WHEN to tell school?

[RutgersAlum]

As a HS teacher, I appreciate 1-2 weeks in advance. To be honest, I can't remember any earlier, certainly not months in advance! And I just appreciate being kept in the loop. I do NOT appreciate when a student hands me a note that says "Dear Ms. BlahBlah, we are leaving tomorrow for a two week trip and would like all work for the next two weeks today, by lunchtime." I kid you not, it has happened.

Thank you ALL for not doing that!!!

Seriously, I love when kids take trips, espec to anywhere that allows them to learn about other times/cultures (Washington, Gettysburg, Williamsburg, Disney (the Epcot thing! and hearing the park guests speak all those many languages)), etc...

GL

 

[Microcell]

I am meeting and telling DD's teacher today! I am actually scared. I wrote both she and the principal a letter explaining that my Dh works retail so I don't have much choice, and I will hopefully get a chance to talk to her breifly and give her the letter tonight. We leave in 19 days so I am taking the upfront policy. Of course I am not going into detail that it is a Disney Trip. I figure I will say Florida and indicate that we will go to Disney at some point, but I don't want to volunteer that it is devoted to Disney.

If anyone has a compelling reason why I should wait, let me know in the next four hours before I have to go and set up the Girl Scout table for Meet your Teacher tonight.

I do plan to ask the secretaries ahead what I might expect from this teacher. I have heard she is "the mean one".

Mean my foot! She is an old softie if you ask me! I like her teacher, and I think some firmness will be good for DD! She also approved the trip, after some gentle ribbing!!!

The secretaries were jokey as well, and reminded me that school is always in session in September and did I forget!

 

[kaysmommie]

Well last week finally told the principal about DD missing Labor day week for Disney. Remember we only get 5 missed days without a dr. note or your considered truant. The principal said no problem since her teacher knows and is sending all her work . Don't get me wrong I don't want her to get behind but thats alot of work. Also my DD only misses when she is sick and last year she missed 6 days (2 were dr. note). Principal is more worried about the kids who are always missing days amd are late everyday.

 

[Wile E coyote]

We are taking DD(11) out the first two days of school. The secretary said people do it all the time and they do nothing the first week anyway. The only thing I had to do was tell her guidance councellor and he notified the teachers.

 

[happymommy]

Really, if your child is only missing a couple of days of school, what business is it of the school's why? I've called my kids' old private school when they were absent (yes, we went to WDW and missed the last week of school when they were in K and 2nd grade). Why in heaven's name would I bother telling the school why they were absent? I know there are a lot of parents like me - you can get other parents and teachers who are either jealous, or just think "how could you do that"? type thought. Who needs that when the kids are so young? I just called the school's absentee line and said they wouldn't be in today. End of story. I plan on doing the same in the future to extend Christmas break - if they only miss two days of school prior to a break, big deal. Lots of kids get the sniffles - even for over 5 days, and still if it doesn't warrant a doctor's visit then so be it. How on earth could a school require a doctor's note? If you were just a bit ill for a few days, didn't visit a doctor, then well enough for school, that makes no sense. Thanks for letting me vent. I just think too many parents today are fearful of teachers! For heaven's sake, they're YOUR kids and to me, a FAMILY vacation is very important. Many fathers' jobs dictate vacations be taken during the schoolyear. I say, do what you will (within reason) and keep it to yourself. And don't tell other parents either (unless they are really close friends). You can also not tell the kids about the upcoming trip until you leave (if they are really young and you're afraid they'll tell the teacher). It's your vacation - so own it and enjoy.

 

[Brumeiser]

Boy I guess things have changed with the school system. My son is starting Kindergarden the fall of 2007. We were expecting to take a Disney trip Thanksgiving weekend and the following week in 2009. I guess when he starts school next year I will have to find out the policies for taking kids out of school. With my wife job taking off Christmas time is a no no. Plus she works every other Christmas. I do want my son to experience Disney and Christmas time. Plus that year my son from the first marriage will be graduating high school. When he got wind of this he said skip coming to my graduation take me to Disney instead.

 

[kaysmommie]

Really, if your child is only missing a couple of days of school, what business is it of the school's why? I've called my kids' old private school when they were absent (yes, we went to WDW and missed the last week of school when they were in K and 2nd grade). Why in heaven's name would I bother telling the school why they were absent? I know there are a lot of parents like me - you can get other parents and teachers who are either jealous, or just think "how could you do that"? type thought. Who needs that when the kids are so young? I just called the school's absentee line and said they wouldn't be in today. End of story. I plan on doing the same in the future to extend Christmas break - if they only miss two days of school prior to a break, big deal. Lots of kids get the sniffles - even for over 5 days, and still if it doesn't warrant a doctor's visit then so be it. How on earth could a school require a doctor's note? If you were just a bit ill for a few days, didn't visit a doctor, then well enough for school, that makes no sense. Thanks for letting me vent. I just think too many parents today are fearful of teachers! For heaven's sake, they're YOUR kids and to me, a FAMILY vacation is very important. Many fathers' jobs dictate vacations be taken during the schoolyear. I say, do what you will (within reason) and keep it to yourself. And don't tell other parents either (unless they are really close friends). You can also not tell the kids about the upcoming trip until you leave (if they are really young and you're afraid they'll tell the teacher). It's your vacation - so own it and enjoy.

I 100% agree with this, even though DD goes to a very strict school with no tolerence for absentees.

 

[mom2taylorandemily]

We have Open House at our kids' elementary school on Fri. Sept. 1, I plan to tell the office, and kids' teachers on that day in writing. I will continue to remind them every two weeks or so, so that they can get me all their homework early, I refuse to take homework to Disney and I will not play catch up when I return, and I will not make my kids make up work on their Christmas vacation. I am giving them plenty of warning that I am taking the girls out, so they should have plenty of time to get the work to me.

 

[badblackpug]

I'm not telling at all! (prepared for flames from those of you who don't read the rest) We are going "Jersey week" and the only day of school they will miss is Monday, Nov. 6!

original post from momto taylorandemily:
We have Open House at our kids' elementary school on Fri. Sept. 1, I plan to tell the office, and kids' teachers on that day in writing. I will continue to remind them every two weeks or so, so that they can get me all their homework early, I refuse to take homework to Disney and I will not play catch up when I return, and I will not make my kids make up work on their Christmas vacation. I am giving them plenty of warning that I am taking the girls out, so they should have plenty of time to get the work to me.

I kind of have to disagree with this attitude. YOU are CHOOSING to take your kids out for a non necessity. I don't think the teachers are in any way obligated to make it easier on you. You expect the teachers to inconvenience themselves for your 1 child, but you expect to have no inconvenience yourself! This is the precise reason teachers hate it when you pull your kids out for vacations!

 

[happymommy]

I'm not telling at all! (prepared for flames from those of you who don't read the rest) We are going "Jersey week" and the only day of school they will miss is Monday, Nov. 6!

original post from momto taylorandemily:
We have Open House at our kids' elementary school on Fri. Sept. 1, I plan to tell the office, and kids' teachers on that day in writing. I will continue to remind them every two weeks or so, so that they can get me all their homework early, I refuse to take homework to Disney and I will not play catch up when I return, and I will not make my kids make up work on their Christmas vacation. I am giving them plenty of warning that I am taking the girls out, so they should have plenty of time to get the work to me.

I kind of have to disagree with this attitude. YOU are CHOOSING to take your kids out for a non necessity. I don't think the teachers are in any way obligated to make it easier on you. You expect the teachers to inconvenience themselves for your 1 child, but you expect to have no inconvenience yourself! This is the precise reason teachers hate it when you pull your kids out for vacations!

I can't agree more with you. If it's just a day or so, just get the work when you get back, and let them make it up. It is also a good lesson, that when you miss school you do makeup work (just as if you were sick). College professors aren't going to do this for you - why should elementary teachers have to? Plus, if they're only missing a day (badbackplug) I'd for sure not tell either! How many kids are "sick" a day or two before/after a vacation time?

 

[badblackpug]

The reason, for years, we only did WDW in the summer was because my step daughter was such an "unmotivated" student that she could not afford to miss school. Not even a day or two. If you or your kids can't handle the make up work, then taking the kids out of school is not a good plan. Our school has a very strict absentee policy, and I understand the need for these. My step daughters bio mom would keep her home for EVERYTHING! She missed the bus...keep her home! (all day!) She was "too tired" to get up...keep her home! An assignment was not done that needed to be handed in today...keep her home! Some parents attitude toward education is...well...lacking.
Don't get me wrong, I don't think it is wrong to take kids out of school for a vacation, providing that they are not missing anything crucial and you are willing to fill in the gaps and help them keep up with the class, and that the child is able to maintain their grades. I think that parents should make every effort to minimize the days missed by utilizing weekends and school vacations. ...and with the internet, and a laptop, it should be very easy to "check in" with the teacher to make sure they are "up to date."

 

[ShellyBelly]

We had to have a form signed by teachers and returned to the office 10 school days before!! And, for the reason, we just put that we would be out of state. Which, we will!

 

[happymommy]

The reason, for years, we only did WDW in the summer was because my step daughter was such an "unmotivated" student that she could not afford to miss school. Not even a day or two. If you or your kids can't handle the make up work, then taking the kids out of school is not a good plan. Our school has a very strict absentee policy, and I understand the need for these. My step daughters bio mom would keep her home for EVERYTHING! She missed the bus...keep her home! (all day!) She was "too tired" to get up...keep her home! An assignment was not done that needed to be handed in today...keep her home! Some parents attitude toward education is...well...lacking.
Don't get me wrong, I don't think it is wrong to take kids out of school for a vacation, providing that they are not missing anything crucial and you are willing to fill in the gaps and help them keep up with the class, and that the child is able to maintain their grades. I think that parents should make every effort to minimize the days missed by utilizing weekends and school vacations. ...and with the internet, and a laptop, it should be very easy to "check in" with the teacher to make sure they are "up to date."

In your case, with the step daughter being in need of routine and not to miss school, I'd not take her out for any vacation whatsoever.

My kids are testing 2-3 grade levels above norm, in private school (although I'd never publicize taking them out for vacation). A few days missed is no big deal for them. Last year, we were to go over Christmas break, but both suffered from walking pneumonia for several weeks, DS missed much school from that, so I did cancel our trip. Wanted them to just rest. It's nice when you have that 5 day window to cancel with a room only ressie, in case of that.

 

[ilovejack02]

This is why homeschooling is taking off...schools getting too big for their britches, thinking they can tell you what to do!

I'd hire a lawyer, if I were you, and slap them down, like they deserve to be slapped down. I'd also be calling the newspapers. There's no way that should be a policy without it being written down.

It was also entrapment. They OK everything, then tell you you're a lawbreaker.

"slap them down, like they deserve to be slapped down" thats awesome
I have to agree with you on the homeschooling thing.

 

[ilovejack02]

We have Open House at our kids' elementary school on Fri. Sept. 1, I plan to tell the office, and kids' teachers on that day in writing. I will continue to remind them every two weeks or so, so that they can get me all their homework early, I refuse to take homework to Disney and I will not play catch up when I return, and I will not make my kids make up work on their Christmas vacation. I am giving them plenty of warning that I am taking the girls out, so they should have plenty of time to get the work to me.

Wow, i dont see that going over well at all.

 

[happymommy]

Wow, i dont see that going over well at all.

I agree - don't even bother telling them. Don't expect them to understand - just do what you want and enjoy - your kids are young, they won't miss a trigonometry final or anything.

 

[OUR 1ST DISNEY TRIP]

In whatever letter you decide to do, please don't use the "it's really an educational trip" line. It's a load of bull and teachers and administrators see right through it. It's kindergarten forcryinoutloud.

Just be up front and honest: Yes, we are going to WDW.

It would be nice if you offered to the teacher to go in in assist in putting your childs' make-up work packet together. Probably won't take you up on it, but it helps and is a very nice gesture.

Have fun.

THis is what i thought however when i went to kindergarten orientation last week i told DS's new teacher about our trip the end of september i was immediatly handed a form stating the the school discourages vacation during the school year. i continued to read the paper and it asked for the educational aspects of your trip. I could think of many things to write if he was in older elem/jr high but he is ony 5 turning 6. How do i write it age appropriatly. Any help would be appreciated. TIA!

 

[jmurphy625]

That sounds like homework for the parents.. Off the top of my head there are lots of ways to continue the K activities while on vaca..(Calendar activities...days of the week, weather etc...Have your child count the number of days "x" happened (they saw mickey or minnie-which was more? it rained? etc.) Have them make a book... draw a picture each day of their favorite activity and tell you about it. We make lots of number books in preschool (One castle, two characters, three...etc.) Or what they are planning to do each day (this would only take a few minutes-and could be done before the trip . And for many K children they need lots of practice writing their name...continue having them practice on vacation.

Thinking of individual projects & activities is a lot easier for me than writing a general "story" about how your trip is an educational experience so maybe you could go about it that way.

Good Luck

 

[badblackpug]

Our school also discourages use of school time for vacations...and I understand. I am still doing it, but I understand.

...but, parents, let's be honest, this is NOT an educational trip, if that is what you have to say to get it appoved, fine. ...but amongst ourselves? This is all about FUN!

 

[rt2dz]

Our school also discourages use of school time for vacations...and I understand. I am still doing it, but I understand.

...but, parents, let's be honest, this is NOT an educational trip, if that is what you have to say to get it appoved, fine. ...but amongst ourselves? This is all about FUN!

I disagree. You won't be getting reading, writing, math or history nor am I trying to put WDW in the same category as Washington DC, but it is education none-the-less.

It doesn't take much to find all the research that shows just having experiences in life (not what is considered traditionally educational) is very educational to kids, especially the elementary and down to infant set. They learn from all they do and encounter. You don't have to be outright "learning" to be learning. Think of all the stuff kids encounter in Epcot--the countries, Universe of Energy, etc. All of it is learning. Same with AK. Why do you think so many schools do field trips to zoos? Plus, just learning how to deal with what goes on during a vacation is learning for children. Patience at waiting your turn. Learning how to consider others around you. Being able to deal with shared spaces. The pitstops if driving. Just all that you see.

Is learning the main goal? No. But it happens whether you want it or not. Whether you notice it or not.