Taking the kids out of School...

[CDoobee]

I took my daughter out of school for a week when she was in 1st and 3rd grades. These weren't WDW trips, just special mommy-daughter trips closer to home. The last one we were only gone 3 days, but did other things around our area the last 2 days. The teachers were fine with it.

I also took her out for a week in 5th and 7th grades to go to WDW. The 5th grade trip was a surprise for her. She didn't know until the morning we left for the airport! Her teacher had just gotten back from WDW and was excited to keep the secret that DD would be going soon! This was also a mommy-daughter only trip. The 7th grade trip was supposed to be a Magical Gathering with 13 of us from 4 families, but 2 families ended up not going so it was just us, my sister, and BIL. We had a blast. That trip wasn't until May, and we informed all of her teachers about it at the school's Open House in September. She's always been a good student and had no trouble making up work.

The next trip I have planned (after my Sept. trip with DS) is a girls only trip in November/December 2008 with my sister, aunt, and 2 cousins. I would LOVE for DD to go also, but since she will be a senior then and most likely taking Honors classes, I think it would be way too much to make up.

All that being said, DS struggled all through school. His good attendance was about all he had going for him, so I never pulled him out!

 

[Eeyore Excitement]

Well, I don't know if I'm going to be taken out of school or not, because I don't know my school schedule yet, so..
I'm ten, FYI.

I highly reccommend that if you do take your child(ren), don't take them out for too long, like more than 8 days. Believe you me, it's not pretty when after you trip you meet up with your teacher.
UNLESS your child(ren) are in a Montessori school. They're nicer.
So, if you do decide to take 'em out, have fun!

 

[finnster77]

I'm a junior high teacher. My view of this has changed over the years.

I will say up front that our girls (and myself, for that matter) will miss three school days in December for Disney. I used to be adamantly opposed to doing this, but now understand that it is a SACRIFICE some parents are willing to make. I say sacrifice because there is no way to make up a child's presence in the classroom. They will be behind the others. Work can be made up, but the lessons learned on those days are trickier. Some assignments (like labs, for instance) CAN'T be made up. Good students can overcome this, marginal ones will struggle.

The thing that got my goat over the years was the people who expected a neat little educational packet to be made for them to use over the vacation. I don't mind sending the assignments along, and allowing extra time to make up work, but I'm not sending lesson plans etc. for them. It's hard enough preparing to teach students who ARE in attendance.

My advice is to find out what each teachers requires. Some might go the extra mile and send a packet, some might just send assignments, while others may say that there's nothing they can give in advance (some science classes and keyboarding, for ex.) and the child will be caught up when they come back. Advance notice is indeed the key.

 

[groover]

I teach junior English as well as some remedial Reading courses in a public school. The prior poster makes some good points from the teacher's point of view. While the teacher may agree to give assignments that will be covered in class, the parent's expectations shouldn't be to expect items tailored to your child's specific needs to accomodate your vacation.

Having said all of the above, my school district gets a fall break the first week in October, and we're headed to WDW. My daughter (1st grade) will be pulled out of her private school and will miss four days of school. I can't stand the heat and crowds of summer!

 

[BostonTink85]

I think it's fine to take them out of school for a trip to Disney. If you go for a week, that's only 5 days out of hundreds that they will be in school throughout their lives. My parents too me and my siblings out twice, once when I was in 5th grade and once in 7th. The teachers never cared and just gave us assignments to do or told us to keep journals of what we did. I'm 20 now and in college, so I don't think missing 10+- days of school hurt my grades/future. How many times are you going to be able to go to Disney as a family...the times with family is what is really important and so what if they miss a couple lessons, it's not impossible to make up. So if you go I hope you have an excellent time and don't stress too much about the small stuff!

 

[BeccaG]

Not saying whether you should or shouldn't but just thought you should know, in some states it is illegal to take your kid out or school for a vacation. It technically is in CA. It's not inforced usually unless your kid is regularly absent, but that's actually what the law states. That being said, I think you as a parent have to determine what's best for your kid and then, work with the teacher(s).

 

[WAHMto5]

I believe it all depends on the child and how they do in school. If they are struggling, then no since it will just be a set back. Sounds like your kids will do just fine though. I know a bunch of teachers that are against it, but sometimes you ave to do what is best for your family. We are taking ours out next month for a week and sure they will do just fine. We also give the schools plenty of notice!

 

[HappyLawyer]

i'm curiuos why anyone cares what others feel on the subject, when it comes down to it you are gonna do what you want right? If someone says oh, no don't take them out are you not gonna go on vacation? And, who cares what others think, it's you kids right -you are going to get mixed views on the subject

 

[badblackpug]

This, too, is the 1st year I am taking kids out of school. In previous years always went with ex and took his daughter. My stepdaughter was not a very "dedicated" student and could not afford to miss any more school than necessary. This year we are going during "Jersey Week." (2nd week in November...school closed Tues. for election day, and Thurs. and Fri. for NJ teachers convention, shool system throws Wed. in as "inservice day") So the kids will only miss Mon. and the following Mon. (airfare was too cheap to turn down ) We will depart Fri. after school, so that will give us 9 whole days!

Maybe you could work WDW around a school holiday/inservice and minimize absences.

 

[c4alymom]

We will be taking our Kindergartner out for a week this year. His teacher is fine with it and will send work so he doesn't get behind. I know he is still young, but I agree that it depends on the child. I know his teacher wishes she could go too!