Kids out of school - Permission or Forgiveness

[Bell30012]

There are many reason why some parents have to go during the school year. My daughter's school district is only out for 7 complete weeks during the summers. That's right we started back to school before the end of JULY!!! Well July 30th but still in July. There is even talk of year round school in the near future.

In addition, some children (and parents for that matter) can't handle the heat/humidy of Florida in June or July not to mention the crowds. Not just comfort reasons but medically.

Fortunately, the school district has something called Intercession. This is where some students will have to go but most will be out for a week. They do this twice a year, February and October.

I just read about a school district out West that now has four day school weeks but year round. Each school district is different and for that matter each student.

 

[StitchFan73]

As a teacher, my opinion is, they're your kids and you don't need to ask permission or beg for forgiveness for them being absent. Write a note stating that your child will be absent from ____ to _____ and ask if missed work can be made available before or after the trip.

People need to realize that parents cannot always get time off of work/school at the same time their children are off. Family comes first.

 

[sumlthomp]

How long before you leave should you inform the school that your child will be out?

 

[GDD Mouse Fan]

our school counted our trip as excused absents as we said we were using our states law that allowed us to home school our child, as a home schooling educational trip. The mouse for less has a wonderful letter we used (tweeking just a little to match what we were doing).

We also made our kids do a project and will again this year also. I have no problems taking my kid out of school.

 

[cmaee]

My DH is a middle school principal and he always approves these type of absences as excused as long as the school is notified before the trip. After the absences, they cannot be excused for a trip. Get permission/notify before you go. He also makes sure the parents and students are aware that while the school work can be made up, instruction time cannot. If your child can't handle missing out on the teacher's instruction or you can't teach him what he/she is missing out on, then you might want to rethink the timing or length of the trip. Here in NC, the state isn't as strict with unexcused or excused absences like they are elsewhere in the country...I think they get 18 absences total, which is almost 4 weeks of school...I think that is a lot. Most school districts would recognize this type of an activity as an educational oppurtunity and approve it as such. You will want to let your school know in advance and try to get your child's work before you leave. You will not make anyone smile or help matters if you ask on Friday for your childs schoolwork and you leave for a week or two week trip on Saturday. If you let them know a month in advance and then remind them 2 weeks out, you should be able to get what you need in order to make sure that your child won't fall behind or at least know what you will need to do when you get back. My best advice for those in school districts where this activity is frowned upon is to read up and fully understand what your schools attendance policy contains. Then after you fully understand what the policy says, make the best decision for your family. If you can live with the consequences from it, then go. It's your right to do what you want with your family, but don't be upset with the school district for enforcing it's policy.

 

[GDD Mouse Fan]

I looked it up heres the link:

http://themouseforless.com/downloads/kids/SE.shtml

 

[princessmom29]

Ok - Will definately send in notices with our children in on Monday!

I'll post it here how it goes.

I think my DS who is in 9th grade is worried the most and is even demanding that he stays home with a friend so he doesn't have to miss school! (NOT going to happen)

My wife has even stated that the school THROWs around "the detention" word WAY TOO MUCH at this high school. Not a way to motivate the kids.

BTW -- Did I mention my kids went literally from homeschool to public school with only 1 week off. They were in school this summer. Since we took vacations here and there.

I have found detention to be a HUGE motivator as far as behavior goes in high school. One afternoon with me rather than socializing is usually all it takes. Discipline problem solved!! Anyway, I would definitely find out what the policy is for the school system. We allow 4 "parent notes" and then they are unexcused without a doctor's note. Unexcused means that they get zeros on everything they miss, including tests, so a couple unexcused absences can and do cause kids to fail a class.

 

[calnmace]

I'm pulling my 9 year old for 10 days and not thinking twice about it. I do it every year. Last year the teacher sent a few worksheets along with us and it gave her something to do on the plane. Have fun on your vacation

 

[maddmike]

I guess I just don't understand why you would want your kids to miss an entire week of school just to go on vacation when they have 3 MONTHS off during the summer.

I understand that parents have different schedules, but my parents always found 1 week during the 3 months school was off to organize and plan a vacation.

I guess I am just one that believes school is very important and that the school schedule allows for a vacation multiple times a year with long holidays, spring break and the 3 month summer break.

But again, that is just what I believe and how I was raised. I'm sure a note sent to the school well in advance should suffice.

We go in the fall or winter to WDW because it is less crowded and cooler. Besides, it is very difficult to get time off at my work in the summer so I let other people have it. I never said school is not important but other things in life are just as important. My kids are all a and b students. As I said, we work with the teachers so they don't miss anything. We are very fortunate to have such good teachers.

 

[kebauc]

My DH is a middle school principal and he always approves these type of absences as excused as long as the school is notified before the trip. After the absences, they cannot be excused for a trip. Get permission/notify before you go. He also makes sure the parents and students are aware that while the school work can be made up, instruction time cannot. If your child can't handle missing out on the teacher's instruction or you can't teach him what he/she is missing out on, then you might want to rethink the timing or length of the trip. Here in NC, the state isn't as strict with unexcused or excused absences like they are elsewhere in the country...I think they get 18 absences total, which is almost 4 weeks of school...I think that is a lot. Most school districts would recognize this type of an activity as an educational oppurtunity and approve it as such. You will want to let your school know in advance and try to get your child's work before you leave. You will not make anyone smile or help matters if you ask on Friday for your childs schoolwork and you leave for a week or two week trip on Saturday. If you let them know a month in advance and then remind them 2 weeks out, you should be able to get what you need in order to make sure that your child won't fall behind or at least know what you will need to do when you get back. My best advice for those in school districts where this activity is frowned upon is to read up and fully understand what your schools attendance policy contains. Then after you fully understand what the policy says, make the best decision for your family. If you can live with the consequences from it, then go. It's your right to do what you want with your family, but don't be upset with the school district for enforcing it's policy.

Don't know where in NC you live, but where I live in NC it is unexcused if your absence is due to a vacation (unless it is truly educational - DC, Philadelphia, somewhere that isn't based on amusement park rides). And it is up to the districts, not the state, as I understand to determine what is excused/unexcused. And where I live unexcused work is not allowed to be made up, though some teachers don't enforce that rule. As a teacher in NC, I feel this is unfair though, because as earlier posters have said, there are valid reasons to travel sometime other than summer. If a child is responsible and strong academically, then it should be allowed.

 

[xipetotec]

We booked our WDW trip way back in April when our kids were homeschooled. This summer we decided to put them back into public school as wife is back in college. Therefore the kids are going to miss 1 full week of school in late September.

Question: Should we "ask permission" by writing notes to the teachers or just "beg for forgiveness" when we get back?

Some teachers up here are a bit "grouchy" about kids being out of school for an extended amount of time.

Any thoughts? What would you do? or have done?

Well, it can be thorny, we do a midway thing. We "Tell them" we're leaving then. ( not asking for permission )... so far it hasn't caused any problems, of course, we usually only take them out for a max of 3 days.

 

[princessmom29]

I looked it up heres the link:

http://themouseforless.com/downloads/kids/SE.shtml

I am a high school teacher and all I can do is laugh when I get this type of letter. We all know what is going on. You are going on vacation, period, end of story. There is no need to try to justify what we all know is a family vacation as an educational experience, especially for middle and high school. Unless you are willing to spend very little time actually on the rides and to work very hard to prepare activities and arrange educational experiences it is just a vaction, and really who is going to Disney and spending 8 hours doing "educational" work and whatever time might be left riding rides and enjoying shows??

 

[2Tiggies]

We booked our WDW trip way back in April when our kids were homeschooled. This summer we decided to put them back into public school as wife is back in college. Therefore the kids are going to miss 1 full week of school in late September.

Question: Should we "ask permission" by writing notes to the teachers or just "beg for forgiveness" when we get back?

Some teachers up here are a bit "grouchy" about kids being out of school for an extended amount of time.

Any thoughts? What would you do? or have done?

Having read through all the posts, it became quite clear that everyone finds themselves in different situations and bound by a different set of rules on taking kids out of school. I think the bottom line is that an open, honest approach is the best, as many replies reflect. Besides, the very fact that you are concerned about doing the right thing shows that you have a strong sense of responsibility and I think character must count for something! I hope you all have a great time.