Should I take my teen out of school to go to WDW? - Page 4 - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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I think family vacations are important. I live in the midwest where so many people have never left the state and have NO clue on how the rest of the world really is. They are very closed minded and intolerant from having never dealt with people other then those exactly like themselves. I think travel(even to WDW) only benefits children. We have been travelling with our girls since they were 1&2 years old at all times of the year and have missed school. My kids know that school is very important and always make up the work and it teaches them to overcome some challenges by working harder. We live in one of the best school districts in the country with one of the highest success rates of students. The teachers are more then happy to help the kids make up any work. They have before/after/during school help. It makes me angry that how some of you posted your schools will not help the students make up work. That is what they are being paid to do. And for teachers to complain about extra work!? Really? I work in food and if someone calls last minute and wants food for 30 people in an hour, you bet your butt it is a ton of extra work but we don't refuse to help you because of the work. Some days are easier and some days are harder, that's life. Are you really teaching your students a good work ethic if you are refusing to help them because it causes more work for you? Especially since the child has no control over what the parents are having them do.
I find reading all of the responses to be very interesting and eye-opening. I realize that there are differences in how the school system works between various states, provinces and countries, but I had never realized the complications that family vacations can cause both parents and teachers. I suppose I had always been lucky and until now, my dd has been in grade school (Elementary School). I understand that going into high school is a whole new ball game and I will learn to figure out what our high school will allow and how my dd adapts to learning in high school. There has been some really worthwhile opinions, suggestions and insight (from both parent and educator's perspective) and I appreciate all of the feedback. I'm so glad that I still have plenty of time to discuss plans with my family and to figure out the best plan of action for us - thank you all
As a teacher, I say go for it as long as your child is succeeding in the classroom to the best of her ability.
That said, different school districts and states have different rules and laws. It's not that the teachers are refusing to give work, it's that by district rules they are not allowed to give the work.
Our district follows the state law on absences. Up until the 10th absence, you can miss school for family vacations, illnesses, etc. After the 10th absence the school must put a student on an attendance contract. Once a student is on the contract the only absences that are excused are with a doctor's note. If there is a death in the family that would be excused with proof of the funeral.
In some districts students are not allowed to make up work for unexcused absences. This is not the teacher's doing, but the teacher following board-set policy. I have yet to meet a teacher who wants kids to fail - we want them to succeed and will do what we can to help them, but there are times our hands are tied.
Some districts do not allow for work to be given ahead of time, but on the return to the classroom. Depending on the subject and level, it may not be possible to provide work ahead of time.
What frustrates the teachers is often we provide either the work ahead of time or after the absences, but the students never do the make-up work.
Yes parents do have the final say in what is best for their child; however, schools are following the guidelines set by the board of education, which has probably set their guidelines according to state law.
This is a personal decision for everyone which depends on how your children are doing in school. Time of year you take them out is also important. I took my children out the three days before Thanksgiving and the week after -- both in elementary school and high school. I got all the school work from their teachers, and I made sure they did everything assigned. We set aside time just for that purpose. Many times when we returned, they were ahead of the class in school work and home work because some of the days the schools were closed due to snow.
we always took our daughters out of school if our vacation time overlapped the school year. Family time is more important to us. I always felt they would learn more about the world by being in it and see different people and cultures then just by having a school tell them . The schools here were flexible and it never seemed like they missed much, both graduated and have jobs now and a lot of family memories
As a teacher, I say go for it as long as your child is succeeding in the classroom to the best of her ability.
That said, different school districts and states have different rules and laws. It's not that the teachers are refusing to give work, it's that by district rules they are not allowed to give the work.
Our district follows the state law on absences. Up until the 10th absence, you can miss school for family vacations, illnesses, etc. After the 10th absence the school must put a student on an attendance contract. Once a student is on the contract the only absences that are excused are with a doctor's note. If there is a death in the family that would be excused with proof of the funeral.
In some districts students are not allowed to make up work for unexcused absences. This is not the teacher's doing, but the teacher following board-set policy. I have yet to meet a teacher who wants kids to fail - we want them to succeed and will do what we can to help them, but there are times our hands are tied.
Some districts do not allow for work to be given ahead of time, but on the return to the classroom. Depending on the subject and level, it may not be possible to provide work ahead of time.
What frustrates the teachers is often we provide either the work ahead of time or after the absences, but the students never do the make-up work.
Yes parents do have the final say in what is best for their child; however, schools are following the guidelines set by the board of education, which has probably set their guidelines according to state law.
This! I took my son out of school (elementary) for a week for a trip to WDW. The teacher and the principal were both very understanding, but he was not provided make up work due to a policy similar to those mentioned above.
He is in high school now, and while I might consider taking him out of school for a few days, I think 2 weeks would be a bit too long. He wouldn't want to miss that much time (and work). With the "no make up work" policy, all of his grades would suffer quite a bit. I don't think it would be fair of me to ask him to do this. Of course, everyone's circumstances are different.
My children went to private Catholic schools. I did not have a problem with teachers or district guidelines, and I made sure they did all the work they were given.
That being said, this is something each parent has to decide for themselves.
My three children (Senior, Freshman and 4th Grade) just received approval from their principals to be excused from missing a week of school. In fact the principal at the high school stated in his email that he was thankful the boys had an opportunity to take a family trip and he hope we made lots of good memories while on our trip! I always take my children out of school for at least a week (for our WDW trips) however my children never have a problem with being excused due to excellent grades, behavior and good attendance throughout the reminder of the school year. Ok with all that being said - I could not keep my children out for two weeks - even with them being great students. First - I wouldn't want to put that kind of pressure on my kids trying to catch up while having to move on with new stuff. Second - I would feel as if I was taking advantage of the past excused days that kids were allowed to have. I'm so thankful for time that the school system has allowed my kids to be excused that I couldn't push it with asking for two weeks. This is just how I would feel if I ever was thinking about a two week trip to WDW (which by the way I would LOVE to do ) Good Luck on your decision! Everyone can give you lots of pros, cons and opinions but in the end it's your choice!
I'd say that it's okay because we don't live only for studying and working. We live to enjoy our lives, right? So, a few days off is fine to skip the school
Thank you all again, for all the great responses I have gotten. I understand there is much to consider and I really haven't made any decisions yet... I have asked a few friends whose kids are already in high school and they all seem to think it's no problem. I have also asked their kids how they would feel if they had lots of catch up work and if that time of year (Oct or Nov) would be difficult for them in terms of exams etc... and they all seemed to think it would be doable. I'm not so convinced lol! I still have some time so I will still mull over this whole predicament and talk it out with my DH and DD - I'm sure we can figure out some kind of WDW trip even if it isn't quite what we originally had thought about.
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