OH NO!! My son got accepted to a gifted program...no vacation for us!!

[LisaNJ25]

If you want your child to be enrolled in the gifted program and he MUST attend that summer program, then why not just change the vacation to the first week of the free DDP?

She is.. the Free DDP starts 8/26

 

[spaceacewannabe]

I have a DD who's schedule is similar to Lisa's DD. She went to a charter school for the highly gifted until high school and she never had Summer work or a boot camp. There is no way I would do that to a young child. They should not be punished for being smarter! Her school followed the exact same days as the rest of the kids. If he is accelerated he should not need boot camp.

Hannathy's DD experienced what a truly good gifted program should be---not MORE, just different. mrsmiller, I would be questioning the ideology of the program your son has been accepted into. A good program should provide program that is appropriate to gifted children's needs---this means the programming should be different but not in addition to whatever else they do in school. My cousin was in a "just give them more" gifted program and was very resentful and had a lot of issues later on. The programs I've seen and worked with that are successful give students opportunities, projects, and materials that are more advanced than the regular classroom, but they give it in lieu of rather than in addition to.

Two weeks + Saturdays doesn't sound like a program I would want an elementary child to be a part of. He's really young for that---at age 8 you can give him a lot of what he needs at home or by seeking out experiences (like Disney!) that give him more knowledge of the world around him. Background knowledge and experiences outside of their usual surroundings are a big part of why some kids store higher on standardized tests, as well (and why socioeconomically disadvantaged students tend not to do as well on certain tests, no matter how smart---but that's a different can of worms).

 

[swilshire]

I think these children really need these programs to challenge them otherwise some of them become very apethetic toward learning.

Monica is absolutely right! This is the most important thing.

Vacations come and go. We had to cancel a Disney trip last Christmas because DS13 got a great opportunity to work in a show at a theme park. I was sad at the time, but got over it.

The gifted programs are usually GREAT fun for the kids. They should at least try them if they get a chance. They can always withdraw later.

Sheila

 

[Leigha]

Did you ask the school if he could go to part of it and then leave early for vacation?? It would be the best of both worlds!

 

[kmjmom]

Another Mom/Teacher opinion here. I have two children who were identified for the Talented and Gifted program in our school system. One enjoyed participating for two years, but when he entered Middle School he did not want to be considered different and did not seem to be benefitting from the design of the program, which essentially entailed extra work. My DD on the other hand has enjoyed participating in the TAG program all along. I guess my point is-the child has to have a say in this choice. If they are not truly invested then it can cause stress and actually have an adverse effect on their education. I also firmly believe that children NEED the summer to get a break and be kids. Social skills are also essential and unless given a chance to have fun and socialize, a child cannot develop them. Go on vacation and enjoy!!!

 

[MyZoeJane]

Another Mom/Teacher opinion here. I have two children who were identified for the Talented and Gifted program in our school system. One enjoyed participating for two years, but when he entered Middle School he did not want to be considered different and did not seem to be benefitting from the design of the program, which essentially entailed extra work. My DD on the other hand has enjoyed participating in the TAG program all along. I guess my point is-the child has to have a say in this choice. If they are not truly invested then it can cause stress and actually have an adverse effect on their education. I also firmly believe that children NEED the summer to get a break and be kids. Social skills are also essential and unless given a chance to have fun and socialize, a child cannot develop them. Go on vacation and enjoy!!!

Another mom/teacher chimes in... IMO the program sounds too stringent. A gifted program should not REQUIRE a participant to attend duringthe summer. A good gifted program should enhance the regular curriculum, yes, but it should not do it to the detriment of a child's childhood.

Let your son decide. You'llboth feel better about it.

 

[claudia]

your son is so young....I personally would want him to enjoy his summer. Why not discuss it with him and see how he feels about it? There is plenty of time for these kinds of programs...and vacations and memories are so important when the kids are young. Our youngest had been offered these kinds of programs when he was in elementary and middle school....we opted to wait until HS for him to really get into it and now he is loading up his schedule with AP's, Honors, etc....he has enjoyed the challenges now (will be a junior in the fall) and I am glad that he enjoyed all those care free summer vacations.

 

[Kickapoo Joie Juice]

I was a gifted kid, who grew up and married a gifted kid, and we have gifted kids.

Go to Disney.

 

[Mkrop]

Before saying no or panicking I would be on the phone to the school, to my work, DH's work and Disney and see what is available to see if you can do both and reschedule things. Do you have counselor or the prinicpal of th school tht you can speak with to find out if missing some time during this summer program would be ok or if you could take him later?

Make some calls first and get all your ducks in a row and then sit down with your DH and go from there.

Good luck and congrats!

 

[gottaluvdis]

Another mom/teacher chimes in... IMO the program sounds too stringent. A gifted program should not REQUIRE a participant to attend duringthe summer. A good gifted program should enhance the regular curriculum, yes, but it should not do it to the detriment of a child's childhood.

Let your son decide. You'llboth feel better about it.

I totally agree. Our DD10 (grade 4) has been in the gifted/talented program at school since first grade, but only during the regular school year. She leaves her regular class twice a week for advanced math/reading. She had one major project this year that required a good amount of work at home, but that was it. She's also a member of the John's Hopkins Center for Talented Youth program, but all we do is have her take the SCAT test once a year. This is purely to provide the gifted/talented teacher with extra scores for admittance into the GT program at her school (along with the slew of other tests they administer in her classrooms). Even though Johns Hopkins offers a multitude of summer learning camps and trips, we haven't participated in any of those programs. We may do a long weekend opportunity as a family when she's a little older. Many of these programs are very expensive and not worth the time and expense at this age, in our opinion. We like her to be able to attend camp and a theater program (which is her current passion), and take a family vacation. There will be plenty of opportunities in the future for AP work toward college etc. We don't want her to burn out now.

 

[4formickey]

For some education must not be that important. Vacation this year or you can own the company in ten years? I guess education comes frist for me and my children.

 

[Kickapoo Joie Juice]

For some education must not be that important. Vacation this year or you can own the company in ten years? I guess education comes frist for me and my children.

That's not what people are saying.

Of course we all take our children's education seriously.

However, there is a balance one must seek in life, and in turn teach to our children.

Money isn't everything, owning a company will not guarantee you joy; and the memories you make and the connections you forge with your children at Disney can be priceless.

 

[dizneefamily5]

That's not what people are saying.

Of course we all take our children's education seriously.

However, there is a balance one must seek in life, and in turn teach to our children.

Money isn't everything, owning a company will not guarantee you joy; and the memories you make and the connections you forge with your children at Disney can be priceless.

I couldn't have said it better myself! I have 3 gifted children and we run into this every summer! We will not forego our vacation for their summer program. The kids work hard all year an deserve their summer break. The gifted educators know our family's stand and have agreed that they can miss. Our girls have done some fun research in WDW (Epcot countries, animals in AK, etc) and these are the things they remember the most becuase they are hands on! We do 2 weeks in WDW each year and we don't let the gifted teachers change our plans! Those who stress education so much that fun has no place, will fnd there children rebelling against the very thing their parents want so badly. I have work in higher education and see it happen all of the time! GO TO WDW~ You won't regret it!

 

[claudia]

For some education must not be that important. Vacation this year or you can own the company in ten years? I guess education comes frist for me and my children.

The OP's child is 8 years old....I don't think anyone is dismissing education as being important. But that living and enjoying life is right up there with it....without a good, healthy balance what's the point?

 

[gottaluvdis]

The OP's child is 8 years old....I don't think anyone is dismissing education as being important. But that living and enjoying life is right up there with it....without a good, healthy balance what's the point?

There are also ample opportunities to learn outside of a structured program, especially a program for an 8 year old that occurs during the summer. In fact there are many valuable lessons that cannot be learned in a formal environment but rather through everyday socialization and play. The OP above says it best - there needs to be a healthy balance or there will be a huge backlash down the road.

 

[shortbun]

For some education must not be that important. Vacation this year or you can own the company in ten years? I guess education comes frist for me and my children.

I pretty much resent your implications. Who knows what helps a person build the people skills and the savvy to "own a company?" People should be well rounded and comfortable in all settings to be successful. And success means something different to each person. Moderation in everything with a healthy dose of serious academics during the school year and lots of great reading, current events and travel in the summer will not eliminate our children from ownership. My husband has 3 degrees that he earned after he was 25-he owns his own company. My friend was a National Merit Scholar-went through his undergraduate, masters and PHD in 5 years. He's a bus mechanic and happy to go home and leave his work behind. YOUR expectations may become your disappointments.

 

[meandtheguys2]

LOL...missing "the gifted summer class" is not a life changing event! No chance I'd change my summer plans for more school.

OP, I hope you find peace in this situation.

I appreciate zoejane, and kjm giving their professional opinions.

 

[mrsmiller]

Thank you everybody for all the replies!

I was a little confused on what to do , after what I went thru with my younger son (thank God is over) , I did not wanted to be accused of bad parenting by letting my son decided for himself, I spoke to him explained that it was OK whatever he decided but we gave him the choice of schools, he wants to stay where he is now with his friends, and he adores his teachers, so to me is OK, not because of our vacations(I was prepared to cancel them and do something different) but also we do not want to force something on him that he might not want to do, and I wanted him to enjoy the summer after working so hard in school all year. Thank you everybody for all the support and I feel better knowing that it is OK sometimes let kids choose (specially when it has to do with their schooling)

 

[cherokeemamma]

Both my DD and DS are in the gifted program. We do not have any type of summer programs here that are part of the gifted program. As a mother, I certainly want my children to be challenged academically and I believe that education is extremely important. However, if I had a WDW vacation planned (especially with free dining) I would go on vacation. I know for us financially, free dining makes a huge difference. Those things must be considered for your family as well.

I would contact the instructor(s) of the program and explain that you already had those plans. Ask for details about what they will be doing and perhaps, have your son meet with them independently when you return. 8year old kids adapt quickly and I wouldn't think twice about having him miss. I feel family comes first especially during the summer. I would just be sure to communicate with those in charge and make sure you & your son follow up on everything you are suppose to do.

Go on vacation....HAVE FUN!

 

[daisyduck123]

I'd skip the class.

My DD12 is starting high school this fall & this week we were notified that she & 39 other incoming freshman are invited to attend some advanced placement thing for 2 weeks over the summer. We had never heard of it until the guidance counselor pulled them out of class to tell them about it on Thursday.
It seems that they were hand-picked by the teachers. Out of over 1000 incoming freshman, only 40 (20 from our school & 20 from the other middle school) get to be in it.

Well guess what?? We'll be in WDW for 9 of those days so DD said "No Way".
We've already got CRT booked for the morning of her 13th b-day and an Illuminations Cruise booked that night.

Vacations are important to us & nothing going to stop us...except maybe a hurricane!!