Education at WDW

Amazing! What arrogance from the school system! I worked in education for 32 years; ending my career as an Assistant Principal in a High School. My wife is currently a Superintendent. Neither of us can believe a district would try and mandate parents ask permission to take their kids out of school. Parents would let us know their child would be missing school for a vacation out of courtesy; big difference from asking permission.
Take the Kid to WDW!

I've never heard of anything so ludicrous, asking the BoE for permission, no way. I took my boys our for a couple days all the way through HS. At times they were given an assignment (i.e.: Italian teacher would make them interview a CM at the Italy Pavillion) but never did I ask anyone's permission especially in kindergarten.

I guess you could make it semi educational mentioning animals and ecology in AK, countries in WS, etc but I would let them know we were going whether or not they approved.

Spending quality time with family, doesn't get more "educational" than that.

Cinderelley;2510523 wrote: We have to write a letter to the Board of Education explaining why they should let us take my roommate's kids out of school to go to WDW. I want to just write "He's in kindergarten. What does it matter?" Instead, I will ask you guys. Has anyone ever written something like this? Any pointers?

Well, he might miss the day sponsored by the letter "G." How will he ever make that up? Or make a construction paper collage of things they like? Art unmade is a travesty.

Never heard of that, wow. And in Arizona no less. That is surprising.

Looks like you have a lot to look forward to! :shake:

If you don't live in Florida, it's a travel opportunity to introduce them to a different part of the country. Besides Asia, Africa, dinosaurs and the animals at AK, you also have World Showcase, where they can learn about different countries and languages by talking to the hosts at each Kidcot Fun Stop (do they still do these? Way back, my daughter did a craft---art class covered!) There's a music tie-in with the various performances around the parks. Some of the "rides" are educational, like Spaceship Earth, which "explores man's technological advances over the centuries". There are marine exhibits, aquaculture and greenhouses. Colonial America is represented. Hall of the Presidents showcases all of the American presidents. And don't forget about the Conservation Station (veterinary science). So, science, history, music, art...and if you count all that walking, P.E.! I'm sure you can give enough examples to get the go-ahead. Don't stress over it!

texas211;2510531 wrote: Well, he might miss the day sponsored by the letter "G." How will he ever make that up? Or make a construction paper collage of things they like? Art unmade is a travesty.

Never heard of that, wow. And in Arizona no less. That is surprising.

Lol. Thank you for the laugh. I needed it. The kids actually live in Kentucky with their mother. The courts have given him permission. I don't really see how the Board of Education can stop him, but the mother is saying it has to be done.

Snow's Mom;2510544 wrote: Looks like you have a lot to look forward to! :shake:

If you don't live in Florida, it's a travel opportunity to introduce them to a different part of the country. Besides Asia, Africa, dinosaurs and the animals at AK, you also have World Showcase, where they can learn about different countries and languages by talking to the hosts at each Kidcot Fun Stop (do they still do these? Way back, my daughter did a craft---art class covered!) There's a music tie-in with the various performances around the parks. Some of the "rides" are educational, like Spaceship Earth, which "explores man's technological advances over the centuries". There are marine exhibits, aquaculture and greenhouses. Colonial America is represented. Hall of the Presidents showcases all of the American presidents. And don't forget about the Conservation Station (veterinary science). So, science, history, music, art...and if you count all that walking, P.E.! I'm sure you can give enough examples to get the go-ahead. Don't stress over it!

I'm just gonna have Snow's Mom write it. :funny:

As a homeschool mom, I referenced Disney's educational and innovative qualities countless times. Living in Florida, we were fortunate enough to visit often enough that those lessons were always pertinent. Animal Kingdom alone could be your one and only qualifier, but you have 3 more parks from which to enhance your argument.

Snow's Mom hit the nail on the head. You should expound on all her examples. :thumbsup:

Cinderelley;2510657 wrote: Lol. Thank you for the laugh. I needed it. The kids actually live in Kentucky with their mother. The courts have given him permission. I don't really see how the Board of Education can stop him, but the mother is saying it has to be done.

I would contact the school attendance clerk directly, and ask what is required for a pre-arranged absence. It sounds like the mother may be calling the shots here and not the school district.

Having to write the school board for approval is completely absurd and seems intrusive.

When a child is out for a family trip, it will likely not be considered an excused absence, but our district allows a number of absences before hours need to be made up.

Cinderelley;2510657 wrote: Lol. Thank you for the laugh. I needed it. The kids actually live in Kentucky with their mother. The courts have given him permission. I don't really see how the Board of Education can stop him, but the mother is saying it has to be done.

Hmm, Kentucky.
Just take some photos of the kids at Tom Sawyer island, maybe hit the hall of presidents, maybe read about Daniel Boone in Frontierland.

texas211;2510707 wrote: Hmm, Kentucky.
Just take some photos of the kids at Tom Sawyer island, maybe hit the hall of presidents, maybe read about Daniel Boone in Frontierland.

I am totally picture this photo with a coon hat on their heads. lol

cer;2510685 wrote: I would contact the school attendance clerk directly, and ask what is required for a pre-arranged absence. It sounds like the mother may be calling the shots here and not the school district.

Having to write the school board for approval is completely absurd and seems intrusive.

When a child is out for a family trip, it will likely not be considered an excused absence, but our district allows a number of absences before hours need to be made up.

I have my suspicions about what the mother says, but it won't hurt anything to write a paper. I am really stuck on whether to make it a formal paper or more lighthearted. Should I write "Details, such as the shutters hanging crookedly on the buildings in Liberty Square show how life was in colonial times" or "Walk along the brown river of pavement in Liberty Square with me and pretend you are walking in the sewage that the colonial people poured out of their second story windows"? :P

Years ago we went through this, too. We had a superintendent who specifically said "a trip to Disney World is NOT a valid excuse for an educational trip to miss school." Huh? We had personal conversations and paper conversations with him on the topic. And even though he was never convinced outwardly, he "accepted" our letter with the reasons why it is educational. In this day and age, how is a family trip to Disney NOT educational? My kids learned the ins and outs of air travel, planning and organization (heck, just with dining reservations and fast passes, of which they were a part!), the educational aspects of EPCOT and Animal Kingdom, and the precious family time. Our contention to him - if he felt a family trip to Disney wasn't an educational trip, what exactly did meet his standards for an educational trip - we never did get a specific response! He just must've gotten a lot of kids headed to Disney. Write up the letter with the many reasons people have shared here, and get it out of the way! And hope you have a great trip.

Down here, Disney, skiing, deer season, are all valid excuses.