[mengeljr]

I need to get permission from our school district to take my kids to WDW for Thanksgiving. The school wants to know the educational aspects of this trip. I don't know where to begin, or what to say! I would appreciate some tips on this one. Thanks a bunch!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[DisneySusie]

I can't believe you've got to submit something to take your kids out of school. I took mine out for a week before to go to Disney and they were just counted absent.
So, since you have to have an educational aspect of the trip... The first thing that comes to mind is SeaWorld. That place is full of stuff that you could say is educational. Next would be Epcot, Innoventions is very educational.

[mmouse67l]

Here is a link to an article from AllEarsNet about educational activities at WDW.

Hope it helps.

http://allearsnet.com/pl/educ.htm

[lawwin]

EPCOT is incredibly educational. You learn about everything from what its like to be an astronaut and experience liftoff (M:S) to making your own paper and how plastics are made complete with getting your own plastic robot free in Innoventions West. On the East side is the Fire Safety Game. World Showcase teaches you about people of other cultures and countries that some of us will never get to see (Don't forget your passport.)

Animal Kingdom is chockful of Education from how to dig up bones in the Boneyard to what It's like to be a Bug in Bug's Life 3d. There's the forest with all the animals and their habitats and Kilimanjaro Safaris where you can see wild animals roaming on the Serengeti. Don't forget the countries represented as well as the Kidcot funstops that focus on Conservation.

MGM has the history of Walt Disney, how to draw characters, and the Sound studio with Drew Carey. There's also the historic representation of Hollywood on the opening street and LIghts! Action Motorcars that shows you action sequences in movies are made. The great MOvie ride - great MGM movies and the backlot tour.

MK where do I start. The trains and the story behind them is incredibly educational (consider the Behind our Steam Trains tour - we did it - highly educational) Tomorrowland - COP is educaational in how electrictiy has changed our lives over the last century. Buzz Lightyear teaches hand/Eye coordination and Fantasyland is great fairytales come to life. Liberty Square is a historic representation of a colonial square and HoP is so educational I don't even need to go further. Main Street is a piece of Americana history.

WDW is chock full of education covering every subject that your child has the classroom. There is Science, History, Technology, Geography, Math (learning about money as they buy souvenirs), English (Check out all the amazing signs and printed materials), and foreign languages and countries (You will see people of all nations speaking their native languages and using maps with those languages - Amazing to see.) I hope this little sample helps you write a letter to satisfy your child's principal. My DD even wrote a paper for her gifted class after our trip last October. We documented the Hurricane damage on the way down and around WDW (inside and out). She wrote about hurricanes and what they can do. It's amazing what you can learn at Disney and never even know it, because it's wrapped in so much fun.

[Dana]

Since when do you need permission to take your kid from school? That's nuts. Try the link that was provided, but I would take them regardless. I can't imagine needing permission to do something with my DD...sorry that's just odd to me. Is it a private school?

[quartz7]

How about the education that a parent gives their child. How about Family time? But I'll stop now, any way you look at it WDW is very, very educational. My DD can tell me about most of the presidents. When we were in EPCOT, she was asking about the civil war. She loved this. My DS loved learning about each of the countries. What ever you tell your district just remember, they are YOUR children.

Janelle

[MJD]

I agree with lawwin almost every park has some type of educational value. Especially Epcot.

MJD

[mengeljr]

No, it's not a private school. You would think it was, huh?! There has to be some unseen reason why they want this... It was probably abused at some point and the school district has been forced to crack down.

[mengeljr]

Thanks for the link. It is very helpful!

[mengeljr]

I knew it was a very educational adventure, but I just did not know how to put it in words. Goodness, there is so much to do ~ and the quality time with your family is priceless.

Thanks for the info.

[mengeljr]

We are going regardless of whether they grant permission, or not. But, I want to be the good parent and follow their rules. I don't want to make unecessary waves for my kids, if you know what I mean...

Thanks for the support.

[ARIEL]

Its actually the same for us in the Uk for taking our kids outta school. Infact if we do take them out of school for any period of time for a holiday/vacation we are fined £100!!!!!!!!! Luckily my DD is still only a baby so we are ok for the time being but I am gonna hate it when it comes to planning/booking our hols in the future.
Back to the thread though, I say most areas of WDW have great educational facilites esp Epcot. MGm also, in learning the background to WDW and how it started etc.
That link you were given is fantastic so hopefully that should help.

[jk8]

It is considered an unexcused abscense for us. I am a "rule follower" so I doubt I'll ever take ds out of school. In this case I'd like to be a rule breaker.

[tragic312]

i wish you the best of luck of convincing the school board to take your kids to WDW for thanksgiving. i do have to agree with everyone that Epcot is very educational. so is AK. the kids can learn a lot about the animals and their habitats. i wish there was something educational about MK and MGM.

i remember in high school, my chemistry teacher took his students to Great Adventure for a physics day. i never took physics, for i barely passed chemistry, but if my teacher can take his kids to Great Adventure for physics, you can take your kids to WDW for something educational. good luck!!

[Pixie]

oh my gosh. Your schools are very strict. All my parents have to do is let the school know 2 or 3 weeks in advance. They get kinda ticked off if you take us out with no notice but as long as there is notice it is fine.