Daddy caved... we're telling them TODAY!

[sweetpea2008]

So funny. We've been planning a trip to DL for a month now, just myself, my Mom, and my twin daughters. We were going to tell them about the trip tomorrow afternoon, the day before we leave (6 am flight). BUT when I got home from work today my husband said he wants to tell them today, after school. He wants to spend some time with them sharing in their excitement, and wants them to be able to tell their friends tomorrow at school.

I'm all for it, as I've barely been able to keep it in for the last week. But I have a feeling their teacher won't be happy about it tomorrow!!

Two more sleeps!!

[adriennek]

Did you ask the teacher for an independent study contract? There's not really enough time to get one now, but when I was teaching, we were a lot more understanding about trips if we had a chance to do contracts than otherwise because, at least at that time, we didn't lose funding if the child had a contract on file for the absence.

Adrienne

[sweetpea2008]

When I said their teacher might not be happy, I meant telling them a day early and having them so excited tomorrow at school. I did tell her we were doing it and she was great though. They are working on their mother's day projects anyway, so not too much of a big deal.

Things might be a bit different here in Canada. My girls are in grade 2 at a French Immersion elementary school. Their teacher is totally fine with their missing 4 days. They are both in the higher groups in the class for reading, writing and math (and remember, this is a 2nd language for them! :lol). I am not sure what an independent study contract is. I asked her if she wanted to send anything along with us for them to do (they might actually enjoy having worksheets on the plane) but she said no, just go and have fun.

Thanks for your response though, that's interesting!

[hlbtimes2]

Very exciting! We just told our kids on Sunday that we are going on Thursday. They knew we would go sometime this month, but not what day. They are super excited. They are only missing one day of school. I've told the teachers, but neither really seem to care. Both kids are good students and dont miss a lot of days.

[MermaidHair]

How did it go Sweetpea? Inquiring minds want to know!

[adriennek]

When I said their teacher might not be happy, I meant telling them a day early and having them so excited tomorrow at school. I did tell her we were doing it and she was great though. They are working on their mother's day projects anyway, so not too much of a big deal.

ooh, Gotcha.

In our districts, the state only pays the district based on daily attendance. In the 'old' days, if a student had an excused absence (mostly from being ill,) the state paid anyway. For unexcused absences (vacation!) or absences longer than 3 days without paperwork, they didn't pay.

Independent study contracts are issued when a student is going to be absent for more than three days. The teacher puts together a packet of work, the student gets credit as if he'd been at school, and the school district didn't lose money for the student's absence.

I know it sort of sounds like misplaced priorities on the teacher's part to be more concerned about attendance and funding than the child's education - but usually the kids whose parents are in communication with the school and who take an occasional vacation aren't the kids who are going to really have a hard time missing a few days. :eek: ;)

Adrienne

[sweetpea2008]

Oh, I get it now Adrienne. It definitely is different here. The school district gets funding based on enrollment at the beginning of the year, not on daily attendance. Must be a nightmare of paperwork doing it that way!

Ok, I think they are more excited this morning than they seemed to be yesterday when we told them. We figured they were in shock. We made them guess using some disney stuff and neither one wanted to say it out loud, apparently, because they thought we were joking. Too funny. Anyway, they are thrilled to be able to tell their classmates today and then after school get ready to go first thing. We were all excitely remembering what we loved the last time we went, and what we had to do again for sure, and what we missed last time and want to do this time. So fun!

By this time tomorrow we'll be landed in Vancouver and heading to US customs and our flight to LA. Yipee!!!!