What Do YOU TELL THE TEACHER?

[lucyem]

1. How long do you take your children out of school for a Disney Vacation?
5-7 days

2. What is the longest time that you have taken your child or children out
of School for a vacation?
7 days this year. Originally it was for just 5 but due to weather it ended up being 7.

3. What reason do you give the school for your child’s absent?
we are going to WDW

4. How far in advanced do you tell the school that your child will be out?
I mentioned it at teacher conferences and then got in touch 3 weeks before

5. How is missing school work & test handled, or is it even allowed to be made up?
My oldest is in 2nd grade. He was given a journal and a bunch of math and reading worksheets. He did those in the car and in the evenings. It was not a big deal except for one problem - the teacher did not tell us he had a project due the week we got back. He was out Monday, had a snow day on Tuesday, forgot his homework on Wed and Thursday night handed me a paper telling me to sign off on a project due the next day We threw it together the best we could and it was fine. In the future I will make sure to ask about any special out of the ordinary projects. Had it been any other week all year it would not have been an issue at all.

I have no problem taking a younger child out for a week for a family trip. I have no problem with taking an older child/teen out as long as their grades are good. Besides the principal took off part of a week to go to WDW this year too so it's not like he can complain

 

[daisyduck123]

Besides the principal took off part of a week to go to WDW this year too so it's not like he can complain

Both of the reading teachers at my school take off every year to take their own families to WDW! It's nice to have other Disney fans at school!

 

[design_mom]

1. How long do you take your children out of school for a Disney Vacation?

I have taken my kids out of school for Disney vacations, but I usually try to schedule it for a week when he'll miss as few days as possible (while still going at low season). We usually take a seven-day vacation.

2. What is the longest time that you have taken your child or children out
of School for a vacation?

The most they've missed is 5 days, but I usually aim for 3-4 by coordinating with days that are scheduled off school (teacher work days etc.) This year, we went MLK week. They had monday off for MLK, Tuesday was a teacher work day. DS missed three days of school. DD only missed 1 day due to the kindergarten schedule.

3. What reason do you give the school for your child’s absent?

I am honest. Our school district has a form you can fill out for an "alternate learning experience."

4. How far in advanced do you tell the school that your child will be out?

I let the office know 4-6 weeks before we leave, by way of the "alternate learning experience" form. Then I follow up with his teacher 1-2 weeks before we leave.

5. How is missing school work & test handled, or is it even allowed to be made
up?

In our school, if your absence is approved in advance, you are allowed to make up the work/tests upon your return. One of my son's teachers provided work for him to take on vacation, which was really nice because he wasn't behind at all when he returned. (Not all teachers are willing/able to give the work in advance, and that's fine, too.)

I know that he is well ahead on his learning for his age but I am
still concerned about him missing school,especially as he gets older. Cant wait to hear what you guys have to say!

Our school is very flexible about it until about 4th-5th grade. Then they start getting more strict about the absences. DS missed 3 days in January (3rd grade) and didn't have any trouble...but I guess we'll just have to see what the future brings. I am sure, at some point, we'll be vacationing in the summer only... but it sure is nice while it lasts.

 

[SarahKate]

Our DD 7 has gone on 3 trips, with our 4th coming up in 3 weeks.

The first two I don't really count because she was in Pre-K.

Last trip she missed 5 days, this upcoming trip she will miss 6 days.

I gave her teacher and the school about 1.5 month's notice and will remind her teacher in the next couple weeks. She will put together a packet of homework for her so that she can keep caught up.

Keep in mind all schools/teachers are DIFFERENT. Some might give homework, others not.

As far as a reason, you don't need to sugar coat it. Tell them you're going on a family vacation.....whatever you do, PLEASE don't use the "template" notification letter that's been circulating on the Dis for a long time. IMO it's your child and your decision of when they will miss school. There will certainly be learning opportunities at WDW, but the ultimate reason is it's a family vacation - the schools know that, and you don't need to make it into something it's really not.

We know that we may not always be able to do these vacations during the regular school year, but for now, she's an awesome student and doesn't get a lot of homework so we're going to go for it!

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

Before you answer this post, this is for those that have taken their child or children out of school, or for those that have missed school for vacation. I would like to hear how people have handled missing school, so here goes the question,



I have a 4 yr old son, we go to WDW every year and love the DCL. Our trips last from 1 week to 2 weeks. My son has never been in daycare because I am a stay at home mom so I have taught him at home. This year he will start pre-K and next year he will start Kindergarten at a private school. I will continue to vacation every year to WDW and Disney Cruise Line. So my questions are:

1. How long do you take your children out of school for a Disney Vacation? Longest time was 6 days, kids in H.S. They were okay before, but asked not to do it again... Fast forward less than 6 months and DS will be taking 5 days off to be with his sister for her last HS performance at Magic Kingdom. I wrote the letter to the teachers just tonight. In Sept/Oct, he will be out for 6 days. Mine are older, I would not have even blinked if they were little.

2. What is the longest time that you have taken your child or children out
of School for a vacation? See above.

3. What reason do you give the school for your child’s absent? The teachers are told the truth that we will be at WDW. There pediatrician writes me an excuse though, so that the absences were not illegal.

4. How far in advanced do you tell the school that your child will be out? I told the teachers in casual conversation as soon a I knew. Official letter sent the week before. Teachers are extremely busy and at least in my case do not want official notification before that.

5. How is missing school work & test handled, or is it even allowed to be made up? At your ages, most worksheets you can work on at home, no problem. I guess it would only take an hour or two. With H.S. my kids do work in the evenings at the hotel and by the pool on down days. They are good students and have never had too much or stressed about it much. See answer #1, at the time they find it cumbersome, but like childbirth pain, it goes away with time.

I know that he is well ahead on his learning for his age but I am
still concerned about him missing school, especially as he gets older. Cant wait to hear what you guys have to say!

Hope this helps a little, feel free to PM me if you have any other questions.

 

[Evan&Kimberly]

Thanks again! U Guys are the BEST!!!!!

 

[RMulieri]

1. How long do you take your children out of school for a Disney Vacation? We took our kindergartner for 5 days

2. What is the longest time that you have taken your child or children out
of School for a vacation?5 days

3. What reason do you give the school for your child’s absent?
Our school has a trip request form to fill out and we filled it out and sent it in.We told the school and the teacher a month in advance and we told them it was a Family vacation to Disney World
4. How far in advanced do you tell the school that your child will be out?
1 month
5. How is missing school work & test handled, or is it even allowed to be made
up?We had a lot( even in kindergarten)to make up when we got back, as well as a trip journal to complete.

I

 

[ShannonMB]

I have taken my DD (3rd grade this year) out of school for 4 or 5 days every year since she started 1st grade. As others have said, it's all about your school's policy as far as what they allow and how you have to handle it. At our school, they say that "vacation during the school year is discouraged", but I just have to notify them in writing 2 weeks before the absence. I usually send something to her teacher a month ahead, then another reminder 2 weeks ahead. I haven't had any problems at all, in fact the teachers have all been really excited for DD to get to go to WDW! She hasn't had much makeup work, and she usually just does anything she's missed when we get back. We live in Ohio and DD goes to public school.

DD has told me that starting in 4th grade, she doesn't want to miss a week anymore, because she's worried she might have too much work in such a high grade )), so from now on, I'll probably do a Thursday after school when they have a random Friday off, then return on Tues or Wed so she only misses 2 or 3 days. That'll probably work for the next couple years. But once she hits middle school, I'm afraid we'll probably be doing trips during school breaks, not too excited for that!

 

[MSSANDRA]

We took DS out from kindergarten through 8th grade for a week at a time. This was NC public school and we always went dec or jan. I always mentioned it at open house at the start of school. I sent a letter about 4 weeks before and a short reminder a day or two ahead. Elementry I just sent all info to the teacher and did not go through the office at all. Middle school I wanted it excused and did the same things except I sent letters to the office and all 6 teachers. I did on the four week out letter ,ask for any make up work ahead of time if possible and always got it. Most years the teachers knew he was a good student and gave him just want he really neeeded to make up and not a lot of busy work. Most years he had most done before we went. Only once did he take work along.

I always TOLD, the school, not ASKED permission.

Preschool...not an issue at all. Stay a long as you can afford!!

kindergarten, I MIGHT consider keeping it at a week as it may be hard for your child to readjust, but you know your child best.

Now your school may work VERY differntly. I would ask other parents how it works and read your handbook. MOST private school are great about travel but I have known of a few that are very strict. If you plan to travel as he gets older that might be very important is choosing your school!!

We stopped taking DS out in HS as it is just too hard to make up time!!!!
Enjoy as LONG as possible!!!

 

[Mkrop]

Before you answer this post, this is for those that have taken their child or children out of school, or for those that have missed school for vacation. I would like to hear how people have handled missing school, so here goes the question,



I have a 4 yr old son, we go to WDW every year and love the DCL. Our trips last from 1 week to 2 weeks. My son has never been in daycare because I am a stay at home mom so I have taught him at home. This year he will start pre-K and next year he will start Kindergarten at a private school. I will continue to vacation every year to WDW and Disney Cruise Line. So my questions are


1. How long do you take your children out of school for a Disney Vacation? We go for 5-6 days with kids missing 3

2. What is the longest time that you have taken your child or children out
of School for a vacation? We usually only have them out for the most 3 days. We usually try to tie it with other days off/inservice days?


3. What reason do you give the school for your child’s absent? We tell them it is a family vacation, our school is totally ok with it but it is a Catholic school.

4. How far in advanced do you tell the school that your child will be out? I casually mention if I see the teacher. I send a formal email to teachers two weeks prior.


5. How is missing school work & test handled, or is it even allowed to be made
up?
This has varied by teacher. All allowed tests to be made up. Some gave us work to work on before the trip so we brought it along. Some gave us a huge pile to make up after we got back. They allowed time after the fact.


I know that he is well ahead on his learning for his age but I am
still concerned about him missing school,especially as he gets older. Cant wait to hear what you guys have to say!

Mine answeres are in italics. Hope that helps. I think this will vary greatly.