need help FAST!

[AmyinNC]

So, we want to take a trip to WDW from Oct 6-10 but we need to get our high schooler approval for an educational experience. (We got the 2 younger ones excused from school quite easily, but it's a charter school). HELP! In order to get the room rate, we need to pay by tonight (Thursday) so we need to get approval today from the principal. Apparently, it's not going to be easy to pass this off as very educational. Here's what the form says:
(...there are 8 valid absences from school...one of which is educational opportunities of a significant nature) In order for the bsence to be excused, the purpose of the absence must be of an educational nature and should be comparable to the amount of education the student would receive at school. Trips and vacations that are not originally intended to be educational will not be excused. Signing this form indicates that the absence is for a valid educational experience.

Does anyone have any suggestions on what to write? Everything I've come up with sounds very corny and that it is a trip to Disney World. I can kind of cover the Civics/Economics class and the French 2 class. Gym is also debatable. But in her English 2, they are learning about Greek Mythology. I can't find anything Disney-related with that!

Please help! PLEASE! I'm working on this right now and want to take it to him as early as I can to see if he can approve it tomorrow. I don't know if I should break it down by class, or just present the whole trip as educational. (Maybe too many details will look like I'm trying to cover a trip to WDW?) I feel like I"m over-thinking this and making it worse.

TIA!

Amy in NC

 

[pikafreaks]

Oh, our high school was so cool about it~


Here's what you need:

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

I've never done a link, sorry if it wont work~


School Excuse Sample Letter

DATE:

TO: [school official]

FROM:

RE: [students name and vacation dates]

Please be advised that [student] will be out of school during the week of [date]. We ask that his absences be excused.

The reason for [student]'s absence is that our family will be out of the state during this week. While we are gone, we will be visiting Walt Disney World. We believe that [student] will be learning many things during this trip and that his education will continue in his absence from school.

Some things [student] will learn about:

* Different cultures of the world, including architecture, language, diet, and dress, by visiting the different countries in the Epcot World Showcase (Japan, China, Germany, Mexico, Norway, Canada, France, etc.) [student] will have the chance to explore the exhibits for each country and speak with natives from each country who work as cast members.

* American history by viewing the Hall of Presidents presentation in the Magic Kingdom and the American Adventure show in Epcot.

* Nature and conservation at Animal Kingdom.

* Science by exploring the Mission:Space ride in Epcot where he will have a chance to see and feel what it would be like to travel by rocket to Mars and by experiencing the Universe of Energy exhibit which teaches about fossil fuels, energy, and conservation.

* Economics by managing his own spending money and making budget decisions on how to spend his money.

[student] will also be learning about map reading by navigating in and to the different theme parks, as well as the resorts and water parks via the Disney bus system, sociological aspects of crowds including patterns and behavior, physics of the different rides, breakthroughs in technology at the Innoventions computer lab in Epcot, art and animation and the history of film, and mathematics.

We believe this will be a wonderful and educational experience for [student] and hope you agree not to charge him with unexcused absences as a result. If it is possible for [student] to take any assignments with him to be turned in when we return or to turn in before we leave any work that will be due while he is gone, please let us know as soon as possible.

Thank you for your attention to this. If you have any questions or need any further information, please feel free to contact me.

[Parent's Signture]

 

[pikafreaks]

I think it worked....

We will be there Oct 5th - 11th~
I hope it works out for you!!!

 

[AmyinNC]

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! I knew it could sound so much more professional and thought out. I've added all my info to it and have it printed and ready to go. I truly appreciate this.

Amy

 

[AmyinNC]

Just to let you know, this letter was wonderful! I took it in this morning and he approved it right then and there! We're off to Disney World!!!!

Thank you again!

Amy

 

[bartleby1]

Just to let you know, this letter was wonderful! I took it in this morning and he approved it right then and there! We're off to Disney World!!!!

Thank you again!

Amy

I just saw your post and I just wanted to say congrats on getting it approved! Personally, we go to disney in the summer when the kids are off because it is what I feel is right for our kids and family, but I would never disapprove of another family going during the school year. Family time is sooooo important and it seems to be very limited in this day and age. Educational or not, vacations are important and I'm happy to see that you will be able to take your trip and that the schools understand.

Have a wonderful time!