Letter to school for Hawaii Vacation?

[jel0511]

WOW, you guys are lucky, if I decided to pull my kids out for school to go on vacation, it's automatically a non-excused absence and no homework is allowed to be given to the student before leaving, WHEN my kids miss school due to vacation, they're basically screwed and have to catch up when they get back. There is no limit on non-excused absences here, but to come back to a weeks worth of work and keep up with your current work, it's basically impossible to pull your kids out for vacation.

 

[DawnCt1]

WOW, you guys are lucky, if I decided to pull my kids out for school to go on vacation, it's automatically a non-excused absence and no homework is allowed to be given to the student before leaving, WHEN my kids miss school due to vacation, they're basically screwed and have to catch up when they get back. There is no limit on non-excused absences here, but to come back to a weeks worth of work and keep up with your current work, it's basically impossible to pull your kids out for vacation.

That is just so wrong on so many levels. For most families, a trip to Hawaii doesn't happen that often and a school system that can usurp parental authority by denying credit for a semester or whatever arbitrary punishment they decide to hand out, has way too much authority. There are wonderful educational opportunities on O'ahu alone.
1. Pearl Harbor, the "bookends of WWII, The Arizona and the Missouri.
2. The Bowfin submarine
3. Climbing Diamond Head
4. The Polynesian Cultural Center.
5. The Bishop Museum
6. The Iolani Palace
7. China Town, one of the oldest in the United States
8. If its winter then whale watching.
9. Snorkeling for sea life that one can't see at home
10. Experiencing Hawaiian culture, language and food.
11. Learning some Hawaiian words and the history of Hawaii.
These are just a few off of the top of my head. A week in Hawaii is an opportunity not duplicated in a week at any school and that is just O'ahu!

 

[Mi3stooges]

That is just so wrong on so many levels. For most families, a trip to Hawaii doesn't happen that often and a school system that can usurp parental authority by denying credit for a semester or whatever arbitrary punishment they decide to hand out, has way too much authority. There are wonderful educational opportunities on O'ahu alone.
1. Pearl Harbor, the "bookends of WWII, The Arizona and the Missouri.
2. The Bowfin submarine
3. Climbing Diamond Head
4. The Polynesian Cultural Center.
5. The Bishop Museum
6. The Iolani Palace
7. China Town, one of the oldest in the United States
8. If its winter then whale watching.
9. Snorkeling for sea life that one can't see at home
10. Experiencing Hawaiian culture, language and food.
11. Learning some Hawaiian words and the history of Hawaii.
These are just a few off of the top of my head. A week in Hawaii is an opportunity not duplicated in a week at any school and that is just O'ahu!

Do I sense a field trip coming on??!!! LOL

 

[monsterkitty]

Dear Principal,

My DD and the entire family will be visiting Hawaii this October. While on Oahu, we will be visiting Pearl Harbour, the Bowfin, and the Missouri. As we all know, it is at this National Park in which our great country was forced into WWII, as well as where, with a stroke of a pen, the War ended.

After our history lesson, we will be spending time at Diamond Head. As we hike the trails, we will not only learn about geology, but also the history of the Hawaiin Goddess, Pele.

As we stroll the beach of Waikiki, we will look at how erosion is eating up one of the most famous beaches of the US.

The Polynesian Cultural Center will teach our family the importance of the hula in the Hawaiian culture, as well as the religion of the ancient people and how they migrated to this great island.

As we will be staying in a condo, we will be making many of our meals. My DD will help in the meal planning, shopping, and preparing of our meals. At the conclussion of our trip, I will help my DD compare and contrast the prices of foods in Hawaii to those here in our town. While dining out, DD will be introduced to foods of many cultures.

As you can see, our trip will be very educational experience for not only my DD, but for the entire family. We will be exposed to many cultres and all that defines the cultures, some of the newest land in the world, as well as one of the most important historical sites of our country.

I thank you in advance for realizing what a wonderful learning experience our trip will be for my DD.

Sincerely,

mylilnikita

PS
We are taking orders from friends and family members for Mac nuts. Would you like to be added to the list?

 

[grlpwrd]

Hi, T.! (myliknikita is a good friend of mine in real life. ) We are in Baltimore right now. It took us 5 hours. lol

I can't say too much because I don't want freaks to know too much about me lol, but I will say I personally know the principal you are talking about .... She is very strict, but she is very good about family trips. I had to take my kids out 3 times and each time she gave permission. Once it was because of a death in the family and twice it was because we had to leave early for a trip to the Outer Banks and then to Hawaii to visit family.

She is very understanding with family trips. I gave her advanced notice each time. I told her why we were taking an early trip and I assured her I would do what it took to enrich and supplement my dd's studies. I let her know where we planned to visit, what the kids were going to learn, and stressed that it was a rare trip when we went back home to Hawaii. I also worked with my kids' teachers and made sure to get homework way, way in advance, too.

I am also the Girl Scout contact for your dd's school and she has given us permission each time to come in and recruit. I always give her advanced notice and ask permission in person and via email. I think she appreciates us doing it this way rather than waiting for the last minute and being crazy about it. lol

I also know your dd's teacher because my oldest dd had her when she was there. Her dd was also in our Girl Scout troop last year.... yup, small world. lol

We definitely have to chat more!

 

[grlpwrd]

Dear Principal,

My DD and the entire family will be visiting Hawaii this October. While on Oahu, we will be visiting Pearl Harbour, the Bowfin, and the Missouri. As we all know, it is at this National Park in which our great country was forced into WWII, as well as where, with a stroke of a pen, the War ended.

After our history lesson, we will be spending time at Diamond Head. As we hike the trails, we will not only learn about geology, but also the history of the Hawaiin Goddess, Pele.

As we stroll the beach of Waikiki, we will look at how erosion is eating up one of the most famous beaches of the US.

The Polynesian Cultural Center will teach our family the importance of the hula in the Hawaiian culture, as well as the religion of the ancient people and how they migrated to this great island.

As we will be staying in a condo, we will be making many of our meals. My DD will help in the meal planning, shopping, and preparing of our meals. At the conclussion of our trip, I will help my DD compare and contrast the prices of foods in Hawaii to those here in our town. While dining out, DD will be introduced to foods of many cultures.

As you can see, our trip will be very educational experience for not only my DD, but for the entire family. We will be exposed to many cultres and all that defines the cultures, some of the newest land in the world, as well as one of the most important historical sites of our country.

I thank you in advance for realizing what a wonderful learning experience our trip will be for my DD.

Sincerely,

mylilnikita

PS
We are taking orders from friends and family members for Mac nuts. Would you like to be added to the list?

I enumerated my letters just like this one. Some people posted it's not necessary to do it this way, but I know this principal. I really think she appreciates it.

I also added the fact that family and friends who we were meeting up with us attended schools that operated on a different schedule than our's. I know D. and her friend have different school schedules and it might be wise to mention it. This is a rare reunion, I think, and being that his dad is military and stationed in Hawaii for now makes it even more urgent to go.

Have fun, T. I wish you could take me with you. lol

 

[simba928]

Being a high school student (not a parent, obviously) I think schools are getting ridiculous about absences. They don't need to know why I am going or where I am going. They just need to know when and that my parents approve. Thats it. Its up to the parents to decide whether their child is able to go. I go on vacation every winter with my family, missing several days of school. I am an honor roll student. I participate in my school's marching band. This past year, I missed 5 days due to a family vacation, 3 days due to a school trip, went on about 5 field trips where I missed a full day of school, was out sick for a few days, and left early once due to illness. I received a 4.0 GPA. My family has been going on vacations in the winter for the since 6th grade. I'm a senior this year and I have never received lower than a 3.6 GPA. Ever. You better believe that if I did not work hard at school and get as good of grades as I do, I would not be missing those 5 days for vacation. I would not be in the band. I would not go on field trips. Why does the school need to know that while I will be away, I will be doing this, that, and the other thing?

Oh, and sophomore year, I was out for midterms and made all of them up (BEFORE I left, might I add). Passed all of those (As and Bs). Don't know my exact GPA, but I know it wasn't lower than 3.6.

If I were you, I would say that your DD will be missing these dates, please send any work home before you leave, and here is my number so they can call with any questions. If they really want to know play-by-play what you will be doing, they can call you. JMO.

 

[Snow_White]

^ I agree, it is ridiculous how little value our society (well, namely just schools) places on family vacations. Extremely saddening, to say the least.

 

[DawnCt1]

Do I sense a field trip coming on??!!! LOL

Can I be a volunteer mom??

 

[DawnCt1]

And don't forget to look for the two most important statues to Hawaii;
1. King Kamehameha, who united all of the islands.
2. Duke Kahanamoku...THE KING OF SURFING!! His statue is on Waikiki Beach!

 

[Kath2003]

The absence rules are getting too strict. They're not there in the first place to affect responsible parents who don't haul their kids out all the time without thinking about it, the parents of kids who turn in their homework and pay attention in class.

The vacation absence rules are there to stop the parents who DON'T ensure that their child turns up at school, on time with their homework completed and ready for a day of study taking MORE time away from their children's education.

My parents always told my sisters and I that in non-exam years (you have important exams in 8th grade and then again in 10th grade, 11th grade and 12th grade) we could go on vacation for a week (always the last week before spring break or the summer vacation) providing that we kept our grades up and did not get a detention. Since we never did, we took a week out most years (and in the years we didn't, our grades were the same and none of us ever got a detention). The headmaster gladly gave us the time off because we weren't the kids he was concerned about. He was concerned about the kids who weren't turning up consistently, who constantly were in detention, who weren't passing tests and who were causing him to have to answer to someone higher up.

 

[corgi_monster]

I think it would be a great idea to do some sort of project on Hawaii is a huge melting pot of cultures. This blending of cultures started during the plantation days during the late 1800's and early 1900's. Compared to Hawaii, the rest of the US is only starting to learn how to make integration work. I think that 8 is not too young that there are many different types of people in this world and that there black, white, yellow, and brown skins can mesh together.

A good way to tackle this project is to visit the Plantation Village in Waipahu and the Dole Cannery near Wahiawa. One of the reasons we're so integrated here is because Chinese, Portugese, Japanese, Philipino, etc. people were forced to live in TINY, CRAMPED quarters. You learn how to make friends fast when you live in a shack! These people shared food, and when you get here, you will notice that there is a lot of fusion cuisine. Our "pidgeon" language reflects the variety of nationalities you'll see here.

This is a study of contemporary Hawaiian culture and a lesson in tolerance all rolled into one. PM me if you need more ideas or need some help - I'm born and raised on Oahu

 

[Kath2003]

If you have a video camera (or a digital camera which takes video clips) you could have your DD write a few sentences about the significance of places/foods/statues etc. and film her discussing the objects as you go along (she doesn't necessarily have to be in shot). This would re-enforce the learning and she goes along (and save her writing a huge project when she gets home).

 

[DawnCt1]

I think it would be a great idea to do some sort of project on Hawaii is a huge melting pot of cultures. This blending of cultures started during the plantation days during the late 1800's and early 1900's. Compared to Hawaii, the rest of the US is only starting to learn how to make integration work. I think that 8 is not too young that there are many different types of people in this world and that there black, white, yellow, and brown skins can mesh together.

A good way to tackle this project is to visit the Plantation Village in Waipahu and the Dole Cannery near Wahiawa. One of the reasons we're so integrated here is because Chinese, Portugese, Japanese, Philipino, etc. people were forced to live in TINY, CRAMPED quarters. You learn how to make friends fast when you live in a shack! These people shared food, and when you get here, you will notice that there is a lot of fusion cuisine. Our "pidgeon" language reflects the variety of nationalities you'll see here.

This is a study of contemporary Hawaiian culture and a lesson in tolerance all rolled into one. PM me if you need more ideas or need some help - I'm born and raised on Oahu

All good points. Everyone is a minority in Hawaii.

 

[monsterkitty]

And don't forget to look for the two most important statues to Hawaii;
1. King Kamehameha, who united all of the islands.
2. Duke Kahanamoku...THE KING OF SURFING!! His statue is on Waikiki Beach!

Crap! How could I have forgotten these two guys? (I need a little forhead smack guy)

Thanks for reminding me of the two statues we walked by several times last month!

 

[DawnCt1]

Crap! How could I have forgotten these two guys? (I need a little forhead smack guy)

Thanks for reminding me of the two statues we walked by several times last month!

And from Duke's statue, you can wave to the folks at home....if they are watching. I know, call them on the cell phone and tell them to log on!

 

[clh2]

Wow - it amazes me how different the various school districts are. At the end of school last year (DD was finishing up 7th grade) I contacted the vice-pricipal/truancy officer to get his opinions on "what exactly would happen IF we took our DD out of school for 6 days in October of 8th grade?"

DH has a conference in Berlin Germany, so the dates are not flexible. I also explained that we had not made our decision up at this point, I would have really loved a little alone time with DH

The VP could not have been more encouraging about us taking DD out of school, and was very specific that the teachers would be able to give homework way in advance of our leaving (so DD could get some of it done even before we leave), do some while we are gone, and then she could take time after we returned as well. Quite honestly, I was stunned at how nice he was about this.

The last quarter of 7th grade is heavy into WWII, the Holocaust, and Nazi Germany. The VP "told me" that this would be too great of an opportunity for DD to miss. At that point, I would have felt guilty leaving DD home.

Luckily for DD, the timing is really pretty nice. We will leave on a Tuesday, returning on the following Tuesday. The Wednesday is a 1/2 day of school and the Thursday and Friday are off days due to a statewide teacher's convention. So - DD will be there that 1/2 day, and can circle back with all of her teachers, and then have a 4 day weekend to recoup from jetlag and maybe catch up on her homework.

 

[SeaSpray]

Wow that was a good sample letter, now can you please type one up for me?? We'll be taking DSs back to WDW next May, and DS-then-17-high-school-junior will be missing 5 days of school! Although, we WILL be staying on the "King Kamehameha Club Level" at the Polynesian, so maybe that can be considered educational??

But seriously... We haven't taken DSs out of school since 2001 when they were in 4th and 7th grades, and the school said it wasn't a problem at all. Now older DS will have just finished his finals at college so he won't be missing any school, but younger DS will still be in school, although nothing major will be going on during the week we're gone. Our trip is the 3rd week in May, and he has no major tests, finals are not until a month later, and even his spring band concert is in early May! He's an honors student with excellent attendance, so we truly feel that this family vacation which really CAN be educational, will not be a hardship to DS, and will not cause problems for him. He'll be able to make up the work fairly easily when he returns.

We will be doing the Segway Tour at Epcot (there's a physics lesson right there!), and we'll be doing the Wildlife Discovery Excursion (this is a private tour conducted by a wildlife expert!), as well as the Keys to the Kingdom tour (we'll learn about the architecture of how WDW was built, as well as other educational topics! lol).

Would anyone care to give it a shot and write up a letter for me?

P.S. Don't forget to add in how over the past 11 years of DSs' school career, we've ALWAYS encouraged him to do his best, never miss school, and to make his school work a priority!

P.P.S. Not to mention all of the countries in Epcot we'll be visiting and dining at, including the CMs at each country who are actually FROM each of those countries and who are more than willing to share their love and knowledge of their homelands, including giving DS the chance to pratice his Spanish, while in his 3rd year of taking High School Honors Spanish.

 

[becjlek]

In our school there is no such thing as an excused absense. Even when my son was hurt at a school event and was in the hospital he had to attend 6 Saturday schools because of excessive absentism. He missed less than a week of school.
When my mom was a teacher she would have parents call and say we are going to be gone this day. Will my child miss anything important? Her response was that everyday is important in her class but she would do her best to help the student stay caught up.

 

[Cool-Beans]

Dear Teacher:

Weeeee're going to paradise and youuuuu aren't!

Nah-nah-na-boo-boo!
Stick your head in poo-poo!
Wrap it up in bubble gum
And send it to the cuckoo!

AlooooooooHA!

Seriously, I don't think it makes much difference what you write. The school will either like it or lump it. It really isn't that big a deal. Have a great trip!!!