Waaahhh. Educational consultant working with DS doesn't recommend missing school...

[perd]

We have a trip planned Oct 20-25. He is behind in school and she is going to start working with him, but we don't even have first appointment with her until Sept 30th and our final payment for Oct trip is due Sept. 25. I am assuming up until that point I can make changes.

We were all really looking forward to moderate temperatures and smaller crowds!

So now our choices are December or next summer. Spring break is out because oldest is a senior this year and will be going on spring break with friends, and this was supposed to be a family trip. Teh kids didn't want to be gone on Christmas but now say they will if they have to. I worry about the weather. I'm the kind of person who would rather be hot than cold. We were there in March a few years ago and it was cold and rainy and I was miserable. I'd rather not go than go and freeze!

Next summer - DH does not like heat, humdity and crowds, which was the whole point of taking the October vacation. On the plus side for summer - longer hours and water park weather.

Also, I have bought LOTS of Connections vouchers, and they all expire 05/31! Last day of school is 05/28!

Any ideas???

 

[Eeyore2U]

Explain to the Consultant that the trip was planned long in advance. See if she'll work wth you. Asking never hurts.

 

[perd]

She didn't say we COULDN'T go, but she thought it was in my son's best interest not to miss a week of school. Actually I told her about our trip and asked her opinion. If we did go ahead and go I'm sure she would work around it, but in her opinion it would be better to reschedule because he's already behind...I feel like we need to do whatever we need to to help her help HIM. Disappointed, though...

 

[JungleMansion]

If you are able to change the dates and make the trip over a weekend, he might only be missing 3 days of school. Leave on a Thrusday night and come back on Tuesday night. If you're flying it should work out.

 

[perd]

That's part of the problem. We aren't flying. We had planned to drive down over the weekend, get there on Sunday, leave on Friday and get home the following Sunday. Husband never liked to fly anyway, and after 09/11 I doubt if he'll ever fly again. Plus, that would add a lot for expense for five of us...

 

[Kallison]

I would miss the last week of school. They aren't doing much then, the teachers and kids have checked out mentally. That way you can still use your vouchers and it shouldn't be as crowded. What grade is your son in - elementary, middle or h.s.?

 

[Pin Wizard]

We were in WDW the week between Christmas and New Year's last year. It was gorgeous weather! Jeans and sweatshirts.

 

[Michelle]

Go in December. We have lucked out with BEAUTIFUL weather the past three years in December, and the holiday events are awesome.

To me, school is more important than a vacation and I think you are wise to keep your son's best interests in mind with your plans, especially since he is behind already. It is HARD to make up a week's worth of work.

Good luck, whatever you decide!

 

[nancy679]

How about asking to bring some of the work with you and do it in the car ride. I know its hard to get them to do it while at WDW but since you are driving, it might be an option. Just think of it this way, its one week out of his whole school career, and it something that you have planned as a family. I would go, I took my kids out of school in October and it did take them a while to catch up, but they were fine.

 

[HookdonWDW]

If you asked the Educational Specialist for her professional advice, obviously, you are already concerned about your child missing school, and you value her opinion. Now that she has given it, I would follow through on her advice.

As much as we love Disney, our childrens' education is more important. If he catches up this year, maybe it will be more feasible to take a trip during the school year next year. I would cancel or change to a vacation period. Maybe it could be a reward for all the hard work he's about to put in with the specialist

 

[Cindy B]

I would agree with the specialist as well. We have gone in August to specifically go on vacation time.

I appreciate the fact that you are thinking of your childrens education, and that he/she is behind already.

I also agree with the last week of school. There are also some other school holiday that may coincide, like an In Service day, and then use another day.

Say the school has an in service (no school), so you use that as a driving day. Drive through the night, and don't stop each way.. (we drive straight through from PA, so maybe its the same distance).
if the inservice falls on a Friday, thats the most ideal situation.

Start the drive Thursday evening, get there Friday, go Saturday Sunday, etc...sometimes a Monday holiday coincides as well. Thanksgiving weekend we have done this.


Or just do Christmas vacation/Spring vacation, or other times.

 

[akasleepingbeauty]

If your oldest is a senior, the last week of school will probably be quite busy with finals, graduation rehearsal etc. Of course, graduation is likely to be right after they get out also.

I would either go over Thanksgiving weekend or in early December if you must go on a trip this school year. Just try to schedule it so that your children miss as few days as possible.

If worse comes to worse, you can always sell your Connections vouchers or even return them (depending on how long since you purchased them).

Good luck!

 

[champdds]

Did I miss it, or did you not say how old your son is and what grade level he is in...

We are also taking our trip this year the same week (Oct18-26th)..we sent letters today to all of their teachers, and specifically advised them we would do whatever they feel would be best to not lose any time,ie. work ahead of time, work to be done on the trip, a journal, etc.

I find it concerning that your child is already behind this early in the year.. a week could make a huge difference..Just my opinion !!


David

 

[perd]

My son is in middle school - in seventh grade this year. Yes, we are concerned that he is already behind, after only three weeks - missing assignements, etc. The educational consultant thought that it would be really hard to make up a whole week when he is behind. The school does let kids let their teachers know in advance and then work can be done ahead of time or during the time they are gone and they also have a certain amount of time after they get back to get it done - but with him already being behind it just seems like a lot to make him another week behind.

 

[Kallison]

Perd - I just went back to work in a middle school. Our kids have 9 45 min. periods. I told DH we can't take kids out for trips any more, my DS will be in 7th next year. 7th is our first year of middle school, it is a big adjustment, changing classes and teachers. If he is behind already, I would think really hard about him missing an entire week of assignments. Believe me, I'm the first one to tell friends, go to Disney take off from school, it's worth it. It's just that working there, I can see how intense and hard it is for the kids to adjust. The teachers don't cut them many breaks at this age either. It's pretty much swim or sink. Good luck with your decision again.

 

[Planogirl]

Maybe consider going over the Thanksgiving break. We've done this and the weather was perfect. The crowds were also light until Thanksgiving weekend itself and then the decorations came out which was super.

I think it's marvelous that you are so concerned with your child's education. With that kind of support, I'm sure that he'll be OK.

 

[shortbun]

Hi Perd! I know you wanted a
miracle solution to this problem.
A middle schooler behind will have
a very hard time catching up because
teachers just keep slamming work at
them. If he's already behind-well, I'd
schedule a Christmas vacation and
forget about losing school time this
year. My family spent years in Florida
over Christmas vaca because my
grandparents lived there. The weather
was almost always great-spring break
was a different, often rainy. No weather
promises but you'd better hustle to get
those ressies made! I hope ds gets
caught up, my Goddaughter struggled
for her whole 8th grade year because
she got behind-she had tutors too.
She's a Junior this year and her parents
still have her going to tutoring 2x week
to be sure she'll keep up. She's smart
but gets overwhelmed. School is really
hard for some kids. Good luck. It's obvious
you really care!
mimi

 

[sharbear]

It's a tough decision and I can understand why you still want to go to WDW. But I also have a 7th grader and know how much work they would miss in a week.

My son also struggles in school and 7th grade was very tough. The problem you face if you take him out of school is his fustration of trying to catch up. My son who was always behind would have such problems trying to catch up from missing a few days that it would be torture for the next couple of weeks. We decided that we could just not take him out of school, it was just too hard for him. My daughter on the other hand it is just not a problem she seems to catch up a lot faster.

The thing that you also have to consider is how many quizes and tests he would miss. My kids will have weeks where they have a quiz or a test is every subject.

Sharbear

 

[MerryPoppins]

Go at Christmas. It's my favorite time to visit and he wouldn't have to miss school.