Taking a kindergardner out of school

[dfarner]

So hows the weather in Oct?

The weather in October is great. You can go to the big Halloween party at Disney (MNSSHP) and that is a real treat. Your DD can dress up and trick or treat and you'll have a ball!

 

[lokin4deer]

Yeah I thought about that we were there last year in Sept and went to the MNSSHP and my DD dressed as Sleeping Beauty and we did have fun. Heres a pic of her

 

[skater]

I've been worried about this too. I have been considering putting my 2 youngest in K and 4th grade in the Fall (we have homeschooled up until this point), and one of my concerns is our Sept. Disney trip. (I know this may be a silly concern, but I am so spoiled by the low crowds of Sept. - I will never go to Disney in the summer again). I guess my biggest worry is the social aspect - especially for my 4th grader since he won't know many kids there and will be at a slightly more difficult age than my 5 yr old. It does seem crazy to take them out of school 2-3 weeks after it starts!

 

[bigbabyblues]

My DS is in kindergarten this year, and our trip is scheduled for May 25-June 2, which puts us leaving immediately after K graduation. We've talked to the principal/administrator because of the weather issues we've had and the possibility of make up days added to the end of the year. The principal said his attendance had been good and it wouldn't be a problem, if he does end up missing a couple days. However, that is the end of the school year.

My DS was sick on Monday this week, and he missed school. He had enough make up work that he missed, it took almost 2 hours to get it done. Make sure you allow time to get the work made up, even in kindergarten.

I would talk to the school as soon as it starts, explain the trip and that it's paid for. It shouldn't be a problem.

 

[SoonerGirl]

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So hows the weather in Oct?

I loved the weather in October - it was warm enough to swim, but not so hot that you are melting!

 

[DisneyPhD]

We took DD for a week the 1st week in Jan (she came back to school for 1 day, then was gone for a week.) Why this time? It is when DH can go, (he is a college professor.)

School and teacher had no problem with it.

We plan to take her out again the 1st week of May for a cruise. 2 times in 1 year? (once each semester.) I think it is pushing it really. DD is doing great and at teach conferences the teacher said she is almost to the point that she is doing all the things she should be by the end of the year. I haven't mentioned the 2nd trip yet. I plan to a few weeks before.

This will be the last time we take her out 2 times in one year. I promise. We considered 3 times, but that would be too much. Instead DH and I are going just the 2 of us on Monday for DH's spring break. Darn AP and DVC! So tempting.

Timing is important. Too soon in the school year and they are still adjusting. That might be hard. Friendships form at the beginning too, and missing a week and mean a lot the 1st month. Hopefully by Oct they had some time to adjust and get used to things, but I wouldn't do September. Jan worked well for us, and I think May will too. Really school is almost done then, but she won't miss the end of school year fun stuff.

I have also tried to make sure she doesn't miss school for any other reasons if at all possible.

Go, you won't have the opportunity for too much longer.

 

[gower525]

My DS is in kindergarten this year, and our trip is scheduled for May 25-June 2, which puts us leaving immediately after K graduation. We've talked to the principal/administrator because of the weather issues we've had and the possibility of make up days added to the end of the year. The principal said his attendance had been good and it wouldn't be a problem, if he does end up missing a couple days. However, that is the end of the school year.

My DS was sick on Monday this week, and he missed school. He had enough make up work that he missed, it took almost 2 hours to get it done. Make sure you allow time to get the work made up, even in kindergarten.

I would talk to the school as soon as it starts, explain the trip and that it's paid for. It shouldn't be a problem.

I teach 2nd grade and most schools around here stop taking attendance the last few days of school anyway. We have to add up all the days and put that info. on cums, report cards, attendance reports, etc. It takes time and we don't want to stay during the Summer to do it. I wouldn't worry about missing the last few days at all.

 

[maciec]

We took our dd who is in K out this past October for 4 days. She would have been gone for 5, but the school was closed for a teachers Professional Day.

Right now while she is elementary school, I am not so worried about taking her out. Ask me again in a couple more years and I might have changed my mind.

BTW ~ when I told her teacher we were going she said "Have a fun time. I am so jealous!" She didn't even want a journal which I was overly expecting.

On that note, we are going to go on a 7 day cruise next year which means that dd will be out for 6 days and I am not happy about that. So I am really aiming for a cruise that happens while the school will be closed.

 

[Michele]

Do it!!!

I won't be worrying about taking my kids out of school until they reach high school.

We did it when they were K and Preschool, 2nd & 1st and this year they are in 6th & 7th and we are taking them out for Disney twice. We went for a week in Sept, and are going for another week in April. Six days of school each trip. I did ask the teachers about this April since we already did it once. (didn't ask in Sept, just told them we were going, they have 3 different teachers each and all gave work ahead of time or let them make it up). They all said sure, go, they did fine in Sept getting things done.

 

[kinntj]

Your wife is so right I would wait until the last part of October though.

Our oldest DD will be in K starting in the fall too and we're waiting to take her at the end of the year. We'll be vacationing the beginning of May. That way she's already had the full year to learn the majority of what needs to be learned. Our schools usually let out in June, so that gives her plenty of time to get back and join in the fun that the end of the year brings. If she does miss something, she'll have time to make it up.

I agree not to go in August. We've never been, but I know we are not hot weather people and I would be miserable.

Principle: I was raised like this also. My dad was a stickler for making us go to school and I don't like to miss school myself (college student now). I think it's really important to drill this in when they reach middle school age. You could even start at the 4th and 5th grade if it's important to you and your wife. At that age, they get more homework.

Have fun planning your trip! I agree, go now when they are young and you can!

 

[kristen821]

I'd take her out of school. You can always catch her up on what she missed. She will learn so much at wdw and family time is more important then school IMO. I can't get time off when my kids are off of school so I take them out every other year for a vacation. It has never been a problem.