Strange question:School Excuse

[tldowen]

This may be a strange question, but we are taking our daughter out of school for 1 day to leave for a DW trip. They are out the next week. She is in the first grade and we are required to send an excuse when they are out. What can I say without flat out lying? Any creative wording. Her teacher knows she is going to be out (but I didn't say why) and has agreed to give her the test she would miss early. If she takes the test early, I really don't care if the absence is excused or not. I don't plan on her having anymore unexcused absences. Any advice??

 

[natnelliesmom]

Why can't you just say that you are going on vacation?
It shouldn't be a big deal to miss the day before a week of school vacation.
-Sarah

 

[sohappy]

I would tell the truth. If you don't care if it is excused, it doesn't matter what you write.

 

[Alesia]

This may be a strange question, but we are taking our daughter out of school for 1 day to leave for a DW trip. They are out the next week. She is in the first grade and we are required to send an excuse when they are out. What can I say without flat out lying? Any creative wording. Her teacher knows she is going to be out (but I didn't say why) and has agreed to give her the test she would miss early. If she takes the test early, I really don't care if the absence is excused or not. I don't plan on her having anymore unexcused absences. Any advice??

How about:

(Susie) will not be in school tomorrow. We will be out of town.

 

[tldowen]

Thank you. I am such a rule follower, it makes me feel guilty. Maybe I will just say she was out of town.

 

[holly7347]

We are taking DD out of kindergarten for one day too for our trip in October. Vacations are not excused at DD's school for any reason. But you get 9 absences before they start asking for Dr.'s notes and such. I am not accepting the non-excused absence since I expect this will be the only one this school year. I will write on her note she will not be in school that day due to a family vacation. At that age I would be afraid to lie anyway because I know she will come back to school and be talking about her trip to Disney and meeting the princesses.

 

[tldowen]

We are taking DD out of kindergarten for one day too for our trip in October. Vacations are not excused at DD's school for any reason. But you get 9 absences before they start asking for Dr.'s notes and such. I am not accepting the non-excused absence since I expect this will be the only one this school year. I will write on her note she will not be in school that day due to a family vacation. At that age I would be afraid to lie anyway because I know she will come back to school and be talking about her trip to Disney and meeting the princesses.

When our daughter was in K, it wasn't really an issue because they didn't give tests and K isn't even required. Do you live where they have fall break? We are going during fall break, but my husband likes to get a head start and stay as long as we can. We aren't coming back until the Sunday before school starts back. I'm usually wiped out the next day, I'm a teacher. I teach in a totally different area from where my daughter attends and we are lucky to ever get an excuse at my school. Next year we are planning on going early June to avoid the school thing.

 

[The Disney Bunch]

Just remember that whatever you put in the note, your dd will know that she went to DisneyWorld & will be telling all her friends, especially when she gets back.

 

[stace1214]

Just be honest. I'm sure her teacher is not going to care one way or the other. Also, being the day before a vacation, I can't imagine your daughter is going to miss much or be the only one not in class. As a teacher, one of my biggest pet peeves is when a parent writes a fake reason for their child being out of school. Going to WDW is exciting and I'm sure your daughter will want to tell everyone at school about her trip. I really wouldn't worry about an unexcused absence. LIke you said, you don't plan on her having any others this year. Not a big deal.

 

[mommyintn]

I found that when our oldest was in school that the teacher's were fine if you just let them know. In your case it's just one day I would just write a note and let the teacher the know before hand in case there is anything being sent home before the break that would be good to have. I've know people who take their kids out for 4 days during free dining in 2nd & 3rd grade and have not been given a lot of grief. Now that we homeschool we don't have to worry about that since...ahem...I'm the teacher! Remember missing a day in 1st grade is not as major as it is say in high school.

 

[tzolkin]

My DD missed 13 days last year for vacation. Because it was so long, I met with her teacher to discuss work and she was certainly aware of the fact that we were going to visit family and go to Disney. I did not notify the school before the trip. When we returned I sent a note simply stating DD was absent xday- yday because our family was out of town. The absences were counted as unexcused, but I was aware of that before we left.

 

[Stitchfans]

We are leaving on a Friday for our spring break which doesn't actually start until that Monday. I made a mistake. When I booked everything I assumed it would be the week of Easter again as it had been for the past two years. (Thank goodness it isn't)

Any way all is booked and paid for and I plan on just calling in DD sick since she is in high school. I already have it all settled for me at work.

 

[bdoyledimou]

What's the school going to do? Say your child can't come back?

Tell the truth, the teacher is not going to care....

I am planning on taking my kids (9 and 11) out of school for 2 weeks in may.. (by that time they have already passed/failed anyway)

 

[LadyShea]

The family is going out of town for the break and taking an extra day. Nothing more is needed and it's the truth.

 

[w-family]

I'm taking my daughter out for 4 days next month (Columbus Day is a holiday here). I am planning on telling the teacher the truth. I am going to meet with her this week.

I don't want to teach my daughter that it is ok to lie. I took her out last year for vacation and the teacher had her do a journal, one page for each day we were gone. Then when she came home I was given a packet of work for her to make up at home. I had her do an extra page of homework each night until she was caught up. I also made her read for 15 minutes a day, as they are required to do.

 

[licountrygirl]

Just say - "janey" will not be at school on "date" for personal reasons. If you feel that a real reason is ok - say you're going on vacation.

They don't need any reason - you're entitled to your privacy.

I've seen a few threads on this subject and I have to tell you, it makes me wonder why. If I am planning a vacation with my family, yes, the school might be entitled to know they won't be there, but they are not entitled to know why.

 

[Fantasmic23]

This may be a strange question, but we are taking our daughter out of school for 1 day to leave for a DW trip. They are out the next week. She is in the first grade and we are required to send an excuse when they are out. What can I say without flat out lying? Any creative wording. Her teacher knows she is going to be out (but I didn't say why) and has agreed to give her the test she would miss early. If she takes the test early, I really don't care if the absence is excused or not. I don't plan on her having anymore unexcused absences. Any advice??

I don't know why you feel you would have to lie at all, creatively or otherwise. I would just tell the truth when you are writing the "excuse note":

Dear So and So,

My daughter will not be in school on whatever date due to a pre-planned family vacation. As previously discussed, I would appreciate if you would permit her to take whatever test before this date.I] After all, isn't honestly always the best policy? Cliche as it sounds, teachers are people too, who take vacations just like everybody else (I know! My mother was an elementary school teacher for years!). Your DD is only missing 1 day of school and then (if I'm reading correctly) has, with the rest of the school, the next week off.

In accordance with the school's policy, you are doing your part in writing the "excuse note" and also arranging for your DD to take a test. You don't have to lie. And if she should miss any other days of school, throughout the year, just be truthful your excuse notes.

Have a wonderful trip!

 

[MickeyMomOfThree]

I have 3 kids, they are in 9th, 4th, and 1st grades this year. They will be missing 4 days for our vacation. I told their teachers already (at meet the teacher night) that they will be out and what days and that I will remind them 2 weeks ahead of time. The only one I even slightly feel worried about is my highschooler, but she gets all As and while I know it will be unexcused, it is what it is but I don't agree with it, as she has no choice (though she'd choose to go to Disney of course!) in what her parents descide she is going to do. It is not as though she got on the bus and then ducked around the building to go to the mall or something. I am going to ask (just for 9th grader) that her school record note family vacation next to unexcused.
So far none of the teachers have said anything negative. My younger dauughters' teachers saaid something to the effect of "I'm jealous of families who can go on vacation whenever they want, no problem." We went on to explain that we cannot go on vacation whenever we want. My husband's company is in the restaurant buisness, mainly an ice cream and family dining buisness. Summer and other school holidays are their busiest and therefore he is not able to take time off during that time (other than maybe a day here or there). Thanksgiving is not too busy for them, plus with the holiday and 2 weekends we are able to make a week of vacation (the most he is allowed to take at one time) into a week and a half vacation. So, while some would say we are wrong for taking our family vacation when it involves the kids missing school, I would argue that any other time of year would not be a "family vacation" as it would be missing dad, and therefore we would not be our family. So, you do what you want or need to do for your family, but be honest. No matter if your kid is sick, on vacation, at a family emergency or whatever, it is your child and your choice to keep them home from school.

 

[Ellester]

I wouldn't even put in a reason. I would simply say "dd will not be at school on Friday, xxx, xx, 2008". That is totally the truth and all the information they really need. When our dd was in PS (we homeschool now) that's what I always did no matter what the reason she was out (doctor, funeral, trip, etc.). Have a great trip!

 

[tldowen]

Normally, we send excuses when they come back to school, but I guess I could send it the day before and say "DD will be unable to attend school tomorrow, Friday, October 10." And let that be that. Good idea. (this is so stupid for me to worry about, I know)