Removing a Child from school for Disney trip?

[niccofive]

We are considering a Disney Trip for this Fall. We were especially excited about the free dining option , but as we thought about it, we didn't want to take our daughter out of her first year of middle school that early in the year. They are just starting in Sept. So then we were thinking maybe November, avoiding Turkey Day, would also work and will have given her some chance to get used to the new school and new routines. But no free dining. So what do you all think? Give up the free dining and go later, so she can get acclimmated at school or take the free dining and let her just settle back in once we get back. Feedback Please!

 

[mommy*RN]

Well, this is just my opinion, but I would probably go in September and opt for the free dining plan. When I was starting 7th grade I recall my mom taking me out of school for a WDW trip in October and it wasn't a big problem. September would probably be even better because while she may miss some lectures and homework...it may be too early for a test or worse a midterm exam of some sort. Second, as an older child going to WDW a HUGE part of the excitement is all the different dining options as well as the touring itself. The meal plan would definitely allow her some freedom to try different foods if she wishes.

This is just my opinion...I hope it helps!

Best of luck in your planning!
_________

 

[daisyduck123]

I would go in September. I am one who does pull my kids from school. I have a DD11 in 7th grade. I did it for our 8 day trip in January, & am doing it again for our 9 day trip coming up. We have just never gone in September.

We are going for a week in August to take advantage of the FREE dining.

 

[CA Disney Fans]

We're going in September and allowing DS to miss two weeks (please no lectures about it). It took some convincing by DH to go then as DS missed a couple days at the beginning of the year for a WDW trip. He did just fine getting back into the school routine, etc, so I'm confident he'll be fine.

I totally agree with mommy*RN about timing. DS will be in school for the first 2 weeks and then off to WDW. That should give DS's teacher enough time to compile work for him while he's on contracted study.

I don't recall my parents allowing me to ever miss school for a Disney vacation, so it's still a bit weird when we allow DS to do so.

 

[Mom to Jordan]

I would go in September as long as this is not a totaly new school for her. By that I mean will her friends from last year be going to the new school as well. Middle school adjustments are as much social as educational. The early part of the year is a lot review. If however she has to make all new friends, it might be better to give her a little time to strenghten those friendships before she is gone for a whole week.
Also check with the school to find out about make up work policies. Things change a lot in middle school. Our school has no problem with us taking DS out for a week to WDW. It had been our plan not to continue this in middle school but thier attitude was why not??

Good luck. Wish we could go in September this year!!!

 

[PlutoPony]

We have a child who will be entering MS next year and I don't think I would take him out of school so early in the year. This CAN be a big adjustment for kids and you really won't know until you get into it if your child is one who takes a while to adjust. I have friends whose kids did really well in elementary, but had problems early in MS so it's hard to tell in advance I think. Plus, since MS is a new school for us, the teachers and administrators don't know my son or family and I really don't want their early impression of us to be that we're one who pulls their kid out of school for vacation or aren't serious about education - and some WILL believe that, fair or not. I would be kicking myself all school year if a vacation caused my child any problems in MS, it's a tough enough transition as it is. Just MHO... good luck!

 

[Mom to 2]

I would opt for November because even if she knows everyone in school, middle school is a big adjustment. My daughter started middle school this year so I asked her opinion and she said definitely Nov. She said she would want to get comfortable with the new schedule etc. before she was gone for that long.
We will be pulling the kids out for 10 days (as we do all our trips, that is the amount which is allowed) this Nov.

Have fun whatever you decide

Lory

 

[disneyjunkie]

Why not go in August before school starts? That you can take advantage of free dining and your daughter won't miss any school.

 

[melomouse]

HI -

I am taking DD (10) out for 5 days the last week in September. Last year we went in October. She's an excellent student and has done High Honors this year - in spite of her missing week last October! I feel a bit guilty but going at a time when we can get free dining for our mother/daughter trip is absolutely worth the quiet and private time we need together and never get because I also have an Asperger's boy (14).

As for the starting Middle School, DD will be yet a year off from that, so I can't say what I would do then. Probably go to WDW again!!!LOL. Only you know your child and how she is with transition, distraction,adjustment, etc. You are the parent and make the call. I'm a former teacher and while I do understand the problems associated with absence, kids can also be out for a week - easily - due to illness and make up work fine. Depends on who that kid is.

I say go and enjoy!!!

 

[Nite0wl71]

This is the first year I am taking DD13 out of school. We usually go in April (which we did ) but we want to go to MNSSHP. We are flying out late Wednesday, so she will miss Thursday and 1/2 day on Friday.

She will be in 8th grade, 7th grade I wouldn't even think about it. In Chicago you get to pick your HS and everything is based on your 7th year.

 

[goofy4tink]

When I made plans to go to Florida in May, I knew my dd would miss some school. So, I'm going down on a Monday, she and dh are flying down Tues. evening. I told her that if her report card, in early April, wasn't as good as it should be, I would change her flight to Wed night. The report was what it should be. So, she misses 2 1/2 days, since Wed is a half day for some strange reason.
Then, she misses 4 days of school in Oct when she goes to WDW with another girl and her mom to celebrate the girls' turning 13. She is a good student and knows what is expected of her as far as making up work. If she misses somthing and doesn't make it up, then she loses a priviledge.

 

[sammielynn]

I don't believe in taking kids out of school to go to Disney. Now that said I would check into school policy. Some places just will not allow this. In grade school maybe but not Middle School. I do remember one time we went to the beach the day our school was out and took my nephew with us and he missed a week of school. But it was so sad bacause his mother sent his homework with us and we had to plan a time for him to study each day. But his school district had a five day leave plan of some kind. We do not have that and my boys would not even be able to make up their work. Botton line is check with your school and see what the policy is, it could cost you daughter more than you think.

 

[DizneeCM]

As nice as the free dining would be, I'd probably wait and go in November. Or, even better (as Disneyjunkie said), try to go in August before school starts, if that is possible. I think your DD will just be getting into the swing of things in Sept., and it might take her longer to adjust to middle school if she misses a lot of time then.

 

[helenm29]

I think September is a good bet also. Most kids haven't started any MAJOR things in school yet and the school out here at least will give the kids home work assignments that they can do while they are gone (for more then 5 days) We are going in October so my kids will be doing the homework thing while they are gone..iether in the mornings or at night when we get back from activities. Even then there will be things they have to make up when they get back like tests etc. but we know the routine and the teachers are usually more then willing to work with you. Good Luck on your pick! Helen

 

[Sherri]

I remember going for the first time in October when I was highschool. Not only did I get to go to Disney but I got a little break from school as well. No harm done and work got made up.
Also, I take my kids out of school for family vacations about once a year. They a chance to make it up with full credit.
I figure my kids are young but once, one day when they are grown I won't have the option of taking them out of work. Enjoy it now while you can and while they are still yours.

 

[Tiggerlover48]

We are taking our son out of 1st grade the last week of Sept. as well. I refuse to go during school break - the prices are higher and the lines are longer. My DH at first wasn't sure, but I told him I will not go during that time - PERIOD!! So we are going. I wouldn't take him out during exams or anything. When I told his Kindergarten teacher that we were pulling him out for our Disney Cruise in Jan. she thought it was great. She said some teachers don't feel like that, but he is going to experience going on a plane (whic he already did when we went a few years ago), going to a foreign country, etc. I think life experiences count for something.

 

[disneyjunkie]

I refuse to go during school break - the prices are higher and the lines are longer.

I love going mid/late August.

Value rates, no crowds, this year free dining, and no homework/ missed classwork to deal with.

 

[Kendra17]

My kids will be 3, 9, ans 14 this next trip. And, like last trip, I'm taking the 2 older ones out of school. People get flamed here for saying that, but there is no way we'd be able to deal with the crowds at other times. And, I think there is much to be said for family time. I think if my kids had school troubles or poor grades or other issues, I would have to re-think this. But, they do not. And, the benefit we gain (I think) outweighs the cost.

I have to add, too, that my husband is not quite as excited as I am when the words 'Disney World' come up. If he had to deal with crowds as they are during spring break or other times school is out, we probably wouldn't be going at all. And, we save so much more money in the off-season--reduced package rates AND free dining and less crowds.

 

[brettgirl]

I am taking my DD12 out of MS, but she was told that if her report card was not up to par that she would be staying home......so far so good, May 5 the progress reports come out. My DS 5 (he has an autistic spectrum disorder) will also be taken out, but for him it will be quite educational to experience this trip. I did luck out with the school calendar changing to the friday before Memorial day is off so the kids only miss 4 days (POR May 20-28). I was taken out at least twice as a child and was given special reports to write-that is what I remember the most about the whole year.

I might add that I have many years of teaching experience and fully think vacations with families are quite important, I was always willing to help the kids and give them the work that would be missed. Write or call each teacher at least one week prior to your trip to fill them in on your plans and ask for the work that would be missed.

 

[kaw1218]

We are considering a Disney Trip for this Fall. We were especially excited about the free dining option , but as we thought about it, we didn't want to take our daughter out of her first year of middle school that early in the year. They are just starting in Sept. So then we were thinking maybe November, avoiding Turkey Day, would also work and will have given her some chance to get used to the new school and new routines. But no free dining. So what do you all think? Give up the free dining and go later, so she can get acclimmated at school or take the free dining and let her just settle back in once we get back. Feedback Please!

IT IS up to you. If your child has a hard time in school and needs the help of a tutor, then that time away may hurt her. I have taken my kids out of school a couple of times. It is always the first full week of school after they go back from summer vacation. That seems to be the week where everything is just review of last year. I have never had a teacher give me a hard time.(a lot more people are doing this because of work, or the cost of travel at peak times.) And neither of my children have had any ill effects from this. They are both honor students and their grades never fell behind. In fact it only seemed to take them about 3-4 days to catch up on the 6 they missed.