Help me write a letter for school

[Hoopfamily]

Dear Mr Principal,

Disney is great.
School stinks.
My kids are going to Disney.
It is ok, I am the parent and you work for me, and they have my permission.

See ya in a few days

Sincerely,
mh1973

PS we will be sure to bring you a mickey rice krispy treat

Exactly!

 

[sus]

I guess first off you should spell principal correctly.

Now, as a school principal, I've excused Disney vacations probably a dozen or more times, but only after the work that the student has missed has been turned in and graded. My best piece of advice?? Don't BS in the letter. Go straight to what you are doing, if you feel like you need to do that. Actually, Flight has a pretty good letter too, but as a principal, I would want to know more, simply because if you are going to the beach for a week, there is no way that I would excuse it. However, Disney (and Sea World, and Kennedy Space Center, and Grand Canyon, and Yellowstone, etc...) is a little different simply because there is so much new "stuff" there that is highly educational. If he/she refuses to excuse the absences, as him/her if it is possible to excuse them after missed work has been turned in, along with the YES stuff that you will be doing. That should do it. Do know that some folks are real hard-butts about stuff like this (my own son's principal is that way, and I know her on a personal, first name basis & work in the same district). Also, a call or a visit to the principal works wonders, simply because it let's everyone know that you really do care about your child and his/her education. That's hard for a lot of folks because they feel intimidated, but still worth it in the long run.

Enjoy your time. If you went to my school, it would definitely be excused. Hope it works out for you.

I read an article yesterday and a principal was quoted as saying that he approved all family vacations. Because family is a priority!! Anytime a family is going to go away wether it be the beach, Disney or Yellowstone, spending quality 1 on 1 time with your kids in this day and age is VERY important. So don't stress, just write quick and simple we are going away to spend time together. End of story and have a great time!

 

[Jasperann]

I'm very glad we do not have this issue with our schools. Any time we as a parent call our children off of school it is excused. We are after all the parent. There is no such thing as unexcused absences until you are in high school. Then it is only if the student skips. With our up coming trip I just went in and talked to the teachers and they just want a quick reminder when we are closer so that they can send some work along. My DD 6 is being asked to bring her journal and write about each day in it. It will be a good thing for her to do and a great way to keep the memories. My DD 5 is suppose to take pictures and bring them back into class to show the other students. (she is in kindergarten) They do have a limit to how many days can be missed per year... but it is pretty high and we would have to take a long vacation or they would have to be really sick to use them all.

Good luck with your letter.

 

[Not My Fault!]

I'd like to know the exact date in American history when power shifted from the taxpayer to those that take tax monies. When did our public servants become our overlords and masters?

Take your kids to Disney and have a great time. You don't need "approval" from any public servant.

 

[nicki.momof3]

I so hate it when people write crazy letters to teachers (I am a high school teacher). Just tell the truth and be ready to deal with the schools policy on attendance. If the district says you can only have a certain amount of absences than so be it - that is the policy if you go over you deal with what happens (lower grade and so on).

Almost everything in life is educational including Disney but the fact is it is not school.

Sample letter,

Dear (name of school),

This lettter is to inform you that my child (name) will be absent from school (dates) due to a family vacation. I understand they are responsible for all missed work.

Sincerly,
(parents name)

 

[nicki.momof3]

Odd as a homeschooler I can tell you Disney is VERY educational. My son has learned about hydrolics and how the animatronic stuff has been made to work.

How illusions are created
He has learned about the life and history of Walt Disney

he has read about the different countries he visited while at Disney.

he visited Bush Camp at AKL and learned about African animals as well as some African cultural things.

He has listened to the hall of presidents and learned about presidents and with the carousel of progress he got to learn about how my mom grew up and how I grew up. So, he learned some American history and culture

Inspired by Tom Sawyers island he has since read some Mark twain stories and no one had to force him into like they o when you hit high school and madatory reading
Disney is a great well of teaching and inspiration to learn more. It is all how you approach it.
Disney can be all about the rides or it can be a lot more in depth and thought provoking. Pretty much the same way all of life is

Everything in life is educational. Bottom line it is a vacation. Call it what it is. School is school and a vacation is a vacation.

 

[Dr. M]

I'd like to know the exact date in American history when power shifted from the taxpayer to those that take tax monies. When did our public servants become our overlords and masters?

I know ! I know ! pick me ! pick me!

Unfortunately, my response would be political in nature and result in me being severely reprimanded, shamed, tarred and feathered by the mods.

So, back to the OP's question:
I usually e-mail the principal, and teachers and let them know when we will be gone. I don't ask permission, I merely inform. My school district allows 9 missed school days per semester, so no problems for us. My kids have no trouble at all making up their school work, and we ALWAYS bring souvies for all their teachers (9 of them!-my oldest is in middle school and she has 6 teachers). We usually get 2 6-packs of character pens, and the teachers appreciate them.

 

[nurtz]

I don't understand why it is a bad thing for schools to have attendance policies. Take your kids out of school for vacation but be prepared for the consequences of unexcused absences. Even if you are a taxpayer, you still have to follow the rules. Try telling the police officer who pulls you over for speeding that he can't write you a ticket...you are a taxpayer and he/she works for you. Pretty sure I know how that will go! To the OP, glad you found a letter that works. Have a great vacation!

 

[larryz]

This doesn't really help the OP. The principal needs a letter stating why the trip is educational and it may be excused. Your letter does not provide that.

Google "Disney Excuse Letter" and you will find results. Basically just pad it however you want. You are basically just stating reasons and it's up the principal to accept/reject it.

Bottom line is Disney is a fun vacation and not educational . People can spin it however they want. I hope the Principal excuses it. Have a great time

 

[rgf207]

I'd like to know the exact date in American history when power shifted from the taxpayer to those that take tax monies. When did our public servants become our overlords and masters?

Take your kids to Disney and have a great time. You don't need "approval" from any public servant.

It was probably around the same time they realized we not longer lived in the 17th century and stopped calling them "Public Servants."

 

[littlezar]

My 3 older boys missed 2 days of school in December when their Dad came home from a 7 month deployment (they got to board the ship and sail home with it from NC to VA...unfortunately spouses couldn't go! LOL!!) When I sent their notes in to the schools, I stated where they were going and that while I hoped the absences would be excused, I understand if they are not. No problems here - the principal of the high school even left a message for me that she thought it would be a wonderful experience.

 

[FlightlessDuck]

FYI, the district my wife works for has a program where the school takes kids to Disney as part of the YES program.

Assuming the parents can afford it (not paid for by the district).