Overseas travel during school year

[Anonymous]

Just found out we'll have a family wedding in Europe in October.

We have to take the kids out of school for about a week. It will occur over Columbus Day weekend so we're looking at basically missing six school days (the Thur and Fri before the weekend, and the four-day week after it).

Kids will be in second and fourth. I'm not so concerned about the second grader, but I keep hearing how the work load really ramps up on the fourth and I'm concerned kid will fall behind.

Those of you who've done this, how did you handle it? Frank conversation with principal/teacher? I'm hoping teacher will give us some assignments to take with us and that we can require the 4th grader to write a report or two about some of the things learned in Europe.

Will this fly with the school?

[Anonymous]

Should be no problem. one week is done all the time. 3 weeks might be a problem.

[Anonymous]

In Fairfax, if a child has an unexused absence of more than 15 days, they are basically expelled by the registrar (and you have to re-register them). Six days is no biggie, but my understanding is that the teacher has discretion, ie, can refuse to let your child make up missed tests. If the teacher is cool, you'll be fine. I've known families to take a week at Disney. Your reason is much better.

[Anonymous]

not a problem, I take my kid travel every year. 1 week is reasonable!

[Anonymous]

Depends which school division. You may be required to have a med cert (believe it or not) to re-enroll if the break is greater than 5 school days. And the school division will have significant discretion. You need to communicate with both teacher AND school office.

[Anonymous]

My 2nd grader was out 3+ weeks and we re-registered. Were told we may or may not get back to the same teacher / class but she did (almost all do). 1 week should not be an issue at all.

[Anonymous]

Talk to the principal or vice principal to get the ok. They won't say no, unless it interferes with testing. If the principal is ok with it, I believe the teacher MUST give all the assignments and tests so student doesn't fall behind.