As of January 1, 2019, we have closed our forums. This is a decision we did not come to lightly, but it is necessary. The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk. The server software itself must be updated, and it cannot be without removing the forums.
So it is with a heavy heart that we say goodbye to our long-running forums. They came online in 2000 and brought together so many wonderful Disney fans. We had friendships form, careers launch, couples marry, children born ... all because of this amazing community.
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There are other changes as well.
Why? Well, the world has changed. And change with it, we must. The lyrics to "We Go On" for IllumiNations say it best:
We go on to the joy and through the tears
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Moving on with the current of the years.
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It's time to move on and move forward.
PassPorter is a small business, and for many years it supported our family. But the world changed, print books took a backseat to the Internet, and for a long time now it has been unable to make ends meet. We've had to find new ways to support our family, which means new careers and less and less time available to devote to our first baby, PassPorter.
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So we encourage you to stay in touch with us and your fellow community members wherever works best for you!
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Just wanted to put this thread out here in case anyone has ever had a similar situation to mine. I am a Social Studies teacher at a local high school in New York. we are alloted 5 snow days in our district calendar each school year. Since Easter is in March this year, our district gave us a 4 day weekend at that time and is then giving us the usually week off in April. This seems like a great time to visit WDW! However, if we use more than our 5 snow days, the giveback days are that week of April.
I have been toying with (as you could see if you have visited my PTR or the Poll thread I posted yesterday) switching a somewhat rushed Memorial Day weekend trip we were going to take with a slightly longer trip in April, during this Spring Break week, but setting our check in for Tuesday, this way- if need be I could be back in school for Monday and even Tuesday if we had to give back days, depending on how I time our flight (which I would wait on to book for just such an occasion). Do you think this is still a gamble? Anyone have to switch a vacay before? How hard would it be if I HAD to move it to May or summer?
I know April would be more magical-- better weather, Flower and Garden at its prime, and possible Pirate and Princess Party that week. But this is my career and I am not tenured to if we have to be in school, that is where I will be. I was thinking of have snow dates, and pick a similar week or weekend and make backup ADRs in case we need to change our reservation. Help!
Personally, I would do the Spring Break and if I had to, have a sub. Not very dedicated, maybe, but you have personal days for a reason! (I'm an aide, not a teacher, but same premise.)
Isn't it funny that in NY you get 5 days for snow, and in Alaska we get only 2!
Do you not have personal days you can take if there is school? I am a second grade teacher and I have never taken a vacation during the school year before. But this year I am, and I am so excited!!! We are going to AKL for 9 days in January. Anywhere is warmer that Alaska in January and the crowds are so much better too. Hope you enjoy your April trip
Isn't it funny that in NY you get 5 days for snow, and in Alaska we get only 2!
My theory would be that you have so much snow that you are MUCH more capable of dealing with it. Three crazy flakes here in NYC and the news people scream from the highest Doppler Antenna to hunker down for a LOOOONG winter's nap. Ever since the BLIZZARD of '96 when we were surprised and burried under a whopping 3 feet, the city takes no chances
MEL! Just be careful how you use your days in the meanwhile. If your trip reports reflect in any way your work ethic and productivity in the classroom, I'd bet you are a gem in the principal's eyes. Take a lot of Airborne and vitamins so your face is always at work. Then IF, and it's a big IF, there are snow day make-ups, you can miss one or two fairly guilt free. I've used personal days for Disney before - NYC Board of Ed. My then DBF, now DH, was my assistant teacher at the time while going to college courtesy of the NYC BOE. Imagine telling the principal that not only would I be missing a couple of days, but I'm taking my aide with me He wasn't thrilled.
My theory would be that you have so much snow that you are MUCH more capable of dealing with it. Three crazy flakes here in NYC and the news people scream from the highest Doppler Antenna to hunker down for a LOOOONG winter's nap. Ever since the BLIZZARD of '96 when we were surprised and burried under a whopping 3 feet, the city takes no chances
MEL! Just be careful how you use your days in the meanwhile. If your trip reports reflect in any way your work ethic and productivity in the classroom, I'd bet you are a gem in the principal's eyes. Take a lot of Airborne and vitamins so your face is always at work. Then IF, and it's a big IF, there are snow day make-ups, you can miss one or two fairly guilt free. I've used personal days for Disney before - NYC Board of Ed. My then DBF, now DH, was my assistant teacher at the time while going to college courtesy of the NYC BOE. Imagine telling the principal that not only would I be missing a couple of days, but I'm taking my aide with me He wasn't thrilled.
I am in class (well a Study Hall) right now and literally laughed outloud about the blizzard of '96.... I remember that so well because it was the weekend of my 13th birthday! My best friend and I lived like 4 houses apart and had the same birthday so when we had to cancel our bday parties that weekend my parents trekked me through the snow and the two of us has a slumber party. The news casters did treat it as if hell had frozen over, didn't they? lol... AND ever since every snowflake may be a <gasp> Nor'Easter.... HAHA!!! I love it!
I never thought of that-- the idea that maybe, just maybe, I could hold onto my days until then and work something out if need be, then it doesn't seem so bad. I took a personal day earlier this year because I was moving but thats all I have taken and I know I would rather not take any but again, more than 5 snow days, plus the 2 I alotted for... I may be worrying for nothign. I don't know how likely we are to use more than 7 snow days. There is only a 72% chance or something like that of snow falling during the school week anyways, plus we have lots of chances for not just that weekend snow but vacation snow- Christmas to New Years, Presidents Weekend, MLK Jr day.... it can't always snow on weekdays! lol!
Okay, I am sitting here just thinking about WDW when I should be using my Study Hall period to grade and do other, more productive things on a Friday. In any case, I think I am going to go for it. I am going to put down my $200 for a deposit in April and just hope for the best. It feels more meant to be. I know I am crazy. lol.
I will watch the days carefully and keep my fingers crossed- obviously the district does the same thing and tries to break even each year. In the meantime, maybe if I don't take a sick day and its only the difference of like 1 day I will try and take it, see what I can work out. But that is not for worrying about right now.
In any case, while I have all the teachers attention-- what is your favorite "off from school" time to go to the World? I need a back up 5 day period to use just in case. I feel like the only way I can make this work is to be prepared!
I agree totally with the poster who said - how can they penalize you for booking a vacation during a vacation week!! So basically they are saying - yes you have off, but don't make any plans, cuz it might snow. Seems silly, but I totally understand your nervousness about it being sort of like an "unwritten policy". I think you should go for it as well. Could you personally talk to your boss about it - to ease your nerves a bit? Please keep us updated!!
I'd second (or third) the use of personal days. In our district, I think they get 3 a year. I'd continue with your spring break plans, and if need be, use personal days. It's not like much work is going to get done at that time anyway, since everyone else is already planning their vacations as well for that week and kids are probably not going to change their vacation plans
Personally, I would do the Spring Break and if I had to, have a sub. Not very dedicated, maybe, but you have personal days for a reason! (I'm an aide, not a teacher, but same premise.)
Quote:
Originally Posted by cindyjog
Isn't it funny that in NY you get 5 days for snow, and in Alaska we get only 2!
Do you not have personal days you can take if there is school? I am a second grade teacher and I have never taken a vacation during the school year before. But this year I am, and I am so excited!!! We are going to AKL for 9 days in January. Anywhere is warmer that Alaska in January and the crowds are so much better too. Hope you enjoy your April trip
Quote:
Originally Posted by Colexis Mom
I'd second (or third) the use of personal days. In our district, I think they get 3 a year. I'd continue with your spring break plans, and if need be, use personal days. It's not like much work is going to get done at that time anyway, since everyone else is already planning their vacations as well for that week and kids are probably not going to change their vacation plans
Here's the thing, though-- I am untenured and it is a BIG no-no for me to take a personal day on or around a vacation. Our district really is sticklers for that kinda thing even with the tenured teachers. I mean, if I tried to take a personal or sick day on a return day I would literally be compromising my job. If I had tenure I may just say screw it and take the grunt when I return.... but since I am a newbie its sort of out of the question. Is it worth the gamble?
IMO: Given your restrictions and worry, I would schedule for a time that you KNOW you can go. Assume that you will be working, and enjoy the time off at home, planning your trip, if you are not.
It is my belief that planning for a vacation should be fun, and worrying about important things, namely your career, does not enhance the anticipation, but steals from it.
Whatever you decide to do, have fun and take care of yourself in the process!
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DH and I: Epcot 12/07
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IMO: Given your restrictions and worry, I would schedule for a time that you KNOW you can go. Assume that you will be working, and enjoy the time off at home, planning your trip, if you are not.
It is my belief that planning for a vacation should be fun, and worrying about important things, namely your career, does not enhance the anticipation, but steals from it.
Whatever you decide to do, have fun and take care of yourself in the process!
Thats the funny thing though... I was worrying about May as well, because of time restraints and whatnot.
I wish I could guarantee that we would not use more than 7 days. I think I may just hope for the best and put my deposit down with the April dates. This was we will have some winter pass by before we would owe anything else and possibly have to switch. Idunno.
I have a conflicting brain right now-- part of it is saying to go for it and part of it is like wait for summer (but then I think of the bleh weather, no fun events, and get the been there- dont that feeling)....
Any other input would be wonderful!
Anyone been in this position before?
I work in a school now and my husband just retired from a different school district. In both of our districts, if there is a give back of snow days off of say Spring Break, if the teacher, or aide or anybody else has a confirmed airline and hotel reservation for those give back days, then they are allowed to go on the scheduled vacation with no penalty against their pay. Last year, the district my kids go to (even different) used up more than their scheduled snow days by February because of that October suprise snowstorm and other wintry days. Anyway, the union made a deal with the district to work an extra day at the end of the year and also give back a conference day in order not to lose any days at Spring Break. So, I think it all depends on your union contract. Personally, we would go on the vacation!
I work in a school now and my husband just retired from a different school district. In both of our districts, if there is a give back of snow days off of say Spring Break, if the teacher, or aide or anybody else has a confirmed airline and hotel reservation for those give back days, then they are allowed to go on the scheduled vacation with no penalty against their pay. Last year, the district my kids go to (even different) used up more than their scheduled snow days by February because of that October suprise snowstorm and other wintry days. Anyway, the union made a deal with the district to work an extra day at the end of the year and also give back a conference day in order not to lose any days at Spring Break. So, I think it all depends on your union contract. Personally, we would go on the vacation!
Yes, I'm wondering what you're contract says as well. Personally I'd never have this problem as we make up snow days at the end of the school year, not during school vacations. I think it is terrible that you could be penalized for making vacation plans DURING a vacation week. I'm sure plenty of kids miss those days, as families plan vacation for that time too.
I'd make the plans but make sure you get refundable airfare (or wait to book that) and know the cancellation policies of whatever you decide to book.
If I were risking my job, I wouldn't do it. I think the district is asking for trouble by possibly taking days back from a scheduled spring break. Too many families are going to plan vacations and they won't change them, so even if you are in school many of the kids will not be there and teaching won't be effective. Of course, you can't change that and it doesn't solve your problem.
i don't really have any advice, just a little blurb...my mom is a retired first grade teacher and she took personal days every now and then just to get away. she called them "mental health days." her principal never really cared (he was a jerk and only cared about "certain" teachers, if you get my drift...) good luck deciding!! just hope for no snow!!!
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(I'm an aide, not a teacher, but same premise.)
He wasn't thrilled.
Danny and I at Epcot 8/14/08
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