[quartz7]

Hi everyone,
I just have to get this off my chest. We are taking our DD out of school in Dec. for 9 days. She will be 9. I have been hemming and hawwing whether we should do this. The reason for this is our public school. We have to get permission from our principle. If she doesn't approve, then it will be unexecused. Our daughter will be considered truant. Even if her parents approve her time off, the school doesn't care. It is the sole approval of the principle. We have had issues with this principle in the past and don't know if she will approve a family vacation. Even though WDW offers many educational thing. I guess what's bugging me is, it is not the schools daughter. I just don't get it. We are going to take her no matter what the school says, but it would be nice not to have to even ask. I should be able to write a note to the teacher and that's it. No questions asked. When did the school get so much power. I speak up and I get labled a trouble maker
( all ready labled). Sorry , I'll step down now. I just wanted to let this out and I know on DC, people will understand. Would you guys take your kids out even if they told your kid would be unexecused??
Thanks

Janelle

[tinkerbell]

Originally Posted by quartz7

Hi everyone,
I just have to get this off my chest. We are taking our DD out of school in Dec. for 9 days. She will be 9. I have been hemming and hawwing whether we should do this. The reason for this is our public school. We have to get permission from our principle. If she doesn't approve, then it will be unexecused. Our daughter will be considered truant. Even if her parents approve her time off, the school doesn't care. It is the sole approval of the principle. We have had issues with this principle in the past and don't know if she will approve a family vacation. Even though WDW offers many educational thing. I guess what's bugging me is, it is not the schools daughter. I just don't get it. We are going to take her no matter what the school says, but it would be nice not to have to even ask. I should be able to write a note to the teacher and that's it. No questions asked. When did the school get so much power. I speak up and I get labled a trouble maker
( all ready labled). Sorry , I'll step down now. I just wanted to let this out and I know on DC, people will understand. Would you guys take your kids out even if they told your kid would be unexecused??
Thanks

Janelle

I bet your daughter is a good student right? we took our granddaughters out of school ..but we never had any problems, they have always been A+ students and their teachers/principal were always ok with it. Your planning on taking her out in Dec. and I dont know about up there ..but since that is a month with a major holiday most children in the lower grades are not doing anything really important during Dec.
Now our oldest granddaughter ( highschool) has a phobia about missing school, and its her, not the school or teachers.

as to answer your question ..yes I would as long as it never affected their grades

[karliebug]

Most schools have a vacation policy. I know at my school it is allowed for 10 days, but it must be approved by the principal. They basically approve everyone's request unless the child has missed an extraordinary amount of school already or if they are in danger of failing .

[DarthTortoise]

I was pretty much a D-/F+ student from grades 2 through 12 and my parents were always able to pull me out for vacations. (Now that I think about it, my teachers were probably happy to get rid of me) I always got homework to do during my time off. Tell me that dosent stink, insted of being in the MK having fun, I had to sit in our room and do word problems. Yuck!

[Leigh]

I have been wondering about the same thing.

We are going back to disney the middle of Feb. and we are thinking about taking our children out of school too. DD will be 13 and in 8th grade. DS will be 15 and in 9th grade. I know my daughter being out will not be a problem (she still goes to middle school and is an A student) but i have been wondering about my son(this being his first year of high school.

We are in Mississippi and I am not sure that our school gives vacation days to kids. But it will be something i check into. Our trip will only be for one week.

[cahogbin]

Our school gives out a handbook each year that you must sign a page to confirm you "read" it. Check for the school policy. Our school allows up to 10 days WITHOUT prior approval as an excused trip. Anything over the 10 days must get permission from the school board. You do have to send a note and work must be made up within as many days as they were out. So out five days, have 5 days to turn in missed work.

I'd find out the rules before worrying if they have to approve it or not.

Here are copies of a serious letter and a not so serious letter I found posted before (not sure from where) and I plan to use variations for our trip in Sept where I will be taking our kids out for 7 days.

#1 funny -

Dear administrators,

We have just found out that my son is sufferfing from WDWitis. Apparently, this is an extremely contagious condition that is spreading rapidly thru our family. We have consulted local experts and unfortunately, there are no treatment centers or specialist in our area. As a result, my son will be absent from school for 3 or 4 days while we travel to Florida to get him treatment for his condition.

We will be getting him treatment at the World's best treatment centers - MK, MGM, AK and EPCOT. At the EPCOT center, we will be able to consult doctors from all over the World as well as take a look into how the body functions. We will be able to get him animal therapy at the AK, antidepresion therapy at the MK, and there is a hotel/tower at the MGM center that will take the ups and downs out of his condition.

Also, the top specialist, including the world renouned Dr. Mickey Mouse and Dr. Donald Duck, in treating WDWitis are located in this region. He will also be able to receive thearpy there with the top therpist in the industry including the world Dr Goofy and Mrs Tinkerbell.

Thank you in advance for your understanding in this urgent matter.


#2 - serious
Please be advised that Eric *** will be out of school during the week of May 3-7, 2004. We ask that his absences be excused.

The reason for Eric's absence is that our family will be out of the state during this week. While we are gone, we will be visiting Walt Disney World. We believe that Eric will be learning many things during this trip and that his
education will continue in his absence from school.

Some things Eric will learn about:
§ Different cultures of the world, including architecture, language, diet, and dress, by visiting the different countries in the Epcot World Showcase (Japan, China, Germany, Mexico, Norway, Canada, France, etc.) Eric will have
the chance to explore the exhibits for each country and speak with natives from
each country who work as cast members.
§ American history by viewing the Hall of Presidents presentation in the Magic Kingdom and the American Adventure show in Epcot.
§ Nature and conservation at Animal Kingdom.
§ Science by exploring the Mission:Space ride in Epcot where he will have a chance to see and feel what it would be like to travel by rocket to Mars and by experiencing the Universe of Energy exhibit which teaches about fossil fuels, energy, and conservation.
§ Economics by managing his own spending money and making budget decisions on
how to spend his money.

Eric will also be learning about map reading by navigating in and to the different theme parks, as well as the resorts and water parks via the Disney bus system, sociological aspects of crowds including patterns and behavior, physics
of the different rides, breakthroughs in technology at the Innoventions computer lab in Epcot, art and animation and the history of film, and mathematics.

We believe this will be a wonderful and educational experience for Eric and hope you agree not to charge him with unexcused absences as a result. If it is possible for Eric to take any assignments with him to be turned in when we
return or to turn in before we leave any work that will be due while he is gone, please let us know as soon as possible.

Thank you for your attention to this. If you have any questions or need any further information, please feel free to contact me.

Shari ***

[roxie]

quartz7 -

I would (and have) taken my kids out of school for a vacation before. My oldest is 9 years old. They were unexcused absences. Basically, it was just recorded as unexcused. No big deal AND I would do it again in a heartbeat. I really believe in family time.

If Colorado is like Indiana, the reason they get touchy about unexcused absences, is because of funding. It's called the 4 star rating system here and it is supposed to make you think it's all academic. It's actually mostly about attendance. You (the principal) get them in school and we'll pay you. I think it is ridiculous.

Take them to WDW and have fun!!

[Metalfan]

Wow no offense but your kids school sucks. My mom took me out of school at least once per year for a Disney trip and I went to a very strict Catholic school and they encouraged it. They never once had any problem. As long as I completed the work that I was sceduled to miss they thought it was a great idea. Kids need breaks and going to a place that does offer education is a great break. My mom would have and I plan on taking my kids out sometimes when I do have kids. if they are good students and aren't late/absent a large amount they should have no issue with it. Im thrilled my mom did what she did or I would have gone insane in school. Geez....

Originally Posted by quartz7

Hi everyone,
I just have to get this off my chest. We are taking our DD out of school in Dec. for 9 days. She will be 9. I have been hemming and hawwing whether we should do this. The reason for this is our public school. We have to get permission from our principle. If she doesn't approve, then it will be unexecused. Our daughter will be considered truant. Even if her parents approve her time off, the school doesn't care. It is the sole approval of the principle. We have had issues with this principle in the past and don't know if she will approve a family vacation. Even though WDW offers many educational thing. I guess what's bugging me is, it is not the schools daughter. I just don't get it. We are going to take her no matter what the school says, but it would be nice not to have to even ask. I should be able to write a note to the teacher and that's it. No questions asked. When did the school get so much power. I speak up and I get labled a trouble maker
( all ready labled). Sorry , I'll step down now. I just wanted to let this out and I know on DC, people will understand. Would you guys take your kids out even if they told your kid would be unexecused??
Thanks

Janelle

[Leigh]

I just went online and found our school district hand book.

Under Attendance Information: Students are allowed 10 unexcused absences a year. (Students are allowed 5 unexcused absences in a one-semester course that carries Carnegie Unit credit). These absences are intended for sickness when a doctor's visit is not necessary, family trips/vacations, family emergencies, attendance at non-school functions, etc.

Well this helps me alot. We have never gotten our kids out of school for a trip except when they were little. At least i know that they do give some lee way.

[quartz7]

Thank you all!!! It is so hard to make the right choices. But I think it should be my choice, not the schools!!!

No offense taken Metalfan. This school really does suck. They are more concerned about the funding like aecox said, then anything else. Last year my daughter had a girl that was bullying her, i.e. pushing her down, following to the bathroom, where no one see them, then push her down again. Crappy year for her. Did this school address this bullying, no. The principle said we overreacted and blew it out of proportion. They told the girls to stay away from each other. That's it!! No anti-bullying talks, no nothing. We stood up for our daughter and we are now labeled "problem parents" UGHHHHH!!! Writing this down has helped a ton!!!! We are going for sure and are going to have a great time. I can't wait. Thank you everyone for listening!!!
Janelle

[quartz7]

Originally Posted by Leigh

I just went online and found our school district hand book.

Under Attendance Information: Students are allowed 10 unexcused absences a year. (Students are allowed 5 unexcused absences in a one-semester course that carries Carnegie Unit credit). These absences are intended for sickness when a doctor's visit is not necessary, family trips/vacations, family emergencies, attendance at non-school functions, etc.

Well this helps me alot. We have never gotten our kids out of school for a trip except when they were little. At least i know that they do give some lee way.

That great!! At least you know!!! Are you guys going for sure??

[roxie]

Hey quartz7

We are also "problem parents"! And I think we are the best kind our kids can have! (We also have a resident bully at our school)

Angie

[Metalfan]

Yeah I hate when schools label parents "problem parents" because usually those parents are the only ones who care about their kids. Some schools really anger me.

[karliebug]

Okay, I guess I am in the minority here, but I think you should not take kids out of school for vacations unless it is absolutely necessary. I am a teacher, and parents don't realize how much kids actually miss when they are out for an extended period. While I can send along math worksheets, for example, they miss the background lesson, the hands-on activities with classmates,etc. Everything can't be sent home. It is also distressing when I spend my planning time getting work together for students to take with them (at the parent's request) and not have it returned. I have even had work returned that the parent's obviously did for the child. What does this teach the child about how you value education??? I think this is less of a problem in the early grades if your children are good students. I know I would never take my high-schooler out because we have block scheduling. Missing one day of school is really equal to missing 2 days of work for each subject. If you cannot make your vacation plans for the summer time, at least try to use school vacation time and maybe then you will only have to take a day or two off either before or after the scheduled school break. I also think that while a vacation of any kind can be educational, summer is the best time so that it does not interfere with school. I think that most administrators would not find the "funny" excuse note at all funny. Most districts do allow vacation days as an excused absence as long as the parent tells the office in advance, but I would keep it simple and to the point and not try to be funny.

[Leigh]

quartz7 - Yes we are going.

Karliebug - That is why everyone is on this site is to get feedback. And we all appreciate it no matter what it is.

Everyone on here is different. That is a good thing. That is why i come here. For all the different advice everyone gives.

As far as it stands right now if my husband can get the week we want in Feb then we will be going then . If not we will go during our spring break/Easter week . This year it is one week later in March than last year.

I will be getting their school work to take with us to work on. But as far as doing my children's work, that will never happen. My children take too much pride in doing their own work . All they let mama do is buy their school supplies and drive them to school when they have a project due (when it is too big for them to take on the bus) .

I hope that everyone will continue to give advice no matter if you think you are the minority or not. I will talk to my childrens teachers and see what they say.