Does the please excuse absense letter really work and when to tell teacher?

[Happy Mom2]

We will be going to Disney in early December. DD is starting kindergarten in two weeks. I'm wandering if there were any teachers out there (or anyone else who would like to share their thoughts) who could tell me when you think is the best time to me to tell DD's teacher she will miss a week of school.

A. This Friday when we go to meet the teacher (will be just the three of us)
B. After few weeks school starts
C. A couple weeks before our trip

I was thinking of telling the teacher when we meet next week so I could tell her face to face, then follow up with a letter a couple weeks before the trip, but I'm not sure if it's too early to bring it up.

Also, I've seen a "Please excuse the absence. We are going to Disney." letter on the boards. Has anyone used it, and does it do any good?

Please don't turn this into a "should kids be taken out of school" discussion. Our decision is made, and we are going.

TIA

 

[Mickey'snewestfan]

Elementary school teacher here who thinks taking your kid out of school for WDW is just fine, at least in the early grades (I've never taught, and haven't yet had a kid in middle/high school so I have less opinion there, not saying it's bad, just that I'm not an expert).

Anyway, I'd want to be let know that I'd want to hear a couple weeks before at the most. It doesn't mean you can't mention it earlier if you're excited and it comes up, but don't count on me to remember. Just let me know a week or two before the trip that you're going. A face to face conversation or an informal email, followed up with something official for the file is fine. The official note just needs to say that "This is to inform you that my children, Daisy, Minnie and Pluto Jr. will miss school from X to Y dates due to a family trip. Sincerely, Cinderella.

If you send that letter people will laugh at year. Most Kindergarten teachers are kind people so they'll do it in private, but I guarantee that they will laugh, or they'll be offended, but probably not because you can't teach Kindergarten without a sense of humor.

Have a great trip!

 

[Happy Mom2]

If you send that letter people will laugh at year. Most Kindergarten teachers are kind people so they'll do it in private, but I guarantee that they will laugh, or they'll be offended, but probably not because you can't teach Kindergarten without a sense of humor.

Have a great trip!

I thought the same thing when I read it that's why I was wondering if it really worked.

 

[MSSANDRA]

When DS was little we always went that time of year and I always mentioned it at our first meeting and sent a letter about two weeks out with a reminder and request for work.

 

[michael's mom]

I agree with the PP. As a first grade teacher who has no problem at all when kids go on a vacation with their families, all I need is a note saying you'll be gone (for office files). If you want to talk Disney to me, I can chat all day We're not allowed to give work ahead of time but I usually just have my kids keep a journal and share with us when they get back. I'd say, two weeks before trip is fine. But, make sure you send a reminder notice a few days before...that's a crazy time at my school. I'm lucky if I remember to get myself out the door some days.

Have a magical time


ETA: That letter would have you the laughing stock at my school. Just go with the basic "so and so will be out of school from x-y as he will be traveling with the family."

 

[DisneyJen1969]

I'm a kindergarten teacher and already know that one of my students will be gone to Disney in March and the school year hasn't even started! I do like to know as soon as the parents can tell me. Will I remember the exact dates? No way! BUT, it does help me with advance planning b/c I have the ballpark time in my head. So, I would say tell the teacher at your upcoming meeting and then send a reminder letter for the office 2 weeks ahead. It wouldn't hurt to send an email reminder a few days before if the teacher is getting work together for you. I know I need all the help I can get remembering that!

 

[Marshay]

I'm a kindergarten teacher and already know that one of my students will be gone to Disney in March and the school year hasn't even started! I do like to know as soon as the parents can tell me. Will I remember the exact dates? No way! BUT, it does help me with advance planning b/c I have the ballpark time in my head. So, I would say tell the teacher at your upcoming meeting and then send a reminder letter for the office 2 weeks ahead. It wouldn't hurt to send an email reminder a few days before if the teacher is getting work together for you. I know I need all the help I can get remembering that!

Thanks for the advice! We, too, are taking my daughter out in May. She'll be in Kindergarten so this is our first time dealing with teachers and schools and "asking permission". I don't want to start off on the wrong foot, so was also debating whether I should mention anything at the "meet your teacher" day...

 

[MSSANDRA]

Thanks for the advice! We, too, are taking my daughter out in May. She'll be in Kindergarten so this is our first time dealing with teachers and schools and "asking permission". I don't want to start off on the wrong foot, so was also debating whether I should mention anything at the "meet your teacher" day...

Remember not to "ask permission" unless you are willing to not go. Very kindly but firmly state that your family will be going on this trip. I however NEVER had an issue during the 9 years of K-9 we took DS out. Those days are gone in HS and I so miss them!!!!

 

[pyrxtc]

elementary school is easy to miss. Once my oldest DD hit middle school, the teachers wanted her there and didn't care what I said.

 

[Marshay]

Remember not to "ask permission" unless you are willing to not go. Very kindly but firmly state that your family will be going on this trip. I however NEVER had an issue during the 9 years of K-9 we took DS out. Those days are gone in HS and I so miss them!!!!

got it

I still don't have a good understanding of how many days our school district allows ... the whole, excused/unexcused thing confuses me...

 

[daisyduck123]

I would want to know no more than two weeks prior to the trip. It always baffles me when parents tell me months ahead of time....like what do they expect me to do with that information now???

I am all for pulling kids out of elementary school for a vacation. Heck, I have pulled my own kids out many times - and I've pulled myself out as well.

 

[CC12005]

Just curious what the excuse letter looks like?

 

[michael's mom]

Just curious what the excuse letter looks like?

Oh...it's a doozy I think it's in the family board but I'm not sure. Basically, it's about a full page of how a child will receive an education in Disney.

If you can find it, you should read it. It's worth the chuckle

 

[MiniGirl]

Just curious what the excuse letter looks like?

Here you go.......

School Excuse Sample Letter

DATE:

TO: [school official]

FROM:

RE: [students name and vacation dates]

Please be advised that [student] will be out of school during the week of [date]. We ask that his absences be excused.

The reason for [student]'s absence is that our family will be out of the state during this week. While we are gone, we will be visiting Walt Disney World. We believe that [student] will be learning many things during this trip and that his education will continue in his absence from school.

Some things [student] will learn about:

* Different cultures of the world, including architecture, language, diet, and dress, by visiting the different countries in the Epcot World Showcase (Japan, China, Germany, Mexico, Norway, Canada, France, etc.) [student] will have the chance to explore the exhibits for each country and speak with natives from each country who work as cast members.

* American history by viewing the Hall of Presidents presentation in the Magic Kingdom and the American Adventure show in Epcot.

* Nature and conservation at Animal Kingdom.

* Science by exploring the Mission:Space ride in Epcot where he will have a chance to see and feel what it would be like to travel by rocket to Mars and by experiencing the Universe of Energy exhibit which teaches about fossil fuels, energy, and conservation.

* Economics by managing his own spending money and making budget decisions on how to spend his money.

[student] will also be learning about map reading by navigating in and to the different theme parks, as well as the resorts and water parks via the Disney bus system, sociological aspects of crowds including patterns and behavior, physics of the different rides, breakthroughs in technology at the Innoventions computer lab in Epcot, art and animation and the history of film, and mathematics.

We believe this will be a wonderful and educational experience for [student] and hope you agree not to charge him with unexcused absences as a result. If it is possible for [student] to take any assignments with him to be turned in when we return or to turn in before we leave any work that will be due while he is gone, please let us know as soon as possible.

Thank you for your attention to this. If you have any questions or need any further information, please feel free to contact me.

[Parent's Signture]

 

[CC12005]

Thanks Minigirl. Looks like I'm going back to school in 2 weeks!

 

[Naisy68]

Mini-Girl - that is a great letter!! I am highly impressed.

 

[mjkacmom]

When DS was little we always went that time of year and I always mentioned it at our first meeting and sent a letter about two weeks out with a reminder and request for work.

While we did once have a nice teacher who went out of her way to get the work ahead of time, I wouldn't expect it. It's more trouble for the teacher.

 

[clc053103]

We are traveling in late sept- taking DS out of K. Our school allows 5 days of excused "educational travel". I just may be using your letter!

 

[taitai]

Disney is fun and wonderful but it sure does not replace school. Send the letter if you want but be prepared to be ridiculed. Teachers go to Disney too.

It really doesn't matter too much when you tell the teacher. Whenever is convenient and you remember. The teachers don't make the policies regarding school absences. Those are made at the District level. So, either it will be excused or unexcused and either you will skate through with no problems or you will have the DA, Truancy officers and big, fat fines to deal with. Look at your policy and decide how you want to proceed then.

Have a great trip.

 

[MiniGirl]

Thanks Minigirl. Looks like I'm going back to school in 2 weeks!

I know. You just thought you were done with school, but it is never too late to go back, right? Especially when that campus is WDW.

Mini-Girl - that is a great letter!! I am highly impressed.

FTR.... I am not the author of this letter. It has been widely circulated on this (and other) boards. I simply copied and pasted when someone asked to see it.

We are no longer in the school system, so I don't have to deal with attendance policies anymore. When we did, however, I was always more of a short and to the point kind of letter writer. You know, something like......

Teacher,

Student will not be in school from this date to this date. Please let me know how you prefer to handle missed assignments.

Sincerely,
Me


Like I said, short and to the point. In our district, all absences not accompanied by a dr's note are considered unexcused, so I never even tried to explain or justify why we were taking the kids out of school.