Taking the kids out of school for a Disney trip?

[Blondie]

Well Kim, you know we've done it several times! But we won't be doing it anymore!

In January 2003 they were in 6th and 7th grades and we knew that would be the last time for us during the school year. We were enjoying the pool at the Wilderness Lodge and I was talking about school work and they both said they were worried about going home and having to do all the make-up work (the teachers wouldn't release it ahead of time.) I had no idea it really stressed them out that much! So....no more taking them out of school!

But in 2nd grade, I wouldn't worry too much about it. Give his teacher plenty of lead time, so that she can prepare a packet of work for him to do while you are there to keep him up to par with the rest of the class. Enjoy it now!! Because once he hits middle school, it's a whole new ballgame!

 

[disykat]

I just have to comment on the post where teachers said they are offended by parents who ask "if it matters?". I'd be offended too! Of course, it matters if they miss school! That doesn't mean that parents who take school seriously can't successfully take their children out briefly and help them make up the work.

I think a big part of it is how you approach the school and your willingness to catch your child up vs. expecting them to do it.

 

[AirForceRocks]

We did it two years ago - kids were in 2nd grade and K. It wasn't a big deal at all then, but I doubt I would do it now. DD has at least 2 and usually 4 books per night of homework, and I don't want her to have to make up a week's worth of stuff when we get back.

 

[NMAmy]

I share joint custody with my ex. Since we live across country from each other, he has her for every school break and during the summer. Even though DD is in 7th grade (which means multiple teachers), I still take her out for our WDW trips. She is a straight A student and takes the homework with her. We work on it every night.

I get the school calendar at the beginning of the year and try to pick a week when they have several half days due to in-service or conferences. All her teachers are online, so I email them for any info needed for conferences and they can email me back at their convenience.

I have never had an instructor or administrator give me any trouble about this once the situation is explained. If we did not take her out of school, we would never have more than a quick weekend vacation for our family. They have been most helpful and understanding.

 

[CyranoJones]

I think it depends on the individual student and partly on the rules of the school district. We took our daughter out of school for trips every year, not necessarily to WDW. She also missed a little over 2 weeks in both her junior and senior years to go to on school-sponsored trips to Europe.

Some teachers would give assignments ahead of time; others would have her make up work when she got back. Speaking only for her, it was never a problem.

 

[KimR]

I did it when my oldest DD was in 2nd grade and it wasn't a problem at all. She made excellent grades, her teacher was very supportive, and there wasn't really anything she had to make up when we returned. Now that she's in 6th grade it's a different story. We are taking her out for the 2 days before spring break next week, (originally it was only 1 day, but we have to make up a snow day), but I'd hesitate to take her out for any longer than that. She's a straight-A student; nevertheless, it's stressful when she has all that work to make up and it's just not worth it. I'd love to go when it's less crowded, but that isn't really an option for us anymore. My advice would be to do it while you can, because as they get older it only gets more difficult for them to make up the work.

 

[tink2]

There is also a thread on this subject on the tips board.. pretty long and some opinions on both sides.
I am a second grade teacher. If the student is not behind in reading or math and won't suffer- I say go for it! I have at least one or two students a year take a week off for family vacations. They always get to make up their necessary work either before or after- whichever is best for them.
As for me, my husband can only take vacations certain times of the year. Therefore, I myself am missing a week next year to go to WDW as well as pulling my DD out of K for a week. It is the only way for us to go b/c of my husband's job. He can only take a few days off in the summer to go to the beach. Fall break and spring breaks- can't take off. Anyway, if your child is a good student- go for it!! Be sure to tell the teachers ahead of time and ask about work. I know some wouldn't cooperate- but I would hope most would. A week of school doesn't compare to a week of quality family time!!!

 

[Pembo]

Took my 2nd grader this past November. His teacher was great about it. He only had to make up the math homework. Very well worth it. Just check with the school system on their policy.

 

[ZachnElli]

I haven't done it yet. And I really don't like the idea of it, ds is not the best student (mostly B's and a C or two, but he has to work at it). But we are planning a trip with my parents and my brother's family in 2006 and our kids' schedules are not the same, so someone will probably have to pull their kids out for at least a few days. By then ds will be in 5th grade. Also, my dad is a retired teacher who is against pulling kids out of school for vacation. We'll see how he feels about it when he has all his grandkids with him at WDW! LOL!

 

[suzannen]

In my DD's school, taking them out while they were in 3rd grade or under was no problem at all. But, once they reach 4th grade, with 4 to 5 hours of homework each night, to try to stay caught up after several days while on vacation becomes stressful and much harder. It basically depends on your child's school, grade, and how helpful the teacher(s) will be to help them not get behind.

In the long run, does it really matter - no, but anyone who has ever vacationed with a stressed out pre-teen or teen know it's not really fun.

 

[mom2boys]

in the grand scheme of life, is it really going to matter 25 years from now if they miss a few days of school each year?

We took our boys out in Jan - 3rd & 4th grade. We choose a week that they were only scheduled for 2 days of school. The 3rd grade teacher's response to me when I told her of our plan was that the 2 day week was such a waste because so many families take the kids out for vacation then. (The teachers have to work 2 of the 3 student vacaction days.) The new term started the two days they missed - since it's elementary school nothing really changes for them. If it were middle/high school & they were starting new classes, I would think twice for my boys.

 

[zurgswife]

We are takng the kids out for 1 week in the beginning of Dec....we have done it before...but this could be one of the last times...as DD will start highschool the following year and that makes it a little tougher..

 

[shortbun]

As a parent of a current 2nd grader, I don't see that doing
the work while you are gone would be a problem. Spelling,
math is pretty easy to present, reading a few books, keeping
a journal, a nature walk.....what more could they ask?
Do it and plan ahead. Just don't plan to be gone during the
rigorous testing time. Ours was the whole month of March.
They won't be happy about that!

 

[Lanshark]

I have no problem with it as long as the kids can get back on track when they return.

As the kids get older it will become more difficult. I can't imagine missing a weeks worth of instruction/tests when they hit highschool. Even middle school can be tough. If the kids can handle doing the homework and the teachers are OK with it then I don't see that it would be a problem.

 

[Tiger Fan]

We took Emily out in December. It was great. We will most likely do it again this coming year. She's in the first grade now, we talked to the teacher well in advance and got all her work. She turned it all in the day she returned and was tested on what test she missed. She's doing fine and will have no lasting ill effects, but what great memories!!
Lisa

 

[tiggersmom2]

I agree with Lanshark, it isn't a big deal to me as long as the child can get back on track.
We used to do this ALL the time, and avoid all the awful crowds, however; you ought to see all the work my DS in fourth grade has to do! He is in a private school that puts an amazingly high emphasis on academics (which I love) and he literally works his hinny off! He has TWO book reports a month (the books must be at least 200 pages! ) and countless tests.
So, as you can see, for us it just would not be feasible to take our 10 year old out of school for a week, but I certainly would not fault another parent for doing so. I understand the MAGIC!!!!!

 

[RitaZ.]

Do it! Talk to the teachers about it so that they know what to expect.

One of my friends, a teacher, just took a week off work and her daughters out of school to go on vacation. The principal had no problem with it.

Enjoy planning the trip!

 

[torismom]

We have taken dd out of school this year for two smaller trips that equaled a week. She is right on target in her class and not behind. She is in K. However she has missed another 11 days due to illness this year. She has had a rough time health wise.

I do not have a problem taking children out of school but will try and schedule vacation's around her off days. I do not feel comfortable at this time taking her out next year based on her health this year.However, if she had not missed school becaus eof her health I would have no qualms about taking her out next year.

This is just something else to think about.

This is a personal decision and one that only can be made by you and your family.

Have a wonderful time!!

 

[dandave]

I took my sons (first and third grades) out for 4 days at the beginning of February to go to WDW for an extended family trip. I had permission from the teachers and the school principal, which is required to be obtained in advance via forms here.
I had also taken them out for one day for the Thanksgiving holiday. They are only allowed five such days per year, so that was it for us.
Both children do well in school, and made up their missed work easily. The memories they made being able to explore WDW with their grandparents will, hopefully, last a very long time.

 

[Whitegloves]

The following is what I posted on a similar thread...

As the parents of 3 children...23,20 & 12...we have in the past taken our children out of school for vacation. The last few years we haven't had to but this May we will be taking our 12 yr. old out for the trip to WDW for his sister’s wedding.
We have taken family vacations as often as possible over the years. When we have had to take the kids out of school they never had any problems catching up, the teachers were usually pretty good about helping and often times I tried to get work done before we left, if it was possible.
IMHO, it is erroneous to assume taking a child out of school for a family vacation will hurt their education. So far my first two have graduated with honors and make the Dean's list at college. One of the things they have told me, as adults, is how important the vacation and family time were to them. (They still are, we all still vacation together as a family.)
Who is to say that knowledge can only be gained in a classroom setting?


The entire thread is located at ...
Pulling kids...

I say, go for it.
Hope this helps,
Diane =0)