Removing a Child from school for Disney trip?

[Goobergal99]

If you need a letter to the teacher just be honest and from the heart. Write why the vacation is important to your family and how you intend to help your child stay on track or get caught up when you return.

Just my .02 (ok maybe .03)
TJ

My letter is going to read "Mrs so and so, DD will be absent from school on such and such days b/c we are taking a family vacation which has been 6 months in the making and can not be taken at another time for numerous reasons, I would appreciate that a work packet be made for her, but I realize this may be a burden Thank you"

I am sorry but I don't feel the need to go into the logistics of what a Disney vacation means to me, he/she is merely my childs 1st grade teacher not an employer who I am trying to sel myself too. I certainly don't feel the need to poor my heart out to this individual merely to satisfy their curiosity. I am the parent and ultimately, regardless of this person's opinion we will be going on the vacation period.

 

[tjmw2727]

My letter is going to read "Mrs so and so, DD will be absent from school on such and such days b/c we are taking a family vacation which has been 6 months in the making and can not be taken at another time for numerous reasons, I would appreciate that a work packet be made for her, but I realize this may be a burden Thank you"

I am sorry but I don't feel the need to go into the logistics of what a Disney vacation means to me, he/she is merely my childs 1st grade teacher not an employer who I am trying to sel myself too. I certainly don't feel the need to poor my heart out to this individual merely to satisfy their curiosity. I am the parent and ultimately, regardless of this person's opinion we will be going on the vacation period.

Actually, ITA and when I said from the heart I meant true to your heart as opposed to the "stretching of the truth" on the sample letter. Your letter is just about the same as what I have written!

FWIW I also offer to help the teacher prepare the packet by copying papers etc. It that isn't an option I offer to help in other ways when we return to make up for her time spent for my child.

TJ

 

[Goobergal99]

Actually, ITA and when I said from the heart I meant true to your heart as opposed to the "stretching of the truth" on the sample letter. Your letter is just about the same as what I have written!

FWIW I also offer to help the teacher prepare the packet by copying papers etc. It that isn't an option I offer to help in other ways when we return to make up for her time spent for my child.

TJ

Sorry I realize that it sounded offensive, it wasn't directed at you though I was referring to all the lying going on. I just picked the whole form the heart thing to make a point. I mean really, why lie you are going on the trip b/c you feel it is right for your family right. end of discussion IMO

 

[DisneyDotty]

My letter is going to read "Mrs so and so, DD will be absent from school on such and such days b/c we are taking a family vacation which has been 6 months in the making and can not be taken at another time for numerous reasons, I would appreciate that a work packet be made for her, but I realize this may be a burden Thank you"

ITA--actually, I just told our teachers that our children would miss two days of school because of a family trip and we would ensure that they complete missed work in a timely matter.
I didn't ask for permission. I didn't offer excuses as to why I was going at that particular time. Bottom line--I was going then 'cause I wanted to. (And isn't that why any of us go to WDW?!)
I don't think teachers really care about the so-called educational aspects of a WDW vacation (and really--who's going there to get an education?!). If we really feel as parents that we have ultimate say over when our kids are going to miss school, why try to justify it to anyone?
And I really do not believe in lying to the school--eg., calling kids in sick when they're at WDW. What message does that send to my kids?

 

[lovetocook]

We have taken our twins out of school several times for vacations to various places and have never had a problem. Even now in high school, I would do it. I think family time is extremely important and travel is always educational, no matter where you go. That said, they are both excellent students. Teachers have always been understanding, and I can't remember a time when they have had to even make up work. Travel is considered an unexcused absence in our school system, but we've never had this apply.

 

[Nasus]

Be careful about your school district policy as well. We pulled my son out last year for a week during Feb. He was in first grade. It was listed as unexcused and he was not allowed to make up any work. The teacher did not have a say in it. They, the school board, have gotten even tougher this year. But you know what, we are going for a long weekend this Sept (free dining), and now I will have 2 sons missing school (first and third grade). They will only miss 4 days. I consider this as important family time, and they get no break from early Aug. until Thanksgiving. You do what's best for your family!

 

[Goobergal99]

Be careful about your school district policy as well. We pulled my son out last year for a week during Feb. He was in first grade. It was listed as unexcused and he was not allowed to make up any work. The teacher did not have a say in it. They, the school board, have gotten even tougher this year. But you know what, we are going for a long weekend this Sept (free dining), and now I will have 2 sons missing school (first and third grade). They will only miss 4 days. I consider this as important family time, and they get no break from early Aug. until Thanksgiving. You do what's best for your family!

My DD will be a a 1st grader as well, so just out of curiosity what happened when he was listed as unexcused? I just don't think it would be all that humerous if the truancy officers showed up at my door when we are at Disney, but then again it's not like we owuld be there to answer them

 

[helenm29]

I agree that you should check with your school district first but in our case we just need to go to the school, inform them that our child/children will be out of school for that time and request the work. We don't need to get specific but I always tell them that we are going on vacation. We are hoping that they will get their work a day or two early so they can get it done before we leave but I am not counting on it and neither are they. Good luck with your decisions!

 

[beattyfamily]

I write a very short note stating my DD will be out from - to and returning on...with no reason whatsoever.

I do not ask for work (I don't want to put the teacher out) but assure them my DD will make up any missed work when she returns.

 

[sharongl]

A child is only allowed so many unexcused absenses during the year--usually 10. If a child has more than 10, the school can make the child repeat the grade regardless of their academics. This is in large part due to the NCLB bill, but was in place long before that. Remember, too, that not all absenses due to sickness are considered excused, so if you pull your child out for 5 days, and they miss more than 5 days throught the entire school year, they are in danger of repeating the grade--and I have seen it happen.

 

[DisneyDotty]

My DD will be a a 1st grader as well, so just out of curiosity what happened when he was listed as unexcused? I just don't think it would be all that humerous if the truancy officers showed up at my door when we are at Disney, but then again it's not like we owuld be there to answer them

Our district considers vacations to be unexcused absences, and I'm not sure what that means besides the fact that students cannot get makeup work ahead of the absence. Maybe it goes on their ***da da da*** PERMANENT RECORD. (Gasp!)
I shouldn't make light of this--I was a teacher, and DH is a school administrator--but our district is kind of a pain about the whole thing...
You'll have to call your school to find out exactly what their policy is and what they will do...
But have a magical trip anyway!

 

[Mom to 2]

Fortunately our school district is very lenient. All vacations are excused absences, and you can pull your child out on these vacatioins up to 10 days, with no questions asked. Every other year we have been doing Disney and pull the kids out for these 10 days. We are limited on when we can travel so this is our only option. I always tell the teacher months in advance and then send reminders closer to when we will be going. The teachers are fine with it. I let them know all work will be made up, and they do try to send some with when we go, I know it is hard to do. They have 10 days to make up assignments and have never had any problems. They know when we get back it will be a good week with more then usual homework, but they dont mind one bit. All worth it in the end!

Lory

 

[Sunny37]

... I'm a teacher...They will remember this vacation a lot longer than they will remember one week of school.

Classic!

 

[RDCAnthony]

We are taking our DD8 out of school for 1 week Sept 21-27.I had to talk my DW into it My DW is a member of the PTO and she spoke with a few of the teachers. They said they had no problem with giving my DD homework to do before and after the vacation. So she can make up everything she will miss. My DD does very well in school. At times she finds it a little too easy. When I was a kid my family would go every year for a week, and I just worked harder the week before and the week after.

 

[Sunny37]

We are considering a Disney Trip for this Fall. We were especially excited about the free dining option , but as we thought about it, we didn't want to take our daughter out of her first year of middle school that early in the year. They are just starting in Sept. So then we were thinking maybe November, avoiding Turkey Day, would also work and will have given her some chance to get used to the new school and new routines. But no free dining. So what do you all think? Give up the free dining and go later, so she can get acclimmated at school or take the free dining and let her just settle back in once we get back. Feedback Please!

My thoughts are that only you know your daughter and know what she can and cannot handle. I, personally, would opt for the week in November for reasons you stated...giving her a chance to get used to the new school. Either way, I hope you have a great time!

 

[Nasus]

Goobergal,
Our district doesn't involve a truant officer until after 10 unexcused absences, so we didn't face that because he only missed 5 days unexcused. It was just marked on his report card as unexcused absences. Also, in the first grade, they don't receive A,B, etc but E,S,N or U so it really didn't affect (or is it effect?) his grades. Our district also has over 100,000 students and I know they have more important cases (like high schoolers skipping class) than one family that wants to take a vacation! I guess when my kids are older and they would get a Zero for an unexcused absence then I would not take them out or maybe I'll start homeschooling...
Susan

 

[Goobergal99]

Goobergal,
Our district doesn't involve a truant officer until after 10 unexcused absences, so we didn't face that because he only missed 5 days unexcused. It was just marked on his report card as unexcused absences. Also, in the first grade, they don't receive A,B, etc but E,S,N or U so it really didn't affect (or is it effect?) his grades. Our district also has over 100,000 students and I know they have more important cases (like high schoolers skipping class) than one family that wants to take a vacation! I guess when my kids are older and they would get a Zero for an unexcused absence then I would not take them out or maybe I'll start homeschooling...
Susan

Oh, Ok. I'm not really all that worried about it to be honest. I would just find it humerous if my pop-pop was stopped by a truant officer when he came to get our mail DD is a catholic school girl, so honestly they could care less as long as they are getting tuition and they get paid up front for the year in August so they won't have any problems

 

[TinkerbellMama]

I don't believe in taking kids out of school to go to Disney. Now that said I would check into school policy. Some places just will not allow this. Botton line is check with your school and see what the policy is, it could cost you daughter more than you think.

I absolutely believe you because I have seen many people post this same thing on these boards in the past...

That said, I just seriously cannot wrap my mind around how the school gets to decide whether you can or cannot take your children out of school for a family vacation. I know there is probably some crucial point I am missing...but I just don't get it. If I understand this correctly (and I THINK I do, but I'm not sure), it's not just a policy regarding kids who are struggling, or requirements to make up the work, etc...it's the fact that NO child can have ANY "unexcused" absence during the course of the year (or maybe just 2-3 days), or else they cannot complete the grade/graduate/whatever. Do I have this right?? When did the parents lose their status as, well, parents? I'm just astounded that parents don't have the "right" to make an informed decision about what is best for their own children. Schools and the people in them work for the public, not the other way around. Or does public education, funded with tax dollars (even mine!) mean something different in this day and age? I'm just wondering. My son will be homeschooled so even if I never catch onto this, it won't harm anyone since it will never matter. We'll go to WDW whenever we darn well please, LOL! I am just wondering.

 

[DisneyDotty]

I just seriously cannot wrap my mind around how the school gets to decide whether you can or cannot take your children out of school for a family vacation. When did the parents lose their status as, well, parents? I'm just astounded that parents don't have the "right" to make an informed decision about what is best for their own children. Schools and the people in them work for the public, not the other way around.

You bring up many good points. Here's my perspective as a parent/former teacher:

Ultimately the parent does decide what they think is best for their children--however, the parent must accept the consequences of his/her decision (in my district's case--pulling a kid out for vacation = unexcused absence.)

We pulled our kids out for two days knowing that our kids would receive unexcused absences. We were willing to accept those consequences.

I think many districts have had to adopt this policy of vacation days are unexcused as a result of NCLB and so many families taking vacation whenever they felt like it. It's the school's attempt to discourage vacations other than during non-school days. I know our district sends home many reminders about this policy.

Schools work for the public--yes--but it's a catch-22, as the public elects the school board who sets policy that they think the public wants. (And that follows the laws that the public, via elected legislators) have created. We have demanded that our schools be more accountable, produce better results, be more competitve globally--this attendance policy is a result of those demands. Numerous studies have shown that students' performance correlates with students' attendance.

So, what am I rambling on here about...Know your school's attendance policy. If you decide to pull your kids out for vacation, be prepared to accept the consequences. Try to work with the teacher/school whenever possible. And, in your case, enjoy the homeschooling!