Told DS's Teacher and Principal about the trip...

[fan_of_small_world]

and they were both WONDERFUL!!!! So, to all those who are worried about the school's reaction, just know that sometimes there's nothing to worry about!

DS is in 2nd grade and I let both the teacher (by letter) and the principal (in a conversation with him) know about our upcoming trip that will take DS out of school for a full week.

I actually had a chance to mention it to his principal before I was able to speak with his teacher. The principal told me that he doesn't like to send home much work ahead of the trip because many families just don't get a chance to get it done, and...here's the nicest part...he feels that it cuts into family time! He then told me that there is only one requirement - that we bring him along too! I can't believe how great he was about it. We went on to talk about having DS do a journal, and I told him that I had already found some wonderful journal pages online (thanks to the DISers!). He thought that would be perfect and said that's what they really like to see kids do when they are away.

DS's teacher was very understanding, too. She said DS is doing very well, that she's not worried about him getting behind, and she'll let him make up anything important that he misses when we get back.

 

[murcor]

Thats great!

last year after reading all the posts here I was so nervous to tell the teacher we were going on vacation.

To make a long story short.....she thought it was great, and supports any type of travel!

 

[tinaluis]

Wow, that is great!!

I told all three of my DDs' teachers at Open House at the end of September that they'll be out for almost 2 full weeks! I was most worried about how my 5th grader's teacher would react. She was wonderful. Told us to have a great time and said she probably wouldn't be sending work with DD (if that was OK with us) as she's so far ahead of the class anyway. She just asked that she keep a journal and read. Our other two DDs' teachers were equally happy for us. In fact, our youngest DD's Kindergarten teacher said "I see you're still taking vacations (she's been the K Teacher for all 3 of our girls). You'll just have to take me along so I can make sure these are truly bonding experiences!" Then she chuckled and told us to have a great trip!

 

[GillieRose]

I mentioned are upcoming trip to my daughters teacher and she was also great. She said for her homework she will have Gillian (she's in the 1st grade) do a travel journal about the trip.

 

[SusanMomOf2]

Oooh goodie! That's awesome you guys! I guess I need to tell Ali's teacher soon (first grade) that we'll be gone for a whole week. We have conferences in a little more than a week, so I guess then will be a good time. My concern is that while Ali is a very well-behaved child and is really smart, she's having trouble with her reading. After I saw this post, it hit me... I told her, "Honey, if you want to go to Disney World, we really need to work on your reading and spelling." So, I'm hoping that will be a little motivation for her. I wonder what her teacher will say. Wish me luck in it all!

 

[Haeg]

Thats a great idea my son is in 3rd grade the journal sounds like a good thing to do. So where did you find the "wonderful journal pages online (thanks to the DISers!). " If its printable I want to create one for my son.
Thanks

BTW: I always hope the teachers/school don't mind us taking time off, but even if they did, too bad, we are still going. In our district they take you to court for missing to many days from school. Kids will miss 3 days of school for 8 days at WDW. Election week and NJEA teachers convention in A/C, NJ. When they take the teachers to court for having 2 days off and never going to these conventions I'll get worried. It's NJ week in Florida, chances are we'll see his teacher in WDW anyway. Ha Ha Ha!!

 

[ignatz1]

I was worried about taking DS out for 3 days but... he has to do a journal and will get the work he needs to make up when we return , all that worry for nothing !!

 

[fan_of_small_world]

Thats a great idea my son is in 3rd grade the journal sounds like a good thing to do. So where did you find the "wonderful journal pages online (thanks to the DISers!). " If its printable I want to create one for my son.

Here is the link I used:

http://www.themouseforless.com/downloads/kids/journal.shtml

Also, you can go to the Disney for Family forum, and then to the second sticky, "Kid's Trip Pages to Print Out." Post #57 has tons of great links!

Good luck!!

 

[munchkin bunchkin]

Glad to hear you had smooth sailing telling the school! I had my DD's use the same Journals after our trip in January and they had a blast doing them and their teachers and classmates enjoyed them tremendously!They also make a terrific keepsake!

 

[*love*2*shop]

.....have a drink for me ... ...yes when i officially told the principal we were going on the Disney cruise last year that was her reaction.................BOTH my Kids schools have been TOTALLY fine with it..all my sons teacher had kyle do was to make a TRIP JOURNAL.......

 

[LaraK]

Thats a great idea my son is in 3rd grade the journal sounds like a good thing to do. So where did you find the "wonderful journal pages online (thanks to the DISers!). " If its printable I want to create one for my son.
Thanks

BTW: I always hope the teachers/school don't mind us taking time off, but even if they did, too bad, we are still going. In our district they take you to court for missing to many days from school. Kids will miss 3 days of school for 8 days at WDW. Election week and NJEA teachers convention in A/C, NJ. When they take the teachers to court for having 2 days off and never going to these conventions I'll get worried. It's NJ week in Florida, chances are we'll see his teacher in WDW anyway. Ha Ha Ha!!

I just need to tell you that when I saw the picture of your kids I laughed aloud. What a GREAT picture!

 

[3AmigosMom]

So glad to hear all the positive responses. We're telling our teachers this week (kids are K, 1st, and 2nd). Haven't seen it in awhile, but there is a great "letter to the teacher" that I've seen on these boards in the past. I'm wondering if anyone can point me to it, since I'm still alittle nervous about any problems with our kids missing 5 days.

 

[FisherFamily]

We have found elementary schools to be the easiest going about pulling kids out of school. We went in Sept. The kids missed 5 days of school. Here is what went happened in our situation. Called family and childeren services to get advise they said to send notes to teachers advising of absence which we did. DD 9, 4th grade teach said sounds like fun but by law can not give out work ahead and she will have one week to make up all work missed during the week. Was not much work and not difficult to make up the work. DD11, 6 grade has 4 core teachers plus 2 elective teachers not a problem there. She left having all A's made up her work and still is getting all A's. DD15, 10 grade took in note to all teachers had to fill out a form with the office each teacher had to sign it and return it to the office. She had 4A's, 2B's when left came home to 2F's 1D, 3C's and only a week to make up the work she went in early each day and stayed late each after noon getting missed instructions and test. It took her 4 weeks before her grade got back to where they were. Then we received a letter from the school for DD9 stating that if she has 1 more unexcused absence that legal action will be taken up to and including that social services will coming to our house to determine if we are fit parents and in violation a breaking the law. So what do you think? A real threat or a formality. Here in Georgia any absense that is not illness or a religious reason is considered unexcused.

 

[agnes!]

We have found elementary schools to be the easiest going about pulling kids out of school. We went in Sept. The kids missed 5 days of school. Here is what went happened in our situation. Called family and childeren services to get advise they said to send notes to teachers advising of absence which we did. DD 9, 4th grade teach said sounds like fun but by law can not give out work ahead and she will have one week to make up all work missed during the week. Was not much work and not difficult to make up the work. DD11, 6 grade has 4 core teachers plus 2 elective teachers not a problem there. She left having all A's made up her work and still is getting all A's. DD15, 10 grade took in note to all teachers had to fill out a form with the office each teacher had to sign it and return it to the office. She had 4A's, 2B's when left came home to 2F's 1D, 3C's and only a week to make up the work she went in early each day and stayed late each after noon getting missed instructions and test. It took her 4 weeks before her grade got back to where they were. Then we received a letter from the school for DD9 stating that if she has 1 more unexcused absence that legal action will be taken up to and including that social services will coming to our house to determine if we are fit parents and in violation a breaking the law. So what do you think? A real threat or a formality. Here in Georgia any absense that is not illness or a religious reason is considered unexcused.

Sometimes it's all about the Benjamins (ie funding for the local schools from the Feds). Before the No Child Left Behind, individual achool systems had a lot more leeway in determining their attendance policies.
Hey, you could always say...
"We're going to worship at the Altar of the Mouse."

agnes!

 

[Haeg]

I just need to tell you that when I saw the picture of your kids I laughed aloud. What a GREAT picture!

Thanks, that was last years X-mas card. There just two brothers being themselves. See what this year brings.

 

[MomofCKJ]

I am glad you got good responses! That must put you at ease!

I told my girls teachers last week at conferences. My 4th graders teacher said she probably would not send work home. My dd is top of her class and teacher did not feel that missing the week before Christmas would mean missing much. She said they don't really start anything new that week because the kids are just off the wall with the upcoming holidays.

My other dd is in 1st grade and her teacher asked to come along. She said it was a great week to go and that she would just love to see dd do a journal with something she did each day.

I have not told the principal yet. The 1st grade teacher, a seasoned vet teacher, told me to wait till it was closer. She said not that the principal frowns on it but that I should just wait and send a note in.

I asked my girls if they see a lot of classmates missing weeks of school for vacation and my oldest told me all the time.

Allyson