How often are your child's teachers sick?

[Anonymous]

I don't remember my teachers ever being sick, or at least being sick very rarely. But my child's teachers have all taken sick days lately. Is this standard?

[Anonymous]

You didn't have substitute teachers when you were in school?

I'd say, yes, it's pretty standard for teachers to take sick days, especially if they have young children themselves. Why should they be any different from anyone else?

[Anonymous]

Teachers generally don't take off work often. But they do get ill and they also have children of their own that get ill that they have to take care of. If your child's teacher is taking off once a week - that may be an issue. But they are alloted a certain number of sick/personal days and they do have the ability to use them.

[Anonymous]

OP here. None of the teachers have their own kids. And no, I actually almost never had substitute teachers. This was a private school in NYC. Wonder if there' s a difference in private vs public?

[Anonymous]

I am a teacher and I will take my first day off this year tomorrow, because my children's babysitter need to take the day off. To be honest, taking off is often more trouble than it is worth because we have to write sub plans and often the subs don't do what we ask which makes it hard when we come back. Besides being sick, however, teachers are sometimes out for administrative reasons - training, workshops etc. Yes, it is not ideal, but like anyone we do get sick and things come up in our families that necessitate time off. But like I said, it is often more trouble than it is worth to take off.

[Anonymous]

OP again. Thanks. I didn't mean to sound judgemental--of course teachers get sick--I just wanted to try to gauge how our school compares to others.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am a teacher and I will take my first day off this year tomorrow, because my children's babysitter need to take the day off. To be honest, taking off is often more trouble than it is worth because we have to write sub plans and often the subs don't do what we ask which makes it hard when we come back. Besides being sick, however, teachers are sometimes out for administrative reasons - training, workshops etc. Yes, it is not ideal, but like anyone we do get sick and things come up in our families that necessitate time off. But like I said, it is often more trouble than it is worth to take off.

also a teacher who agrees with the poster

However, if you notice patterns, then it may be a flawed school, for lack of a better word. In some of the more "difficult" schools, teacher burn out is common and it comes on much more quickly b/c of the increasing demands. In a private school, the culture may be unbearable or stifling. So you may see absenteeism on the rise. Furthermore, young teachers usually get sick their first year b/c they haven't built up the immunity.

just some things to chew on!

[Anonymous]

Another teacher here...teachers also pick up germs from their students. Kids are sent to school with fevers, after throwing up at home in the morning, and other times when they should just be kept at home. A wicked stomach virus has been going around my classroom, and despite the bottles of lysol and clorox wipes I use on a daily basis, I woke up one morning with a high fever and wicked stomach pains. Uggh...it happens to all of us.

P.S. Your child's teacher would LOVE it if you sent in some clorox wipes or hand sanitizer to be used in the classroom

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
P.S. Your child's teacher would LOVE it if you sent in some clorox wipes or hand sanitizer to be used in the classroom

Clorox wipes are not something I would want my kid to have all over his hands all day (from touching things wiped repeatedly with them.) The chemicals in Clorox wipes are NOT safe for kids to come in high contact with. Try Anywhere Spray instead - also by Clorox. VERY effective at killing germs, including MRSA, but far less toxic to the kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
P.S. Your child's teacher would LOVE it if you sent in some clorox wipes or hand sanitizer to be used in the classroom

Clorox wipes are not something I would want my kid to have all over his hands all day (from touching things wiped repeatedly with them.) The chemicals in Clorox wipes are NOT safe for kids to come in high contact with. Try Anywhere Spray instead - also by Clorox. VERY effective at killing germs, including MRSA, but far less toxic to the kids.

FWIW I use them to wipe down desks, clean the door handles, pencil sharpener handle, etc. after school. Many kids do not wash their hands when they are in the bathroom and carry these germs back into the classroom. They also sneeze into their hands and then wipe their hands everywhere. Clorox wipes can be purchased in bulk from COSCO, can Anywhere Spray? Also, it says on the Clorox container "kills the flu virus." If you prefer Anywhere Spray, then send that in to your child's classroom.

[Anonymous]

"I just wanted to try to gauge how our school compares to others."

You mean the schools where the super-human teachers who never get sick work?

Just kidding. You mentioned that none of the teachers have their own kids. Other possibilities: If they are young newbie teachers, then they aren't used to the back to school and flu season germs that more veteran teachers are accustom to. Or, if they are in their child-bearing years, then perhaps they are newly pregnant and in the throes of morning sickness. Or, perhaps they have a family emergency or they are caring for an ailing parent. Or perhaps they merely needed a mental health day.

Teachers are human and they will miss school days -- even the best teachers miss school. This will not have long-term negative effects on your child.