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Not sure this is the right place. Third grade is cracking down. Used to be much easier to go during the lower grades. We missed 1 day of school because of a cruise. They marked DS's homework as late because of it. I'm concerned that they will take off points if the work and tests are late. I know that WDW isn't really that educational. So far I've come up with AK and the animals and conservation as educational. Also Epcot is educational because of the WS, the Land teaches conservation. We are also doing the Behind the Seeds tour so he'd be learning about sustainability and plant growth cycles. We could also count money skills since he is given a specific amount of money and it is up to him to spend it wisely. If he runs out there is no more money for him. Does anyone have any other ideas?
I would tell the school administration that your child is learning about being a good person and how important family time is for a successful individual. That is something they are clearly missing if they are mandating a third grader not miss a day of school. I have read posts on these board about how schools act like yours. Fortunately we have no trouble taking our kids out of any grade. If I did I would let them know that I am the parent and I am doing what I know is best for my child because they are just that - MY child. I would not let a school district tell me how they are going to run my childs life. I wish you luck dealing with the school district buracracy
I'm sorry to hear you are worried about the school penalizing your child if they take a family vacation. I wonder though, have you actually talked to your child's teacher specifically about it? I know if you just read my DS's school's handbook, it sounds horribly strict and like if you take your kid out for more than 5 days a year and they aren't in the hospital or something terrible, you are in BIG trouble (like going to court trouble). However, "excused" absences are often dealt with a lot more leniently by an actual person (aka the teacher) instead of a book. I was sort of concerned when DS missed time due to our WDW trip this month, but when I talked to his teacher about it a couple weeks beforehand, she said it was totally fine and all he had to do was miss library time one day to make up a couple missed tests. I hope you have an easier time than you are expecting.
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WDW is not really a "educational opportunity" rather it's a vacation where you can learn a few things. I would be very surprised if your school allowed it as an excused absence if the policy looks strict. Good luck
From what I understand, more and more school systems are moving to a "Don't Miss School at All" system because of funding and they way money is allocated. Things that they once OKed easily are more closely scrutinized by the administration.
Our school district considers family vacation an excused absence.
And we've been lucky that DD's teachers realize there are lessons to be learned in the real world -- not everything is part of a school curriculum. Though I will admit, I've had more trouble justifying MK than the other parks when I run through the trip in my own mind.
Just because MK isn't educational per se doesn't mean your DS has stop using his brain on the trip. Maybe you could talk to the teacher about math skills and see which they will be learning or practicing.
Are they learning graphs, averages? Could your third grader make a chart -- we saw X number of princesses, Y characters from Winnie the Pooh and Z of others. Make up as many categories as you can. What is the range? Average?
Are they doing estimates or rounding? Print out a menu from a CS place -- If everyone has to order something different, what could you order for $X ? Is $Y enough to feed a family of 4?
Think about how we all use math skills in our everyday lives and have your DS do that too.
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Last edited by Carousel96; 10-20-2010 at 11:18 AM..
Our school district allows a family vacation of no more than 5 days missed from school. They don't ask where you are going, but you have to get the leave approved prior to the trip.
I would tell the school administration that your child is learning about being a good person and how important family time is for a successful individual. That is something they are clearly missing if they are mandating a third grader not miss a day of school.
Our school does not allow vacations as excused absences. We can miss up to 10 days unexcused/year. That said, we took DD out in K, 1st and 2nd grades. She wasn't allowed to get the material that she would miss before we left, but had to make it up when we got back (she had 5 days to do so). She never had any problems catching back up!
How long will your DS be out of school? I would tell the teacher that he will be out for x number of days and take it from there. Family time is important. Learning to bond with your family members is just as important as learning the life cycle of bees. And if it's third grade we're talking about, well, let's face it, a low grade in elementary school won't keep your DS out of Harvard!
How long will your DS be out of school? I would tell the teacher that he will be out for x number of days and take it from there. Family time is important. Learning to bond with your family members is just as important as learning the life cycle of bees. And if it's third grade we're talking about, well, let's face it, a low grade in elementary school won't keep your DS out of Harvard!
Enjoy your vacation!
He missed one day in Sept because of a cruise. He'll miss 5 days in Dec and 1 day in Feb. Really not a lot of days compared to over years. We usually take him out for 2 weeks during the year. We've never had problems in the past. The district sends a nasty letter after a certain number of days. The first day of kindergarten the principal said to disregard it because it sounds mean but they really don't do anything about it. I'm more worried about his teacher. We he missed a day in Sept she knew ahead of time and we took his homework with us. She marked it late and docked some points because of it.
He missed one day in Sept because of a cruise. He'll miss 5 days in Dec and 1 day in Feb. Really not a lot of days compared to over years. We usually take him out for 2 weeks during the year. We've never had problems in the past. The district sends a nasty letter after a certain number of days. The first day of kindergarten the principal said to disregard it because it sounds mean but they really don't do anything about it. I'm more worried about his teacher. We he missed a day in Sept she knew ahead of time and we took his homework with us. She marked it late and docked some points because of it.
I wonder if you could email or fax assignments in if need be so they wouldn't be late? Just a thought. I have no clue how schools work these days as my DD is only one. I work at a college though and I know students do that here but these are college students, lol
Our school district also gives three excused family vacation days a year. Other than that they are very strict about missing. So, I request my three days then take two more that will go as unexcused. The rest of the year we NEVER miss. If we do it is because we have a doctors excuse.....BUT I have the advantage of having my cousin as a pediatrician so if they are too sick for school I can drop in her office at anytime and let her check them out. I realize that isn't the case with everyone else. It does keep our absences at a minimum.
We just got back from our trip and even though his teacher was okay with it we still got a nasty letter in the mail today. I don't know what to think but I hope it is just a formality and that nothing will come of it. I emailed his teacher because we were creating a book report for him to share with the class and at this moment I honestly don't know if I want to do that anymore. I am just really ticked off at the moment. I wish our school district was a bit more lenient on this issue, I really don't want to have to start taking him to WDW in the summer but we may not have a choice. We will see. I wish you the best of luck with your school and hope they give you the green light.
Our school district goes to Epcot and Sea World on field trips!!!!
This year I have both of my younger kids in middle school. So instead of contacting 14 different teachers I went straight to the principal. We will be taking a B2B Disney Cruise toward the end of May next year. This is his reply to the email I sent him!! ( I was more worried about final exams)
"Thank you for your e-mail….I think I can help. I did have the help of Ms. Kell, my CRT, who did some checking for me… Final exams should not be affected with your trip. The only concern that we confirmed is the Chorus Concert, and Ms. Doss will work with us on that. I think it sounds like a great idea, and I wish I could go!@! Have a great family trip. DMagee "
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