School absence letter for cruise

[MommyMinnie]

On topic.

Fine, Just so everybody knows. I have "problems" with my school board aka Big Brother. Not the lovely Disney people here. I am actually jealous of those who get family leave for the kiddios.

Note to the OP Which cruise are you going on? 3/4 day? Eastern or Western? Are you planning any excursions?

 

[TanaL]

.

 

[rkandmjsmommy]

Wow, when I first saw all the responses I was so excited so many people were willing to help...

Anyway, all I wanted was some advice from people who had written letters, not about if you agree with my decision or the rules of my school district

I got a very helpful PM from someone and I will use here advice! if anyone would like to see if PM me!

thanks for the suport

 

[MommyMinnie]

OK, here's a real letter. It look's like I'm one post late in getting it out. I wrote it like someone was going on all three cruises so some parts will need to be deleted. Keep in mind that asking for homework in advance and offering to write a special report just equals extra work for an already overworked teacher. So don't expect much enthusiasm for those suggestions.



Inside Address

RE: Child’s Name
Date of Trip

Dear “School Principal, Teacher”:

I realize the importance of consistent attendance in today’s school environment. I understand that the teachers have gone to a great deal of trouble to plan appropriate lessons and prepare for our children’s needs and development. I know that it is difficult for you to keep up with the comings and goings of each of the children under your care.

However, a special chance has come up that we, as parents, feel will be beneficial to our children. We are planning a trip to the (Bahamas, Mexico, Caribbean) in a few weeks. We tried to plan this around school scheduled holidays but found that was not possible at this time.

We feel that this will benefit the children in many ways and are planning to let them explore parts of the world they will not be able to encounter while at home.

1. They will have an opportunity to meet and get to know people from Australia, and several countries in South America while on board the ship.
2. They will have an opportunity to encounter Sting Rays and Dolphins up close and in person on shore based excursions.
3. They will have an opportunity to experience society that is still very close to its colonial roots much like the Americas were during their bid for independence.
4. They will have an opportunity to see Aztec ruins and ancient sites that are simply not available in the States.
5. They will have an opportunity to learn about shipping terminology, lore, and history.
6. They will have an opportunity to learn about navigation.
7. They will have an opportunity to learn about economics by handling their own spending money on this trip.
8. They will build a memory that will last a lifetime and not be forgotten by the next chapter or unit exercise.

In short we feel that this will benefit the children by giving them a hands on chance to see many different cultures, creatures, and landmarks in person.

We would like to request any makeup work you have available for the children so that they can begin that work and minds the current lesson. I am available at (your Email here) if you have any questions or concerns.

We will be available by Email if you need to contact us or would like to update us on what is going on in school.

Thank you so much for your attention and support.
Sincerely,
Parent.

 

[itutorfortravel]

i like your letter...i had one that i had gotten from another parent a few months back and i may try to merge some of hers with your suggestions. thanks!

OK, here's a real letter. It look's like I'm one post late in getting it out. I wrote it like someone was going on all three cruises so some parts will need to be deleted. Keep in mind that asking for homework in advance and offering to write a special report just equals extra work for an already overworked teacher. So don't expect much enthusiasm for those suggestions.



Inside Address

RE: Child’s Name
Date of Trip

Dear “School Principal, Teacher”:

I realize the importance of consistent attendance in today’s school environment. I understand that the teachers have gone to a great deal of trouble to plan appropriate lessons and prepare for our children’s needs and development. I know that it is difficult for you to keep up with the comings and goings of each of the children under your care.

However, a special chance has come up that we, as parents, feel will be beneficial to our children. We are planning a trip to the (Bahamas, Mexico, Caribbean) in a few weeks. We tried to plan this around school scheduled holidays but found that was not possible at this time.

We feel that this will benefit the children in many ways and are planning to let them explore parts of the world they will not be able to encounter while at home.

1. They will have an opportunity to meet and get to know people from Australia, and several countries in South America while on board the ship.
2. They will have an opportunity to encounter Sting Rays and Dolphins up close and in person on shore based excursions.
3. They will have an opportunity to experience society that is still very close to its colonial roots much like the Americas were during their bid for independence.
4. They will have an opportunity to see Aztec ruins and ancient sites that are simply not available in the States.
5. They will have an opportunity to learn about shipping terminology, lore, and history.
6. They will have an opportunity to learn about navigation.
7. They will have an opportunity to learn about economics by handling their own spending money on this trip.
8. They will build a memory that will last a lifetime and not be forgotten by the next chapter or unit exercise.

In short we feel that this will benefit the children by giving them a hands on chance to see many different cultures, creatures, and landmarks in person.

We would like to request any makeup work you have available for the children so that they can begin that work and minds the current lesson. I am available at (your Email here) if you have any questions or concerns.

We will be available by Email if you need to contact us or would like to update us on what is going on in school.

Thank you so much for your attention and support.
Sincerely,
Parent.

 

[MommyMinnie]

Merging is good. I could not think of enough "opportunities" for all three cruises all by myself.

 

[itutorfortravel]

me neither! i need all my DIS friends to help me brainstorm the ideas...i just keep compiling the info and feel sure i will have a good convincing argument for the cruise when it gets here!

 

[karibritt01]

I looked up our county policy on excused absence, and it stated with a letter and a completed form, due 2 weeks before the absence. You may want to check your county just in case they require anything other than the letter.

As for content of the letter, there are other opportunities:

Science - making flubber in the lab
Math - counting money, making change - converting money to foreign currency for your older child.
Foreign Language - our school teaches Spanish, so it is a good opportunity to practice.
Foreign cultures and history - touring the towns and ruins, talking to CMs
Science - snorkling, dolphin discovery, turtle farm, stingrays
History - pirate excursion (I think you liked that one!), semi-sub veiwing ship wrecks

Hope that helps!

 

[mmackeymouse]

As a former child who had her parents take her out of school for a trip to Disney World, AND as a former teacher, here is my opinion.

Bear in mind, I went to a private school, so with public schools it may be different. When my parents took me out of school, they were very real with the school. Are there educational opportunities at Disney? Sure. Can you explore other cultures on a cruise? Sure. But, when you put it into a letter, to me it just comes across as really stretching. And somewhat tacky.

Just tell the truth. "My family and I have been planning this vacation for a while. My husband and I have very hectic work schedules and this was the only time of year that would work for us to enjoy a family vacation. We assure you that our son/daughter will have all his work done ahead of time. If any extra work needs to be done, we will make sure it is turned into you completed and on time. If there is anything else we need to do to prepare for his/her absence, please let us know."

As a former teacher, I found letters like that 10 times more respectable (because they were honest) than the "Disney can be an educational experience" letters. That statement is not a lie, as Disney CAN be an educational experience, but most of those letters seem like they are trying too hard.

School officials are way more likely to respect you AND excuse the absences if you are honest AND willing to accept unexcused absences. "I know these may not be excused, and if that is the case, we understand. If there is anything we can do to excuse even some of the absences, please let us know." School officials are much more likely to accept that than "These absences should be excused because he/she will explore the animal kingdom here and learn about cultures there" and list 20 reasons they should be able to go even though the REAL reason they are going is the same reason everyone goes: to have a nice vacation.

 

[mmouse37]

As a former child who had her parents take her out of school for a trip to Disney World, AND as a former teacher, here is my opinion.

Bear in mind, I went to a private school, so with public schools it may be different. When my parents took me out of school, they were very real with the school. Are there educational opportunities at Disney? Sure. Can you explore other cultures on a cruise? Sure. But, when you put it into a letter, to me it just comes across as really stretching. And somewhat tacky.

Just tell the truth. "My family and I have been planning this vacation for a while. My husband and I have very hectic work schedules and this was the only time of year that would work for us to enjoy a family vacation. We assure you that our son/daughter will have all his work done ahead of time. If any extra work needs to be done, we will make sure it is turned into you completed and on time. If there is anything else we need to do to prepare for his/her absence, please let us know."

As a former teacher, I found letters like that 10 times more respectable (because they were honest) than the "Disney can be an educational experience" letters. That statement is not a lie, as Disney CAN be an educational experience, but most of those letters seem like they are trying too hard.

School officials are way more likely to respect you AND excuse the absences if you are honest AND willing to accept unexcused absences. "I know these may not be excused, and if that is the case, we understand. If there is anything we can do to excuse even some of the absences, please let us know." School officials are much more likely to accept that than "These absences should be excused because he/she will explore the animal kingdom here and learn about cultures there" and list 20 reasons they should be able to go even though the REAL reason they are going is the same reason everyone goes: to have a nice vacation.

Good points!!

 

[MommyMinnie]

Actually I'm with mmackeymouse too. Since a letter is pointless in our school system unless it comes from a Doctor, we just tell the teachers DD will be out of school. Period.

But, This topic is about letters, so I wrote one.


How about the opportunity to learn the real history of privateering?

 

[VernRDH]

Actually I'm with mmackeymouse too. Since a letter is pointless in our school system unless it comes from a Doctor, we just tell the teachers DD will be out of school. Period.

But, This topic is about letters, so I wrote one.


How about the opportunity to learn the real history of privateering?

We cannot travel during school breaks (my job) or summer (DH's job), so we are left with only during school. Plus I only get two weeks off each year, and I do not get to choose which 2(my boss does). I write a note to the teacher, telling her that my DD will be out of school for such and such time period. Not where we are going, trying to get it "excused" etc. Why do I need the school to excuse it? She is my child and I get to decide when we travel. BTW, we are from a family of educators, and they can only travel during breaks and summer. Such is life.

Our school will not give you work in advance, you have to make it up when you return. Last year, DD's teacher made packets of each days work and we did one each night in addition to her regular homework. DD understood that "if you wanna play, you gotta pay" and did the work with little or no fuss. Even gave her biography presentation the day before we left. Teacher called that night, said DD did an awesome job and BTW, have a great time on your cruise.

Our vacations are our family time, time to spend together without the distractions of every day life. My daughter will long remember the cruise she took with her grandpa, but won't remember a particular week of 3rd grade.

 

[anewmac]

Loved some of the letters or points in the letters. Thank you and Mmackymouse the non stretched version is a good point. THank all for those of you that did help with letters for the OP. Im piggy backing on her thread since were cruising together... I may need to borrow from here if the district needs a "formal notice"

Thanks!

 

[brucechase]

...
Just tell the truth. "My family and I have been planning this vacation for a while. My husband and I have very hectic work schedules and this was the only time of year that would work for us to enjoy a family vacation. We assure you that our son/daughter will have all his work done ahead of time. If any extra work needs to be done, we will make sure it is turned into you completed and on time. If there is anything else we need to do to prepare for his/her absence, please let us know."
...

and
Mine:

Dear teacher, We are taking our child out of class to go on a Disney vacation because it is cheaper and more convienent now than during the school break. Please excuse his/her absence.

with:

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

Maybe not as eloquent, but the point is the same. That is all I have ever said, never said anything about how good/bad taking a child out is, that was others. I should learn how to write like this. If I had wrote that to begin with then everyone wouldn't be when they see my name ( not that I care much). Just the engineer in me coming out.

 

[disney1990]

I know in the county that I live in, no letter will work at all. 5 unexcuses absenses and a high schooler fails the class -- no exceptions.

 

[TheDisneyGirl02]

The letter is fine. Although school is important, I know that this cruise and trip will be very educational for you children - something that they would never learn in a classroom.

When I was in college I went to Australia for a week. It was an amazing trip and I learned more there in the 7 days that I was there than I did in a semester in some of my classes.

School will be there when you get back and regardless if it's an unexcused or excused absence and in the grand picture, a few days away to travel will not change if your child's future education.

 

[allears]

I haven't read each example of the letters, but we have found this approach helpful, more for our kids when they were in elemetary school. We take our kids out pretty much every year for a week. We prefer to cruise in February, for price, and escape from the cold, sail with friends and we don't like the heat of summer. We always just inform the schools ahead of time. A couple of times we have asked the teachers for special trip related assignments, to make the most out of the opportunity. One time our oldest DS's social studies teacher sent him with a world map. He was to meet people from 5 different countries, color in the country and learn a word of their language. He came back with 37 countires accounted for, a lot of new words and a bunch of friends on the ship.

Just to add to some of what's been said, the bottom line is the decision about when to go away and the circumstances are all very individual and each families situations are different. Do what works for you. Like I said, we've taken our kids out of all grades (except college) since 2000 for a trip. Never a problem with the schools and never a problem getting caught up. One additional point, my kids have all known that in order to do this and be square with the shcools, they had to maintain at least a B average in all of their core classes, or they would not be allow to go on a the trip. In 2001 our DD didn't meet this requirment and stayed home while the rest of us when to WDW. She never missed a trip after that.

 

[Grandma4ever]

I can't help with the letter but feel that some good points have been put forth. It is an individual decision to take kids out of school for vacation. I feel a DCL cruise can be very educational. They can talk to the different CM and attempt to learn a fact about as many different home lands as possible. Learn about the people and culture of the different ports that we will stop in. Study about the sea and life in it. If you were to write a simply letter and explain that you intend to help your kids to learn something new each and everyday it may help.

I took my grand kids out for a week each year until they got into Middle School. Then my daughter said no more. Don't sweat the hard words and do what you feel is best for you and your family. See ya soon!

 

[BeachPartyof3]

I've been reading the posts about missing school while vacation and agree completely with the educational opportunities for kids who travel, in fact, it is one of the key components of my daughter's education. She is homeschooled and I own a tour company that takes families from around the world and show them the USA. If I'm running a tour, my daughter is with me. She meets people from around the world, she learns American history along side of kids from other countries, and she is working on learning 6 different languages. I am truly an advocate of exploring America and the World can teach more than sitting in a classroom. We also work in time for community service and are teaching her the importance of giving back to the world we live in. I know homeschooling isn't for everyone..but I feel blessed that it is a part of our lives.

We are heading on the 7 day Western cruise on 10/18... no notes needed.

 

[strega7]

If a child in our district is out of school for more than 5 days, they get an independent study - A signed contract from family saying they will do work, and the teachers get a packet of work together that goes with our child for him to complete while on vacation.

I know it is not the same as him being in class.....

but he is getting his work done.