Pulling kindergardner out of school for 2 weeks.....

[JenDaveBrendan]

I know this type of question has been posted before about pulling kids out of school, excuse letters, and such... but I was wondering specifically about parents pulling out their kindergardners?? Is it looked at differently since it is only kindergarden and no homework yet? Did the school give you a problem?
My son is in a half day program at the public school and we want to pull him out for 2 weeks in January.
My parents (who are teachers) have already given me grief on this - but I honestly don't see the big deal since he isn't in the upper grades yet.
Thanks!
Jen

 

[tjmw2727]

I did, I pulled my kids out for 5-7 days a year until about 2nd grade when the classwork gets more intense and can't be missed and the work is harder to make up.

I did take them both out for a week this year, April 05 as DH had an all expense paid vacation to DC including exclusive tours of things we can't normally see. Both teachers and the principal agreed it was "excused" but they did all their classwork and lots of extra credit during the trip. I would do it again for something like this but for disney - not any more.

That said, I wouldn't think twice about Kindergarten - it isn't even required. Check your state mandate but IIRC attendance at school isn't required until 2nd grade and even though it is now public and accepted kindergarten still is not mandatory. Lots of kids wait a year and some two years before beginning so if you had held him back you would not question your options.

So if he is adjusting well and following the rules I would not think twice.

Consider having him him keep a journal - written or pictures or both. Our DC journals are priceless as we had no idea how much they learned and how perceptive they were. They noticed things we didn't and described sights we saw in a totally new light.

Have Fun
TJ

 

[magicaldisney]

We go to WDW every October. I have never had a problem with pulling them out of school. However, we go for 10 days not two weeks. I still don't think there should be a problem in Kindergarten. DS is now a freshman in high school and I can see where we might start running into more of a problem.

I wouldn't worry about it. Just enjoy your wonderful vacation!!

 

[Gillian]

We are planning to take DS out for a week in the spring. I haven't talked to his teacher yet. Knowing DS, he will probably miss his friends more than anything else. I don't feel bad about him missing work at this age.

He goes to full day public kindergarten and had his first homework assignment last night! It was the first day of the first full week. He didn't get any today. I have no idea how often to expect it. I'm startinh a list of questions for back to school night.

 

[JenDaveBrendan]

TJ,
thank you so much for the quick reply! It was very helpful... I totally forgot that kindergarden wasn't even required!! The journal is a great idea too. My son is very well adjusted, loves school, and does well, so I don't think it would be detrimental for him to be pulled out for a couple of weeks.
How far in advance should I tell them I will be taking him out of school?

edited:
thanks to all for the quick replys! I wrote the above then noticed there were 2 more replys!

 

[magicaldisney]

For Kindergarten I don't think you need to tell them too much in advance. There will be little if no homework for him to work on before he leaves. My boys are in 2nd and 9th grade and I will be notifying the schools the first of October for an Oct 20 - 30 trip.

You definately wouldn't have to give more notice than that for your son.

 

[liamandcaili]

I know my DS's school does not encourage vacation during school time...even when they are in "just Kindergarten." However, I've spoken to plenty of parents who had no problem taking their children out of school for vacation. Two weeks is a long stretch, so you might ask your child's teacher what the theme for that month is. That way, you can incorporate the theme into your two weeks away. Maybe your child, upon returning, will have new information to share with the class.

By the way, I am taking DS out of school for Disney in December. He's in first grade, and I am not feeling guilty at all.

Enjoy!

 

[DisneyArk]

We took our DS out of kindergarten to go to WDW for a week. I think I told the school about a week before we left. They did not send any work with us. I did have DS keep a journal. He drew pictures every day and would write a few key words on the pages. I put the pages in a book and he still loves to look at it!! So it may seem like a pain during the vacation, but its worth it. Plus his teacher let him share the book with the class and he thought that was cool.

I also printed out a lot of Disney activity sheets to color and work through on the plane.

As I'm sure you know, WDW is so much more than an amusement park and the kids can learn a lot while they're there!

 

[isla bonita]

Every year I pull my children out for approx. 8 days. I know it is not the best thing for them as far as school goes, but our family time is more important. My husband works construction and is very busy during the summer. Our family vacations can take place when he is able to get time off of work. That is generally in the winter. I feel that our family time is much more important. We do not get much because I am a stay at home mom and my husband works very hard to keep us all afloat. We have a home in Florida and we spend 2 weeks in the winter to regroup. I want our family to stay intact and I think this time is most important. I make every effort to get what the kids will miss while we are gone. They have plenty of time on the plane to get most done then. It can work. There is no perfect and we do what we feel is best for are whole family. You will make the right decision for your family I am sure. Have a great vaca.

 

[soccerchick]

I'm pulling my kindergartener out for 5 days starting on the 28th. About a week prior I will send an e-mail asking the teacher to do whatever works best for him: 1. get materials together before we leave ,or 2. please set aside what she misses and we will work on it asap when we return.

I've reviewed the first quarter curriculum and my DD won't be missing anything she doesn't already know. She is well-behaved and loves school, so there will not be any adjustment issues. She wil have been in school for one month and she will know the routines by then. I will take her out w/o a worry.

I will also not lie, but I will not give specifics about why she is out of school to the office. My note will simply say that our family is going out of town from xxx date to xxx date.

Also, to the OP, have you checked your school district's calendar? You might not be missing that much time. Most schools are out a few days around New Years, MLK Jr. Day, and our district is out 1-2 days for teacher workdays at the semester break which falls in mid-January.

 

[etink67]

Our school district has just changed their policy last year about vacation days. The policy is only 5 occurances during all of elementary school- no occurance of more than 5 days in a row. They are VERY strict and will not hesitate to fine for truancy. I've talked to several families who had been reported as truant. They say it is all thanks to the No child left behind act. You may want to check your local policy before you pay for anything.

 

[tjmw2727]

Our school district has just changed their policy last year about vacation days. The policy is only 5 occurances during all of elementary school- no occurance of more than 5 days in a row. They are VERY strict and will not hesitate to fine for truancy. I've talked to several families who had been reported as truant. They say it is all thanks to the No child left behind act. You may want to check your local policy before you pay for anything.

Yes have you checked? First of all, kindergarten is not mandatory in all states that I have researched. Second children are not required to attend school until age 7 in most states, generally that is 2nd grade. Since the OP is probably talking about a 5yo attending kingergarten this dosen't apply.

Don't get me started on "mandatory" and how to raise my child NCLB or not, <g>.

TJ

 

[figmentfan1]

My son is in tutioned pre-K at the public school and they have already made a big deal about not taking kids out. I am doing it anyway (it's pre-k and I'm PAYING for it!)... I guess people have been reported to the school board for taking their kids out.

Crazy!!

je

 

[disneychrista]

How is your son getting along in Kindergarten (or maybe it is too soon to tell?)? For me this is the biggest thing that needs to be look at regardless of grade. If you son is going good at or above average then I don't see an issue. If he struggling, just at average or below then school is more important then vacation anytime.

While it is "just kindergarten" kindergarten is a lot different these days then it was when we were in school. A lot of basic skills are learned that are needed for success is first grade. So look at how your son is doing and make your own decision.

 

[Amyality]

We took my son out last year in first grade, for one week. It did hurt his first semester grades and it was tough making things up. We took work with us but, still ended up taking two weeks more to complete it. We are doing it again this year (2nd grade) and know it will be tough but, we just can't stand going in July and August. Plus we love the Food and Wine Festival. I figure, we better do it now because, by middle shool they just can't miss like this. I have already spoken with his teacher and she is being very good about it. She kinda has to, I voluneer alot and am very involved at the school. Unless she wants to find a new Scholastic Book Program person and regular vounteer, I think she will stay on board. At the kindergarten level, I really wouldn't think twice about pulling him out. That said, two weeks is a long time. The school may take issue with a n absence that long. I would deffintely check with the teacher now.

 

[paigevz]

Just so you know, in our school, if told about ahead of time, they'd have you complete withdrawal papers and re-enroll upon your return. No big deal, only paperwork, helps us out with finances though. This way, they will always be returned to their classroom.

If not told about ahead of time, we withdraw on the 10th day. In this case, it is withdrawn due to no-show, and when the child came back, he would not go back to his regular class, necessarily.........he would go to the class with the fewest students.

Beyond that, about the kindergarten is not required bit............that's true here too, UNTIL the child is enrolled, then attendance is mandatory, UNLESS the child is withdrawn. So he would be held accountable for the missed days.........they'd show up on the report card, and can be used as a reason to hold him back if he went over the limit on absences. This is one of the reasons we withdraw for extended trips (here, it's usually to Mexico rather than Disney), so the absences don't affect the child or the school negatively.

My personal opinion? 5 years old, sacrifice two weeks at school for two weeks at Disney...........no brainer........I'd go for the Disney and I AM a teacher. (Slightly different opinion on 1st and up!)

 

[3DisneyKids]

We took DS out for a week last year (in K) and it was totally fine. He didn't miss a beat.

We will always take the kids out of school for vacations...falme away if you want...LOL...I am an educator and I think it is ok. My schedule is different than my kids'. I was also rasied by educators who always took us out (even all through h.s.) and it can be fine if you choose for it to be. My opinion as both an educator and a parent is that life experience and traveling (even to places like WDW that aren't Gettysburg, educartional in nature, etc.) is completely an educational experience in and of itself. In our family, my kids learn much more at home than they do in school--and we have a WONDERFUL school system. We just make LIFE an educational opportunity.

If anything, I would be more worried about the social aspect of being away for 2 weeks. He will have routines, etc. that he will have to re-adjust to. If your child has trouble with transitions and adjustments, you may want to reconsider.

My 2 cents. And I think it is great that you are asking opinions about this.

 

[JenDaveBrendan]

Thanks to everyone for their opinions/suggestions!!! I actually went into the office at DS's school this morning, and asked what the "policy" was for pulling out kids for vacation... the secretary said it was "frowned upon", however just to talk to the teacher about it and make sure the office knows when we are leaving so DS will be accounted for.
Also to answer a couple of questions: DS was in a private all day preschool program last year that did a kindergarten curriculum, so acedemically, I would say he is ahead of some others in the class. The curriculum this year is pretty much a repeat of last year for him. We did a 2 week vacation to Disney last Jan. also (however, pulling him out was not an issue), and he had no problem getting back into routine, so I am really not worried about that. This is our one big vacation of the year, and we love having the 2 weeks there so we are less rushed. Also, I wanted to add that when I wrote "just kindergaten" in my original post, I didn't mean it as it probably came out. I realize kindergarten is important, I just meant it as in they have no homework and such so it is easier to miss some time than in upper grade levels.
Any suggestions on a note to the teacher????
Thanks!

 

[tikilyn]

Just so you know, in our school, if told about ahead of time, they'd have you complete withdrawal papers and re-enroll upon your return. No big deal, only paperwork, helps us out with finances though. This way, they will always be returned to their classroom.

If not told about ahead of time, we withdraw on the 10th day. In this case, it is withdrawn due to no-show, and when the child came back, he would not go back to his regular class, necessarily.........he would go to the class with the fewest students.

Beyond that, about the kindergarten is not required bit............that's true here too, UNTIL the child is enrolled, then attendance is mandatory, UNLESS the child is withdrawn. So he would be held accountable for the missed days.........they'd show up on the report card, and can be used as a reason to hold him back if he went over the limit on absences. This is one of the reasons we withdraw for extended trips (here, it's usually to Mexico rather than Disney), so the absences don't affect the child or the school negatively.

My personal opinion? 5 years old, sacrifice two weeks at school for two weeks at Disney...........no brainer........I'd go for the Disney and I AM a teacher. (Slightly different opinion on 1st and up!)

My dd4 just entered PreK this year and I was told to withdraw her and re-enroll her when we got back. I was also told that she wouldn't be garintee to be re-enroll again. How can a school ask you to withdraw a child and not garintee her a spot when she comes back to school? I flat out told the Principal that I wasn't withdrawing her for that reason. We'll take the unexcused absents. He also went as far as to tell me if she has more than 10 unexcused absentes then they will retain her in PreK I talked to her teacher and she just about fell on the floor laughing. She said that the Principal was blowing smoke out his butt and that they don't retain in PreK or Kindergarten. This school is very stict with absentes but this is getting rediculas. We're leaving on the 26th and will return on Oct 1st. She'll be missing only 5 Days. Bring on the Truncy Officer. They won't want to mess with me when it's all over!!

Oh and on the homework thing, my dd has brought home home work two night in a roll. Ok nothing hard (trace the letter A with a RED Color). Homework in PreK (whats the world coming too )

 

[Brina]

My kids are in Kindergarten at a public school that goes Junior Kindergarten through 8th grade. They discourage all unexcused absenses, but do not seem to truely penalize unitl the middle school/.junior high years, when they do not allow test make-ups, or extra credit to replace missed tests.

I am taking my boys out for 4 days for our disney trip, just before Thanksgiving, when I know that at least one of those days is going to be a party of sorts.

Whle there is no kindergarten homework in our district, there are things they do in class each day that will be tough to miss - letter of the day and printing practice is the main one that I am thinking of. I will ask the teacher in advance for the handouts. Plus, I have put together a journal for them to work on, I think the link is pinned at the top of this page.

Personally, I don't think I would pull my kids for 2 weeks straight, even at this age, but obviously, we all make our own decisions about our own kids. I hope your teachers do not give you too much hassle. Have a great trip.