Taking Kids Out of School

[cattywampus]

If it's just about the money, then say so instead of fabricating an overly inflated self serving policy. I alway write a note with an excuse that preserves their funding.

 

[DopeyDame]

You know your kids and their academic situation best.
My only general concern would be the 12th grader - February of senior year is a busy time. She'll probably be under a ton of stress with college stuff, activities, projects, any AP/IB test prep, etc., etc. Not to mention the fact that by February of Senior year most kids are just starting to realize that school really is coming to an end - and that will cause a whole host of emotions both good and bad.
I suspect your oldest may not want to miss school at that point and missing school would add a ton of stress to an already stressful time. And that would carry FAR greater weight with me than school policy or academic concerns.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

If it's just about the money, then say so instead of fabricating an overly inflated self serving policy. I alway write a note with an excuse that preserves their funding.

A) the fact is kids who miss a lot of school "as a group" do poorly compared to those who don't. So, there's a reason they talk about more than funding.

B) Parents could be held to the same standard. Instead of grandstanding about how we won't have our children's schedules dictated to us, why not admit that for 90% of us, we could EASILY fit our vacations in during school breaks?

C) I don't think you realize how state funding works. If the kid isn't there, the school is docked. Your note does not do a thing. If it's not a school sponsored activity, it's an absence.

 

[Angel Ariel]

If it's just about the money, then say so instead of fabricating an overly inflated self serving policy. I alway write a note with an excuse that preserves their funding.

You do realize there are also parents who just don't get their kids to school,.right? These policies are also meant to preserve those children's right to an education. There were parents, not many but enough, at the school I referenced that didn't get their child to.school for no other reason.than they didn't feel like it. I wish I were making it up, but these were things said to the teachers there.

I realize that most parents are not like that, but schools have to have policies that protect *every* child's education, and they can't subjectively enforce policies based on individual situations.

 

[Volatica]

I teach high school (regular English 9th and 11th). Our school has policies regarding absences and make-up work, so my level of "understanding" really wouldn't matter, but my attitude about the matter would really depend on how it was handled. If the child simply disappears for a week then returns expecting me to hand them a neatly labeled folder an lecture tapes, then they have another thing coming.

On the other hand, if, as you seem to be saying, I get an email from Mom or a heads up from the child/teenager, then I have no problems getting things together for them. It'll give them something to do on the drive down!

My recommendation would be to check with the teacher to see what times will be most acceptable for them to miss. I don't toot the horn of standardized tests, but in our district they now count as a percentage of students' grades, which makes them relatively important. You don't want them missing valuable review time unless you have that child who could show up in their pajamas having never been to 4th grade in their life and score in the 90th percentile... then by all means don't torture them with test review!

I struggle with this issue too... I would love to take my kids out for a gorgeous week at WDW in September, but I don't know if I could let go of my "control-freakishness" to give my classes over to a sub for a week...

 

[Aliceacc]

If it's just about the money, then say so instead of fabricating an overly inflated self serving policy. I alway write a note with an excuse that preserves their funding.

Then why not admit that you're taking your kids on vacation instead of coming up with "an excuse"? The excuse doesn't have any effect on the funding; it only effects whether the absences are listed as "legal" or not.

 

[cattywampus]

A) the fact is kids who miss a lot of school "as a group" do poorly compared to those who don't. So, there's a reason they talk about more than funding.

B) Parents could be held to the same standard. Instead of grandstanding about how we won't have our children's scheduled dictated to us, why not admit that for 90% of us, we could EASILY fit our vacations in during school breaks?

C) I don't think you realize how state funding works. If the kid isn't there, the school is docked. Your note does not do a thing. If it's not a school sponsored activity, it's an absence.

Illness is an "excused" absence which preserves funding. Funding, by the way, that is provided by my tax dollars.

As the parent, I will continue to evaluate my child and make appropriate decisions, regardless of what anyone else thinks. Period.

 

[cattywampus]

Then why not admit that you're taking your kids on vacation instead of coming up with an excuse?

I do discuss it with the teacher and see if there are assignments that can be completed ahead. The written excuse just protects the schools funding.

Schools do indeed still get funding for excused absences. That's the whole reason for the elaborate attendance system.

If the school makes an issue of it, then they lose their funding for those days. I'm more than happy to be very clear about my choice with my child. So far, they have been quite happy with my note.

I am not one to allow others to run my family.

 

[jaykorf001]

I cannot believe the amount of people bashing on school districts about the funding issue. Wow. The administrators have a duty to preserve as much funding as possible to provide an education for ALL of the students in the district. That's a good thing IMO.

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[O2H O2H]

We are doing it for the first time this year. We are taking the week before Christmas vacation, which for the most part is made up of parties, movies, and busy work, IMO. Any real teaching gets reviewed after the break anyway, bc the kids are so excited that they don't retain much of it.

 

[Angel Ariel]

I do discuss it with the teacher and see if there are assignments that can be completed ahead. The written excuse just protects the schools funding.

If the school makes an issue of it, then they lose their funding for those days. So far, they have been fine.

I am not one to allow others to run my family.

No one is suggesting "allowing others to run your family."

The recent replies have simply been yes, there are real reasons for these policies, and if you are going to do it, just be up front and respectful about it.

 

[butterfly71076]

My DS was in kindergarten last year and we pulled him for 6 days to, not only go to WDW, but surprise my niece on her 4th birthday. The look on her face when she opened the door and saw us there, was totally worth it!

This year I am thinking about surprising DS with a quick trip to MNSSHP, he will miss 5 days of school, but it will be over a weekend, Thursday-Wednesday.

While I am slightly apprehensive about taking him out if school, I know he's not going to be this little forever and there might be a day that he doesn't want to go to WDW with me anymore. I want to soak up as much "little boy" as possible! He's already telling me he won't watch the Tinkerbell movies anymore because he's a "mens" now and it's for girls!

Our trips are things he will remember for the rest of his life (me too!). I think if you want to pull your kids from school for a few days, have a wonderful trip! If not, it's your choice, everyone does what is best for their family!

 

[pioneer89]

I agree that family time and those memories are THE MOST IMPORTANT thing.

Well, now that I think about it, family might be most important, AFTER not being sweaty.

So, as long as I'm not too hot, family time is most import.... whoops I forgot being crowded. Definitely not being crowded is more important than family, but family is still a close third.

Yup, a close third... after saving money. Sorry, but can't let family come before saving money. Or being a home. I can't even believe that some people think that family time in your home state even counts.

So, as long as I'm not sweaty, or crowded, or at home, or it costs too much, FAMILY IS MOST IMPORTANT! Absolutely more important than being in school.

So, in order of importance:

1. Not being sweaty
2. Not being Crowded
3. Saving money
4. Not being at home
5. FAMILY!!!!
6. Education

Plus, some people have spouses in the military, and can only vacation around leave-time. If you don't take Disney vacations during the school year, you must hate the troops!

 

[Crl1817]

Illness is an "excused" absence which preserves funding. Funding, by the way, that is provided by my tax dollars.

As the parent, I will continue to evaluate my child and make appropriate decisions, regardless of what anyone else thinks. Period.

I can see both sides of pulling kids from school for vacations. Buy I can't see lying to do it.

From my perspective, I choose to send my kids to our public schools which puts certain obligations on me. If I am unable to do that, then I am obligated to either work to change the rules or find an alternative means of providing schooling.

 

[cattywampus]

No one is suggesting "allowing others to run your family."

The recent replies have simply been yes, there are real reasons for these policies, and if you are going to do it, just be up front and respectful about it.

Actually, many are suggesting exactly that.

 

[JimmyV]

From my perspective, I choose to send my kids to our public schools which puts certain obligations on me. If I am unable to do that, then I am obligated to either work to change the rules or find an alternative means of providing schooling.

This is a terrific point. For the most part, this is a "rule following" crowd when it comes to WDW. How many posts have we seen on this board that say something to the effect of: "Disney gets to make the rules. If you don't like it, don't go." Well, the same can be said of state and local education rules. If a school district has rules, why is it OK to say: "I don't care. I'll do what is best for my family!"? Couldn't one just as easily say the same thing when it comes to saving a table at Pecos Bill's before you have your food? Or staying after hours for less crowded EMH when you are staying off site? Or any number of other things that might make the family trip more enjoyable? If your school system has rules and requirements that you don't like, you have three choices: Follow them anyway; work to change the rules; find another school district that suits your needs. Way too much school bashing here. School superintendents shouldn't be required to implement special policies for families who insist on going to WDW during the school year. Everyone is free to make the choice to do so. And to live with the consequences for doing so.

 

[cattywampus]

I can see both sides of pulling kids from school for vacations. Buy I can't see lying to do it.

Whether you like it or not is irrelevant. The school loves it because they still get the funding.

They understand that the trip is non-negotiable. The note is a service to them. If they would rather not have a note that excuses the absence, I'm happy not to write it.

 

[cattywampus]

School officials work for the taxpayers whether they want to admit it or not. I'm not sure exactly when so many decided they override parents.

I can see why people give up and go private or home school. I'm not that person. I'm paying for public school and I respect so many of the teachers that have to work the system just to do the job they love.

I do not blindly follow rules, just because a school official makes them.

 

[EMode]

We used to pull our kids out when they were younger but as soon as my oldest reached middle school we stopped. Its alot of work missed and alot of stress to make it up when we return. Teachers are not required to give you any work your child will miss so if they don't its alot to do when you get back.

As for reasons, I'll never understand the argument "family time comes first". You can have family time on breaks just as easily as you can on non break weeks I do understand that some parents can only vacation at certain times, and I'm not talking about them, I'm talking about those who just choose to go during a low crowd time of year.

 

[Aliceacc]

That funding I keep reading about...we all realize that it goes into the schools, right? That school officials aren't paid per student??

Look, send your kids to school or pull them out for vacation. It doesn't effect me at all. I will teach anyone who shows up; more than that I cannot do.

And if your kids are out during the school year, it will mean fewer people in line in front of my kids in August, when we enjoy our family time at WDW.