Quantcast Do you pull your kids out of school?
 
INTERCOT: Walt Disney World Vacation Planning Guide Walt Disney World Disney Cruise Line Mousehut Mail WebDisney News INTERCOT: Walt Disney World Vacation Guide
News Discussion Theme Parks Resorts Info Central Shop Interactive Podcast INTERCOT Navigtion
Site Sponsors
  magical journeys travel agency
  INTERCOT shop

INTERCOT Affiliates
  disney magicbands & accessories
  disneystore.com
  disney fathead
  disney check designs
  amazon.com
  priceline.com

News
  site search
  headlines
  past updates
  discussion boards
  email update

INTERCOT Other
  advertising
  sponsors
  link to us
  contact us
     

INTERCOT Ads
 

 
 

Page 1 of 3 123 LastLast
Results 1 to 20 of 45
  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jul 2009
    Location
    CO
    Posts
    552
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default Do you pull your kids out of school?

    I pulled my kids out in February and they missed 3 days of school. It was great - low crowds, not too much school work missed, good weather, etc. My daughter will be starting 3rd grade, and I know her who her teacher is going to be an d know this won't be much of an issue. My big problem is that my son is starting middle school in the fall and will be going to a magnet school with the International Baccalaureate program. I know this is going to be a big change for him and most likely much more work than 5th grade. I'd love to plan another trip around the same time in 2011, but don't want to make too much extra work for him. What do those of you with middle school/high school kids do?
    Jodi

    Many, many trips as a kid with family
    Last trip: November 2013
    Next trip: June 2014 - Just me and my son!

  2.     Please Support INTERCOT's Sponsors:
  3. #2
    Join Date
    Aug 2009
    Location
    Davenport, FL
    Posts
    3,321
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    I would take DD out of school for a week. She is going into the 5th grade. I don't know though if I would pull her from middle school. At that point I would probably just plan our trips around school breaks. I think a lot would depend on the child, and what kind of student they are. Can they get the homework ahead of time etc?

    Good luck with your decision.... happy planning
    Marci

    Many visits. Live 20 minutes from the parks.
    Work at Universal Studios in Diagon Alley. Ollivanders/ wand magic.

  4. #3
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Location
    Morristown NJ
    Posts
    7,146
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    I pull my sons out for 2 days every November, last trip they were 8th and 12th grade. Luckily they are pretty healthy kids so those are just about the only days they miss all year. The teachers have been pretty good, one went so far as to let DS take a mid-term at lunch the day before we left.
    - Lynn -
    INTERCOT Staff: Theme Parks, DVC

  5. #4
    Join Date
    Jun 2004
    Location
    Canton,Oh
    Posts
    864
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    My DD misses 3-5 school days every year, sophomore next year. At first she stressed a little over it, mostly because her grade school teachers were less than receptive. Now, she's taking all advanced classes, and doesn't miss a beat. We take advantage of the Nov. teacher's conference week (no school Thur. and Fri. the week before Columbus Day). So we get 8 nights and she misses 3 days. This year she chose to miss a 4th day, the Fri. before because she wanted that extra day in the park (we have been flying in Fri. night to get a fresh Sat. start).
    May'98-WL
    Sept'01-POFQ
    Oct'03-ASM
    Aug'04-CBR & Charley
    Dec'05- WL-Joined DVC
    June'06- DL's Grand Californian
    Nov '06 SSR
    Oct '07 SSR with extended family
    Oct '08 Disney Wonder/OKW
    Nov '09 AKV @ Kidani
    Nov '10 Kidani
    Nov '11 VWL
    May-June 13 Kidani
    Feb-March '14 SSR

  6. #5
    Join Date
    Jun 2008
    Location
    Marietta, GA
    Posts
    635
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    As a teacher, it doesn't bother me when kids get pulled out of class for a few days or a week if their grades are good, they are willing to make up the work, and they don't miss for a lot of other reasons. If a child who was behind or already missed a ton b/c of illnesses missed a week, I might have a bigger issue with it.

    Kristin
    Momma to two sweet boys: Myers and Jacob
    36 trips and counting!


  7. #6
    Join Date
    Feb 2005
    Location
    Berlin, Nj
    Posts
    264
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    My DD will be starting middle school...6th grade, in September. Prior to that we took her out of school for our Disney trips. The teachers were always very accomodating, as my DD is a great student. But now that my DD is getting older we will definitly work around her school schedule!








    Kim


    1984 MAY- OFF PROPERTY Senior Class Trip!!
    1985-86 May- OFF PROPERTY
    2005 MARCH- OFF PROPERTY
    2007 FEBRUARY - POP
    2008 AUG.- POP
    2009 MARCH - POR
    2009 AUG.-POLY
    2010 AUG. - POP
    2011 AUG. - POP
    2012 APRIL - All STAR MOVIES
    2013 DEC.-POP
    2014 AUG.-AOA
    2015 APRIL- CSR

  8. #7
    Join Date
    May 2010
    Location
    Chicago, Illinois
    Posts
    219
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    I'm a middle school teacher and I love when I know my students are going on family trips. I think that family time is so precious and valuable. I have seen huge self-esteem gains in students who have supportive, loving families. As long as your kids aren't gone for too long and aren't missing something like midterms, finals or state testing, I'd say go for it.
    Many trips as a child offsite
    1995 Disney Cruise/Old key west
    New Years 2001 Caribbean Beach Resort
    March 2006 Offsite
    Sept 2010 Coronado Springs Resort
    November 2013 POR
    Sept/oct 2014 cars room at AOA
    Next trip: too long!

  9. #8
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Location
    Moravia, New York
    Posts
    77
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    We always, always pull the kids out of school. This past year we went in September...after they had only been in school 3 weeks. My daughter is in 8th grade and my son is in 5th grade. He had no problems and she didn't either, although her teachers-one in particular-gave us a really hard time at parent teacher conference. Both my kids are on high honor roll every marking period and they kept up with all their work. Totally worth it for low crowds, great weather and lower prices!

  10. #9
    Join Date
    Jul 2005
    Location
    Ontario, Canada
    Posts
    8,532
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    We take DD out of school most years for a couple of family trips, Disney being among them.

    We let her teachers know in advance, take homework with us (if requested) and then we don't worry about it.

    She works hard at school, is a good student, and our time together and our adventures are most important and will teach her more than a couple of days at school ever could.
    Heather aka ibelieveindisneymagic
    INTERCOT Staff


    Engaged at the castle!
    My Disney Home is POFQ

  11. #10
    Join Date
    Apr 2002
    Location
    Portland, OR
    Posts
    2,422
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    For several years straight, I attended a conference at the Dolphin in the middle of October. DW and the two youngest boys came along. The boys were in Jr. High and High School. Both were average students. We had no problems pulling them out for a week at a time. We knew it was going to happen when school started and let the school and teachers know about it up front. We did not ask permission, but made it clear we would make sure they did their work and turned it in the first day back in class. The teachers were great about giving them their assignments several days ahead of time (gave the boys a chance to do some extra work before we even left).

    One year, one of the boys did all of his Geometry homework for the week on the flight down to Orlando (it's a 6+ hour trip for us). He was so happy he did that, as he didn't have to worry about Geometry (his least favorite subject) for the rest of the week.

    We did have some rules - they had to have a list of assignments and a plan for each day of which ones they would do. I went off to my conference each morning, but they didn't get to go to a Park until the day's assignements were completed. They quickly learned to get up early, get their work done and go play. In fact, after the first year, I think we got more dedicated schoolwork out of them on those trips than any other time of the school year.

    When they got back to class and turned in their work, their teachers were actually surprised - which made pulling them out the next year even easier.

    But the best thing about those trips was the memories the boys have. Ten years later they have both told us just how much those trips meant to them, and those times together are some of the best ones we will ever have.

    My advice - don't hesitate to take you kids out of class to make some serious memories. A week of classroom instruction is meaningless by comparison.

    Steve
    First visit: Disneyland, July 17, 1955 (well, somebody had to be there on opening day!)

    Most Recent Visit:
    Disneyland - June 21-25, 2017
    WDW - Sep 22 - Oct 5, 2019
    Next up: WDW - May 9 - 16, 2020 at Riviera!
    Dec 5 - 16, 2020 at Poly

  12. #11
    Join Date
    May 2008
    Location
    Anchorage, Ak.
    Posts
    204
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    We have taken our kids out of school for at least a week for the past 5 years and we will do it again this fall. Our DS will be a freshman and out DD will be in 7th. We have never had a problem, we always let the teachers know in advance so we can get any prework. However we never do it while on vacation, It is always done before we leave or after we get back. The kids know this and are prepared every year. They also understand that this a priveledge and that poor performance at school might prevent us from going each year. You can't beat the crowds when schoolis in session.
    Dean

    "Scream like a girl" Expedition Everest

    Sept. 2005 Caribbean Beach
    Oct... 2005 Animal Kindom Lodge
    Sept. 2006 Port Orleans Riverside
    Sept. 2007 All Star Music
    May 2008 All Star Movies
    April 2009 All Star Music
    Sept. 2010 Port Orleans French Quarter
    Sept 2012 POP Century

  13. #12
    Join Date
    May 2003
    Location
    Massachusetts
    Posts
    873
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    We have pulled our kids out of school without hesitation in years past. We are planning a trip for this year and are hesitant about doing it this year as our twins are going into 7th grade. My son is adament he does not want to go and miss school because he does not want to make up all that work. He works hard in school and takes it very seriously. There is nothing like going when school is still in session, much more enjoyable park experience. It's like a roll reversal....I'm begging him to go to Disney...lol

    Recent Trips:
    -OKW Aug 16 - Aug 23 / Royal Pacific Resort Universal Studios Aug 23 - Aug 26, 2013
    -Universal Studios Hard Rock Hotel Nov 14 - Nov 18, 2014
    -Saratoga Springs June 11 -18 2016

    Next Trip:
    -Port Orleans Riverside / Saratoga Springs Sept 8 - 17, 2017

  14. #13
    Join Date
    Oct 2000
    Location
    Saratoga County, New York/Polk County, Florida
    Posts
    769
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    Used to when they were in elementary school. Did not when in middle and high school. They are both in college now.
    39 trips to WDW (before I stopped counting and bought a house in the WDW area), 1 to DL & 5 DCL

  15. #14
    Join Date
    Jul 2005
    Location
    Connecticut
    Posts
    15,837
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    In elementary school, we would pull them out. After that, it was hard. The attendance policy in our town considers family vacation time as unexcused absence, and the kids can be failed for what they miss with no chance at make-up or doing work in advance. It just wasn't worth it for us to pull them out and risk their grades. We've gone in late August before school starts instead. If you're considering taking them out of school, just check with your school on the attendance policy first.
    Sherri
    Next: Aulani Celebration 10/2018 (50th)
    Past Stays: Contemporary, GF, Poly, BC, POP, POR, Dolphin, AKL Kidani, BLT
    1990 August Honeymoon- GF
    Delighted Disney Return Guest since 1981, DVC (BLT) since 2014


  16. #15
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Location
    Central Texas
    Posts
    2,394
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    We have in elementary, but now that DD is entering middle school, we likely will not. And yes, I am sad.
    Carrie

    CBR: 2/21-2/25/17
    POR: 6/4-6/11/16
    POFQ: 11/15-11/19/15
    8/28-9/1/14 -DL-Dumbo 19.3 C2C
    POR: 1/7-1/14/14 -Dopey 48.6
    POR: 6/11-6/17/13
    ASMu: 1/11-1/15/13 -1st Full 26.2
    ASMu: 9/22-9/28/11
    ASMu: 6/7-6/13/11
    Pop: 1/30-2/6/10
    Pop: 2/1-2/7/09
    Pop: 1/08
    ASMu: 05/06
    Off-site: 12/93

  17. #16
    Join Date
    Dec 2003
    Location
    massachusetts
    Posts
    183
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    This can be a touchy subject but my personal opinion is we take them out of school. It does get much more difficult as they get up into middle and high school. My kids rarely miss school, they are very healthy, thank goodness). We are pulling our kids from school for our Nov 2010 trip but it is over a holiday and teacher professional development day and teacher conference days so they will only miss 2 1/2 days of school and we will be in the world 6 nights 7 days. Heck, some kids miss more than that with a regular ol' virus. My oldest DD is entering high school and taking mostly all honors classes so the work load will be heavy. My DS is going to be in 6th and my youngest DD is going into 3rd. Like others have said if they are not struggling in school and can make up the work and let the teachers know well in advance it is usually not a problem. Plus there are the added benefits of actually spending time with my soon to be 14 year old who lately wants nothing to do with us. It has made me realize that you have to **** up all the family time you can when they are little because soon they want to spread their wings without you.
    Carol (44) AKA Merrymouse mom to dd 14, ds 12, dd 8, dh 46
    2010 Nov 11-17 POR
    2006 Sept 21-27 POR
    2004 Jan 20-26 GF
    1981 Offsite

  18. #17
    Join Date
    Jul 2005
    Location
    Wayne, NJ
    Posts
    3,554
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    Such a tough call... I think it all depends on the child and when you take them out.

    My kids have gotten perfect attendance in the past, so I'm not one to take them out, I work vacation around their schedules...HOWEVER, we decided to take a little family trip in early December to Disney, and the maximum we decided to take them out of school for was three days, this way they went back on Thursday and got a few days in. We finished up all of the homework by Sunday afternoon, which at that point, was more me standing over them giving them the answers to get it done. The learning part was LONG over. My girls are in the 2nd and 3rd grade.
    It worked out OK, and after Sunday afternoon's homework session was over, it was fine.
    Good Luck!
    Julie
    Next Up:

    Summer 2018... WE ARE BACK!!!
    2 families
    4 teenagers and Larry
    Taking on the parks!

  19. #18
    Join Date
    Jan 2006
    Posts
    2,651
    Post Thanks / Like

    Smile

    As long as our kids worked hard at school and got good grades, we never hesitated taking them out for a few days. As they got a little older (middle school and high school), we had to go through more hoops to get the approvals - but we did it - and we never regretted it.

    Each family has their own situation and their own decisions to make - sometimes based on the school district's policies. But I think some of the districts get a bit arrogant with their strict policies that seem to indicate the kids can only learn while sitting in a classroom. We always thought school best prepared kids by teaching them to learn on their own, and a family trip offered so many other learning opportunities. They learned to manage time better, study on their own, and became very comfortable with traveling through US airports. Not that we ever would have done it, but by the time our boys were 13-14, I could have dropped them off at an airport with their luggage and they could have safely gotten to their destination. Now they are older, it's second-nature for them to travel, which they've done quite a bit.

    Then there were the obvious advantages - mostly going when there were lighter crowds and it wasn't 95 degrees and humid!

    Sorry if I went off on a tangent!! Good luck with your decision....

  20. #19
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Location
    Blacksburg, VA
    Posts
    2,052
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    Yeah, it's a tough call. We have always done it, and our oldest (DS) is in middle school. We let the teachers know at the beginning of the year that they would be missing a solid week, and we've tried to get the assignments much like everyone else.

    As they start to get up into High School, we'll have to wait and see. A lot will depend on their grades, I think. If they are doing well and keeping up as it is, then we'll probably do it. We love Disney, but they've got to learn that school is top priority right now.
    2002 - 2022: 20+ visits (POR, BW, All Stars, VWL, CSR, BLT, BC, SSR, CB, Dolphin, OKW, Poly, offsite x8)
    DL - 1996, 2019
    Next up - January 2023 short trip! We just want to try that 50th Anniversary chocolate monstrosity at Mexico!

  21. #20
    Join Date
    Apr 2008
    Location
    Overland Park, Kansas
    Posts
    958
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    We have pulled our 2 boys out of school for our last 2 trips, Oct. 2008 & April 2010. This year, our oldest missed a week of Jr. College (he's a great student) and our youngest missed a week of 4th grade (he's a struggling student). In future trips, we will probably not go during the whole week, but maybe try to coordinate it when they have a couple days off school already. We enjoy Disney so much more with better weather and lower crowds!! But to avoid issues with school as time goes on, we may have to (gulp!) go during our Spring Break.
    Melinda

    Trips:

    Offsite - June 1997
    WL - October 2008
    POFQ - April/May 2010

    RPH - Universal - May 7th-11th 2014
    POFQ - Sept. 27-30, 2014 (just the two of us!)
    Royal Pacific Hotel - Universal - June 27th - July 1st, 2015
    POFQ - Sept 2017

Share This Thread On Social Media:

Share This Thread On Social Media:

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  

 
Company
Advertising
Guest Relations
Community
Discussion Boards
Podcast
Newsletter
Shop
Social
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
YouTube
Pinterest
Subscribe to our Newsletter
Enter your email address below to receive our newsletter:
INTERCOT Logo PRIVACY STATEMENT / DISCLAIMER | DISCUSSION BOARD RULES
© Since 1997 INTERCOT - a Levelbest Communications Website. This is not an official Disney website.
> Levelbest Network Site