Taking Kids out of School for a trip

[Buzz & Woody]

We are leaving on the Friday Nov. 29th and coming back home on December 17th. This is the longest trip that we have taken the kids out of school for and since DS's will be in Gr 3 & Gr 1 next year it will likely be the last. We're leaving on the Friday only because we got a great price on a flight from Buffalo, and the return on a Monday is for the same reason. We'll be on a cruise the first week and in a vacaion home near Disney for the 2nd week. Has anyone had problems with taking kidsout this long? I feel bad since they are only back in school for 4 days before the Christmas holiday, but this is a great opportunity too.

 

[NAB]

I know how you feel since I just had my kids out last week to go to WDW and they only started school three weeks before that.

My kids are in grade 2 and 5 and there wasn't a problem, we even have a short week this week and next but there wasn't free dining then. So they would have only missed 4 days then.

School office just said let them know when and that was it. Nothing like you can't do that or anything.

I did ask for any work they would miss. The grade 5 got it before we went and the grade 2 is doing make up work this week. Went last year too and had no make up work at all.

Just enjoy your trip!!!!

 

[coastgirl]

We're doing something similar, planning on coming back Dec 17 or 18, last day of school is 20th. I think even if we are back a few days before they get out, I'll keep my ds (in grade 2) home; it's a tough transition, better to do it in January when everyone's in the same boat. Though I'll ask his teacher what she thinks, if it's going to be...unproductive time anyway, I might send him in so he doesn't miss the fun.

 

[laura001]

We have taken our kids out many times including 10 days from high school a few times.

As a matter of fact I am taking DD today to WDW, she will miss 4 days of school and is in grade 11 ( I know it isn't a lot of days in comparison). The principal said, "have a great time, you can catch up when you get back, don't take it with you" She was supposed to have a Math test next Tuesday and is taking it today, teachers have been great!

Missing out on school when in grade 1 and 3 shouldn't be a big deal, the life experience (including family)they will have is far more important. Enjoy!

 

[eeyoremum]

I pull my kids out of school for vacations. They missed the first week of school this year for WDW (grade 8 and grade 3). I like to travel during off times because it is cheaper. Personally I think there is more to life than work and school. I would not worry too much about missing alot in elementary school, those marks are not counted towards things and the kids will catch up quickly, especially with one on one help. I am thinking of taking them out twice this year because it is an EQAO year for my youngest. Since we don't write EQAO he will miss a few days anyway. They make them stay home if they don't write.

 

[jakoky]

hi there, we just go back from our 10 night DL vacation...my kids ended up missing 6 school days, they are in grades 11, 9, and 7....my youngest had almost no homework, my middle one had a little, and my oldest did some before we left, a very small amount on the trip, and is still playing catchup...she is on a hard course load AND the semester system (which sucks)...she just has to "get" what she missed in chemistry, but her teacher has been awesome...would i do it again, yep, as this was our third 9/10 night trip in the last 3 years...I wouldnt worry about it at all, go and have fun....
sharon

 

[delta123]

I am taking my son out for 1 week he is in grade 4. But on the other hand we had a huge problem with my fiancee's ex wife letting his son go for a week he is in grade 1. We had to go to court and the judge told us that if it wasn't for the fact that we are actually getting married when we are there she would not have ordered that he be able to go. I think it is a shame that we are made to feel guilty for taking our children out of school for a family vacation. Now days people say that we have lost our family connections and families do not spend enough time together , but when you want to go away with your children you are made to feel guilty about it. They would miss school if they had the chicken pox or the flu. I think travelling is one of the greatest gifts we can give our children it is certainly better then buying them a $600 video game system and saying go away and don't bug me.

 

[eeyoremum]

I think it is a shame that we are made to feel guilty for taking our children out of school for a family vacation. Now days people say that we have lost our family connections and families do not spend enough time together , but when you want to go away with your children you are made to feel guilty about it. They would miss school if they had the chicken pox or the flu. I think travelling is one of the greatest gifts we can give our children it is certainly better then buying them a $600 video game system and saying go away and don't bug me.

Well said. You will find no video game system at our house. I was one of those kids that had everything but was told to stay in my room because mother and new husband need "time to themselves".

Interesting though I don't feel guilty about pulling my kids from school at all. I feel guilty about nothing actually once I make a decission I live with it for better or worse. Last year a teacher made a comment about missing school and I just shot back "Yep and they are going to miss the same week next year"

 

[canluvpooh]

I have taken my kids out of school for a couple of years now - they are both A students and have no difficulties in school. I have no guilt about this - if there is work to be caught up on they can do that when they return. Life is too short to worry about missing a few days of school

 

[siobhan1997]

We always pull out DD out of school, we can only travel during the winter March Break time as with our own business, summer and other holiday times are not an option. This past March we took our DD out for 2 1/2 weeks in Grade 7 and she graduated Elementary school with honours. NExt March she will miss 8 days of Grade 8.. I never feel guilty for doing this. I never bring homework as I tell the teacher this is my holiday as well. Before we go or when we return I always make myself 100% available to help her catch up. Have a great trip.

 

[Cruiser1969]

Re: Taking kids out of school to vacation . . .

Been there . . . Done that . . . Will do it again!!!!!

There is so much to learn about life outside of the classroom!!!!

 

[tigger & mickey]

This is the 3rd year in a row we are pulling the kids out of school for a WDW vacation. DS is grade 10 and DD in grade 7 this year. DS has a learning disability but has not had a problem with making up the work. I may have to spend some extra time ensuring he catches up but it is well worth it for some time in Disney. Never feel guilty about taking them out.

 

[BitsnBearsMom]

Done it a few times before and I will do it again regardless of what grade they are in.

We did 2 weeks last October and they were in gr 1 and 7 - neither one had issues catching up and my oldest has LD's - next March we will be doing the 4 days before March break as well as March break and they are in gr 2 and 8.

IMO they learn and get more out of a family vacation then they ever would sitting in a classroom!

 

[tmli]

I agree with all of you here and have done it many times myself. It is funny how this same question on a different board gets some VERY different response from our American friends!

 

[Cruiser1969]

It is funny how this same question on a different board gets some VERY different response from our American friends!

Very True

 

[LindaM]

I agree with all of you here and have done it many times myself. It is funny how this same question on a different board gets some VERY different response from our American friends!

I thought of the same thing, we Canadians are so laid back.

I have taken my kids out as well last year my ds was in grade 11 and dd was in grade 12. I talked to the principal regarding taking them out and she had no problem with it.

 

[calliemom]

I agree it is a great opportunity for you and your family. If you are concerned about the lessons they might miss, perhaps you can talk to the teachers about having some after school tutoring. We do this for our daughter but keep in mind as it is not part of their regular teaching duties she will probably charge an hourly rate. Grade 3 is a big year for Ontario students due to the CCAT testing. Perhaps you can discuss it with the teachers well in advance so that you have everything arranged well before your trip.
Good luck and have a fabulous vacation!

 

[PandaBear & Boo]

Life's to short to worry about whether to take your kids out of school or not. I've taken my kids out numerous times for vacations and I will be doing it again in April. My kids have not suffered one little bit by missing school.

 

[digskat]

my son is in grade 3 this year, and he is being pulled out for a vacation in 2 months (missing 9 days). We pulled our daughter out 2 years ago, when she was in grade 3. My daughter was uptight about the CCATs, and we told her to relax. They do not determine pass/fail, they are a test of the teacher's ability, and mean little to the kids future or grade. It helped calm her down, and she did fine. We have removed them for at least a week each year, for the past 4 years, and they are both doing great. Enjoy your time with your kids, they grow up too fast.

 

[junebug88]

I was worried about taking my kids out of school too gr 3 and sk, but after reading some of the posts, I am not concerned at all. My parents took me of school once but that was high school. As long as my oldest stays ahead of things he won't miss much. This will be their first trip to DW and I want them to enjoy it.