What do you tell the teacher??

[Kallison]

I took my kids out for 5 or 6 days until oldest DS got to 6th grade. He had problems with missing schoolwork, he is very intense. Now he is in 7th, no way would he miss more than one or two days at a time. We went on four Disney trips during the school years. We have to fill out a form ahead of time, I just told the truth -- Disney, educational, not really. Never had an issue with a teacher. A lot of kids go to Disney at our school and also the middle school level where I teach. The middle school teachers may or may not give them work ahead of time depending on their mood. I help learning support kids and mainstream kids so I have the notes. I always copy them if they ask nicely and bring me something back, they all know I'm a Disney nut. Technically I'm not supposed to copy the mainstream kids but I do. I tell them to bring me something that is free or next to free like cute napkins, straws, cups or whatever they can creatively think of -- such as autographed postcards etc. It's fun, I also print them my special Disney tips. I had a Mom send me a $20 frame because she loved my tips so much. So have fun.

 

[lindajo]

Originally posted by Kallison
I took my kids out for 5 or 6 days until oldest DS got to 6th grade. He had problems with missing schoolwork, he is very intense. Now he is in 7th, no way would he miss more than one or two days at a time. We went on four Disney trips during the school years. We have to fill out a form ahead of time, I just told the truth -- Disney, educational, not really. Never had an issue with a teacher. A lot of kids go to Disney at our school and also the middle school level where I teach. The middle school teachers may or may not give them work ahead of time depending on their mood. I help learning support kids and mainstream kids so I have the notes. I always copy them if they ask nicely and bring me something back, they all know I'm a Disney nut. Technically I'm not supposed to copy the mainstream kids but I do. I tell them to bring me something that is free or next to free like cute napkins, straws, cups or whatever they can creatively think of -- such as autographed postcards etc. It's fun, I also print them my special Disney tips. I had a Mom send me a $20 frame because she loved my tips so much. So have fun.

Hi Kallison.

I am the OP so your opinion means so much to me....
You are obviously a teacher who understands the meaning of "family time". Thanks for the support, especially from a teacher.
The idea of bringing something back is good, possibly having them present their trip to the class?? Anyway, it has always made more sense to me to go when it is slow and spend less time, than to go when it is super crowded and spend a week (or more). So for now, we will take one or two days off around a teachers work day to make a nice 5 day vacation where we can do as much as a 7 day stay at peak season. I guess my concern arose from my DSIL who only goes at Easter and Christmas. Her kids are all in parochial school, and I guess that attendence is critical . Even her DD13 doesn't want to miss school because she is afraid of falling behind. So I pictured this teacher saying to my kids,"You are goind to WDW? I will fail you if you miss my class for it!!"(Picture Malificent). Anyway, I am happy to hear from the teachers who value family time together. Thank you for the feedback!!!

P.S. how can I get a copy of your special Disney tips for my kids to give to their teachers???You must be a wonderful teacher...

 

[mom2boys]

We have taken our boys out of school for Disney trips 3x now. They are currently in 3rd & 4th and we took them out for 2 days in Jan - that was all the school scheduled for that week. (Who knew they'd only have 2 days the next week due to snow?)
Never had a problem. Two weeks before the trip I printed letters to each of their teachers - there are 4 between them. I hand delivered to the homeroom teachers at dismissal one day. My notes were vague - family vacation. OF course they both asked where we were headed & I really had the oldest concerned that his teacher was coming with us. She asked & I said sure. He was adament that she was NOT staying in our room. He does like her but didn't want her on vacation with him. Don't think for a minute that the teachers won't find out the vacation is Disney - kids can't keep that quiet & I'd never ask mine to.

 

[disdreams]

We take the kids out of school and I just tell the office and teacher that we are going out of town. I don't remember specifically telling them where we are going and why, but if they ask, I tell them. I figure, with my kids being young, if anyone asks them when we get back, they are going to tell them anyway, so I dont try to make up a story that's not true. So far, the school has never had a problem. The teachers are really nice about giving me the kids homework, or having them make up things when we get back (that only happened once).

 

[Nancy]

I usually write the not 1 week ahead of time and then send another reminder 2 or 3 days before we leave. I ask for homework or any reading that needs to be done...and I make sure it gets done....no excuses. Thia year we leave on Mothers Day. I'm a little nervous about oldest DD...10th grade and she has missed alot of school this year due to illness. She isn't doing bad but at highschool level there is more catch up work when you get back. (especially those Science labs) She says she will be ok, that staying after every day isn't that bad.

 

[tkd lisa]

Another one who told them up front. I explained when we were going, what we were doing, and asked if the kids could do some sort of project about the vacation in lieu of work. In all our trips, only one teacher gave my child his "normal" work to do (and it was a LOT, for my then 4th grade son, while his 5th grade sister just had to do a journal). Most times, they will ask for a journal, or if you offer up a project (same son did a project on stingrays the year before when we went to Grand Cayman), they will take you up on that.

Now my kids are getting bigger, so our next vacation will be over Christmas break. They're going to miss the last 2 days before the holiday.