I would like to take the kids to Hawaii over the winter holiday as a special vacation. We live in Plano; I have an 8th grader & 2 5th graders. The kids get out of school on the 19th (noonish) and the 8th grader has finals that morning. The airline rates double starting the 20th, and the last reasonably flight out is early the morning of the 19th. I know that some families take their kids out early or return late for holiday trips, but how do they manage it? My understanding is that they cannot make up finals if they miss for personal reasons, like a trip. However, I just can't afford the trip if the price doubles (once you multiply that by the 4 of us). Returning, if I get them back a day late instead of on time, it's also a huge price difference for that leg (about double again). For me, part of the point of going to Hawaii is to go in the winter (b/c I don't like winter weather, and neither does my arthritis), even though summer would obviously not pose these scheduling/price issues.
see if they can take their finals early??
Talk to the principal and their teachers...maybe your kiddos could do a special travel project/report to present to the class about there trip. Buy them disposible camera to "capture" what they'd present.
I have an 8th grader and I knowed it is frowned upon to take the children out of school for a trip anytime.
This past October, I took her out 2 days to accompany us on a business trip. We looked at it as an educational opportunity. Yes, she got unexcused but she did her work and turned everything in. I believe things went a little more smoothly because she is in honors classes with a's. We also let the teachers know ahead of time. I believe as long as your student is getting good grades and is a good student that it is ok........within reason of course.....
2 yrs ago my daughter was excused from an exam but at the time we were headed to a funeral so it was not a fun trip we were going on.
As for Hawaii.....ENJOY.....it is a beautiful and breathtaking place. If posssible, go on a whale watch. I think they will be there during your visit. We usually go in Feb or March and the whales are there. They always leave me speechless. Maui is our favorite.
When you fly back to DFW, take the 10pm flight from Hawaii and you can sleep all night!! That flight lands at DFW about 5:30am. We had a car service take us to and from DFW because we knew we would be tired on our arrival back home. Also...if possible.....upgrade to first class both ways...it is far WORTH it.
Talk with your childs teachers about taking the test a day earlier. If they are assured that your child has no contact with others to discuss the test they may go for it. One day of unexcused absence is not that big of a deal when the children will get to learn in the real world about a new place. It's worth a try.
