School's Christmas break changed--kids will end up missing 3 days of school!

[anneofgreengables]

Booked our December trip based on last school year's calendar. Had all my ADRs, hotel, flights and itineraries done. My kids had a whole week off before Christmas, so that's when we're going this December. However, now that school has started, I got the new calendar and found out that school breaks for the holidays half a week, not a whole week, before Christmas. Which means, my kids will end up missing three days of school! Which I was trying so hard to avoid!

I remember calling the school early this year to get their schedule for December, but they said it wasn't out yet and won't be until school starts in the fall. In the meantime, I had to plan our vacation because we do frequent flyer miles, which means you need to get the flights early or you don't get them. So I made the best decision I could using last school year's calendar. This is the first time that I know of that they let the kids out of school only a few days before Christmas. I was also committed to not pulling them out of school for our trip.

But now I don't know what to do! I picked that time of the year because crowds are smaller, and if we move to after Christmas, the crowd level soars to a 10, according to the Unofficial Guide. On top of that, my in-laws decided a couple of weeks ago to join us, and they booked the whole package, so if we move our vacation, they will be affected, too!

What to do...

 

[wrldpossibility]

First of all, love your username! Anyway, how old are your kids?

I understand not pulling them out of their older, but IMO ONLY, younger kids can and should be pulled out for family and educational trips, as long is they are not frequent and the kids don't miss a lot of other school.

We are going just about the same time it seems you are. My kids will miss the last week of school before Christmas break. Keep in mind that if your school is like mine, the last few days before break are kind of pointless anyway! Lots of parties and hyper kids! My kids are K and 2nd grade.

I'd keep the trip as planned, unless you already know your kids will miss a lot of school for other reasons. You can get their homework in advance, but I doubt there will be a lot since it's right before Christmas. Have fun!

 

[bsmandi]

I would keep your plans! I am a teacher and we are also going the week before Christmas! Luckily we get out the 19th so my 2nd grader and I will only have to miss one day. Missing the last few days before break will not hurt your children (or their grades), and I wish more of my students would spend quality time with their families!! ( And you can't get better than a Disney vacation!! )

 

[kellyg403]

A similar thing happened to us last year! Trip planned everything a go and then we had a hurricane in Sept. Kids had to make up 2 days at the beginning of Christmas break. My kids missed though. They didn't make the decision until Oct.

Kelly

 

[anneofgreengables]

Thanks for the positive replies, especially from the teacher poster. My kids are in 2nd and 4th grade. When I told their teachers my dilemma and how I was wondering whether to reschedule the vacation, they both urged me not to reschedule my vacation and said that we can work it out. The 2nd grade teacher said she really doesn't do much schoolwork at that time because the kids' minds are preoccupied with Christmas, anyway, and it will be mostly crafts and Christmas parties. The 4th grade teacher said whatever homework they will have then will be very light, and she says my kid is a bright student anyway so she knows she won't have any problem. Both of my kids do well in school, but I just didn't want them absent when the teacher is introducing some new math formula or history lesson or such. So I am relieved. I had made a decision never to take my kids out of school for vacation, but look what ended up happening! It took a while for me to get used to the idea, but the assurances from their teachers helped. I think what my kids will mostly miss are their Christmas parties and Christmas crafts, but I'm glad they won't miss anything much as far as academics go...

 

[daisyduck123]

Hi! I'm a 1st grade teacher. For me, this wouldn't even be a problem....just go on your vacation. It's only 3 days - they won't miss any new material that close to the holidays anyway.

I can almost guarantee that your children will not be the only ones missing school that week either.

You are so lucky to have a trip so soon. We probably won't be going until the spring (when I will pull DD12 & DS8 out for a full week for our trip). Have fun!!

 

[MomtoEmIs&Ow]

Glad to see that the teachers urged you NOT to change your plans because I agree with DaisyDuck- It is only three days! And I doubt that they will introduce a new math formula right before Christmas anyway. So go and enjoy your vacation!

 

[angel's momma]

Our school changed it's schedule too, but they're going 2 days longer than normal. Based on the last 3 years, I thought the week DD was missing was right before break, but now she'll go to school 2 days when we get back. That makes her happy because she won't miss the class party after all.

 

[jordansmomma]

School started on Aug 30 where we live and were in Disney until Sept. 3. My kids missed 3 days but they were fine. I had told the school before school ended last year and called before school started on Monday (school started on Wednesday), explained that were on vacation and it had already been planned. Next year my oldest will be in 6th grade and my youngest will be in 2nd grade, i am thinking of going back to WDW in August next year around the same time. So they would again be missing those first few days of school. I think that missing a few days of school is fine but not any longer than 5 days they could just get really behind and that could hurt them. I know that around Christmas time here they are busy doing a lot of fun activites and also learning but they should be fine. I would just let the school/teachers know well in advance. If needed get work to do on the plane and have them read. But i know that if Disney offers free dining next year we are so going!! even if they miss the 3 days of school, besides the rain, Ernesto, the parks were great and we walked a lot rides!! If not I am going to start saving for the best Christmas present ever, WDW!! For Christmas 2008.