pulling your child out of school

[erinz]

Hi everyone! We've taken my DD to WDW twice, once when she was 5 and then last year when she was 9. My husband and I had gone together twice before that. We always pick the value season, usually the first part of December. It has been no problem pulling her out of school for the trips so far. But I'm wondering what will happen when she gets to Junior High and High School. Is there no way we will be able to go except during school vacations? Will her teachers like yell at me if I ask?

 

[MandaPerry]

We were a late start disney family I was 19 before we went to disney together. My younger brother was 9 at the time we pulled him out of school we went again when he was 11 and pulled him again out of school. But when he hit jr high my mother sais we would have to go when schools have vacation. Its a personal choice but jr and sr high school move at a very fast pace at least in Ct they do and for a child to miss a week its like they miss a month. it didn't seem fair to pull him we have done a day or two but never a whole vac worth. But you know your child and as far as the teachers its your child you know whats best. Hope this helps a little

 

[WishfulTinking]

Let me begin by saying I appreciate the need for attendance rules in the school systems. HOWEVER, and that is with capitals I think some kids would benefit greatly by spending some TRUE quality time with their family. If that can only be at non-vacation times then the schools should respect the parents choice to pull the kids out of school.

I have taken my kids out of school for various reasons over the last 10 years without any problem. I usually send a not to the teacher explaining where we are going and how long we'll be gone and ask that he/she allow my child to get started on the makeup work in advance. So far, I haven't gotten into any trouble but I also have very bright kids who do all that is expected and sometimes more.

So I say, go for it!! They are only kids once.

 

[decker96]

I would say it would depend on the child and how long you're going for. My kids are all still little, so I can't comment on them, but I know my sister and I would have had no problem missing up to a week of school in jr. high and high school. My brother on the other hand would have been totally lost even if he had been given the work to do ahead of time (he had ADD). Unfortunately my mom was a teacher, so there was no vacation time except for school breaks for us!
I would say just use your best judgement when the time comes, based on your daughter and the classes she's in and workload she has.

 

[DVC Jen]

Jr. High will be easier than high school. My two DDs will be in 6th grade (jr high) and 10th grade (high school) next year.

The high school here is VERY strict with their attendance policies.. unexcused absences can affect her graduating on time with her fellow classmates.

I am not saying your situation will be the same..but be prepared.

I doubt you will be "yelled" at by teachers.

But the school district could make it difficult for you.

 

[TerryU.]

My niece is going with us in Oct. she will be 17 year old and a senior. When I spoke to her parents about letting her go, they had no problem. She does very well in school grade wise, so they aren't to worried. I also mentioned that it will be an early graduation present.

 

[HaleyB]

It really depends on the child. I was very ill for my middle school years and can tell you first hand that it is the math that is hard to make-up. I never did, really. But my son is a math wizz and I had no issue pulling him for a week in 7th grade. He still made an 'A' in all his classes that year. Now my younger son, I doubt I will feel like I can pull him out- he also has health issues and misses quite a few days as it is.

 

[msmouse]

We took my son out of school from the time he was 5 until he finished high school. I do not regret one of those decisions. Every situation is unique, but looking back, those memories mean more to me than anything in this world. Do what you feel is best. You are the Mom and you know best.

 

[cobbler]

First off the school district and the teachers do not own your family. I say do what is best for you and your family. We pull my son out of school, granted he is only in first grade, but I will have no doubts or anxieties in the future about it what so ever.

I write a note to the teacher saying he will be gone for x amt of time and if you could please send homework for him to do while he is away and that way can turn it in upon return to class.

I was pulled out of school for family vacations while I was growing up.

I also can't get the luxury of waiting until son is on break to go on vacation. My husbands work policy is they are not allowed any time off, except for serious things like death in the family what have you, during the months of June - August, as that is his busy season for work.

 

[jl3614]

I agree with DVC Jen - check with the school district attendance policies. I know of one very strict school district in our area that automatically fails you ( you are held back) for any semester with more than 5 unexcused absences. This policy is mandatory no matter what your grades.

 

[DemonLlama]

This is a topic that can bring out some very vociferous debating, at least it has in the past.

For our own family, we have tried to schedule the vacation right at the end of semesters, right before Christmas breaks, so the kids only miss a couple of days at the most and it is during a time when neither misses much work. We always let the teachers know at the start of the semester and remind them about a month before in case there is anything they would like us to do before departure.

 

[Jordan's MOM]

I pulled DS out most years k-5th grade. I have taken him out for up to a week with no problems and no regrets. Next year is middle school for us and right now we are planning not to take him out for an entire week. My BIL is a teacher at the middle school and he tells me how very hard it is for kids to make up a whole week. Our school has 2 days off in the fall and it looks like that might be our best bet. He will miss three days and those days tend to be lighter review days as many parents use that week for travel. We DO NOT like crowds so we too search for options. I don't even want to think about hight school yet!!!!


Jordans' mom

 

[ciera123]

When our son was young, we always went to DW in September, which was wonderful for us. When he started high school, we started going at the beginning of June. In our area (I don't know about others) during his younger years teachers understood and had no problems about pulling him out of school. But in high school he would have way too much work to make up, AND here in our school district final exams are given to students who have missed any school that semester. If you don't miss school, you don't have to take finals. Otherwise I would still take him out.....

 

[slo]

We are going to pull my DD out of kindergarten this year for one week - and I don't feel quilty about that at all.

After that we are going to leave the evening before her fall break in Oct and then pull her out for only 2 days the following week, or we are going to leave the day after Thanksgiving and again pull her out for 2 days the following week.

From what I understand from a friend of mine that has a child in middle school, there is a lot of homework to be done. But....I'm sure a couple days will be okay if the child is disciplined to finish the homework while on vacation and as soon as they come home.

I can understand about your worry about teachers being upset - I'm nervous about DD's new kindergarten teacher being upset - but she will just have to get over it!!!

 

[ChairborneRangr]

If the parent takes the child out, it is NOT an unexcused absense. If some dolt has made that rule in your area then get yourself elected to the school board and fire the jerk.

As has been said before, it depends on you and your child. If you are ok with it, then go for it!

It's not the caring parents that do things with their children that are the trouble.

Besides, WDW vacationing should be a REQUIRED course

 

[JaxnBanditFan]

Im taking my 3rd grader out the last 4 days of school . Exams are the week before. The teacher is ok with it because they will just be playing and packing up the room. No real work.
This year has been very tough on her. There is no way she could have caught up if she missed any other week this year.
Each child is different. Last year she missed a week for a funeral out of state her grades went from low 90's to low 80s the remainder of the year. I feel if she hadnt missed that week last year she would have been better prepared this year. She has ADD .
Just talk to the teachers and see how they feel your child would do.

 

[meganbear]

I took DS out of school to go to WDW in kindergarten, in third grade we took him out for three days to go to DC. This year he is in fourth grade and we are going to WDW next week, they get off for election day on May 11, so he will only be missing four days. All of his teachers have been fine with me taking him out for family vacations, although he rarely misses school and always makes good grades. I have a feeling that this will be the last year that we will take him out of school though--every year they have SO much more work to do.

 

[Gaiusrex]

To use a simple mathematical equation:

family > (work + school)

 

[WendyWorld]

The go to a Montessori school so it's not like there is any set work that needs to come with them. I think I picked a few good weeks because this week they have Friday off and a field trip Thursday, so basically my oldest is just missing tomorrow of this week and all next week except Friday! My kids are in Pre & 2nd. I just talked to the Principle who's also my daughters teacher and the only thing my 2nd grader needs to do is keep a journal!

I agree family > work/school

 

[cleo]

I'd pull my son out of school for a family vacation in a heartbeat. While I'm a huge believer in a good education, I also know education extends past the school doors, and the best education in the world is time spent traveling with family.

The idea that only a 'certified teacher' is qualified to oversee my child's education doesn't sit well with me. Some of the best learning my son has had has been on vacation with family. I wouldn't miss those precious, stress-free times with my child for anything in the world.