The school denied our vacation request

[disneylizzy]

I am not attacking any one person, but I just have to ask. My kids go to school for 180 days out of 365. That leaves 185 days a year not in school. This figure makes the 180 days they do spend in school seem so small. Add into that figure, the hours missed for illness, half days or early dismissals. Is is really so unrealistic to expect that parents will send their children to school for those 180 days (unless they are ill or injured)? Many americans complain about the schools, but when the school tries to have you follow the rules and have the children attend the classes. Many parents cry foul and state that these are "their" children and they will decide what is best. And Disney is not really educational. I know that the family time is priceless. I love to spend time with my family too. The last time we went to WDW it was with 12 family members and it was a joy. But realistically, there is minimal "learning" of the type that would be provided in schools. Yes, they would have learning experiences, but it will not be an 6.5 hour experience like school is.

ITA. You can't say to your kids, "I expect you to do the best job you possibly can because getting a good education is so important", and then pull them out to go to WDW because it will be cheaper/less crowded, etc. Sends the message that school really isn't that important, after all. That's a message that kids will remember, especially when they get to high school and the work gets tough. It also doesn't say much about the school system that a whole week's work can be done in a few hours total. If I was a teacher, I would be thinking, "Fine, take Johnny to WDW, but if he misses my intro to long division and gets behind, he will have you to thank and don't expect me to put in the extra time to catch him up."

 

[A Mickeyfan]

I am not attacking any one person, but I just have to ask. My kids go to school for 180 days out of 365. That leaves 185 days a year not in school. This figure makes the 180 days they do spend in school seem so small. Add into that figure, the hours missed for illness, half days or early dismissals. Is is really so unrealistic to expect that parents will send their children to school for those 180 days (unless they are ill or injured)? Many americans complain about the schools, but when the school tries to have you follow the rules and have the children attend the classes. Many parents cry foul and state that these are "their" children and they will decide what is best. And Disney is not really educational. I know that the family time is priceless. I love to spend time with my family too. The last time we went to WDW it was with 12 family members and it was a joy. But realistically, there is minimal "learning" of the type that would be provided in schools. Yes, they would have learning experiences, but it will not be an 6.5 hour experience like school is.

6 1/2 hours isn't the learning time... at most it is 2 1/2 total. A friend of mine use to home school & they got all that they had to get in in less than the 2 hour mark....
You are entitled to your opinion & others of their's. There are times that parents have no choice but to take a vacation a certian times of year. They have no control over it. Does that mean that if they cannot take it in the summer when school is out, they shouldn't go on a family vacation because the goverment (no child left behind is behind the change in the policy no doubt) says their child cannot go??? This is America last I looked.

 

[ls1222]

I have only read through a couple pages of this thread but if it were me and they were not willing to budge... I would just homeschool for the remainder of the year!! Call the school back and tell them, my child will not be missing xx amount of days of school, he will be missing the whole year!! You can get the ok to homeschool from the county board and then get your homeschool material in less than 2 weeks. This is something that I have always been ready to do provided our school gave me a hard time about taking the children out for 6 days. Good luck..

 

[8 Ears]

I am an Ed. Tech and we were having great difficulty with a boy missing school. He was not there 61% of the year! On the last day of school that is how it worked out.

I had "talked" to all the teachers and when the Super was in one day I just asked him to "clarify" the law for me. Not sure about other states but he told me "the law has no teeth".

We took our boys out for a week last year and the principle fully backed us! "No better learning experence than first hand" And by the way, in Maine anyways it is the parents final say if a child stays back or not.

Hope this is of some help to you

Go and have a magical time!!!

 

[kidzmom3]

Howere, it is a fact, not opinion that Disney is educational... our schools here in FL go to them for "educational field trips". They even go to Universal. In fact last year my then 7th grader went to IOA for her science final. If she didn't go, she would have had to write a paper about what they were going to do up there. They had to do a experiements with the coasters & the G forces.

I hear what you are saying. It is my understanding from when my neice went to WDW with a school 8th grade trip, that they actually attended classes, taught by education professionals until lunch. Again this is my opinion, culled from my own WDW experiences with my family and observing others, very few family vacations are spent teaching physics. My family loves AK. We learned about birds, ecology etc...., but not in the same way that they would in school. Is this a bad thing? No, but its not the school experience. I think it is wonderful that your child was able to experience some wonderful learning experiences. I am sure they were unique, interesting and exciting lessons.

 

[csaribay]

kidzmom3, you must realize that the actual instructional time in most schools is no more than 2-3 hours a day. Like A Mickfan has stated, there are a number of educational references located within all the parks, with roller coasters and G-Forces being a great example of highs-chool level mathematics. If a little time is spent carefully researching what kind of education can be had at Disney park, one would find that they could be very instructional, indeed. And to think you could spend more than eight hours learning!

 

[kidzmom3]

Mickeyfan, I am not sure why you changed your post, because I thought you had some good points. And I wanted to ask out of curiosity, if one of the kids was afraid of the coasters at IOA what happened to them. Could they not do the experiments and were they penalized for it?

 

[kidzmom3]

kidzmom3[/b If a little time is spent carefully researching what kind of education can be had at Disney park, one would find that they could be very instructional, indeed. And to think you could spend more than eight hours learning!

i feel that I have been quite reasonable in my replies. I have not flamed any individual person. I have always stated that these are my opinions on the matter. I think this remark by you was sarcastic. I obviously care about my childrens education very much and try to bring learning experiences to them as much as I can. My position here, is that most people at WDW are not engaging in lessons on physics etc... they are engaging on a family vacation (which every family should get to do). I think family is wonderful. I love mine thats for sure. My position is, that taking them out of school should not be an option if denied by the school. For me, I would feel like I was teaching my children that rules do not apply to them, that school is not that important and can be put on the back burner for other things, and that everyone is out to "get" them because they will not let me do what I want.

 

[Tjaleks]

I want to start by stating that I did not read all replies. I work at a therapeutic day school for children with many difficulties. Quite a few of them have truancy issues and we have to pull teeth to get the court system to actually do anything about it. I understand that all districts are different, but I doubt that the county is going to want to use up precious resources to prosecute a parent who took his/her child to WDW. When there is most assuredly children in your district that have true attendance issues. I am pulling my children out for 4 days in December for our family vacation. I will be getting their work so it can be completed upon our return and before they return to school at the end of their break. As the parent and the tax payer I am making the sole decision in regards to my children and "Pitty the fool" who gets between me and the choices I make.

 

[cindyfan]

There are some situations that make it impossible for a family to take vacation only when the child is out of school for the summer or on Christmas break.
What about the states that have pretty much gone to all year round school?
What about families that are in the farming business?
Some parents have very limited times that they can take vacations. You have to realize that every family will do what they feel is best.... and if it means taking their "family time" during the school year... then that is what they need to do.

to the OP ....Don't worry.....your child will NOT regret going to WDW. We have many times taken my DD out of school and she had no problem getting her work done.
If your child normally has a set time or structured study time.... they will be used to it.
My DD was able to do some of her work the week before we left, spent like an hour each night.
Then, we set aside 30-45 minutes each morning (while DH was getting dressed) to do work. Then another hour and half in the after noon or evening (depending on our plans for that day).
Her reading that she had to do was her "quiet time" for the day. And the journals she has written..... were fantastic!! She is 14 now and she still reads the ones she wrote when she was 8 and 9 yrs old!!! What a wonderful thing!!!!

I would say.... make an appointment with the principal and state your case! This "family time" is just as important as anything that might be taught in school!!

 

[csaribay]

i feel that I have been quite reasonable in my replies. I have not flamed any individual person. I have always stated that these are my opinions on the matter. I think this remark by you was sarcastic. I obviously care about my childrens education very much and try to bring learning experiences to them as much as I can. My position here, is that most people at WDW are not engaging in lessons on physics etc... they are engaging on a family vacation (which every family should get to do). I think family is wonderful. I love mine thats for sure. My position is, that taking them out of school should not be an option if denied by the school. For me, I would feel like I was teaching my children that rules do not apply to them, that school is not that important and can be put on the back burner for other things, and that everyone is out to "get" them because they will not let me do what I want.

I didn't mean to offend you in any way really, and your replies have been very reasonable. It is true that most don't go to WDW to engage in the world of academia, but it surely can be infused (lightly) to reinforce current concepts a child is learning. Frankly, with the state of public education today, I'd be hard pressed to say that sitting in a classroom all day (most of the time spent waiting for a class to settle down or a teacher to start a lecture) totally belies an educational experience at any theme park can be. My last little comment was a little sarcasm, perhaps a little idealist, but it is true: you can lightly push education into an eight hour park visit.

I'm still a student in (an online) highschool mind you, and I really think that a very occasional trip to Disney during the school year will not ruin or underscore the importance of a quality education, especially so if your family further promotes such as condition of good grades (which, I'm sure does factor in to your own family vacations).

 

[A Mickeyfan]

Mickeyfan, I am not sure why you changed your post, because I thought you had some good points. And I wanted to ask out of curiosity, if one of the kids was afraid of the coasters at IOA what happened to them. Could they not do the experiments and were they penalized for it?

I changed it because I didn't want to get flamed for sounding harsh. As far as the coaster deal. My daughter will not go on them. They had a seperate thing for them to do & it was behind the hulk. Luckily for her, the science teacher is afraid of coasters too LOL. My son's class did it to in 5th grade at Bush Gardens.. something with volicoty I can't remember (he is now nearly 19). OK.. lets let everyone know what we are talking about..
I was going to post to let those who do not think that the theme parks are really educational that they are indeed. Here in FL (at least our county) has the kids go to them for educational field trips. Last year my then 7th grader's class went to IOA for their Science final. They had no choice but to go (and it killed me to pay the $75 since we are AP holders there) or they would have to write a paper about the experiments that they were to perform with the coasters. They had to several to do, dealing with the G forces. This was the actual Science exam. Yes, when they were done all the experiments (and it took several hours in the morning to do them) they were allowed to "play" the remainder of the day.

 

[HaleyB]

I don't have time to read all 5 pages, I sure hope the OP has decided to go on her vacation.

Since when is it ok with people to let parenting choices be made by school boards. I am sorry, but where does this stop? I am offended by this and I am sick of schools trying to tell me what I can and can not do with my own children. What exactly are we teaching our kids these days? Mindless rule following? Great.

I would call the principals bluff. Everyone knows truancy officers don't have enough time to deal with true truancy problems. If he turned in a parent for going on vacation they would laugh at him.

The lesson is don't ask, inform. That is what we do.

 

[eddieras]

REMEMBER
Don't let schooling get in the way of your education...

have a great time!

 

[Baloo]

Do you know how much we Mods DETEST this topic?!?!?! A person comes looking for a SIMPLE answer and it always turns into a debate and back and forth between people. It amazes me how people come crawling out of the woodwork on this subject.Where is everyone when they need help with a WDW itinerary?!?! You never see 5 pages on that!

If you have something derogatory or argumentative to say to an INDIVIDUAL POSTER please do so in a PM.The Theme Park Attractions and Stragtegies Board is not the place to do it.

We need to remember this is not a DEBATE board


Here's a little review of the DIS GUIDELINES

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[jeannej]

Regardless of the absentee policy, I would never tell the school anything. Just call them in without explanation. In my district, you have to provide an explanation after 5 days. Just go.

jeannej

 

[A Mickeyfan]

I hear what you are saying. It is my understanding from when my neice went to WDW with a school 8th grade trip, that they actually attended classes, taught by education professionals until lunch. Again this is my opinion, culled from my own WDW experiences with my family and observing others, very few family vacations are spent teaching physics. My family loves AK. We learned about birds, ecology etc...., but not in the same way that they would in school. Is this a bad thing? No, but its not the school experience. I think it is wonderful that your child was able to experience some wonderful learning experiences. I am sure they were unique, interesting and exciting lessons.

That is exactly how her's were, it was with the educational departments of the parks too. You are correct in saying that while a parent will say it is educational, they aren't going to do the things that the schools would do. I do really think though that you can in-corporate into the trip. Epcot is a very good place. I remember once when mine were younger we took them out for several days in Decmember. One of the teachers had requested that my daughter do a written report on how the countries differ in the celebration of the holidays. We had a blast doing it. We went to all of the countires, listened to the "Santa". I took notes for her (I can write much faster LOL). I took pic's of her by each one of the signs. When we were in our room at night, she took my notes & then wrote them in her words. When we got home, I had the pic's developed & she had a great report. That really was an educational trip. There was another time that one of my childrens french teachers gave her the list of french words they were learning while she was to be gone & told her to strike up conversations in France with the CM's but they had to be in French & she was to come back with the American translation for all the words, plus the meanings of them in french. So you see, if a parent were really to do it, they can make it an educational trip. You could have them do many things that can be put into a report for the school when they get home. Another time (at Universal) my daughter had to read so many books & log about them in her journal. Everyday we went into the book store in IOA, she read the books that were on the child's table (for free reading)... she had her journal with her, she logged her info in..and she completed her assignment that way. If the schools really wanted them to learn...they wouldn't punish them for something that the parents are doing... by not allowing them to make up missed work is hurting the student & the school. No make up work = no learning. No learning=lower test scores, lower test scores= failure for the student & school! If the schools districts were really interested in bringing up those almighty standardized test scores, they would allow them to make up the work. I don't mean have the teacher stay & tutor, I mean have the parent take on the responsibility to see that it is done..... I hate to say it, but there is so much pressure placed on schools to get the good grades, to get the money from the goverment...that it is passed onto the child.. and they are the ones that are hurting from it... it seems that the money the school gets for being an A school is more important than how & what the child really is learning... they are taught to the test...not the 3 R's anymore.....

 

[DisneyFanatic]

I am not attacking any one person, but I just have to ask. My kids go to school for 180 days out of 365. That leaves 185 days a year not in school. This figure makes the 180 days they do spend in school seem so small. Add into that figure, the hours missed for illness, half days or early dismissals. Is is really so unrealistic to expect that parents will send their children to school for those 180 days (unless they are ill or injured)? Many americans complain about the schools, but when the school tries to have you follow the rules and have the children attend the classes. Many parents cry foul and state that these are "their" children and they will decide what is best. And Disney is not really educational. I know that the family time is priceless. I love to spend time with my family too. The last time we went to WDW it was with 12 family members and it was a joy. But realistically, there is minimal "learning" of the type that would be provided in schools. Yes, they would have learning experiences, but it will not be an 6.5 hour experience like school is.

Consider these factors...my son is developmentally disabled and goes to school all year long. My daughter is an honors student at a special school for honor students only. My wife is in a job that absolutely does not allow her to take vacation in June, July, and August. My son cannot function in crowds.

We told both the kids teachers are are taking them in October, they are missing nine days of school. End of discussion.

I completely disagree, at the end of the day it's not the teachers and its not the books that are going to teach my children the important things in life. It's not those factors that are going to keep my children off drugs, away from the 'wrong' crowds, and from making bad choices. Nope, it's going to be their close relationship with the family. I think they learn far more important things during our trip to Disney. I think it's well worth a few missed days from school.

For us, it's October or not at all. I chose October. I chose my family!

 

[aaronlisar]

Holy Crap... Where is your school located??? Where I grew up here in MI we never had any school that you had to request permission to be absent. Its not a job its school. If I lived in an area where I had to request permission to take my son out of school so that he could go on a family vacation I would be sending my child elsewhere.

 

[A Mickeyfan]

Holy Crap... Where is your school located??? Where I grew up here in MI we never had any school that you had to request permission to be absent. Its not a job its school. If I lived in an area where I had to request permission to take my son out of school so that he could go on a family vacation I would be sending my child elsewhere.

Little by little that is what the country is going towards. While I agree that something needs to be done about the student that is always absent ( I did the absentee's for the last 2 years & have seen it all) because the mom's car broke down, a week later they overslept, next week it was raining etc... but to punish because a family is going away is not the way we should be heading & we are. I think the larger districts are coming down harder now...the smaller will follow suit in a year or so... No Child Left Behind is to blame! Eventually the only way to get around it will be private school or home school. It is sad to say though....