What is the maximum number of days...

[gemjoy]

you would consider taking your kids out of school for a Disney World/ Disney cruise vacation???? I'll also welcome suggestions on how to discuss this with the school. THANK~YOU!!!

 

[crisi]

This is a really personal thing and is going to depend on a lot of factors.

State law where you live
Your schools policies
How much you believe in following policies
How old your kids are
What afterschool activities they are in
How they are doing in school
What time of year you are talking about
etc.

PERSONALLY, the MOST I'll pull my kids out for is five days consecutively. And perhaps one or two additional days scattered through the year.

oogieboogie had a nice letter. I'll see if I can't search it up. Even there, there is variation. Some districts require you to justify "educational value" and maybe even do some sort of "lesson plan." Others will be fine with a written note "we will be on vacation Oct 10 - 17th." Overjustifying a trip to a teacher who just needs a note will get the note passed in the teachers lounge with "yeah, right - between Space Mountain rides they are going to journal and sketch the flowers used in the landscaping!" Underjustifying a trip to a school that requires documentation of educational value will end up with unexcused absenses.

 

[dtsaos]

I think it depends on the age of your children, the school policy, the type of kids you have, etc. We're taking our son turning 5 in sept (actually on our trip) out of Kindergarden for 2 weeks in september and the school is fine with it. And we really don't care what anyone else thinks because we know our son and how quickly he adapts to situations and that he's very bright and we have no doubt that the trip will not effect him in any negative way in regards to school. Plus, this may be the last year that we would feel comfortable taking him out for more than a week so we want to take advantage of it. And FYI we're not doing it because of the free dining offer-we've been planning this since Feb. Anyway, bottom line is only you know your child well enough to decide. Good Luck!

 

[beattyfamily]

Right now, it would be 5 days maximum. When my now 9 year old was in Kindergarten she missed a week for Disney and 3 or 4 days for Paris, France. That was the most.

I wouldn't do that now though. Actually this December will probably be the last full week she'll miss school (4th grade). I'm planning on a long weekend next year, missing 3 days.

 

[tlbwriter]

Like everything, "it depends." The older the child, the fewer days I'd consider. And I would not do it at all during the first month of school (if this works for you, that's great, but I would not do it with my child). Right now I have no problem with my soon-to-be first grader missing 5 consecutive days right before Christmas break.

 

[idoteech]

As a teacher, I agree with the previous poster and say the older the child, the LESS time you should take them out of school. I teach 7th grade and I have at least 2 students every year that miss school due to Disney. We are fairly flexible and I usually send their work with them. I would say if they are Jr. High age, no more than a week of school. I have seen good students fall behind due to trips over a week. Just a thought. Have a great time!

 

[Tammi67]

Here is the link to the thread with the letter.....

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=844864

 

[gemjoy]

thank you all for your honesty I'm new to this... So here is the situation... My DH was diagnosed in February with Hodgkins Lymphoma and is currently going through chemo (six months of chemo) and will begin radiation in August. He's responding very well to treatment but it's been a long haul. Anyway ~ our DD is 9 and our DS is 10. We have always wanted to take them to Disney World and this seemed like the perfect time to plan a family trip (DH being sick has been hard on the kids) Soooooo ~ we bit the bullet and booked a 4 day stay at Disney world followed by a 7 day Eastern disney cruise!!!!! God only knows when we'll get to go again so ~ we're going all out! BUT ~ it means 9 days out of school...... It's just such a important trip for us ~ I tear up just thinking about how close we came to not being able to share a trip like this as a family and feel that we really need to do this. My kids attend a catholic school and are both honor roll and the trip is from the 28th of Feb to March 11th 2006. I plan to double up on school work before the trip ~ What do you all think????? Thanks again for all opinions and honesty. I know it's alot of days to miss school but I just want this trip so badly for all of us.

 

[tlbwriter]

These are obviously special circumstances. I assume you've talked to doctors and other patients who've undergone chemo/radiation and have been assured he'll feel good enough to go on a trip by that date? I'd just explain it to the kids' teachers - surely they'll understand. Good luck to all of you!

 

[dtsaos]

thank you all for your honesty I'm new to this... So here is the situation... My DH was diagnosed in February with Hodgkins Lymphoma and is currently going through chemo (six months of chemo) and will begin radiation in August. He's responding very well to treatment but it's been a long haul. Anyway ~ our DD is 9 and our DS is 10. We have always wanted to take them to Disney World and this seemed like the perfect time to plan a family trip (DH being sick has been hard on the kids) Soooooo ~ we bit the bullet and booked a 4 day stay at Disney world followed by a 7 day Eastern disney cruise!!!!! God only knows when we'll get to go again so ~ we're going all out! BUT ~ it means 9 days out of school...... It's just such a important trip for us ~ I tear up just thinking about how close we came to not being able to share a trip like this as a family and feel that we really need to do this. My kids attend a catholic school and are both honor roll and the trip is from the 28th of Feb to March 11th 2006. I plan to double up on school work before the trip ~ What do you all think????? Thanks again for all opinions and honesty. I know it's alot of days to miss school but I just want this trip so badly for all of us.

I wouldn't worry about the 9 days of school. I'm sure they will bounce back from being absent very quickly. When they look back on their childhood some day, the time spent together as a family and taking this special vacation is what will really matter.

 

[meandtheguys2]

Looking forward to a Disney trip is what got my mom...and us...thru her first round of chemo. Just started a second round and have another trip planned for Jan. Have an awesome vacation, and know that your children can catch up with whatever they miss.

 

[crisi]

Under those circumstances, I'd pull them for as long as you think necessary. The school will understand and I'm sure they will work with you. Enjoy yourselves, and good luck with your husband's recovery.

 

[Mom to Jordan]

In your situation I would too take them for an extended period of time. Under normal situations I tend to say 1 week for k-8, less for high school and no limit for preschool.

God bless your family and this specail trip.

Jordan's mom

 

[Duckfan-in-Chicago]

School is important, but family is more important. Your kids are both on the honor roll so should be able to make up the work if they try. I would have no problem taking my son out for 5 days under normal conditions if he were a decent student.

 

[kristen17]

Oh, bless your heart.

Go! A special vacation is exactly what your family needs.

School will still be there, and they are small enough to catch up. I can't imagine you'll get any flack from the school.

 

[kmjmom]

I am a teacher and granted I may be biased as I AM a Disney afficianado too, but I believe quality family time is a priority. As long as the absences from school are not consistent and are as valuable as the posting from Gemjoy, I don't think a parent should worry. I know there are plenty of teachers who would disagree, but for this Disney Mom, I think family comes first! Have a great trip Gemjoy having just had a good friend complete Chemo and now endure daily radiation, I think I can understand what a boost this will be for you and your family. Best wishes for yourfor your DH's health!