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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.
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!
II believe that taking vacation is also educational considering taking breaks and organizing yourself during the current year.
We planned the vacation including our DD, the dates, the time out of school, the importance of good grades all over the year, so a few days off would not compromise education. The follow up in the retunr regarding lessons.
Family vacation is important and WDW in the overall take is indeed educational. Both AK and Epcot, plus the math skills learned in dealing with budget...
Our district looks down on pulling kids out for vacation, but we've never had an objection from the teachers (who know our child and would voice concern if they thought that missing a few days would disrupt him too much in school.) Here's my opinion- it's none of their business if you are taking your child out to do something educational or not. Family vacations are important and while I would love to be able to do them when the school schedules breaks, it just doesn't always work out. If I, or DS's teacher, felt that DS couldn't handle missing and making up work, we wouldn't do it. But so far we haven't had that problem. I don't think you should feel the need to "justify" or "explain" this to your school. I know in our district it would be unexcused if we were going to sit on a beach for a week or going to DC and touring muesums/monuments/Captiol Hill. Ultimately I am my child's parent and should be able to make the call on what's ok and what's not. DS missed 3 days this month for our trip to WDW- this was something special we planned so that we would have some time together before the baby comes. DS took a journal, wrote it in, presented it to his class and brought in some artifacts from the trip (pins, pictures, maps, etc.) His teacher was as excited about the trip as we were!
I believe HiddenMickey is right too- I think schools lose out of money for every day your child isn't there so some of really cracking down. I stand behind every decision I make with regard to my child and if the school or the district pushed the issue with me, I would have no problem having a frank discussion. If my child was missing random days throughout the year or having a regular attendance problem, then I can appreciate the school needing to step in. Beyond that though I have a hard time with the district dictating to me when I can take my child on vacation (when there are many times where we aren't able to go during those breaks because of my and DH's work.)
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.
I'd try talking to the teacher involved. WDW isn't really an educational experience, but family time is still important. Perhaps you can come to an understanding. But if every parent reserved to themselves the right to decide when their children attended (or didn't attend school). there would be chaos
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
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