School related: Why do I feel so bad about this?

[ajk912]

So we are going the first week of free dining- August 24-30. Yay, we are all sooo excited! But I am so worried because the kids are going to miss Meet the Teacher Day and see your new classroom/bring in your supplies day. They usually hold that the last week of August and school starts the day after Labor Day. AND, since the teachers don't even decide class placement till the last week of August when the teachers go back to school, we may not even know who the kids' teacher is on the first day of school. We will be coming back that Saturday..the post office closes at 12pm...I won't be there in time to pick up my mail to find the postcard to find class assignment. The post office is closed Monday for Labor Day, and school starts the day after at 9am. No time to get my mail till after school starts. So because we were on vacation the week prior, the kids won't know which class to go to on the first day of school. I know I am making a mountain out of a molehill, because the rational part of me is saying it's INSANE to think about going a week earlier in August, spending $600 more, just to avoid first day of school confusion. I am thinking of just intentionally taking them to school about 10 minutes after the tardy bell..then the office can look up their classrooms and send them to their classes then? If they even have the class assignment lists? It wouldn't be the first time the office is clueless as to what is going on.. Could this be a nightmare? But, again, really, it's so crazy to miss free dining to go to Meet the Teacher Day, right? I can't be the ONLY uber paranoid mom, right? BTW, my kids are in 2nd grade and 4th grade.

 

[Magic Mom]

I'd feel bad too, but it will all work out just fine. Really it will. On the first day, don't take them late, take them a little early. If you take them late then they will have to walk into their new class LATE in front of everyone! Now that would be a nightmare. Plus if you walk them in late they won't get a chance to meet the teacher before class starts.
I guarantee you other parents will miss the "meet the teacher day" and be doing the same thing as you. Don't change your plans, OR waste any worry over it.

 

[DisneyKT]

Can you have a friend pick up your mail for you? I wouldn't worry to much,have a great vacation.

 

[thegrimdwarf]

That would eat me up, to the point where I wouldn't be able to enjoy the vacation. I'm sorry!

 

[brymolmom]

I agree - have a friend pick it up OR go into the school and pass around to all the teachers in the grades your email address and ask that they send you an email when they know if your child is in their class.

On 'meet the teacher' day - even if a friend wasn't able to get your mail - you can likely have someone check around to each classroom in that grade and say 'do you know if you have jane smith in your class - they are out of town and I told mrs. smith i'd ask around to find out'. And likely, unless there are more than a couple handfuls of classrooms - this would only take like 10 minutes to find the right one.

I had some guilt last year - did the same thing - went for free dining and missed the Kindergarten picnic. It was ds's first day of school ever and he hadn't even met his teacher since he started the day after we got back. I did already know who his teacher was (you should call the school before you leave- they might know already even tho notifications aren't sent out yet) - but he missed the picnic so i felt bad. But it all worked out fine. Even if you go into school with the kids that first day just to make sure they get matched up with the proper teachers it will be fine! NOT a reason to miss FREE DINING!!!!

 

[scrapquitler]

Have a friend pick up your mail so the postcard is waiting at home when you return.

OR, on the 'meet the teacher day' while you are on your trip, take a few minutes to call the school office from your cell phone and ask them to let you know who your kids teachers will be.

OR, have one of your kids friends (or better yet, the friends parents) find out from the teachers which classe your chidl will be in.'

I certainly wouldn't let this interfere with enjoying my vacation!

No matter what, I would NOT take my kids in late on the first day of school. Better to get there early, stop in the office and ask.

 

[ajh88]

Why don't you just call the school office one day while you're on vacation? Or go in and talk with them before you leave and let them know the situation - certainly there will be a way for you to find out the assignments before you go or while you're on vacation.

And I agree with PPs - I wouldn't show up late, if anything, show up 10 minutes EARLY to get the info!

We missed my DDs meet the teacher night when she was starting Kindergarten b/c we were out of town. I already knew who her teacher was though, so I just emailed her to see what we missed.

 

[solgent]

Agree with what others have said: Try to find out and don't go late the first day.

Also, my advice is do not present the situation to your children as a problem or a negative, like Oh no you'll have to arrive without knowing who your teacher is, what a dreadful way to start the year.

Either present it neutrally like, Because of our travel plans we won't be able to find out until you get there.

Or you could try to sell it as an exciting mystery. Kind of like a blind date! Or the game show where you have to pick a door and you don't know your prize until it is revealed. Who will it be? You have to go to school to find out! Imagine an explorer heading through the jungle, approaching a clearing, pushing aside a vine to discover....????

Kids will take their cues from you. If you see it as a catastrophe, they will too. If you see it as no big deal, just one of those things, or even as a sort of adventure, they'll be fine with it.

 

[timmac]

But, again, really, it's so crazy to miss free dining to go to Meet the Teacher Day, right?

Think you've already said it right there... the few minutes that morning can't possibly be enough stress to even bat an eyelash while on a Disney vacation

 

[Mrs. Toaster]

If it's any consolation, I am in the same boat as you! We are taking our boys to the World the first week of August, which is our last week of Summer vacation. We will also miss our our back to school night, which includes meeting the teacher etc. I probably wouldn't have chosen this week, but we had a great opportunity to tag along with my husband on his business trip, and couldn't pass it up!

I went ahead and spoke to the school secretaries who suggested two options: have a friend find out who the teacher is for me, or call the school during that week to find out. I will also email the teacher right away to introduce myself and sign up to be a room parent, as this is usually done on back to school night.

I consulted many friends on this, and they all agreed that we should not pass up the trip, and that my son would do just fine! So, go and enjoy yourself. The back to school night is just one event, but a trip to Disney is a lifetime memory!

 

[littleteapot]

Agree with what others have said: Try to find out and don't go late the first day.

Also, my advice is do not present the situation to your children as a problem or a negative, like Oh no you'll have to arrive without knowing who your teacher is, what a dreadful way to start the year.

Either present it neutrally like, Because of our travel plans we won't be able to find out until you get there.

Or you could try to sell it as an exciting mystery. Kind of like a blind date! Or the game show where you have to pick a door and you don't know your prize until it is revealed. Who will it be? You have to go to school to find out! Imagine an explorer heading through the jungle, approaching a clearing, pushing aside a vine to discover....????

Kids will take their cues from you. If you see it as a catastrophe, they will too. If you see it as no big deal, just one of those things, or even as a sort of adventure, they'll be fine with it.

Brilliant, I think I wish Solgent was my next door neighbor. Clearer heads prevail!

OP go and have a GREAT time. It'll all work out and you'll be in DISNEY

 

[ajk912]

Thank you very much! I am definitely worried about it, but I think everything will be ok! You guys are right..don't take the kids late. I am not sure if I can take the kids early though, it's a big school so they always have the doors locked until the first bell rings..it's maddening. But, I can take them at the first bell, and just hang out in the office until they can look up everything and tell me..there is about 10 minutes between the first bell and tardy bell.

I am going to talk to my neighbor about getting my mail..and then see about calling the office to find out class assignments. It will all work out, I am sure. Thanks so much!

 

[luckey-lasvegas]

I'm sure the information will only be a phone call away. The office staff will be at the school at least a week before the school year stars. If I were you I would speak to someone in the office before the end of this school year and explain the situation, ask for the phone number and the person you should talk to while you are away . I know from all the school that I have worked at and all the schools my DD has attended that those ladies in the office can make almost anything happen . Oh and a nice thank you basket of goodies the last week of school couldn't hurt .

 

[jandkN]

I would send the teachers for your children's grade levels an e-mail and explain the situation. Ask if it is possible for them to e-mail you to let you know which classes your children will be in. If that is not possible then I would definitely plan on bringing your children a little bit early on the first day and finding out where they need to be before the other children arrive. Good luck!