Pulling DS out of Kindergarden for WDW trip?

[chris4disney]

Okay, I know the topic of taking children out of all school has been discussed and flamed upon in the past. I don't want to start another debate about should you or shouldn't you. Frankly, it's ultimately the parents decision anyways. I would just like to take a poll of people who HAVE taken their child out of kindergarden for any length of time to go to WDW... and if they regretted it afterwards for any reason.

Our son will be starting half-day kindergarden next fall (2008) so for our future WDW trips we will have to take into consideration school schedules.

 

[mommytodarlings]

We pulled dd out last September. It was her 2nd week of school, half days kinder. She did not suffer from missing the week in the least. There were a lot of other kids who missed time as well. A few missed 2 weeks and another missed a whole month while she was in Florida.

We are going again this year for 2 weeks at Christmas (Dec 14-29). DD will miss 2 weeks from Grade 1 and ds will miss JK.

 

[Tallent]

I teach full day K and dd will begin K at school with me this year (I won't be her teacher of course). DH and I talked long and hard about pulling her (and me!) out for a few days but we're doing so in Dec. We'll be gone Wed and return to school on Monday. We got a Great rate at the CR and it's the only time we'll probably be able to afford staying there--plus, as I tell all of my families that go and question their trip---just enjoy your family time.

 

[TheDizMom]

I haven't pulled my children out of K because I never needed to, but I have pulled my DS out of 2nd grade for 5 days and would do it again. We plan to pull them both our for our next trip.

 

[tonilea]

We pulled my nephew out to take him to WDW. His teacher thought it was fantastic for him. (He was living w/ us and my parents at the time - three days one place/ four days the other.)

 

[Pixiebrooke]

I have pulled my child out of school for our vacations. One reason being that due to our seasonal business the only feasible time for us to vacation is in the fall/winter. It has always been great for us... less crowds, cheaper prices, etc. Everytime my child's teachers have been extremely accomodating towards this. My child is a good student and has no problems catching up on her work etc. If she was having a hard time in school then I 'might' hesitate. However, the way I look at it is this. 10 years from now I am not going to care one bit that I took her out of school for a week for us to make precious memories as a family. Your kids are only small for such a short season. Live it up and enjoy every precious moment! (and let's face it WDW is a fantastic place to do that!)

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

I took my oldest DS out of 1st grade for a week during the month of October. Then when he was in 2nd grade we did it again for a week in May. Both times the teachers were great about it. We just made sure it wasn't during a week of achievement testing or a class party or anything special.
Neither time affected him a bit. We may do it again next year! This time it will be 2 kids, one in half-day K, and the other in 3rd grade. I think as long as they are doing good in school and it is only a week or less it is fine. Especially in grade school. Not sure what I will do when they get into Jr high and high school. . .

 

[mousescrapper]

I agree do it! We took our then K twins as a suprise 6th b-day trip to WDW in May of 05 for a full week. It was well worth it and I would pull my other kids again at that grade. The teachers and pricipal we're all cool about and kept our suprise. Don't know if we'd do it for the older grades.

But I wouldn't hesitate now. It was the end of the school year and we did some journaling and drew pictures of their days a few times. They look at them now and giggle as we plan our next upcoming trip.

 

[Microcell]

I did with DD and will this year with DS, Kindergarten is not manditory in my state, so no problem. Even if it was I would, like I am my DD in fourth grade (feeling a touch guilty about that).

Just to get my half way decent mom credit, I am pulling him at the end of free dining so he has a full month to get used to Kindergarten because he needs to learn routines well before changing up on him.

 

[My2Cinderellas]

I pulled the girls out for our 2006 trip, 2nd grade and Kindergarten. 2nd grade teacher said DD is doing fine and not to worry. Kindergarten teacher was excited for us, again said don't worry, have a great time.

I told the office the girls would be gone these dates, no questions no problems.

I am pulling them out again this next spring.

 

[MissyDVC]

Have pulled DS8 and DD 7 out in K, 1st and 2nd and will do so again this year. Our family time is extremely important and since it has not been a problem whatsoever, I will do it again. If it is ever a problem for either of my children, I will not pull them again.

 

[Tink3Belle]

Pulled my son out of kindergarten their 3rd week back for his birthday in September last year. His teacher gave him a trip journal to draw pictures of his vacation and said have a great time.

 

[Nancyg56]

DD took her DD out of K last year and discussed it with the teacher beforehand. Teacher was fine, just let DD know what they would be working on and gave suggestions to DD how to incorporate it into the trip.

 

[LisaZoe]

My DD starts half-day K this fall. I wouldn't hesitate at all pulling her out for a week or a bit longer for a family vacation. In fact, I'm really hoping to do just that next Spring if I can get things arranged for a trip. Our last trip was almost 2 years ago and we both really want to go again... she's sure she's ready to do the big rides this time.

 

[portia9]

My kids will be pulled out next year for a week-they will be in Year 6, Year 2 and kindergarten. I doubt it will ruin their lifelong education to miss school for a week

Yvette

 

[chris4disney]

It is interfearing with your child's education and you should be charged with child neglect for pulling them out of school for non-medical reasons.

Boy... how do you really feel?

 

[design_mom]

We pulled DS out of K for 5 days last year. (It wasnt' to go to WDW, but to go to Myrtle Beach with his grandparents.) He did not suffer for it, so we are planning to take him out for 5 days of 1st grade (WDW in December) this year.

Honestly, if you'd asked me a year ago, I probably would have "tsk, tsk"ed people who pull their kids out. I did not think i would ever do it. However, on DS's first day of K, the teacher basically announced to all the parents that it was fine if you took them out for vacation -- just let the school know. (And DS was doing great in school. If he was struggling, I probably would not have done it.)

We called the school before we made our WDW plans for December to see if first grade was as lenient. They said that it's not really a problem in younger grades, but they discourage it for 3rd grade and higher. So I suspect this will be the last time we do it, but... we're doing it.

 

[mericletwins]

Just to get my half way decent mom credit, I am pulling him at the end of free dining so he has a full month to get used to Kindergarten because he needs to learn routines well before changing up on him.

I used to teach K (now middle school) and as a teacher or a parent I would take my child out for a trip, but I would not do it the first month because of above and I would also try to plan around class parties and activities. For instance, I know our school does a Halloween party, Christmas party, Holiday sing-a-long, Valentines party and Easter. They are pretty predictable on when they take place so that would be easy to plan around. Field trips are more difficult, though in our school each grade level generally does the same trips every year, about the same time every year. If that is the case in your school you could inquire ahead of time what the trips might be and generally, when do they take the trips.

I couldn't really vote because none of the situations applied. I haven't taken my kids out because I am a teacher and I can't get out. Also, we are past kindergarten so it is not a future consideration. If I could take days off from school to go away, my kids would be out of school so fast, their heads would spin.