Attendance pressure

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

This may be one reason parents are fed up— in the past, teachers weren’t all over social media sharing their Disney vacations in February. It may be that the actual instances of teachers taking midyear vacations hasn’t changed much, just the awareness of the phenomenon has.

Like the posts sitting on the beach during COVID and talking about how much they missed the kids?

Had a neighbor who did that.

I don’t even think it has to be something egregious. Family photo of kids with Mickey gets posted to Facebook, even if settings are private, a friend shows it in their mom’s group has “this is what the teachers are doing” and now the credibility is gone.

I think there’s a message about minimizing absences that also respects the need for time with family, economic conditions, and working with parents to minimize academic impact . It just certainly wasn’t this.

Teachers are allowed vacations.

Absolutely! So is every other parent. If policy supports one it must support the other.

Take your kid on a vacation but don't ask for work packets and make ups when you come back. Your vacation should not mean extra work for the teacher. And don't complain if your kids grade drops or they are struggling with the material. The teacher shouldn't
have to tutor your kid because you chose a vacation.

I saw a post on the FCPS facebook page where a parent was worried that the teacher wouldn't sign off on the form saying the kid was going to miss extended time for a vacation. The teacher wrote on the form that the child was struggling with the class and missing extra time was going to make it harder for the kid. The parents concern wasn't the struggling kid but the fact that the teacher didn't sign the form. The advice from posters was that the form was a courtesy and to go ahead and enjoy the vacation, no concerns about the kid struggling with the class and then missing more class.

Nope, that’s not how it works. If a kid is absent for any reason, the teacher will provide makeup work. Pre arranged absences can be excused.

“Thank you, teacher, for taking the time to help our son stay on track in your class. We appreciate the individualized lessons and the tutoring you provided after school. We know this took extra time, something you don’t have much of. We are grateful for your support.”

That wasn’t so hard.

Teachers aren’t allowed to tutor their student after school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a couple of students out for 3-4 weeks right now for international trips. Kids can’t access Schoology overseas. Families didn’t get them pre-arranged. Probably because they knew teachers would advise against it because the kids are struggling learners. I plan to excuse their assignments because there is realistically no way for me to catch them up with all the other kids I need to help who did show up. I teach a non-SOL middle school class. If you choose to take weeks off of school, you miss the content. It just is what it is. I prioritize kids and families who think school is important.

Won’t they be unenrolled after 15 days?

My school seems hesitant to actually do that but that is the policy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

This may be one reason parents are fed up— in the past, teachers weren’t all over social media sharing their Disney vacations in February. It may be that the actual instances of teachers taking midyear vacations hasn’t changed much, just the awareness of the phenomenon has.

Like the posts sitting on the beach during COVID and talking about how much they missed the kids?

Had a neighbor who did that.

I don’t even think it has to be something egregious. Family photo of kids with Mickey gets posted to Facebook, even if settings are private, a friend shows it in their mom’s group has “this is what the teachers are doing” and now the credibility is gone.

I think there’s a message about minimizing absences that also respects the need for time with family, economic conditions, and working with parents to minimize academic impact . It just certainly wasn’t this.

Teachers are allowed vacations.

Absolutely! So is every other parent. If policy supports one it must support the other.

Take your kid on a vacation but don't ask for work packets and make ups when you come back. Your vacation should not mean extra work for the teacher. And don't complain if your kids grade drops or they are struggling with the material. The teacher shouldn't
have to tutor your kid because you chose a vacation.

I saw a post on the FCPS facebook page where a parent was worried that the teacher wouldn't sign off on the form saying the kid was going to miss extended time for a vacation. The teacher wrote on the form that the child was struggling with the class and missing extra time was going to make it harder for the kid. The parents concern wasn't the struggling kid but the fact that the teacher didn't sign the form. The advice from posters was that the form was a courtesy and to go ahead and enjoy the vacation, no concerns about the kid struggling with the class and then missing more class.

Nope, that’s not how it works. If a kid is absent for any reason, the teacher will provide makeup work. Pre arranged absences can be excused.

“Thank you, teacher, for taking the time to help our son stay on track in your class. We appreciate the individualized lessons and the tutoring you provided after school. We know this took extra time, something you don’t have much of. We are grateful for your support.”

That wasn’t so hard.

Teachers aren’t allowed to tutor their student after school.

Fine. Substitute with the word “help.”

Point remains. Just be kind. There are too many “I’m going to demand this of you” posts. At the end of the day, you’re asking a teacher to do extra work. Just say those 2 words… “thank you”. It’s not hard to say and teachers hear it so rarely.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

This may be one reason parents are fed up— in the past, teachers weren’t all over social media sharing their Disney vacations in February. It may be that the actual instances of teachers taking midyear vacations hasn’t changed much, just the awareness of the phenomenon has.

Like the posts sitting on the beach during COVID and talking about how much they missed the kids?

Had a neighbor who did that.

I don’t even think it has to be something egregious. Family photo of kids with Mickey gets posted to Facebook, even if settings are private, a friend shows it in their mom’s group has “this is what the teachers are doing” and now the credibility is gone.

I think there’s a message about minimizing absences that also respects the need for time with family, economic conditions, and working with parents to minimize academic impact . It just certainly wasn’t this.

Teachers are allowed vacations.

Absolutely! So is every other parent. If policy supports one it must support the other.

Take your kid on a vacation but don't ask for work packets and make ups when you come back. Your vacation should not mean extra work for the teacher. And don't complain if your kids grade drops or they are struggling with the material. The teacher shouldn't
have to tutor your kid because you chose a vacation.

I saw a post on the FCPS facebook page where a parent was worried that the teacher wouldn't sign off on the form saying the kid was going to miss extended time for a vacation. The teacher wrote on the form that the child was struggling with the class and missing extra time was going to make it harder for the kid. The parents concern wasn't the struggling kid but the fact that the teacher didn't sign the form. The advice from posters was that the form was a courtesy and to go ahead and enjoy the vacation, no concerns about the kid struggling with the class and then missing more class.

Nope, that’s not how it works. If a kid is absent for any reason, the teacher will provide makeup work. Pre arranged absences can be excused.

“Thank you, teacher, for taking the time to help our son stay on track in your class. We appreciate the individualized lessons and the tutoring you provided after school. We know this took extra time, something you don’t have much of. We are grateful for your support.”

That wasn’t so hard.

Teachers aren’t allowed to tutor their student after school.

Fine. Substitute with the word “help.”

Point remains. Just be kind. There are too many “I’m going to demand this of you” posts. At the end of the day, you’re asking a teacher to do extra work. Just say those 2 words… “thank you”. It’s not hard to say and teachers hear it so rarely.

It’s not extra work because I don’t ask for work in advance. Part of a teacher’s job is getting an absent student (for whatever reason) up to speed upon return. That means whatever handouts were missed should be given to my child. I’m a former teacher and will handle getting my child up to speed at home, I just need the habdouts we missed. When I taught I had a “Student Absence folder.” All handouts went into that folder and it was ready upon the students’ return. Easy peasy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Oh gosh did you lose that much math instruction? September 2021 was more than six months after the vaccine was available to teachers and just about four years ago. You are a great example of why in-person learning matters.

Got my vaccine in January 2021 and was back in the classroom in March 2021 as was all of FCPS.

You consider hybrid “back on the classroom”?

No one else does.

Hybrid still required teachers to be in their classrooms full-time.

Not all teachers by any stretch.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

This may be one reason parents are fed up— in the past, teachers weren’t all over social media sharing their Disney vacations in February. It may be that the actual instances of teachers taking midyear vacations hasn’t changed much, just the awareness of the phenomenon has.

Like the posts sitting on the beach during COVID and talking about how much they missed the kids?

Had a neighbor who did that.

I don’t even think it has to be something egregious. Family photo of kids with Mickey gets posted to Facebook, even if settings are private, a friend shows it in their mom’s group has “this is what the teachers are doing” and now the credibility is gone.

I think there’s a message about minimizing absences that also respects the need for time with family, economic conditions, and working with parents to minimize academic impact . It just certainly wasn’t this.

Teachers are allowed vacations.

Absolutely! So is every other parent. If policy supports one it must support the other.

Take your kid on a vacation but don't ask for work packets and make ups when you come back. Your vacation should not mean extra work for the teacher. And don't complain if your kids grade drops or they are struggling with the material. The teacher shouldn't
have to tutor your kid because you chose a vacation.

I saw a post on the FCPS facebook page where a parent was worried that the teacher wouldn't sign off on the form saying the kid was going to miss extended time for a vacation. The teacher wrote on the form that the child was struggling with the class and missing extra time was going to make it harder for the kid. The parents concern wasn't the struggling kid but the fact that the teacher didn't sign the form. The advice from posters was that the form was a courtesy and to go ahead and enjoy the vacation, no concerns about the kid struggling with the class and then missing more class.

Nope, that’s not how it works. If a kid is absent for any reason, the teacher will provide makeup work. Pre arranged absences can be excused.

“Thank you, teacher, for taking the time to help our son stay on track in your class. We appreciate the individualized lessons and the tutoring you provided after school. We know this took extra time, something you don’t have much of. We are grateful for your support.”

That wasn’t so hard.

Teachers aren’t allowed to tutor their student after school.

Fine. Substitute with the word “help.”

Point remains. Just be kind. There are too many “I’m going to demand this of you” posts. At the end of the day, you’re asking a teacher to do extra work. Just say those 2 words… “thank you”. It’s not hard to say and teachers hear it so rarely.

It’s not extra work because I don’t ask for work in advance. Part of a teacher’s job is getting an absent student (for whatever reason) up to speed upon return. That means whatever handouts were missed should be given to my child. I’m a former teacher and will handle getting my child up to speed at home, I just need the habdouts we missed. When I taught I had a “Student Absence folder.” All handouts went into that folder and it was ready upon the students’ return. Easy peasy.

It isn’t that easy, and I suspect you actually know that.

I do more than pass out handouts. I teach. That means that I deliver instruction and check for understanding. When students are absent, I still plan to make sure they understand. That requires effort on my part: providing work with additional, personalized instruction since the student isn’t in class, meeting with the student to ensure understanding, etc. This is what teaching actually looks like. Apparently you just pointed to a folder?

If you are going on vacation, you are inconveniencing me for your convenience. That’s just the way it is. If you can’t say “thank you” for that, then accept that tells me something about you. Just accept it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

This may be one reason parents are fed up— in the past, teachers weren’t all over social media sharing their Disney vacations in February. It may be that the actual instances of teachers taking midyear vacations hasn’t changed much, just the awareness of the phenomenon has.

Like the posts sitting on the beach during COVID and talking about how much they missed the kids?

Had a neighbor who did that.

I don’t even think it has to be something egregious. Family photo of kids with Mickey gets posted to Facebook, even if settings are private, a friend shows it in their mom’s group has “this is what the teachers are doing” and now the credibility is gone.

I think there’s a message about minimizing absences that also respects the need for time with family, economic conditions, and working with parents to minimize academic impact . It just certainly wasn’t this.

Teachers are allowed vacations.

Absolutely! So is every other parent. If policy supports one it must support the other.

Take your kid on a vacation but don't ask for work packets and make ups when you come back. Your vacation should not mean extra work for the teacher. And don't complain if your kids grade drops or they are struggling with the material. The teacher shouldn't
have to tutor your kid because you chose a vacation.

I saw a post on the FCPS facebook page where a parent was worried that the teacher wouldn't sign off on the form saying the kid was going to miss extended time for a vacation. The teacher wrote on the form that the child was struggling with the class and missing extra time was going to make it harder for the kid. The parents concern wasn't the struggling kid but the fact that the teacher didn't sign the form. The advice from posters was that the form was a courtesy and to go ahead and enjoy the vacation, no concerns about the kid struggling with the class and then missing more class.

Here is the unsupportable double standard. When the teacher goes on vacation for a week, it makes additional work for all 28 families in their class. That’s OK! The same policy which supports a February Disney trip for a teacher supports an extra week at Spring Break for a student.

If that bothers you, you’ll have to fix it at the administration level which allows teachers to travel midyear. Because if you push back at providing work and make ups, parents will simply get the absences excused and it will no longer be at your discretion.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

This may be one reason parents are fed up— in the past, teachers weren’t all over social media sharing their Disney vacations in February. It may be that the actual instances of teachers taking midyear vacations hasn’t changed much, just the awareness of the phenomenon has.

Like the posts sitting on the beach during COVID and talking about how much they missed the kids?

Had a neighbor who did that.

I don’t even think it has to be something egregious. Family photo of kids with Mickey gets posted to Facebook, even if settings are private, a friend shows it in their mom’s group has “this is what the teachers are doing” and now the credibility is gone.

I think there’s a message about minimizing absences that also respects the need for time with family, economic conditions, and working with parents to minimize academic impact . It just certainly wasn’t this.

Teachers are allowed vacations.

Absolutely! So is every other parent. If policy supports one it must support the other.

Take your kid on a vacation but don't ask for work packets and make ups when you come back. Your vacation should not mean extra work for the teacher. And don't complain if your kids grade drops or they are struggling with the material. The teacher shouldn't
have to tutor your kid because you chose a vacation.

I saw a post on the FCPS facebook page where a parent was worried that the teacher wouldn't sign off on the form saying the kid was going to miss extended time for a vacation. The teacher wrote on the form that the child was struggling with the class and missing extra time was going to make it harder for the kid. The parents concern wasn't the struggling kid but the fact that the teacher didn't sign the form. The advice from posters was that the form was a courtesy and to go ahead and enjoy the vacation, no concerns about the kid struggling with the class and then missing more class.

Here is the unsupportable double standard. When the teacher goes on vacation for a week, it makes additional work for all 28 families in their class. That’s OK! The same policy which supports a February Disney trip for a teacher supports an extra week at Spring Break for a student.

If that bothers you, you’ll have to fix it at the administration level which allows teachers to travel midyear. Because if you push back at providing work and make ups, parents will simply get the absences excused and it will no longer be at your discretion.

I would love to see some data on this. Who are all these teachers going to Disney for a week? If we were to take this thread as fact, then Disney is filled with American educators all winter long!!! The place must be packed. Yet I know of only one teacher who has gone to Disney during the winter, and I’ve been teaching for over 20 years. She missed two days of school and felt guilty about it.

And inconveniencing families with our absences? I missed two days this year. (Sorry, DCUM. I caught the flu. I apologize for my absence, but my 102 fever and aching muscles made it a bit hard to get out of bed. I’ll do better.) I left meticulous plans and had the work graded with comments by the end of the evening. I’m sorry that was such an inconvenience.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

This may be one reason parents are fed up— in the past, teachers weren’t all over social media sharing their Disney vacations in February. It may be that the actual instances of teachers taking midyear vacations hasn’t changed much, just the awareness of the phenomenon has.

Like the posts sitting on the beach during COVID and talking about how much they missed the kids?

Had a neighbor who did that.

I don’t even think it has to be something egregious. Family photo of kids with Mickey gets posted to Facebook, even if settings are private, a friend shows it in their mom’s group has “this is what the teachers are doing” and now the credibility is gone.

I think there’s a message about minimizing absences that also respects the need for time with family, economic conditions, and working with parents to minimize academic impact . It just certainly wasn’t this.

Teachers are allowed vacations.

Absolutely! So is every other parent. If policy supports one it must support the other.

Take your kid on a vacation but don't ask for work packets and make ups when you come back. Your vacation should not mean extra work for the teacher. And don't complain if your kids grade drops or they are struggling with the material. The teacher shouldn't
have to tutor your kid because you chose a vacation.

I saw a post on the FCPS facebook page where a parent was worried that the teacher wouldn't sign off on the form saying the kid was going to miss extended time for a vacation. The teacher wrote on the form that the child was struggling with the class and missing extra time was going to make it harder for the kid. The parents concern wasn't the struggling kid but the fact that the teacher didn't sign the form. The advice from posters was that the form was a courtesy and to go ahead and enjoy the vacation, no concerns about the kid struggling with the class and then missing more class.

Here is the unsupportable double standard. When the teacher goes on vacation for a week, it makes additional work for all 28 families in their class. That’s OK! The same policy which supports a February Disney trip for a teacher supports an extra week at Spring Break for a student.

If that bothers you, you’ll have to fix it at the administration level which allows teachers to travel midyear. Because if you push back at providing work and make ups, parents will simply get the absences excused and it will no longer be at your discretion.

I would love to see some data on this. Who are all these teachers going to Disney for a week? If we were to take this thread as fact, then Disney is filled with American educators all winter long!!! The place must be packed. Yet I know of only one teacher who has gone to Disney during the winter, and I’ve been teaching for over 20 years. She missed two days of school and felt guilty about it.

And inconveniencing families with our absences? I missed two days this year. (Sorry, DCUM. I caught the flu. I apologize for my absence, but my 102 fever and aching muscles made it a bit hard to get out of bed. I’ll do better.) I left meticulous plans and had the work graded with comments by the end of the evening. I’m sorry that was such an inconvenience.

Did you profusely thank every parent who may have been inconvenienced? Did you recognize the time they spent finding tutoring and getting their? The resources they lost paying those tutors? The hours they could have been spending in quality time with their children instead of teaching?

Doesn’t that say something about you if you didn’t?

Because thats how ridiculous your idea that a teacher is going above and beyond by providing material upon a students return is.

Teachers who go above and beyond absolutely deserve thanks and recognition and appreciation from parents (who should also send the praise to administrators). What you’re describing is not above and beyond.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

This may be one reason parents are fed up— in the past, teachers weren’t all over social media sharing their Disney vacations in February. It may be that the actual instances of teachers taking midyear vacations hasn’t changed much, just the awareness of the phenomenon has.

Like the posts sitting on the beach during COVID and talking about how much they missed the kids?

Had a neighbor who did that.

I don’t even think it has to be something egregious. Family photo of kids with Mickey gets posted to Facebook, even if settings are private, a friend shows it in their mom’s group has “this is what the teachers are doing” and now the credibility is gone.

I think there’s a message about minimizing absences that also respects the need for time with family, economic conditions, and working with parents to minimize academic impact . It just certainly wasn’t this.

Teachers are allowed vacations.

Absolutely! So is every other parent. If policy supports one it must support the other.

Take your kid on a vacation but don't ask for work packets and make ups when you come back. Your vacation should not mean extra work for the teacher. And don't complain if your kids grade drops or they are struggling with the material. The teacher shouldn't
have to tutor your kid because you chose a vacation.

I saw a post on the FCPS facebook page where a parent was worried that the teacher wouldn't sign off on the form saying the kid was going to miss extended time for a vacation. The teacher wrote on the form that the child was struggling with the class and missing extra time was going to make it harder for the kid. The parents concern wasn't the struggling kid but the fact that the teacher didn't sign the form. The advice from posters was that the form was a courtesy and to go ahead and enjoy the vacation, no concerns about the kid struggling with the class and then missing more class.

Here is the unsupportable double standard. When the teacher goes on vacation for a week, it makes additional work for all 28 families in their class. That’s OK! The same policy which supports a February Disney trip for a teacher supports an extra week at Spring Break for a student.

If that bothers you, you’ll have to fix it at the administration level which allows teachers to travel midyear. Because if you push back at providing work and make ups, parents will simply get the absences excused and it will no longer be at your discretion.

I would love to see some data on this. Who are all these teachers going to Disney for a week? If we were to take this thread as fact, then Disney is filled with American educators all winter long!!! The place must be packed. Yet I know of only one teacher who has gone to Disney during the winter, and I’ve been teaching for over 20 years. She missed two days of school and felt guilty about it.

And inconveniencing families with our absences? I missed two days this year. (Sorry, DCUM. I caught the flu. I apologize for my absence, but my 102 fever and aching muscles made it a bit hard to get out of bed. I’ll do better.) I left meticulous plans and had the work graded with comments by the end of the evening. I’m sorry that was such an inconvenience.

Did you profusely thank every parent who may have been inconvenienced? Did you recognize the time they spent finding tutoring and getting their? The resources they lost paying those tutors? The hours they could have been spending in quality time with their children instead of teaching?

Doesn’t that say something about you if you didn’t?

Because thats how ridiculous your idea that a teacher is going above and beyond by providing material upon a students return is.

Teachers who go above and beyond absolutely deserve thanks and recognition and appreciation from parents (who should also send the praise to administrators). What you’re describing is not above and beyond.

Are you seriously suggesting that parents had to pay for tutors because I missed two days due to the flu? SERIOUSLY? And they missed “quality time” with their kids because I was sick?

This may be the most absurd post on this thread. We’ve jumped the shark.

This is the most ridiculous and delusional post. You illustrated quite nicely what teachers put up with.

Hey my fellow teachers who have helped my own child: THANK YOU. I see you helping students, off hours and beyond the duties of your contract. PP may not, but I do.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

This may be one reason parents are fed up— in the past, teachers weren’t all over social media sharing their Disney vacations in February. It may be that the actual instances of teachers taking midyear vacations hasn’t changed much, just the awareness of the phenomenon has.

Like the posts sitting on the beach during COVID and talking about how much they missed the kids?

Had a neighbor who did that.

I don’t even think it has to be something egregious. Family photo of kids with Mickey gets posted to Facebook, even if settings are private, a friend shows it in their mom’s group has “this is what the teachers are doing” and now the credibility is gone.

I think there’s a message about minimizing absences that also respects the need for time with family, economic conditions, and working with parents to minimize academic impact . It just certainly wasn’t this.

Teachers are allowed vacations.

Absolutely! So is every other parent. If policy supports one it must support the other.

Take your kid on a vacation but don't ask for work packets and make ups when you come back. Your vacation should not mean extra work for the teacher. And don't complain if your kids grade drops or they are struggling with the material. The teacher shouldn't
have to tutor your kid because you chose a vacation.

I saw a post on the FCPS facebook page where a parent was worried that the teacher wouldn't sign off on the form saying the kid was going to miss extended time for a vacation. The teacher wrote on the form that the child was struggling with the class and missing extra time was going to make it harder for the kid. The parents concern wasn't the struggling kid but the fact that the teacher didn't sign the form. The advice from posters was that the form was a courtesy and to go ahead and enjoy the vacation, no concerns about the kid struggling with the class and then missing more class.

Here is the unsupportable double standard. When the teacher goes on vacation for a week, it makes additional work for all 28 families in their class. That’s OK! The same policy which supports a February Disney trip for a teacher supports an extra week at Spring Break for a student.

If that bothers you, you’ll have to fix it at the administration level which allows teachers to travel midyear. Because if you push back at providing work and make ups, parents will simply get the absences excused and it will no longer be at your discretion.

I would love to see some data on this. Who are all these teachers going to Disney for a week? If we were to take this thread as fact, then Disney is filled with American educators all winter long!!! The place must be packed. Yet I know of only one teacher who has gone to Disney during the winter, and I’ve been teaching for over 20 years. She missed two days of school and felt guilty about it.

And inconveniencing families with our absences? I missed two days this year. (Sorry, DCUM. I caught the flu. I apologize for my absence, but my 102 fever and aching muscles made it a bit hard to get out of bed. I’ll do better.) I left meticulous plans and had the work graded with comments by the end of the evening. I’m sorry that was such an inconvenience.

Did you profusely thank every parent who may have been inconvenienced? Did you recognize the time they spent finding tutoring and getting their? The resources they lost paying those tutors? The hours they could have been spending in quality time with their children instead of teaching?

Doesn’t that say something about you if you didn’t?

Because thats how ridiculous your idea that a teacher is going above and beyond by providing material upon a students return is.

Teachers who go above and beyond absolutely deserve thanks and recognition and appreciation from parents (who should also send the praise to administrators). What you’re describing is not above and beyond.

Are you seriously suggesting that parents had to pay for tutors because I missed two days due to the flu? SERIOUSLY? And they missed “quality time” with their kids because I was sick?

This may be the most absurd post on this thread. We’ve jumped the shark.

This is the most ridiculous and delusional post. You illustrated quite nicely what teachers put up with.

Hey my fellow teachers who have helped my own child: THANK YOU. I see you helping students, off hours and beyond the duties of your contract. PP may not, but I do.

I’m saying it’s exactly as plausible that they’re inconvenienced by your absences as you are by theres. You’re not thanking/appreciating their sacrifices, but you think they should thank you for yours.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

This may be one reason parents are fed up— in the past, teachers weren’t all over social media sharing their Disney vacations in February. It may be that the actual instances of teachers taking midyear vacations hasn’t changed much, just the awareness of the phenomenon has.

Like the posts sitting on the beach during COVID and talking about how much they missed the kids?

Had a neighbor who did that.

I don’t even think it has to be something egregious. Family photo of kids with Mickey gets posted to Facebook, even if settings are private, a friend shows it in their mom’s group has “this is what the teachers are doing” and now the credibility is gone.

I think there’s a message about minimizing absences that also respects the need for time with family, economic conditions, and working with parents to minimize academic impact . It just certainly wasn’t this.

Teachers are allowed vacations.

Absolutely! So is every other parent. If policy supports one it must support the other.

Take your kid on a vacation but don't ask for work packets and make ups when you come back. Your vacation should not mean extra work for the teacher. And don't complain if your kids grade drops or they are struggling with the material. The teacher shouldn't
have to tutor your kid because you chose a vacation.

I saw a post on the FCPS facebook page where a parent was worried that the teacher wouldn't sign off on the form saying the kid was going to miss extended time for a vacation. The teacher wrote on the form that the child was struggling with the class and missing extra time was going to make it harder for the kid. The parents concern wasn't the struggling kid but the fact that the teacher didn't sign the form. The advice from posters was that the form was a courtesy and to go ahead and enjoy the vacation, no concerns about the kid struggling with the class and then missing more class.

Here is the unsupportable double standard. When the teacher goes on vacation for a week, it makes additional work for all 28 families in their class. That’s OK! The same policy which supports a February Disney trip for a teacher supports an extra week at Spring Break for a student.

If that bothers you, you’ll have to fix it at the administration level which allows teachers to travel midyear. Because if you push back at providing work and make ups, parents will simply get the absences excused and it will no longer be at your discretion.

I would love to see some data on this. Who are all these teachers going to Disney for a week? If we were to take this thread as fact, then Disney is filled with American educators all winter long!!! The place must be packed. Yet I know of only one teacher who has gone to Disney during the winter, and I’ve been teaching for over 20 years. She missed two days of school and felt guilty about it.

And inconveniencing families with our absences? I missed two days this year. (Sorry, DCUM. I caught the flu. I apologize for my absence, but my 102 fever and aching muscles made it a bit hard to get out of bed. I’ll do better.) I left meticulous plans and had the work graded with comments by the end of the evening. I’m sorry that was such an inconvenience.

Did you profusely thank every parent who may have been inconvenienced? Did you recognize the time they spent finding tutoring and getting their? The resources they lost paying those tutors? The hours they could have been spending in quality time with their children instead of teaching?

Doesn’t that say something about you if you didn’t?

Because thats how ridiculous your idea that a teacher is going above and beyond by providing material upon a students return is.

Teachers who go above and beyond absolutely deserve thanks and recognition and appreciation from parents (who should also send the praise to administrators). What you’re describing is not above and beyond.

Are you seriously suggesting that parents had to pay for tutors because I missed two days due to the flu? SERIOUSLY? And they missed “quality time” with their kids because I was sick?

This may be the most absurd post on this thread. We’ve jumped the shark.

This is the most ridiculous and delusional post. You illustrated quite nicely what teachers put up with.

Hey my fellow teachers who have helped my own child: THANK YOU. I see you helping students, off hours and beyond the duties of your contract. PP may not, but I do.

I’m saying it’s exactly as plausible that they’re inconvenienced by your absences as you are by theres. You’re not thanking/appreciating their sacrifices, but you think they should thank you for yours.

These aren’t remotely equivalent.

When I’m absent, I leave detailed sub plans. Students are able to complete the work independently because I have sufficiently prepped them. Then I provide prompt feedback, and follow up as necessary. This is my job. You were not asked to sacrifice. You probably didn’t even know I was gone because I do my job so well.

When you take a vacation, you are asking me to provide individualized work above and beyond the scope of my job for your unexcused absence. You are expecting me to do more, sacrificing my personal time, so you can relax.

And I’ll do it. But let’s not for a second pretend that the two situations are the same.

And the fact you are fighting so dang hard against a “thank you” shows your extreme sense of entitlement. And that’s okay. Just own it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

This may be one reason parents are fed up— in the past, teachers weren’t all over social media sharing their Disney vacations in February. It may be that the actual instances of teachers taking midyear vacations hasn’t changed much, just the awareness of the phenomenon has.

Like the posts sitting on the beach during COVID and talking about how much they missed the kids?

Had a neighbor who did that.

I don’t even think it has to be something egregious. Family photo of kids with Mickey gets posted to Facebook, even if settings are private, a friend shows it in their mom’s group has “this is what the teachers are doing” and now the credibility is gone.

I think there’s a message about minimizing absences that also respects the need for time with family, economic conditions, and working with parents to minimize academic impact . It just certainly wasn’t this.

Teachers are allowed vacations.

Absolutely! So is every other parent. If policy supports one it must support the other.

Take your kid on a vacation but don't ask for work packets and make ups when you come back. Your vacation should not mean extra work for the teacher. And don't complain if your kids grade drops or they are struggling with the material. The teacher shouldn't
have to tutor your kid because you chose a vacation.

I saw a post on the FCPS facebook page where a parent was worried that the teacher wouldn't sign off on the form saying the kid was going to miss extended time for a vacation. The teacher wrote on the form that the child was struggling with the class and missing extra time was going to make it harder for the kid. The parents concern wasn't the struggling kid but the fact that the teacher didn't sign the form. The advice from posters was that the form was a courtesy and to go ahead and enjoy the vacation, no concerns about the kid struggling with the class and then missing more class.

Here is the unsupportable double standard. When the teacher goes on vacation for a week, it makes additional work for all 28 families in their class. That’s OK! The same policy which supports a February Disney trip for a teacher supports an extra week at Spring Break for a student.

If that bothers you, you’ll have to fix it at the administration level which allows teachers to travel midyear. Because if you push back at providing work and make ups, parents will simply get the absences excused and it will no longer be at your discretion.

I would love to see some data on this. Who are all these teachers going to Disney for a week? If we were to take this thread as fact, then Disney is filled with American educators all winter long!!! The place must be packed. Yet I know of only one teacher who has gone to Disney during the winter, and I’ve been teaching for over 20 years. She missed two days of school and felt guilty about it.

And inconveniencing families with our absences? I missed two days this year. (Sorry, DCUM. I caught the flu. I apologize for my absence, but my 102 fever and aching muscles made it a bit hard to get out of bed. I’ll do better.) I left meticulous plans and had the work graded with comments by the end of the evening. I’m sorry that was such an inconvenience.

Did you profusely thank every parent who may have been inconvenienced? Did you recognize the time they spent finding tutoring and getting their? The resources they lost paying those tutors? The hours they could have been spending in quality time with their children instead of teaching?

Doesn’t that say something about you if you didn’t?

Because thats how ridiculous your idea that a teacher is going above and beyond by providing material upon a students return is.

Teachers who go above and beyond absolutely deserve thanks and recognition and appreciation from parents (who should also send the praise to administrators). What you’re describing is not above and beyond.

Are you seriously suggesting that parents had to pay for tutors because I missed two days due to the flu? SERIOUSLY? And they missed “quality time” with their kids because I was sick?

This may be the most absurd post on this thread. We’ve jumped the shark.

This is the most ridiculous and delusional post. You illustrated quite nicely what teachers put up with.

Hey my fellow teachers who have helped my own child: THANK YOU. I see you helping students, off hours and beyond the duties of your contract. PP may not, but I do.

I’m saying it’s exactly as plausible that they’re inconvenienced by your absences as you are by theres. You’re not thanking/appreciating their sacrifices, but you think they should thank you for yours.

These aren’t remotely equivalent.

When I’m absent, I leave detailed sub plans. Students are able to complete the work independently because I have sufficiently prepped them. Then I provide prompt feedback, and follow up as necessary. This is my job. You were not asked to sacrifice. You probably didn’t even know I was gone because I do my job so well.

When you take a vacation, you are asking me to provide individualized work above and beyond the scope of my job for your unexcused absence. You are expecting me to do more, sacrificing my personal time, so you can relax.

And I’ll do it. But let’s not for a second pretend that the two situations are the same.

And the fact you are fighting so dang hard against a “thank you” shows your extreme sense of entitlement. And that’s okay. Just own it.

No, I’m really not. Providing the work is your job. Its not “individualized” its what the rest of the class receives.

Some teachers go above and beyond. They provide the work in advance, tailor it to the trip the student is taking, provide other supplements. If you’re doing that I hope the kids parents are thanking you.

But in the same way you don’t thank parents for their sacrifices when you’re out, its absurd to expect thanks for simply providing work.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

This may be one reason parents are fed up— in the past, teachers weren’t all over social media sharing their Disney vacations in February. It may be that the actual instances of teachers taking midyear vacations hasn’t changed much, just the awareness of the phenomenon has.

Like the posts sitting on the beach during COVID and talking about how much they missed the kids?

Had a neighbor who did that.

I don’t even think it has to be something egregious. Family photo of kids with Mickey gets posted to Facebook, even if settings are private, a friend shows it in their mom’s group has “this is what the teachers are doing” and now the credibility is gone.

I think there’s a message about minimizing absences that also respects the need for time with family, economic conditions, and working with parents to minimize academic impact . It just certainly wasn’t this.

Teachers are allowed vacations.

Absolutely! So is every other parent. If policy supports one it must support the other.

Take your kid on a vacation but don't ask for work packets and make ups when you come back. Your vacation should not mean extra work for the teacher. And don't complain if your kids grade drops or they are struggling with the material. The teacher shouldn't
have to tutor your kid because you chose a vacation.

I saw a post on the FCPS facebook page where a parent was worried that the teacher wouldn't sign off on the form saying the kid was going to miss extended time for a vacation. The teacher wrote on the form that the child was struggling with the class and missing extra time was going to make it harder for the kid. The parents concern wasn't the struggling kid but the fact that the teacher didn't sign the form. The advice from posters was that the form was a courtesy and to go ahead and enjoy the vacation, no concerns about the kid struggling with the class and then missing more class.

Here is the unsupportable double standard. When the teacher goes on vacation for a week, it makes additional work for all 28 families in their class. That’s OK! The same policy which supports a February Disney trip for a teacher supports an extra week at Spring Break for a student.

If that bothers you, you’ll have to fix it at the administration level which allows teachers to travel midyear. Because if you push back at providing work and make ups, parents will simply get the absences excused and it will no longer be at your discretion.

I would love to see some data on this. Who are all these teachers going to Disney for a week? If we were to take this thread as fact, then Disney is filled with American educators all winter long!!! The place must be packed. Yet I know of only one teacher who has gone to Disney during the winter, and I’ve been teaching for over 20 years. She missed two days of school and felt guilty about it.

And inconveniencing families with our absences? I missed two days this year. (Sorry, DCUM. I caught the flu. I apologize for my absence, but my 102 fever and aching muscles made it a bit hard to get out of bed. I’ll do better.) I left meticulous plans and had the work graded with comments by the end of the evening. I’m sorry that was such an inconvenience.

Did you profusely thank every parent who may have been inconvenienced? Did you recognize the time they spent finding tutoring and getting their? The resources they lost paying those tutors? The hours they could have been spending in quality time with their children instead of teaching?

Doesn’t that say something about you if you didn’t?

Because thats how ridiculous your idea that a teacher is going above and beyond by providing material upon a students return is.

Teachers who go above and beyond absolutely deserve thanks and recognition and appreciation from parents (who should also send the praise to administrators). What you’re describing is not above and beyond.

Are you seriously suggesting that parents had to pay for tutors because I missed two days due to the flu? SERIOUSLY? And they missed “quality time” with their kids because I was sick?

This may be the most absurd post on this thread. We’ve jumped the shark.

This is the most ridiculous and delusional post. You illustrated quite nicely what teachers put up with.

Hey my fellow teachers who have helped my own child: THANK YOU. I see you helping students, off hours and beyond the duties of your contract. PP may not, but I do.

I’m saying it’s exactly as plausible that they’re inconvenienced by your absences as you are by theres. You’re not thanking/appreciating their sacrifices, but you think they should thank you for yours.

These aren’t remotely equivalent.

When I’m absent, I leave detailed sub plans. Students are able to complete the work independently because I have sufficiently prepped them. Then I provide prompt feedback, and follow up as necessary. This is my job. You were not asked to sacrifice. You probably didn’t even know I was gone because I do my job so well.

When you take a vacation, you are asking me to provide individualized work above and beyond the scope of my job for your unexcused absence. You are expecting me to do more, sacrificing my personal time, so you can relax.

And I’ll do it. But let’s not for a second pretend that the two situations are the same.

And the fact you are fighting so dang hard against a “thank you” shows your extreme sense of entitlement. And that’s okay. Just own it.

So when parents get the absences excused you won’t feel so victimized? Because thats always an option. But if you want to add that to the parents plate you really shouldn’t expect thanks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

This may be one reason parents are fed up— in the past, teachers weren’t all over social media sharing their Disney vacations in February. It may be that the actual instances of teachers taking midyear vacations hasn’t changed much, just the awareness of the phenomenon has.

Like the posts sitting on the beach during COVID and talking about how much they missed the kids?

Had a neighbor who did that.

I don’t even think it has to be something egregious. Family photo of kids with Mickey gets posted to Facebook, even if settings are private, a friend shows it in their mom’s group has “this is what the teachers are doing” and now the credibility is gone.

I think there’s a message about minimizing absences that also respects the need for time with family, economic conditions, and working with parents to minimize academic impact . It just certainly wasn’t this.

Teachers are allowed vacations.

Absolutely! So is every other parent. If policy supports one it must support the other.

Take your kid on a vacation but don't ask for work packets and make ups when you come back. Your vacation should not mean extra work for the teacher. And don't complain if your kids grade drops or they are struggling with the material. The teacher shouldn't
have to tutor your kid because you chose a vacation.

I saw a post on the FCPS facebook page where a parent was worried that the teacher wouldn't sign off on the form saying the kid was going to miss extended time for a vacation. The teacher wrote on the form that the child was struggling with the class and missing extra time was going to make it harder for the kid. The parents concern wasn't the struggling kid but the fact that the teacher didn't sign the form. The advice from posters was that the form was a courtesy and to go ahead and enjoy the vacation, no concerns about the kid struggling with the class and then missing more class.

Here is the unsupportable double standard. When the teacher goes on vacation for a week, it makes additional work for all 28 families in their class. That’s OK! The same policy which supports a February Disney trip for a teacher supports an extra week at Spring Break for a student.

If that bothers you, you’ll have to fix it at the administration level which allows teachers to travel midyear. Because if you push back at providing work and make ups, parents will simply get the absences excused and it will no longer be at your discretion.

I would love to see some data on this. Who are all these teachers going to Disney for a week? If we were to take this thread as fact, then Disney is filled with American educators all winter long!!! The place must be packed. Yet I know of only one teacher who has gone to Disney during the winter, and I’ve been teaching for over 20 years. She missed two days of school and felt guilty about it.

And inconveniencing families with our absences? I missed two days this year. (Sorry, DCUM. I caught the flu. I apologize for my absence, but my 102 fever and aching muscles made it a bit hard to get out of bed. I’ll do better.) I left meticulous plans and had the work graded with comments by the end of the evening. I’m sorry that was such an inconvenience.

Did you profusely thank every parent who may have been inconvenienced? Did you recognize the time they spent finding tutoring and getting their? The resources they lost paying those tutors? The hours they could have been spending in quality time with their children instead of teaching?

Doesn’t that say something about you if you didn’t?

Because thats how ridiculous your idea that a teacher is going above and beyond by providing material upon a students return is.

Teachers who go above and beyond absolutely deserve thanks and recognition and appreciation from parents (who should also send the praise to administrators). What you’re describing is not above and beyond.

Are you seriously suggesting that parents had to pay for tutors because I missed two days due to the flu? SERIOUSLY? And they missed “quality time” with their kids because I was sick?

This may be the most absurd post on this thread. We’ve jumped the shark.

This is the most ridiculous and delusional post. You illustrated quite nicely what teachers put up with.

Hey my fellow teachers who have helped my own child: THANK YOU. I see you helping students, off hours and beyond the duties of your contract. PP may not, but I do.

I’m saying it’s exactly as plausible that they’re inconvenienced by your absences as you are by theres. You’re not thanking/appreciating their sacrifices, but you think they should thank you for yours.

These aren’t remotely equivalent.

When I’m absent, I leave detailed sub plans. Students are able to complete the work independently because I have sufficiently prepped them. Then I provide prompt feedback, and follow up as necessary. This is my job. You were not asked to sacrifice. You probably didn’t even know I was gone because I do my job so well.

When you take a vacation, you are asking me to provide individualized work above and beyond the scope of my job for your unexcused absence. You are expecting me to do more, sacrificing my personal time, so you can relax.

And I’ll do it. But let’s not for a second pretend that the two situations are the same.

And the fact you are fighting so dang hard against a “thank you” shows your extreme sense of entitlement. And that’s okay. Just own it.

No, I’m really not. Providing the work is your job. Its not “individualized” its what the rest of the class receives.

Some teachers go above and beyond. They provide the work in advance, tailor it to the trip the student is taking, provide other supplements. If you’re doing that I hope the kids parents are thanking you.

But in the same way you don’t thank parents for their sacrifices when you’re out, its absurd to expect thanks for simply providing work.

You’re fighting for the sake of fighting and I don’t have time for that.

I literally wrote that I am doing the extra work, going “above and beyond”. I don’t “simply provide work,” as I have written at least twice in the last hour.

You are being belligerent just for the sake of being “right,” and you’re incapable of giving a teacher a small shred of respect. That’s clear.

And no, parents aren’t sacrificing when I have the flu for two days. They aren’t. Period. End of story. This ends here. And you know that.