School and WDW trip

[Chrisypoo]

Hello...I was wondering if I could get some opinions, please.

My son's school is closed for 2 days during the same week in November. So I had planned to pull him out the other 3 days for a WDW vacation. I've since found out this is Jersey Week.

So then I was thinking that we could go the 2nd week in September instead. We could be there for his birthday (he'll be turning 10, so it's the end of child's passes for us), and school activities would be almost all reviewing from the previous year. My son is a very good student, and normally gets A's. Plus this would be value season and smaller crowds than Jersey Week (this is just a bonus, not really a deciding factor).

The deciding factor (I think) would be is missing 2 extra (reviewing) days that detrimental? What do you all think?

 

[JESW]

You will get ALL sorts of answers to this question as this gets asked quite frequently. Be prepared that not everyone believes that children should be taken out of school for Disney vacations!

That said...we took our kids out every year in November when they had two half-days due to teacher's meetings. Our last year was when our oldest was in the 4th grade. Despite him being a decent student, he had a tough time getting caught up when we got back. It isn't just the homework but all the in-class work they miss that week. Our kids are now in 1st and 5th grade and we have decided that we can no longer take them out for a week as they just miss too much work. But in April, after getting permission from their teachers, they will each be missing two days. We are extending our spring break a bit (going tuesday to tuesday since it's just after Easter) and it made a huge diiference in price for airfare going those days instead of weekend to weekend (over $1200. at the time I booked and much more now).

Only you will know what your child can handle. And I am not sure of your school district, but ours kicks up quite a fuss if your child is out 7 or more days in a 6 month time frame.

Have fun with whatever you choose!

Jill

 

[daisyduck123]

I say go for it...but I am one who just pulled mine (ages 11 & 7) for a week in Jan. to go to Disney & we also go every May for 9 days. Mine can definitely handle it though. (A week after we returned from our Jan. trip we learned that DD11 (7th grade) made the Principal's Honor roll & was one of only 3 students out of 350 to receive an "Academic Excellence" award given by the teachers.

I think it depends on how well your kids can handle it.

My kids will remember this trip for the rest of their lives. Yours will too.

I am also of the sentiments that school will "always be there when we get back".

I would go in Sept. rather than Jersey Week. Have a great trip!!

 

[fuji]

We went in May last year and will be going in June this year. I have two kids ages 11 and 5, but I feel they dont miss much at the very end of the school year so I have no problem pulling them out. I don't think you should have any problems at the begging of the year either. Good luck

 

[Rainman]

I have never read that Jersey week in Nov is a bad week for attendance?? Are you sure there is that much of a difference? Have you researched this. See http://allearsnet.com/ All Ears web site.

As said previously you will hear both sides of this argument. However, I say go for it. You know your child better than anyone else. If he is a good student and you know it wont hurt him go.

Use it as a carrott a good reward for being a good student.

It cost so much money and take some much effort to go to Disney, I believe I will always go when the crowds are smaller so we can enjoy the trip.

Our school has had two days off in October for the last two years and again the is year. We use the days and take the whole week. Our sons teachers have been fine with it. We make sure they are in good standing before we go. They are good students too like your son. We make sure they understand that homework will take place on the trip (not too much, but something to remind them school is imporatant) and that they must get caught up when we get back. We have always said if for some reason school was not going well or there was an extended sickness we would not go on the trip.

 

[cara loves the poly]

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1029869
This was my dilema too, I've never posted a link to a thread so I hope it works! I say have fun!

 

[Chrisypoo]

for all of your input. I'm confident that he'll do well as far as keeping up with his schoolwork, especially since it'll be mostly review. It's mainly just me...I was raised to feel guilty over everything...some things never change!

As for the crowd levels of Jersey Week, I've heard that some days can get as crowded as Spring Break time. Over at the Unnoficial Guide's website (touringplans.com) the crowd levels for Nov 4-11 range between 5 and 8 (with four days being either 7 or 8). Crowd levels for 2nd week of September is a 4.

Thanks again!