taking kids out of school

[DISNEY4XMAS]

We leave for Disney in exactly 1 month from today. Although my DD is very excited, she has not missed a single day this year, and this will be bitter sweet for her, because she wanted a perfect attendance.

Oh ya, her teacher has missed 8 days this year so far. As an adult, I feel that is far worse then a child missing school.

I totally agree with you my son's teacher has missed a lot of time and it isn't even the end of the year. We are planning on taking our kids out of school in sept 09 for three days one week and two the next week. So they won't miss a full week just part of two. We are going (hopefully for free dining) and the Value season. I will have kids in 1, 3, 9 & 11. With having that many kids I have to go in Value season, and for us it is easier to get the vacation time off. Plus my DS7 is a diabetic and the heat will be horrible on his blood sugar. We went last year at Christmas break and kids didn't miss a day of school but we didn't get to see half of the things we wanted to see because of large lines and long waits. Back in 2001 we took my daughter out of school for a week and they sent us homework home which she did some on the plane and some daily while we were there.

 

[MisMikiNikiLynne]

I take all 3 of mine out every year to do Disney, and I could care less how others feel about it! Life is too short and you never know what could happen tomorrow. My children are in K, 2nd and 4th grades and I always alert the school to our upcoming vacations. I have only had issues with one teacher so far... and I believe it to be jelousy. My children, even with their special needs, learn so much by traveling! They learn about budgeting, money, reading a map, transportation, not to mention weather and different areas of the World and so much more!
My DH and I work very hard to give our girls opportunities that we did not have. Please don't slam me for my opinion. Thanks.

 

[kimsuenew]

I have homeschooled our DS the last two years, however, before that we always took him out (every May) to go to Hilton Head (clear through year one of HS), always for at least seven school days.

DS school had a policy in place where you had to "apply" for vacation leave (form to fill out, submit to Principal, and upon approval he forwarded it to the teachers, that each had to sign off what work would be missed/needed to be completed, and any tests that would be missed or given immediately upon return).

All work had to be submitted upon return and any missed quizzes and/or tests needed taken immediately upon return as well.

Our school was a bit unique, there are others nearby that do not allow for vacation trips during the school year. If not allowed, than one would have to decide if they wanted to deal with unexcused absenses (eg make-up work/quizzes/tests not allowed), and with a possible truancy issue.

I would just check on your child's school policy, schools are different as are states!

I feel that vacations are a learning experience! We visit many places of historical importances (Forts or Savannah for instance), study architecture, learn about nature (marshland, wetlands, ocean), and just immerse ourselves in the culture of every place we visit!