Taking Kindergarten Son Out for 3 days?

[TammyPB]

My family is considering taking a short trip to DisneyWorld in early October, and I'm wondering what you all think of taking my son out of kindergarten for 3 days at that time?

I'm new to the school thing, because he's my oldest. I don't know what to expect, and if it's even acceptable. Is that too soon to do in kindergarten, and is it important for him to be there since he's just getting used to being in school? Would I get it pre-approved with his teacher? Or with the principal? Or do you even get it pre-approved?

Thanks for any help with this!
Tammy

 

[disneydreamer98]

I certainly do not see a problem with it. My Parents used to take my brother and I out for extra days around Spring Break to visit my Grandparents at WDW and it certainly did not hurt us. A Valedictorian and Salutatorian respectively! I would approach the teacher though and let them know of your plans just as a courtesy. Maybe the teacher could make an assignment out of WDW and have your Son tell about his trip upon his return!

 

[3Mousketeers]

I did it with my Kindergartner and see no problem with it. Actually, I say take advantage of being able to go during non-school vacation times as long as possible. Once the kids get older it gets harder for them to miss school and you're stuck with going during school vacation weeks. One of the best trips we've had was in October - lower crowds, beautiful weather. Have fun whatever you decide!

 

[Stimpy]

Make sure you check with your school district first! In our district, family vacations are really frowned on. If we take our kids out of school they are charged as an "unexcused absence". The teachers are not required to give make-up work (they only have to give it for excused ones) and are not allowed to give any work before the child leaves. The student is given zero for all work missed.

That being said, we did take our Kindergarten son out of school in December. I don't think 3 days will be a big deal. I am totally against our district's policy and can't understand why it is effect. Since DH has a job where he can't take off during traditional vacation time, we have little choice.

 

[Tammi67]

We are taking our kindergartener out for the 2 days before Christmas break starts. I figure 1. it's kindergarten, 2. how much are they doing winding down to Christmas.

For those of you with strict school policies.....do you tell them you are going on vacation or just send a note after you return saying that your child was out sick?

 

[savs]

We have done it with my son for the last 3 years (he's in 2nd grade) and his teachers have never had a problem with it. They just give him a journal to do while he is gone and a few papers to make up when he gets back. I think if he wasn't such a good student they might have a problem with it, but we have been very lucky that he picks up on things very quickly and never has a problem catching back up to the rest of the class.

This year we took both of our ds (2nd grade & kindergarten) out of school for 6 days total and they had no problems.

 

[Bob P]

Hi Tammy,

My advice is: DO IT NOW!!! As the father of two teenagers who still love WDW, it gets MUCH harder to take them out of school the older they get.

Kindergarten and early elementary are the perfect times to take kids out of school for a Disney trip!

Bob

 

[TammyPB]

Thank you, everyone, for your replies. I just called the school district, and they said that as long as we let them know a week ahead, it would be excused. They're allowed at least 10 days (she wasn't sure the exact number) of excused absences a year.

Now, I'm starting to allow myself to get excited about this! Hehe! I just read about the Free Dining with the Magic Your Way plan, and that got me thinking about going.

Thanks again!!!

 

[momto2inKC]

Our kids (kindergarten and 2nd grade) missed the last week of school this year for our vacation. They were supposed to get out the day we left, but ended up with 5 snow days to make up. I talked to all their teachers and the principal to make sure it was okay. All agreed that at this age, it's not that big of a deal. And they even ended up not counting the days against them. I was quite shocked but very happy they did that for us

 

[SleepingUgly]

We just got back from our vacation, and our older daughter missed five days of KG because of it. No biggie at all. I had emailed her teacher at least two months ahead of time, and she wrote back that it was not a problem. While at Disney, I bought two "#1 Teacher" key chains for her two classroom teachers, and a bunch of chocolates to share with the kids. You can get a bag of 10 chocolate coins, with character faces on the wrapping, for $2.50, so we bought a few of those so our daughter could share with her classmates upon her return. They were a big hit!

Linda

 

[Sheaboys]

I have taken the boys out of school at several different times of the year to visit my parents, who are in FLorida, we are in Mass. This year, I booked a trip the week before spring break, SWA had great prices $49 each way!, so due to the fact that they are never out sick, had not had a sick day all year or any other time off, I booked it. They were missing 4 days of school, we came back during the school vacation time. But then, my oldest got the real bad bug with fever and stomach that he was out of school for 8 days, and then 2 additional days because he sent home by the nurse. I was a wreck due to all the missed school then only being in class for 5 days then going on vacation, the teacher told me, they can miss like a month of school before it becomes an issue. He did get his school work sent home while sick from a classmate, then made up all work after vacation. He would have had it done prior to vacation, but there was a sub teacher the day before we left and did not send make up work home. They are in 1st grade and pre-k (2nd year). When we vacation at Disney in either Sept or October, I will have a 2nd grader, kindergartener and a first year pre-k. Our school system thinks it is important for families to vacation together, learn, and don't frown upon it as long as you don't yank them out for every month or so. You know. To answer your question, 3 days is fine to pull your kids out.

 

[Donnask8pro]

My son is going to miss a week this upcoming year and he is going into kindergarten also. I'm going while I can...

 

[surfgirl]

We are planning a trip for next February (in-laws are there then, so we are tied to that month). I called the school before I booked the villa and they said, "We encourage family vacations at this age. Kids will learn more being with their family for a nice vacation than they would miss in a few days at school. This is the time to do it before they get older."

I was impressed that they seemed to have a balanced viewpoint and didn't take themselves too seriously....

 

[budbeerlady]

HEllo, we are taking the dd out of kindergarden for 3 days also, at that age does it really make a big diff? She is already ahead with her letters and numbers to 30 before she has even started school and I think all the countries in Epcot will do her some good. I have a job that keeps me in the office memorial day to labor day so we are always taking our vacations at odd times like october, and I will continue to do it while she is in school. There is no reason why I cannot get the weeks work and have her do it on vacation or before we leave.

 

[Stimpy]

For those of you with strict school policies.....do you tell them you are going on vacation or just send a note after you return saying that your child was out sick?

First, I'm glad everything will be ok with your school! Have a great trip and relax.

Just to answer your question, I told DS's teacher ahead of time....about 2 weeks. She told me the school's policy and told me her hands were tied. I can understand her position, I don't want her to get in any trouble. She did give me a general idea of what they would be covering but couldn't give me specific work.

I will not lie to the teacher about it and say DS was sick. I don't want to ask my son to lie. (I know, we're also teaching him about "not following the rules" too ) I know my DS will be talking about his trip to every one he comes in contact with too. It would be impossible to lie about it. We do try to work around occasional days off so he misses the least amount of time.

 

[poohkinandpiglet]

My oldest starts Kindergarten in the fall. We are going to WDW in the middle of October for his 6th birthday and MNSSHP. He is going to miss five days of school and I really have no problem with it (and I was a first grade teacher).

WDW is a life skill! He'll probably learn more at WDW in a week than he would in five half days of Kindergarten anyway.

 

[tessqt]

Just thought I would add another positive experience.

We took my dd out in kindergarten and this fall will be taking her out of 3rd grade and her brother out of kindergarten. They are in a private school and they are positive about "family" time. But I was told I would probably have alittle more trouble when they get into the higher grades. Not so much being allowed, but what kind of work they would have to do to make up on their missed time.

Have a great time, we intend to also!!

 

[triplefigs]

My mom teaches Kindergarten, and I asked her about this on the phone this weekend. We will be facing the same issue when our trio enters K. She said that most teachers and principals have zero problems with missing a few days for family vacations- especially if ANYTHING educational will happen. My mom said AK is the best for this at WDW. She gives her K students a little journal/papers and asks them to report on it when they get back. She said most of her kids will even bring fliers, photos, etc to show all the other kids. I definitely plan on taking my trio out to avoid the crowds, heat, and get the VALUE prices!

Have a great trip!

 

[blessedby3]

Kindergarten and all the early years should be no problem for anyone. We are talking Kindergarten here. They arent doing so much that you could not help your child do the pages or reading at home before you go. We have always taken our kids out of school for Disney trips. Last time we took out a 2nd grader and 7th grader. This time we will be taking out a 1st grader, 5th grader, and 10th grader as well as a 10th grade friend. ( her parents are fine with this also). My kids know that they need to make up their work before we go to Disney because we will be tired upon coming back and no one will want to do it. No complaints from my trio. Family time is very important to us, and going to FL during a school break or the heat of the summer puts a damper on our family time. We would rather take them out and enjoy a better vacation on an off time. Our teachers have always understood this (younger 2 are in private Christian school, older is in public) and dont blame us or harbor ill feelings at all.

 

[Kate716]

for 3 days in late Sept/early Oct '05. As she's my oldest and is just entering the school system, I'm not sure how her future teacher will be, but I'm hoping for the best! She really deserves this trip after her brother ruined our family vacation in early May!

Kate716