To pull or not to pull kids out of school?

[livingthedream]

To Pull or Not to Pull Kids out of School?

I know this is a very hot topic - it seems everyone has an opinion.

If the answer is yes, how old is too old to pull out of school for a once in a lifetime trip to see the Mouse?

 

[JudimouseNC]

We took our son to WDW and took him out of school up thorugh high school. We always spoke with his teachers early in the year to let them know. We always took his homework or school work with us and we always did some eduational tours with him at Disney to co-incide with what he was working on in school.

 

[Third times a charm]

All kids are different. Only you know if your child can handle all the extra work to catch up what is missed.

We have an annual camping trip every October where our DD always misses two days of school. I sent her with her notes to her teachers yesterday to prepare them.

We did take her out last year for the full week when we went to Disney. We sent notes in for all her teachers a week before and a few prepared work for her to take, one teacher told her to have a great time and not worry about making anything up ; the rest made her wait until she returned and catch up by copying other students notes, taking missed tests, etc.

You know your child best!

When we go in this March, of the twelve children going, eight do have the time off school, four will be missing the time, mine included , but I know she will catch up.

Good luck with your decision.

 

[anditoo72]

We are pulling ours out of school, my son is in 2nd grade and my daughter is in Kindergarten. We are also taking my niece who is in 5th grade. I am feeling awful about pulling them out, but I tried to make plans during thier winter breaks and I couldn't get the reservation I wanted, so we are going in jan instead. I don't feel as bad about my daughter as my son and my niece, but I will send a note in for the teachers 2 weeks ahead of time and I am planning on them doing a daily journal with pictures and notes about what they learned ect... You can print out some great journal pages on www.themouseforless.com in thier downloads section if you are interested. I will also do someting educational in Epcot althougth I am not sure what yet, any suggestions??????

 

[powellrj]

It use to be really easy to take kids out of school, but since NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND, its much harder. The schools have strict guildlines they must follow, so now they don't want children missing school. When my kids were younger, we would take them out for a few days in the fall, but now its a huge issue so we don't do it anymore. Now even leaving a little early for a denist appt. is a big deal!

 

[Misty89]

I took my DD out of school last year for a WDW trip, ( 4 days) and that was the worst thing i did....she was soo far behind ( even with assignments ahead of time) she went from all A's and B's, to all D's at that next mid- qaurter. Not saying that will happen to you....(she was in 7th grade last year. )
our next trip we will have to fight the crowds and go in summer or some other time when there is no school to keep that from happening again.


Tina

 

[scorpad99]

I take mine out of school, they are in 2nd and 4th grades this year........ we planned this trip the week b4 thanksgiving .................they will miss 4 days all together (being off thurs and fri for thanksgiving) We leave on a fri (so they will miss that day) and mon , tues, and wed are 1/2 days..............usually b4 a holiday they arent doing much in school anyway. Why dont you try and plan your trip a week where they have a few days off for a holiday or reportcard week where they have 1/2 days for conferences. If you havent planned your trip already, if you have go and enjoy it, and dont worry , everything usually works out ...they r only young once!

 

[scorpad99]

I just realized this last post "I`m a MOUSEKETEER" YAY! Just thought I`d share

feeling like a princess already!

 

[meandtheguys2]

I think it depends on the family, the kid, and the school. How that equation works out for each family is different.

 

[missymagic]

I agree it depends on your child. My oldest DD is in 3rd grade and I have taken her out since K. We have to have a notarized affidavit to get them out they dont like it but their is no law stating they can't if proper paperwork is submitted.

Anyway I always sent notes to the teacher the week before reminding the. She will miss these days. They usually send work with her. I look thru it before we leave. I made time everyday to do so many items or papers. I would tell her to get ready first sit at the table while I got her sister and myself ready and she would be able to get some things done. Unfortunately yes you are on vaca and it can be a pain but when you decide to go during school that works needs to come first. I would put her vocab on index cards throw them in the pack while waiting in line for a show or something pull them out and go over them. You become the teacher for the week.. Last year she had to write a paragraph everyday about what she did or something she learned. Printed out some cool journal papers and made it fun for her to do.

But this year I will have 2 DD to do work with. I will manage because this is the time I choose to travel. I use leaving for the park as leverage you don't do it we won't go till you do it correct and neat so do it right the first time. That way they dont try to rush it.

 

[blessedby3]

We are taking our 3 out of school the week after Thanksgiving. We have DD7 (in first grade), DS10 (in 5th grade) and DD15 1/2 (in 10th grade). I have spoken with DD15's teachers already at back to school night and all of them said no problem except one. Her honors english teacher doesnt like anyone to miss ANY time for ANYTHING!! I told her that I would appreciate her working with us as all the other teachers didnt have a problem with it and are willing to get her the work she needs before we leave. We took the kids out 2 1/2 years ago and had no problem. They had all their work done before we even left town. Our 2 youngest go to private Christian School and it is never a problem there. Our oldest is in public. I think family time is just as important as school time. We are going to be building memories for the kids for a lifetime and growing closer as a family. It is not always possible for everyone to take their vacations during the summer as was the case for us this year. I would rather go in the off season anyway when we can get more for our moneys worth and dont have to fight such big crowds. Do what works for your family. This is what works for us. And oh yeah, we are also taking DD's best friend this year. Her mom is fine with the missing of school. Both of our DD's are honor students with a great work ethic!!!

 

[Minniepooh29]

To Pull or Not to Pull Kids out of School?

I know this is a very hot topic - it seems everyone has an opinion.

If the answer is yes, how old is too old to pull out of school for a once in a lifetime trip to see the Mouse?

Depends on your school. For us too old was high school. My sons school is not understanding and they miss too much work. School my girls are in is very understanding and gives them a homework packet to complete on vacation.

 

[HopperFan]

We stopped doing the week long trips once in middle school. We have never had a problem with teachers being supportive, but school policy does not permit it! Last year I pulled DS from HS. I checked him out early on Thursday (he had met the criteria for a full day credit) and then for ONE day on Friday to go to WDW. ALL teachers were okay with it in advance and gave him assignments. But administration gave him TWO days unexcused absences. They can actually give them all zeros for missing days, but fortunately did not. No Child Left Behind has put in place all kinds of restrictions including 5 absences and we are reported to DFACS. This in a very high performing school district that doesn't need big brother telling them how to teach. Pulled DD out for one day to go out of town last month. Rest of class on a field trip so she was missing nothing, but I took no chances and just said she was sick. I think it absolutely should be parent choice, especially if your child is a good student, unfortunately there can be some consequences depending on your school district policy. So no matter what your teachers are telling you, I would always verify with the administration.

 

[MsYumiBr]

This is the second time we received notices from the school about kids missing school for appointments and holidays. Now, mind you, this is curiously ever since the 50th celebration started. They are mostly concerned about the high school and indicate that every time a kid misses school they lose about $40. My kids have not missed school because of holidays, only illness. They don't even get money now for illness so we are supposed to send them to school sick and then go get them!!! This is insane. They say it is because the schools are low on money. (What did they do with the $200k they raised last year?) The elementary school is mostly military and we never get notices like that. It's the middle school which has more of a mix of military and civilian that is sending the notices. I personally wouldn't worry. A few days out of the year cannot possibly mess up their grades.

 

[llp479]

We try not to pull our 3 dds out for a full week. Last year we went at Thanksgiving and they missed two early dismissal days because they were off Wed - Fri. This year, we're going to DL and they will only miss 2 days due to Columbus day and the Jewish holiday, and a teacher's institute. Otherwise we stick to our spring break and summer.

 

[girlsx4]

My girls are in 5th grade, 2nd grade, and Kindergarten. We are taking them out of school for a week. This was a hard decision because I don't like my kids missing school. But last year they each only missed 1/2 day so I think it's okay if they miss 5 days this year
They will each have a journal to do while we are gone!

 

[nine9d]

This is our first time pulling the kids out of school also. We are going in Jan. 3rd grade for my DS and K for my DD. I don't think either of them will have an issue getting back into the swing of things. I am more nervous that when I tell the teachers they will let the cat out of the bag being it is a suprise. HA! It is not like you are going to be taking them out over and over for family vacations more than once a year. I think they will be fine. I agree with the statement above, "everything usually works out ...they r only young once!"

 

[the kabuki]

I vote for pulling the kids' out, have always taken mine out for Disney vacations.

 

[Tinkerbelle32]

We are going Jan.3rd through Jan. 7th. So my oldest, who's in first grade will miss four days of school. I also don't like my kids to miss school, but my hubby will be home from deploying and this will make an excellent time for us to go. I'm hoping she won't miss to much since they will be just returning from Christmas break.

 

[babyblues68]

I was already planning taking both of my children out before school even started this year. I was worried because our vacation is in the same month as Christmas break. So they're already out two weeks of the month. I was blown away when I had my first meetings with their teachers. They made a point to say if you have a family vactaions planned during the school year please don't hesitate to take it. Just let us know ahead of time. Wow...that was a relief off my shoulders. I didn't have to worry about asking. They believe the time spent for a family vacation was more important at their grades levels. Granted my kids are in 1st and 2nd grade. I do believe when they get further up in grades it depends on the child. Can they make the work up and will the school allow it? These days our children are responsible for much more than I was as a child at their age. We are suprising them with this trip. The day before we go we're picking them up early from school and they will anounce they are going to disney/Universal. They did this this past week for another little boy in my sons class.

TC