School absence letter for cruise

[Justthe8ofus]

Our county has a form to fill out. We have done it 2xs. Never been a problem.


I think the question the OP was asking is what to put in the letter. The OP was not asking if others agreed with the kids missing school.

 

[Justthe8ofus]

Don't get me wrong, I can tell there are a lot of people getting red under the collar reading my views. But they are just that, MY opinion.

That no one asked for.

 

[brucechase]

I think the question the OP was asking is what to put in the letter. The OP was not asking if others agreed with the kids missing school.

I did suggest what to put in the letter. No one liked it.

 

[karibritt01]

By the way karibritt01, I like the saying by your name as we debate educational stuff.

My kids both have excellent marks on their report cards. If they were struggling, I would feel differently. But as long as my 5th grader scores a 4 (consistently above grade level) on his EOG and 3 (meets all expectations) and 4 on his report card, and is in the 97% percentile on his acheivement tests, then I am not worried. My first grader is reading on a 2nd grade level in the first 4 weeks of 1st grade. I have nothing to worry about. But, as I did point out, my vacation is during a break.

 

[Buckeye Gal]

...I think the question the OP was asking is what to put in the letter. The OP was not asking if others agreed with the kids missing school.

I did suggest what to put in the letter. No one liked it.

You did suggest, and then we ended up getting off-topic.

ON TOPIC: So what other real-life examples of letters have been used by your (any DISer) family?

 

[brucechase]

That no one asked for.

OK just so I understand, You can post what you want and I can not add anything to the discussion. This is a public forum isn't it?

 

[brucechase]

My kids both have excellent marks on their report cards. If they were struggling, I would feel differently. But as long as my 5th grader scores a 4 (consistently above grade level) on his EOG and 3 (meets all expectations) and 4 on his report card, and is in the 97% percentile on his acheivement tests, then I am not worried. My first grader is reading on a 2nd grade level in the first 4 weeks of 1st grade. I have nothing to worry about. But, as I did point out, my vacation is during a break.

Didn't say anything about your situation or your kids - or anyone elses. I just thought it was interesting.

 

[MommyMinnie]

FYI IMOHO
A trip to South America or Mexico to build shelters for the homeless and assist in farming is educational.
A school trip to Eruope with the French, Italian, German, Russian class or band, dance, cultural exchange is educational.
Disney cruising is an unexcused absense unless Minnie is going teach some algebra.

Knowing that, and knowing that we simply can't in the summer, we'll take the hit.

 

[Justthe8ofus]

OK just so I understand, You can post what you want and I can not add anything to the discussion. This is a public forum isn't it?

board guidelines--

6. STAYING ON TOPIC: Each of the DIS boards focuses on a specific topic. Please look the choices over before posting on the wrong board. For instance, you don't want to ask about park hours on the Restaurants Board or tell everyone about your stay at the Caribbean Beach Resort on the Disney Cruise Line Board. It makes it easier for everyone to find what they're looking for when the boards stay on topic.


The topic was examples of letter to school for time off. Not what does everyone think of taking time off for a cruise?

The OP has already made plans to take the time off. Your comments are not helpful in anyway to the OP. You could talk about PB&Js if you want but, no one cares on this thread.

 

[NJFabFour]

Anyone have a good letter about how a Disney cruise can be educational?
I found this one http://www.themouseforless.com/downloads/kids/SchoolExcuse/SE1.shtml
but its more for Disney World

Thanks in advance

I think it is understandable that someone would respond to this that excusing a Disney cruise as "educational" is a bit of a stretch. Is there value and some life-learning experience? Sure, absolutely! But I tend to agree that it is reaching a bit to ask that your child be excused for an "educational" Disney cruise. JMHO!
I have been locked into a school year schedule as an employee (speech therapist) for ten years and only in the last 3 have had the freedom to work year-round and plan my own hours and time-off. I love that advantage but still feel obligated to work around the school calendar for my kids' sake. Sure I could jump on the standard "straight A students, high test scores, makes work up easily" bandwagon but it's simply my own preference to not have them miss school unnecessarily.
That said, we had a 2 week vacation planned with WDW one week and 4 nights on the Wonder in August. DH's boss told him 5 months before our trip that he changed his mind and decided 2 weeks was too long!! There was no other reason other than that "he might be needed to tie up any loose ends!" With this being the third trip in a row his boss has interfered, DH is planning to branch out on his own and go into business for himself in early '09. With that likely nixing vacation plans for quite awhile we decided to try to get the cruise in this year and moved it to last week of Sept. However, I only did so because the kids have 2 days off and will only miss 2 days. DS is so relieved that he isn't missing more! He's a bit of an overachiever! I'm still stressing about the 2 days, though!

Sorry to ramble! To each his own, just thought this is a great thread to share some different viewpoints!

 

[Fla Gator]

As for what to put in the letter, I would just say that this is the best available time for your family to go, and list the educational opportunities you'll be taking advantage of, and offer to have the kids keep a journal, and that's about as good as you can get for a request for leave.

I live in Florida and our school district grants 5 days of "family leave" per year. We have to write a note asking permission to take it and stating why we couldn't take the trip during scheduled breaks. In our case for taking two days of family leave next week for a Disney cruise (hopefully absent TS Hanna), I originally scheduled the cruise for August but I had to re-schedule due to a conflict with a trip my husband had to take for work reasons.

So, for those of you who can manage to always fit your vacations into school breaks, you can thank those of us who can't always do so for keeping the demand (and therefore your costs $$) down a bit.

And Minnie won't be my teaching my kids Algebra-- they'll do their Algebra classwork and homework on their own. They don't get to skip the work just cause they're not there. And it's not Europe, but we are taking the historical tour of the Bahamas, which has ties to European history, as our excursion.

 

[MommyMinnie]

Anyone have a good letter about how a Disney cruise can be educational?
I found this one http://www.themouseforless.com/downloads/kids/SchoolExcuse/SE1.shtml
but its more for Disney World

Thanks in advance

On Topic
No.

 

[Mom2PrincessesLinSy]

Wow, this thread is educational!

We tried to arrange a DCL on one of the school breaks (i.e. Thanksgiving and Christmas break) however THEY ARE COMPLETELY BOOKED, AND WERE OVER A YEAR AGO WHEN WE TRIED TO ARRANGE THE TRIP... Additionally, both my DH and I are in the healthcare field, and you can either have off Thanksgiving or Christmas in the same year, not both, and our daycare is closed on holidays (as most are). So one of us has to pick Thanksgiving weekend to cover at work, and the other covers the Christmas days (we have no family in the state). Not trying to justify taking my child out of school, but people *ahem* need to realize that while many people get to take off and go on vacations on "typical" school holiday weeks, those of us who work in careers that serve the public 365 days a year (like hospital professionals, doctors, daycare people, airline employes, theme park employees, etc) are not able to have that luxury. Beleive me, one year I will get off on both Thanksgiving weekend and Christmas, and also perhaps travel to see family for more than 3days because I don't have to rush back to cover at the hospital. But that day will most likely not come until I retire... The summer is pretty much out too, due to health reasons for DH, I can't go to Florida in the hot, summer months.

So, we looked at the school calendar, and tried to pick a week to go on vacation when DD already had several days off from school. Our school district takes off Jewish holidays, closes for teachers meetings, has a 1/2 day off each month for "planning",and so there are plenty of opportunities to just take her out for a couple of days and still get the week to vacation. For instance, we are going on the Nov. 1st DCL, because our schools are closed on Halloween this year, then the following Monday and Tuesday for Election day and meetings. Therefore our DD is only really missing 3 days of school for our trip. She is in 1st grade, I need to submit a letter in advance to the Principal to let him know she will be out, and we will bring her homework. They are allowed 5 absences a year, not including major sicknesses.

Can I glorify this trip as purely an educational adventure? No. Will there be opportunities for learning? Absolutely, you can make most everything educational, including trips to the food store and mall. Do I have the choice or luxury of taking a week off during the holidays to vacation? Not on your life, or the lives of many people spending their holidays in the hospital. So before anyone judges why a family would take their child "out of school" purely for vacation, they need to think about what circumstances are involved.

 

[MoranClan]

We always take our vacations the first 2 weeks in December, its always less crowded everywhere.

We let our childrens teachers now well in advance so we can get the work they will miss.

We have never had a problem with their grades slipping.

This year we are cruising in November 29th, My oldest daughter is going to be a freshman in High School, My Middle daughter will be in eigth grade, and my son will be in 4th grade.

It helps that my wife used to be a teacher...

 

[itutorfortravel]

FYI IMOHO
A trip to South America or Mexico to build shelters for the homeless and assist in farming is educational.
A school trip to Eruope with the French, Italian, German, Russian class or band, dance, cultural exchange is educational.
Disney cruising is an unexcused absense unless Minnie is going teach some algebra.

Knowing that, and knowing that we simply can't in the summer, we'll take the hit.

Hahahaha!

I'll tell you what....i am a math tutor...if any of you would like to pay for my way on a disney cruise, i will be happy to provide free tutoring during the week of the trip if it will help you get it 'excused'!

i think some folks don't have the means to go on a disney cruise during peak season but would still like to give their children the experience. we all make different choices for our family and of course what is right for one may not be right for another...but as long as people are making the decision to take their children out of school responsibly - that means making sure the children can and will catch up, only doing it if your child is performing well, etc., then i do not see the harm in it. as said said before, though, i will probably not consider taking my child out of school for a full week after this year. i may continue to take her out for one or two days once a year for a long weekend but that would be the extent of it. and that is my decision and by no means am i implying that it's the right thing for others.

 

[MommyMinnie]

Hahahaha!

I'll tell you what....i am a math tutor...if any of you would like to pay for my way on a disney cruise, i will be happy to provide free tutoring during the week of the trip if it will help you get it 'excused'!

Have you considered helping Minnie? Actually I think some people were looking for tutors on the repo cruises. That might be a whole new living for you.

Dang, I went off topic again.

Bad MommyMinine

 

[itutorfortravel]

Have you considered helping Minnie? Actually I think some people were looking for tutors on the repo cruises. That might be a whole new living for you.

Dang, I went off topic again.

Bad MommyMinine

Wow, this thread may generate a whole new aspect to my work! But I don't know how I could explain to DD that her mommy was going to live on a cruise ship much of the year...not to mention that I might have to turn around and hire tutors for DD here at home since I wouldn't be here to help her!

Yep, this thread is getting way off topic! But as long as we can all laugh in the end it's okay! Remember, we all have one thing in common...the LOVE for the MOUSE

 

[brucechase]

board guidelines--

6. STAYING ON TOPIC:
....
....

Wow, you better hurry, there are about 10 more people you need to berate for not being on topic!

Oh, and by the way, I consider my post much more on topic than most of the others here. Are you the one who has to approve what is on topic and what is not?

 

[lawhit88]

Anybody ever wonder how those schools get away with taking kids away from the schools for so-called "field trips"??? We all know learning is not something you can do away from school.

Seriously though - my kids take school field trips to plenty of places that are a stretch in my mind as far as "learning experiences". The only real questions I consider before taking them out of school is 1 - can they make up the work and 2 - if not, will what they miss impact their grade?

We miss no more than 2 or 3 days in any school year so it has never been an issue. The hardest part is getting my DW out because she is a teacher. Luckily, she receives 5 personal days a year so it works out.

School will always be one of our highest priorities but I never see it as we are diminishing its importance because we take an off day to spend time with the family.

 

[mommasita]

This a public forum, so yes personal opinions will be stated. However, personal attacks are NEVER tolerated. That is on ANY poster..I have left all posts, but this is basically a message to anyone. Anything posted that is attacking others will acquire points from here on in. Let us try to answers the OP's question, without adding our own morality.

The OP did ask just for a letter, and naturally posters will pop in with their experiences, asked or not. Some VERY condescending, and that is not needed. Agreeing or not agreeing was not the question asked. It was if anyone has a letter.

As MJ stated, you need to figure out what works for your family, your school, etc. It is not a generalized situation at all. Each family has their one, and has to answer only to themselves along with the school and perhaps the board of education in their area.