Emailing (teachers) when the person is on holiday. Etiquette?

[TheChocolateTrain]

Can I email DS's teacher during half term? I've just sorted some hospital and orthodontist appointments and it would be quite practical to just do it now. He will miss the first morning back, so emailing Monday morning seems quite rude, and I will be driving to the appointment during the window when they accept calls in the morning.

However, it also seems a bit rude to email during the holidays. But neither is it better to email on Sunday evening? Or do I assume that they won't read emails until it's convenient and just email now?

I would just do it now, they don't have to read it but at least the email will be there ready for when they do log in.

I think you are overthinking it! Email now and just put in that you realise it’s half term so don’t expect a response yet but are just letting them know :)

Your over thinking it. The whole point of email is the reader can choose when to access it.

I've had emails from the Senco in the holidays and Sunday evenings before. Don't over think it, they can choose when to read it.

I had to during the summer holidays - didn't email the teacher directly (I've got lots of the teacher's direct emails but don't use them unless it's for the reason they gave them to me) but emailed it to the school office.

Email it now, but make it clear you are emailing now just so that they have the information in time. Make it clear you don’t expect them to read or respond to it. (There can be so much pressure for them to work when on holiday).

Ok, so I started with "Just for information! DS has an appointment ....." and have made sure not to ask a direct question.

You don't email the teacher at all. You let the office know.

Absence is not part of a teachers workload.

Don't you email the office? Anyway, work emails are fair game at any time in my view, more fool you if you're checking it on holiday.

Small school, "office" is only open on the two days that the headmaster works, so no use for Monday. We have to register absences direct with the class teacher.

Email now so you don't forget. If they don't want to deal with it now they won't.
Like a previous poster I had emails from Senco and formteacher in evenings and weekends.
Also phone call from head of year in the evening. 😬
They chose to deal with things when it suited them.

I'm a teacher and wouldn't mind at all. I choose when to log on to emails. Don't worry about it!

I am a teacher. I don't mind receiving e-mails late at night / at weekends / during holidays as long as the senders don't get huffy when they don't get an anwer within half an hour.