Anonymous wrote:Why not arrange for her to stay at a friend's house?

This is what I would do with a high schooler.

What is her preference?

Seriously, I don't get the angst here. You are not required to give a reason. Just say "my daughter can't come to school today or my child will miss days a and b".

Anonymous wrote:Thank for replying everybody. I will just say she got sick, and it's kind of nice to know other people do this sometimes. It is only two days, why am I so obsessive?

During the first two days it shouldn't be a problem. I had to get my son excused near the end of the year (and the school did excuse it - problem I see is that once you lie, everyone must keep up the lie and if they don't you have a bigger problem on your hands). Only problem we faced is that a teacher who was supposed to give him the final on his second day back gave it on his first day back with no notice. So he missed the scheduled study session and had no time to study. She's a jerk but he did well enough that I didn't complain.

I might tell the school main office she was sick but work with the individual teachers to see if there are any assignments or work that can be done. To be honest its 2 days and I always feel like is ultimately more important than school so if push really comes to shove I would be completely honest and take the unexcused absences. Or say she is unable to be in school of day x & y. Leave it at that - do you think they will ask for more details?

When our daughter missed a few days of school in K, I sent in a note saying she was visiting grandparents and great-grandparents, which was true. I didn't feel a need to lie about it - little kids are pretty honest and I didn't want to say she was sick and then have her go back to school and say, "I was at the beach with grandma!"

It funny that they let kids take off for travel sports but not for this.

Anonymous wrote:Why not arrange for her to stay at a friend's house?

This is a great option..or just take the 2 unexcused days. Most teachers are fine with kids making up the work as long as it is not excessive. I think you have 10 unexcused days a semester before it is a problem. My 2 HS kids will miss a day of school the first week for a family religious event. I don't feel comfortable having my children lie about it.

Why not arrange for her to stay at a friend's house?

Thank for replying everybody. I will just say she got sick, and it's kind of nice to know other people do this sometimes. It is only two days, why am I so obsessive?

Just call and say she is sick. Or don't call and provide a note after! Most schools will let you provide a note after...

She is starting High School, so technically could stay home alone, but I am uncomfortable with the idea. I know, many kids her age stay alone and all that.

Anonymous wrote:It's TWO DAYS. Just say she got sick. Don't overthink this.

Agreed

plus, what grade is your child in? We are MCPS, as well, and have had to take few trips and have our kids miss school. The way we viewed it is that their travel experience is just as educational.

Anonymous wrote:It's TWO DAYS. Just say she got sick. Don't overthink this.

I think I might do that, but we'll be in a different time zone, by 2 hours so I didn't want to have to think about it both mornings. Family medical emergency travel?

It's TWO DAYS. Just say she got sick. Don't overthink this.

OK, so I am a bad parent, all that. We are in MoCo public schools and I have to travel and take my DD with me, I am alone and I can't leave her alone here, yet public schools won't excuse her if I just say, we have to travel and DH is overseas so I have to take her. I am going for personal business trip, to take care of property in another state. I don't really feel bad about it, as I am annoyed at MoCo public schools for starting the school year before Labor Day, and then taking two days off the first two weeks anyway. So, what excuse did you use in the past that schools accepted? It is not my DD's fault that I have to take her with me. It is for two days soon after school starts.