Seeking advice....kids Will Miss 10 Days of the School.

This is an education in itself, and family functions are very important. You could ask for make up homework to keep up with things, but I don't see how you would ever have to worrry about truancy under the circumstances.

Hey Jacqui!

First of all I'd tell their pricipal and teachers about the trip. Trip abroad can be VERY educational. Go and have a wonderful time!

L.

Children are allowed to miss a total of 18 days of school a year. As long as you discuss things with the school and provide a note then there shouldn't be a problem. Most schools I feel like will be okay with them being gone. Go and have fun!

I have worked in a school district for over 10 years and have seen many cases such as this. Please talk with the administrator and explain your situation to them. Most all instances are approved, with conditions such as writing a daily report of geograpy, cultures or etc. Make sure you ask about make up work so that your child wil not be behind.
The key to to getting this approved is good communication.

And of course, the internet can make monitoring a bit easier. If you have access to computers during your trip, they can even turn in assignments "on time" - might be a helpful bit of info for the principal to know. And perhaps the teachers can e-mail the lessons so they can stay on track from day to day.

Talk to the teachers, principal, and school district upper administers. Tell them what's going on. If you have access to e-mail/a fax machine, perhaps your children can keep up with their assignments via that route.

Good luck.

Go to all teachers and explain the situation. Get all homework from them in advance and arrange testing times for your children once they return home. This is difficult on teachers too as they want to keep your children in sync with the rest plus not have to give too much "special time/attention" to the out of class having a great time bunch.
We did this with our grandkids (their parents did and brought back a small token gift for each teacher). At the end of each day we all spent time learning with the kids as they did their homework. Some of the teachers actually gave them assignments to enhance their away experience. It happens, just prepare in advance and there will be no problems with the absences and/or the grades and school systems.

Proud grandma of responsible students.

Yes, go on the trip and be upfront with the school. It will also help your case if you've carefully studied the school's calendar and the trip doesn't fall during TAKS season. Anything after testing will be easily excused, plus that is toward the end of the year and you'll have a better sense of how many sick days your children have already used.
Good luck!

It depends on what the laws are for y'all. Here, an elementary school kid can have 17 absences in a school year without having to repeat the grade. It's better for you if those are excused absences.

Is the trip so important that the school might be willing to look the other way? Do you have a pediatrician willing to Dx Chicken Pox?

If you're talking about more than a week or two, you need to withdraw them to homeschool them. HSLDA.org, click on Texas information.

S.

Speaking as a teacher...it is anyway you look at it you are taking a chance. I believe that kids should be exposed to many things...but at what cost...here is the thing. Yes you can take your kids out of school...but then when you return their homeroom could be filled forcing them into a different classroom. I would say talk to the principal and see if she has a solution; depending on age maybe they could do a report on where they are going or keep a running journal to recieve credit for. Something like that...I would suggest somethinng educational to the principal so it doesn't look like you are just taking a vacation (because as a teacher we don't want to hear that)

Go talk with your school. They have provisions for these kind of events.

Be upfront with your teachers and make arrangements in advance to take all school work with them.

As long as you talk to the school in advance, there shouldn't be any problems. They will probably allow your kids to get their assignments and have time to do them without penalty.

I have a friend whose son had the opportunity to go to Japan last year and she talked to the school (principal, as well as his teachers) and they sent him off with their blessings. He still had to do his work, but there was no penalties.

Frances

Talk with the school about the larger educational benefit of travel, family, and doing special assignments while out of the country. Your children should not be penalized for having eduational and familial experiences abroad.

Hi Jacqui! When I taught, the school always suggested disenrolling your child and then reenrolling your child so the days dont count towards being absent.

Please (as a teacher) dont assume your children's teacher will be able to provide you 10 days worth of work in advance for your kiddos to do when they are gone.

Pulling them out and reenrolling would be best. That way it doesnt reflect on the school's absence percentage.

Have fun! I wish I could come!

I hate to say it but it really isn't a good idea. Schools look very seriously at attendance per state law. Students in the state of Texas must be in attendance and can not miss more than 18 days total (I could be off a day or so on this). So if any of your children have any health issues you may not want to reconsider 10 days. The days can add up very quickly if you are not careful. Sick children, tardies, etc...can all weigh into the equation. Summer School is mandatory for students in our district that miss more than the alloted days in a school year and based upon successful/unsuccessful completion of summer school your child may or may not be promoted.

If any of your children struggle in school, 10 days can make a impact on what they miss. This is also something to consider very carefully.

Now, if it is absolutely necessary to take your children out of school for this family event, then you might see about working with the school to have your children do some kind of assignment while overseas. Journaling, reading, etc. Work closely with your school's principal and teacher. I won't guarantee they will accept this as they are under strict guidelines. District to district you will see small differences in how they handle these situations.

One other thing. Sometimes if you do this every year that can play into the equation on whether a school will be easier on you or not with the truancy situation.

Please understand the schools are not out to hurt you. The schools are advocates for the children and their educational opportunities. The schools are just doing their jobs for the well being of the children.

When I was in a similar situation with my 3 girls, I did go to the teachers and principal. I was able to get some of their work ahead of time.
One thing that the principal said to me that will forever stay with me, "Don't let education get in the way of education". Basically, don't let school education get in the way of personal experience and hands-on education/learning.
Enjoy your trip.

GO GO GO! I love that quote, "Don't let education get in the way of education". Talk to the school and tell them you will do whatever they need you to do to keep your kids on track and that you want to bring back something to educate the rest of the kids on your kids' experience. Most educators/administrators will help you embrace this experience. JMO. (I was a former 4th grade teacher). HAVE FUN!!!

We had a similar Problem, so I just unenrolled them and when they returned I enrolled them back. talk to the school. They really Do not want you to do that, but it is legal and safegaurds you.

I would speak with the principal directly. However, we were informed this year that if you pull your child out of school for a vacation, etc, it is unexcused this year. And you are only allowed so many unexcused absences a year before you are held back.

You need to work with the school. Let them know what is happing, then make sure you have the kids do their work during the trip. As you make the case let them know what a learning event this will be for the kids, then make sure it is just that. Work everything out with not only the teachers but the principle.

Sounds fun! I really like what the principal told another mom (previously listed) about not letting education get in the way of education. We learn so much more from actual experience! I would suggest getting your children on your destination's timezone a couple days early (or as close as possible to the timezone) so they can enjoy their trip fully. When I was in school, we never really missed any days (strep throat was probably our only annual incident), and we were able to leave a couple times in those years to do special events without it interfering with my schooling at all. Especially if there's a religious reason like pilgrimage or something. Let's face it: you're REALLY not learning 7 hours worth of "stuff" every single day in school, anyway. Go to the principal well ahead and let them know what will be happening, get all the assignments, etc. Show them that you are going to keep your child up to date with the lessons. Concessions can be made. Afterall, it's not like you're being a lazy mom and letting your children sleep in or have weird "mommy days" where they can skip school for no reason (which is what the truancy laws are for, NOT for family and educational experiences). Have fun!

kids can legally miss 10% of the school year which is 18 days. sometimes with advance notice the school will make some exceptions. just talk with your principal and teachers to make prior arrangements and get their homework assignments
A.

Go to the principal and ask for approval. Set up some educational components of your trip. Present them to principal. Promise to complete all homework while away.

I really hope you don't skip the trip!!! The history education and experience the children will get is priceless! My sister took her 2 daughters to Britain for 2 weeks. She talked to the principal and teachers. They all had to stay on track with the class lesson plans, but as extra credit the girls did a photo journal essay for the class. The entire class learned a little and the girls got to meet our British family members!
The memories and experience will be with the girls their entire lives!! (and the other kids think it's cool that they have passport stamps!!)

Definitely find out from the specific school district what the policy is. When my little sister was out for several days for being severely sick they send a letter to my parents that they would be fined if she missed more school, and it was a couple hundred dollars.

Last year I took my two girls to Belgium and France for a week. I submitted my request to the principal and I incorporated many learning opportunities--museums, cultural exchanges, etc. We also made time in our day to work on school work that we took with us--plenty of time in the airport, on the plane, in a cafe, hotel, etc. The request was approved and my girls had the learning experience of a lifetime!