Are you an elementary school teacher?

[tmarquez]

We are going on a cruise 8/06 (sadly, not Disney!). My DD is in 1st grade and school started today. She will miss 3 days. As a teacher, when do you want me to send in a note? I'm not sure if teachers give work in advance or if she'll have to make it up when we get back.

Thanks!

 

[caralyn817]

If I were you, I would let the teacher know and also ask her when would be a good time for you to send in a reminder. For me, I usually like it the week before since my school requires us to give them the makeup work before they leave. Some schools wait until the child has returned to give them the work. If I'm given the note on Monday, the child will usually take home the work on Tuesday or Wednesday depending on how much time I have to make copies. I hope this helps.

 

[J3nn78]

A week before is what I prefer. When parents give me notices much sooner than that, I often forget because I do not have plans finalized more than 2 weeks out.

 

[shannn]

I would probably mention it early - when you meet the teacher even. But I would actually send a note about a week to a week and a half before so that they have things in writing. At my school, we're not allowed to send work ahead of time - all work has to be made up when the students return.

 

[wellesleyprincess]

I teach upper elementary, so it's a little different then with 1st graders. I'm with the others though that about a week in advance is best.

 

[Disfan891]

Add another one for about a week in advance. If I get a note much earlier than that it would get lost on my desk! I personally teach first grade and I hand out one homework assignment, usually math, on Monday and it is due on Friday. Kids need time to just be kids. I understand that some students have older siblings that play sports or other activities and families are busy, so I try to allow for some flexability.

 

[eksb327]

I'd verbally give the teacher a heads up the next time you have a minute to speak with her. Like the others, I'd send a note in the week before your trip.

Have a fun time!

 

[MM27]

I teach 4th grade and while it's nice to know that the child will be out, I prefer to wait until they return to give them work. My feeling is, I wouldn't want to be doing homework on my vacation, so neither would a child. Also, if they complete it when they return I can give them what they missed and not worry about giving too much and having them ahead of the rest of the class. My school doesn't have an official policy on this though.

 

[momofrrr]

I am a registrar/attendance clerk for an elementary school and I would reccommend that you check your district policy handbook. Our district requires a minimum of 10 school days notice if you want to request that the absences be excused and then it is at the principals discretion. It should be spelled out in your handbook.

 

[PaulaSue]

In our school the handbook says all trips must be preapproved and I forget how many days notice must be given, otherwise it will be marked unexcused.

You should call your DC school to see if they have similiar rules.

 

[Grendalynn]

Oh My! You guys start soo early!! We dont go back to school til the last week of August! And that is early this year!!

I would say for a verbal discussion with the teacher to give her the heads up. Then also write and "official" letter for the teacher and principal. That is required at our school, so that it can be "approved". Generally they slide right through for most as long as they are not habitually absent and failing in their grades.

Personally, when we have missed school in the past we have asked for the work as well to be taken with us on vacation. As the kids get older, the the work gets harder and its hard for them to keep up and stay on track when they get back. Having an educational background is especially ehlpful in that area!

 

[tmarquez]

Thank you all! A week in advance it is. I most likely won't see her to talk before though.

It's just a note to let them know she will be out and to get any work she might need. It is an unexcused absence here...no wiggle room at all.

I'd rather she be given any work ahead of time, it would be easier for us. DD will have plenty of down time and I always have to bring workbooks and books for her anyway...she just likes that stuff.

I don't even know if she will get homework this year. Last year she didn't get any except to color something every great once in a while.

We start early because it's a year round school.