Told The Teacher Last Night

[Ktharee]

I know many people are concerned about what the teacher is going to say when they are told you are taking your kid(s) out of school to go to WDW. My parents always took us out for a week. There are several reasons why I need to go in September so I've planned it around a school day off and she will actually only miss 3 full days. Two one week and one the following. That being said, I was still uneasy about approaching the teacher, especially since this trip is a surprise for my daughter. At open house last night I mentioned the trip, the days she was going to miss and said I would gladly take work with us for her to do. This is what she said "Oh please, I don't send work on vacation. Have fun. Unless you want to bring me too and I can give her some lessons while on line." So it went very well and I wanted to share.

 

[AmberHeartsDisney]

I know many people are concerned about what the teacher is going to say when they are told you are taking your kid(s) out of school to go to WDW. My parents always took us out for a week. There are several reasons why I need to go in September so I've planned it around a school day off and she will actually only miss 3 full days. Two one week and one the following. That being said, I was still uneasy about approaching the teacher, especially since this trip is a surprise for my daughter. At open house last night I mentioned the trip, the days she was going to miss and said I would gladly take work with us for her to do. This is what she said "Oh please, I don't send work on vacation. Have fun. Unless you want to bring me too and I can give her some lessons while on line." So it went very well and I wanted to share.

Bring her back something cheap but nice

 

[jakesmom_01]

I was a little uneasy this year for 2nd grade also. I told DS teacher the day before school started(back in August). And he said no problem and have fun. Of course wanted to know if he could go and fit in the suitcase. This is the 3rd time we have taken him out of school and haven't had a problem yet.

 

[KellyNY]

Bring her back something cheap but nice

I agree, get her a gift like a snow globe or a cup.

 

[rhw]

So glad it went well for you. The teachers were always great with our vacations also. Enjoy it now because by junior high it gets so much harder to take them out (I did) but by high school it was impossible (I didn't). One is in college so we can go during his fall and spring breaks (we do), but the high school kid stays home (he will have his turn). And the best part...college is producing a new elementary teacher out of my son and I bet he will be great about his students taking a vacation with family to learn and enjoy life.

 

[mattmommy]

Whew. I'm trying to gear up my nerve to tell ds9's teacher we're going away. He'll only miss two days, but I'm still nervous. Maybe I'll have dh tell her. Yep, that's the ticket.

 

[Ktharee]

Bring her back something cheap but nice

we'll bring her back something for sure.

 

[ZeroToHero]

I'm surprised people get trouble taking their kids out in elementary school - they don't really miss all that much... unless it's near state-test time.

But I never had any trouble getting out in high school either. We went the week after the long Thanksgiving weekend, so I would do all my homework over Thanksgiving break, and then turn it in when I got back.

And I was in all Advanced Placement classes too! So as long as you give them notice and ask about homework, they really can't do anything about it.

 

[4luvofbearandmouse]

Our school district has a policy that allows excused absences for 10 days based on parent decision (all others require reason - illness, doctor/dentist appt, etc.). We use five of those days to go to WDW. The only requirement is that we let the school and teachers know ahead of time, in writing. Even in the elementary schools, the teachers ask that the children keep journals while they're gone and that we (parents) make it a point to review math in everyday opportunties that present themselves. It's nice not to have to worry about the absences being "excused".

 

[taylor3297]

Most teachers don't mind if you pull your kids out for a trip. I always wanted to know ahead of time so if there was work that the student needed to get before leaving I would have time to get it ready. The only thing that would bug me is on the few occassions that I sent the work (per parent request), the student returned without even doing the work (work was not something that they could have done), then the parent expecting me to stay after school to tutor their child. I had times during the day set up for kids to come and get the extra help when needed, but the student only wanted to come after school and not miss the "free time" after eating lunch.

 

[dizzyc uk]

In the UK you can be taken to court and fined for taking your children out of school for a holiday - how mad is that?! Do they do that in the US?

I rang our school to ask advice about taking my son out of high school next year and when I told her the difference in price she told me to go ahead and book it. I will be taking my son out for 10 school days which I was slightly concerned about, however something happened yesterday which changed my mind - my son came home and said he had no lessons that day and when I asked why he said that they take it in turns to staff the reception & answer calls & put stamps on letters! He had spent the whole day in an office taking calls from parents of kids that were off sick etc. So in my opinion if the teachers think it's ok to pull a child out of class & miss their lessons then I can do the same.

 

[canadianjovigirl]

My dd is in grade 4 and her teacher said she would learn more on her vacation than in any classroom and to have a great time. My older daughter is in high school and no problems there either as she is a great student, we are not going close to exam days and she can tap in to school via the computer on a couple of down days if she chooses to have a look at what they have been doing in class......

We have only ever done one family vacation 5 years ago and then this one this November and probably wont have another one for quite some time so we are gonna go and enjoy it and have the schools blessing......

 

[Kickapoo Joie Juice]

Our district has a rule (that we had to sign) that if your kids miss 6 or more unexcused days you'll be brought up on misdemeanor truancy charges. This draconian policy is handed down from the county.


So, we miss 5 days for Disney right before winter break every year. We get the threatening letter (one more day and you're going to jail!)and all other absences are excused.

The teachers are fine with it, the kids are good students (elementary, 4th and 5th). We will be changing how we vacation next year with the oldest in middle, though, more friday/monday misses and building off of a day off because of her anticipated schedule.

We usually tell the teachers about 2 weeks before we leave, in person. Never had a problem.

 

[SDFgirl]

Glad the teacher was so nice about it! I'm a teacher, and I am happy when my students can enjoy a nice vacation with their families! I know that they'll benefit more (in the long run) from a week of fun and memory-making than a few days in school.

My only problem is - I can't pull *myself* out of school for a Disney vacation! Booo! Teaching has MANY perks, and I love it, but I hate trying to work a Disney vacation around the school year calendar.

 

[ShannonMB]

OP, I'm glad you had a great experience! I have so far as well in 1st and 2nd. It helped that her 2nd grade teacher was a Disney fan, and Lily brought her back a little Mickey figurine that stayed on her desk the rest of the year. This year, I'm of course nervous about it again, but Lily has already scoped her teacher out, and she said he wears a Mickey watch to school every day. Hope that's a good sign!!

Lil has already told me that this is the last year she wants to miss a whole week, she said from now on 1 or 2 days would be okay. In a way I'm glad she's made the decision about it for us, because I'm always a little uneasy about it. But now I guess I gotta figure out when we'll go during breaks and such for next year.

 

[disndatworld]

Middle school might be different story. We took ours out of elementary and the teachers were kind. At middle school parent orientation this past week, we asked the teachers what the make-up procedure was for missing school. She immediately asked it it was for vacation... we don't even have a trip planned, I was just kind of feeling them out.

Anyway, for vacation it's all "0's" received on assignments for unexcused absences in this school.

Our kids are excellent students (so far) but I won't let them receive bad grades. Too bad, we always like taking a winter trip to WDW.

 

[MousekaMaddi]

I too was worried.........we are taking our 2nd grader out for a 10 day tip in late OCT...SHE WILL MISS 8 SCHOOL DAYS.........I think that is alot, but thats when we are going so...........
I was nervous last nite at open house untill the teacher told us that she is 3 mos pregnant and will be done in FEB. Now Im not too worried the teacher will miss more than 8 school days, so we can too!

 

[KellyNY]

It is harder in middle and High School. There are more teachers and more material given. Teachers may be fine but it is just too much pressure on a kid to make up for all missed days. I took my DD out in May, never again, she had to do so much HW after we were back. Her grades did not change but she was under lots of pressure.

 

[Colleen27]

In the UK you can be taken to court and fined for taking your children out of school for a holiday - how mad is that?! Do they do that in the US?

Some states and some school districts yes, some no. We made a point of not moving into any district that prohibits family vacations during the school year because we know we can't really get away during the summer.

 

[Bopsmom]

I just wanted to post that it's not the teachers that make the attendance rules; it's the principal, school board and state.

The rules in our District changed over the last 2-3 years. At first, they would let a parent excuse their child for whatever reason. We took DD out when she was in 1st grade and the principal and teacher were very nice about it. No problems. Unfortunately the privilege was abused and the District cracked down.

While a family trip is great remember, that some teacher's hands are tied. I would ask a principal for policy before I would ask the teacher.


As teachers, we are not allowed to mark a student's absence as excused if it is not-falsifying records can cause termination/loss of teaching certificate.
While as a teacher I may not mind, I wouldn't risk my career for your family's vacation.

Our principal has strict rules regarding giving assignments out early now too. This came from on high: a parent can only receive them after a student that has missed 3 or more days and the parent comes in with a doctor's note to excuse the absence.

Attendance is now taken via a computer system and that goes directly to Admin. that system is also tied to the Family Courts. A computer-generated summons is done there for too many absences and a fine is incurred.

I hate the system too. I have a MS child and I would love to be able to go to WDW or other vacations off-season but, rules are rules.