how to tell school about disney vacation

[OUR 1ST DISNEY TRIP]

I know there was post on the board before about a letter to send to school telling them about taking child out of school for a disney vacation. The letter was very detailed and i remember a teacher saying that if she ever recieved someting like that it would be the joke of a day at her school. I was reading this saying that my son is going to kindergarten and i shouldnt really have to worry about this since he is so young. Well was i wrong. Went to orientaiton last week and was told that it had to be approved in writing. I was given a paper to fill out and the 1st question was What are the educational aspect of this vacation. Come one! he is 5 what am i suppose to write. any help would be appreciated. TIA!

 

[happymommy]

You don't - call him in sick. End of story. Doctor's note needed? Well, he wasn't sick enough to warrant a doctor's visit (sometimes you end up catching more by going in anyway!). Don't tell anyone. He's 5? Give me a break. Keep it to yourself. That's what I do.

 

[OUR 1ST DISNEY TRIP]

he is missing 6 days of school. After 4 consecutive days he needs a drs excuse.

 

[Alex2kMommy]

My son's Kindergarten teacher was all for the vacation, though when I mentioned keeping a journal and bringing some homework, he was all for it. DS had just begun reading and writing, so the teacher gave him some of those triple-lined writing pages interspersed with blank pages for drawing pictures, and also some math work which the class had just begun.

The main thing they're concerned about at this age is the reading skills, I think, so I would say you'll be reading to him every day for x minutes, or if he's reading, say the kinds of things he'll be reading (signs, maps, storybooks, etc.) and counting/math (handling money, keeping track of time, whatever.)

I don't think it's that they don't want you to go, I think they have to justify his absences to some state/federal agency.

Our cancelled trip last spring is re-booked for late September, so I need to work with a new first grade teacher and whatever her homework requirements are, but if the school needs me to fill out some form, I'll do it.

 

[happymommy]

Six days is a lot, but at age 5 still seems silly to be so picky. Our schools have always said they need a doctor's note after any absence, but I never ever have given one, even when they were really sick. Is this a public school? It seems they're more strict as it has to do with $. I'd just tell them what you are doing, and leave it at that. Don't fear them, it's your child and your family choice. Epcot is very educational, but they must really be joking about making you prove this. I'd just fill out whatever form they're demanding, give as little information as possible, and let them deal with it. Don't ever tell more than is needed. I used to be more fearful of schools and teachers, now I am just doing what I feel is best for my kids. By the way, our old Montessori school actually encouraged trips as they saw any travel is a form of education. Good luck.