Take kids out of school or go in August?

[Skatermom23]

I took my kids out of school in elementary school and even in middle school to go to the World. Now that they are in HS, I wouldn't even dream of it. It is too hard to make up the work. I think the last week in August is a great compromise....may even see you there!

 

[In Luv with Disney]

Everyone has their own opinions about taking their kids out of school. I won't tell you what you should and shouldn't do...that's the parents choice. But I WILL tell you that FREE DINING will most probably be offered again. I already have it booked for 8/26-9/2, staying at POP. It will probably be offered to the general public in March or April. Keep your eyes OPEN! This is a PERFECT reason why August is a great time to go! And the crowds will be low with the dates you have selected!

 

[lovindonald]

Having both a HS child and a younger child, I would never take them out of school for that amount of time and especially at the beginning of the year. I have to say I side with your brother this time, sorry. It is just too hard to catch up in HS for that amount of time and the amount of work they get. Go in August, it is fine then. Enjoy!

 

[3princesses+aprince]

We are going this year the last week of June, my dh can't take that week out of work, but my stepson's mom didn't want him to miss a week of school either. I don't blame her, he is 10. My dds are 2, 5, and 7. The last time we went my oldest dd was 5 and we had 4 days off of school , but now that she's 7 I wasn't crazy about taking her out of school anymore. It's hard for them to miss a whole week and try to catch up. Every parent feels different about this situation, but I do think you should respect your brother's opinion about not taking his kids out. You'll have a great time no matter when you go. It's hard planning a trip with so many people , you have to make everybody happy.

 

[MinnieGi]

Thanks for all your replies... negative and positive.:thumbsup
True, we are booked for Aug 21- 30 at POFQ and we are crossing our fingers for free dining.

If this is when you are booked you are going at a LOW attendance time!!!! Many southern schools start mid-August. In the Mid-Atlantic many schools start the last week in August. This is a great time to go if your kids don't start school until after Labor Day. Plus will most likely get free dining!!! Don't change a thing!!! No one will have to miss school, you'll have lower crowd levels plus most likely get FREE dining!

 

[clemsondisneyfan]

I agree with MinnieGi about the low attendance and possibly free dining at the end of August. We are all in school by the first week of August down South! That is probably a great time to visit Disney!

I also do not have a problem taking the kids out of school. We ask permission well in advance from the Principal and they always send us an official letter OKing it. It is important for us to have a nice family vacation 2 times a year and we do one in the summer and one in the middle of winter. If they got the flu, they could miss a week of school. I would rather them miss it and spend great quality time with us at Disney! They are 11 and 5.

We do take work for the 11 year old and while the 5 year old naps, we spend 1 1/2 hours working with him on classwork. It keeps him up to date with his class and he is well rested and ready to return the following week. Once you add in activity time, lunch, recess, review work period, study hall, etc.....the kids only get a couple of hours of intense instruction per day anyway....ask any homeschooler!

Have fun whenver you decide to go. Disney is SOOOOO AWESOME!!!

We leave on January 20th for an 8 day/7 night stay!!

 

[MAGGIED]

I take my kids out of school once in a while - however - I only do it when it wraps around a holiday- like Presidents Day, Veterans Day - because it seems that the kids are not doing as much in school at that time. And we plan well in advance for it. The kids get all their assignments done prior to going... but I will say that it is alot harder to do now they are in high school - with the block scheduling when they miss one class is really is like missing two. I don't think I would take them out at the beginning of the year either... just to much they might miss..... but that's my choice..... good luck .... and have fun no matter when you go.....

 

[perdidochas]

I have a situation with our Aug '07 vacation.... need my Dis-peeps help.

I have commited our family to a "Grand Gathering" with Dbro & his family and our parents (total of 10 ppl) for August '07 and I really would prefer going in Sept. '07 (less crowds). However, Dbro doesn't want to take his boys out of school for a trip to WDW. Boys are 10 and 15. I'm willing to take my DD5 out of school for the 10 day trip, but Dbro is not too willing. Technically, they'd only miss 5 days of school.

My question..... how do I convince him to go in Sept, rather than Aug? I know going in the off season will make all the difference in the world... but I have to get Dbro to agree.
DH says I should wait to see if Free Dining is offered and use that as my bait. But I hate to be deceptive to Dbro.

What you think??
TIA!!

IMHO, September is the worst month to take kids out of school.

 

[Disneyland_Mama]

Thanks for all your replies... negative and positive.:thumbsup
True, we are booked for Aug 21- 30 at POFQ and we are crossing our fingers for free dining.

If this is when you are booked you are going at a LOW attendance time!!!! Many southern schools start mid-August. In the Mid-Atlantic many schools start the last week in August. This is a great time to go if your kids don't start school until after Labor Day. Plus will most likely get free dining!!! Don't change a thing!!! No one will have to miss school, you'll have lower crowd levels plus most likely get FREE dining!

Thanks!

 

[srgibbs]

Just FYI I think they were offering the free dining to Resort guests starting August 4th. If this is available to the public which we are hoping for, you should still be able to get it. We took our 5yo out of K-5 this year. He is at a private Christian school that does encourage family time while children are still young. I will say he did fine when he came back but I will not ever pull him out of school for a whole week again. They are learning to read and I just think it would be to hard to stay ahead.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

My issue isn't necessarily missing the work, although that's especially important at the BEGINNING of the school year, when many students are given placement tests (especially in high school), finalizing schedules, etc., even for the best of students.

Missing the first few days of school when friendships are being formed and teachers are getting to know the students, could be hard to overcome.

 

[Disneyland_Mama]

My issue isn't necessarily missing the work, although that's especially important at the BEGINNING of the school year, when many students are given placement tests (especially in high school), finalizing schedules, etc., even for the best of students.

Missing the first few days of school when friendships are being formed and teachers are getting to know the students, could be hard to overcome.

ITA. I spoke with Dbro and we both agree the boys would be fine making up the work and maintaining their grades, but the beginning of the school year is when the class routines are just being taught, etc. Maybe if we were going in October, when things seem to settle down a bit. BUT, I don't think we can wait that long. We want to go NOW!

 

[kinntj]

I think you will have fun in August!!! Why chance it going into September. We're going in 2008 April/May when DD will be in Kindergarten, but we're going at the end of the year when things should be wrapping up. If the teacher thinks it will be too hard for DD to make up stuff re: reading and writing, then we'll go during spring break or in June.

We don't like it too hot, so we'll have to face the crowds.