What happens if you have to cancel your trip? Do you lose $750 in airfare?

[kldmom2000]

I do hope you can work this out. (Personally I think missing First grade isn't that bad, high school you are probably going to pay for it. I missed a week in High School to go to Spain with another high school. The only reason I could pull it off was it was Spring Semester of my Senior year so I only had a few hard classes. ONe was honors Spanish so she was great to work with. I had pretty much finished all the other required classes so I had some great things like "family living" and "study hall" LOL!)

I totally agree-my parents pulled me out in my freshman year of HS and I fell so far behind..... my teachers were completely unsympathetic and refused any extra help on anything I missed-would also not let me make up any missed work for the 5 days I was out.... I struggled the rest of the year. I swore I'd never do that to one of my kids and that's why we picked this year to do it so that it's 1st grade and I will be helping her keep up. We figured this was our one and only time to do this, so we jumped at the chance... just hoping to get some answers from the specialists soon so I can make a decision on to go or not....

Thanks again for your info and help!! I do appreciate it!

 

[mytwotinks]

I say go on your trip. Even little girls with medical issues deserve family vacations!

 

[Pumbaa_]

Life is short, take the vacation, sounds like you need it. Unexcused is much different. As long as you understand the policy and get doctor notes for her visits, you should be fine.

I hope it all works out and you enjoy a year of good health!

 

[CapeCod53]

Duxbury has had this no more than 10 days missed for years now because the middle school & high school are on a block schedule, they have only 4
1 1/2 hr classes per day plus lunch.Each class only meets 2-3 times each week. However it is not that you will be held back a grade but that you will go down a grade (ie from an A to a B) on you report card. There are absolutely no excused absences here, even to go on college interviews. They are really only strict with the 7-12 grades, not the elementary grades. However, medical issues are a totally different thing, not even serious issues. My daughter had a terrible bout of poison ivy & she missed over a week of school & it was no problem at all. I was told that any medical issue with a doctor's note wd not cause a problem for the child. We took fall trips to wdw when my daughter was in both 1st & 3rd grade & it was not a problem for her. She got chicken pox in 1st grade so she must have missed more than 10 days then & did not suffer any problems with her grades.

 

[Lewisc]

Not to be rude but you really shouldn't be listening to any of us. I don't think missing 4 days for a family vacation is a big deal for a first grader but it's really between you and your school. My problem is with the posters who think you should do what want or even complain to the superintendent. Talk to the school. Tell them the vacation was planned before the new policy and you can't change without significant cancellation penalties.

Sorry but saying, my friends on DIS said it was OK to have my kids skip school for 4 days really isn't a viable point to make.

 

[manning]

If your state is like our state, all I have to say is what schools will do to get money. In our state the schools get state funding based on attendance, so to keep attendance high they threaten to lower your child's grade if they miss school. I know someone who home schools and this is one reason she does it. She said if my child is doing "A+" work she will get an A+ grade. The accomplishment is what counts.

 

[Mickey-4-Me]

I would think they mean 10 unexcused absences. A Dr. note should do to get her to the next grade. I would take the trip. It is only 4 days.

I agree.

It sounds unreasonable to stamp a "10 day No Excuse limit." I would be willing to bet that the 10 days are for unexcused absences. Take the trip. Your daughter is only missing school for 4 days. My kids are missing school for 6 days.

 

[Lisa_Belle]

Did you get trip insurance? If so, it should cover your expenses. If not, I would just call Disney and Delta and explain the situation and ask if you can rebook. If there is no way they will let you - or if there is no way your DH can get any time off at another time - I would take the vacation regardless of the consequences. I've had that surgery (or a similar one - was never told the exact name since I was a child at the time), and it's no picnic. Best wishes to your girls.

 

[Cora]

If your state is like our state, all I have to say is what schools will do to get money. In our state the schools get state funding based on attendance, so to keep attendance high they threaten to lower your child's grade if they miss school.

Actually this is now tied to the Federal "No Child Left Behind" initiative. Quite the pain and it effects EVERYTHING!

 

[manning]

Actually this is now tied to the Federal "No Child Left Behind" initiative. Quite the pain and it effects EVERYTHING!

I graduated high school in the early 60's. From the day I entered into public school they have been tying money to attendance.

 

[ro80]

I agree with Mickeyfan2. The 10 absences are probably "10 unexcused absences". You would think that her time spent at Boston Children's should definitely be counted as "excused". It's not like you are keeping her home unnecessarily. A doctor's note should count as excused and shame on your school department if they don't excuse her. I would get that clarified before making any decisions. By the way, you ARE in the best hands at BCH. My son was there 3 years ago twice a month apart for a problem to correct an abnormal heart beat and the docs there are the BEST!!! Good Luck and here's some pixie dust for all of you!!

 

[cherokeemamma]

I just wanted to throw in my two cents...

I say take the vacation. Your family sounds like you need some fun and time together not thinking about medical issues. I have gone through some serious medical stuff in my family and when you come out the other side you realize family is first!
Take the trip and relax. Laugh and make some great memories. There is no better place to escape from the realities of everyday life than Disney. Later in life, your daughter(s) will not remember what they would have learned in school for these 4 days but they will always remember the vacation to WDW.
I would do it in a heartbeat. BTW, you have already planned and booked the trip. That sounds like a good enough excuse to me.

Have a great time and God Bless your little girls.

 

[pixistix]

If you write a letter to the school principal explaining how this is an educational trip (learning in EPCOT and Animal Kingdom) they can grant the days as excused absences. But you have to get the letter to them early enough. I'd give it to them as soon as school starts, if not sooner.

 

[manning]

I overheard someone say you learn more in the real world than you do in a class room. And that person was a teacher/principal.

 

[pixiechick]

In the district where I teach, the policy is 10 days period-doesn't matter if they are excused or not.
BUT- it is generally only enforced if the child is doing poorly, needs the additional year and the parents are in disagreement with that decision. No child performing well in class would be retained because they missed 12-15 days, excused or not.
I used to teach first grade (yrs ago, I have the big guys now! ) 4 days at that time of year isn't earth shattering but isn't unimportant. Lots of developing routines, getting into the habits of the school day. You know your daughter best-does she adapt easily?
Again, it is between you and your school. I wouldn't deal with the district office. If you talk to anyone, go to the school principal. Good luck with your decision and best wishes for your daughter's health.

 

[MickeyCrazed]

Life is too short to worry about "maybes." Take the trip and enjoy the time with your family!

 

[Brooknwdw]

Oh, and I also wanted to add that I did look into the new policy further by researching it online in our city's school website and it does say that it's 10 UNexcused absences. I've just been nervous about the 4 days to begin with and then this all came about making me very concerned....

The trip is still up in the air.

Thank you though for all your help!

Haven't read all but....Please, take your trip! It certainly sounds like your family needs it!

My youngest son has a heart defect and has undergone two heart surgeries. So I know the heartache and worry you are going through.

About the absences...as you found out, the rule is 10 UNexcused absences. You are only using 4, and will probably not use more in the school year.

We are taking our kids out for 6 days this year...they will be UNexcused, counting towards the 10 we are allowed. It doesn't bother me at all. All other absenses they would have, would be excused (sickness, etc).

I have explained reasons to the appropriate people, and that is the end of it. I think people are too afraid of things like this, it is your child, with your own issues to deal with. If I was too bothered I would take them out of the public school system. I am planning to Home School in the near future so as I said I am not too bothered by it. I have found that as long as you communicate, the administration is pretty accomodating. JMO

 

[irisbud]

They instituted a 10 absence policy in my public HS while I was in attandance there. I went over this by 8 days during my Senior year, some due to a serious illness, others because I rode horses very competitvley, and many competitions were held on weekdays, in other cities.

I was a good student, though, and we made an appeal, which is what we were advised we would have to do at the beginning of the year when we asked how stricktly the policy would be enforced. I had no problems, as we had kept Doctor and ER records, as well as records from my horse shows.

Good Luck!

Take your trip and enjoy!

 

[zurgswife]

I stongly suggest that any and all parents that have kids with serious medical issues that are on going look into having a 504 plan. It will protect your kids if there medical needs get unexpectally worse.

 

[beeayekay]

Life is too short to worry about "maybes." Take the trip and enjoy the time with your family!

Dear kldmom2000,

As an educator for over 33 years, I have seen many instances where familiy vacations and bonding helped unify families going through difficult times. However, it is a shame the educational systems in our country have been reduced to making attendance demands for accountability purposes. Attaining good test scores is not enough for adequate yearly progress --- schools must attain certain attendance levels as well or they will be listed as not making adequate yearly progress.

I agree with MickeyCrazed---life's too short. Go to Disney

God bless