PreK absense?

[kimbo73]

PreK programs are very strict about absences. But they say they are allowed 9 absences. (but after X amount of unexcused absenses, they are kicked out of the prek!)
We are going to WDW on her fall break. The day that we arrive in WDW is her last day before her break starts. So we would pick her up when she is dismissed at 2pm and drive the 8hr drive which would put us at our resort at 10pm. It would be nice to just get up and drive and skip school that day. and arrive at our room and do a park that night!

But I know I will be over run by guilt. And what do I do when they ask me for an excuse?
Need advice!!

 

[java]

HELLO IT IS PRE-K! Are you paying for this? or is it a public school setting. Because if they have your $$ I find it hard to believe they will be kicking anyone out. I would go in and say we are going on vacation and she will miss...x day(and you are talking one day right?) Please don't take this the wrong way but is this your first child? I ask because I was that way with number one= now that I am on number 4 I realize- nothing is going to happen.

 

[kimbo73]

JAVA- yes she is my only child...I'm a little green at the whole school system thing yet
No, I am not paying for the prek, state funded at the public elementry school. Do you still think they wont kick her out if its a state funded program?? Will they call me and ask where she is?? Oh yea, it is only one day we are talking about!

 

[all4fun]

Wow that is kind of harsh. How many days a week is she in school?

My ds just started preschool through our school system 3-5yr program. It's special ed because he has speech and motor delays. We told them before he started school that we have two trips planned this fall: next week we will be gone all week and in December we'll be at WDW for two weeks. They said "No problem". I was glad they didn't hassle us about it but hey, we're the parents right? It's not like we're just keeping him out of school for any old reason. We need vacations too. And it's not like he's in high school and might miss an important exam or something. I guess I just don't understand....

 

[java]

Unexcused absenses don't include sick days. So perhaps she will get a cold that day....... and really they say things like that just so that you don't keep your child home for no reason. Also sounds like they don't want you taking her out for weeks at a time. WOW that you have the state funded prek! Ours is only for special needs right now- although in 2 years I think we are going state funded for everyone......we'll see.(still have one that might get the free prek I hope so I am paying about $260 a month now) Have a great trip and don't sweat it. They love to threaten but they are not going to kick her out for missing a day for Disney.

 

[kimbo73]

yea she goes 5 days 750am to 2pm. she LOVES IT! I'll see if I can work up the nerve to do it. I'm such a chicken. Guess thats why they are so strict because its free!! Yet not all kids get to go. They do a lottery draw of names before school starts to see who gets to go, due to only so many slots. The kids that don't get picked go on a waiting list and get a slot only when the other kids drop out or get kicked out!

 

[MATTERHORN]

Do it, do it, do it!!! It is ONE day!!! You don't even need to give them an excuse, just a note that your child will be gone on such and such a day. It's not like she has a ton of homework to get either. And I am sure she will talk about your trip when she gets back so I would just write the note and be on your merry way.

As a PP stated, nothing will happen, there is nothing they can do! It's not like she's even close to the limit of nine days so go and have fun!


Andrea

 

[mom_of_5]

yea she goes 5 days 750am to 2pm. she LOVES IT! I'll see if I can work up the nerve to do it. I'm such a chicken. Guess thats why they are so strict because its free!! Yet not all kids get to go. They do a lottery draw of names before school starts to see who gets to go, due to only so many slots. The kids that don't get picked go on a waiting list and get a slot only when the other kids drop out or get kicked out!

There you go, thats your reason why they are so strict. With so many kids on the waiting list they in there minds will only accept the serious ones. Not that I think it is right, it is only preschool. If you were at a private preschool they would have no problem with your vacation. I hope it works out for you.

 

[Not so Dumbo]

Wow!! That's not only harsh, but a very long day for a pre-k er. One would think that if they split the day in half they could enroll twice as many kids. My DS4 is in a sp. ed state funded class and they are so relaxed there. If they so much as have a runny nose they say , sure keep them home. After all it's only Pre-k.

 

[LaraK]

My DD is in pre-K, but I am paying for it (about $215/week). I don't have to worry about her missing. They do, however, send her work home with her if she does leave early or miss. She's in school from about 7:30 AM until 5:00 PM.

In terms of missing one day, I'd say either go for it or pull her out early and get an earlier start.

 

[penguin087]

State funded or not you are still the parent! Why give them any information at all? Its one day. When you pick her up the day before say "Sally will not be in tomorrow. Enjoy your break." then stroll out the door. I never give more information that necessary even on my absent notes I'd write please excuse Johnny's absence yesterday. I never gave a reason. Now in the upper grades they give us excuse forms to fill out instead of notes. Under reason I write illness. I've never been specific. No one has ever questioned me.

 

[schlepsnort]

Our DS is also in prek (private) and we told the teachers before school started that he would be missing two days. They are very excited for him and how he gets to go see Mickey Mouse.

And as far as an excuse I agree with the poster who said there's no need to get specific about it. Under new medical information laws (HIPPA) you do NOT have to disclose medical information to anyone and your medical information cannot be shared without your expressed approval. So if a school asks why Jimmie/Janie were not in school or will not be in school on XX date all you have to say is either for personal or medical reasons and that should be the end of the conversation. If they press all you have to do is say that it is truly private and not necessary for their knowledge.

We have 3 kids and by now I guess I'm jaded. With the 1st I was worried about the 'rules' and what they would think if I did something. Now as a mom to 3 I know that I am making the decisions and I know my kids best.

Basically, don't be specific, don't be worried about it (it's only ONE day), and enjoy your vacation!

 

[MinnieGi]

I agree I would not worry about one day. Since it is the last day before a scheduled break I bet a few other students may not be there either.

Last year our DD was in Pre-K (private) and since it was her last year before starting at the elementary school we decided to take the opportunity and pull her out for two different weeks for vacation trips!

Have a great trip!

 

[3DisneyBuggs]

If you are really worried about being kicked out, I would send her in with a note that she is being picked up early. You could pick her up at 8:30 and she won't be marked absent.Ive done that before and it wasn't counted as an absence.

 

[Evil Queen]

I didn't tell the school the reason, this will be the 4th year I've pulled youngest out during school time. I did mention why the last two trips though.

I just say he will be out of town with his family. If he decides to tell them, I'm ok with that too, but I don't.

When you pick her up the day before, just say we are heading out of town and she will not be there the next day. It's one day out of nine that she can miss. If it's before a school break, I'm sure it's happened before and will surely happen again from someone else.

 

[MickeyMamma]

My DS was in state-funded pre-K last year. We took him out for a week for a family vacation. I just told the teacher that we had a family vacation planned and asked if there was any topics they would have that week that she wanted me to go over with him.

There was NO problem. I don't think the teachers need total details about what you do on your family trips. I also have the feeling that you will not be the only ones leaving on your trip a day early.

I think the policy is because of the waiting list. They want to make sure that those that got to use the UPK program actually use it.

 

[kimbo73]

WOW, I wasnt expecting so many DO IT'S! Guess beause I'm new at this whole school thing. Thanks for all your responses. I'm going in to talk with the kids in her class next week for career day...do you think I should drop a hint or say something to the teacher then? Or don't say anything at all and just write a note? I can't believe I'm stressin over one day!