Originally Posted By ehutch79 I know this is controversial, but I am taking my 9 yo daughter out of school next year to go to Disney. Would it be easier for her to make up the missed days if we go the last week of the first 6 week grading period or in October when she already has a day off so she would miss 4 days instead of 5? Advice from teachers would be greatly appreciated.
Originally Posted By MPierce Grabs a bowl of popcorn, and relaxing while awaiting the lectures to come.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 As someone with kids who are now 24 and 14 -- do it before MS and absolutely before high school. In elementary teachers are far more willing to give the assignments for a week - even attach an assignment to the trip. In high school - ( and both my kids honors students with exceptional grades ) - it is much harder to miss a week ( why we then went summers instead ) If you can workit around parent-teacher conferences ( sometimes as much as 2.5 days off -- and with two weekendscangeta 10 day trip and miss minimal.
Originally Posted By NikkiLOVESMickey ehutch, it depends. Do the kids take quarterly exams, and, if so, how close to the end of the grading period do they take them? IF her school has quarterly exams, you don't want her to miss that. You also have to consider the fact that at the end of the first grading period the school year is still relatively new. I wouldn't advise parents to take kids out for a week at that time because they're still trying to adjust to a new routine - taking a child out that early disrupts it.
Originally Posted By jkayjs 9's a great time to take a child out for a family vacation. We did this every year sometimes twice when our kids were growing up. My husband could only get away in the fall & spring so we always planned on the fall & sometimes the spring. Once they were in organized sports it wasn't as workable so we had to plan accordingly. Around Halloween was always a great time it usually didn't conflict with much of anything. Now mind you our kids are grown now but we don't have an idiot in the bunch. They still talk about our trips(most of which were to Disney on 1 coast or the other). They feel they really benefited from the time together and there really is plenty of things to learn there. Our gang always got their assignments ahead & we had most of them done before we even went & finished up when we got back. I was uncomfortable with takeing textbooks along. I never asked anyone's opinion because as a responsible parent I knew my kids & what they were capable of. If they wouldn't have been able to handle it we wouldn't have gone. This is also a great opportunity to teach time management & responsibility to your young person. I'm sure you got a schedule @ the beginning of the year. It should tell you when the academic landmarks are so use that as your guide. Also speaking with a friend that has a child that has recently completed that grade @ the same school may be the most helpful. Have a great time, going when it is not as busy is wonderful. Our kids got picked to do a lot of interactive things because they were often some of the only kids in the audience. Do what you think is right & I'm sure you will not regret it.
Originally Posted By FerretAfros I'd lean toward October. I'm not sure when the first option would be, but I feel like October would have lighter crowds. I also think that taking her our close to the end of the grading time might make it tough to get all of her work turned in on time for it to be counted. If she misses the middle part, she would still have plenty of time to make up anything she missed (especially if you let the teacher know in advance and get some stuff to take along).
Originally Posted By FenwayGirl We have taken our grandkids out in January every other year since 2001. The teachers usually have them do a journal everyday and have them make up the work when they return. It has never been a problem as they were all elementary school age. Since our oldest just turned 12, we will have to look at other options for our bi-annual visits. Really dread the thought of it, but school is important...
Originally Posted By hightp We used to take the kids in the middle of October for a 10 day trip, but the last time we did that, the oldest was 6th grade (around 11 years old), it was too difficult to do it afterward. We would leave on a Wednesday and return the following Friday. The only thing the teachers were concerned about was their Math work, and gave appropiate worksheets for them to do. Now that the oldest is a Sophomore in HS, oru trips will be in the early summer. As for time, October is a good time, but the parks are still crowded. There doesn't appear to be a slow time, anymore. Weatherwise, it's not unbearable during the day, but you can still enjoy the pools and waterparks and wear summer clothes the whole day.
Originally Posted By 2PrincessMom I teach sixth grade...like FerretAfros said, it is easier to make up any work in the middle of a marking period than it is if you go at then end. Too much is going on at the end of a marking period. I know too that if I have enough notice, I can put together any assignments that will be missed and/or tailor make the assignments so that they are "Disneyfied". Hope that all of our advice helps.
Originally Posted By sun-n-fun Another teacher here. I wouldn't advise at the end of the marking period, around here that is the week many exams are given. Enjoy!
Originally Posted By BellesLibrarian That's one of the reasons we home school. Be at WDW in early February when public school is in full force.
Originally Posted By CarolinaDisneyDad Mine are both in middle school and each year gets harder to make up the work. We have packaged teacher workdays at the end of a quarter with the first few days of the next quarter so that we miss the 1st 3 days of the next quarter. That way exams are finished before we go. October is a great month to go. This year we may have to go in August b/c I'm hesitant to pull my older child out of high school because these grades count toward college and my oldest wants to get in Carolina. Is the heat unbearable in late summer? How are crowds then?
Originally Posted By MPierce >> This year we may have to go in August b/c I'm hesitant to pull my older child out of high school because these grades count toward college and my oldest wants to get in Carolina. Is the heat unbearable in late summer? How are crowds then? << Miserably hot, and humid, and insanely crowded.
Originally Posted By bobbelee9 Ah, My time of year. It was 2 out when I left my house this morning, and minus 2 when I got to work. Give me hot and humid any day. Seriously, it all depends on your opinion and tolerance of heat.
Originally Posted By sun-n-fun I agree bobblebee9. The high here yesterday was 3 before the windchill!! Give me WDW in Aug NOW!! CDD - It is hot, humid, sticky, and the smaller pools are too warm to swim in, but we LOVE it. After 4-5 months of snow it's great! It also seems less crowded than Pres day week when we usually go. Locals don't want to go out in that weather.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 we just moved above zero for the first timein 72 hours -- oh for August in WDW
Originally Posted By Socrates Have you been following the weather in Southern California? Socrates "The unexamined life is not worth living."
Originally Posted By bobbelee9 Nope, I'm too busy freezing in New England, and now we're expecting 5-8 inches of snow tonight/tomorrow.
