Taking Kids out of school About This Page:

[lura008]

We live in Dickson County,TN. (abt 35 mi from Nashville) They started school today, so I was reading the handbook. It is strictly up to the principal to decide if a few days off for vacation will be excused. If they do not approve of it, then the child is required to attend Saturday school. I have one in 12th grade and one in 4th grade. I volunteer at the Elementary school alot, so I probably could have that one approved, But I don't want to take that type of chance. I have a cousin that is a teacher there and she said to DEFINATELY keep it to myself. It sort of depends on who you are and how much the staff likes you as to whether it would be excused. I remember when my DD2 was in 2nd grade, a girl in her class went to the principal and the parents told her that was the only time off together they could get as a family. They asked for all of her homework. At first, the principal said it should be ok, then when the little girl gat back, she has to attend Saturday school.

I'm just not willing to run that chance. Both of my DDs do well in school. DD2 is a straight A student, DD1 is A&B. I am telling the teachers on Wednesday before our trip that we are going out of town on 8/29 for a long Labor Day weekend and to please let them take any tests for that Friday on Thursday. They are also out of school 9/2 for Staff Developement, so they will only miss 4 days. The week of Labor Day, i'm going to have my mother pick up DD2s assignments and just say that they are both sick. I don't think I would even tell them , but DD2 is in Choir and they are very strict about missing any practices, so I will have to call the Choir teacher.
I wish everyone luck with this. I think we all need it.
There is no way that we could give up "free dining" for 7 days. That is a lot of money that we don't have to pay out.

[hall0731]

We orginally wanted to go over Feburary 4th of next year. He would be in a crucial time at school. 1st grade and 1/4 th into the second semester. I weighed going and not going and how he would be affected in his learning especially with his adhd. I also had to consider the thought if they did follow through with the court issue, it would give my exhusband ammunition against me in court beings he wants his rights returned to the original status. That is not something that I am willing to take a chance on. Thank you everyone for your advice and thoughts and well wishes. Thank you for the wonderful letter provided. I know it took time to type that on here and hopefully it can help someone else as well.

[Pax]

Originally Posted by lura008

At first, the principal said it should be ok, then when the little girl gat back, she has to attend Saturday school.

The moral of this story: whatever the agreement is, whoever it's with ... get it in writing.

[pflamingo]

Teacher weighing in here.

First three days of school? Go for it! Just do what everyone else has said... check w/ principal, teacher, find out what will be missed, what will need to be made up, etc.

Oh, and don't forget the value of a good bribe -- bring back a little something for the teacher and principal! I always try to bring back something for my principal and students when I take a few days off from school to go to WDW!

[farah]

we did the same last year and after the first few days of school, we took my DD7 out from 2nd grade. like many, our reasoning was the long lines and crowds and yes weather, eventhough Sept is still hot but not crowded. I would do it again, but would take in the factors of testing and not go around that time but by going on vacation with the family it is also a learning experience.

[JeanneMorris]

Hee Hee Hee...yet ANOTHER reason to homeschool!!!

Our public school system has a NO Disney policy! You can take your kids out to go to Vegas and teach them to gamble, but you can't take them to Disney for a true family vacation!

One close friend of mine actualy was given a citation to appear at Juvenile court because she took her daughter out of 3rd grade to take a family trip to Disney! But another acquaintance took her two kids out of middle school to take a trip to Vegas where the kids were left to fend for themselves, and it was approved!

Nini

[JanetCatherineB]

WOW. Vegas is Okay but Disney is not. That is crazy.. Well we live in So Cal and are heading to WDW in December. The principal said it won't be a problem although the school district has a very STRICT attendance policy. 6 days in one year and you get put on a list. Seriously these are young children. I have three all girls ages 6,5, and 3. it's not like they are in High School and running off campus with their friends. I am amazed at how strict they are. My oldest is top of her class and is going into a 2nd/3rd grade class this year. Straight A's and never a problem. My middle child is going into Kinder and she is top of her class. I just hope that the principal is right and it wont be a problem. We took them out two years ago to see a sick relative in washington, well when we came home our children had all been kicked out of school for too many absences. It took me 2 weeks to get them back in. ANd I am the one ruining there education.

~J~

[GinaButtrfly]

I simply cannot believe what I'm reading. I am a teacher. I taught in both the NYC Catholic School system (Archdiocese) and the NYC Board of Education. Your children were KICKED OUT OF SCHOOL TO VISIT A SICK RELATIVE, JanetCatherineB!?!?!?! Wow!

I have taken my kids out of school 2X in the past - a NYC Catholic School. DS#1 was in Pre-K in 2006, DS#1 was in K and DS#2 was in Pre-K in 2007. This year, I am taking them out in December for 3-1/2 school days. Then, because the plans were made BEFORE the school calendar came out, they will miss 3 days in February due to DH's cousin's Disney Wedding. The school usually gives the kids a whole week for President's Week. This year, the 1st year I have EVER had Pres Week plans, they are only giving them Monday and Tuesday. My kids are not ever absent for no good reason. The principal and teachers so far have been on my side - wishing us well on our vacations. The children have not been bothered or hindered academically at all so far. Of course, if and when this happens, my vacation plans will undoubtedly change. Until then, I will vacation when it is reasonable (financially and otherwise) for my family - not when strangers tell me I can vacation.

I'm wondering, in these places where the rules are over the top strict, have there been high ratios of failures, no-shows and drop outs???

[GinaButtrfly]

I simply cannot believe what I'm reading. I am a teacher. I taught in both the NYC Catholic School system (Archdiocese) and the NYC Board of Education. Your children were KICKED OUT OF SCHOOL TO VISIT A SICK RELATIVE, JanetCatherineB!?!?!?! Wow!

I have taken my kids out of school 2X in the past - a NYC Catholic School. DS#1 was in Pre-K in 2006, DS#1 was in K and DS#2 was in Pre-K in 2007. This year, I am taking them out in December for 3-1/2 school days. Then, because the plans were made BEFORE the school calendar came out, they will miss 3 days in February due to DH's cousin's Disney Wedding. The school usually gives the kids a whole week for President's Week. This year, the 1st year I have EVER had Pres Week plans, they are only giving them Monday and Tuesday. My kids are not ever absent for no good reason. The principal and teachers so far have been on my side - wishing us well on our vacations. The children have not been bothered or hindered academically at all so far. Of course, if and when this happens, my vacation plans will undoubtedly change. Until then, I will vacation when it is reasonable (financially and otherwise) for my family - not when strangers tell me I can vacation.

I'm wondering, in these places where the rules are over the top strict, have there been high ratios of failures, no-shows and drop outs???

[JanetCatherineB]

well I live outside of L.A. CA and yes it is a high drop out area and the parents for the most part just don't care. But my girls are great in school, my 6 year old reads at a 4th grade level and my 5 year old is going into Kinder but could go straight to 1st grade if we lived in a better school district and my 3 year old is ready for kinder but will be going to a pre school program for her 3rd year. Education is VERY important to me and my hubby.

When we did our trip to Washington state to see a sick relative there was a different principal at the school so we are hoping that this time when we have to take them out there wont be a problem. We too planned our vacation before the school calendar came out and our mistake went off the calendar of what they did last year. But it is the only time that we can afford to go. I was a CM at DisneyLand in the past and my hubby is currently a CM so that saves a TON of money but still expensive with 3 kids and 2 adults. I guess we will see what happens.

[Pax]

Originally Posted by JeanneMorris

Our public school system has a NO Disney policy! You can take your kids out to go to Vegas and teach them to gamble, but you can't take them to Disney for a true family vacation!

Obviously, that policy is one rooted in ignorance and stupidity ... and I suspect, no small amount of jealousy; who wants to take bets that the author(s) of that policy never got to go to Disney as a kid?

[thinkpink]

Well, so much for my earlier post on the joys of family togetherness. We have two children who go to a private school - we were told that they encourage families to be together and they would work with us to get assignments done etc. Very understanding and we are all set for our absence there.

However, my daughter is in K-5 at the public schools and we were told at the orientation that absolutely no absences will be tolerated. Vacations are considered unexcused without exception and we will receive a letter on day two giving a warning and reinforcing the importance of being at school.

On day three, we will receive an required appointment with the judge and will be required to go to court.

We have discussed this with the principal. No change. No exceptions.
Not a great way to begin my DD's school career.

THe trip is paid for, packed for, approved by our other school and much anticipated by our children for over a year!

So, off to court we go...after our magical trip to Disney, of course!!

[baileybrown]

I would definately do it in fact I am doing it!!!! 3-4 days in November and my son will be in 3rd grade too! Just let the teacher know and try to get make up work done before leaving, or while traveling, Good luck-No regrets!!!

[6fans4life]

I'm planning to do it, too, with my DD-5th, DS-3rd, DD-1st, and DD-3 yrs. old. I did do it when my oldest DD was in 1st and the school had no problem with it at all. I also want to say that I don't think you're Kindergartener will miss out on too much in the 1st three days. Yes, all schools are different, but children really are great adjusters. When I had to switch my children suddenly out of one school and into another after just 10 days of school (food allergy issues), my 1st grader and my 3rd grader adjusted very well. And when I switched my Kindy girl last year from public to parochial after just two weeks, again she adjusted beautifully. She also only went 3 days/wk all year, while all of the other children were there for 5 (I'm not a big fan of full-day K), and she was accepted by all of the other children and did very well academically. If you feel your child will adjust, don't worry about it--it's only 3 days and it's only Kindergarten. (Heck, my two oldest didn't even go!)

And for some of those other posts: what is this country coming to! Parents being taken to truancy court for taking their kids out of school for a family vacation? School districts need to be reminded that they are just partners in each child's education--and that parents are the ultimate decision-makers. This is why I'm hoping and praying that my children will never be in public school--I won't give the administration that kind of authority over my family.

So go to Disney and have the best vacation of your life! Enjoy your family and every beautiful experience with your children--they do grow up too fast and these experiences and memories are so important!

[caimart]

In our schools...Franklin, MA..., the student will fail all of their classes if they have 5 unexcused absences in a semester, no matter the actual grade they have earned. And vacation time is not excused. They would also not be allowed to participate in any extracurricular activities for the next semester. Also, I know there is a truancy law in MA and I believe it can involve court appearances and fines. My daughter, 10th grade, missed 2 days last September because my father died and I had to bring in a copy of his death certificate to get the absences excused for her. I find it quite ridiculous because I think family time is very important and that WDW makes for wonderful family memories and educational opportunities but I would check the school's policy very carefully before I pulled my kids out for more than a couple days. It wouldn't be worth the hassles we would have to overcome with school so we just try and plan for off-school times.