Taking kids out of school for vacation

We are going on a cruise next month and DD will be missing 4 days (Mon - Thurs). We are leaving on a Sat, so I'll have to make a call to the school nurse on Fri. What do I say to her? DD is in K and this is the first time we are taking her out of school.

I planned on letting her teacher know a week in advance so I can ask for the work and she can do it on the plane.

Re: Taking kids out of school for vacation

Each school may have different policies. I let the teacher know about a month prior and a week before I send a note to the main office to let them know. I also send a reminder email to the teacher the week before.

Re: Taking kids out of school for vacation

I just told the teacher- not the nurse.
I only call the nurse to report her being out sick.

I told the teacher ahead of time- then reiminded her before we left.

I didn't call anyone while I was away.


Nobody said boo about it

ETA- our school has a policy of not giving out work ahead of time for unexcused absences- so there would be no work to take with us

Message edited 2/3/2017 11:12:28 AM.

Taking kids out of school for vacation

If you are telling the teacher in advance, you can't tell the nurse she is sick. So you would just say you are on vacation. But, I would just write a note to the teacher, then she can pass it off to the attendance office.

Taking kids out of school for vacation

So you all think I don't even need to tell the nurse if I tell the teacher? That makes things easier!

Re: Taking kids out of school for vacation

Re: Taking kids out of school for vacation

Re: Taking kids out of school for vacation

I said "family commitment"

Taking kids out of school for vacation

My school in Nassau County has answering machine.

Taking kids out of school for vacation

I told the teacher a week or two in advance.

We are supposed to call the nurse but, I forgot so the nurse called me. I told her he'd be out all week. We are pulling him out for 2 days next month as well.

Re: Taking kids out of school for vacation

We left a message after hours at school

Re: Taking kids out of school for vacation

I told the teacher a few weeks before and I left a message on the attendance answering machine on the day of the first absence. I didn't get into specifics on the message, I just said she wouldn't be there for "X" amount of days and would be returning on (date).

The teacher was understanding and didn't have any issues with her being taken out for vacation. She appreciated the heads up and put aside any missed work for.

Re: Taking kids out of school for vacation

In my school, if you notify the teacher in advance, you don't need to notify the nurse (the way you would if your child was going to be unexpectedly absent for an illness). So I would check with the teacher to see what is required. Perhaps you can just send a written note in to the teacher in advance, and that will suffice.

ETA - Re: asking for work, if your child is in the lower elementary grades, I don't think it's necessary. I have heard from teacher friends/family members that they have no issue with kids missing a few days for a family vacation, but HATE when they are asked to provide the work in advance. If a teacher chose to send it, that's one thing. But for most younger kids, it's not crucial to do the work if we are talking about a few days. They also may not even be able to if, for example, it's math worksheets on something that hasn't even been taught yet!

Message edited 2/11/2017 10:56:23 AM.

Taking kids out of school for vacation

I'm pulling my dc out of school in May for a cruise. We are leaving on a Saturday and returning the following Saturday. I plan on sending a note in a few days before to let them know they won't be in.

Re: Taking kids out of school for vacation

We take the kids out for vacations and they always tell the teachers before we get to mention it we send in a note to the teacher 2 weeks ahead just so they know. We never ask for work and I'm assuming the teacher lets the school know the child will be out.