Please proof read my letter to the school!

[threeboysmom]

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.

The letter looks fine to me - very similar to what I wrote last year when my oldest son took not one, but TWO family vacations last year. Boy, did I feel bad, but we had fun!!

Just make sure you take out the DD and insert your daughter's name! LOL!

 

[Doctor P]

Nice letter. Glad you are able to justify (to yourself) your irresponsible behavior in writing. I am appalled at the number of people who think that taking a child out of school for a week for a family vacation to WDW is acceptable and justifiable.

 

[tn_disney_addict]

Nice letter. Glad you are able to justify (to yourself) your irresponsible behavior in writing. I am appalled at the number of people who think that taking a child out of school for a week for a family vacation to WDW is acceptable and justifiable.

That was rude...and off topic. Everyone has their own opinions and choices to make...she wasn't asking if you AGREED with her taking her child out, simply if the letter was sufficient.

I don't think that there is anything irresponsible about taking your WHOLE family on a family vacation with you. There are alot of children in this world that would greatly benefit from a week spent with their family no matter where or when.

Furthermore...I take my daughter out of school for vacation EVERY September and the school NEVER gives me a hard time and is thrilled about her opportunity to get to go. They give me all of her work ahead of time and we turn it in on our return. It is ACCEPTABLE and JUSTIFIED.

 

[oogieboogie]

Nice letter. Glad you are able to justify (to yourself) your irresponsible behavior in writing. I am appalled at the number of people who think that taking a child out of school for a week for a family vacation to WDW is acceptable and justifiable.

Was this really necessary. I don't recall anywhere in the OP that she asked whether it was right or wrong. We're all adults here and what we do with our children is ultimately our call, good or bad.

Remember the saying: If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say it at all.

 

[grimley1968]

Nice letter. Glad you are able to justify (to yourself) your irresponsible behavior in writing. I am appalled at the number of people who think that taking a child out of school for a week for a family vacation to WDW is acceptable and justifiable.

This topic, along with refill mug topics, never fails to deliver all kinds of judgmental statements, even when it's grossly off-topic.

The OP was merely wondering if her letter was sufficient.

We're taking our DD out of 1 day of kindergarten in October, and combining that 1 day with fall break the following week. We would have gone down later, but we got a good deal on a flight with SW and had to leave 1 day early to get the deal. Somehow, I don't think this will cause my DD to become an idiot.

Anyway, live and let live. You and the OP may have differing opinions on the value of spending a week on a family vacation during the school year, but that has absolutely nothing to do with the topic at hand. Please save your judgment about vacations during the school year for a thread that asks for it. This one didn't.

To the OP: I would keep it informal, if possible. I'd print the letter and have it handy. But at first I would just ask the teacher for the homework for that week, and hopefully the teacher will comply and you can do without the letter. But if the teacher asks for some kind of letter per school district policy, at least you'll have it handy.

 

[pixie36]

Your letter is good, pretty much what I said in mine last year (except for the journal) when I took my DD6 out for a week in November. I told the teacher about it in late August and she was totally fine with it. She didnt even make her do any of the homework that the class did. In my opinion why do kids in K-2 need homework but that is a different subjet

However in Texas watch out the state/school district does not like it at all. I received a letter for the district truancy officer that if she had any further unexcused days it would be possible that I would be taken to court. Other than the 5days at disney she only missed 1 day for strep throat.

This however, has not stopped me from planning another one the end of september to take advantage of the free dining, also the only time DH can take a full week of VC.

 

[califred]

These thread make me grateful my kids got to school on a military base where they completely understand that we can't all go on vacation during the summer or Xmas break. My husband wont' be back from Iraq until the day school starts and he's been there for seven months and leaves again next fall. We too fit in vacations when we can.

Have a great vacation!

 

[amee]

We have taken our kids out of school for family vacations for 7 years now......we have never had any kind of a problem with either individual teachers or school administration. Frankly, most have been incredibly positive about the educational experience of travelling anywhere together. Both of our kids have done well in school......and really how much is a 2nd grader really missing, even in a full week? I would say, have a wonderfully memorable experience, and remember that the school system is there for your child, not vice versa......if you deem an occasional during-school vacation to be food for your family, then it is............
I wouldn't worry about comments like the one mentioned in the above post......some people's experience tells them that if it's fun it can't be learning...what would Walt say??????

Have a great time!

 

[skiwee1]

Nice letter. Glad you are able to justify (to yourself) your irresponsible behavior in writing. I am appalled at the number of people who think that taking a child out of school for a week for a family vacation to WDW is acceptable and justifiable.

I don't justify anything. I'm taking DD our of school for two trips totally 12 days of missed school. Family first, school secondary. DD is only in first grade and I cannot imagine this will have any effect on her education at all. My older two got along fine missing a week here and there. I did have to put it in writing but just told them she would not be in school those days. No excuses, no nothing. It isn't any of their business what we are doing.

 

[threeboysmom]

I don't justify anything. I'm taking DD our of school for two trips totally 12 days of missed school. Family first, school secondary. DD is only in first grade and I cannot imagine this will have any effect on her education at all.

My oldest son is in the 10th grade and my priorities have still remained the same - Family first, school secondary. It becomes even more so when I realize I only have a few more years with him before he's off to college and his own life.

Taking a week off from school does not RUIN them for life! Lol! Even in high school, the work can be made up. My son's grades did not slip at all even with 2 week vacations scheduled - his lowest grade for the year last year was a 95 (yes, I am very proud of him!)

For the life of me, I cannot figure out how taking a vacation together as a family is IRRESPONSIBLE and frowned upon???

 

[MAMA G]

We have done this 3 times (Thanksgiving week and the week following.) took kids grades 1-11 out of school for 5 days. The first 2 times we told the school way in advance and tried to get teachers to give us work ahead. Some teachers were great, most were not. The first 2 trips we did homework at the airport, on the plane, by the pool, in the room, on the plane etc.... They were still not caught up when they got back. This last time we did a little at the airport and on the plane on the way home, but that was it - they had alot of catch-up work to do - again, but we had a much more relaxed vacation. Luckily for us, Christmas vaca is always 3 weeks after we get back so the kids don't mind hustling to catch up work because they have a break coming up.
By the way, I'm a newbie, please explain the dd and dh stuff?
Many thanks!

 

[nativetxn]

I'm going to move this to our Community Board, since it isn't really a trip planning topic.

Katholyn

 

[Shooby doo]

Sounds like you have a similar system to ours over here.I normally explain that I have no control over my time off (I'm a full time firefighter & all 17 of us can't be off during the school holidays!!) & have to take what I have been allocated.The school usually refuses to give DS homework as they insist holidays should be holidays,si he just needs to catch up on our return. Having done it once before who really wants to go to WDW during school holidays anyway!! Done the 3 hour queues & swore never to do them again! SD aw:

 

[minijeanie]

If your DD starts school in September, a no brainer.

first month or so is just review and quite honestly, she is only in elementary school.
becomes more of a problem when they are in high school.

I took both my kids out of elementary school for two weeks when they were in 1st and 2nd grade.

Also, many kids in our school are from other countries. There parents take them out of school for two months to bring them back to their homeland.
Reason being summer is too expensive to fly.

you should have no problems

 

[palmtreegirl]

Have a great trip!!!!!!!

 

[va32h]

Our school district is quite strict about unexcused absences. However, the written policy states that the principal can excuse any absence at his/her discretion.

So when we wanted to take our family to WDW two years ago (which would require dd missing a week of school in Dec.) my husband made an appointment to talk to the principal in person.

Dh came in uniform, which was meant to be intimidating and explained that as he had spent most of the previous year deployed, and expected to spend all of the following year deployed, this was his only chance to take his family on a vacation. Basically, daring the principal to tell him no.

Of course this can't work for everyone, but knowing the principal as we did, we thought the "man to man" conversation was the best approach.

 

[undertheseas]

Thanks you guys!!!! Except for Doctor P you guys have all been great and I really appreciate your input. I agree that as long as your child isn't struggling in school then time with family more important. I'm going to talk to her teacher tomorrow and hopefully I won't need a letter. You all are really the best, I appreciate your support and input

 

[ChristmasElf]

Dear Mr/Ms Teacher,

Johnie will not be in school during the week of September 6th. He will be out of town with his family. Any questions please call at XXX-XXXX. Any work that you could send home for my child would be greatly appreciated.

Sincerely,

Patty Parent

You are the parent. These schools carry on like they are teaching rocket science and the world might end if Johnies not in class for a few days. Personally, that kid is going to learn more at WDw in a week than he ever will
in school. Don't let anyone bully you at the school.

 

[Doctor P]

Every time this topic comes up, we get a bunch of justifications for breaking the law. In many (not all) states and school districts, this constitutes truancy. Furthermore, it is a horrible example to set for a child. I fully agree that family should be a top priority, but a family vacation for one week during school just does not cut the mustard as far as hiding behind setting priority for family. Furthermore, IMHO there is nothing that is higher priority than school except in the case of a family emergency, which a vacation hardly can be considered. And for those of you who are saying these posts are off topic, let me make my response very clear. The letter is inappropriate and inadequate because no such letter should ever be written by a parent who considers themselves a role model or responsible. I have no problem if the parent understands that such absences are unexcused and that there is no responsibility on the part of the school to provide any of the homework or any credit for the missed time.

 

[aprilgail2]

I took my daughter out for 6 days last year for a cruise. I talked to the principal and he asked me to just not take her out during standardized testing weeks once she hits thrid grade and I told him that was fine, I could work around those 2 weeks. My daughter actually ended up missing 30 days of school last year and at that point they can leave her back but they told me as long as she is where she is learning wise they have no problem promoting her. The year before we took my 16 year old god daughter on a cruise and she missed 6 days of school and still ended up on the high honor role..so no harm done there either! Your kids are yours, not the schools though they seem to think that they own the children that go there! You decide what works for your family. Where I work vacations are picked by seniority and unless you have 8-10 years or more you are NOT getting a vacation during any of the weeks the kids have off or any time in the summer! Are you not supposed to take family vacations that whole time??