|
Do you take your kids out of school
for your DVC trips? Why or why not? For example, some
people take their kids out of school to save on points and
take Disney World trips where the crowds are less in the
"value" season.
Answers posted to the list:
We have done it in the past. I schedule our vacations;
plain and simple
when I want. I take into account every school day possible.
But I have
no control over snow days. God builds them in and I know
the school
must build them in also, but our kids won't be there. Our
13 year old
DD has spent every birthday at WDW except for 2. It's kind
of a family
tradition. I think next year will be our last as the
following year our
son graduates and will move on to a whole new world of
education
(hopefully). I start praying really hard in February when
we haven't
had a bad snow. Our favorite time of year is the last week
of May first
of June. Really June anytime up until the swith to high
point season.
July isn't bad if you start out at the parks, but if you do
the beach
first and then try going to the world you have already
spent to much
time in the sun. We have taken the kids out for the 3 days
before
Thanksgiving for a cruise. But really I am pretty good,
education does
come first, after all I hope someday they will take over
paying the
maintenance fees :)
Dawn
-----
Ouch...this is a sour subject for me. When the kids
were in elementary
school, the longest we took them out was 1 day and now that
they are both in high school, we never take them out. The
academics in our district are very demanding. We used to
use our points after August 15th (when the point values are
lower) and the kids in Florida have gone back to school and
we liked that time. We would come back usually a day or 2
before our school started. The crowds were lighter. Also,
we tried the week between Christmas and New Years, but it
is very busy, so plan on not doing as much as you could.
Now we need to go in July due to commitments to school
Marching Band that occur in August. We find that if we take
a longer trip of 10-12 days in July, we can easily manage
by getting out to the parks early and getting back to OKW
early. More relaxation time. Yes, October is wonderful, but
priorities must be set by parents even if it means a little
inconvenience of heat. Don't make it hard on the kids and
make them think about all they need to make up when they
get back. I know that our school district allows vacation
travel, but the teachers give the kids lots to do.
They must keep up with the classes, as they should because
why should the other kids in the classroom suffer because
the teacher has to reteach to just one child. Plus I have
heard from other parents that with the amount work that is
assigned while on vacation, the kids have to come back from
the park and do homework. I think that ruins the vacation
for the child. We have education and academics as our first
priority in our house and taking children out of the
classroom makes it hard on the teacher, the other kids and
especially on your child, especially in the older
years...my humble opinion only. You have 3 months in the
summer to plan vacations. But if more school districts were
on a full year schedule with 2 weeks breaks all during the
year, we could all go at better times of the year. The time
for year round scheduling really has come....I mean really,
most kids don't have to help out on the farms anymore,
although I am sure there are areas where this would still
be an issue, but not for most of us. That would solve all
of our problems. Bottom line, once the kids are out of
early elementary school, it's tough....there....my 2 cents
worth....and each school district handles vacations
differently.
Jean
-----
|
I am a former middle school teacher and current stay at
home mom. Education is a huge priority in our home. That
said, we are taking our daughter out of school for a week in
October to go to Disney. She is only in first grade, so I
feel like we can get away with it now but I don't know about
when she gets older. Our district allows 5 family travel
days per year. I do not fair well in heat (medical
condition) so going during the summer months is really not
something we want to do.
From a teachers perspective, I don't have a huge problem
with parents doing this. I DO think it highly depends on the
type of student you have. Some students have NO business
missing a week of school, others can handle it just fine. I
wouldn't pull my own children more than once a year though.
The parents should understand that they should ask in
advance for the work and help their children with it as much
as needed.
Michelle |
|
-----
Yes we do take our children out of school for our
vacation to WDW. We do this for many reasons 1) My husband
is half way on the seniority line which means he can't get
his vacation during the summer or school breaks because
their are taken 2) I think with our busy schedules that a
week of our total attention given to our children means as
much or more than what they're going to miss in school 3)
Our vacations are more relaxed and enjoyed by all when you
don't have to fight crowds and 4) we are from the north and
a vitamin D bust in the middle of winter brings the
children home refresh for school However our oldest is only
in 4th grade so this might change as she gets older.
Crystal
-----
I have taken my daughters out of school for many family
trips and now my daughters take there boys out, I may say
they are all good students.. I have always felt the
learning experience of travel is also inportant.
Judy
-----
No - not at all. We don't believe it is good for
children to be taken
out of school for a length of time that is controllable.
They are out of school plenty of times during the year to
go on vacations.
Anyway - I don't think my kids could afford to miss.
Gary
-----
Last year was the first time we have taken our daughter
out of
school for vacation. We will be doing it again this year.
Our daughter is not a problem student, and is way ahead of
her peers. We also ask for her homework in advance, so she
can keep up.
If she was a problem student, that would be a whole
different ball
game. Plus you really can't beat Disney in December
especially if
you live in New England.
Debbie
-----
My husband is a CPA so we are very limited to when we
can take vacations due to the various tax deadlines. We are
never able to go duing Presidents' week and seldom able to
go during Easter/Passover break. So usually in May, the
week of ascension Thursday, (school is closed both Thursday
and Friday) we take the kids out of school to go on
vacation. They only miss three days and we get a full
week's vacation. I also ask for assignments up front and
the kids do whatever work they have to do during travel
time or down time. Again, they're good students and are
easily able to keep up. I don't think it's right or wrong
to take your kids out of school... you just have to do what
works for your family and your school.
Michele
-----
I have taken our kids out a few times including two
days during Thanksgiving week to take a Disney Cruise last
year. I think it unlikely we will do it again. The county
rules do not allow students to miss school for trips and if
we choose to pull the kids out, the teachers do not have to
accommodate us by providing homework assignments or letting
the kids make up work. Rather they threaten to give zero's.
Thankfully, all of their teachers were decent last year and
cooperated with us and gave the kids homework assignments
to do (I gave 2 months advance notice) , and my son was
allowed to take a Math test (given the day before
Thanksgiving!) the Monday following Thanksgiving at 7:00 in
the morning.
It is really too much of a hassle for us and I don't like
to "lie" about the purpose of their absence (many of their
friends parents just don't say anything and write a note
indicating the child was "sick" when they return so that
they will be allowed to make up the missed work). If the
kids were younger, I would probably be more inclined to
take them out again, but they are in 8th and 9th grade and
it just isn't worth it anymore.
Mary
-----
As a former teacher (now SAHM) I always hated when my
students were taken out of school for vacation. Schools
give weeks and weeks of vacation time and I feel that is
when family time should be taken. It is a lot of extra work
getting special assignments together for the student and
other paperwork. Also, students don't just miss assignments
and book work, but also the interaction with peers and
discussion. Honestly, I don't view Disney vacations as very
educational.....mostly fun (and there is nothing wrong with
that). Perhaps if the destination were National Parks,
Washington DC, or a foreign country I would feel
differently. "When you miss school, you miss out!" I'm sure
I'll ruffle a few feathers, this is my opinion.
Becky
-----
We have taken our son out for 1 day for a long weekend
at WDW. The only
time we took him out for a week was when he was in 2nd
grade and that was for a family wedding on the west coast.
Our school system does not allow for work to be given in
advance, so if you take your child out they have to make up
all the work for the week in a few days. Also, our middle
schools and high school only allow for 5 unexcused absences
per marking period. Excused is defined as a death in the
family or medical (must have a dr's note) otherwise it is
deemed unexcused. If you pass the 5 unexcused you fail each
class that you have the 5 unexcused absences. Way too much
of a chance to take. Also, even though my husband is an
accountant and basically has 9-12 weekends a year that we
can be away we still opt to do it during school vacations.
Cora
-----
I don't see why it is such a big deal to miss school
(let's be honest, 20 years from now they won't remember
what they missed in school, but they will remember that
time with their family, and as someone who lost both of my
parents by the time I turned 40 years old, I can tell you
that those memories are SOOOO precious).
BUT the schools here do make it difficult, and I have a
child with a
learning disability and she isn't able to do much in terms
of catch up. We have homeschooled all the way through
grades school, but this is our last year to do that (5th
grade). Next year, we will be at the mercy of the school
breaks and my DH's work schedule. We 'experimented' this
summer with a trip to Florida in July. My one DD with
asthma didn't do well in the heat. We left Epcot around
11:00 am and didn't go back to the parks until about 4:00
pm. So we won't be doing the WDW parks in the summer any
more.
We have decided that starting next year, our WDW trips will
have to be
planned for spring break. Not a great time for my DH, but
he can swing it if he has a lot of notice. The crowds are
heavy then, but since we have gone to WDW so much, we don't
feel like we HAVE to do everything.
Anyway, to those of you who can take your kids out of
school.....do it!
Those memories will last a lifetime (and someday those
memories will mean more than anything).
DJ
-----
Our school's can be pretty unforgiving too, although a
bit more than your's, in high school they are allowed 10
absences per trimester, if they go over they get NO credit
for any of their classes. So we really have to watch it
too, but yes we have pulled DD out for a week long
vacation, after DH was activated and gone from home for 2
years, my priorities changed alot and I just decided we
would make sure she stayed under the 10, and the school
could just get as mad as they wanted.
Michele
-----
This December for the MouseFest cruise we are taking
our kids out of school (5th grade) for the 1st time since
they were 2nd graders for a Disney trip. We are in a new
school district now and when I mentioned this to their
teacher she said:
"We recognize family vacations are important, and we do not
want to give the children any extra work so they can enjoy
their vacation. Just tell the office your kids will be out
for a few days."
Tim
-----
It seems like school is too intense these days, and I
feel that kid's should be allowed to be kids while they
can. Everyone, kids and adults are on the fast track and
nobody knows how to slow down and smell the roses anymore.
They grow up too fast these days as it is without missing
out on family vacations. I have 2 in high school and one in
college, so I'm talking through experience. We are also a
very busy family, involved in school activities too. But,
we take our kids out of school for Disney and they do pay
the piper when they get back. I still can't understand why
missing 2 - 5 days of school causes so much confusion. It
simply doesn't seem like much taken out of a whole 180
days. If their grades slip a tad because of it, we don't
get upset about it, for it's temporary. I have often
wondered why public schools can't let their teachers
operate by using a syllabus like they use in college.
Actually my son even had one given to him at the beginning
of the school year in some of his high school senior year
classes. That way when a student has to be out for family
trips or emergencies, illness, etc, all the teacher has to
do is look at it and bring the student back up to speed.
When my father died a couple of years ago, during January
and my son's mid-terms, he was determined to go and say
goodbye to his grandfather. We got there in the nick of
time, a day before he died. When we got home after the
funeral (the very next day after) and my son got back to
school, (he was a high school junior at the time) he went
through hell trying to catch back up again. We had been
promised before leaving by the principal that this would
not happen. It did anyway. It's the same as the gripe I
have about putting out all kinds of money to the schools
all year long. With proper organization, why can't we just
write a check the beginning of the year and hand it to the
office to be used for all the various items needed. But
that's off-topic. Because of health issues, can't do
disneyworld in the summer due to the intense humidity of
Florida. So we are forced to go during winter break, but
can't do that every year because of annual passes.
Alternating between Thanksgiving week and Winter break we
save money, otherwise the annual passes for 5 of us would
be a bit hard to afford. I understand the value of a good
education these days especially, but I still think there
has to be balance in a kid's life too and having a blast in
disney should be part of that. I know that this sounds like
you ruffled my feathers, so to speak, but I am not really
mad about it. I just want to express my feelings on this
coming from the other side of the problem. And I also feel
a high respect for my children's teachers, I'm not a
teacher
Kathy
-----
Ahhh, the question of debate in our house even though
our kids are 1
and 3! :) My husband says 'No Way!'...but he grew up never
going on
vacation and never missed a day of school.
Me...my family went to Florida/Disney every year (my
grandparents
lived in Ormond Beach) for a week at Easter. My sisters and
I would
miss several days of school since we would drive from PA
and back.
At the time, my biggest issue was missing out on which
friends did
what. Now, I look back and am grateful for those memories
with my
family. Couldn't tell ya now what homework I missed or what
report
was due (please know that in NO way am I taking away from
teachers'
important jobs!!).
There's soooo much pressure at school these days...homework
in
kindergarten??!?! (But that's another discussion.) A few
days of
school shouldn't be the end of the world....or failing a
class...my
goodness. Quality time with family is a cornerstone for
everything
else. It's a shame that's not taken into consideration at
school (I
couldn't believe some of the rules in the posts I've
seen...wow!!...I'm anxious to see what our district will be
like). I
too agree that the travel is educational as well...no
matter where
you go. From something as simple as social skills--checking
in,
meeting new people, etc.--to a stop at 'South of the
Border' (those
of you that have driven by here know...come on...how could
you pass
up a stop here?? I STILL remember the billboards!
LOL)--it's
something new...a new experience. You can't learn those
things in
school...trust me...ask my husband...he was inept on our
first trip
after college and he went to a fantastic college...it was a
whole new
world to him.
I'm sure my husband and I will debate it 'til the time
comes to make
a decision. We really enjoy going 'off season' now and I
can't
imagine going in July. But, then again, that's the beauty
of
DVC...maybe we'll spend a week at a resort in the mid-west.
:)
Heather
-----
Way to get things stirred up Tim-just kidding but I
know this topic
ruffles feathers (like mine). Both my wife and I come from
families
loaded with teachers, principals, superintendants in NY and
all feel
the same on this. We feel Disney is educational as well as
fun.
Educational by also teaching social skills and life long
skills that
you can't learn in a classroom-they do learn a lot there,
but in a
controlled, safe enviroment. It also gives us family time
together
that will be remembered for years. My DW and I can only get
away
for more than 3-4 days during school and our kids are good
students-
they usually miss 5 days of school for Disney trip. They
get
homework assignments and have much of it done by the time
we get off
the plane in Orlando. Their teachers have given them
projects
and/or trip reports to do while there and they have to
present them
when they get back. We are obviously strong believers in
education
and school but even more so in family values and some time
together
away from home. As a Deputy, I deal with people on a daily
basis
that don't worry about education for their kids or family
time, I
have lost friends in terrorists acts and in Middle East and
while
education is paramount-there are other things just as
important in
life. And being there off season with no lines, all the
holiday
decorations up, and usually good weather just can't be beat
either.
John
-----
I like that teacher's response. Seems she wanted to
save you from the
"wrath" of the office response to that question. I am a
teacher in MA.
Our school policy is also restrictive regarding "unexcused"
absences.
This would include vacations. But as a parent of three, one
out of
college, one in grad school, and one a grade 10 student, I
have to say
that I took my children out of school for family vacations
throughout
their elementary years. I was a flight attendant during
that time, and
we had to plan trips around my schedule and my firefighter
husband's
schedule. Back then, no one batted an eye at making the
decision as
parents for your own children's best interests. I will have
to agree
with another poster's comment that travel with the family
is as
important to a child's experiences as a formal education
and can be part of that education. When we stopped taking
the kids out of school, it was more because they had clubs
and sports and other after school activities that they did
not wish to miss. Also, school work was more intense. As an
grade 8 English teacher, I will usually assign a fixed
amount of reading and written response due two weeks after
a student returns from a trip. In May I had a student miss
2 weeks of school because of a family trip to Vietnam. He
was visiting his grandparents. I gave him an assignment to
take photographs of his trip - 1 to 2 rolls. He was to take
a journal, and every time he took a photo, he was to write
on the bottom part of one page, something about what and
why he was taking the photo, and who was in it. When he
returned, he was to develop the film and put photos on
appropriate journal pages. When it was complete, he had to
present photo journal to class. This was a big hit, and
provided my other students with a wonderful lesson. This
student exhibited visual, writing, and oral presentation
skills. Of course, I returned the photo journal with an A+.
Finally, his parents were involved with their own child's
education, a point we must remember when discussing who is
actually responsible for our children, and what they learn.
Nancy
-----
As a teacher, I usually advise parents not to take
their children out of school if it is at all possible. I
understand that some families can only travel at certain
times of year making it difficult to schedule vacations. I
would say to try only to miss a few days of school instead
of an entire week. I have had some parents take their
children out for more than one week and that really makes
catching up difficult. Standardized testing is also making
an impact on the school schedule. Typically testing is held
in February, March or April. The weeks and months prior to
testing are filled with special test taking lessons and
reviews. If you have to take them out, try to do it in May
or June and only for a few days or a week at most. I don't
really mind when parents pull their kids out every few
years for a few days for something special. However, I do
see some people that do it every year for 2 weeks at a
time!! Also, you have to keep in mind what kind of student
your child is. Some kids can handle missing school better
than others! Just my 2 cents. Going to SSR in 11 days.
Can't wait.
Romayne
-----
I think parents should be able to make this decision
for themselves
without the school systems getting involved. It didn't hurt
most of
us as kids to be pulled out and go on family vacations why
shuld it
hurt our kids - Why should the schools dictate when we are
able to
interact with our children. Whether it is educational or
not, it is
our jobs as parents to provide a childhood for our
children. Going on
a family vacation whether it is to WDW or Pennsyvania or
Grand Canyon
or Grandmother's house shouldn't matter.
If I understand things correctly, teachers have to have
a syllabus of
what they will be teaching, why can't they know what to
assign a
child who is on vacation? How is it different than a child
who is out
sick? This is all my opinion & I know there will be people
who don't agree with me as well as people who do.
Libby
-----
First we don't take our children out of school. I'm a
part-time
teachers assistant our school district as well as the state
(Texas)
is very strict about school absences. Only illness or
deaths in the
family. Our school requires a note from a doctor after day
three.
And if its a funeral we must bring in the obituary (I
spelled that
wrong). One thing everyone needs to look at....The no child
left
behind law. This will change the ability for parents to
take there
children out for family vacations. I'm not trying to start
an
argument but this is fact.
I have three children K, 2, and 6th. My 6th grader is
learning
things that I learned in High School. School is not what it
use to
be it is more intense. I have seen top students fall behind
because
of missed days. I would love to go during low season but
can't. I
have three asthmatic children but we have to go during
summer
season. But heat doesn't bother us cause being in Texas not
a big
deal when it comes to heat. I make sure my children are
hydrated I
have noticed this causes a flare up for mine.
Each and every parent should decide for themselves what is
best for
their own. Make sure you look into the law I spoke of you
will be
shocked what it is asking to do.
Just MHO
Monika
-----
Yes, my district has a similar policy that absences are
only permitted for illness of the child, a relative, or a
death in the family.
You would not believe how many times over the years that my
children have had to travel to Florida to vist their Uncle
Mickey ,or Aunt Minnie who were seriously ailing, and heck,
this might be the last chance the children have to see
them.
Regards,
Bill
P.S. I am happy to report that both Uncle Mickey and Aunt
Minnie are still hanging in there and going strong years
later!
-----
Nope, I don't believe in taking them out of
school--school is
their "job" and vacation is their fun and relaxation time.
I expect
them to give 100% when they're in school and likewise, they
deserve
100% downtime during vacation.
Kim
-----
Our son had exams late in Jan & then there was a new
term. We had gone at the start of the new term. Air fares
were so much cheaper than at Spring or Christmas break. We
asked his teachers if it okay & they said to have a good
time.
It's so nice to be warm for a week in Jan/Feb :)
Brenda
-----
We take our son out of school every spring for a trip
back to WDW.
Our school district has the same policy as most others
about unexcused absences. However, our district also has a
"plan" that the teachers can fill out a special form -
submit it to the principal for approval - lists all
assignments for the timeframe we will be gone. This way the
school still gets paid for the student as if he was in
attendance. When the child misses too much school, the
school doesn't get paid for the excessive days missed by
that child.
That being said, our son is now starting 5th grade. Up til
now, only his 2nd grade teacher did the above referenced
homework plan. 3rd grade he had to do a daily journal, and
last year nothing was assigned. Now, I would send a note in
Jan saying he would be out specific dates in May. I would
follow up with a monthly reminders also asking for
assignments.
During 4th grade - when no work was assigned - I got a note
from the principal asking me to come in regarding our son's
absence. I informed him that I had requested homework
assignments but none was assigned. He said that was no
excuse. I then asked him what was done with the students
that were leaving school to travel back to Asia and India
for several weeks (I know of several parents who have
traveled back to both areas and only a journal was assigned
and none had been addressed by the principal about the
leave) He had no comment. I very politely said that if he
was going to reprimand me then I want proof that he was
reprimanding all the other parents who took their children
out of school - for even longer periods of time. If its
good for the goose it's good for the gander.
Due to my husband work, he's only allowed long weekends (3
days) during the summer and must take other time off during
spring or fall. It makes it hard to travel to WDW as we
live in Calif.
I don't mean to sound as if his teacher's didn't care - the
only bad experience was his 4th grade teacher because she
was just too unorganized to prepare anything. Three were
other issues with this teacher that I had to address at
other times with the principal as well. So this could have
been some sort of payback - lol.
Anyways, family vacations are too important not to have and
for us that means traveling in spring or fall. Now when my
son reaches middle school it may be a different story -
we'll just have to wait and see. But, that's 2 yrs away.
Just my experiences and I'd do it the same again and again
and again
Glenda
-----
We homeschool but our daughter attends school two days each
week as part of a co-op program with the schools. We
definitely take her out of that for vacations (just did it
last week). My husband's job only allows certain weeks for
vacation so we go when we can. People understand that we're
Disney people and know that we're good about attendance
otherwise.
MB
-----
|
