The school denied our vacation request

[kizmac]

I would of had a bird had my principle said that to me! How long was your trip request? I could see them frowning on a lengthy trip but how in the world can they deny a week for a family vacation! I say go and don't fret a bit about it....I'm sure there isn't much they can do other than warn you and maybe a small fine.
We have to fill out a form to request permission also but have never had a problem. I usually just looked at it as a technicality. I don't see how they can justify denying families what precious time they get to spend together for a trip. Sure, we could ALL go in summer months, but I for one refuse to spend thousands to sweat and fight huge crowds. Just not worth the money spent let alone the added stress. We just would not go at all if summer was our only choice.
Go, enjoy your trip and worry about the consequences (if there are any) when you return!

 

[MOMOFMNM]

I am in Iowa...My dd was out of school for a medical reason in first grade, about a month, for breaking her femur and had to be in a BODY CAST!! YEP folks...me a 5'2, 100 and some pound single at the time with two kids and a job and college had to deal with this. She went back to school but it was VERY hard for her and myself as she was in a wheelchair for three more months and with the cast weighed about 80 pounds or more. So anyway everyday I would have to haul her from a 2nd story apt to school each and every time carrying her plus the chair!!! Anyway so the truant officer calls me one day and asks me WHY she was so tardy all the time...I tell her...she is unsympathetic and tells me to get her there on time....now I realize tardiness is not ok HOWEVER we were doing the best we could and were both under a lot of stress as it was and this made me even more upset, my point is nothing happened to me. I would take my kids anyway in youe situation. I would also be a smart a... and tell them you were leaving for a wedding or family emergency then if they were going to be THAT picky about it NO I AM NOT SAYING LYING IS OK and NO MY 5 YO IS NOT THREE I am just saying you are the mom and do what you would like within reason wiht your kids....good luck

 

[llb]

I am in Connecticut and we do have a strict attendance policy which becomes less lenient in higher grades. They are more liberal in elementary school than high school. In high school you are allowed excused absences (dr's note) 12 unexcused absences results in loss of credit regardless of GPA. I find two things interesting, your request was in writing but the reply was verbal. Is the BOE concerned with thier decision that they do not respond in writing? Secondly, do any teachers take time off, I certainley would hope this standard applies to the educators. I would get a Dr.s note, if you can. In your pursuit to be honest the "zero tolerance" policy encourages one to deceive. Theres a great lesson. Enjoy your trip!!

 

[IndyDisneyFan]

I take my kids, now 9 and 16 out of school every 3rd week of October for vacation. I just request with the school office for them to be allowed to make up any assignments and have never had any problems. Now mind you I never ask, only state that we will be out of town and give them the dates. They either receive their assignments before we leave or after we return, no hassles. Maybe next time you should take that approach.

Go and have a great time!
Laura

 

[Leigha]

I think what you have to remember is that the rules are made for parents who aren't responsible. Perhaps he feels like he can't bend the rules for something like this because it will be the beginning of a lot of other requests. The bad part about going regardless of what he says is that it will be an unexcused absence and I don't think you're allowed to make those grades up. If I went anyway, I would try to talk to the teachers and get them on my side. They may feel differently than the principal, even if they won't be able to state it!

 

[NeverEnufWDW]

Considering how bad the education in the average American school is, I think its amusing that this principal is acting so high and mighty.

Its not like missing what the "teachers" cover in a week is going to make any difference as to whether your child will become a fortune 500 CEO or lifelong McDonald's employee.

They could probably learn more at WDW in a week.

 

[BrerMama]

Just so that the principal doesn't get all the blame, in some states, funding is tied to the school's attendance rate. The principal may be getting pressure from his superiors to not excuse any "optional" absences. That said, if the truant officer gets contacted, it may be a pain, but I'm sure it's more a formality on the part of the school. When someone audits their records, they've covered their butts. No truant officer, upon learning you took your child on vacation, is going to investigate seriously.

With the new laws passed concerning No Child Left Behind, this will only become more of an issue. You can't get kids to pass the required tests without having them in school. Absences are going to be less tolerated. I'm a teacher, took my son out of school for a week when he was in 1st grade, but visit Disney in the summer now because I don't want to leave my own class with another teacher for more than a day at a time (I teach special ed and it would be traumatic).

 

[bdcp]

We took ours out in '98 when they were in 7th and 9th grades. We also didnt' ask, just informed and had each teacher initial a letter stating what we were doing, that they knew. The 9th grader was in a science/tech high school (had to compete to get in) and the teachers weren't thrilled, but they survived and are both in college now. I agree, it's your child, not the school board's. Tell them fine, if that's how they feel, you're pulling them out to either home school or send to private school and they'll probably fold. I'm so tired of the local governments thinking they own the children that live in their jurisdiction. No one is going to get behind missing 5 days of school. You need to stand up for your rights as a parent. As far as I'm concerned they supersede the school's as long as they aren't missing so much they can't ever keep up. There is a balance.

 

[mello]

Since when do we live in a communist country where the government (or some government worker) has more control/rights over our children than we do? I would get in touch with local law enforcement and/or my congressman if I were you. I think an extremely dangerous precedent is being set here. You, and only you, are the parent. I would go on your vacation simply to make that point, if for no other reason (and there are many, many good reasons for a family vacation, not the least of which is that they are every bit as educational as sitting in a classroom, if not more so).

 

[pdchris]

Intentionally scheduling a vacation over known school days was a bad idea. But now that you have planned your vacation, it's up to you how you deal with the trip and deal with the consequences (appealing any sanctions?).

]

I'm sorry but in my mind that is a load of <fill in your choice here>.I've gone to WDW 3 times and everytime it was the first week in May. I've been in FL in the summer and no way was I going to subject myself or DS to that heat/humidity. Of course, I did apologize to him and say I was sorry that he wasn't going to get into Harvard because he took a week off. Sheesh.
As to the OP, it seems the schools constantly over-react. A few kids are constant truats so everybody pays. Of course, I understand that it isn't all the school administrator's fault. They get pressured by the state who gets pressured by the feds.

 

[grinningghost]

Our schools are pretty jerky about taking kids out for vacations too. They'll let you, but it counts as an illegal absence. We always took our DD out when she was little anyway. She would take work with her and it was complete when she got back.

Now that she's older, we can't take her out, the work is simply too difficult, but I think schools are getting ridiculous in not allowing the parent to make an informed decision about their children.

 

[qtwns]

It is better to ask for forgiveness than permission. As a former teacher, I'll admit that I had an easier time providing work to the kid who went on a once in a lifetime trip to the Holy Land (educational) than I did to the kid who went Spring skiing in Vail (one could argue physcial education LOL). But I provided work and make ups just the same. I didnt have to b/c the absences were unexcused (but with a parent note there were no truency issues) I did it b/c it was their life and they have a right to family time. I'm sure they remember more about those trips than they ever will about my class anyway.

You go and enjoy your "personal family business" and if you see Mickey tell him HI!

Let us know how it turns out for you.

 

[lajones81]

I believe you, but I've never heard of having to get your own personal vacation approved.

 

[Nik's Mom]

I realize that my situation is totally different, because our son is autistic. But my school district was very supportive. We let them know in the beginning of the school year and the district gave us an independent study form. We did a journal with pictures showing some of the educational things that our ds did. He learned how to say "hello" in Japanesse at Epcot, and we took a picture of him talking to the cm in Japan and placed that in the journal. We took pictures of ds studying the animals at AK, etc. The district was very impressed with some of the valuable things our ds learned. And they were also happy to see that he had so much fun too.
I'm so sorry that your school district is giving you a hard time. I for one think that a family vacation is important, so I don't see what the problem is. I'd go on your trip. You are the parent! Hope it works out for you.

 

[twojo21]

i never heard of such a thing, i also think thats way to much big brother. family time is important. i would call him again to discuss/reason or once school starts talk with each teacher about makeup homework & have him/her be truant. unless this is h.s. or college there wont be much damage/work missed. go to disney & have fun with your family!

 

[2nd childhood]

We took our two teens out last December the week before finals (one was a Freshman the other a Senior). I called the office a month before hand and was told I would have to submit my request in writting. I had to list all the educational benefits (Epcot has many) and I also stated the family time we would be sharing with our girls. I also had my daughters talk with each of thier teachers before hand and get that weeks assignments to take with us. We drive 14 hours so they did most of it in the van on the way there and back. Their absences were approved and nearly all of their teachers said they wish they were going too!
Just call again and if not then appeal to the Board of Education.
I hope you don't cancel your trip.
Have fun

 

[TinkerbellMama]

Other posters have said it: YOU are the parent. The school and the principal do not own your child nor dictate your family plans. I'm not so sure the truant officer would appreciate having to knock on your door only to find out you'd been to Disney World for one stinkin' week when there are REAL truancy cases to pursue. If it happens (and I can pretty much assure you it WON'T, as your child will be back in school before the case gets to his or her desk, most likely), perhaps you could detail your conversation with the principal and someone could have a little talk with him about wasting school district funds bullying parents. I could never abide that kind of power trip from a school official. All part of the reason we will be homeschooling!

 

[katebeth]

What about people who home school? Do they have to ask permission from someone to take a week for vacation. I am curious.

I think that our government is forgetting priorities. I totally agree that school is VERY important, but unfortunally there are a lot of parents out there that don't care about whether their child is in school or not. And because of that, the govenment makes truancy rules about not missing school that affects everyone. Family should be the top priority and I pesonally don't think that spending a week together as a family on a vacation will harm any child. This is just my opinion so please don't flame me. (I am speaking as a former teacher)

 

[my3boys]

As a teacher, I am totally shocked by such behavior from a school-district. Could you fill us in on the school? private or public? I would definitely go further with speaking to the school board/superintendent and even considering a contact to the media who can often work wonders and often do the research for you on the laws of your area regarding school absences.


I have students taking trips of all kinds throughout the year without any problems. Our district allows up to 12 absences before any consequences.

Time with your family can not be measured. Definitely take the trip!

Please keep us posted. I'd gladly write your principal if you'd like to start a letter-writing campaign.

 

[Mickey Fanatic]

I have never heard the like of asking permission to take your own child on a family vacation! You are the parent! You know your child's capabilities better than anyone else. If you don't see a problem with him missing school than it is no one else's business!

If you are only going for a week the most school that will be missed is five days. If your son takes the work he will miss with him he won't fall behind. We always had to do that when we were younger. It sucked but my parents always made sit down sometime every day and do part of it. Never once did we fall behind the rest of the class.