taking kids out of school?

[jmamom]

Is anyone else planning on taking your kids out of school for your vacation. I'm planning a trip for Sept 2009, and feeling kind of guilty about missing school (especially my oldest - 7th grade). How does everyone else feel about it?

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Of course you will get different opinions on this subject, hopefully everyone will be nice. But I think a lot of us DISers take our kids out of school for Disney.

My feeling on the subject is that as long as your children are good students and are getting good grades, and the school approves it, then go for it! I probably wouldn't take them out for more than 5 school days, although our school allows for 10.

Disney is for fun, but there is a lot to be learned there to. Most likely your kids will have to do some type of report on the trip. That's what my oldest has had to do in the past. Just check with your childrens teachers before you go and see if there is anything that can be done ahead of time so that there won't be so much to catch up on when you get back.

Relax and enjoy your vacation!

 

[Disney Dreamin]

I took my son out of school last year in Sept for 1 week (1st grade). The teacher and principal were great! They did not even send work although I asked. The teacher just said "have fun". Because it was the beginning of the year, I did not feel like it had any impact, my dh didn't skip a beat when he got back. We discussed going again next Sept but my dd will start school and we didn't feel like she should miss days. So I guess what I'm saying is that it depends on the kid(s) and the teacher, but if you feel like they could miss with minimal catch up and the teachers agree....go for it!

 

[DLo]

I think it depends on your child and their teachers. I have taken mine out in Oct. the last few years but they only miss a total of 2 days. We work it around long weekend. This year my older ds14 will not be going as last year was too difficult with his teachers and the make up work. 6th grade the teachers were fine and worked with us. I am still taking my ds 10 this year. He is in 5th grade and I have already let his teachers know. They are totally fine with it. If your child is a good student and the teachers are ok with it - GO.

 

[tiger4me2]

Well I am not going to bash you. This past Sept(beginning) there were so many school age kids at Disney I thought about how people won't pull their kids out of school etc. I guess no one told these parents that. And no they were not from overseas but good old US Of A.

 

[hinodis]

I have no problem with taking my kids out of school. I took my son out for a week when he was a freshman in high school He has turned out OK...he is a junior in college, pre-med and he has a 3.77 GPA. I think its the exposure to disney that got him where he is. I am taking DD11 to WDW in 23 days and she will be missing school. Last year I took out a high school junior and DD for a week....they survived just fine. They are my children and I will take them on a vacation during school if I want to.

 

[jorem1]

We are taking our 2 kids, ages 8 (2nd grade) and 11 (6th grade) out of school for 5 days in November. Two of my best friends are teachers and they aren't very happy with me

I agree with PP who said it depends on your kids and how well they can make up work. Our school policy is no unauthorized absences and the teachers are FORBIDDEN to give us any work beforehand. I'm not worried about my second grader but my sixth grader he's a very good student but that will be a lot of work for him to make up.

Hopefully it all works out. Right now all I care about is our trip and I can't focus on anything else

 

[hinodis]

We are taking our 2 kids, ages 8 (2nd grade) and 11 (6th grade) out of school for 5 days in November. Two of my best friends are teachers and they aren't very happy with me

I agree with PP who said it depends on your kids and how well they can make up work. Our school policy is no unauthorized absences and the teachers are FORBIDDEN to give us any work beforehand. I'm not worried about my second grader but my sixth grader he's a very good student but that will be a lot of work for him to make up.

Hopefully it all works out. Right now all I care about is our trip and I can't focus on anything else

FORBIDDEN to give you work before hand? Thats a little extreme. We have never had a problem with that. Well, I say good for you....Have a wonderful magical time.

 

[dogodisney]

Well I am not going to bash you. This past Sept(beginning) there were so many school age kids at Disney I thought about how people won't pull their kids out of school etc. I guess no one told these parents that. And no they were not from overseas but good old US Of A.

One of those families was mine. It was the first time in 20 years of having kids in school that we took any out for a vacation. And yes, at the time I felt guilty but I'm over it now. The teachers were really good about it and they were great with letting them make up their work.

BTW.... they are in kindergarten, 9th, and a 10th grades.

 

[MELSMICE]

I have no problem with taking my kids out of school. I took my son out for a week when he was a freshman in high school He has turned out OK...he is a junior in college, pre-med and he has a 3.77 GPA. I think its the exposure to disney that got him where he is. I am taking DD11 to WDW in 23 days and she will be missing school. Last year I took out a high school junior and DD for a week....they survived just fine. They are my children and I will take them on a vacation during school if I want to.

Considering my 2 high school juniors just missed 4 days of school last week for a WDW trip, I will completely agree with you!!! We have taken them out every year more than once for family time. This time it was to see my brother who is in the Air Force & his family.

My college sophomore came with us also & missed 3 days of classes by her own choice. She has not had a problem making up the work.

Our school policy is no unauthorized absences and the teachers are FORBIDDEN to give us any work beforehand.

Our school recently instituted what sounds like a similiar policy, however, the trip we just returned from was already planned prior to this policy. If it is an unexcused absence the teachers are not required at all to give the students any work, even upon return.

My DD's have always taken their school books & notebooks with them. They call friends or check the web every day for missed assignments. They are the kids sitting at the pool doing school work instead of tanning (OK - not 100% of the time, but quite a bit!!). This way they don't have as much to make up when they return.

Due to the new school policy I did call them in sick every day (yes, I lied). Being sick is an excused absence & they can make up the work then. Some of their teachers did realize they were on vacation. All of their teachers are allowing them to make-up missed work.

Do a feel guilty - maybe a little, but as the other poster that I quoted said, "they are my kids". I honestly don't think missing a few days of school is going to ruin their lives. Am I being a horrible person for lieing (sp?)? Maybe, but that's on my conscience, no one elses.

I believe you do what you feel is right for your kids & your family & like anything else, no one else should judge what you do. JMO!

 

[The Hendies]

We took our kids out of school, usually in October. They missed 4 days because we tried to incorporate Columbus Day. All are college grads and no college turned them down because they missed school to go to Disney! Enjoy your vacation!

 

[daisyduck123]

I do it every year...sometimes even twice a year.
I've got a DD14 (sophomore) & DS10 (5th grade).

I also pull myself out as well.

You can probably tell how I feel about it...no problems here!

 

[Mad4Mickey]

I take my neice and nephew out of school for a few days every year so we can do a week in Disney and them really get to do lots of stuff. They dont miss any other time . They are 6 and 8 and we leave in Dec. right before break starts.


People will flame ya for it but you know what it is well worth it
I wanted to add that when Appalachian state came calling for my son to wrestle for them they never asked him why he had missed days of school here and there : )
Little did they know he was off SCUBA diving when others were in school . IT really never hurt anything and hei s 20 with no scars from it LOL

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

I have no problem taking my DS out of school for a week this coming January. He is 12 and in the 7th grade.

The great big world is full of learning opportunities. "Education" does not just happen at school. He will experience his first plane ride, his first real trip out of the country, currency differences eek: have you seen the value of our Canadian dollar lately?? ).....I could go on and on. He will be "learning" alot while we are on vacation!

That said, he is well aware that he will be getting ahead on some work during Christmas break to minimize how far he falls behind, and that he'll be playing catch-up (and working very diligently) when he returns home. Time management .....that in itself is a great teaching opportunity!

In the grand scheme of things, I don't think a week away from school will make or break an entire school year. Our son is not the kind of kid to be off due to sickness throughout the year, and many kids miss far more time due to hockey tournaments and other non-educational pursuits (its just usually that their absences tend to be 5 or 6 Fridays throughout the school year, rather than our Disney week that occurs all at once). It will all work out in the wash.

 

[Disneyfied4]

We are pulling out our children, 1st and 3rd grade, the last week before Christmas break......oh well! Life is too short and it's family memories that we need to create while we can. I worked in healthcare before staying at home and too many times people were given a life changing diagnosis.

 

[tinkbyday]

I am taking my 4th grade DD out in Jan to go for her birthday - well, right after her birthday - there is state testing ON her birthday, so I did wait until that was over.

The teacher said she will be ready for a break after all the preparing that occurs from Sept - Jan.

As many PP have said - as long as the child will not fall too behind, it shouldn't be that big of a deal.

 

[kadesha]

I'm taking my kids out the 2 days before Thanksgiving break in November. I don't mind my kids missing a few days, but I wouldn't keep them out an entire week. I really try to work around the school calander. Our school has a pretty strict absent policy.

 

[brekin67]

We have taken our kids out. We go during homecoming week so we know they are not missing much. We always get a standard letter from the school about absences. We throw it out.

 

[Disneyfied4]

We are pulling out our children, 1st and 3rd grade, the last week before Christmas break......oh well! Life is too short and it's family memories that we need to create while we can. I worked in healthcare before staying at home and too many times people were given a life changing diagnosis.

 

[abaldacci]

your kids your choice. I pulled mine out without a problem. I think do what you must, I agree it is family time and that is way important.