Opinions and Advice, Please...

[MARCIAKAZ]

I am seriously considering keeping my 12 year old out of school for 6 school days so we can take our trip during free dining, instead of during Christmas break, which was the original plan. It will be a great $$ savings, and I expect the crowds to be less than during the Holidays. It would be during her 2nd week of school, and she's a pretty good student. It has never occured to me to do this...until free dining came along

Those who've done it--how did it go? Problems with teachers/absence policy? Suggestions?

Thanks in advance!!!

 

[iGenie]

Well, if you've never been during Christmas, go then, but otherwise go free dining unless her school has issues with that.

 

[Darcy03231]

The first thing I would do is to check your school district's policy. I know our district has really changed things since No Child Left Behind. For us it would count as an unexcused absence. Its also up to the teacher whether or not they want to give make-up work. If they don't the child gets a zero on anything missed.

I did take my kids out when they were younger (and before No Child Left Behind) and didn't have any issues with the school or the teachers. Kids were able to make up the work without any problems.

Keep in mind that during free dining WDW will be just as crowded, if not more so, than during the holidays.

Good Luck!

 

[NEVERENOUGHWDW]

If they are very small kids that is one thing....12 is a tricky age and I just wouldn't do it. I would also think her teachers might have an issue with a week absence when she has just been in school a week.

 

[Bubbie]

I've done it. If it's just for a week, why not? She can make it back up in no time. My 3 never had a problem. Just let her teacher know ahead of time,just in case she has a quiz or an assignment due.

 

[bzzymom]

I did it when DS was 8....we did free dining in mid-late Sept. He is a good student and had no problems. The schools here are OK with it if they are notified ahead of time. A lot of times, the beginning of the school year is a review. When I was school age, I missed a week of school every year when my dad had conferences for work. I had no problems making the work up.

 

[Hannathy]

It depends on what classes she has. When my DD was 12 she was in an advanced program and had 8th and 9th grade classes and would never have been able to miss 6 days at the beginning of the year and do well the rest of the year. Missing a whole week of lets say Algebra when you are learning the basics can really hurt you for a very long time. Plus when she gets back she will be trying to learn what she missed while they are going full steam ahead. Middle school moves a lot faster than elementary. Saving money is nice but you have to weigh whether it is worth it for your DD's school work.

 

[disneyag]

Check out your district's policy on absences. Texas is notoriously tough on kids missing school. I think discretion is left up to the principal in many cases, so you might chat with him/her.

 

[MARCIAKAZ]

I did check the school policy, and it does allow for three days excused--with several conditions that I'm sure we can accomodate...maybe the principal will "allow" the other three days... At Christmastime, we could go for 1 or 2 more days, which appeals to me too. We've got some thinking to do...

 

[GraysMom]

Besides the education part, you might also want to think about whether your DD might be missing out on making new friends in her new classes. Not that she couldn't make them later, but the first few weeks of school tend to be when kids that age merge into little groups, and she might come back and find herself out of the loop. Just a thought.

 

[NEVERENOUGHWDW]

Besides the education part, you might also want to think about whether your DD might be missing out on making new friends in her new classes. Not that she couldn't make them later, but the first few weeks of school tend to be when kids that age merge into little groups, and she might come back and find herself out of the loop. Just a thought.

Grays I was just thinking that...girls at that age are very clicky and I would hate for that DD not have an even start.....

 

[Hannathy]

Besides the education part, you might also want to think about whether your DD might be missing out on making new friends in her new classes. Not that she couldn't make them later, but the first few weeks of school tend to be when kids that age merge into little groups, and she might come back and find herself out of the loop. Just a thought.

Very good point! And if it is a new school, learning the routine and where to go in the cafeteria, how to go thru the line, when to go to the bathroom etc. all the things that make you feel uncomfortable if you don't know and everyone else does (especially if you are 12)

 

[MARCIAKAZ]

Well, it's not a new school...but you're right about the friends thing--I'll think about that, and talk to her about it too.