Taking kids out of school for FREE DINING???

[snow88]

I'm taking DS 13 and DS17. This will probably be the last time for about three years because DS 13 is going into Year 10 which is the beginning of preparation for external exams and DS 17 is graduating this year so it will be our last family vacation for awhile.

One year, I took them out in June after checking the calandar and talking to the principal. Exams were scheduled for the week before pour vacation so the princial said, "okay". They changed the calendar and had exams the week that we were away so I decided to not go on vacation again in June. The only time that I would take a chance is the 1st week of September because school just starts then so for sure there won't be any exams then.

 

[snow88]

Well, that may be the case where you live, but I'm from a VERY tiny school district in rural east TX. My nephews' "school" friends go to church with them, and play together all summer long (sleepovers, baseball, etc.). The school is so small that when one 3rd grade class goes to the cafeteria or playground, they all go. So while it might apply to your situation, it doesn't to my SIL and her sons.

Ditto

Small island with the biggest graduating class being 42 children.
Class of 2008. Our biggest problem is we have to limit the invitations because normally, everyone goes to graduations. It's an event.

Our whole elementary school has lunch and breaks at the same time. Same thing with high school.

 

[iheartdisney]

Yep, this is my first time too, mostly since DD is starting school this year! She starts school Tuesday after labor day, and so we leave on Thursday evening, for a week. That way, she gets the first week down, so she can learn the rules and routine. As far as I'm concerned...its Kindergaten. Not even legally required for her to be in school yet!

 

[glitzybabes]

I think I would rather get a fall break than a winter break.

We get Both. We start school one week earlier and get out one week later to get those 2 extra weeks that everyone else does not get. We get One week in Sept. The full week of Thanksgiving and one week in Feb. plus one week for spring break and two weeks and a day for christmas. We still go 180 like everyone else. I love the schedule.

 

[Colleen27]

Not this year, but not for lack of wanting to! I'm bummed about missing free dining but with the new baby making an appearance in August, the next trip is going to have to wait until December.

 

[KADDY12]

My dad also commited suicide 4 years ago this past october. So, I truly understand what you are saying. Our children will never be the same. When this happened my daughter was 8 and our twins were almost 7. I know this was their grandfather, but they saw him everyday. I don't think twice anymore either. 2 years after his death, we took my mother on a Disney cruise and to Disney world. Boy did we need that. It was one of the best trips we have ever had.

my mom is going with us too on the cruise this sept and to the world. They are never the same i agree she leaves little notes for him under her pillow. i the hopes he reads them
my daughter is excited we are staying at the wilderness lodge since it has the native american themes as her grandpa was an american indian,

 

[miss missy]

Free dining doesn't make me decide one way or the other. I DO take my DD out of school for trips, period. Whether free dining or not! I am sooo glad I live in America and am free to decide these things for myself! She has missed 4-5 school day through the years, and this year, 2 times she is missed 5 days for WDW. I have dealt with about 20 different teachers and so far they all have worked with us and don't have a problem with it. Mind you DD is a great student geting honor roll grade- even with the missing days

Now if she was doing bad in school, then I wouldn't feel OK taking her out. Now next year is HS, so that I will have to see when we get there... if it is even worth taking her out. I wouldn't do it if it was too much for her to miss.

I think it matter on the kid and if they can afford (grades) and handle to be missing school.

No one knows what tomorrow will bring. I live for today. And the memories of today will be forever.

 

[tkitty]

I'm a grandparent, (well, a parent too ) And I am all for taking days off school for family time. Of course, if my grandkids are going to WDW, I'll be there too!
There may be some children who have a hard time missing school, and getting back in the swing of it when they get back, but most teachers will provide work to keep them caught up.
When we did free dinning, we were able to do it just before school started.

 

[emalone]

Thank you to everyone who voted and taking the time to say how you feeeeel. Sounds like there is soooo many people who just love Disney.

 

[disneywith4boys]

Our school doesn't start until the very end of Aug, and I'd hate to take them out so soon after starting, but if it started when OPs start, I would do it.

 

[emalone]

Was just wondering from those of you that were there last year from August 30th 2007 - September 6th 2007, just how crowded(how long were the lines) and just how hot was it? Would love to here your comments. Thanks

 

[mousiemom]

my 7yr dd is in 2nd grade but we have been taking her out every yr for our disney trips. the teachers know how much we love disney so they're always asking us when is our next trip? we are taking her out next yr for 2 different trips. i try to always go when it is a holiday so she's not out too many days. my dd is also a straight A student and always makes her work up.
have fun and enjoy each day like it's your last.
mousiemom

 

[clearyds]

We did, it was the 3rd week of school for them. I was in agony those first two weeks, meeting the teachers and telling them of our plans. The kids bounced right back, back to school on Friday, all makeup work done for Monday. It worked out great!!

 

[GinCar]

Was just wondering from those of you that were there last year from August 30th 2007 - September 6th 2007, just how crowded(how long were the lines) and just how hot was it? Would love to here your comments. Thanks

We arrived Sept.1-7. I was expecting fewer crowds, because we had been the year before in Sept. It was more crowded than the previous year, but much less than the summer months or spring break.

Our trip fell on Labor Day weekend, so of course those few days were
busier.

Also, we had DD2 with us and let her sleep in. We never made it for rope drop. I think if we would have gotten to the parks early and left in the afternoon we would have been better off with the crowds.

 

[GinCar]

Was just wondering from those of you that were there last year from August 30th 2007 - September 6th 2007, just how crowded(how long were the lines) and just how hot was it? Would love to here your comments. Thanks

Oops, sorry I missed your questions.

Wait times were longest (30-45 min) in MK Fantasyland. I don't remember a problem in any other park.

It was really hot. We used Misty Mates and lots of drink breaks. The humidity was the real issue. We live in a low humidity area, so it is cute to see my girls with "curly" hair when we are in Disney.

 

[emalone]

We live in Dallas, Ga and it gets very hot. As for crowds, we have been for Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years, Easter, spring break, June and it was so crowded, that you could not even walk. The lines for all rides were from 60 min to 120 min. It's a Small World was 60 min, Dumbo 90 min, Test Track 120 min, Space Mountain and Splash Mountain 90 to 120 min, and everything else was 60 to 120 min. We have never been when crowds were low. I think the only thing we worry about is rain and the hot weather. Someone told us that it rains everyday when it is really hot. Like I said we are going August 30th- September 6th 2008. If anyone has been during this time of year, please fill me in on the heat and the crowd level.

 

[budbeerlady]

We are flying home the day before DD starts school. I really want to take her out untill Sept 2 and miss the first day. But we are taking her out for 3 days in November so I dont quite dare. Its 3rd grade, if it were K, I would do it in a heartbeat. I have a hard time taking off Memorial day to Labor dayish. So that leaves 3 weeks of vacation for the school year time, we try to plan the week off for when she is off for 2 or 3 days, then she doesnt miss as much.

Free dining here we come, if only for 5 days!

 

[weluvariel]

I am taking my daughter out of school again this year for free dining. Being a single mom, you cannot beat the price to travel to Disney during this time. Last year she had quite a bit of homework, and was only out for 5 days. Her teacher waited until the absolute last minute to give the assignments, so we worked on them at the airport, for the most part. This year she will be out for 7 days, but we are leaving on a Monday and will have the entire weekend before the trip to get it all done. I also feel that since it is so early in the year, it is mostly review and she will not be missing too much "new" stuff. She is a very good student and I don't think the colleges will care if she didn't have perfect attendance in the 4th grade.