What's the most days you would take your child out of school

[triplefigs]

for a trip to Disney (consecutive days-not cumulative)? My kids will be in Kindergarten next year, and we're trying to plan.

Thanks!

 

[dismom9761]

For Kindergarten I would take them out for 5 days.The most allowed here without getting in alot of trouble. Enjoy-it gets much harder as they get older.

 

[staci]

Well, you will get answers all over the board on this one.

For ME, the MAXIMUM that I would be comfortable with is 5 days (one week). I would PREFER to have a week that school is already out 1-2 days, so that the absence would only be 3-4 days, and being a shortened week, likely less new concepts would be missed.

Of course, if at any point I feel my children are struggling with school (whether that be kindergarden or 11th grade), I would lessen that. Not that kids who struggle dont need vacation, I know they do probably more than anyone else I just would not want to remove them from the classroom for that long and have them fall further behind.

JMHO, no one opinion is 'right' on this one.

 

[Schmeck]

My kids missed 7 days one year for our WDW trip. They were fine, had all their work made up 3 days after they got back, but I helped the teachers with it. I got chewed out on my work review (I work at a school as well, and took unpaid leave. It was a planned family reunion!) for excess absences, even though many staff members had been taking two weeks off every year in the same school district, just at a different school!

I'll be doing it again next December, as I am taking my cousin and her family down to the World for their first visit!

 

[runner26.2]

We took our DD9 (grade 4) and DD6 (grade 1) out of school for 7 school days this November for our trip. The teachers were very co-operative and encouraging. We took along some homework which was done on the flights ... but not much while actually at WDW. Our DD9 also did a daily journal which she handed in upon return.

Our DD9 recently brought home her interim report card and it was the best report card she had ever had. Now I just have to convince DW that the improved marks was solely the result of Disney Magic so we can go every year for 10 days

 

[Mom to Jordan]

RunnerDS,

That happend to DS once too. He was mostly A's at that point but always ended up with one B. The term we were at WDW he pulled all A's. I also was sure WDW magic did it!!!
I also tend to say 5 days even in kindergarten but not so much for the academic reason. Many kids would have a tough time going back into the classroom after so much time out. Also at that age, friendships change so fast and being out too long might make it hard to work their way back into the friendship circle.

Go and enjoy!!!!

Jordan's mom

 

[THESCHULTZFIVE]

We've taken my DD9 out for 5 days in Kindergarten, 1st grade, and then this year in 4th grade. The other years weren't bad, but this year was hard. She had ALOT of work to do. We took some of it with us on the trip, but c'mon, how much work are you really gonna get done at Disney World. When she got back she then had several test to make up. We are starting homeschool next year luckily because I've been warned that the 5th grade workload would probably be too much to make up.

 

[luvmy2sams]

We took DD6 out of Kindergarten last year for 3 days. We're pulling her out for 7 days next month, though. I think it all depends on how your child is currently doing in school and what you personally feel comfortable doing. I can't imagine it being an issue for a kindergartener.

Happy planning!

 

[DisTeach1]

I don't think it is at all an issue with kindergardeners-What are they going to miss? But, we are taking our son out of 7th next year and I admit to being worried about it. In fact, I have a post on the Theme Park board. I would like to stay for an additional night, but he would then miss an extra day of school. I'm just not sure.

 

[Mulan'sMom]

I took DD5 out of kindergarten for five days this past October. I asked the teacher fo all of her homework in advance, and we turned it in the Monday she returned to school. I'm planning a trip for 2007, and will take it in November during the infamous "Jersey Week" so she'll only miss 2 days of class. During the week that includes election day, NJ school districts are closed for 2 - 3 days for teacher conferences. Hordes of Garden Staters take 2 extra days off and head to Disney, hence "Jersey Week."

 

[mrsv98]

We are taking DD out for two school weeks next month but will only be 8 days because of holidays. She is in Kdg and is frankly way ahead of most of the kids so I am not concerned a bit. In fact, one of her good friends has been gone since Thanksgiving, her family took them "home" to India! We can't wait until she comes back after break to hear about all her adventures.

 

[In a hurry]

There isn't anything taught in K that you can't cover better one-on-three. So, I would figure on taking however many I was legally allowed to take.

 

[stacy6552]

We've taken our son out of school for a week before. And yep, they wont be missing the lecture on brainsurgery while you're gone.

We just got back from a 5 day trip, where I tried to minimize the time away from school. We left late on a Friday, so the kids would be in school all day and came back at bedtime on a Wednesday, so they could be in school Thursday and Friday. Well school was closed the Friday of our departure and again on the Thursday and Friday after we got back. That'll teach me to try and be a "responsible" parent.

 

[triplefigs]

I think we've decided on 4 days of school to miss. That'll give us 5 days in the parks (and 2 travel days). They will miss a Thurs/Fri and the next Mon/Tues. At least they'll be in class 3 days each week. I believe it will be much better going earlier in the month and avoiding the crowds. Thanks again!

 

[triplefigs]

And yep, they wont be missing the lecture on brainsurgery while you're gone.

 

[tinaluis]

We just got back from a trip and took our daughers (one in 1st grade and one in 4th grade) out for two whole school weeks. Their teachers were very cooperative in getting work together before our trip so they weren't behind when we got back. They had to make up tests (which meant missing music and gym for a few days until they were caught up). My 4th grader said the teacher announced to the whole class that it was like she'd never missed 2 weeks of instruction because she scored the second highest in the class on one of her tests. I agree with the majority (and I love the comment about not missing the lecture on brain surgery)-- take your child for as long as you feel comfortable and have a great trip!

 

[LOLA2]

I am taking out my 4th grade daughter for 2 weeks 10 school days. We drive down and back from WI that is about 4-6 days wasted right there. then we plan on going on 4 day cruise 2 days Universal and 4 days Disney. I don't know what I would cut out if I had to shorten our trip. I have gone over holidays and summer - never again either too hot or too busy! (October is a great time too go. I think one trip a year is good for every family!!

 

[pirateofthecarolinas]

Mine were out for 7 days. They went one of those days. I had to take them out before a 1/2 day to catch our plane, so they were counted absent. I only heard rumblings from my 5th grader's math teacher. I know that this was our last year taking him out because it will become too difficult in middle school.

My DD's 3rd grade teacher said at Open House to please not take your child out for a week to go to Disney World! So sorry,............ the reservations have already been made.

We've taken them out in early Dec. for 4 out of the past 5 years. It hasn't been a problem!

Lori

 

[blessedby3]

We took our three kids out for a week the week after Thanksgiving. I have a 10th grader, 5th grader and 1st grader. No problems. I had the kids make up all work before we left (it was definately easier with the younger two who are in private Christian school- the older public school child couldnt get them to fork over any work!) and they transitioned back easily into their schedule. My oldest didnt end up with too much make up work and is still on the honor roll, no dropping of grades here. We have done this all along, taking them out, and it works better for us. We can enjoy Disney more because of lower crowds and we feel like we get our moneys worth. Kindergarten- piece of cake. Wouldnt hesitate to take them out for a week at all.

 

[JenDaveBrendan]

We are taking our half-day kindergardener out for 2 weeks in January. The principal's office and his teacher are both very supportive.
He is pretty much at the head of his class, and he is in the top reading group - so this makes me feel better. I plan on having him keep a daily journal (this will keep him going with his writing) and also having him read (he thinks this is fun anyway) - his teacher will give me his weekly math homework he is missing. (which is about 8 problems a week)
However, I think this will be the last year I will take him out for 2 weeks... I don't know if he would miss too much in later grades. But, I would probably still pull him out at least a week in later grades (as long as he was doing okay in school)- I grew up going to Disney during school vacations - my parents were teachers - and I will never, ever go during that time again!! It is SO much better off-season!!