Planning for 2016 and taking kids out of school / educational experience potential?

[perchy]

We spent our last "big" Disney trip the February before DD started kindergarten.

I want to do the same before her little sister starts kindergarten. By then, older sister will be in 4th grade.

I have mixed feelings about pulling her from school. How might Disney be educational for a 4th grader?

Also, would you plan for a November trip, possibly over Thanksgiving, which requires fewer days, or the week before, which is far less crowded, or the end of February, away from Presidents Week and before the spring breakers

 

[got2sammies]

We are going again in two weeks and this will be the 2nd trip for us in November (normally summer is out visit)and the 2nd time I will be pulling my 15 year old high school student out of school. Like the time before he will only be out 3 days.. I planned it that way on purpose.. I would LOVE to spend the whole week down but at the high school level no. The other time he was in 6th grade.
I write to all the teachers to let them know what is going on. I request that the work he misses will be sent home before we leave so that we can have time to work on it before and after we leave. MOST of them understand. I tell them that this is a great experience (my son is a higher functioning austic student with an IEP) so him to enhance being independent with money, maps, crowds (which is a big hurdle for us) and they understand it is a great experience. I hope this year is no expection.
Disney can be educational on many levels for children of all ages and grades. History-hall of presidents math- do I have enough money to buy this? personal finance -I give him a budget Global- the world showcase is great to learn geography and new cultures, just take the time to do so and not walk by each country.. Science- what happens with the change in my pocket on TOT? Why did that happen? Or more simply- what colors/shapes did you see in the fireworks?
Make it fun!

 

[perchy]

We are going again in two weeks and this will be the 2nd trip for us in November (normally summer is out visit)and the 2nd time I will be pulling my 15 year old high school student out of school. Like the time before he will only be out 3 days.. I planned it that way on purpose.. I would LOVE to spend the whole week down but at the high school level no. The other time he was in 6th grade.
I write to all the teachers to let them know what is going on. I request that the work he misses will be sent home before we leave so that we can have time to work on it before and after we leave. MOST of them understand. I tell them that this is a great experience (my son is a higher functioning austic student with an IEP) so him to enhance being independent with money, maps, crowds (which is a big hurdle for us) and they understand it is a great experience. I hope this year is no expection.
Disney can be educational on many levels for children of all ages and grades. History-hall of presidents math- do I have enough money to buy this? personal finance -I give him a budget Global- the world showcase is great to learn geography and new cultures, just take the time to do so and not walk by each country.. Science- what happens with the change in my pocket on TOT? Why did that happen? Or more simply- what colors/shapes did you see in the fireworks?
Make it fun!

Good ideas!

 

[mrsp1030]

We are going at Thanksgiving this year and our boys: grade 3 and K will be missing 2.5 days. At first I was worried but then I decided there were just as many educational things at Disney for him to learn. Plus, right now are family vacation times are limited. I think either time would be great but I like thanksgiving because the decorations are up for the holidays!!!

 

[Happyjen27]

I tried to play up the "educational" aspect of Disney when taking my 1st graders out of school, to see if the absences could be excused.

Nope.

It might vary from state to state and district to district, but, IMO, Disney does not offer any educational benefits, and our teachers were clearly of that opinion, too.

I see no problem in pulling a 4th grader from school for a vacation. Vacations are important to provide life experiences for a child. Vacations are important to family unity, trying new things, and becoming savvy in the world. However, let's call it what it is, a vacation, it's an educational opportunity in real life, and part of a well rounded upbringing, but it's not a scholastic endeavor.

Do it, guilt free. We owe our children life experiences while raising them!!

 

[NC Disney Fan]

I would agree with the PP. Here is the thing, they are kids! As a former guidance counselor and parent who has pulled her children out of school for the past 7 years during September (by the way, the perfect time to go!!), it just won't count. Sure they might have unexcused absences and/or they might not pull the A with having missed a week (although my daughters always managed to do so), but the truth is, no college, no person will know. Nothing truly matters prior to high school. Unless they are a weak student who can't take the make up work and missing some content, this week is about being together as a family, having fun and having a memory that will last a lifetime. The grade they get in 4th grade, heck in 8th grade won't be seen by anyone but you. Now high school is a different matter which is why, for the first time, we having to travel during the Thanksgiving season (which is not my first choice by any means--way too crowded). As we travel when Disney has free dining, we have always gone since my girls we 5 & 7 during September. Not only is it free dining but it is the perfect time to go. If you plan it about a month after school starts, the kids have a chance to get acclimated to school but since much of the beginning is review, they are not hugely into new content. I did as a PP did and just let the school know well in advance (not even trying to make it an educational experience) and the teachers all seemed very wiling to get me make up work ahead of time or allow my girls to make up stuff when they get back. For our 8th grader last year, she did bring some work with her and did it on the day we sat poolside.

Another reason September is great is that the weather is still wonderful for swimming which my girls loved and the crowds are super low. We always traveled the 3rd week of September. I am truly not looking forward to the November/Thanksgiving crowds but as I previously stated, once they are in high school, it's another story. EVERYTHING counts!

Again, i don't know your school system and or policy but my thought was always, whether excused or unexcused, it is well worth what this trip has meant to our family and the memories it has made. Only you can determine that for your family. Oh, and I will say that there was that part that worried that with 5 days absent (we took a 9 night vacation with both weekends included), that one of my daughters could get sick and miss enough school that there were consequences like making it up in Saturday school etc but by the grace of God, that has not happened.

I say, pull your kids out when it is best for your family and don't worry about the other stuff. It will be okay. When your kids are applying to get into Duke or Harvard, how they did in 4th grade will never be seen! Hope that helps give you some perspective to a rebel parent who has pulled her kids out 7 years in a row but who can also look back at 7 incredible and not crowded with free dining vacations!!!

 

[perchy]

I tried to play up the "educational" aspect of Disney when taking my 1st graders out of school, to see if the absences could be excused.

Nope.

It might vary from state to state and district to district, but, IMO, Disney does not offer any educational benefits, and our teachers were clearly of that opinion, too.

I see no problem in pulling a 4th grader from school for a vacation. Vacations are important to provide life experiences for a child. Vacations are important to family unity, trying new things, and becoming savvy in the world. However, let's call it what it is, a vacation, it's an educational opportunity in real life, and part of a well rounded upbringing, but it's not a scholastic endeavor.

Do it, guilt free. We owe our children life experiences while raising them!!

I would agree with the PP. Here is the thing, they are kids! As a former guidance counselor and parent who has pulled her children out of school for the past 7 years during September (by the way, the perfect time to go!!), it just won't count. Sure they might have unexcused absences and/or they might not pull the A with having missed a week (although my daughters always managed to do so), but the truth is, no college, no person will know. Nothing truly matters prior to high school. Unless they are a weak student who can't take the make up work and missing some content, this week is about being together as a family, having fun and having a memory that will last a lifetime. The grade they get in 4th grade, heck in 8th grade won't be seen by anyone but you. Now high school is a different matter which is why, for the first time, we having to travel during the Thanksgiving season (which is not my first choice by any means--way too crowded). As we travel when Disney has free dining, we have always gone since my girls we 5 & 7 during September. Not only is it free dining but it is the perfect time to go. If you plan it about a month after school starts, the kids have a chance to get acclimated to school but since much of the beginning is review, they are not hugely into new content. I did as a PP did and just let the school know well in advance (not even trying to make it an educational experience) and the teachers all seemed very wiling to get me make up work ahead of time or allow my girls to make up stuff when they get back. For our 8th grader last year, she did bring some work with her and did it on the day we sat poolside.

Another reason September is great is that the weather is still wonderful for swimming which my girls loved and the crowds are super low. We always traveled the 3rd week of September. I am truly not looking forward to the November/Thanksgiving crowds but as I previously stated, once they are in high school, it's another story. EVERYTHING counts!

Again, i don't know your school system and or policy but my thought was always, whether excused or unexcused, it is well worth what this trip has meant to our family and the memories it has made. Only you can determine that for your family. Oh, and I will say that there was that part that worried that with 5 days absent (we took a 9 night vacation with both weekends included), that one of my daughters could get sick and miss enough school that there were consequences like making it up in Saturday school etc but by the grace of God, that has not happened.

I say, pull your kids out when it is best for your family and don't worry about the other stuff. It will be okay. When your kids are applying to get into Duke or Harvard, how they did in 4th grade will never be seen! Hope that helps give you some perspective to a rebel parent who has pulled her kids out 7 years in a row but who can also look back at 7 incredible and not crowded with free dining vacations!!!

Excellent insights. Thank you. And you're right about September. I should give that some consideration. Third grade is expected to be tough. Tho I feel like my DD is sort of breezing through 2nd grade. (And even her teacher is not concerned about her missing 2 days for Thanksgiving week. I had expected her to miss one day, but I think I misread the school calendar when I made plans.) Hmmm... September, November, February.... all things to consider.

 

[MandiC]

I see no problem in pulling a 4th grader from school for a vacation. Vacations are important to provide life experiences for a child. Vacations are important to family unity, trying new things, and becoming savvy in the world. However, let's call it what it is, a vacation, it's an educational opportunity in real life, and part of a well rounded upbringing, but it's not a scholastic endeavor.

Do it, guilt free. We owe our children life experiences while raising them!!

Ditto!
For the record, 4th grade was a breeze for my oldest. She missed 6 days due to our Disney vacation in 4th grade and her teacher said she didn't skip a beat when she came back (we had parent/teacher conferences 2 weeks after we got back).

 

[dealia]

I have taken my kids out of school 2 times for Disney. The first time they were both in elementary school. They missed 3 days (right before Thanksgiving break)
I asked teachers for their work ahead of time and called them is Ill so it was excused. We had a great time. But, Thanksgiving was CRAZY busy. The second time was trickier, They missed 5 days. I had a 5th grader (not an issue with her teacher, I spoke with her directly for home work ). My other one was a freshman in Honors classes and a Varsity sport. I had to out right lie to her guidance counselor. She could not afford unexcused absence it would make her ineligible for sports. She did fine making up her work. She had a real problem lying to her teachers and Coach. ( which is a good quality) I felt bad about the stress it put on her to put her in that position. We had a wonderful time. The parks were quiet in October and it did not rain the whole trip. I would take a grade schooler out of school without giving it a second thought. I do not think I would take a middle/ high school student out of school again.

 

[MSSANDRA]

We took our oldest out every two years up though middle school. The little guy in now second grade and we will do the same. We made sure we knew the school policy and we were fine with it. You need to be sure you know your school's policy and be sure you are ok with it too. We never did the excused absence for elementary but did in middles and DS did a report on the countries in Epcot.

I disagree that WDW is not educational. ALL travel is a learning experience for kids. We travel a ton and we seek out ways to make it educational but you really don't have to try too hard. Travel exposes kids to people from all over the country and world. CM at WDW are amazing to talk to. We encourage our boys to do so. In MK there is the President's Hall and while it might not be completely accurate, it does include some cool facts and a great look at our History. One year on the trip down, we read Tom Sawyer in anticipation of visiting the island. Animal Kingdom has Discovery Island that is great and there are some factual information in Dino-Land as well. Epcot is FULL of educational offerings from WS to Innovations. As you plan and go about the day, kids learn money and time management. They budget spending money. They see good quality musical shows and literature come to life.
I have been in education, both in the classroom and in administration for almost 30 years and while I know how important education is, I am a huge believer in real life experiences as well and travel is one of the best examples of that. WDW included!

 

[TinaLala]

Check out the disney yes individual programs

 

[fairyjess]

Are you looking for a justification for the school and teacher, or are you rationalizing for yourself? My personal opinion is, if the kids can handle it, being taken out of school for a special vacation when no one else is allowed to leave can be one of the most memorable things you can do for a child. I wouldn't do it in high school, but in elementary school? Absolutely. Go. Enjoy. And yes, your kids will absolutely learn, and will retain that learning better than if they had learned in a textbook.
But my husband and I have this argument frequently. He is a teacher in a district where kids are constantly on vacation (to visit their families in Mexico) and it is extremely disruptive. And I see that. And I can see how he doesn't want to take off during the school year, since he gets summers for 'vacation time'. But I'm pushing anyway.
At the end of the day, you are responsible for your children's education, and if you can make sure that they can keep up when they get back, I think it is wonderful to pull them out of school. Not every year, but for a special treat. My two cents.

 

[laughinplace199]

We spent our last "big" Disney trip the February before DD started kindergarten.

I want to do the same before her little sister starts kindergarten. By then, older sister will be in 4th grade.

I have mixed feelings about pulling her from school. How might Disney be educational for a 4th grader?

Also, would you plan for a November trip, possibly over Thanksgiving, which requires fewer days, or the week before, which is far less crowded, or the end of February, away from Presidents Week and before the spring breakers

Does it need to be educational? Does your DD's school want you to submit something along those lines to get the absence excused?

Kids are only little for a short amount of time and family time is important. I pulled my kids out for WDW vacations every year though the 6th grade. After that, there was just too much work to make up.

I used to send a note to their teachers stating that they would be absent from this date through that date due to a family vacation. Their school would not provide work in advance, so they knew they'd have to make it all up once we got home, but they were fine with that.

My parents joined us on many of those of those trips and we all have such fabulous memories of that time spent together. They would never go to WDW in the summer (too hot and crowded for them) and now that's the only time we can go (now that two of our kids are in hs/jr high), so I'm happy that we pulled the kids from school when they were young.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I went on a public school overnight (2 nights/3 days) field trip to EPCOT she I was in 6th grade. So that park can definitely be educational.

Animal Kingdom can be as well. MK and DHS are more of a challenge. The YES program may be worth checking out.

 

[perchy]

Ditto!
For the record, 4th grade was a breeze for my oldest. She missed 6 days due to our Disney vacation in 4th grade and her teacher said she didn't skip a beat when she came back (we had parent/teacher conferences 2 weeks after we got back).

What was the timing of your trip? (What time of year did you go? Fall? Or late winter/early spring?)