I've never heard of a form to fill out. For heaven's sake, can't you just let them know you'll be gone? As long as it's not during a big exam or project it doesn't seem any big deal to just be gone a few days.
I am not familiar with the public schools, but truancy? For a family vacation? I dare them, for heaven's sake, you are paying their salary. They are really working for you - I'm not saying be rude or demanding, but just don't fear them.
Now I wouldn't take my kids out for weeks at a time, but one week is no big deal. I personally won't take my kids out again, but we have one with a learning disability, and he gets ill frequently so misses so much school due to the illnesses now that we can't do that. I used to though and we had fun on those trips when they were younger. When they are little what are they really missing anyway?
This is our school policy:
Parent Absentee Letter
October 2, 2006
As the year progresses, students will inevitably become ill and may need to miss school due to illness. As parent(s)/guardian(s) it is important to understand 24 P.S.13-1327 Compulsory Attendance and Attendance Improvement Plan recommended by the state and how it impacts your son/daughters education. Below is a summary of the Compulsory Attendance and Attendance Improvement Plan.
All absences are marked unlawful until an absence note is presented to their homeroom teacher.
Students have three (3) school days to return the absent note; if the note is not brought to school the absence will remain unlawful/unexcused.
There are seven reasonable causes for absence as listed in CSD Policy #204 Student Attendance:
Illness
Quarantine
Recovery from Accident
Death in Family
Required Court Attendance
Family Educational Trip
Educational Tours and Trips
(Please clarify reason for absence on the written excuse)
Educational Tours & Trips as defined by CSD Policy #204 Student Attendance:
The CSD Board of Education may excuse a student from school attendance to participate in an educational tour or trip not sponsored by the district if the following conditions are met: The parent/guardian submits a written request for excusal prior to the absence. The students participation has been approved by the Superintendent or designee. The adult directing and supervising the tour or trip is acceptable to the parents/guardians and the Superintendent. The Board may limit the number and duration of tours or trips for which excused absences may be granted to a student during the school term.
(They actually hand us a form in quadruplicat for it to be approved by Superintendent or designee)
Unlawful Absences
Parents will be informed via letter when two (2) unexcused absences are documented.
After 3 unexcused absences, the parent/guardian is subject to penalties for violation of compulsory attendance law. Parents will be informed when three (3) unexcused absences are documented via certified mail.
A maximum of ten (10) days of cumulative absences may be permitted during a school year. All absences beyond ten cumulative days may require an excuse from a physician.
We know there is a direct correlation between a childs attendance and their academic achievement. Students that attend on a regular and consistent basis are more likely to achieve and maintain their expected academic level.
Yours in Education,
Mr. Kevin Seyer
Principal