Letter to kids teachers/school

[Tay N Evie's Mom]

Our trip is 1 month away and I'm going to sit down tonight and write letters to my kids teachers and front office to let them know that they'll be out of school for a few days due to our family trip. This is the first time I'm having to do this, so I'm not sure how much I have to include. I planned on telling them that my kids will be gone for 3 days for a family vacation and that we will make up any homework or projects that they will miss and that they can contact me if there are any questions or additional forms that I need to fill out. Do I have to include why we have decided to take our kids out of school for a vacation or how I feel that spending time with DH who can't get vacation time off in the summer is important or any of the other feelings I have about why we are doing this? I'm hoping to keep it short and sweet, but don't want the "wrath of school" coming down on me. Any suggestions?

PS. Please don't turn this into a debate about whether kids should be taken out of school for vacations. You shouldn't judge me or anyone else unless you've walked in my shoes or their shoes.

 

[torontodisney]

I don't think anything other than a note explaining that they will be away from school for a few days is necessary. How old are your children? Family time is the most important thing for your children - we are all so busy. Don't stress about it and enjoy your vacation. Have fun.

 

[cheysdad]

Hello

I've attached a link to an excuse letter. The letter is a little overkill but you can modify it as you deem necessary.

http://www.themouseforless.com/SchoolExcuse/School excuse.doc

Mike

 

[alex1963]

Tay and Evie's Mom,
I am in the same boat as you, with taking my DD out next week. I took her out last year as well. I simply wrote a note to the front office saying that she would be absent from school such and such dates for a family trip. No more explanations needed! I spoke with her teacher beforehand to get any homework she could do (before we left!) They understand that families will do this from time to time. You certainly don't need to give them all the details. I may have even written a note upon our return to excuse the absences. I hope you have a great trip and try not to stress out about missing school, it will be there when she gets back!
Alex

 

[MarcyIn Florida]

I don't think you need anything more than the days they'll be out, the fact that they'll make up wprk, and that the teachers should contact YOU -- and not ask your kids -- if they have any questions or concerns.

And no debate here -- kids remember vacations long after they remember 3 days of algebra.

Marcy

 

[zacsmom]

Not to make light of the seriousness of needing a note, that is simply a formality for us. Our teachers are told the first week of school when and where we will be taking off to the end of Feb. or the beginning of March each year. The response is always,"Can I go too??" So, don't fret about it and stick to facts.

 

[TheWog]

I agree, just include what you want them to know. We didn't even write a letter, we just had a conversation. They were very agreeable and accommodating.

 

[TootyJane]

I don't know about your school district rules, but here in San Diego if you take your child out of school for more than a couple of days you are required to notify school office and an "Independent Study Contract" is filled out and given to child's teacher(s). Teacher then assigns homework (which has never been my case). The purpose of the ISC is if one is filled out the school gets credit (in other words $$$) for each day the student is out. If an ISC is not done, then the school loses the $$$. HTH

 

[HookedonMagic]

Hi Mom,

I think you'll be fine keeping the note simple. IF the school or one of the children's teachers needs more information, I'm sure they'll ask for it.

I believe we cruised with you in March, 2001. At that time, we too lived in Illinois. Our daughter (and her cousin) were both 11 and missed a few days for the cruise. We didn't run into any trouble from the either school or teacher. In fact, our daughter's teacher was very encouraging...many teachers agree that family time is every bit as important as school time.

Happy sailing!

 

[fourfoxesinpa]

Our school district recently enacted a new policy for family trips. Seemed like some families were abusing it. They now want a letter detailing the educational aspects of the trip. It was pretty easy to list the museums in Key West, marine life exploration in Grand Cayman & Mexican ruins in Cozumel. Just copy your shore excursion description and cut and paste some blurbs from the websites. My children were each required to complete the entire week's class and homework before they returned to school today. And to think my kids are only in 3rd grade and kindergarten. I can't imagine how you'd keep up once you get into middle and high schools. It would be tough but worth it.

Jamie

 

[Tay N Evie's Mom]

Hookedonmagic,

I remember you! We took the St. Thomas beach day excursion and we stood in the water and talked while my daughter tried not to get knocked over by the waves. My twins turned 3 on that cruise. They're now 6 and in 1st grade. I see you moved to Fl. Oh, if I could only get DH to consider to moving to Fl, I'd be in heaven! I've already told him I don't care where he's retiring, but I'm retiring in Fl and I'm going to drive my golf cart to water aerobics and bingo every day!

Thanks for all your replies. I'm glad to hear that a short and sweet note with just the facts is all I need to write.

 

[lUVTOGO]

We take the kids out of school every November because there is a NJ teachers conference that week, so the kids miss a maximum 4 or 5 days of school.
Last year I wrote a note to the teacher saying they would be missing 5 days of school for a family vacation. They are now in 6th and 4th. It is much easier in Elementary school, they gave dd the homework before she left and she was able to do most of it before we even left. Once they hit middle school I think it get a little harder because they have 3 different teachers for 3 different subjects.

This year we are also going to give this letter to the attendance office, which we didn't last year and they called daily looking for the kids. I think it was a messup on my part as the teacher only forwards the letter to the principle.

They both did write back to enjoy your vaction. Actually my dd's teacher was also taking that week for a trip to Jamaica. So don't stress, as long as they do the make-up work it will be fine.

 

[1PrincessMom]

Be sure to check with the school office. My kids missed five days of school (elementary) in Sept when we did the land/sea vacation. We used the letter from the MouseSavers.com website- doctored a little bit for our needs - in addition to having to complete a form from the school district which needed to be approved by the teaches, principal, AND superintendent! They wanted an explanation as to why this vacation was to be considered "educational", which is where the letter from MouseSavers came in handy. Also added the benefits of the shore excursions. DD in third grade had a ton of homework with the added note not to worry if it wasn't all completed. Definitely worth the time off school to spend together as a family. I worried too much about the time off school and really didn't need to.

 

[Olsons]

Excuse me while I step up on this high soapbox...my dad once said to the superintendent of our school district "my children's education is my responsibility, not yours". This was in a discussion about a disputed absence for vacation (still brings a tear to my eye...). Inform them that your children will be absent and with you. No other information is necessary. BTW, my sister and I are now a physician and PHD respectively, despite many family vacations, always taken during school time. My children, and their education, will board the Magic with me this Saturday. Man this soapbox is high, can somebody help me down...

 

[LAMPSKIES]

We are taking our DDs out for the 4th year in a row for a DCL vacation. We are from the Crown Point, In. school district. Every teacher thought it was a "great idea". They will learn some things that some children will NEVER get a chance to see. Our school corp. figures with all the split families and dual income households it's good when a "family" vacations together. They don't even require the to make up most of the assignments. This year 1 DD is a freshman and the other in 7th grade so we took the week of Thanksgiving so they only have to miss 3 days, 4 if we leave the Friday before.........have fun.

 

[cindalu]

Hi Jamie,
Where in PA are you from.
I live near Philly. I have a 3rd grader too as well as a 1st grader.
In May I took my two girls out of school and all I did was write a note and their teachers were fine with that. In fact my then 2nd grader had to write a report on what she did all week.

I think a written note and verbal or written reminders should be enough. If it isn't I am sure they will let you know.


I wouldn't worry too much. Enjoy your trip.

 

[ohiominnie]

cindalu,
i've been trying to contact you, but your DIS account doesn't accept PMs. you said you emailed me, but i never got it

can you try again?
either: homeschoolmom67@aol.com or homeschoolmom@mailblocks.com

Thanks!

 

[cindalu]

ohiominnie,
I just send you an email at the following address homeschoolmom@mailblocks.com

Can't wait to hear from you

 

[DPC]

I just returned home Sat (10/2) with my boys. We spent last week on the Magic (more on that later). I told their teachers at the start of school, I also personally handed each of them a note (including asking them to send home any homework) and finally, I emailed each of them 3 days before we left. Both sent home a fairly minimal amount (my boys are in 1st and 4th grade) of work. When I got home Saturday, I had a message from the office secretary saying that both boys teachers had marked them absent, but that I had not called the attendance line and she wanted to know where they were. Boy was I steaming mad since I went out of my way to give the school ample notice. I suspect they eventually figured it all out.

 

[fcrouch]

my wife teaches at a school and her school's policy is NOT to give the homework out before the child leaves on vacation - then the child has to make it all up after returning home or doesn't get credit for it! She doesn't like the policy but she's not the one setting it. I think it is the school's way of discouraging taking the kids out of school. That may be a consideration for parents with older students - high school - if the school actively discourages this and makes it difficult for a student to keep up grades.