it's never been an issue for me but now the topic has come up.
We are taking the kids to Disney. Jake is out of school on Thursday and Friday. DS1 is out of school Wed, Thur and Friday. So, we were going to take Jake out of K on Wednesday. Now DH is thinking we should leave earlier on Tuesday - it is a 16 hour drive where we are going. So, this would involve taking DS1 out of school on Tuesday and Jake out of K on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Thoughts?
Teachers, is this frowned upon by teachers?
We aren't regular vacationers so this isn't going to be a habit throughout the school year.
TIA
-- Edited by kris on Wednesday 17th of November 2010 06:57:48 AM
Because it isn't regular, and it's just a day, I think it's fine.
I wouldn't think twice about doing it at this age with Hannah, even for a little longer, because she'd have an easy time catchy up and would only miss something like coloring 101, lol. Once she's got larger amounts of workload, I'd be less likely to do it, but again, I wouldn't be worried about an extra day - that should be easy to catch up on, I'd think.
There is no way in **** I'd drive 16 hours in the car, each way (or ****, total ftm) with my family without getting some good relaxing time down there, lol.
At that level of school I would not think twice. It becomes harder the older they get to make up work, but I say do it!
DS1 is only going to miss one day. I can pretty much say that week will not be heavy in any work. A teacher will not start something new that week with it being a short week.
We took Bryce out for a week to go to Disney. It went fine. He was in Kindergarten.
I have friends down there now. They went as a big family group. One has a 1st grader the other a 2nd and 4th grader and all teachers were fine with it.
ok - you're maing me feel better. I don't know why I'm so worried about it.
it took a lot of pulling to get DH onboard with this trip and by leaving earlier on Tuesday it puts a lot less driving pressure on him b/c we can take our time a bit. Leaving at 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday would have us pretty much hauling a** the entire way to get there for 4:00 p.m. check in on Wednesday.
We went to Disney 2 years ago. Jake was in 3rd grade, Logan in 1st. I swore I would never take them out of school for any reason. Yep, took them out the entire week - and plan to do so again this February (Jake will be in 5th grade, Logan 3rd, Natalie K).
I made sure to let the teachers know way in advance. Both teachers were very understanding. In fact, they both commented that a positive family experience is just as important as classroom time. The make-up work was minimal.
We are going to Disney again this year because I won't pull the kids out of middle school or high school. I think at that point, there is just too much to miss.
I would be ok with elementary school age kids. I would say no(probably for 3+ days out) for middle and high. It would be considered unexcused so my high school kid couldn't make up the work.
We went to Disney 2 years ago. Jake was in 3rd grade, Logan in 1st. I swore I would never take them out of school for any reason. Yep, took them out the entire week - and plan to do so again this February (Jake will be in 5th grade, Logan 3rd, Natalie K).
I made sure to let the teachers know way in advance. Both teachers were very understanding. In fact, they both commented that a positive family experience is just as important as classroom time. The make-up work was minimal.
We are going to Disney again this year because I won't pull the kids out of middle school or high school. I think at that point, there is just too much to miss.
I know this is going to be us. Mike has a different week off than the kids (except for this year - they moved the school break because there is a winter games happening here) but most years, his break is in Feb and the kids will be in March.
Our school allows ten days of absenses per semester. K hasnt hit that and were going to sea world disney this week. (mostly because of Rayms doctors appt). Ive asked for her school work in advance.
OUr school also gives us one day excused absense for family day vacation whatever because they believe the family is so important. (granted its a private school)
from a teacher's perspective, i can tell you that my feeling is that the kids have scheduled time off from school and i feel like that's when they should go on vacations. harsh? probably. but when they get older, i definitely feel strongly about that.
for a middle school or high school student to miss 3-5 days (or more) is a lot of class time. i was always shocked when a parent would pull a high school student out for a week for a trip skiing or to jamaica or whatever. but maybe it's just me.
i also think that it gives the kids the impression that missing school is ok. and i personally just don't want to send that message to my kids.
that being said, i would have them miss a day or 2 in elementary. that's probably it.
from a teacher's perspective, i can tell you that my feeling is that the kids have scheduled time off from school and i feel like that's when they should go on vacations. harsh? probably. but when they get older, i definitely feel strongly about that.
for a middle school or high school student to miss 3-5 days (or more) is a lot of class time. i was always shocked when a parent would pull a high school student out for a week for a trip skiing or to jamaica or whatever. but maybe it's just me.
i also think that it gives the kids the impression that missing school is ok. and i personally just don't want to send that message to my kids.
that being said, i would have them miss a day or 2 in elementary. that's probably it.
