How far in advance do you tell teachers?

[Stimpy]

I totally understand about not being able to get the work in advance. I feel bad enough for DS's kindergarten teacher, she has 28 kids in her class with no aide. If she could give us the work, it would be awesome, but I don't expect her to have the time to do that.

The thing that does bother me is that DS will have "unexcused" absences vs excused. I'm not going to lie and say he was sick for 6 days. I just don't think it's right for the district to tell me that as a parent, I can't take my own son out of school. We can't take traditional vacation time b/c of DH's job. Holiday time, summer time and vacation times are his busiest times and he can't get off easily. There are many guys senior to him which grab those times so they can spend the holidays with their own families. We will try to take him out so that he will miss the least amount of school possible (IE 3 day weekends, half school days)

Sorry to vent a little It just bothers me that DS will be penalized for spending time with his family. He's extremely intelligent (not just a mother's brag ), rarely gets sick and misses school, in 2 years of preschool he only missed 1 day for being sick, and loves going to school! Fine, don't give me the work in advance but don't penalize my son either.

BTW, this is not directed to anyone here nor DS's teacher. I realize she is just following the rules.

 

[CindyAnn]

For our next trip I'm planning to use a different strategy. Both DS (11) and DD (8) have great teachers (we've had them both before) and I know they will have no problem with absences. Both kids are also excellent students. However, in our school board, teachers are not supposed to have to go to great efforts to prepare work for students who are on vacation, and I completely understand that.

I plan to give each teacher a brightly coloured folder labelled with my child's name, with a sheet of lined paper stapled inside. I'll ask them to use the folder for any homework handouts or school notices, and to jot down quickly any textbook work they've covered. (e.g. math - pgs 25 - 33). I hope that will make it easier for the teacher so they won't have to prepare anything in advance, but will also allow us to catch up once we come back. Both kids will also read during our trip in both French and English and keep a journal.

 

[MAnonsen]

I sent a note to my DD's teacher last Monday for our trip the 1st week of November. At the open house last Thursday, she mentioned that the 5 days that DD would be out will not be a problem and the teacher said she would provide all the work that DD will be missing and the absences would be excused.

Did the same last year when DD was in the 5th grade - we went the first week of December and her teacher gave DD all work that was being covered that week as well.

I guess it just depends on the school district.

 

[Mom to Jordan]

Just remember that the word "unexcused" is not the worst thing in the world. My son's teacher asked us last year if we wanted to fill out all the paper work to make his days absent excused. I asked her what difference it made and she told us the only difference is what form it goes on. It did not effect his grades, record etc. We did not fill out all the paper work and it was never an issue.

Sometimes schools are much stricter in that reguard and that is another story. Just don't let that word throw you.


Enjoy planning.

Jordan's mom

 

[margiemc]

We are going the 2nd week in December and I talked to my DD's teacher on back to school night this past Thursday. DD7 is in 2nd grade and goes to parochial school. Her teacher said to remind her 2 weeks ahead and she'll put something together for her. We have been doing this for the last 3 years and haven't had a problem yet. We always bring something back for them as a thank you too. They usually ask us to send in pictures too! Enjoy your trip!

 

[Stimpy]

Thanks Mom to Jordan! I have to admit this is scaring me a bit. This is our first child going through school so I feel so new at all this. It such a strong serious word and I was kind of speechless when the teacher told me it would be "unexcused". I never really asked her what that exactly means. I'm just hoping those 6 little Unexcused absences don't keep him out of college

BTW, Ashley, thank you for all the great ideas!! DS is a "learner", he loves learning new things.

 

[debbiedoo]

I hope that this helps.

I am a dvc member and booked everything 11 months out. My daughter is in kindergarten this year. I called the school last december and found out the policy. 3 days in usually the rule.

I mentioned this to the teacher at open house, because we were signing up for conferences at this time as well. If you put that it is a family reunion it is not enough. I was born and raised in ver o beach, fl and all of my family will be there. This was a good time for everyone to meet with everyones jobs being considered. I will be at OKW from oct 6-12. The trip has to be educational to be excused. I wrote my letters the 2nd week of school for the approval and got accepted. I told them flat out the we would be going to AK, EPCOT and Sea world. (did not mention mgm and mk!!) We have to do a journal while we are away. We plan on doing a picture journal so it will be easier for my 6 year old, since she can not yet write sentences and paragraphs. Because here in GA we have the no child is left behind and trips have to be educational for excused absences. Trust me!! I was sweating this one out to!!!!



I hope that this helps!!

Good luck!!!

 

[MickaMaizie]

The sooner the better, but then remind a week or two before leaving.

 

[RUDisney]

I told our teachers tonight. DD's teacher was so excited for the educational value of going to Disney and promised to put together homework for the planes. DS's teacher said that she wouldn't give any homework in advance... primarily because the math was so advanced... he's in third grade, for heavens sake! I told her that I'd be happy to review the concepts with him on the plane, if she wanted to keep him UTD, but I'd go with whatever she wanted. Both asked that I remind them the week before.