Please proof read my letter to the school!

[undertheseas]

My DD is starting the second grade, let me know if I should change anything about our letter to the school about our vacation. TIA!!!

We will be taking a family vacation September 6th through the 12th. Unfortunately this means DD will miss five days of school. We understand that this is not ideal but it was the only time we could take a family vacation this year. We would like to take home any work DD will miss that week so she can stay caught up with the rest of the class. In addition, we are taking a journal so she can write about what we did each day. Because DD has always done well academically, we feel that if we can do the homework with her that she will be able to come back without having fallen behind the rest of the class. If you have any concerns please let me know.

 

[oogieboogie]

Looks good to me.

 

[disneyfan551]

Great idea! And, it sounds good too!

 

[Tjaleks]

I think it looks fine. IMO, if it were me,(and it will be in Dec, cuz we are pulling our boys out for 4 days), you are giving them too much info. However, our school district is not very strict and we will not have a problem at all. I have read here that some parents are ready to pull their hair out.

Good luck

 

[MainStUSA]

I dont even think you need to give them that much of an explenation. I always got my Homework that I missed before I went (good Idea). Also she is only going into 2nd grade so she cant miss that much.

 

[llb]

I also would not give that much info, nor would I put it writing. When things are put in writing the receiver has an obligation to respond with the schools formal policy, which you may not like. I would just verbally mention to the teacher that you will be away and would like her homework that she will miss during that time and it will be complete and returned on her first day back. If you keep it casual they may too, if you keep it formal they may too. Good luck

 

[oogieboogie]

DS's school insist that it must be in writing just so they have it on file. One trip I forgot to send in a letter and they called my cell phone and wondered where DS was. DH had verbally mentioned it to the school but unless they have it in writing it doesn't count.

I usually send a letter to the principal, cc the teacher and just put:

DS (name) will not be in school from 9/6 date to 9/12 date because we are taking a family vacation. If there is any school work that must be completed, I would appreciate if he be given the work prior to 9/6, otherwise DS will complete the assignments once he returns.
If you have any concerns, please contact me at 555-555-5555.

That's all I usually put. I've never had a problem with the principal nor the teacher. The less said the better, but that letter the OP has is just fine by me too.

 

[dizneekim]

Some of the best advice ever given to me about parenting choices was, "Everyone does not need to know everything." I appreciate the tone and intent of the OP's letter; a little bit of cooperation can go a long way. I have to agree with th others, though, that it is too much info. I think oogieboogie's note would be a better choice. I hope OP is able to get this behind her and have a great vacation.

 

[tallpkb]

We're taking out girls out of public school 9/27-10/4. I know the teachers will be fine and work with us. But our of a principal... well, let's just say, they are MY KIDS and I will do with them as I please. I'll let our dear secretary know, but I just don't want any snide comments from our principal!

 

[odis]

DW is a teacher and has gone through this with her students and our DD. Best to keep it informal, no letter, just talk with the teacher about it and they usually understand, especially if they have kids. Remember, if its a public school, it's run by the government and as soon as you begin formal discussions, they usually respond with their "official" policies and procedures.

 

[minkydog]

I usually send a letter to the principal, cc the teacher and just put:

DS (name) will not be in school from 9/6 date to 9/12 date because we are taking a family vacation. If there is any school work that must be completed, I would appreciate if he be given the work prior to 9/6, otherwise DS will complete the assignments once he returns.
If you have any concerns, please contact me at 555-555-5555.

This is very good, to the point. Less is more. I think putting it in writing is better, so you have your trip documented and nobody gets surprised.

 

[JESW]

I would have it like this...

We will be taking a family vacation september 6th - 12th. We would like to take home any work DD will miss that week so she can stay caught up with the rest of the class. Thank you.

I think in your efort to be nice about it you put too much information in your note. The above is all I would write - and all I have written in the past.

Just my thoughts...

Jill

 

[Tarheel Tink]

Just had to chime in with my friend's experience. Her teenage son had a chance to go to Australia for 2 weeks and his school would not allow it. She
merely told them they were moving and when they returned she told them
they changed their mind. No problems!

 

[nemomama]

I usually send a letter to the principal, cc the teacher and just put:

DS (name) will not be in school from 9/6 date to 9/12 date because we are taking a family vacation. If there is any school work that must be completed, I would appreciate if he be given the work prior to 9/6, otherwise DS will complete the assignments once he returns.
If you have any concerns, please contact me at 555-555-5555.

This is a perfect letter. If you're going to write a letter, IMO you should word it exactly this way.

I don't know your district's policy, just keep in mind that if they consider the absence unexcused, she might not be able to make up work from when you'll be away. This is the policy in my district, and it is strictly enforced.

 

[missypie]

I wouldn't even include the "family vacation" part.

Too bad the trip is coming so early in the school year. This may give the teacher a negative impression of you, before he/she even gets to know you.

 

[minniedisney1]

When I took my older ds out for a trip one sept. She was in 3rd. grade. She did not need to make up any work since they considered epcot a learning vacation. All her absences were excused and all they asked was she write a short report on her experience there.
I agree, less is better. Good Luck!

 

[undertheseas]

Thank you so much guys!!! I am going to take your advice and mention it to the teacher tomorrow, if she says they have to have a letter then I'll make mine more general and turn it in but only if they have to have it. I'm so glad I asked! You all are the bestest, thank you so much!!!

 

[bigmac5]

We are in Ontario I and I don't understand the issue, esspecially in the younger years. I personally wouldn't take my child out of grades 7 and up for an extended period of time due do the amount of work that is covered. I have had nothing but positive comments when we have taken them out before. "Family is very important and if that is the only time to do something together--then go or it." seems to be the attitude at our schools

 

[MomofPrincessKelsey]

I'm very jealous of all of you who have no problems removing your child during the school year for vacation. We're doing it again this year...it'll be the second time we've done it for our older DD to go to Disney. We'll be there 10/1-10/8 this year. But here's why I'm jealous...the problem we have is that Pennsylvania requires us to fill out a form listing the educational purpose for the trip (which we limit to a small area of Disney so we can go multiple times during her entire school life...we went when she was in 2nd grade and are going again during her 6th grade year). Basically, it's up to the school district to decide if they approve your educational purpose/trip or not. If they don't, you can still take your child, but it's an unexcused absence and you could be fined (based on total number of unexcused absences). It's so ridiculous in my honest opinion. Unfortunately, I still have to abide by these rules because I live in the state...maybe I should move!!! Oh - and one other thought - she has to make up all her homework within the same number of days that she missed (so since she'll miss 5 days of school, she'll have 5 days to make up that homework) and she'll have to do a report to tell about what she learned.

I hope they'll change Pennsylvania's rules someday...

 

[cindym]

bigmac
You don't have to deal with the no child left behind laws that force schools to frown on missed days that are not due to illness. I am a teacher and can remember when I would ask the ones who were going to WDW if I could hide in their luggage! Now I have to refer them to the administration who will try to talk them out of going!