Tempted to pull DS out of school

[MySonAdoresPoohBear]

Grrrr--sorry, but you hit on a nerve here. I used to teach high school and worked very hard every day to prepare lessons. It is impossible for students who miss school to "make up" with worksheets what they missed in the classroom. What are we teaching our kids when we pull them out? That a discount at Disney is more important than their education? That their teachers' time isn't as valuable as cheap airfare? That it's okay that they're now behind 'cause they got a great rate in a hotel? There are so many vacation days already during the school year--why do people insist on vacations while school is in session? Yes, time with the family is extremely important--again, that's why there are so many school holidays!
Okay, I will step down from my soapbox. Sorry for the lecture.

Here's my two cents... I would love to have the option to take a vacation when my kids were off of school. Unfortunately, my dh's company allows people to choose their vacations based on seniority, therefore, my dh, who is at the lower end of the seniority chain, NEVER gets vacation when school is out.

We've tried to pick weeks for vacation where we know little will be done in school. For example, this year we are pulling the kids the last week of school. They will miss 3.5 days, .5 day of which is class party and .5 day is field day outside. The rest of the work they will make up ahead of time. Interestingly enough, neither teacher was very concerned, the only one who made a stink was the principal... And dh is on the Board of Ed.

 

[kdudley3]

Thats the beautiful thing about opinions, everyone has them and is free to express them. I understand you point but dont totally agree.

I agree with you 100 percent !!!!

 

[Evil Queen]

Coming from a family of local Florida teachers, unless there are issues that your child is not hitting, they normally do not care.

It is more of an attendance issue with the admiss. nothing more.

But even that being said, should your child's teacher be willing to "work" with you and your child with keeping up it can be done, it will just mean more on the parents part. Talk to the teacher make sure you know the lesson and help your child, the best you can. Pulling my child out for the next couple of years is an issue for me (and this is thru 6th grade only) but I am willing to help, but he WILL miss school. The more I thought about it and the horrible FCAT's he must PASS, I will probably consider more trips throughout his school years through high school. He'll make it on grades alone, if the teachers are teaching like they should, and they are "getting" the lessons FCAT's should not be a problem, but of course, other scenerios can always play into this.

 

[Becky2005]

I think you answered your own question by stating that it's hard for him to miss any school.

I agree with this!! I was going to say, it depends on the child but when I read the part about ADHD and hard missing school. I knew right away that I would suggest not doing it. I have one that would probably be OK with it but...

I also have a child like this and I would never dream of pulling him out, it would just be way too hard to have him catch up. He actually goes to summer school so he doesn't lose the ground he HAS gained during the school year.

He was sick for a week this year (3 days 1 week, 2 days the next - so this was even with a weekend for helping get caught up) and the amount of homework and how long it took us to recover from that was enough to do me in, I definitely think, even if the thought had crossed my mind, that pushed it over the edge for me. I would only pull him out for truly once in a lifetime events (weddings for *close* family/funerals or if there happened to be an unusual family reunion).

 

[mill4023]

Grrrr--sorry, but you hit on a nerve here. I used to teach high school and worked very hard every day to prepare lessons. It is impossible for students who miss school to "make up" with worksheets what they missed in the classroom. What are we teaching our kids when we pull them out? That a discount at Disney is more important than their education? That their teachers' time isn't as valuable as cheap airfare? That it's okay that they're now behind 'cause they got a great rate in a hotel? There are so many vacation days already during the school year--why do people insist on vacations while school is in session? Yes, time with the family is extremely important--again, that's why there are so many school holidays!
Okay, I will step down from my soapbox. Sorry for the lecture.

Just had to respond to this and say that in our case, the public school has done such a poor job of providing challenging work at the right level for our kids, that taking them out for 7 days of school might just help them have at least a tiny bit more of a challenge when they return and keep them from being bored.

 

[fanofpan]

Grrrr--sorry, but you hit on a nerve here. I used to teach high school and worked very hard every day to prepare lessons. It is impossible for students who miss school to "make up" with worksheets what they missed in the classroom. What are we teaching our kids when we pull them out? That a discount at Disney is more important than their education? That their teachers' time isn't as valuable as cheap airfare? That it's okay that they're now behind 'cause they got a great rate in a hotel? There are so many vacation days already during the school year--why do people insist on vacations while school is in session? Yes, time with the family is extremely important--again, that's why there are so many school holidays!
Okay, I will step down from my soapbox. Sorry for the lecture.

Teaching kids the value of a dollar and way's to stay debt free are not taught in most schools. Therefore, I would have to say yes, teaching them to do things in life at a reduced cost is just as important as the time teachers spend teaching them. You are making your money teaching and spending it how you see fit. We are making our money doing what we want to do in life and spending it as frugally as possible, so that we have more to invest in our future. Most things my kids are learning in school will be long forgotten when they get out into the real world. Learning how to budget their money will be something that will be a life long ordeal for them, and anytime they can be taught to save by taking the lower cost option, is a good learning experience IMO.

 

[Tiger Fan]

I'm going to be supportive of this trip. I simply think that special time with your family is just so important and if you might not be able to go later in the year, I'd go now. My partner is a special ed teacher and she agrees with me - go have fun and enjoy this time with your child.
Lisa
Tiger Fan

 

[lacy1101]

I am in the same boat as MySonAdoresPoohBear. My husband has to mark his vacations for the year in February and also is just low enough on the seniority list (although he's been there 20+ years) that he never gets fall break. Our last trip we took the kids out of school the week before fall break and it worked out beautifully! They then had the week of fall break to complete their assignments. Alas, my husband was unable to get fall break this trip, so guess what? We're taking them out of school again the week before. Works for us! Most of our teachers don't have a problem - they realize there's education to be found in life experiences - not just the classroom!

 

[Evil Queen]

Teaching kids the value of a dollar and way's to stay debt free are not taught in most schools. Therefore, I would have to say yes, teaching them to do things in life at a reduced cost is just as important as the time teachers spend teaching them. You are making your money teaching and spending it how you see fit. We are making our money doing what we want to do in life and spending it as frugally as possible, so that we have more to invest in our future. Most things my kids are learning in school will be long forgotten when they get out into the real world. Learning how to budget their money will be something that will be a life long ordeal for them, and anytime they can be taught to save by taking the lower cost option, is a good learning experience IMO.

Honestly that is your job, not the teachers to teach about budgets. So if you need to pull your kids out of school to teach them about a DOLLAR...hey your call.

I am all for pulling a kid out for family time (if it's needed) but NOT to teach YOUR child how to budget a dollar,

"Most things my kids are learning in school will be long forgotten when they get out into the real world. Learning how to budget their money will be something that will be a life long ordeal for them, and anytime they can be taught to save by taking the lower cost option, is a good learning experience" IMO.[/QUOTE]




If your kids have forgotten what was taught in school, you have a poor parent follow up system. Apparently it WAS taught in school. Do you not follow up with your child?

 

[4fordisney]

My husband changed careers at the age of 39. He is now low man on the totem pole and has to take vacation time when he can get it....usually during the school year...this year in May. We homeschool so it isn't really an issue for us....we'll be doing school work this summer anyway....but we so wanted to take our son's friend. Of course, he can't go, we will be gone too many days, but it sure would have been nice to have him along.

I'd say get the teacher's input, but ultimately it will be up to you, the parents...you know your son better than anyone on earth...so get informed, make a decision, and don't second guess yourself.

 

[fanofpan]

Honestly that is your job, not the teachers to teach about budgets. So if you need to pull your kids out of school to teach them about a DOLLAR...hey your call.

Where did I say it was the teachers job to teach my kids about budgets? Thank goodness it is not their job, as most of the people in this country live way beyond their means, and leaving it to others could really mess up my kids. Disneydotty was implying that saving money on a family vacation, is not as valuable as the teachers time, and I happen to disagree, for many family's that extra $2000.00 it would cost them in the summer months for a trip like that would take away from other important things within their families. I am 100 percent for family vacation time, but doing it within a budget that you can afford, and what a wonderful message you send to your kids when you let them know, that by going at a certain time of the year, would give the family an extra $2000.00 to put away for their future education, or whatever other goals they may have.

If your kids have forgotten what was taught in school, you have a poor parent follow up system. Apparently it WAS taught in school. Do you not follow up with your child?

You asked if I follow up with my kids. Well, my fifth grade son was tested at an eleventh grade math level, and seventh grade in all other areas. Education is something we believe in very strongly. however I am very well aware that many of the things being taught in schools will be forgotten. Everyone I know that went to school in this Country had to take history, but if you were to go out into the streets and randomly ask adults which President was responsible for the Louisiana purchase, the largest percentage of them will not know. Many of them will not even know what exactly the Louisiana purchase was and why it is an important part of history. I could give you many more examples, but I really don't believe I need to do that, as you are knowledgeable enough I am sure to recognize that.


Kids can learn and retain more information in one week on a vacation, than they will get from six months in school. And build stronger relationships with their families in doing so. I know this very well, because my Dad retired when I was 12 and we spent a lot of time traveling. I can tell you more about this world from the things I have seen and done, than anything I ever learned sitting in the classroom.

Those of you who have been to Disney know that while it is a lot of fun, there is also a lot of educational aspects to the parks. My kids where seven and eight last time we went to WDW three years ago, and they remember more about the things they participated in on that trip, than they do about what went on in their first and third grade classrooms. Does this mean it affected their reading, writing and arithmetic? NO, you don't forget those things by taking a vacation for a week. So if you can go at a time that is financially better for you and your family, then go for it. This is after all a budget board, and people come here to find way's to save money.

 

[disneyjunkie]

It's cheaper to go to WDW at the end of August (value season) than it is in May (regular season).

We've always gone to WDW during school break, and have never paid rack rate for our room. I've paid less for a room in regular season than some people have paid in value season.

Family time and school time are both important. It has never occurred to me to place one above the other. It helps that my director grants vacation time on first come first served basis.

I'm pulling my son out of school for one day in October to celebrate his 14th birthday and attend MNSSHP. The week that we're going, he'll be out for two days for a Jewish Holiday. I thought about going for the whole week, but for me saving a few dollars isn't worth risking my son falling behind in school.

I pray that I never get to the point were I have to spend thousands of dollars in order to to spend quality time with my son or to build a strong relationship with him.

 

[BethR]

I think that you have to base your decision upon how it will affect your son. With our older 2 DDs we knew that it would not be a problem for them to miss school.
But the past 3 times, we have gone to WDW in the summer because it would not be a good thing for our 3rd DD to be out of school.
So as much as lower rates may tempt us, I ignore them and concentrate on finding ways to save money during the time that we can go.

 

[Noah122898]

This child has a learning disability, pulling him out of school should not even be an option. If you usually go in August, why not keep the tradition? Like someone else said that would be value season and you would make up the additional airfare costs in the savings on hotel. Most of the people who responded saying that it was ok to pull the child out of school were not paying attention to what you stated. As I understood you it was not a matter of going to Disney or not, but when to go, right? You will still have precious time with your family just at a better time for your child.

 

[deltachi8]

Thank you again for all the input - just my opinion but i dont view my son's "condition" as a learning disability. He learns material fine, its his behaviors (being distracted easily, floating off task) that are the issue. Using counseling and behavior mods (i am personally opposed to drug use) he has made terrific strides in the past 2 years.

Value season is a disney term and we dont stay on property (not in the budget no matter what season).

I will continue to weigh the options and see where it leads. I have options which is nice.

I think this has been a very informative topic to follow and I'm glad I posted the question regardless of how we go forward.

 

[mickeyluv'r]

deltachi8 - Obviously others have strong opinions on this, and they are welcome to their opinions, but as a teacher, who used to go to FL every winter, I think it is okay to give your son this trip. The exercise he gets in FL may help with his condition, and the break may actually improve his motivation both before and after the trip. My only concern - and I have posted about this before - if you request make-up work from the teacher - realize that this is a very time consuming thing for a teacher to put together - please, if you request work - make sure that it gets completed. Putting together work for one student who is going to travel takes away a teacher's ability to put together work for all one hundred of her other students (up to an hour of time - or longer if there is photocopying and phone calls involved). It is painful to invest so much effort if it is wasted.
One thing I like to have students do if they travel is to keep a journal. Mind you, it is something I do in my classroom, too. For travelers, it holds extra value. I highly suggest it!

 

[LittleBoPeep]

We took my DS out of school last year for our May trip, and will do so again this year. However, this is the last year because he will be in middle-school next year and it would be too hard to make-up the missed school work given to him by six different teachers.
We have been lucky that his teachers last year and this year have been understanding about our decision, as I know that some teachers do not agree with students missing school for a "vacation". However, last year, his teacher remarked at the end of the school year celebration that DS came back refreshed and was more "on-task" for the remainder of the school year (he too is easily distracted).
Before the trip, he was given a small packet of work that he worked on at home and finished on the airplane before we arrived so he wouldn't miss anything, and when he got back, had to give a report on the things he learned while he was there (he used pictures he had taken with his camera to help with his report). We used EPCOT as a learning tool, using the countries to teach about culture differences and languages (he also had a passport, which he got stamped and learned how to say "hello", "thank you" and "goodbye" in the different countries), The Land, and since the Flower and Garden festival was in full swing, he learned about different kinds insects (and participated in the ladybug and butterfly releases). This year we plan on focusing on Animal Kingdom, covering conservation and animal extinction issues (with doing some research before we leave).
So while we were technically on "vacation", we made sure that he kept learning, while making it fun all the while.
Good luck, with whatever you decide. You know your child, and what's best for all of you.

 

[newtowdw1]

Those of you who have been to Disney know that while it is a lot of fun, there is also a lot of educational aspects to the parks. My kids where seven and eight last time we went to WDW three years ago, and they remember more about the things they participated in on that trip, than they do about what went on in their first and third grade classrooms. Does this mean it affected their reading, writing and arithmetic? NO, you don't forget those things by taking a vacation for a week. So if you can go at a time that is financially better for you and your family, then go for it. This is after all a budget board, and people come here to find way's to save money.

Every experience our children have is educational to one degree or another, if the parents put the effort into discussing different aspects and challenging their children to help with problem solving. I don't think anyone has said that if you take kids to WDW during school, you don't value education. Some families leave and I'm happy for them. Other families have children who will not be able to catch up. Basically, a family trip is planned in advance. The parents know if their kids can cope. From my experience, knowing their kids will fail hasn't stopped the determined parents from going away. Am I annoyed by the extra work I'm expected to do. Of course!! Do I resent the little buggers for having fun in the hot sun while I'm stranded in the tundra? Of course not

My thought is, if the OP is concerned enough to solicit opinions, she's probably going to follow up on her kid. Most of us here are not the typical jerks who ignore their children's education. Can you all move to my school?

 

[Noah122898]

deltachi8
I meant no disrespect toward your son when I labled him, "Learning disabled". Please forgive my ignorance

 

[Focusdude]

I agree with emeraldlover - I will pull my kids out until the oldest is in 2nd grade - then we have to plan around their school vacations. I pulled him out for three days two weeks ago to go to SC (he is in K now) - he ended up missing those days, going back for one day, then having a snow day, and then a professional day!! It was crazy!