Would you take your child out of kindergarten for a vacation?

[jfranklyn]

We are considering taking the family to WDW in January. My daughter just started Kindergarten. I am very torn about this decision. Because of my husbands job (he's a minister), it's virtually impossible for us to travel when the kids are off for Christmas and Easter. Also, we HATE crowds (as I'm sure most people do). We could go in summer, but honestly don't think we could stand the heat. Because of a big implentation with my job, it's probably either we go in January or we would have to wait another year. Would you do it? What have all of your experiences been with this pulling kids out of kindergarten?

 

[Kimberle]

I'm planning on it next year. My dd will start kindergarten then.
She's in pre-k now, and know alot for her age. I really don't think that missing a week of school for k-3 or so will "hurt".

There are several theads about taking kids from school, just do a search (that is, when the search function works *LOL*).

Family time is very important. This will be our dd's 3rd trip to the "world". She treasures her memories & just spending time with us. (at 2.5, 3.5 & 4.5).

 

[beattyfamily]

I wouldn't hesitate taking our DD's out for a family trip in Kindergarten. It's when they get a bit older that it's harder.

I say go for it.

 

[jel0511]

I'm taking my DD out of kindergarten this year. She's only missing 3 half days though, we're going during Teacher Convention week, so we get two free days. I did think about taking her out for a full week, but I decided against it, since this week is available to me. We'll probably always travel during this week, since it's only 3 half days she'll miss. If this week wasn't available, I'd probably do it, but our school is very understading about family vacations, within reason.

 

[cathymailme]

We are going to Disney World in January, and will be taking our daughter out of Kindergarten for a week. I will be talking to her teacher about it during fall parent/teachers conferences. I am really not concerned about it. I will get the assignments prior to leaving and ensure my daughter completes them. I think i will worry a little more about it when my daughter gets older but for now i think the benefits of our time together outweigh my daughter missing school.

 

[taylor1293]

Absolutely I would! It's only Kindergarten, your child isn't going to miss much .

We are going in January. Not by choice but due to the in-laws. My preschooler and 4th grader are both going to miss a week of school.

Go and have a great time without all the crowds!

Teresa

 

[CindyAnn]

Go for it! Your DD won't miss calculus and they won't be splitting the atom. This is a great time to go, but it will get harder later on. My DH is a consultant, so we travel when it's convenient for his schedule. My children have missed a week of school for the last 3 years without any problems whatsoever. I will say that in every case their teachers have been very supportive, but by the same token, I don't expect them to go to any great lengths to prepare additional work for my kids. I just find out what page they should be up to in math, and whether there's a project coming up that they need to start on. DD is in French Immersion, so last year (Grade 1) we collected her vocabulary sheets when we got back, did some pages of math, and she read to me in French and English every day. (Just for the record, DD is now in Grade 2 and DS is in Grade 5 and they're both excellent students. If either of them had difficulties at school, I would certainly think twice about it). In Kindergarten the teacher just told us to have a fantastic trip, with no homework expectations.

They'll also be missing 6 days of school in January, and again, I'm not anticipating any difficulties. In fact, DD's current teacher was also DS's teacher 3 years ago, and when I provided her with a list of all the academic things DS could do while he was away, she looked at me like I was stark raving mad and said "RELAX! It's a VACATION. You're supposed to be having FUN!". DS and DD have been blessed with mostly wonderful teachers.

I hope you're able to have a wonderful trip!

 

[helenm29]

Actually I think Kindergarten is the BEST time to take them out! yes they do learn an awful lot at that time but most of it is basic stuff that you can teach them. After Kindergarten it starts to get a bit harder because of homework and everything is so advanced now. I would definately go for it! GOOD LUCK! Helen

 

[always dreamin']

We are doing it! We have had our trip planned for over a year for the whole family. At the time I made the reservation I didn't give it much thought that DD was going to be in Kindergarten. I am afraid she is going to miss a lot (the requirements of kindergartners these days scares me!). However, I am very excited about our trip. So...I will just write my letter to the school, get my nasty letter in the mail telling me how horrible of a parent I am because I'm doing this, go on vacation and have a great time...come home and feel bad that my vacation is over and DD missed school! Oh well...there are worse things in life and I'm not passing up an opportunity to share this experience with my whole family! Have I convinced myself yet?!

 

[Cthia]

I definitely would take my child out in kindergarten. I took my DD out in the 2nd grade and I am taking her out in the 3rd grade. I know that when they get older it will be harder for the kids to make things up in class when they aren't there, so I will have to adjust our vacation time.

I just sent a note to school telling them that she won't be at school that week and the teacher asked my DD if she could come along. I wasn't worried that I would get in trouble for pulling her out. Kids deserve to spend time with their families.

I think a lot of schools are realizing that a lot of families can not take a vacation when there is no school. I know they don't like to encourage it. Not everyone can get the same time off in the family.

Enjoy life it goes by too fast.

 

[~Sparkly~Zoe]

Absolutely! I have already done it twice now!

 

[Emy'sMom]

We took DD out of kindergarten for a week last Fall to go to DW. I told the teacher about 2 weeks in advance and asked if she wanted us to take any work with us that DD might miss. The teacher looked at me like I was crazy and said "Uh no, she's not going to miss much - this is only Kindergarten.". DD had no problems keeping up with her school work once we got back.

By the way, I believe Kindergarten is not mandatory in all states (For example Indiana's rule for Kindergarten is 'permissive' not 'mandatory')

DD will miss 3 days of First Grade next month for our DW trip. I don't anticipate any problems this time either.

Have fun!

Debbie

 

[QueenTriton]

Talk to the teacher about it. Our schools allow you to take your child out "on contract" for periods of 5 days or more. You have to obtain the classwork ahead and make a commitment to do a certain amount of work during the time. It amounts to an "independent study" situation. By doing it, the school will not lose its per diem money for your child during the time they are out. This assumes you live in a state that has a per diem payment to schools based on attendance. Also, there are other schools I know of that ask for a voluntary contribution of the money lost by the travel absence, and a lot of parents are more than willing to make the donation to the school.

 

[twotoohappy]

Kids are only small once so enjoy your time with them! I took my daughter out of Kindergarten and it was fine. This year she's missing a week of 2nd grade. We'll be doing some educational stuff their and she's bringing books to read and her work from school. The most important thing is the spending time as a family!
Enjoy yourselves!!!

 

[turnlisa]

When my DS was in kindergarten, I mentioned to the teacher that we would be taking him out for a week. She was surprised that I even mentioned it! While we were there we made sure to stop in Mexico at Epcot and pick up a few things. The kids were studying Spanish (yes, in kindergarten). We picked up some toys from Mexico as well as a pinata. My DS took this to school and the teacher really appreciated it. I think as long as the teacher is fine with it, go ahead! They really don't miss much in kindergarten and it is pretty easy to get them caught up.

This year my DS is in 2nd grade and I was really anxious to take him out. His teacher this year said not to worry about it! Yeah! Go and have a great time!

 

[Bunchkin]

Our DD is in Kindergarten and we will be taking her out of school for our Christmas trip to WDW. But she will only be missing one day of school!!
We are driving down this year and want to leave early.
I already told her teacher she will miss one day. And she said that she could give DD a vacation journal to fill out about her trip.
The bad part is that she will probably be missing her class Christmas party.
I was actually more worried about that than her missing any work.

 

[memymomonica]

My daughter will be missing a week of school in a few weeks. I guess I am lucky, I told her principal about it and she said "Great, sounds like good family time". Maybe it is a perk of a DOD (Deptartment of Defense) school. When Daddy's is gone so much, family time is more important than anything else. I told her Kindergarten teacher, and she was excited because she went to DisneyWorld this summer. No problems here. Skip School and Enjoy!

 

[always dreamin']

Gosh...I'm jealous! Sure wish my DD's school was as understanding as some of your school's I'm reading about. I've already been warned from several people about the nasty letter issue. Every chance the school gets they inform you that vacations are unexcused absences and make-up work is not allowed. Oh well...I'm still going and I plan to have a GREAT time!

 

[Dis#1]

From an academic standpoint, I have a very close friend who is principle of a large elementary center. She has always stressed that if your going to pull the kids from school, the only grade she is concerned about is 1st. She worked as a reading specialist for 10 years prior to becoming a principle, and has said 1st grade is monumental for kids developing their core reading skills and any time they miss can have a negative impact, even if the child is "bright".

So.... I'd say do it now (as I am, leaving on 10/3) and get at least one visit in before you are really limited with options.

HAVE FUN!!!!!!!

 

[tmanykids]

My son just started Kindergarten in early August. We are leaving on the 20th for a week, so he will miss the whole week. I've spoken to his teacher and she is fine with it, but I need to send the letter to the principal. I don't anticipate it to be a problem, but we have a few plans to make it educational at the same time. He will have is own camera to take pictures, and we are putting an alphabet album together from the photos. In addition, Epcot will offer lots of educational experience as well.

I say go for it! They are only young once and you don't want to miss a tremendous family opportunity!