When should we tell

[Steph9072]

dd's teacher? We are taking dd out of school the week after Thanksgiving for WDW. I think we should tell her at our very first meeting next week. Then remind her several times between now and then. Dh thinks we should wait until like October and tell the teacher just once. Just wanting opinions , thanks your time.

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

My kids were older last year when I took them out but we asked the teachers at the beginning of the school year (meet the teacher night) when they would like to be reminded and IF they would give us work for our kids. Don't assume that they will give you the school work or think that it is okay to take your child out. All schools are different. We were lucky. They gave us the work beforehand and the kids were done before we left (they missed 5 days). I was also grateful that state testing was not during that week or we would have had to reschedule.

Have a great trip.

 

[BlackPearl695]

I am taking my kids out for a week in December. I will be letting their teachers know about it at Open House and then sending a reminder a couple of weeks before. I will be requesting their work for the week they will be gone and I want them to have time to get it done before we leave. I don't want to worry about doing it on vacation or trying to find it when we get back. Most teachers are very accommodating as long as you give them enough notice and request, rather than demand, classwork.

 

[disney_family_1247]

I was an elementary school teacher before having kids of my own, and I highly recommend waiting until October. Give her a couple of weeks notice and then a note right before you leave to remind her. Teachers are busy, and telling her now won't make her workload bigger or smaller when it comes to your daughter missing class.

Sometimes I think the hardest thing about the parent/teacher relationship is that parents want their child's needs to be #1, and the teacher has to deal with 30 #1's in her classroom I'm not judging you; I homeschool now in part because I would be AWFUL at dealing with my kids teachers!

 

[eeyoremum]

personally I would tell her just before you leave. Write a note saying DD will miss school these days.

 

[whitneyNC]

I am a teacher and knowing months in advance would be of no benefit. I would have no reason to know until about two weeks before the absences. Trips have to be pre-approved by the administration (in order to be excused) and then we (as teachers) are able to send work ahead of time or upon return. So actually there is no need to tell the teacher at all in my situation, it all goes through the office.

My own kids have missed lots of times for WDW trips and depending on their grade/school, sometimes have to not only make up work, but do extra (travel log) assignments in order to get excused absences. Have fun planning!

 

[stace1214]

Parent Night/Open House is usually such a busy, crazy night, if a parent told me about missing school two months in advance, there would be no way I would remember. I like advance notice with my students, but two weeks is plenty. I would ask for any work that the teacher can give you, but schools/teachers have different policies and some schools do not send work in advance. Don't stress about it, most teachers are completely understanding of the importance of family trips.

 

[MSSANDRA]

I always mentioned it at open house and sent a note 2-3 weeks before hand. I always asked for work before and most (that gave him ANY make up work) gave it to us but the rule is they did not have to give it until the return.