For those of you that have school-age children, do you take them out of school for vacations at WDW. I know most people don't, hence the busy summer season, but I just cannot take the peak crowds. I have a friend who has a child with special needs so the teachers are somewhat lenient in letting them makeup work so they can vacation in cooler months. I know someone else that just doesn't care if the teachers "frown" on them taking their kids out of school, they are going to WDW anyway. And all the long weekends are pretty much packed at WDW so there goes that idea. Just wondering if you all have any advice, tips, experience with this. Thanks!
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Kids and school
- Thread starter DisneyDreams09
- Start date
Monty
Brilliant...and Canadian
- In the Parks
- No
There are loads of opinions on this subject.
I took DS13 out of school for a week every year from SK to grade 7. Teachers never questioned it. Perhaps because he does particularly well and they were never concerned that he couldn't catch up. :shrug:
I've decided not to continue because I feel missing a week in grade 8 or in High School has the potential to be more detrimental, but it's a personal choice. If you feel comfortable doing so, by all means.
I took DS13 out of school for a week every year from SK to grade 7. Teachers never questioned it. Perhaps because he does particularly well and they were never concerned that he couldn't catch up. :shrug:
I've decided not to continue because I feel missing a week in grade 8 or in High School has the potential to be more detrimental, but it's a personal choice. If you feel comfortable doing so, by all means.
tigsmom
Well-Known Member
We used to, up until the time my oldest was in 6th grade. There was just too much work to try and catch up on. We started going during Spring Break or summer vacation.
While our school district tried to discourage taking kids out of school for vacations, they realize that not everyone has a flexible schedule and you have time off when they give it to you. The kids were always given work to do to keep up while we were away or had packets waiting for them when we returned.
While our school district tried to discourage taking kids out of school for vacations, they realize that not everyone has a flexible schedule and you have time off when they give it to you. The kids were always given work to do to keep up while we were away or had packets waiting for them when we returned.
KingStefan
Well-Known Member
This is an often discussed topic.
If you want a few other opinions (some quite heated at times), see the following threads:
http://forums.wdwmagic.com/showthread.php?t=87107
http://forums.wdwmagic.com/showthread.php?t=22883
http://forums.wdwmagic.com/showthread.php?t=221300
http://forums.wdwmagic.com/showthread.php?t=219234
http://forums.wdwmagic.com/showthread.php?t=137608
http://forums.wdwmagic.com/showthread.php?t=79625
http://forums.wdwmagic.com/showthread.php?t=39836
http://forums.wdwmagic.com/showthread.php?t=7588
I made this list last Oct, and I'm sure that there have been others since then as well.
If you want a few other opinions (some quite heated at times), see the following threads:
http://forums.wdwmagic.com/showthread.php?t=87107
http://forums.wdwmagic.com/showthread.php?t=22883
http://forums.wdwmagic.com/showthread.php?t=221300
http://forums.wdwmagic.com/showthread.php?t=219234
http://forums.wdwmagic.com/showthread.php?t=137608
http://forums.wdwmagic.com/showthread.php?t=79625
http://forums.wdwmagic.com/showthread.php?t=39836
http://forums.wdwmagic.com/showthread.php?t=7588
I made this list last Oct, and I'm sure that there have been others since then as well.
happymom52003
Active Member
Here is my advice to you.....it is difficult to make your decision based on opinions you will find here since so many people feel strongly about this topic one way or another, so if I were you I would base my decison on the following things:
1. Your personal feelings about it.
I know some parents who feel that it does not set a good example for their children to miss school for WDW or any other non illness related reason, regardless of what the schools policy is. But since you are considering doing it, this might not be an issue.
2. Your school's policy on missing school.
Some schools are pretty strict, while others are very relaxed....find out what the consequences will be if you miss too many days. It may not be worth it in some cases.
3. Other parent's experiences at YOUR school.
It can be very helpful to talk to other parents who have takent their kids out for non illness reasons. It can give you an idea on how the teachers and the school responded.
4. The grade level of your child.
The work gets harder to make up the older they get.
5. Your child's ability to make up the work.
If you have an older student who struggles in school, this could effect your decision.
Now for my personal views on it.....
As a former teacher of first grade, I had no problem with my students missing a week to go on vacation. Some of my fellow teachers however, did. It totally depends on the personality and attitude of the teacher.
As a parent, I do choose to take my kids out of school for WDW trips. But we will reach a point in a few years where we will probably stop taking them out because the work will be harder to make up. But as long as we are able to, we will take them out.
Also, we go to a private school. If we attended the public school in our area, there is no way we would be able to take the kids out....the school district is very strict about it.
I know this can be a hard decision to make. Good luck!:wave:
edit: I should add that the time of year you choose to take them out should also be taken into consideration. I try to find out when any testing or special events/projects are happening for my child's grade level before I plan my trips so that we can avoid missing during those times.
1. Your personal feelings about it.
I know some parents who feel that it does not set a good example for their children to miss school for WDW or any other non illness related reason, regardless of what the schools policy is. But since you are considering doing it, this might not be an issue.
2. Your school's policy on missing school.
Some schools are pretty strict, while others are very relaxed....find out what the consequences will be if you miss too many days. It may not be worth it in some cases.
3. Other parent's experiences at YOUR school.
It can be very helpful to talk to other parents who have takent their kids out for non illness reasons. It can give you an idea on how the teachers and the school responded.
4. The grade level of your child.
The work gets harder to make up the older they get.
5. Your child's ability to make up the work.
If you have an older student who struggles in school, this could effect your decision.
Now for my personal views on it.....
As a former teacher of first grade, I had no problem with my students missing a week to go on vacation. Some of my fellow teachers however, did. It totally depends on the personality and attitude of the teacher.
As a parent, I do choose to take my kids out of school for WDW trips. But we will reach a point in a few years where we will probably stop taking them out because the work will be harder to make up. But as long as we are able to, we will take them out.
Also, we go to a private school. If we attended the public school in our area, there is no way we would be able to take the kids out....the school district is very strict about it.
I know this can be a hard decision to make. Good luck!:wave:
edit: I should add that the time of year you choose to take them out should also be taken into consideration. I try to find out when any testing or special events/projects are happening for my child's grade level before I plan my trips so that we can avoid missing during those times.
Your decision...
I'm a teacher and I, personally, would not do it. Children do a lot in those 6 hours each day that just cannot be made up. I'm not one to give a lot of worksheets, so when parents ask for work to make up I don't have much. They just miss out on the experiences and learning opportunities. Children will not learn the same things on a 2 hour plane-ride that they would in a week of school. (I'm not being mean or disrespectful- I have friends who pull kids out.) Just be aware that if they do fall behind, it may take a lot of extra at-home work & parental help to catch them up, especially in lower elementary when they learn and change so quickly. If that is the ONLY time that the adults can take vacation, then do it. Your family has to decide what is best.
I'm a teacher and I, personally, would not do it. Children do a lot in those 6 hours each day that just cannot be made up. I'm not one to give a lot of worksheets, so when parents ask for work to make up I don't have much. They just miss out on the experiences and learning opportunities. Children will not learn the same things on a 2 hour plane-ride that they would in a week of school. (I'm not being mean or disrespectful- I have friends who pull kids out.) Just be aware that if they do fall behind, it may take a lot of extra at-home work & parental help to catch them up, especially in lower elementary when they learn and change so quickly. If that is the ONLY time that the adults can take vacation, then do it. Your family has to decide what is best.
coltow
Well-Known Member
I depends on you and your child. If they are capable of making it up, go for it. My parents took us out ouf school 1 week a year from 4th-8th grade. We would tell teachers a month or so before. we'd get assignments before we left and we we do them on the plane in during our afternoon breaks. After that it was too hard so we started going in the summer. I now have my own kids and will tell you that I plan to keep DS out of Pre-School for 1 week this coming school year.
Wow! I had no idea this topic had been discussed so much. My DD is in 4th and DS in K-5. I had never even considered taking them out of school until recently. It had always been something I thought just could not be done. I've never been to WDW at Christmas and I feel like this would be my last chance for awhile because of the school/grade issue. And if it can be done....
We start school here Aug. 8th. I will check the school's policies when they send the handbook home. I think it really depends alot on the teacher also so I will talk to them and get their view. Thanks for all the help.
We start school here Aug. 8th. I will check the school's policies when they send the handbook home. I think it really depends alot on the teacher also so I will talk to them and get their view. Thanks for all the help.
lisak09
Well-Known Member
You didn't say how long you were thinking of taking them out for. I don't think a few days will make too much difference but i'd personally prefer not to take them out for any longer than that. In Ireland if your child misses twenty days or longer the school by law has to report the parents to the Board of Education. Two weeks out is already half of that and you just never know with kids what illnesses they might pick up.
shoppingnut
Active Member
Aside from the work that they would miss the reason that most public schools try to discourage it is because they don't get paid monies from the state/feds when your child is out of school.
kstella
Member
We let my DS make the decision that he could no longer comfortably miss school for a vacation. He's going into his junior year and in mostly advanced classes. My DD is going into 8th and can still comfortably miss a week here and there. So for our next trip it will be all of us flying down together on Friday night and DS will have to fly back on his own on Sunday night!
We are going to DW on Oct 8th at night after school and returning on Oct 13th (Columbus Day-school holiday here). My daughter who is in 7th grade will miss 2 days of school and I am nervous about it. We tried to plan the vacation at a cool time for the 3 year old and a less busy time (seems like it will be busy at this time anyway). When she was younger I did not mind her missing a few days but I think the most I ever did was 2 or 3 but from now on we will prob have to go during Spring Break or another holiday so she does not miss any. Kids should be in school but sometimes you have to do what you have to do in order to have a vacation and some family time. These days our lives are so busy you take what you can get it seems.
Have fun. :wave:
Sheri
Have fun. :wave:
Sheri
Last year I took my first grader out for a week so we could go on a Disney Cruise and go to WDW. We did not have any trouble whatsoever getting him caught up and there really wasn't much catching up to do...maybe about 4-5 quick homework sheets.
The thing that irked me was despite sending multiple letters to the school alerting them that we'd be taking him out for a few days for a vacation, after our trip we got a letter from Social Services about his absences, warning me of possible jail time! I thought that was a little overboard for missing 5 days of 1st grade. :lol:
Honestly, I think it's a parent's decision when they take their child on vacation. For us, my husband is usually gone overseas about 7-8 months a year so that doesn't leave very many options as to when we can take family vacations. I take the kids on a lot of vacations by myself while he's gone, but they still like taking trips with him with us when we get the chance.
The thing that irked me was despite sending multiple letters to the school alerting them that we'd be taking him out for a few days for a vacation, after our trip we got a letter from Social Services about his absences, warning me of possible jail time! I thought that was a little overboard for missing 5 days of 1st grade. :lol:
Honestly, I think it's a parent's decision when they take their child on vacation. For us, my husband is usually gone overseas about 7-8 months a year so that doesn't leave very many options as to when we can take family vacations. I take the kids on a lot of vacations by myself while he's gone, but they still like taking trips with him with us when we get the chance.
Zip-a-Dee Do Da
Member
I will be a sophmore this year in high school, and my parents have pulled me out of school for a week about every other year. We just won't go when it's a busy season, so we choose off seasons. This year we are going in October during conferences when students have 2 days off plus the weekend, then I will be missing the 3 days before that. At my highschool, you can miss only 3 days a semester, or else you are not eligible for a thing called "lock-in" in which if you miss 3 days or less throughout the semester, you can lock your final grade in all your classes before you take the final, so it won't affect you. I also get my work before I go and do it on the plane, or in the evenings, or usually we come home with one day to spare, and I do it then. Given, some teachers will frown upon it, and other won't mind. And I know that I will be a bit lost for a bit, maybe not understand a few things, but I am willing to take the extra time to stay after class or school etc. to get caught back up when I return. But I think if your child works hard throughout the year, they deserve some time off from school for a little vacation! But it's your choice.
H20Babie
Well-Known Member
Teacher here, too, and I'm pulling my son out of second grade for 6 days in early December for a visit to WDW (different divisions). He is a very good student, and I have no doubt he will be able to make-up/catch-up when he gets back. Unfortunately, this is probably the last time for a few years we'll be going to WDW, and it's our only chance to visit during the Christmas season. Making memories with my son while he is still young and still wants to do things with me is, at this time, more important to me than what he would miss (albeit and catch-up on) in school.
I agree that it depends on you (your family's values) and your child (how they do in school), and only you can make that decision.
I agree that it depends on you (your family's values) and your child (how they do in school), and only you can make that decision.
LuxeMama
New Member
+10000!!!
We are in the same situation. I am taking my daughter out for four days, and to me it's worth it because she doesn't get to see her father very often, let alone take a vacation with him. While school work and their "experiences" at school can't be made up, IMO neither can the precious time my children have with their father who works a rather dangerous, overseas job.
KingStefan
Well-Known Member
7th grade is tough. 7-8 grade is a transition time, when they learn basic skills that build on their elementary school skills, and forms a basis for HS. It all depends on your child.
If your child is a good student, and you make your mind up as a parent to be supportive and help her through this, you should be fine. Even if there are issues, if you are behind her, it will be fine. IMHO, it's all a matter of how dedicated the parents are to making it work for the child.
Mousebounce
New Member
I teach 6th grade and two days isn't bad at all. I have parents who pull their kids out for a month sometimes. That is tough! I think a week is about the max. that you could get away with.
It is funny because I could never understand taking your child on vacation during the school year, especially due to all of our days off. Now that I have a child of my own, I realize how much you save by not visiting places during their "peak" times which is of course when most schools are off. I am much more sympathetic now! I just wish I could do it too!
That is tough! I think a week is about the max. that you could get away with.It is funny because I could never understand taking your child on vacation during the school year, especially due to all of our days off. Now that I have a child of my own, I realize how much you save by not visiting places during their "peak" times which is of course when most schools are off. I am much more sympathetic now! I just wish I could do it too!
RussJT
Member
We have taken our kids out of school for a week to go to Disney. Last Spring when we went, my daughter was in Kindergarten and my son was in 2nd grade. Both are very intelligent / straight A students.
We notified both teachers first, and asked them if it was a possibility to get some assignments in advance, so that the kids would not be behind when they returned. (We let them know that we would understand if they were unable to do this.) We also asked if the kids could return to school with a report on soemthing educational that they learned while at Disney (i.e. about the different countries in EPCOT, etc.)
Both teachers were VERY cooperative... gave some assignments ahead of time, liked the ideas about the report/presentation on EPCOT countries. My son had some assignments to make up when he returned. He completed them at home the first school night after we returned. He did very well on the tests one the materials that were covered in class while we were gone.
We will probably do the same thing again in the future.
We notified both teachers first, and asked them if it was a possibility to get some assignments in advance, so that the kids would not be behind when they returned. (We let them know that we would understand if they were unable to do this.) We also asked if the kids could return to school with a report on soemthing educational that they learned while at Disney (i.e. about the different countries in EPCOT, etc.)
Both teachers were VERY cooperative... gave some assignments ahead of time, liked the ideas about the report/presentation on EPCOT countries. My son had some assignments to make up when he returned. He completed them at home the first school night after we returned. He did very well on the tests one the materials that were covered in class while we were gone.
We will probably do the same thing again in the future.
disneygirl1
Well-Known Member
I have taken my son out of school to go to Disney when he was in Preschool and last year when he was in kindergarten. This year being that he is going into 1st grade I was a bit nervous about taking him out of school for our upcoming December trip. When I decided to book the trip, I called the school and spoke to his soon to be 1st grade teacher. She told me to go ahead and go and that if I preferred she would get all his work together before hand so he would be all caught up when he came back to school... He is only going to miss 4 days this trip. I made sure I booked around the Dec 8th holy day knowing that he'd be off from school that day :xmas: