My 1st grader already told her teacher...

[lindaso]

Here I am STRESSING over telling the teacher that DD will be missing a whole week of school. I've been planning on exactly what to say, showing the journal pages DD is planning on doing, asking about homework, debating on just which day to tell her and then...DD nonchalently tells me that she already told her teacher she was going to Disney World!! I asked what the teacher said and I got a "she said I'll have fun".

Gotta love it, kids make it so simple, don't they? Oh well, guess I won't have to "break it" to the teacher at the end of the week seeing how she already knows!! Wish me luck that I get the same attitude during my conversation!!

 

[momof3disneyholics]

My kids are going to be missing a week and I told their teachers at open house before school started. I wanted to let them know so that their wouldn't be any problems with it later on. I just got a note in my son's bookbag that said that if my son is going to miss more than 3 days of school I have to get it approved by the principal. I felt this was weird, because I don't feel like I should have an approval by them for my kids that are in pre-k and 1st grade. So, I guess I'll just say "My kids are going to be out of school for a week because we are going on vacation".

 

[mcnuss]

We've taken DD out of school every year thus far, she is now in 4th grade. In K & 1, not a blink. In 2, teacher thought it was fabulous - we went to France - and asked DD only to keep a journal and do an oral report when she returned. In 3, teacher was mean about it, even tho all she missed was the Mon/Tues before Thanksgiving break. She sent a 10 pg. packet and her reading log; I then found out from a friend that the class did not have homework those 2 days. I would not have minded the work at all if it had been given to everyone, but I felt it was punitive. This year, we're back to the "have a great time" kind of teacher. She is sending a packet, but has given DD some extra time after our return to complete it. Perfect!

One thing -- I have never asked "permission", although I have always had the school calendar b4 making the plans so as not to impede on testing, etc... I have told the school what we are doing. She's my kid after all. I don't think we should have to negotiate the release of our children as though they are hostages!!

BTW - your story reminds me that DD told her 2nd grade teacher about our trip to France before I did. I figured it out when there was a map of France with DD's homework packet the first week of school!!

 

[Deafmedic]

Teachers can be weird! We told our DD's 4th grade teacher and she said she'll work with us on it but when we told our younger DD's K teacher, she started sprewing all these absentism policies at us. I mean, c'mon, I would've expected that from the 4th grade teacher but not the K teacher. We have parent/teacher conferences this week. Going to bring it up again. IF the K teach starts again, then we'll just make an appt. with the principal and see what his thoughts are on it. January is typically the slowest month for my work. That's why it's easier for me to just take off.

 

[lindaso]

It's nice to hear about others' experiences with teacher reactions. I did have the perfect opportunity to tell the teacher a few days before school started when we went in to see where the classroom was. I thought about it but decided I wanted to give the teacher a chance to get to know my DD. My DD really tows the line at school as far as behavior and she's a little ahead academically so I thought that could only help our cause. Like I said, I've been stressing so that's why I didn't say anything that day.

I agree with the "permission" thing...family vacations are important too and we can't always go on the school vacations due to DH's work. So the school is really going to have to get used to that as we have 2 more kids and we plan to do WDW every 2 years!! But this is my 1st time dealing with an extended absense...by the time my little guy is in school, it'll be easy!!

 

[mcnuss]

Originally posted by Deafmedic
We have parent/teacher conferences this week. Going to bring it up again. IF the K teach starts again, then we'll just make an appt. with the principal and see what his thoughts are on it. January is typically the slowest month for my work. That's why it's easier for me to just take off.

I wouldn't mention it again until 1 -2 weeks before you leave. I don't think you want it to derail your P/T conference, and it may. I'd either call or write the week before and say: "As I mentioned previously, DD will be out of school on such & such dates. If there is work that she needs to do while we are gone, I would appreciate it if you would send it home at least 2 days before we are leaving in case we have any questions. If I need to notify anyone else at the school, please let me know. TIA, blah blah blah"

And be done with it! It's kindergarten for heavens sakes!

 

[Deafmedic]

My sentiments exactly! From what my DD brings home, kindergarten is basically just an all day arts and crafts session.

Not trying to steal your post, Lindaso. My apologies. Was just voicing the ridiculousness of the whole thing with kindergaten.

 

[lindaso]

Originally posted by Deafmedic
My sentiments exactly! From what my DD brings home, kindergarten is basically just an all day arts and crafts session.

Not trying to steal your post, Lindaso. My apologies. Was just voicing the ridiculousness of the whole thing with kindergaten.

Hi Chris, not a problem, post whatever opinion you've got!! Actually kindergarten at our school is pretty academic...sight words, homework, handwriting, etc. Your school might pick up in the coming weeks. First grade is proving to be even more academic but I'm still not regretting our decision for a family vacation. School sure isn't like it was when I was in elementary school...I can only attribute it to the standardized tests in 4th grade that they give here. They want these kids reading chapter books at the end of 1st grade so they have to get them going in kindy.

Now that I've totally changed the subject...

 

[tinaluis]

My DD did the same thing! I mentioned to the teacher that we'd be going on vacation at an Open House and I told her that we normally wouldn't pull her out for "such a long time" but that we'd be looking at homes in the Orlando area because we were hoping to move down there. She didn't ask how long and told me not to worry about it. I was still stressing about letting her know it would be three weeks and my 2nd grader gets home today and tells me not to worry about it -- she told her already -- and she said she'd have a great time!

 

[Deafmedic]

I know what you mean. Linda. When I went to school, there Kindergarten wasn't required. I started 1st grade at 5 years old.

 

[bell.of.the.ball]

Hey Lindaso from LI, NY Im a Linda from LI,NY. Im leaving in 3 days, Just told the teachers (1st and 4th grade) we we going. Told them they could send work and it would be done. I told them Mon. and we are leaving on Friday. Havent had a problem and really dont care if there was. It is the beginning of the year and they are reviewing anyway.. Dont worry so much. Kids could miss that much time being sick.

 

[lindaso]

Originally posted by bell.of.the.ball
Hey Lindaso from LI, NY Im a Linda from LI,NY. Im leaving in 3 days, Just told the teachers (1st and 4th grade) we we going. Told them they could send work and it would be done. I told them Mon. and we are leaving on Friday. Havent had a problem and really dont care if there was. It is the beginning of the year and they are reviewing anyway.. Dont worry so much. Kids could miss that much time being sick.

Hello fellow Long Islander. I too live in a crazy house!! See now, you have a 4th grader and you're relaxed about the whole thing, I'm sure that's how I'll be in 3 years!! Have a great trip!

 

[Emy'sMom]

My DD is also in First Grade and I can't believe she hasn't said anything to her teacher yet about our upcoming trip. I didn't specifically say to her not to tell her teacher but I would have thought she'd have spilled the beans by now. Every morning at the bus stop I ask DD how many days 'til Disney and she always knows the exact number.

We are taking our trip during our school district's Fall Break so DD will miss 3 days of school (and we'll miss the Parent/Teacher/Conferences too). My plan on telling her teacher is this - - - > Each Friday DD's teacher sends home a progress report that the parent(s) needs to sign and return the following Monday. I have a letter written to attach to this Friday's report to send back on Monday notifying the teacher of our trip. I called the administration office a few weeks ago and they said that's all they need me to do; the teacher will forward a copy to the main office for recording purposes.

I'm not stressing too much about how the teacher will react. In my letter I'm also reminding her that DD will only be in this current school district until late October/early November since we are building a house in a different town and DD will be transferring to a new school. Lots of changes for us this year!

Debbie

 

[lindaso]

Originally posted by Emy'sMom
My DD is also in First Grade and I can't believe she hasn't said anything to her teacher yet about our upcoming trip. I didn't specifically say to her not to tell her teacher but I would have thought she'd have spilled the beans by now. Every morning at the bus stop I ask DD how many days 'til Disney and she always knows the exact number.

Hi Debbie, according to our trip counters, you'll be there about 40 minutes before us!! We are missing 5 days of school and class picture day. I'll have to crop in DD's picture in a Minnie hat

 

[Mel6197]

Yes Im another Long Island Mommy leaving in 17 days... Weird Huh..

Maybe we will see each other on the flight down. So wear your Lime Green Home Depot Mickey Head..


And as far as taking my DD out of school for 1 week. (she is in First Grade)

Well She is in Year round School (she is autistic) and she needs a vacation...


See you soon

 

[bell.of.the.ball]

where would one get a lime green home depot mickey head

 

[Emy'sMom]

Hi Linda!

I think my trip counter is counting down to our flight departure time. We'll actually be at WDW about 3 hours after the time shown ... so you'll actually get there first! We're staying at the Poly too! Oh, I can't wait!!

DD had her school picture taken on September 3rd ... we just got the pictures back last week.

Have a wonderful trip!! You going to MNSSHP? We are going on the 19th! Boo!

Debbie

 

[lindaso]

Originally posted by Emy'sMom
Hi Linda!

I think my trip counter is counting down to our flight departure time. We'll actually be at WDW about 3 hours after the time shown ... so you'll actually get there first! We're staying at the Poly too! Oh, I can't wait!!

DD had her school picture taken on September 3rd ... we just got the pictures back last week.

Have a wonderful trip!! You going to MNSSHP? We are going on the 19th! Boo!

Debbie

Hi Debbie...if I remember correctly, our counter is also to our flight time so maybe we'll see you at check-in!! We'll also be at MNSSHP on the 19th. My DD (6) is a Bratz doll, my DS (3) is Buzz Lightyear and my DS (15 months) is Superman. The adults (me, DH and my IL's) are yet to be determined!! We're thinking about matching Hawaiian shirts but we haven't found anything yet. We're planning lots of afternoons at the pool so maybe we'll see you there too!! Enjoy the last 16 days!!

 

[Emy'sMom]

Our flight lands at 11am and we are having a towncar drive us to the Poly. After we get checked in and unpacked we are going to have lunch at Kona Cafe and then hang out at the pool. Yeah!

We also plan on lots of 'pool time' during our week there.

As far as MNSSHP - DD has her costume (princess) and I have a Halloween t-shirt to wear ... not sure what DH is gonna do!

You enjoy these last couple of excitement-filled weeks too!!

Debbie

 

[Madi100]

We are going to Disney World in January. My daughter is going to miss a week and one day of school. I'm not worried in the least bit. She was supposed to be in kindergarten this year, but when we went in for orientation her teacher told me she wouldn't learn a thing the whole year. So, she is now in first grade. She is an awesome reader. She's very good at math, and she does wonderful with remembering facts. I will plan on telling her teacher at conferences next month. I bought my daughter a journal last week that has Snow White on the front of it. I plan on having her write about her vacation in it. I'm not offering this information to the teacher because I want it to be fun, and not something that she HAS to do.