Those poor kids. As a parent, I would be furious. As a kid, I would be crushed. Ugh. Will the principal agree to come to your room to answer questions.
Yeah I'm trying to imagine this being DD's K class when she starts this year and I am fucking pissed for you, and those kids. I would not leave that building until I had some answers from the principal. I'm sorry this happened.
If my child was assigned to that bullshit room I would be livid.
This is also stressing me out because I had parents specifically request me as their child's teacher because I've taught their kids in the past. And also because I'm really good at my job.
And now I won't even be their teacher AND they get this bullshit room.
I'm also just going to mention that several years ago the a/c went out in my school for over a week in May. We're in West Texas, so a/c isn't really an option that time of year. The district refused to fix it, so a colleague suggested to several of his classes that, if they were uncomfortable and felt their learning was being disrupted by the heat, they and their parents were always welcome to call the local media.
Let me tell you, the local Fox affiliate jumped on that story like it was the hottest thing to ever happen in breaking news.
A/C was restored the following day.
Substitute kindergarteners for high schoolers, add in a teacher who is 39 weeks pregnant and absolutely at her wit's end to figure out how to get her students started off on the right foot, PLUS probable fire code violations and I think you may get an even bigger response. Just saying.
I'd raise unholy hell on anyone in my path if this was my child's K classroom. I'm totally fine with PreK BS but the K I'm going to be a wreck, walking into this?!? NOPE.
Call the Fire Marshall, your Union and have already printed explanation sheets ready for the parents for them to aim the rage. This is complete BS for you and the students.
ETA: fuck it, call the news. And give the custodian a hug, make sure everything that hears it wasn't him!
IIRC, she has to work some of this year to keep benefits. I doubt they would double pay for her and a sub to go to this event, as they would be paying for an extra week of teacher. It doesn't make sense to do that to some one. Also, I think she said they hadn't hired one yet.
I've been drinking, so that may not be the most accurate summation.
Aren't you resigning for the job? Then how is the pd mandatory?
If her contract is anything like mine, PD days are considered work days just like a regular school day is. If she doesn't show up they could conceivably accuse her of job abandonment and cancel her insurance just before she has her baby. Skipping the PD would be a very bad idea even though it sounds insane.
IIRC, she has to work some of this year to keep benefits. I doubt they would double pay for her and a sub to go to this event, as they would be paying for an extra week of teacher. It doesn't make sense to do that to some one. Also, I think she said they hadn't hired one yet.
I've been drinking, so that may not be the most accurate summation.
This is pretty accurate. But my sub isn't here because she's currently on vacation and can't start until Monday. I guess they were just crossing their fingers that I didn't deliver before then.
I just went to my daughters kindergarten class tonight and was in awe of all the stuff, the brightness, and how little everything is, and the organization. Their cubbies are labeled, they have their birthdays on the wall already. I loved it so much. If I was a parent in your room I would want to cry, and it makes me sad for those kids. That principal can suck it.
Thanks for all the outrage on my behalf, guys. I swear I'll go back to posting about other things once all this shit is over because I know I've become a broken record with school stuff.
I will say that my anger has taken away a lot of the trepidation I felt over posting anything too identifying about my job.
I just went to my daughters kindergarten class tonight and was in awe of all the stuff, the brightness, and how little everything is, and the organization. Their cubbies are labeled, they have their birthdays on the wall already. I loved it so much. If I was a parent in your room I would want to cry, and it makes me sad for those kids. That principal can suck it.
I know you are about to go on leave, but I honestly feel like you need to advocate for those students more than you are. It is great that you recognize it is fucked up, but don't you have a union you could call? What is the appeals process if you disagree with the principal about something? 7 kids at a table made for 3 isn't safe. If something goes wrong it will be your reputation, and possibly your career, on the line.
I am not saying you need a sundae bar or to bring back your own materials, but this isn't just that they painted your room a shitty color. This is unsafe, and if the principal doesn't see that, as a responsible adult you have to do something.
Call the local news and have them "SURPRISE" film this shitshow. You will be cleared, the custodian will be cleared and the ISD (whatever it is) will be on the hot seat. Also, the parents can RAGE into a camera.
What kind of school is this? What you are describing actually sounds illegal. Are there no fire codes in that district? What is the occupancy allotment for the "room?"
Post by speckledfrog on Aug 6, 2014 23:26:32 GMT -5
I know it's dismal and you are doing a great job of portraying that, but are they seriously going to walk into a completely undecorated room? Are there at least name cards and bulletin boards?
What kind of school is this? What you are describing actually sounds illegal. Are there no fire codes in that district? What is the occupancy allotment for the "room?"
It's a charter school with no union representation.
I know you are about to go on leave, but I honestly feel like you need to advocate for those students more than you are. It is great that you recognize it is fucked up, but don't you have a union you could call? What is the appeals process if you disagree with the principal about something? 7 kids at a table made for 3 isn't safe. If something goes wrong it will be your reputation, and possibly your career, on the line.
I am not saying you need a sundae bar or to bring back your own materials, but this isn't just that they painted your room a shitty color. This is unsafe, and if the principal doesn't see that, as a responsible adult you have to do something.
There's no union, but phone calls will be made to the appropriate people. I do plan on doing that. I'm waiting for school to start because that's when it will become crystal fucking clear that this will not work.
Unfortunately nothing can be done within my administration- everyone throws up their hands and says "make it work" or refers you to someone else who refers you to someone else who tells you to make it work.
When does school actually start? I mean I know people can get hired the day before school starts and are able to get the room squared away, so is there time for your sub to work some magic between the meet and greet and the first day of school?
When does school actually start? I mean I know people can get hired the day before scho starts, so is there thine for your sub to work some magic between the meet and greet and the first day of school?
School doesn't start for almost two weeks. I expect the room will look a lot nicer by then, and I gave my principal a list of things that needed to happen to make it "better", but nothing will change the fact that there simply isn't enough space for them in there.
Do subs normally have a bunch of classroom decorations and supplies? I would be worried because I wouldn't expect a three month sub to decorate and fill a classroom like a real teacher would.
Do subs normally have a bunch of classroom decorations and supplies? I would be worried because I wouldn't expect a three month sub to decorate and fill a classroom like a real teacher would.
If I was a sub and wanted a job in the future you be your ass I would make the room organized, cozy and functional so I could do my job.
Do subs normally have a bunch of classroom decorations and supplies? I would be worried because I wouldn't expect a three month sub to decorate and fill a classroom like a real teacher would.
Now that I know who she is and have her contact info, I'm letting her know on the dl that I'm not coming back and she'll have my full position for the year.