Taking Kids Out of School

[Love Tink]

Mine were the same way once they reached high school, where every point counts toward your GPA, and the goal of obtaining merit scholarships. The first and only time I approached them about taking a couple days off for one of our beloved Disney trips they both objected, which actually made me proud that they took their academics so seriously. They did get nice month-long winter breaks in college, which was when we took those trips.

My oldest is already like this as well. I suggested a November trip where he would miss 2-3 days and he flat out refused. He's still in middle school, but middle school now is high school lite (three of his classes next year, in eighth grade, count for high school), and he thought even a few days away would be too much.

So now we're late August goers. August isn't so bad, but I miss the years of May and early December.

 

[Toadlover]

Whew! I just sat here and read from page 3! (At the coffee shop.)

First I didn't know this was such a controversial subject, nor that its been posted before. That said, I did read every single post and I thank each and everyone who has taken the time to reply to my thread.

I don't think I mentioned that this isn't just going to be my kids going. My sister has twins and a younger kid who will be going, too. A huge part of it depends on whether or not her daughter can get time off WORK. Yes- WORK. She is an actress and works for Disney Channel. She has time off at Christmas time which is why we have reservations for then but its just so darned expensive that we just don't think we can afford it. Airfare for my sister alone was quoted like $6,000!! So I think we should go in April when my kids get a week off so they can afford an extra day or two around then, I have no idea when my neice can get off work or when my twin nephews can get their spring break. The idea of taking the kids out of school was my mom's for February, but adding to what you all have said here, the other thing is I wouldnt be taking just one kid out but three at two different schools. These schools might have different rules, though I think they're in the same district. It all depends on how their grades are at that time and how many absenses they've used up. This is why I think Spring break in April- busier tho it may be- is the best time to go. I just don't think I'll have the six grand we'll need to make it this December, even though we have reservations booked at Fort Wilderness still.

So a few days right around their Spring break seems do-able so we might have that week off plus 3 extra days for our vacation. Ten days in February, I just don't see it.

As for each of your replies, I'll say again, thank you so much! Even the disagreements are helpful. I will have to discuss this all with my mother and sister. Continue on. I'll continue to read this thread. I'll let you all know what we decide re: spring break. Right now, I know when it will be for my 8th-grader, but not the two high-schoolers. Nobody is in that office right now. I hope they are the same week! Otherwise...

 

[Toadlover]

I just looked at the calendar. At least my 8th grader will be out for spring break April 6-10th. That's a Monday through Friday. We could leave the 3rd in the evening and get back on the 12th in the evening. That would 9+ days. I think that might work. But just have to wait to find out if the other two have that same week off, not to mention my sister's kids. *sigh* (The high school's calendar doesn't go that far out yet online and my sister's kids are in California, not to mention my niece's work schedule- that's the big one.)

 

[Toadlover]

Now my sister wants us to come to california to do Disneyland there. Ugh no. There is no EPCOT. Period.

I think we could do All Star, or stay in a tent to make things cheaper at Christmas time. It wouldn't solve my sister's large flight ticket prices, though.

Something has to give! I need to get my Disney World fix!

 

[Toadlover]

My sister seems to think that flights will be $1,000 per person on december 19th. I just looked it up on Southwest and it was MUCH cheaper. Hmm....

 

[Toadlover]

Seeing as it does NOT seem to cost $6000 to fly from california for my sister, I'm thinking of camping in a tent at fort wilderness or staying at all star and keeping our original december dates. This will save us a TON over the $250 per night we were going to pay. I'd like the all-star if we can get reservations.

I am so conflicted! My ticker counts down to December 19th! Who wouldn't want to go earlier!?

 

[JosieMouse]

My kids will be missing 2 days of school for our trip. How much notice should we give their teachers?

 

[cattywampus]

In all California public schools, more than three unexcused tardies (30 minutes late) or three absences (or any combination of tardies and absences that totals three) constituent truancy. Absences for vacations are not and cannot be excused by parents.

Heck, out of state family funerals only rate three days of excused absences.

So if you would never send your kid to a school with that kind of policy, don't move to California, or be prepared to pay for private school.

http://www.fusd.net/students2/sarb.pdf

Debated opening this can of worms again, but decided to post our recent experience in a California school district to show how wrong a lot of info posted in these forums actually is.

We decided that we were taking first grader out of school for a week in November for WDW. A couple of weeks prior to the trip, we approached the teacher and told her what we were doing. She was very excited about the trip and had no qualms about him academically about missing a week. We did the same thing twice last year in Kindergarten and was met with the same positive response from the teacher.

We always say we are willing to write a note saying he was sick, so the school gets funding. Last year, we did provide the notes. This year, teacher said it was unnecessary and offered to put 7 year old on a week contract. She gathered all of the work that he would miss for the week, put it in a folder with a sticky note that said "Have fun on your trip".

We completed half before we left and the other half when we returned and that was it. No issues whatsoever. We appreciated the extra effort that she put in to get all of the work together and her excitement for his adventures.

So broad, sweeping statements, about what can and can not be done on a statewide basis, are not particularly accurate or helpful.

 

[summerw]

In all California public schools, more than three unexcused tardies (30 minutes late) or three absences (or any combination of tardies and absences that totals three) constituent truancy. Absences for vacations are not and cannot be excused by parents.

Heck, out of state family funerals only rate three days of excused absences.

So if you would never send your kid to a school with that kind of policy, don't move to California, or be prepared to pay for private school.

http://www.fusd.net/students2/sarb.pdf

Debated opening this can of worms again, but decided to post our recent experience in a California school district to show how wrong a lot of info posted in these forums actually is.

We decided that we were taking first grader out of school for a week in November for WDW. A couple of weeks prior to the trip, we approached the teacher and told her what we were doing. She was very excited about the trip and had no qualms about him academically about missing a week. We did the same thing twice last year in Kindergarten and was met with the same positive response from the teacher.

We always say we are willing to write a note saying he was sick, so the school gets funding. Last year, we did provide the notes. This year, teacher said it was unnecessary and offered to put 7 year old on a week contract. She gathered all of the work that he would miss for the week, put it in a folder with a sticky note that said "Have fun on your trip".

We completed half before we left and the other half when we returned and that was it. No issues whatsoever. We appreciated the extra effort that she put in to get all of the work together and her excitement for his adventures.

So broad, sweeping statements, about what can and can not be done on a statewide basis, are not particularly accurate or helpful.

I didn't read the whole thread, but that link isn't representative of the whole state. It's for Fontana, a very low-income area about 45 minutes NE of Disneyland. They built a lot of houses out that way when real estate soared so I'm sure they were one of the districts greatly affected when the bottom fell out. We live in Orange County. My son's school has no such policy.

I think it's awful how they fund schools. Just because a kid is sick a day or two doesn't mean the resources for them are cancelled. Their teacher, desk, etc is all still there waiting for them. I'm just going to stop there as there are just too many things wrong with school funding here.