WDW not educational? BAH.

[jrmasm]

I must have missed that part the first 9 times. I also didn't realize that everyone on the DIS that used the "educational" excuse lived in PA. Who knew?

Sorry, it's frustrating to have to jump through these b.s. hoops to get days excused. And I can assure you that if I didn't have to call a trip educational, I'd never do it.

I have to fill out one of these stupid forms in a few weeks.

 

[allison443]

Sorry, it's frustrating to have to jump through these b.s. hoops to get days excused. And I can assure you that if I didn't have to call a trip educational, I'd never do it.

I have to fill out one of these stupid forms in a few weeks.

I totally understand this. As I previously posted, it is like a game and everyone (schools and parents) are in on it.

 

[Jaime4004]

I got the same tone from the OP as you did. She was calling the teacher a "fool" for not recognizing the vast educational opportunities as WDW. Now she's saying it was "tongue in cheek".

I took it as a joke...
But that's the problem with not hearing the voice inflections or seeing facial expressions, everyone has their own interpretation.

I agree with some PPs that anything can be educational. Even a trip to the zoo. It depends on how much effort you put into it. My DD went on a field trip to a butterfly garden yesterday. When we got home, we discussed how much the toy from the gift shop costs, how much money I gave her, the sum that she ended up borrowing from the teacher and how much I had to repay the teacher today.

Learning is not restricted to the classroom.

And to the OP, I would absolutely fill out the form if that's what the school required. I'd tell them whatever they wanted to hear, if it makes them feel better about excusing the absences.

 

[wvjules]

Fortunately we have a "vacation" form to complete and don't have to fudge it being educational. However, DD will miss track for a few days. I hope her coach doesn't give her too much of a hard time since she is going there specifically to run the half marathon. (We would not be going to disney if we weren't running the race.)

 

[MushyMushy]

Okay--thanks for replying for to that. Okay, so he really said it. Are you actually bothered by it, or do you agree?
Is your daughter actually opposed to this request being made?
I am still a bit lost as to which parts are jokes and which are not.

You're obviously not the only one, so don't feel bad!

No, I wouldn't say I'm bothered about it, nor do I agree with him. The year he said it, DD was in 6th grade. At that time I was teaching at the middle school for a semester and I remember 3 different girls taking 3 separate trips to WDW one after the other in that grade. Now I'm assuming that's what caused his outburst. It is a lot of work for a teacher to write up a week's worth of lessons for a kid! Anyway, I was just expressing sort of a mock outrage when my daughter brought it up yesterday. To her, I said, "WHAT?! Are you kidding? Not educational?" and it went on from there until we were both laughing. I thought to myself that I'd let the DIS in on the joke, in the spirit that my daughter and I were going with it.

And, no, my daughter isn't opposed. She was a bit worried that she'd bear the brunt of another teacher with that attitude, but it is honestly not a problem.

Sorry, it's frustrating to have to jump through these b.s. hoops to get days excused. And I can assure you that if I didn't have to call a trip educational, I'd never do it.

I have to fill out one of these stupid forms in a few weeks.

YES! I really envy those who say they can just up and go and it'll be excused. When she was still young enough to enjoy "take your kid to work day," we had to fill out the educational trip form every year. When we left a couple of days early to visit their grandparents on Thanksgiving and to go to NYC (now there's an education for a couple of rural kids), we had to fill out the form. I don't know about your form, but ours is just a basic, "where are you going? what will you be doing?" sort of thing. No long letter explaining why the trip is educational or anything like that.

So where are you going? Or are you afraid to tell us now?

 

[FlightlessDuck]

None of us would take our HIGH SCHOOL aged kid out of school to go to the Zoo-right?

Oh, no. But then, I don't take my kids out of school for vacation, anyway.

 

[jrmasm]

You're obviously not the only one, so don't feel bad! No, I wouldn't say I'm bothered about it, nor do I agree with him. The year he said it, DD was in 6th grade. At that time I was teaching at the middle school for a semester and I remember 3 different girls taking 3 separate trips to WDW one after the other in that grade. Now I'm assuming that's what caused his outburst. It is a lot of work for a teacher to write up a week's worth of lessons for a kid! Anyway, I was just expressing sort of a mock outrage when my daughter brought it up yesterday. To her, I said, "WHAT?! Are you kidding? Not educational?" and it went on from there until we were both laughing. I thought to myself that I'd let the DIS in on the joke, in the spirit that my daughter and I were going with it. And, no, my daughter isn't opposed. She was a bit worried that she'd bear the brunt of another teacher with that attitude, but it is honestly not a problem. YES! I really envy those who say they can just up and go and it'll be excused.* When she was still young enough to enjoy "take your kid to work day," we had to fill out the educational trip form every year. When we left a couple of days early to visit their grandparents on Thanksgiving and to go to NYC (now there's an education for a couple of rural kids), we had to fill out the form. I don't know about your form, but ours is just a basic, "where are you going? what will you be doing?" sort of thing. No long letter explaining why the trip is educational or anything like that. So where are you going? Or are you afraid to tell us now?

I have to provide examples of educational benefit from the trip.* * So freaking stupid.

 

[design_mom]

My kids definitely spend more than 2 hours a day in "instructional time" at school. However, if they had one-on-one attention with the teacher, I bet they could cover the material in a lot less time that in takes in a traditional classroom. On most days, they probably could cover it in 2 hours of one-on-one instruction per day.

For many school districts (mine included), they *want* you to provide educational justification so they can excuse the absence. My school's form doesn't even ask what you expect them to learn, it just wants to know what educational opportunities will be available. (I think that wording is significant.) I will play their game and fill out their form. So far they've approved WDW and a beach vacation. My kids will miss a day of school next week so we can travel cross country to attend their great-grandmother's 90th birthday party. I haven't quite figured out how to "spin" that yet, but we will...and they'll approve it. And they'll say "have a nice time."

That being said, when the kids are in middle/high school, I will be much more selective about taking them out because I think it will be harder for them to keep up. But if you're planning to take your kids out -- I don't understand why anyone would "take a stand" on this and say "it's not educational, it's just vacation" and refuse to fill out the form. There *are* educational opportunities there (and anywhere). You can make the trip as educational as you choose to.

 

[Magpie]

My kids definitely spend more than 2 hours a day in "instructional time" at school. However, if they had one-on-one attention with the teacher, I bet they could cover the material in a lot less time that in takes in a traditional classroom. On most days, they probably could cover it in 2 hours of one-on-one instruction per day.

For many school districts (mine included), they *want* you to provide educational justification so they can excuse the absence. My school's form doesn't even ask what you expect them to learn, it just wants to know what educational opportunities will be available. (I think that wording is significant.) I will play their game and fill out their form. So far they've approved WDW and a beach vacation. My kids will miss a day of school next week so we can travel cross country to attend their great-grandmother's 90th birthday party. I haven't quite figured out how to "spin" that yet, but we will...and they'll approve it. And they'll say "have a nice time."

That being said, when the kids are in middle/high school, I will be much more selective about taking them out because I think it will be harder for them to keep up. But if you're planning to take your kids out -- I don't understand why anyone would "take a stand" on this and say "it's not educational, it's just vacation" and refuse to fill out the form. There *are* educational opportunities there (and anywhere). You can make the trip as educational as you choose to.

Easy!

Any time spent in the company of their great-grandma, and other older relatives, is time spent experiencing "living history". You can even make it official by having the kids put together a family tree, or have them briefly interview each relative about what life was like when they were kids. The folks will be thrilled!

 

[LovinPooh]

Am I the only one surprised there was a SeaWorld in Ohio


I think if the worst thing people do with their kids is spend time with them as a family, then they are pretty gosh darn good parents

 

[Nik's Mom]

And just how many days do you have to miss before the truancy officer show up?

Wow I think the state of CA needs to get a grip. First La La land and now this? Don't they have enough problems without taking parents to court for taking their kids out for a few days of vacation?

Former Californian here. One of my ds's missed 3 days of school due to the stomach flu. I made sure to call in and inform the school every day. Yet, I still got a nasty letter from the school district warning me that 3 days is excessive. Mind you, those 3 days were the only day ds had missed all year! I was furious and called the school to complain. The office just told me to ignore the letter. They are required to send those notices out to everyone if more than one day is missed at a time.

Now, I mentioned that I have pulled my kids for vacations two times, in California and Kansas. In California, we filled out an independent study agreement where the teacher and I were able to create a learning plan while on vacation. My kids are special needs, so we included lots of social skills, letter and number recognition. This was in Kindergarten, so no big deal there. In Kansas, we did not have to do a thing. You are allowed to take kids out of school for one vacation a year.

 

[wvjules]

Am I the only one surprised there was a SeaWorld in Ohio


I think if the worst thing people do with their kids is spend time with them as a family, then they are pretty gosh darn good parents

I fondly remember family trips to Sea World and Geauga (sp) Lake. We always stayed at Knights Inn. Loved the purple velvet cover and red carpet. lol Knights Inn will always remind me of family vacations. There were a millions of us so I doubt we all missed school so it was probably in the summer months.

 

[MariDisney]

For the 10th time, the only way to take kids out of school in PA is to disguise vacations as 'education'.

Maybe it varies by district. Both my sister and I (two different districts) have taken our kids out and have never had to prove educational value. Our district policy is no more than 2 vacation absences per year with no more than 5 days in each one. So, we can do up to 10 days total per year for vacation with no issue whatsoever. The form just asks for the dates of absence and a signature.

Editing to add our district's exact wording. I don't mind sharing that we are in Central Bucks School District

"Please note that CBSD Board Policy #204, Attendance, states “Absences for approved reasons due to family travel shall be limited to two occurrences each year. Total number of approved days of absence shall not exceed five days in a given school year. Days exceeding these guidelines may be considered unlawful and/or unexcused.”

Another nearby district is Council Rock:
After an absence from school, state law and school district policy requires that you send a written excuse to school upon the child's return. If you are planning a family trip or vacation, advanced notice of that trip will help both the school and your child. You will receive formal notification from the principal's office of the approval of that trip. It is your responsibility to contact the teacher and get assignments for your child to keep him or her current with work while you are away.

So, apparently in PA they don't HAVE to be educational.

 

[MushyMushy]

Am I the only one surprised there was a SeaWorld in Ohio


I think if the worst thing people do with their kids is spend time with them as a family, then they are pretty gosh darn good parents

It would really blow your mind that Sea World Ohio was an educational trip! We took several field trips there.

I fondly remember family trips to Sea World and Geauga (sp) Lake. We always stayed at Knights Inn. Loved the purple velvet cover and red carpet. lol Knights Inn will always remind me of family vacations. There were a millions of us so I doubt we all missed school so it was probably in the summer months.

My first job was at Geauga Lake. I was a ride operator.

I wish those parks were still there as they once were. Especially Sea World.

 

[jrmasm]

I just pulled this from the high school handbook:


Compulsory School Attendance (Policy 204)
The Compulsory School Attendance Law of Pennsylvania states that when a child enters first grade he/she comes under the compulsory attendance laws. The policy stipulates that EXCUSED absences include the following:
1. Illness
2. Family emergencies
3. Prearranged doctor and dentist appointments
4. Authorized school activities
5. Approved student educational trips
6. College visitations – two (2) days per year during junior and
senior year.
7. A maximum of ten (10) days of cumulative lawful absences
verified by parental notification may be permitted during a school
year. All absences beyond ten (10) days will require an excuse
from a physician.


Educational Trips (Policy 204)
A student will be permitted to take not more than two educational trips per school year, not to exceed a total of five school days with his/her parents/guardians and receive an excused absence provided parents/guardians comply with program requirements. When an educational trip is planned which will require a student to be absent from school, and Educational Trip Form should be completed and returned to the office one week prior to the trip. Neglecting to gain prior approval for the educational trip will result in the recording of unexcused daily absences for those days absent. Since all students are required to participate in PSSA testing, educational trips shall not be approved during any PSSA testing period. Educational trips shall also not be approved during the mid-term examination period or the last ten school days because these are critical times during the educational process for the teacher and student to culminate learning activities for the semester and school year.


It looks to me that all schools in PA have the same rules (by law) but that educational trips can be defined by the individual districts.

 

[bunkkinsmom]

First off let me say that my kids go to a Charter School, so I'm not sure if this is policy for public schools or not.

Our school is considered a very good school and admission is by lottery. There are HUNDREDS of kids on the waiting list every year. It is considered a tough academic school. My 1st grader has to recite the preamble to the Constitution every morning. (By the way, I love to hear him do it! )

So last year when we pulled him out along with his 2nd grade sister, we were concerned about the reaction. But the principal was very ok with it. They did their work before they left and did not miss any assignments. We also participated in the YES program while we were there. (And FYI, I chaperoned the 3.5 hour Animal Kingdom program in Disney, as well as the zoo field trip my son took last week. Guess which was more educational?)

Actually, I shouldn't make you guess, I wouldn't want anyone to not get the tone of the post. Animal Kingdom was more educational.

At any rate, call me a kid taker outer. I say fill it out as educational. It's OBVIOUS from this thread that "educational" is an objective term. You're the mom, use your judgement. And if they don't like it, well Jimmy crack corn.

 

[minkydog]

Oh snap! I need to start preparing her for that GED now!

Don't worry. She can always go to technical school.

 

[MrsPete]

It is not educational. It is a vacation, plain and simple. Sure, kids can learn something there but it is still a vacation.

I had to fill out a request for DD for going to WDW in January and it never even crossed my mind to classify it as "educational". I put "vacation" as that is appropriate.

Ditto. Yes, all travel is educational in a sense, but you cannot pretend that Disney is really all that much of a learning experience. Even World Showcase at Epcot is just an overview of stereotypical information about countries.

Sure, Disney's fun. Everything doesn't have to be educational to be worthwhile, but don't try to make it out to be something it isn't. It just don't fly.

 

[MrsPete]

Compulsory School Attendance (Policy 204)
The Compulsory School Attendance Law of Pennsylvania states that when a child enters first grade he/she comes under the compulsory attendance laws. The policy stipulates that EXCUSED absences include the following:
1. Illness
2. Family emergencies
3. Prearranged doctor and dentist appointments
4. Authorized school activities
5. Approved student educational trips
6. College visitations – two (2) days per year during junior and
senior year.
7. A maximum of ten (10) days of cumulative lawful absences
verified by parental notification may be permitted during a school
year. All absences beyond ten (10) days will require an excuse
from a physician.

Our list includes a few more:

1. Mandatory court appearances
2. Quanratines (though I don't personally know anyone who's been quarantined)
3. Work on your own family's farm (this really means taking in the hay, and note that it has to be YOUR OWN family's farm -- you can't hire yourself out and have it excused from school)
4. Funeral for an immediate family member (defined as parent, sibling, grandparent)

And our maximum number is eight.

 

[bunkkinsmom]

Ditto. Yes, all travel is educational in a sense, but you cannot pretend that Disney is really all that much of a learning experience. Even World Showcase at Epcot is just an overview of stereotypical information about countries.

Sure, Disney's fun. Everything doesn't have to be educational to be worthwhile, but don't try to make it out to be something it isn't. It just don't fly.

So if her district does not allow absences for vacation, she should cancel her trip? Does this mean that if she has a job that won't allow her vacation in the summer or over holidays (lots of retail/restaurant jobs) that she does not get vacation with her children? I mean I'm just wondering how black and white this is?