Kids and Missing School....

[GOOFY4DONALD]

...how do you let them know? I know every school is different and my DDs school seems to be pretty relaxed about absences. I do know many kids that have missed school so I am not worried about is being not excused. I was just wondering how and who you told, first. Do you tell the teacher or pricipal first? Do you call, stop by or write a letter?
Thanks

 

[SandrainNC]

I told my son's teacher. Actually I told her a year in advance (he has the same teacher for 3 years). But then I told her again at the beginnig of school this year. And she sent home a form from the principal that I needed to fill out. The principal will look it over and determine if the absence will be excused or unexcused. I had to put the dates he would be out, where he was going, and something about how it will benefit him.

Sandra

 

[mickeylove2]

I told the teacher before school started and then once everything settled down with the kids getting back to school I wrote a letter to the teacher and the principal, we don't have to fill out any forms but I've heard others do, whatever your school policy states. There is also a pre written letter on the mouse for less website that is really neat!

 

[dzneelvr]

My advice is to stop in at your school office and get the specific directions, even if you have a student manual that details it in writing. We used to take DS and DD out of school in January until they hit junior high. Direct communication eliminates mistakes or miscommunications. Some policies are really strict and some are lenient but it's all in the policy as written by the school board. Your teacher/principal/liason may be a part of the process, but it's the policy that needs to be followed or your kids could get consequences as set out (can you tell l've had school board members in my family over the years)!

 

[Mickeyhugger]

My advice is to stop in at your school office and get the specific directions, even if you have a student manual that details it in writing. We used to take DS and DD out of school in January until they hit junior high.

Does that mean that you took them out WHILE they were in jr. high? I'm still going back and forth (in my mind) with this one. We're planning on taking our 7th grade DD for one week in January. Even though her school has a policy about 'prearranged absences' (forms must be filled out, etc.) I'm still nervous about her 'catching up' with pre-algebra when she returns. (I think she'll do okay with her other classes though.)

Were your children able to 'catch up?'

 

[DisNeeFans]

We are taking our kids out of school for 2 weeks soon. Grades 2, 4 & 7th. At the elementary school open house I spoke to the teachers, told them we were going away and what steps I should take. They both said to write a letter explaining their absences and to CC the principal and also the superintendent. In the letter I explained why we are taking them out of school and since DH can only take vacations at certain times (and summer & winter school vacations are not available to him) that this is the only time that we as a whole family could travel. And that it was important for us to take this time as a family. Hope that they understood and if possible to send work with them, that we would set time a side for school work & reading during the vacation.

4th teacher told me it was against school policy to send work while he wasn't on an excused absence but would like my DS to keep a journal. 2nd Grade Teacher said she would get a packet prepared for my DD (same school mind you) and still have yet to hear anything from the 7th grade teachers.

Our School District allows up to 20 days off from school before they are denied promotion to next grade or summer school. Since my kids haven't missed a 20 days combined in the last 7 years I think this makes up for it lol!!

 

[daisyduck123]

HI!

1st grade teacher here

No need to stop by to see the teacher personally about this....just send a note about 2 weeks ahead of time.