Letter for school - help.

[Phteven]

BS it may be but the school handbook says quite clearly that we have to provide a letter when we go on holidays and the principal asked for one yesterday so I need to provide one.
Writing the letter is the path of least resistance. I have more important things to deal with than battling with a school over their bureaucracy.

[Tinks]

I completely understand having to give written notification of a holiday to the school. Having to justify it as educational for attendance and/or funding purposes is the part that doesn't sit well with me.

[peanutter]

OPTION 1:

To the snow we go
Teacher, leave them kids alone
Skiing is da bomb

OPTION 2:

Dear School

As you will be aware, DS1 and DS2 have qualified for the Yeti Park State Championship skiing competition, and their division will be competing on date.

Accordingly, to allow for driving, final preparation and team building activities, we will be having a family excursion to AREA from Monday DATE to Friday DATE inclusive.

From our previous discussions, we understand that you appreciate the importance of events such as this, and the life long learning opportunities DS1 and DS2 are afforded by setting and achieving goals, being a part of a community and engaging in a broad range of activities such as the Abominable Championships.

We will be setting aside time for DS1 and DS2 to undertake any ongoing set tasks which can be engaged in outside of the classroom, and we would appreciate the relevant teacher(s) forwarding (either hard copies with DS1 and DS2, or by email to zazou@onyx.co.uk) any set tasks and instructions.

If there are no specific tasks, we will prepare some location focused activities, which can link in with the Yeti Park geography, body movement, history of skiing or Winter Olympics, reading, writing a report (or a creative writing piece) about the competition and so forth.

If there are any key projects which will be due during the relevant week, please advise as soon as possible, so we can discuss with DS1 or DS2's teacher whether it would be more appropriate for the project to be submitted before or after their return.

Given that the excursion will be reasonably brief, we do not anticipate needing to borrow any classroom texts or the like, but if there is something specific you would recommend, please advise.

If you have any queries relating to the above, please contact us on 555 007. If any teachers wish to forward any specific work, or discuss any of the above, they can contact us on this number as well. We otherwise look forward to seeing you upon our return.

Yours faithfully,

Mother Superior (aka Superior Mother)

I say go with option 1. Everyone loves a haiku.

Either way, leave the ball in their court for them to come to you with any queries, work, etc. And if they don't, run for the hills. And then ski down them. Like a boss.

[peanutter]

My guess (and it is a complete guess) is that it's about the attendance rates - they're one of the many things on the "my schools" website, and I'm guessing (someone with actual knowledge may correct me) that if the school can show there's a sufficient "educational" element, then they maybe don't have to include it as an absence and it doesn't affect their figures.

[AliBaby]

The reason why schools require a note for extended absence is so that it can be an exemption. This needs to be approved by the Principal. If it is not for educational purposes then the principal will not approve it as an exemption from school. This will then not count against a child's absence record. Absences from Childhood illnesses like chicken pox are also not counted in a child's record of attendance.

[~clover~]

Our school is just starting to crack down on absentee notes as well. And making a point of kids being off school for a legitimate reason. And fair enough.

Its more for people who just don't think education is important. A family member of mine keeps her DD home when hung over. Because she either can't be bothered getting up, or she needs help with the younger one Others in town take theirs away for 6 weeks every year for work. Weather or not they take work with them I don't know, but if they do I seriously doubt it actually covers the whole 6 weeks they'd do at school.
Others do random shopping trips or to catch up with family & friends in the city through out the term, often for close to a week 3 or 4 times in a term.

I only mention these people, because I am close to these people. I know their circumstances & I know they really should put their kids education over some of these things.

Honestly, one week out of the year for a holiday isn't such a huge thing. If it was one week out of every term, it might make a difference. I wouldn't worry about justifying it myself. But I'm pretty sure if SIL had to justify her hang over, she'd say DD was sick...