[daffodils]

Don't mention it until you're hired.

At our school, you put in the request for time off (whether one day or many). There was a form in the office that you filled out and stated if it was for sick leave or personal leave and the date(s). That was almost always approved, though if it was attached to a holiday, there was a limit as to how many teachers could take off, so it was first come first serve.

For longer time off, you needed principal permission. I took 3 personal days (which I had) connected to Memorial Day. I explained it was a graduation trip for my brother and my principal approved it.

I do know people took off more days than they had sometimes. I don't know our precise policy, but I believe you first had to have principal approval and then perhaps superintendent permission after. It was leave without pay and I'm not sure what else. In our district the secretary at the school found subs, but you could prearrange with a sub if you had a favorite and then tell the secretary to confirm.