[nagdu] Getting time off work for class

[Tracy Carcione via nagdu]

I'd be interested to hear how people have arranged time off work to go to 
class.
I am not keen to lose 3 weeks' pay.  I could use vacation time, if I am 
careful about not taking much and saving some up.  I could try to work 
during class, but I'm not sure that's a great idea.  Class is stressful 
enough, without adding in work.  I would like to use some of my sick days, 
of which I have a whole heaping lot, but, last time, my boss could not get 
that idea through HR's tiny heads.  "She wants to use sick time to do what? 
Get a "guide dog?"".
Last time, the boss just made an arrangement on the QT, as a big favor.
How have other people arranged this?
Tracy