Letter to School about Vacation

[mrsscooter]

Ok, need some help or advise on writing "The Vacation Note" to the school, for our October trip to The Fort, which frowns upon vacations during the school year. Anyone have any advise, on how to word it. I always get nervous doing this and dont know why. Last time we went in 2006 I sent a note into the teachers (forgot what I had wrote) and they were fine with the kids going on vacation, but when we got back, there was a letter from the principal stating that they were truant, and if it had happened again during the year they would call Family Services, etc. So, any help would be great.......as well as "building my case" to pull my kids out for vaca.......I know, I probably sound paronoid, cant help it...LOL

 

[ftwildernessguy]

I always wrote requesting time off for an educational family trip to Florida. Who can argue with that - educational and promotes family values? Like I said in chat last week, only once did I have to have a little chat with the principal, who quietly backed down and hid in the corner when I pointed out the amount of time being given off to students for pep rallies, going to playoff games, cheerleaders in Florida (sounds like a cheap movie), teacher in services, etc. I told her if attendance is really all that important, then I would be more than happy to cancel my trip, but only if all these activities were cancelled too. I had more threats in my back pocket, but never had to use them.

By the way, the cheerleader trip to Florida included not only several days at Disney world, but side trips to that surf shop everybody wears shirts from and Daytona Beach, not to mention several of them got drunk. Now THAT'S what I call educational!

 

[DaveInTN]

...when we got back, there was a letter from the principal stating that they were truant, and if it had happened again during the year they would call Family Services, etc...

These things really ruffle my feathers. YOU are the parent. Their upbringing and education are YOUR responsibility, despite what this nutcase of a principal and others in the establishment might believe. The principal doesn't want these absences for two reasons. 1) not being there for morning attendance impacts the school's federal and possibly state aid, and 2) missing that week may impact your childs standardized test scores, which again will impact the school's federal aid. So really, in my opinion at least, the principal's objections have nothing to do with your children's educational interests and have everything to do with MONEY. Threatening to involve Family Services simply because you pulled your kids from school for a week to take a family vacation is bullying and you shouldn't stand for it. These attitudes within the educational system are but one reason so many families are educating their kids in alternative settings, including homeschooling.

I don't mean to climb up on a big ole soapbox, and the education of your children is very important, but you need to remember that you are their parents. If you feel that they can miss that school time without major negative impacts on their schooling, then I would do this:

1. Contact each teacher with the dates they will miss, and request work be sent home to help your kids to not fall behind.
2. Send a note to the school office stating that your children will not be in school between xx/xx/09-xx/xx/09, and that their teachers are aware and are making the necessary accomodations.

They are only children once. The time spent with family will have a larger positive impact on their lives then a week in the classroom moving through curriculum that they can catch up on over the course of a couple hours at home. JMHO.

 

[ftwildernessguy]

Yeah, Dave! You tell em!

 

[Whipperwhirl]

Its got to be a Connecticut thing Mrs Scooter - They are crazy about attendance. Im sending my letter in on Friday - If they don't like it they can pound sand. There is noting in CT law that says you can not take your children on Vacation - its the school system getting too big for their britches.

Im playing by their rules - Im sending in a letter to request excused absense. My sister is a lawyer who home schools and I will threaten legal action if they don't comply. Then finally unregister her "to give home schooling a try" if they continue to throw a stink. Contrary to poular belief the school system in CT has no right to tell you what can or can't do with your own children. They don't even have the right to come see what you are home schooling - but they will threaten all night and all day just because they think they can.

Once I get them to agree - and I will get them to agree - Im going to confirm with the principal and the teachers before we leave that we are all on the same page. Ill keep my fingers crossed for you - Whip

 

[mrsscooter]

Thanks guys for the suggestions and support!!!! I could never home school, but I can see why many families do, especially with Connecticut dictating the way we raise and educate our children. I will start drafting up my letter this week, so that the teachers have plenty of time to prepare work. My husband is finally retired from the navy, but works for a government company which already dictates when he can take leave, so we really have to work around his schedule, not the schools. I can understand that these rules are in place for a reason, but I dont think the children who are in the GIFTED programs (like my daughter) and that have maybe missed one day of school should be punished for the parents who are too lazy to get up to take their kids to school because they dont feel like it, or dont make them do their homework because they dont feel like it. I like the arguement about the extra activities and trips and teacher in service days....the cheerleader arguement is a great one, and very true. I am sure I will post my letter for your opinion. Whip.........I think I will use the legal action card also, should it come to that. Wish me luck everyone!!!

 

[ftwildernessguy]

As an aside, we took our kids out of school every year for a Disney trip and they both graduated with honors.

 

[kmccain]

I had this same problem so i did some research on it. Our school did not have a policy in place. I check with the codes and the PA Dept of Ed allows for Family Educational Trips. So i wrote a letter to the school board and asked them if this was a possibility. They drafted a policy and i didn't have a problem after that. The principal that signed off thought Disney was educational. They only needed to go to their teachers and get their homework for the time while they would be gone and then he signed off. The Superintendant asked me why i always got our trips approved. I said hello you send me a letter telling me i could go to jail! I would suggest to stated why your trip was educational, that should help!

Hope this helps!

Good Luck!

 

[2goofycampers]

soryy again,..Frank

 

[Born 2 Fish]

lie.

 

[AuburnJen92]

Good luck in your quest for approval. It is responsible parents like you that makes teaching a worthwhile profession to be in. Just to let y'all know, the teacher inservices are mandated, the teachers have to take them.

 

[OK GRUMPY]

We use to take our son out for a trip to Disney every year until it got to difficult. We would always right a note and get his assignment and usually most of his work was done before we even got to Disney. Most of the time this would be the only time he would miss from school and the teacher were always for the family vacation. He was also an A B student. Go for it! There's nothing like family memories of vacation! Create them! I wish you luck!

 

[jriae2000]

I must have the most laid back school district in the world. On the first day of school I told the teachers about our trip in Oct. and that the boys would miss 7 days of classes. The principal overheard and stated he wished he could go too. Our district is one of the top disrticts in Illinois. As stated before, this will not stop our kids from becoming whatever they want in the future, and will make them better adjusted citizens. Oh yeah, your taxes pay their bills.

 

[auntie]

Long Island here..and our district is a PITA about attendance. 18 days is the limit. Also high school kids...not more than four consecutive days without returning with a dr.'s note, indicating the illness and need to be out for an entire week. It is soley because of the state and federal aide we loose when kids don't come to school. I have taken my kids out many times over the years and it really wasn't an issue until the last 5 or 6 years. Mind you I have an 11 year age difference between my youngest son (who is a senior in high school this year) and my older son. Back in the old days..the teachers wished us a happy trip and asked us to bring them back a souvenier. One year my older son's teacher used his trip as a learning experience. With a trip to Sea World..he came back with plenty of pictures and they had a day where she discussed killer whales. Those days are GONE. My younger son has grown up in a very different school system. They teach for the test now. Especially in the younger grades. At least here in NY. It's all about the test scores. There is very little spontaneous discussion...it's getting the kids to get good scores on the tests so that the district comes out looking good. They publish these results for each district in the paper. We don't even have teachers who want to teach 3rd/4th or other grades where the kids are being tested because a bad performance is considered a reflection on their teaching. Long time teachers of these grades want out to other grades with less pressure. Who can blame them. Add to this..we have a situation in the last five years in particular where our district/community has had to deal with a huge influx of illegal aliens. Educating children who reside here illegally has drained the budget. Providing English second language courses and the like. I swear a few years ago, my son went to the nurse to grab a couple of tissues..he had a cold. She told him he was limited to one and don't come back. They don't have enough money in the budget to give him another tissue. I told him he should have sneezed on the witch. So much for God bless you. Oh wait..they can't say that in school anymore.
I have not found the problem to be with the teachers so much as the district policy. My brother is an attorney and did have a client whose son was not going to graduate because he didn't have the required credit for a needed course because he was absent from the class more than 18 times. He was a gifted student...straight A's. He did, however, have a chronic illness that put him over the 18 days alloted for absences. Turns out..the reason the district picks this 18 days alloted for absence is because after 18 days the district is required by law to provide to the student..at home...a teacher for a couple of hours a day. Since they don't want/ or have the money to spend on that, they are strictly enforcing this 18 days absence rule. Turns out when push came to shove..the district actually they owed this kid ..in the way of a teaching time. Needless to say..he did graduate.
As the kids got older and the district became more anal..albiet warranted or not..we became more creative in our ways to get around policy and still have a family vacation during the school year. One was to pick a week where the younger kids had a day off to begin with. This way..they were not missing more than four consecutive days..and we didn't have to bribe any doctors for notes so they could return to school. I tell ya..I'll be glad to be done with it after this year.


Edited to add:....
Umm...any dr.'s out there want to give me a note for my son missing school this May '10?...(I heard the district is taking back giving the kids off the Friday before Memorial Day..which we've found a great week to visit Disney. Damn...apparently they are smarter than I thought. I guess we weren't the only ones taking that week.

 

[keylime359]

I let the school know before hand and got the work upfront. I also took her to EPCOT and had her pick a country and write a brief report on it with pictures and a gift for the class from that country. If you come back with proof it was educational they can't say anything.
All that aside families are families and is important to build memories together. I think schools forget that.

 

[auntie]

I let the school know before hand and got the work upfront. I also took her to EPCOT and had her pick a country and write a brief report on it with pictures and a gift for the class from that country. If you come back with proof it was educational they can't say anything.
All that aside families are families and is important to build memories together. I think schools forget that.

Wish they were this laid back where we live. Those days long gone here.

 

[keylime359]

Oh, they were not at all happy about it! I just used the report to prove that we were learning about other countries and cultures. The ironic part is that she took more away from EPCOT than any history book because she could SEE it

 

[mrsscooter]

I am glad to hear that we aren't the only state that is so anal about vacation. I have a letter written started and it simply states that due to my husbands government job, we are limited as to when we can take our vacation....etc. etc. also adding in the educational value, and we will definitely do a report on a country......that was a great idea guys! BUT, I am also starting to work on my "rebuttle" for when that infamous letter comes. But, in looking at the school calendar, the first week they will miss they have a "teach in service day" off, and the second week, they have half days due to parent teacher conferences.....so, I am hoping for the best and preparing for the worst...but thank you all again for all of your input and suggestions!!!

 

[DaveInTN]

We live in interesting times, when a parent has to worry about how they get permission to take their kids out of school. Exactly who is in charge here??

I am not making direct political commentary...this has been creeping up on us for a long time.

 

[Tri-circle-D]

We live in interesting times, when a parent has to worry about how they get permission to take their kids out of school. Exactly who is in charge here??

I am not making direct political commentary...this has been creeping up on us for a long time.

Preach it Brother Dave!

My oldest graduated H.S. in June, with honors, and did just fine on the S.A.T.
And, we took her out of school here and there for family activities.

Now that our oldest has left the nest, I wish that we had taken her out of school more.. You cannot get those days back, and it really is such a short time that we have to do things as a family.

If your kids are learning and earning good grades at school, take them out all you like. They are your kids.

TCD