When to tell teachers about trip?

[nicolewi]

We are going to Disney first week in March. The kids don't know yet. I plan to tell them sometime after Christmas--maybe late Jan/early Feb, I think. Not sure. 

Anyway, when should I tell their teachers? We are pulling them out of school, but I know lots of families who have done the same thing here and it's generally tolerated pretty well. 

I'm starting to want them to know, just in case there are any planning issues or test things we have to deal with, but also don't want them to spill the beans with the kids. 

[Deleted]

I have never told my kids' teachers in advance that I'm pulling them for a trip. I'd just look at your school's calendar and see whether there's any standardized testing during that time. Other than that, I don't see the need.

[redheadk]

I told her about a week before. It is really common to take kids out for a week or so for travel at DD's school so they don't bat an eye at it. I told her teacher where we were going (DD knew so she'd already told her anyway) but didn't mention it in her absence note for the office. They were wrapping up all of the beginning of the year testing so I wanted her to have a heads up so she could finish up DD's if she wanted to. I see her at pick-up when she has biker/walker duty so it was informal.

[nsl]

How old are they?

Regardless, don't tell their teachers until the kids know. Even then I'd give them a week or two heads-up, max. Most of us don't plan months in advance, and the longer the gap is between you telling the teacher and the actual trip the better the chances are at that the teacher will forget to make extra copies/a packet to send with you.

[hocus2]

I would think 2 weeks of notice is fine unless you think there will a lot of work to make up. I would certainly tell them.

[abs]

DD will miss the first two days after Thanksgiving break. I told her teachers today. The teachers generally prefer to have notice so they can get the kids caught up before they miss or send extra work to do on the plane or whatever. I think a week is fine though. I only emailed today since next week is Thanksgiving break.

[UMaineTeach]

I think our school handbook has the rules for notification about taking trips/extended non-medical absence. Check that and otherwise, a week is fine.

I don’t want to send a packet anymore than you want one. I only do by parent request, and even then I think the parents are asking because they think it’s what they are supposed to do. I toss a ‘my trip’ journal at them and call it good.

[mainelyfoolish]

My kids’ school requires two weeks notice for pre-planned absences.

[meganew]

Nov 12, 2018 11:55:18 GMT -5 @princessbubbleyum said:

I have never told my kids' teachers in advance that I'm pulling them for a trip. I'd just look at your school's calendar and see whether there's any standardized testing during that time. Other than that, I don't see the need.

If it’s a day or two, then no big deal- but if you’re pulling a kid for a full week? Please let us know. Even if theres no standardized testing scheduled your kids teacher would appreciate knowing in advance that they’ll have to get a student caught up with an entire week’s worth of work.

We’re going in mid-March and I’ve already told my son’s teacher. I know it won’t be excused (he’ll be missing 5 days) but she said she’ll send along the work for the week and I can have him do it on the plane or when we get back. I vote sooner rather than later.

[luckyno7]

We are going to DL end of Feb. I gave the teacher a heads up and she asked for a month notice.

DD is in 1st grade. She’ll give me her homework for the week and asks for a journal of the trip and some fun reading assignments.

[wesleycrusher]

Nov 12, 2018 15:03:51 GMT -5 mainelyfoolish said:

My kids’ school requires two weeks notice for pre-planned absences.

Same here

[ribollita]

We have a vacation in January. I’ve told the teacher and said I’d follow up two weeks before we go.

[erbear]

Nov 12, 2018 11:55:18 GMT -5 @princessbubbleyum said:

I have never told my kids' teachers in advance that I'm pulling them for a trip. I'd just look at your school's calendar and see whether there's any standardized testing during that time. Other than that, I don't see the need.

Don't do this.

[was5]

DD is in 6th grade. I really didn't want to pull her out of middle school, but we just weren't able to do this trip last year like we had originally planned. The last time she missed school without being sick was 2 days in kindergarten when she was a flower girl in a family wedding.

For her, I emailed the principal the first week of school before we got our plane tickets to make sure there wouldn't be any serious consequences. I will email her teachers this week. That will be 4 weeks notice.

For my boys in Kindergarten, I will let their teachers know the Monday after Thanksgiving. That will be almost 3 weeks notice. I would let them know sooner, but we aren't telling the boys until Thanksgiving weekend.