Taking kids out of school

[chimo2u]

I scrutinized the school calendar to try and minimize the damage for our next year trip with our two boys who will be 13 and 17 and in grade 8 and 11 when we go. I ultimately decided Sept 1-12, 2009... and they will only miss the first 3 school days as labour day is later next year. So for a 12 day vacation, the days missed hopefully won't have too much of a lasting impact. The first time we went, my husband was home on leave from Afghanistan, and we went Jan 15 -24, 2008... The kids missed 9 school days (and my oldest missed grade 9 provincial assesment tests... he had to do them after coming home)... It was really hard for them to catch up, and it impacted their grades all year. I really don't want to have to make them go through that again, but it also was a special-circumstance family trip as they had not seen their Dad for 6 months. It was a special, magical trip... one the kids talk about all the time and we are all looking forward to going back to that magical place where we were all happy and the family memories were so special.

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

He in grade 7, and we are going from Jan. 10-16th (though we are leaving home on the 9th, and staying in TO overnight as our flight leaves at 8 a.m.... we live 2.5 hours from Pearson International so an overnighter beforehand is definitely in order!).

Though I don't exactly look forward to telling his teacher, the dread comes more from knowing that its hard to make people see your point of view. Not agree with it necessarily, but understand and appreciate it nonetheless.

In our opinion, its just five days. DS is a good student, keeps up well, works hard, and achieves very good grades. We hope that the teacher will allow him to get ahead on certain lessons (like math and reading) during the Christmas break (and during the first week of school in the new year) to minimize what has to be caught up on when we return. Besides some good books for our "down" time, I have no intention of taking along stuff for him to do while we're at WDW. That approach isn't for everyone, but its what WE feel is right for this trip. This is the first time we've ever taken him out of school to travel, and he very rarely misses school due to illness, so I will feel no guilt as our plan taxis down the runway.

In the grand scheme of things, I figure 5 days is nothing. He will catch up, and the extra effort before and after will be worth every minute. Life is short, and its meant to be enjoyed. This family time & the chance to visit a different part of our great big world will be every bit as valuable to his life as the education he receives at school. And always remember life is short......as a brain tumor survivor, I firmly believe in living life and enjoying every minute while you can!!

 

[mtmbyck]

I totally agree Gina!! Took DD's 9 and 11 out of school for 11 days last year. Sure we had to play a bit of catch-up afterwards (not to mention my work emails!) but we had a beautiful time and it was an unforgettable trip that regenerated us after a long brutal winter!

No regrets....have a great time.

 

[ferris198]

My mother took me to California in grade 5 during a non holiday period.
The teacher said that travelling was the best experience for children as they see so many things while away.
Gigi, I see you are a survivor of a brain tumor, congrats to you.
I read so many carepages now of people who haven't survived it is positive to hear of one who has survivrd.
I hope you watched Stand up to Cancer last week.

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

Thanks ferris198. This Christmas I celebrate 10 years tumor-free.

I thank God every day for the opportunity to watch my child grow up. I am so very blessed, and owe so much to a wonderful surgeon at Toronto Western Hospital (you rock, Dr. Bernstein ).

 

[ferris198]

Ten years is awesome.
By the way my son is also Jake.

 

[Cockburn Family]

We are heading to Fort Wilderness March 09' for three weeks. March Break plus two after (March 13th to April 3) This will be our 4th year in a row and we wouldn't change it for the world. We always end up trying to plan some homework while we are away but it never works out. These are life experiences that they will always have. We always manage to catch up when we get back and have never had a teacher yet that wasn't excited to see our kids have a great time.

 

[Debbie]

We always end up trying to plan some homework while we are away but it never works out.

And, personally, that is why I don't assign anything other than a journal and "practise your math facts while you are in the car or standing in line". I know how difficult it is to schedule in school time while you are on vacation. . .and, really, who wants to? It is an opportunity to reconnect as a family and form long lasting memories! Go, have a great time, (and if you bring me back a Mickey pen, I'll you forever! )

 

[DjdBrit]

I am taking my kids out of school in May 09 for our 8 day trip to WDW they will only actually miss 5 days of school. I was very nervous about this as I never wanted to do this. Hubby is against it. However my airfare was 1/2 the cost we paid this year and I really couldn't justify the extra cost. My eldest will start the second round of MSCA testing in MA the day after we return. Its for Math his strongest subject and I did talk to the prinicpal before I boked to see what he thought... he asked if he could come too!!! I am hoping that it won't be a big deal. I plan on telling his teacher now and working on extra work from april vacation onwards.
My kids missed 3 weeks of school last march when my mother died (we had to return to England) and they all did fine, I am worried though.

 

[Joann]

The teachers at our school incourage holidays, they think what they learn away is better then anything they could learn sitting in a classroom! Now as for learning at disney, you can, there is alot of educational stuff there. Family time is very important I think specially seeing as my husband is at work litterally 80 hours a week. We value our time away with him and the teachers have always givin the work needed to be done. It is alittle harder once they go into HS tho as in may our time away did effect my daughters geography mark but her teacher was an @ss

 

[Luhts]

We had "meet the teacher night" last night, and my 9 y/o's teacher also said he doesn't give homework b/c it usually doesn't get done anyway. As we talked, though, I explained that he will have quite a bit of "down-time" as we are staying off-property and not going to the parks every day, or in the evenings, and that we will be spending some time visiting with relatives. He said, "Oh, well in that case maybe I will give him a little bit, just so he can stay on top of things." I am pleased with this because we have had to play catch-up after trips before and I know it is hard. I am one parent who isn't afraid of being the "bad guy" so I will definitely see that any work given is done by the time we return.