School excuse wording

[KSDisneyDad]

and while we are at it, I think I will ask the local Police Dept to walk my dogs and local Fire Dept to BBQ my hamburgers for me to assure I don't burn anything... after all, I pay their salaries too..

I'm only responding to you because I don't want to go and find the original post on this about the "paying your salary" post.

This whole "I'm a taxpayer and I can do what I want" mentality is so frustrating as you are painfully aware. It reminds me of when we attended a local parade of lights near Christmas. We staked out a spot on the curb about an hour before the parade started. It was freezing cold and we had our kids wrapped up well. (side note: this was before our first trip to WDW and we never did the local parade of lights again after that year after seeing some Disney parades!!) Anyway, we were enjoying hot cocoa trying to stay warm and it was crowded with all curb space taken. Moments before the parade was to pass by us, this family came up and tried to stand in front of us. We politely asked them to step behind us as we had been there an hour waiting. The Mother's response: "I'm a taxpayer and I pay for this street and we can stand anywhere we want." Fortunately, the police officer nearby overheard he and asked them to get out of the street and stand behind those sitting down. She whined the whole time about how her kids couldn't see and that this was a waste of her taxpayer money. Gotta love the mentality of some.

 

[Wadecool]

Dear School,

A. I am taking them out because they are my kids and I choose to.

B. My taxes pay your salary so you answer to me, I don't answer to you.

That will be all

C. You actually answer to the authorities who can fine and or jail you for pulling you kids out of school.

That will be all.

 

[A Mickeyfan]

I'm only responding to you because I don't want to go and find the original post on this about the "paying your salary" post.

This whole "I'm a taxpayer and I can do what I want" mentality is so frustrating as you are painfully aware. It reminds me of when we attended a local parade of lights near Christmas. We staked out a spot on the curb about an hour before the parade started. It was freezing cold and we had our kids wrapped up well. (side note: this was before our first trip to WDW and we never did the local parade of lights again after that year after seeing some Disney parades!!) Anyway, we were enjoying hot cocoa trying to stay warm and it was crowded with all curb space taken. Moments before the parade was to pass by us, this family came up and tried to stand in front of us. We politely asked them to step behind us as we had been there an hour waiting. The Mother's response: "I'm a taxpayer and I pay for this street and we can stand anywhere we want." Fortunately, the police officer nearby overheard he and asked them to get out of the street and stand behind those sitting down. She whined the whole time about how her kids couldn't see and that this was a waste of her taxpayer money. Gotta love the mentality of some.

how very true...Some feel that they pay taxes so they own this & that. Some feel they pay so much to get into Disney so they can do this & that...

and on that.. are you not a tax payer too (beside getting there before her ) I am glad the officer said something to her! That needs to be done more often.

 

[KSDisneyDad]

how very true...Some feel that they pay taxes so they own this & that. Some feel they pay so much to get into Disney so they can do this & that...

and on that.. are you not a tax payer too (beside getting there before her ) I am glad the officer said something to her! That needs to be done more often.

I know - logic seems to elude some people. Instead, it's just about "me me me".

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

Our family will be taking our middle school age daughters out of school for two half days before Thanksgiving to visit Disney and WW of HP. The school requires an educational trip permission form to be submitted and approved.
I know the children learn a lot at the Disney parks but I cannot think of how to put it into words.
Any ideas? What did you write on a request form if you were taking your children out of school?
(Normally I would not take them out of school but the 1/2 days before Thanksgiving aren't very productive school days in our district -- it is parent/teacher conference week and a lot of families leave early if they are traveling over Thanksgiving.)
Thanks for any ideas on how to express the Disney experience in educational terms.

I wouldn't stress too much about it. Just put that you're going to WDW over thanksgiving and your kids will be out the two half days. I doubt you'll have much trouble at all getting it approved. They know as well as you that they're not going to get much done those days. I wouldn't bother with the it's an educational opportunity stuff. Administrators know what people go to WDW to do and they're they're not going to change their minds based upon any sort of "we're going for the educational opportunity" letter.

Originally Posted by PersonalizedMouse View Post
Dear School,
A. I am taking them out because they are my kids and I choose to.
B. My taxes pay your salary so you answer to me, I don't answer to you.
That will be all.

That's a good way to make someone mad. They'd then be looking at the district rules for ways to mess things up for you rather than looking for ways to cut you and yours a break.

 

[Planogirl]

I'm with you until the part about "values".

Yes, everyone's circumstances are different. Our school district is very free and easy about attendance, to the point where I've actually had the spec ed resource teacher tell ME that it was time to pull my son out for a mental health break (aka "family vacation"). I feel fortunate that our schools' funding isn't tied to how many student butts are parked in seats at the beginning of each day. I know many families aren't so lucky.

But values? No one wins when the argument turns to debating "values". People can pull their kids out and STILL value hard work and commitment and responsibility. People can leave their kids in and STILL value family togetherness and work/life balance. There is no way you can possibly judge another person's "values" on the basis of whether or not they take their kid out of school for family vacations.

My comment about values had nothing to do with saying that one person's values were greater than another's. They are not wrong or right - just different. We all have to live in the way that we feel is appropriate. No one including schools, government or even other DISers can make that decision for us.

I hope that that makes my opinion a little more clear. As for whether I think it's right or wrong to take a kid out of school for a vacation, I really don't have an opinion. I might have done it if I needed to and if it wouldn't cause any problems but that has never come up.

 

[Planogirl]

The comments about paying salaries and therefore you can make the rules are interesting. I suppose that I pay the salaries at my local Target too since I shop there so much. I wonder if they would lower the prices of my favorite items since I can apparently tell them what to do? That line of logic makes no sense.

 

[minnieandmickey]

As a person who works in attendance in a CA school, just put that you are going no big long detailed reason why. Honestly it all comes down to your states attendance laws. You could write a novel on why it is educational but it comes down that it is a family trip, and it's unexcused. 2 1/2 days would not be a big deal here, and honestly I've also taken my kids out for trips. Family time is more important. Here there are 3 truancy steps, 1st a warning letter (which is given after 3 unexcused absences), 2nd a conference with and administrator (6 unexcused), and then you go before a board (9 unexcused)

 

[minnieandmickey]

Dear School,

A. I am taking them out because they are my kids and I choose to.

B. My taxes pay your salary so you answer to me, I don't answer to you.

That will be all

I'm willing to give you the penny you put towards my pay. Oh and you can keep the change.

 

[judowoman]

How about, "Dear School Administrators,
We are taking our kids out of school for ____ days from ___ (Month) to ____ (Month) so that the family can enjoy lower crowds and less expensive lodging at Walt Disney World, in Florida. The educational lessons of this family vacation will include:
1) economics - the importance of maximizing savings on family vacations
2) geography - the location, weather, and municipal infrastructure of Orlando, Florida
3) math - how quickly costs can add up for food, lodging and souvenirs
4) sociology - the diverse nature of people who attend theme parks
5) psychology - methods used by Disney to induce higher spending in their theme parks
6) English - grammatically correct signs and warnings on thrill rides
7) history - many Disney rides are based on myths and legends, and several are based on bona fide historical American artifacts and personalities
8) physics - actually experiencing positive and negative G-forces on several thrill rides
9) science - discovering the effects of dehydration and lack of sleep
10) foreign languages - hearing several languages in use by actual foreigners
11) biology - seeing, smelling, and possibly depositing stomach contents on the sidewalk after thrill rides
12) engineering - viewing and actually riding highly engineered thrill rides
13) astrology - examining and describing stars seen on the "Hollywood Walk of Fame" in DHS
14) art - experiencing actual animation instruction and getting a back-lot view of motion picture production
15) phys ed - walking approximately seven miles per day.

I hope you agree that, based on this ___ week visit, my children should be awarded a bachelor's degree in General Studies from the nearest state college. If that is not possible, please provide instructions on how my children can complete any additional requirements of their regularly scheduled classes (as if their classes could possibly cover anything remotely as comprehensive as this vacation will expose them to!).

Very truly yours,
Mrs X"

That should get the ball rolling for you...

That is what I call an epic letter! kudos!

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

The I pay your salary argument has some very interesting applications.

Next time you get a ticket, try this.

Officer. My taxes pay your salary. So rip up that ticket, and get your lazy rear end back in that patrol car because you answer to me buster.

 

[LockShockBarrel]

So what this thread has turned into is who's the better parent, the one who takes their kids out of school for a vacation or the one who doesn't?

And for those saying people are being selfish by taking their kids out of school, don't you think it's being a little bit high and mighty using the "well it's me me me with these people"? Its just as easy to say "well it's all me me me with the people who say they follow all the rules so they can hold it over other people's heads".

Oh well, apparently this argument will never come to a peaceful conclusion. At least..not til elephants fly

 

[stargazertechie]

The comments about paying salaries and therefore you can make the rules are interesting. I suppose that I pay the salaries at my local Target too since I shop there so much. I wonder if they would lower the prices of my favorite items since I can apparently tell them what to do? That line of logic makes no sense.

Where do you think the Golden Rule of customer service (the customer is always right) came from? Busineses realize that consumers have a choice in where they spend their money, and working with the customer ensures continued loyalty and cash flow.

I wish schools realized they were in the same boat- there are a finite amount of families in a distrct, and if they decided it was necessary to call CPS on my family instead of excusing absences, they'd be losing 2 or 3 "customers" for funding purposes when I put said future kids in a more family friendly private school.

Why a school would risk losing 12 years of "profits" (state funding) over a few days absence is beyond me...

 

[Patience]

Two and a half days right before Thanksgiving is probably not going to be a big deal unless your child is in AP classes (in our district, an AP student cannot have more than one unexcused absence per quarter and they make you sign a statement that you understand that and will abide by it). Taking kids out for more than a couple of days is a different story, especially when the kids are in high school. There is so much work to make up, the grades DO matter for college admission, etc. I value family time as much as anyone but the fact is that if you enroll your child in a particular school (public or otherwise), you are agreeing to follow the rules. If you don't like the rules, look elsewhere. There are plenty of options for education out there today- homeschooling, private school, charter school, "virtual" schools, etc.

 

[Bummbok]

Where do you think the Golden Rule of customer service (the customer is always right) came from?

Execpt for when the customer is clearly wrong...it was always funny watching those customers.

I wish schools realized they were in the same boat- there are a finite amount of families in a distrct, and if they decided it was necessary to call CPS on my family instead of excusing absences, they'd be losing 2 or 3 "customers" for funding purposes when I put said future kids in a more family friendly private school.

Why a school would risk losing 12 years of "profits" (state funding) over a few days absence is beyond me...

Cept schools aren't in that same boat, lots of folks either can't or won't afford private schools. After all if they have to sacrifice a Disney trip for it it kinda negates the whole "The other school wouldn't let me go to Disney argument"

Oh and I'm pretty sure even private schools have to meet some sort of attendance requirements for them to be recognized by the state.

 

[Girls1]

How about, "Dear School Administrators,
We are taking our kids out of school for ____ days from ___ (Month) to ____ (Month) so that the family can enjoy lower crowds and less expensive lodging at Walt Disney World, in Florida. The educational lessons of this family vacation will include:
1) economics - the importance of maximizing savings on family vacations
2) geography - the location, weather, and municipal infrastructure of Orlando, Florida
3) math - how quickly costs can add up for food, lodging and souvenirs
4) sociology - the diverse nature of people who attend theme parks
5) psychology - methods used by Disney to induce higher spending in their theme parks
6) English - grammatically correct signs and warnings on thrill rides
7) history - many Disney rides are based on myths and legends, and several are based on bona fide historical American artifacts and personalities
8) physics - actually experiencing positive and negative G-forces on several thrill rides
9) science - discovering the effects of dehydration and lack of sleep
10) foreign languages - hearing several languages in use by actual foreigners
11) biology - seeing, smelling, and possibly depositing stomach contents on the sidewalk after thrill rides
12) engineering - viewing and actually riding highly engineered thrill rides
13) astrology - examining and describing stars seen on the "Hollywood Walk of Fame" in DHS
14) art - experiencing actual animation instruction and getting a back-lot view of motion picture production
15) phys ed - walking approximately seven miles per day.

I hope you agree that, based on this ___ week visit, my children should be awarded a bachelor's degree in General Studies from the nearest state college. If that is not possible, please provide instructions on how my children can complete any additional requirements of their regularly scheduled classes (as if their classes could possibly cover anything remotely as comprehensive as this vacation will expose them to!).

Very truly yours,
Mrs X"

That should get the ball rolling for you...

\

I love this!

 

[Planogirl]

Where do you think the Golden Rule of customer service (the customer is always right) came from? Busineses realize that consumers have a choice in where they spend their money, and working with the customer ensures continued loyalty and cash flow.

I wish schools realized they were in the same boat- there are a finite amount of families in a distrct, and if they decided it was necessary to call CPS on my family instead of excusing absences, they'd be losing 2 or 3 "customers" for funding purposes when I put said future kids in a more family friendly private school.

Why a school would risk losing 12 years of "profits" (state funding) over a few days absence is beyond me...

So I CAN go into Target and demand lower prices on some items?!

Seriously, if a school will lose "customers" over a trip to WDW then maybe there isn't much hope of a good relationship being there to start with. That's just my opinion and of course others probably disagree.

As for the argument as to who is a better parent mentioned by another poster, it's not a matter of anyone being better than anyone else because of what they believe. It's the total disdain for rules and agreements that a few (only a few) showed on this thread. I personally have no issue with anyone taking kids out of school. That's their business. I don't like the notion that public servants are somehow supposed to obey the whims of the public simply because they are paid with tax dollars.

 

[Don Disney]

It's my understanding that school policies vary by district. I don't think the government is regulating this for each local school. Some schools have very lax policies and others very strict policies. Bringing up the regulation of banks seems like a red herring argument IMO. It has absolutely nothing to do with the multitude of local school district policies. I'm sure we can all think of a 1,000 different things our government should be doing differently. This isn't a political discussion board last I checked.

I'm quite aware that this is not a "political" discussion board thank you very much;I was just commenting on the OP take on the subject.The"government",wether local,state,or federal has MUCH to do in the policies of schools.My comments about "deregulation" have to do with the economic situation in general-We have to continually buy school supplies to contribute to each of our DD's classes,as do the rest of the parents.I don't EVER remember that having to be done before this"economic crisis".Just saying that it all rolls downhill,with us being at the bottom.The school systems have to do what they have to do for funding;and where does that funding come from? We are all not fortunate enough to be in a district where the parents don't have to keep supplying the school.We gladly do it because they go to a school where they are being taught very well-if that were not the case,we would seek other options.Depends on where you live I guess.

 

[rgf207]

Where do you think the Golden Rule of customer service (the customer is always right) came from? Busineses realize that consumers have a choice in where they spend their money, and working with the customer ensures continued loyalty and cash flow.

I wish schools realized they were in the same boat- there are a finite amount of families in a distrct, and if they decided it was necessary to call CPS on my family instead of excusing absences, they'd be losing 2 or 3 "customers" for funding purposes when I put said future kids in a more family friendly private school.

Why a school would risk losing 12 years of "profits" (state funding) over a few days absence is beyond me...

Parents and students are not "customers". The retail business and the school system aren't even close to the same thing.

 

[Mama Who]

I would guess 2 days wouldn't be a big deal; my post wasn't directed at the OP but at the people who say "It's my kid and I'll do what I want." That's fine as long as you understand that you agreed to the school districts' rules when you enrolled your child. Some districts are stricter, some are more lenient. Your district was apparently one of the more lenient ones. In the city I used to live in, more than 3 unexcused absences results in the parents having to show up in court. And it was strictly enforced.

My son never had an "unexcused" absence. If he was absent, I excused it. I told the school that he was out with my knowledge and consent and that was the end of it. None of the three districts he attended ever felt a need to make an issue of it.

I can't imagine living somewhere as invasive and draconian as you describe. What an awful way to try to raise kids! One more blessing to count.