School Absence Note?

[SavvyMom]

As a teacher I would not have a problem with one of my students taking a vacation AS LONG AS the parent made sure that the child got "caught up" when he/she returned. I have had children gone for one reason or another and the parent did not work with the child to catch him/her up. I, as a teacher, should not have to work double-time to catch a child up after a vacation. Having said that, the absences are considered excused as long as the parent writes a note stating illness or personal issues. This is elementary, though. I imagine high school is different. Please know that under NCLB schools are under a lot of pressure to reduce absences.

 

[Beth76]

at the school i'm student teaching at they have a new "vacation rule" this year that parents have to fill out a detailed paper for their vacation AND they must have written approval from the parents employers stating they are taking the vacation and they can only take during school.

Wow that's crazy. I don't see how it's the school's business.

That letter is laughable too. OP I'm not flaming you because I'm taking my son out of school to go on a cruise in November. We get 5 days a year for vacations. But anyone who uses that letter and thinks they've pulled a fast one on the administration is kidding themselves. I really hope you don't need this letter to be excused. That you're just using it to make yourself feel better. I can't imagine a principal reading that letter and deeming it educational, unless perhaps it's just a formality and the principal doesn't really care.

 

[SavvyMom]

Wow that's crazy. I don't see how it's the school's business.

It seems like it should be that way, doesn't it? The unfortunate truth is that there are parents that keep their children out of school for extended periods and don't make any effort to help their children keep up with their peers. Five days out of a year is no big deal. However, there are parents that don't send their children to school because they: a-didn't wake up on time; b-didn't have a ride (bus is available); c-grandmother died/is sick/couldn't bring them to school; d-didn't do his/her homework . It is for these people that the rules have been tightened. I have one student who has missed 1-2 days each week since school started. He has not brought a note or anything. Yes, the parents are the primary authority in a child's life. We do have compulsory attendance laws though.

 

[WeluvDisney2]

Ok, here's the deal. We are having a 24 member "grand gathering" at the end of Sept. sort of a big family reunion with four generations. That was when everyone was available to go together. Since I survived breast cancer two years ago I am big into spending time with family. My husband cannot take the regularly scheduled school vacations off work because he works for a small company and the owners always take those weeks off to be with their kids.
Anyway, my oldest daughter just started high school and we were told that if she had more than 5 unexcused absences per term that she would automatically get a 59% in her classes. Excused absences are only sicknesses or death of immediate family members. If she is out sick for more than a few days she needs a doctors note. Besides, I do not feel right saying she is sick if she is not. I would rather tell them we are going on vacation in advance and hopefully get some of her work in advance so she does not have as much to make up when we return. She is in all honors classes and has never had a problem making up missed work before.
Thank you all for your helpful ideas. I really appreciate it!

 

[SavvyMom]

Ok, here's the deal. We are having a 24 member "grand gathering" at the end of Sept. sort of a big family reunion with four generations. That was when everyone was available to go together. Since I survived breast cancer two years ago I am big into spending time with family. My husband cannot take the regularly scheduled school vacations off work because he works for a small company and the owners always take those weeks off to be with their kids.
Anyway, my oldest daughter just started high school and we were told that if she had more than 5 unexcused absences per term that she would automatically get a 59% in her classes. Excused absences are only sicknesses or death of immediate family members. If she is out sick for more than a few days she needs a doctors note. Besides, I do not feel right saying she is sick if she is not. I would rather tell them we are going on vacation in advance and hopefully get some of her work in advance so she does not have as much to make up when we return. She is in all honors classes and has never had a problem making up missed work before.
Thank you all for your helpful ideas. I really appreciate it!

Could you claim the "family problem" excuse? The problem being that the family cannot get together at any other time? I have gotten "excuses" from parents that said: "Mary was absent 10/12-10/19 due to family problems. Please excuse." It was accepted. I agree with you that it is not a good idea to lie. I don't see where you should have to give details either though.

 

[WeluvDisney2]

Could you claim the "family problem" excuse? The problem being that the family cannot get together at any other time? I have gotten "excuses" from parents that said: "Mary was absent 10/12-10/19 due to family problems. Please excuse." It was accepted. I agree with you that it is not a good idea to lie. I don't see where you should have to give details either though.

Yeah, I think I am going to just write a letter to the school explaining why we need to take our vacation at this time and hope for the best. Wish me luck. Thanks!