taking a 1st grader out of school

[kevingg]

How long would you take your first grader out of school? We were thinking of doing two weeks at WDW again this year but are unsure of him missing school. He does well in school, so truthfully that is not an issue and of course we can work on whatever he will miss at school.

I keep getting mixed opinions from people. My BIL, who was a school administrator, says absolutely go and have fun but others look at me like I have three heads and I am crazy.

I do believe this would be the last year that I would even consider this and almost feel like I should do it while I still can.


Just looking for opinions

 

[paintnolish]

This is a huge hot topic on the dis. You might get a lot of negative responses, saying no way, no how should you ever take your kids out of school...but you won't get that from me! I my whole familytook trips to WDW in Nov. and we always missed a week of school. My sisters and I are all educated, responsible, and have no criminal records! I take my own kids out of school for vacation, too. I do think, however, that two weeks is a really long time. I usually try to limit it to a week- even better if that week contains a scheduled day off. I believe time with family is priceless. It goes by too fast. Enjoy!

 

[JoanieS]

We are taking our 1st grader and 3rd grader out for 5 1/2 days this October. We cleared it with the principal and their teachers last year (and also had to tell everyone to SHHHHHHHH! because it's a surprise trip!).

 

[MSSANDRA]

We took our DS out in K, 1, 3, 5, & 8 for a week each time. We never has a problem at all. We never "asked" the school if we could take him out but shared our plans early and reasured them we would be sure he made up all work and he did. His grades never suffered from the trips. Our limit however is one week . While two is doable, it might take a little more planning with the school. We can no longer take a week now that DS is in high school and I so miss those days!!!!

 

[holly7347]

Could you plan the trip around fall/spring/or Christmas break so he woulnd't need a full 2 weeks out of school?

My DD just started Kindergarten this year and we are just taking her out for one day and using her fall break in October for our trip making it a 7 day trip. I personally wouldn't take her out for more than a day or two. Her school has a very strict attendance policy and vacations are unexcused. Plus I worry that she will get sick through out the year and miss some days for that. So I wouldn't want to start off having her already missed 2 weeks that were avoidable.

 

[borgthe]

I think 1 week out of school is ok if the child is doing well, but 2 weeks is too much.

 

[cogero]

Me personally wouldn't do 2 weeks but i have taken my kiddo out for a week.

I say have fun and just be prepared for makeup work when you get back

 

[In a hurry]

Two weeks is a lot. Are you talking of two separate trips? That might not cause an issue, but in first grade you can miss an entire building concept in two weeks.

 

[swald91]

I am a firm believer that if they are doing well, attendance is good & the teacher can get the work for them...why not? My kids have done most of the work on the plane. Ususally our actual trip is the only days they miss!!! I do think 2 weeks is a bit long. I would never go when the school has vacation. I don't see spending the majority of that time in lines & dealing with the crowds-just my opinion. Now using a week of school vacation & adding another week might not be too bad of an idea!

 

[rainbowbrite812]

we are taking ds1 out of kindergarten for 6 days, maybe 7 depending on how late we get back that monday and i feel a bit guilty for doing so. 1 week i'm totally ok with 2 weeks is just pushing it imo.

oh and for our school ALL unexcused absences (anything not medical related) must be approved by the teacher and principle.

 

[Luhts]

We are taking our 4th grader out for almost two weeks. I will get any work I can ahead of time and make sure he gets caught up when we get back. This is a big family trip and the only time we can all go together. It's not what I would have chosen, but we will make it work. I couldn't let his teacher know ahead of time b/c they won't tell us who his teacher will be until they start in Sept. so I know it will be short-notice and I will get some flack. But it's done: the trip is booked and so all involved will just have to deal with it.

 

[blessedby3]

I am one of those parents who will always take their kids out of school for Disney trips. I have taken my kids out for a week even in high school with no problems. (I have always had kids in each school level at the same time- one in elem. one in middle and one in high). My oldest just moved on to college . With her being in college now we cant take her out so we will have to go around her breaks. All that being said, I feel that imo 2 weeks would be too long to take one of my kids out of school. I would also plan around another school break and get more time without my kids missing quite as much school. We have done this before. Our system has like a Thur., Fri. Mon. off and we would add days to this.

 

[LisaInNc]

2 weeks seems excessive. There isn't any destination in the US that you need 2 weeks for if it means a child missing that much school. A week is reasonable 2 is just too long. I can't imagine any school district would allow that long for a vacation.

 

[happymommy]

2 weeks seems excessive. There isn't any destination in the US that you need 2 weeks for if it means a child missing that much school. A week is reasonable 2 is just too long. I can't imagine any school district would allow that long for a vacation.

That is assuming they are in a public school.

Question for the OP: are you in the public school or at a private school? It can really depend; I've heard of some schools giving parents a hard time for even a few days. My kids' old Montessori school actually encouraged family vacations whenever they were. They saw the travel and time with parents as valuable for kids. Our current school is also pretty great - but now my kids are older and have so much work, we aren't even going away over spring break this year (probably).

Can you combine with the beginning or end of a holiday? The time right before Christmas break is nice at Disney.

While I wouldn't hesitate for a first grader, maybe two weeks is too long to be away from school while the classmates are there. It's not necessarily the learning, but he may miss some important stuff with the teacher. I think whatever you decide, have fun, they get older so fast!

 

[scootch]

I take my girls out(oldest will be in 3rd grade) I can see it getting harder as they get to where they change classes, but truly it has been a breeze the last few years. I will be taking her out this year(3rd grade) and already ahve a disney cruise scheduled for 4th grade next year.

 

[wishtdream]

I took my DD 5 out for 2 weeks September of last year to go to WDW in K. and a week in June for a different trip.
We will take her out again in June of this year but not September only because she is starting a new school.

I would communicate your plans with the teacher and ask what you can do to keep your child on track Keep in mind your perceptions and values are yours. His or Hers (the Teacher) may be different and He or She might not approve, but only you can know what is right for your family.
I believe Children learn more from family trips than they would in a class with 24 other kids.

 

[In a hurry]

I believe Children learn more from family trips than they would in a class with 24 other kids.

We are travelers, and I believe in family time. That said, it depends on the class, the time of year, the child's skills, and the destination.

A child just learning the fundamental,s missing the building blocks, and having difficulty will not learn more from a family trip to WDW.

A child on top of their skills, with a sound understanding of the fundamentals and not needing the practice would learn a great deal spending a week at Williamsburg.

 

[perkinsrose]

I believe life experience is as important as classwork. (I'm a parent whose taken kids to WDW and missed 6 school days on longest trip AND I'm a teacher).

Two weeks IS a long time. If you child does fine socially & emotionally at school as well as academically and doesn't normally miss school otherwise, I don't see a huge problem.

What I WOULD do (as well as getting suggestions/work from teacher), is have your child read every day (20minutes) and bring a notebook to draw a picture and write a sentence or two about it every day. Reading and writing are big in first grade and keeping her skills up are important.

 

[richmond282]

I think 2 weeks is a long time even for a 1st grader. You need to check w/ your school system on what's allowed, too. In our system, if your child misses 10 days unexcused (and, yes, vacation is unexcused) you are reported to a truancy officer.

 

[andee515]

We are taking out our 1st grader out for seven days in Oct. We just told her teacher, who was sweet as pie. What drives me crazy is the handbook...I know this is probably just semantics; but it says all family vacations must be approved by the principal. Excuse me? That just really bugs me, I will kindly inform them that I am taking my child out, but I am not asking for their permission. I realize that alot of people make inappropriate decisions related to their children, but we should not all be painted with that brush. Anyway, sorry for wining , but just read that today and needed to vent....lol