When do you tell the teacher about a vacation?

[Christy729]

We are leaving in a month. My 3rd grader will miss 3 days of school. The decison has been made, so it's not debatable.

How much notice do we give?

 

[baler31]

This should be lively. Seriously, it depends on the school and the child. Our school and teachers are very supportive. We let ours know at least a week in advance. Their policy is for 5 or more days we pick up the work beforehand and have it completed when we return, anything under 5 you just make up tests/quizzes when you return and you are responsible for making sure your child understands the material.

 

[Disneyforus]

I always give pre warning about a month or so out and tell them that I will send a written letter a week ahead to remind them.

I personally don't sweat over our children missing K-5 school. It may be different once we get to middle school and some portion of your grade is associated with attendance. We will cross that bridge later.

 

[FlightlessDuck]

Please consult your school district's attendance policy.

 

[sticker231]

We just had the kids out for seven days and now the school is closed, "Jersey Week". We told the teachers earlier in the year and reminded them as it got closer, didn't have a problem. Right now we really aren't that concerned about them missing the time, but as they get older it will start to be a worry. I work in retail, so getting time off with their time off from school is a problem. We live close to the beach, so going in the summer with the crowds and the heat isn't really something we want to do. So for now, taking the kids out of school works for us.

 

[gris gris]

We took our daughter out the 4th week of school (last week of September) and I told the teachers about a week before school started. They told us to have a great trip.

But here is the kicker, and I know this is hard to believe, but we were standing in line for a ride on our first day there and my daughter's teacher and her family were in line in front of us. What are the chances this could ever happen?

 

[hmillerbarilla]

But here is the kicker, and I know this is hard to believe, but we were standing in line for a ride on our first day there and my daughter's teacher and her family were in line in front of us. What are the chances this could ever happen?

Wow! That's so funny!

I'm planning on taking DD out of K for 5 days the week of Dec 6th. I plan on telling the teacher before Thanksgiving break. About 2-3 weeks notice. Hope it goes over well!

My parents took me out of school every year so I'm not too worried. I know when they're in high school it will be more of an issue and I'll be sensitive to that. But they're still little thankfully!

 

[dawnmommy]

I think it probably varies by district, what the teacher's prefer. Our son will miss a week of kindergarten, and the teacher just said to email her one week prior. she said she doesn't send homework ahead of time, but it will be sent home when he returns, and we'll complete it over the next few evenings.

I figure we can pull the kids out of school for at least a few years. I imagine at some point we won't any more.

 

[kkacar]

We usually give a few weeks notice. DD8 teacher this year is personal friend so she knew before hand that she would miss a few days in September and a few days in March. She is a straight A student so we are not real concerned. I know that when she gets out of elem. school it might not be as easy to take her out, but as for now we still do it.

kelli

 

[eeyoresnr]

we told our son's teacher as soon as we knew...the first week of school for a Dec trip

 

[mommy2mrb]

I'm pulling my DD out for a week in March (week before spring break) she's in 5th grade...already told teacher and principal as we are at a new school this year...they said to have a great trip, teacher will give DD a packet of work to do. Have taken her out in kindergarten, second and last year, have never had any issues with her teachers and/or school.

 

[lmbcdb]

As an elementary teacher, I agree with many of the PP. Tell them as soon as you know, then again a good 7 school days ahead of time to give the teacher time to collect work.

 

[LaurenT]

We took our daughter out the 4th week of school (last week of September) and I told the teachers about a week before school started. They told us to have a great trip.

But here is the kicker, and I know this is hard to believe, but we were standing in line for a ride on our first day there and my daughter's teacher and her family were in line in front of us. What are the chances this could ever happen?

Wow!! That is crazy! The teachers I know are prohibited from taking any personal time off during the school year (they get plenty of time off with all the school holiday and summer). Is it a private school? I wouldn't mention it to anyone - she may have played sick or something!
We are going for 9 days starting this Saturday. I told Becky's teacher last Monday and will remind her on Friday. She is in second grade and will miss 4 days (since veterans day is already off).

 

[jason4024]

Our letter went in yesterday. It was about 5 weeks before our trip. DD7 teacher was actually a classmate of my wifes. We did let her know during meet the teachers, and she is very excited about being a keeper of the secret. She said she will prepare a packet before hand, so we can get DD's work done before we go. I really think letting them know as far in advance as possible is the best bet. But especially for the secret trip, because they hopefully wont let the cat out of the bag.

As far as DS4 school, he is in pre-school and day care. They are aware of our trip also, but they just wanted us to remind them the week before.

 

[Sugar Jones]

I let the school know two weeks before our trip and then reminded them a few days before. It was right at the beginning of the school year.

 

[RMulieri]

I gave a months notice and then a reminder the week before to the teacher.The school office requires a 2 week minimum notification

 

[kwitcherkicken99]

I usually let the school know that we'll be gone for xxx days in a month. I send a reminder to the teacher 1 week out.

 

[ms*mountaineer]

We took our kids out last week for WDW (grades 2 and 4). I gave the teachers about a month's notice - and told them we would do whatever work ahead of time that they wanted us to do. The 4th grade teacher was able to have my daughter do a lot of the work before we left (during the extra time they have for recess and study time). The 2nd grade teacher sent home all the work she would miss - so we had some catch up to do. Both teachers were very nice to work with us - especially since it was right at the time grades had to be in for the end of the marking period.

I would think the more notice you give, the more time they have to work with you to cover the missed work.

 

[dmonroe]

I let their teachers know about 10 days before we leave. Just sent the note today!

 

[vcgirl925]

This year i had to let them know about a month in advance. It just so happens that the parent/teacher conferences are the week we are gone.

So i spoke with his teacher (1st grade) that we would be gone that week. She said "HAVE FUN"! Our district doesn't allow for teachers to send work ahead of time so she'll have it ready for him when he gets back. I'm going to send a letter to her and the office tomorrow as a reminder. Our trip is the 14th.