what grade to stop taking kids out of school for dvc vacations?

[aprincessmom]

Gee, this is a tough one. When we took our kids out in March, we were given the class assignments before we left. DH and I, the parents, without a teaching certificate or anything, were actually able to answer any questions that our kids had about their homework. Voila!!! No lost time when the kids came back, they were on top of everything, and the teacher didn't have to disrupt class to teach what they had missed.

Well, of course. They are the children of DISsers, who we all know are miles ahead of the rest of the class in their ability to absorb information, grasp new concepts, and conquer the world! I happen to be the parent of one of those children myself!

The reality is that not all children are like that, not all children have parents who sit down with them and help with learning concepts, not all children have parents who are involved and active in their learning. Not all parents take responsibility for their role in their child(ren)'s education.

So if you have a class of 26 students in February with one week scheduled for vacation, now you have 3 weeks for teaching. Then you have a trend where 50% plus of the class is missing the week prior or the week post-vacation, you have 1 week to introduce new concepts or skills. Add to that typical absences for illness and there isn't a whole lot of learning going on during that month. Maintenance of already acquired skills but no true learning.

We can debate this till the cows come home. You don't see it as a problem for your children and, quite honestly, it's not a problem for my DD. What irks me is that everyone sees this decision as affecting only their child(ren) and the rest of the world be damned. It isn't and it doesn't.

And it's nice to have you back Brenda! Some of us have missed you

 

[AF Brenda]

And it's nice to have you back Brenda! Some of us have missed you

Thanks!! It's good to be back! I missed some y'all too!

 

[A kid at heart]

I have no problem taking my kids out of school to vacation. Just because its summer for the teachers and the school system doesn't mean thats the same time as the parents time off. Not all places work on the same summer off schedule. In fact for some its the busy time for their occupation.
Now when it comes to college I can see the problem cause the workload is so much harder.

 

[supercarrie]

It got difficult for me when I was in 8th grade. I missed a week last year (10th grade) and I did homework every day during my vacation, so I didn't have a lot of trouble. Of course, I took my vacation in May, and left the day after my last AP test - if I had taken it before the AP tests it would have made my life much more difficult.

Next year I will be missing two weeks of school (eek) to go on a school-sponsored Model UN trip to Russia and Finland. Even though we have homework time every night, I am very nervous about missing that much school. But it is a once in a lifetime trip to go to these countries, and it is a school organization going, so I am doing it.

I think it really depends on the student and on how the school views the vacations. Some years were harder than others depending on how the school and teachers viewed the missed classes.

 

[erikthewise]

What grade should you stop taking them out of school?
I'd say 17, first year of graduate school. They really need time to study for those preliminary/general exams.

 

[CindyKansas]

Our DD is in 8th grade now. This is the first year we haven't scheduled a trip during the school year. but I wouldn't hesitate to do so. January of this year, DD was in 7th grade, and she missed a week of school. We did go to WDW but we also took her to Savannah and she was really impressed with that. A great history lesson. Our DD has never had any problem catching up after returning from a vacation.

 

[Planogirl]

Our school district is very strict about missing time for vacations and their rules have nothing to do with the teachers. These rules are set by the school board and the teachers have to follow them.

Our school district does however provide a lot of time off during the school year with our Fall Break being the quietest time.

 

[MaryAnnDVC]

Originally posted by aprincessmom
The reality is that not all children are like that, not all children have parents who sit down with them and help with learning concepts, not all children have parents who are involved and active in their learning. Not all parents take responsibility for their role in their child(ren)'s education.

I agree...and perhaps those parents should rethink their decision.

We take our children out every year for WDW the week after Thanksgiving. Oldest DD is entering HS this year and is an excellent student, as well as respectful and conscientious...even teachers who have been less than thrilled about the issue itself agree that kids like her aren't the real problem...it's the ones who have problems in school or miss a lot of school anyway. Taking the kids out of school does, and always did, concern me, but so far so good. And until it actually becomes a problem, I'm not going to consider it one.

Last year, DD missed about 20 days of school due to illness, many of those days early in the year...she was diagnosed at the end of October. Before getting a diagnosis (Leukemia had been suspected), I told her teachers that between the fear of DD being seriously ill and the events of September 11th, if DD was healthy enough to go, we were going, despite the days she had already missed. They wholeheartedly agreed.

It is our school districts policy NOT to give homework ahead of time, but gives a week to make up the work. To make things easier, I'm thinking of bringing DH's laptop, so oldest DD especially can get the work while on vacation. Also, on past trips they have done work that had already been assigned prior to the trip but due after it.

One last note...DH met a couple one year at WDW who had gone there every year...except two...since it opened, and always took the kids out of school. One year they missed it because they bought a new house, another because DS wasn't doing well in school. The oldest DD took it upon herself to tutor her younger siblings after that so they wouldn't miss any more annual trips...and went on to become a teacher (and she and a sibling both had their weddings at WDW) who gets excited for her own students who have the same opportunity.

 

[gepetto]

I don't take my kids out of school for vacations. We go during the summer when it's hot, expensive and crowded. It's all a personal choice. If your school district and your kid's teacher don't care, then go right ahead. Have fun. All the less crowded for me during the summer. If no one took their kids out of school it would be ultra-packed when I go.

 

[Dancind]

My DD missed a week late in 2nd grade, and her teacher made her do every single worksheet she had missed within 3 days of returning. Tough, but we got it done. Same thing at the beginning of 5th grade. That was harder, because we went the first week in Sept., and I think it kept her from getting into the routine in the classroom. Of course, there were other things going on (an undiagnosed LD), but we wound up home schooling for the rest of the year it was so bad (though we got another trip in!). She's in 6th grade this year, and I have booked a 7 day cruise for Oct. 5. She will only miss three days of school because of Fall break. We have to get approval from the Principal, and it is the last week of the grading period as it turns out. She is in enriched classes, so probably has more work than most kids. I'm hoping for the best, but this will probably be the last year we take her out of school. It's a shame, because our trips during off season have been incredible family time. Diana

 

[dalepool]

I'm well aware that there are parents who spend little time helping their children with homework. These would not be the parents who would take their children on vacations anyway.

Just a thought ---now this is meant to be funny----If you are worried about taking your kids out of school TAKE ME--I already have a college degree and I could use the time off.

Life is short. I wish in my old age I never have to say " I wish I would have---------" Memories live on forever and can be passed down for generations to come.

Take your kids as much as possible-----there may come a time when they would rather stay home alone. ( when they are old enough of course)

PattyN

 

[shortbun]

At this point ds is just entering 1st grade so
no big deal. However, I would not take him
out of school for WDW over and over again.
If I could present something educational-like
a trip to Williamsburg, Monticello and Roanoke
Island(all signifcant American history destinations
and on our vacation itinerary), I would not
hesitate to take him out of school. He's missing
the first 2 days this year. At this point in life,
I feel strongly that missed school must be
replaced by something rich either in cultural
differences or history,geography or science
information. We'll be doing WDW during Spring
Break, it's loads of fun but barely educational.
Otherwise, I'd say 3rd grade would be my limit
to missing school unless it was utterly imperative.
I reserve the right to change my mind later!
mimi

 

[Ranatra]

Some people don't get their vacation in the summertime. Should their children never experience Disney?

We've always had to take our vacation in January or February.
My kids were all in high school and I picked a week where they had some scheduled time off and ended up missing only 3 days of school. None of them ever had a problem catching up.
Now the 2 youngest are in college, oldest is graduated, it is no longer possible to take them with us.

I will treasure those memories forever.

 

[Buckalew]

I agree, Ranatra.
I'll continue to take DD out of school as long as she can keep up with the work and is not struggling. My parents always took us out of school and those are some wonderful family memories.

If the child is struggling, then I'd hope those parents would rethink their choice.


Mare!!! Always good to see you!!

 

[Princess_Aurora]

I think as long as you get your assignments ahead of time and do them before you leave or set aside time during the vacation to do them, you should be okay. That's what I did when I was in school and that's what I plan on having my kids do.