Its a surprise for the kids....

[davisdenyel]

I am planning on a 7 day Disney Fantasy Cruise for Jan 2014. This is going to be my kids Christmas gift because I cant afford both! I have to keep this a secret until than because they are not getting anything else and need something to open on Christmas morning. My question is to take the kids out during school I have to get it approved in advance from the teachers. My two younger kids that will be easy because they only have one teacher I can ask for the approval from that teacher. Well my son is in middle school and has many teachers. I wont even know where to go to talk to all of his teachers! Last time he needed approval for a cruise I sent my son with the paper to get signed by everybody when he went to his classes. How do I go about getting his papers signed this time and also keeping it a surprise? Anyone else have to do this? Any suggestions? The hard part for me is going to be able to keep this from my kids for this long!! I am super excited and want to share the excitement with my children!!!

 

[bitlerzx4]

I would personally take it to the office myself. Maybe write on the letter that its a surprise on the top so it grabs their attention.

 

[JackieO]

I am planning on a 7 day Disney Fantasy Cruise for Jan 2014. This is going to be my kids Christmas gift because I cant afford both! I have to keep this a secret until than because they are not getting anything else and need something to open on Christmas morning. My question is to take the kids out during school I have to get it approved in advance from the teachers. My two younger kids that will be easy because they only have one teacher I can ask for the approval from that teacher. Well my son is in middle school and has many teachers. I wont even know where to go to talk to all of his teachers! Last time he needed approval for a cruise I sent my son with the paper to get signed by everybody when he went to his classes. How do I go about getting his papers signed this time and also keeping it a surprise? Anyone else have to do this? Any suggestions? The hard part for me is going to be able to keep this from my kids for this long!! I am super excited and want to share the excitement with my children!!!

I know this is a personal choice and you know your family. I feel like the planning and excitement for the trip is 1/2 the fun! Any way you could get little things for Christmas just so they have something to open.... favorite disney stuffed animal or Disney jammies to take on the cruise, so you could tell the kids now about their "Christmas present"? Either way, I hope you all have a great time!

 

[nzdisneymom]

The way our middle school handled pre-approved absences was to have a letter written to the principal and give a copy to the assistant principal in charge of attendance. Then once it was approved, we provided a copy of the letter to each of the teachers - in this case, you'd want to put SSSHHH... it's a secret.... to the teachers so they don't inadvertently say something.

Have fun.

 

["Cinder" Ella's Mom]

Send the teachers an e-mail and explain it is a surprise. I am sure they can tell you the proper protocol and possibly even arrange for work to be picked up by you so your kids don't get too far behind.

 

[cinmouse]

I guess I had a question..does your school ever deny the vacation? At what point are your going to ask for the leave? My son goes to private school, they frown upon vacations not during the scheduled time and the handbooks saus that work can not be given after they return at the teachers approval.
I usually have our out of cycle vacations planned a year or so in advance, so at the beginning of the year I approach the teachers and let them know.
I have never had a problem.

I would still get a few small items for Christmas, it is hard to tell if you are planning this from Santa or from you. It is is from you & they still get a little something from Santa. We gave our sons the trip from us at Christmas, but they also got thier Santa gifts too.

 

[JimGA]

I would wait and notify the teachers after the kids open the Christmas present. It should not matter if the teachers have 10 months or two weeks notice. I would wait until then.

 

[Meghatron]

It should not matter if the teachers have 10 months or two weeks notice. I would wait until then.

Actually, it does, because the teacher has to take extra time to prepare makeup work for the school missed. OP is being considerate of the teachers by not giving them enormous amounts of extra work on a very tight deadline right after the holidays. It will be a week or more between the Christmas morning reveal and the school returning to session. I think parents have every right to pull their kids for a family vacation, but the work it creates for teachers in a traditional school environment should be acknowledged and respected.

 

[ksucats]

Actually, it does, because the teacher has to take extra time to prepare makeup work for the school missed. OP is being considerate of the teachers by not giving them enormous amounts of extra work on a very tight deadline right after the holidays. It will be a week or more between the Christmas morning reveal and the school returning to session. I think parents have every right to pull their kids for a family vacation, but the work it creates for teachers in a traditional school environment should be acknowledged and respected.

We pulled our kids for 3 days a couple weeks ago. Even though we gave the teachers a month's notice, they didn't know exactly where they would be & what assignments were going to be missed when we were gone until right before we left. A couple teachers didn't have it ready then & they had to make it up when we got back.

 

[ksucats]

I would still get a few small items for Christmas, it is hard to tell if you are planning this from Santa or from you. It is is from you & they still get a little something from Santa. We gave our sons the trip from us at Christmas, but they also got thier Santa gifts too.

pirate costumes & a new bathing suit would be a good item to open.