Taking kids out week before Christmas break?

[triplefigs]

My triplets will be in Kindergarten this fall. What would it be like if they missed the week before Christmas break (5 days)? What typically is done that last week? We're looking at going Dec 9-16.

Thanks!

 

[laceemouse]

In most instances, they will not miss any heavy academic stuff. No teacher is going to introduce something new right before a long break KWIM? However, they are going to miss a lot of fun stuff, like the holiday party. Do they have any type of holiday recital for the parents?? Most kids would prefer going to WDW, but I would not bank on it. My kids were sometimes upset if they missed something at school, due to illness or whatever, because all of the other kids are so excited and talking about it a lot and stuff like that. Depends on your kids. We homeschool now, so that kind of stuff is not an issue, though we do have many other activities to plan around.

 

[Twingle]

We were at Disney December 3 - 11, but my son only missed three days then because our school district had two snow days. We had told his teacher in September that we were going, and she sent some worksheets with us and a few books to read. She also had him make a list of what characters he saw each day, and then we graphed it before he went back to school.

He also missed the last week of school before Christmas break, not because we were back in Disney (I WISH!) but because I was very ill and in the hospital. Again, the teacher sent home worksheets and a few books. He missed the class Christmas party. From what I can gather, that last week is basically the same as any other week, except they did Christmas related crafts and had winter themed stories.

I think that they would be fine missing that week. Have fun planning your trip!

 

[kerry34]

I took my kids out the week before this past christmas. My girls that are in kindergarten missed their holiday concert and parties. Other than that there was not alot of academics missed, which is why we chose to take them out then. My older kids missed a little but was able to make it up during christmas break. I asked my cousin who is a 6th grade teacher her thoughts on missing that week and her response was if you have to take them out that is the best time to do it, most teachers dont have heavy lesson plans that week because between the activities and the kids being so wound up it is hard to get alot accomplished, plus I am sure most teachers don't want a load of planning and correcting when they have lots of christmas shopping and other things to do for the holidays. When I approached my older kids teachers about taking them out they pretty much said the same thing my cousin did and did not have any issues with them being out.

 

[IwannaseeMickey]

It's Kindergarten, take them out. The week before the holiday is holiday coloring things and activities, probably a party (if your school even lets them have one, ours doesn't), and maybe a music show. We get out early that last day too.

I toyed w/ which week to pull my rising 1st grader. Wasn't sure if he should miss the first week of Dec. or the 2nd week, right before the holiday. I chose the 1st week. He missed the first week of Oct. this year for our trip, in Kindergarten and didn't miss a beat.

 

[daisyduck123]

It's kindergarten...just go. Guaranteed that your kids will not be the only ones missing some days. I wouldn't even give it another thought....I'd be too excited planning my trip!! Have fun!!

 

[daisyduck123]

Triplefigs...I was looking at your signature...do you design t-shirts?
I think I'm a little confused after clicking on the links.

 

[powellrj]

you might want to check and see if thats when your Christmas break is, ours doesn't start until Dec. 22 this year.

 

[triplefigs]

you might want to check and see if thats when your Christmas break is, ours doesn't start until Dec. 22 this year.

Yes, the kids last day of school is Dec 15. They go back on Jan 4. I teach in a different county that doesn't get out until Dec 22, and I'm not allowed to miss the last week of school before a break. That's why I'm looking at the week prior to my kids Christmas vacation.

 

[triplefigs]

Triplefigs...I was looking at your signature...do you design t-shirts?
I think I'm a little confused after clicking on the links.

Yes. there are a bunch of us on the DISigns board that make t-shirt transfers. You print them on your computer onto transfer paper and then iron them on your shirt. They are so much fun!

 

[ellenmiele]

triplefigs - I have noticed the info about the tshirts before but it never really got my attention until now. I'm trying to match a Disney shirt that my kids and neices/nephews all wore the first time we had a family trip to WDW. We can hand down shirts to the younger kids now but I've been trying to find matching shirts for the older kids. Until now I haven't had any luck. Their Grandma (my mom) had gotten all of them shirts the last time when the kids were between 1 and 8. Now the kids are between 4 and 11 and Grandma thinks they wouldn't want to wear matching shirts anymore. So my sister and I were going to try and surprise our mom (Grandma) on that first morning of our trip when we all meet up to head over to MK and have the kids all in those same matching t-shirts again. (And the kids are all totally in favor of this plan, too!) But even on that new Disney online shopping t-shirt site I can't find a match and I need 3 bigger shirts. Do you think you would be able to help me ?


Oh - and about the Dec trip question: Why don't you find a mom of a child who is in Kindergarten now and ask about what they did in the class during that time before Christmas - the work, special events, etc. That way you can get some idea as to what they might miss if you take them out that week. And if Dec doesn't work out, think about Oct. If you've gone in Dec already and done MVMCP, your kids might enjoy Oct and MNSSHP - just a thought.

 

[triplefigs]

triplefigs - I have noticed the info about the tshirts before but it never really got my attention until now. I'm trying to match a Disney shirt that my kids and neices/nephews all wore the first time we had a family trip to WDW. We can hand down shirts to the younger kids now but I've been trying to find matching shirts for the older kids. Until now I haven't had any luck. Their Grandma (my mom) had gotten all of them shirts the last time when the kids were between 1 and 8. Now the kids are between 4 and 11 and Grandma thinks they wouldn't want to wear matching shirts anymore. So my sister and I were going to try and surprise our mom (Grandma) on that first morning of our trip when we all meet up to head over to MK and have the kids all in those same matching t-shirts again. (And the kids are all totally in favor of this plan, too!) But even on that new Disney online shopping t-shirt site I can't find a match and I need 3 bigger shirts. Do you think you would be able to help me ?


Oh - and about the Dec trip question: Why don't you find a mom of a child who is in Kindergarten now and ask about what they did in the class during that time before Christmas - the work, special events, etc. That way you can get some idea as to what they might miss if you take them out that week. And if Dec doesn't work out, think about Oct. If you've gone in Dec already and done MVMCP, your kids might enjoy Oct and MNSSHP - just a thought.

Good idea about asking someone there now! And PM me the info for the shirt and a picture. I'd be happy to help. or you can email me at triplefigs@yahoo.com

 

[rt2dz]

Back to the OP:

I am not pulling my kindergartener out this year to go to Disney, even though that would be the ideal week. The reason is simple, it's a very fun time for them. This year, DS got sick and had to miss out on everything. He was devestated. I just decided I simply couldn't do that to him again this year on purpose.

 

[triplefigs]

Back to the OP:

I am not pulling my kindergartener out this year to go to Disney, even though that would be the ideal week. The reason is simple, it's a very fun time for them. This year, DS got sick and had to miss out on everything. He was devestated. I just decided I simply couldn't do that to him again this year on purpose.

Good point. I think we're going Dec 15-22 so they will not miss any school. If they have their party early, we may go on Thursday afternoon and have them miss the last day.

 

[cinderanna]

My daughter is in kindergarten this year, will be in 1st grade when we go in December. I will be taking her out for the last two days before Christmas break, possibly 2 1/2 days. The only thing she'll miss is the Christmas party, but I think she'll live! Her school won't let them miss more than 3 days unexcused (they don't excuse this kind of trip) so that's the best we can do. Otherwise, I would have taken her out the whole last week. Good luck!

 

[angel's momma]

DD missed most of that week in Kindergarten due to illness.
We went to wdw that week in first grade.
We'll be going back to wdw that week this year, 3rd grade.


Here, there is very little school work done that week. Yes, class party is missed, but we go to MVMCP. Program is also missed, but DD is shy & doesn't really enjoy performing on stage anyway.


The plus to going Dec. 9-16 is that you're going home when all of the crowds are starting to arrive.

 

[pta-mom]

Wow! I can't even believe that with kids in kindergarten, you would be concerned...and I mean that nicely!!

My boys are in grades 3 & 4 and we are removing them from school for two weeks next month to go to DW for their first time and than to visit relatives. I checked with their principle who felt the same way I do...my boys are good students, in elementry school, smart and able to do the work. It will not effect their university choice! They will have some fun time with their family and see grand-parents they haven't seen in two years! Totally beneficial! And, when we get back, we will address their missed school work and do a little more homework until they catch up.

Time with my babies (they'ld kill me if they saw that!!) is going fast!! They are growing up so quickly and I totally don't want to miss out on their childhood nor have them miss out on it! They got another 10+ years of school....it can wait two weeks!!

Just my thoughts!

 

[budbeerlady]

I thought that DD wouldnt miss much, but she did. What happened is kinda a fluke but she was off Dec 10-17, so a week. Then she was to have school Dec 20 and then break started on the 21st. (She goes Tue, Fri every other Wed) Well snowstorm came and she had school closed. She was off school Dec 10 -Jan 7th. That was alot and she didnt get her make up work before we left as a half day due to a snow delay. She misssed that weeks letter learning. We are taking her out again from 1st grade but I will be very firm that she needs her work (I dont see this happening again with all day school, just a fluke since she is Tue/ Friday school all day) and I would take some work books with us for her to refresh on. She missed a mother daughter christmas tea and a special assembly.