Oct Visit with Kids

[Pan's Dad]

Can anyone lend experience or advice on taking the kids out of school during the first full wk in October? They would actually only miss 4 days.

Our children are going into 5th and 6th grades and we live in upstate NY... they are very good students as well. I understand teachers in our school district are not reqd to give out assignments in advance.

If you have done this, was it bad on your children upon returning? How is the weather that time of year? I would expect it not to be as crowded, although was surprised to see the best fares at swest are already taken

thanks,

Jim

 

[ZuZugal]

Our kids are entering 4th and 5th grades.....we have taken an October trip 4/5 times now and taken them out of school. Our school (administration) frowns upon this, which is understandable, but I have A students. I give the teachers plenty of notice; some let them make up some work ahead of time but usually we have 2 backpacks full of schoolwork. They are expected to make-up all in-class work as well as homework/tests. I also have the kids keep a journal which they share w/the class upon return, and we also bring back a Disney book for each teacher to keep in his/her classroom.

I always offer to make copies of school work before we go so the full burden is not on the teacher. It is inconvenient for the teachers to have to prepare a vacation folder of work, so it is best to offer to help.

Not everyone agrees w/taking kids out of school, but each family has it's own circumstances. As long as my children excel in school and we can work it out w/their teachers we will continue fall vacations.

 

[mom of five]

We are traveling to WDW in Oct. also!
And we are in Plattsburgh, NY--North of you!
We are going Oct. 3-14th. My kids will be missing 9 days of school.
They go to a private school and had perfect attendence this past year, so I figure they can miss the time. They are all A students (ages 10,9,8,7,6). I don't think the teachers will be too happy, but this is my husband's vacation time--so we are going!

 

[Kendra17]

There was a huge thread just a little while ago about this. I guess it gets somewhat heated.

We're taking the kids out a full week in October. My dd is 12, my ds will be 8. They are both good students, and I plan to help them both catch up with any work they miss-if we can get the work in advance, that would obviously be better.

My husband worried about this a bit, but the alternative is not pleasant. And, as much as my husband is concerned, he's the one that can't stand huge crowds. . .The summers are hot and crowded, and other holidays are also too crowded. Off season is best for us for many reasons.

We have strict attendance rules at our home. . .unless they are visibly ill or have a fever, the kids go to school. I plan doctors' appointments so they don't conflict with school hours unless absolutely necessary. We make sure their homework is done on time, and we are involved as much as we can be.

That said, vacations are also important. . .the family time is important. I have no problem doing something like this once a year. And, if I can convert my husband into a Disney addict, I hope to be doing this every year!