Trip planned for the fall and worried about the school situation

[Mittz]

As a kid I loved strikes and being pulled out for vacations. This sounds like the classic win, win scenario for your kids . But in all seriousness as long as it doesn't conflict with any major sporting events (or any other events that may be important to you) kids can always catch up in school no matter the grade. Just means they have to put Ina little extra effort which is more than worth the price for Disney! As long as they understand that, you are golden

 

[busymommy2pink]

I felt a little concerned too. We are heading down in November, and this was planned and booked before potential strike action. Then I decided, whatever! We need that family time too DD keeps a journal each trip anyways...we plan on having a blast! We are November 10-19!

 

[star72232]

Haven spoken with a teacher yesterday, her feeling was that the kids would be going back in September, but under a complete work-to-rule (basically doing only in-class material). And a strike would probably happen in October.

I'm mad at both sides.

 

[Marriedwith2kids]

I agree that most kids can always catch up after a family vacation or do work ahead of time. I also think that most teachers are understanding and will work with students/parents to make things easier. Travelling during school time is becoming more and more frequent. I also debated pulling my kids out of school for a trip. Its so much cheaper and less crowded in off-season! Then, I start thinking of the message it would send my kids about education and how important it is. Yes, education takes place outside the classroom, even more so in some situations. Travelling to experience other cultures and history is very beneficial at any age. Life experiences and bonds formed during trips are priceless. However, these learning experiences can be lived during the summer, Christmas break, Spring break or any other time school is not in session. I understand its not always convenient, financially sound or possible to do so but in my very humble opinion, kids should never be pulled out of school for vacation. Maybe i'm just old fashioned this way. I know my views won't be shared by many but what can I say, thats the way I feel about the matter.

 

[samsteele]

Haven spoken with a teacher yesterday, her feeling was that the kids would be going back in September, but under a complete work-to-rule (basically doing only in-class material). And a strike would probably happen in October.

I'm mad at both sides.

This is exactly what I'm hearing from neighbours who are both teachers (1 elementary & 1 high school). Barring a very last minute resolution, they expect to return work to rule in September but at end of September also expect to be out of the classroom and picketing. Their hope is that it will be resolved before it gets cold on the picket line.

 

[thr33boys]

This is exactly what I'm hearing from neighbours who are both teachers (1 elementary & 1 high school). Barring a very last minute resolution, they expect to return work to rule in September but at end of September also expect to be out of the classroom and picketing. Their hope is that it will be resolved before it gets cold on the picket line.

That's what I'm afraid of.

 

[mort1331]

Would love Wynne to pull a |Regan and fire them all, then rehire with new rules the good ones. Sick of this and there complaining. The good ones get screwed by the lazy ones.

 

[thr33boys]

I agree that most kids can always catch up after a family vacation or do work ahead of time. I also think that most teachers are understanding and will work with students/parents to make things easier. Travelling during school time is becoming more and more frequent. I also debated pulling my kids out of school for a trip. Its so much cheaper and less crowded in off-season! Then, I start thinking of the message it would send my kids about education and how important it is. Yes, education takes place outside the classroom, even more so in some situations. Travelling to experience other cultures and history is very beneficial at any age. Life experiences and bonds formed during trips are priceless. However, these learning experiences can be lived during the summer, Christmas break, Spring break or any other time school is not in session. I understand its not always convenient, financially sound or possible to do so but in my very humble opinion, kids should never be pulled out of school for vacation. Maybe i'm just old fashioned this way. I know my views won't be shared by many but what can I say, thats the way I feel about the matter.

I understand your viewpoint but I don't think it sends the wrong message to children. I believe as long as parents are actively involved in their child's education, children will understand the value of education and its importance. Missing a week isn't too detrimental in the grand scheme of things.

This will be the third trip that we will be pulling our kids out of school for. They do not think that because we are doing so, school isn't important. They will have all the homework done before we leave, providing the teachers accommodate us. Without trying to sound like one of those parents who 'brag' about their children's academic achievements, my kids do very well. We spend a lot of time teaching/reviewing work with them throughout the whole year - even Christmas, March Break and especially summer.

 

[Twice_as_Nice]

I know this thread is a little old but I had to add. I was worried about this also when we found out about our trip in late Sept. Our 4 year old is starting kindergarten this year and his siblings are starting grades 5 & 4. Our older 2 have already missed considerable amounts of school because of their little brother and his medical issues so we try to avoid them missing more.

We value education in our family and like many others have educators in our family, my father in law and sister in law are professors and my husband works at our alma mater. Yes higher education is valuable BUT it's also not the be all end all and elementary and secondary school are a must but missing a couple weeks here and there are not going to cause a child to not graduate. It's not the be all end all. If it was my high school wouldn't have offered a 2 week long mission trip to the Dominican Republic for students where we did NOT do school work but instead experienced life there.

I don't mean to sound "preachy" but Our youngest has a terminal illness, your life can change in an instant trust me. Time is precious and LIFE, really LIVING includes so much more than school (as we all know) Enjoy this precious time with your children and family. Hug them, kiss them, laugh and be spontaneous. School will be here when you get back and yes they may have to catch up a little but they will it's not impossible. Feel blessed that you have the opportunity to show your family the world and the value in time spent together. Educate their souls.

 

[Donald - my hero]

I LOVE that last sentence, it sums up exactly why i had no problem taking our kids out of school for family time! Perhaps it's because my mom had no problem sending me to school every year with a note that read "Jacqueline was absent yesterday because we took a trip into Toronto to see Santa!" That ALWAYS involved a trip to the restaurant at the top of what was then "Simpson's " with my Nana where the ceilings were at least 40' tall from which there were massive chandeliers and you could hear the tiny echoing of the real silver and glass stemware on the crisp white table linens & smell the real Christmas trees. GAWD, I'm dating myself ... they haven't been in business for decades. I still think of this every Christmas with a feeling of what family time is. That is what feeds our souls for life!!

 

[quandrea]

I LOVE that last sentence, it sums up exactly why i had no problem taking our kids out of school for family time! Perhaps it's because my mom had no problem sending me to school every year with a note that read "Jacqueline was absent yesterday because we took a trip into Toronto to see Santa!" That ALWAYS involved a trip to the restaurant at the top of what was then "Simpson's " with my Nana where the ceilings were at least 40' tall from which there were massive chandeliers and you could hear the tiny echoing of the real silver and glass stemware on the crisp white table linens & smell the real Christmas trees. GAWD, I'm dating myself ... they haven't been in business for decades. I still think of this every Christmas with a feeling of what family time is. That is what feeds our souls for life!!

I used to do that with my grandma. Remember the Windows? So worth missing a day. That comes from a teacher. We homeschool and I love the freedom it brings. I feel as though I have gotten my children back.

 

[Donald - my hero]

I used to do that with my grandma. Remember the Windows? So worth missing a day. That comes from a teacher. We homeschool and I love the freedom it brings. I feel as though I have gotten my children back.

OMG yes!!! how could i have left that part out??? We used to pray that it would be bitterly cold that day so we could hold our hands against the windows and leave icy-palm prints! The best was the corner window across from the Eaton Centre!

Look what i just found!

 

[quandrea]

OMG yes!!! how could i have left that part out??? We used to pray that it would be bitterly cold that day so we could hold our hands against the windows and leave icy-palm prints! The best was the corner window across from the Eaton Centre!

Look what i just found!

Love it. Wonderful memories. My favourite window was the Cabbage Patch Kids one.

 

[BLAZEY]

We had school start late last year due to the strike by the teachers here in BC. They did not extend the school year or cut short any breaks. This year I amy taking DD6 out of school for a 9 day trip to WDW in November. The school let parents vote on proposed PD Days and the winning plan was Nov 12 & 13. Add that to Remembrance Day Stat and she will only miss 2 days of school. I have yet to inform her teachers as she doesn't go back until Sept 8. The teachers at her school encourage family holidays I have no issues taking her out of school for a trip. There has to be a work/school-family life balance. I wouldn't take her out if she had important secondary school tests, or heavy course load. So my opinion may change when she is older and in secondary school.

 

[thr33boys]

We had school start late last year due to the strike by the teachers here in BC. They did not extend the school year or cut short any breaks. This year I amy taking DD6 out of school for a 9 day trip to WDW in November. The school let parents vote on proposed PD Days and the winning plan was Nov 12 & 13. Add that to Remembrance Day Stat and she will only miss 2 days of school. I have yet to inform her teachers as she doesn't go back until Sept 8. The teachers at her school encourage family holidays I have no issues taking her out of school for a trip. There has to be a work/school-family life balance. I wouldn't take her out if she had important secondary school tests, or heavy course load. So my opinion may change when she is older and in secondary school.

I agree, as mine get older we will likely not take them out for a trip. High school would be too difficult to catch up and it wouldn't be worth it. That's great that parents had input for pd days. I would love that. Our trip happens to fall on one pd day coincidentally. Remembrance Day is not a stat day in Ontario, kids still go to school.

 

[bcwife76]

We had school start late last year due to the strike by the teachers here in BC. They did not extend the school year or cut short any breaks. This year I amy taking DD6 out of school for a 9 day trip to WDW in November. The school let parents vote on proposed PD Days and the winning plan was Nov 12 & 13. Add that to Remembrance Day Stat and she will only miss 2 days of school. I have yet to inform her teachers as she doesn't go back until Sept 8. The teachers at her school encourage family holidays I have no issues taking her out of school for a trip. There has to be a work/school-family life balance. I wouldn't take her out if she had important secondary school tests, or heavy course load. So my opinion may change when she is older and in secondary school.

This is us exactly! In June 2014 we had a trip to Puerto Vallarta planned for our 10th wedding anniversary. It was booked in January of that year, we had no idea that the week we took our kids out of school would actually end up being the LAST week due to the full strike that started.

We are taking our kids out the last week of September and that week includes one ProD day so at least it's 4 days missed instead of 5. However I didn't realize that when I booked the trip, just a happy coincidence. Our kids are young (grade 2 and Kindergarten starting next week!!).

 

[alc571]

I think it's important to take time to spend with family. I have no problems taking him out of school for trips to WDW. He will miss 5 days in September, and another 6 days in June (after the PA day where his report card is written). I try to pick times that won't impact his school work too much. He doesn't do well at school due to a learning disability, but he does get a lot of accommodations that help him catch up. He loves the time away, and it gives him a break from school which he hates with a passion. Every day is a fight to get him there, and every night is a fight to do homework. I wish I had the ability to home school him, but we don't. I figure the trips are what he'll remember most about his childhood, and not school. I know I do. I remember going to WDW in Grade 3 and I missed 3 weeks of school. Couldn't tell you anything I learned in math, english, science, etc. that year.