/homework before/after the trip, but the actual trip itself was all ours and boy, was it nice!

I think there's a lot to be considered with this issue. First, I believe parents should be the primary educators of our children, the school supplements the efforts we put in at home. Then, I don't think perfect attendance is a reasonable goal to have. Whether sick or going on a trip, things happen. Why set your child up for the disappointment of a missed goal? I don't think perfect attendance at school will make a significant difference to the character of a child when they become an adult.

It seems more and more, school is becoming a prep course for standardized tests, rather than learning. With that in mind, I don't think an elementary student misses a whole lot, even if absent for an entire week.

We need to keep in mind there's lots of pressure on the teachers with the new "No Child Left Behind" program. Because of that, teachers may squirm a little as professionals, but on a personal level, I think most of them are thrilled that you're taking your child to the happiest place on earth!

I would notify the teacher as soon as possible, especially if you think your child will talk about the trip while at school. It's best the information come directly from you, rather than through chit chat, or gossip, etc.

 

[jay1929]

As an elementary school teacher, I don't see a problem with your child missing school for a family trip to Disney. I know at our school, Thanksgiving week is kinda lax anyway. We only go to school 2 days that week so yo can't start anything new anyway. I would tell the teacher about the trip and see if there is anything you could do with him while you are gone that would help from when he returns. I wouldn't worry about a long explanation about the trip. Just go and have fun.

 

[3MGIRLS]

Originally posted by Eeyore's Girl


It seems more and more, school is becoming a prep course for standardized tests, rather than learning. With that in mind, I don't think an elementary student misses a whole lot, even if absent for an entire week.

I agree - We are spoiled as we got out of the public school system and now home school our children. It does make planning and going on trips (especially Disney trips!!) much easier - But the kids have also achieved so much more in the time we've doing it.

Granted it does not work for everyone, but we found the "No Student Left Behind" policy translated into a - "Reduce Your Child to the Least Common Denominator" policy. In a class where there is (1) teacher per 25+ students, the opportunity to really excel is tempered significantly. Also given the fact that our state ranks last in testing made it an easy choice.

I do feel bad for the teachers though, the politics do not give them much to work with, and unfortunately the cry for more money is promoted as the panacea to better education. And I dare not even begin to get into the liberal slant to the curriculum......maybe on another thread

 

[swilphil]

As a public school teacher for 14 years, I saw many students miss the day before Thanksgiving. The day after break will be an easy one to make up, too. I think it's great you were able to plan your trip around a school break. I know it's not always possible to do that.

The best way to handle an absence is to inform the teacher as soon as possible. Most likely, you will get a positive response. The principal also may need to rubber stamp some sort of request. Usually the individuals working in education are very understanding. They are as frustrated by the bureaucracy as the parents are. If anyone is really bothered by their school district's attendance policy or even the curriculum, as the previous poster stated, bring your concerns to the superintendent or the school board. I have found that parents have much more influence than the teachers.

 

[Aubrey]

I'm curious as to whether anyone here has actually experienced a serious consequence imposed by a school, other than disapproval or a minorly lowered grade. I would be very surprised if a public school actually failed to pass a student on to the next grade or called for a truancy board hearing based solely on a family vacation absence. It seems that would be legally hard for them to support if challenged. Despite the tough talk about unexcused absences, I'm sure most districts have bigger fish to fry than to prosecute DIS'ers with otherwise academically successful children.