teachers and absences

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:And people wonder why teachers are leaving in droves... shocking.

Why is a teacher's attendance any of your business OP? Do you think leave of everyone in every profession should be public knowledge?

I mean if they're your kids teacher why wouldn't you be concerned if you are dealing with a sub......

Because it's none of our business?

When my child's teachers are out often, I am not concerned about the fact there is a sub but am instead concerned that the teacher is okay. Why? Because I'm a human being who has empathy for the suffering of others.

While I am concerned for the teacher's physical and emotional health, I'd still never pry into WHY they are out. That's their business.
-- Maybe they or their family member has the flu.
-- Maybe they or a family member has cancer.
-- Maybe they or a family member has a doctor's appointment.
-- Maybe they're having surgery.
-- Maybe they have been summoned for jury duty.
-- Maybe they're at a meeting at Gatehouse.
-- Maybe they were in an accident.
-- Maybe they needed a mental health day due to dealing with unreasonable parents.

There's a lot of Maybes, but only one Certain, which is that it is none of our business.

Perfect answer, but you forgot one:

-pulled from classes to be in IEP or 504 meetings, because they have multiple students with IEPs/504s and each one requires meetings a couple of times per year

They usually don’t stay the entire time at an IEP meeting - they go back to the class after an hour or maybe less. 504 meetings at our school are often held at 8 am so teachers are able to get to their classes and not even need coverage.

Are those 8 AM meetings held before school hours or during school hours?

Before.

Not ok.

Yes it is. Contract states there may be meetings outside of school hours. That can include team meetings. It is simply not possible to have all meetings during the time the kids are there.

It’s very possible if you staff the buildings properly.

This.

[Anonymous]

The contract actually says something more like “additional duties as required on a reasonable basis.” So 1-2 outside contract hours IEP meetings a year would fall within that and be considered reasonable. 1 a week, even 1 a month- no. You could decline and cite your contract.

-another teacher

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The contract actually says something more like “additional duties as required on a reasonable basis.” So 1-2 outside contract hours IEP meetings a year would fall within that and be considered reasonable. 1 a week, even 1 a month- no. You could decline and cite your contract.

-another teacher

My suggestion is if you want to drastically cut down your IEP meetings, become an AAP teacher.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If it makes you feel any better, I’ve not taken 1 sick day for myself. I’ve used my 5 personal days each year for family/kids things (graduation, etc) and only a few sick days for kid reasons.

Why are you pandering to this? Who cares if you took 5 days for yourself or your kids or whatever. EVERY JOB that’s salaried includes days off, nobody has to justify using them.

Most salaried jobs are based on a schedule of 5 days per week, 52 weeks per year. The reason PTO exists is to allow workers to choose which days to take off. Teachers have a contract based on roughly 40 weeks a year with sick days and personal days for emergencies. They also end their work day earlier than 5pm and presumably can make appointments during that time. My mom was a teacher for 40 years and rarely took days off except when she was truly sick. She took 1 personal day my senior year for my awards assembly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If it makes you feel any better, I’ve not taken 1 sick day for myself. I’ve used my 5 personal days each year for family/kids things (graduation, etc) and only a few sick days for kid reasons.

Why are you pandering to this? Who cares if you took 5 days for yourself or your kids or whatever. EVERY JOB that’s salaried includes days off, nobody has to justify using them.

Most salaried jobs are based on a schedule of 5 days per week, 52 weeks per year. The reason PTO exists is to allow workers to choose which days to take off. Teachers have a contract based on roughly 40 weeks a year with sick days and personal days for emergencies. They also end their work day earlier than 5pm and presumably can make appointments during that time. My mom was a teacher for 40 years and rarely took days off except when she was truly sick. She took 1 personal day my senior year for my awards assembly.

So your mother was a martyr.

My personal days are not just for emergencies. If I decide I’d like to visit a relative, I have that right. I am not chained to my desk, no matter how much you may want me to be.

I’m tired of the idea the only way to be a good teacher is to give up my own wants and needs. I worked that way for many years, pulling 65 or 70 hours weeks. I realized the more I gave, the more I was expected to give.

So I pulled back. I (gasp) take my leave. I stay home when my kids are sick. I make that 2pm doctors appointment so I don’t have to wait another two months for the next available 4:30pm one.

I’m a very good teacher, but I’m not going to bend over backwards for this job anymore.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The contract actually says something more like “additional duties as required on a reasonable basis.” So 1-2 outside contract hours IEP meetings a year would fall within that and be considered reasonable. 1 a week, even 1 a month- no. You could decline and cite your contract.

-another teacher

+100, 5-10 years ago it was extremely common to have a staff/department meeting for 30-40 minutes before or after school, once a month or quarter. We were almost notified of all meeting at the start of the year or given 3-4 weeks notice. Now, it feels like they’re taking every free moment.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If it makes you feel any better, I’ve not taken 1 sick day for myself. I’ve used my 5 personal days each year for family/kids things (graduation, etc) and only a few sick days for kid reasons.

Why are you pandering to this? Who cares if you took 5 days for yourself or your kids or whatever. EVERY JOB that’s salaried includes days off, nobody has to justify using them.

Most salaried jobs are based on a schedule of 5 days per week, 52 weeks per year. The reason PTO exists is to allow workers to choose which days to take off. Teachers have a contract based on roughly 40 weeks a year with sick days and personal days for emergencies. They also end their work day earlier than 5pm and presumably can make appointments during that time. My mom was a teacher for 40 years and rarely took days off except when she was truly sick. She took 1 personal day my senior year for my awards assembly.

I’ve been with FCPS for over 15 years and have never been told that personal or sick days were for “emergencies.”

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The contract actually says something more like “additional duties as required on a reasonable basis.” So 1-2 outside contract hours IEP meetings a year would fall within that and be considered reasonable. 1 a week, even 1 a month- no. You could decline and cite your contract.

-another teacher

Not reasonable to me. I have a second job right after school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If it makes you feel any better, I’ve not taken 1 sick day for myself. I’ve used my 5 personal days each year for family/kids things (graduation, etc) and only a few sick days for kid reasons.

Why are you pandering to this? Who cares if you took 5 days for yourself or your kids or whatever. EVERY JOB that’s salaried includes days off, nobody has to justify using them.

Most salaried jobs are based on a schedule of 5 days per week, 52 weeks per year. The reason PTO exists is to allow workers to choose which days to take off. Teachers have a contract based on roughly 40 weeks a year with sick days and personal days for emergencies. They also end their work day earlier than 5pm and presumably can make appointments during that time. My mom was a teacher for 40 years and rarely took days off except when she was truly sick. She took 1 personal day my senior year for my awards assembly.

I’ve been with FCPS for over 15 years and have never been told that personal or sick days were for “emergencies.”

Because they aren't.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The contract actually says something more like “additional duties as required on a reasonable basis.” So 1-2 outside contract hours IEP meetings a year would fall within that and be considered reasonable. 1 a week, even 1 a month- no. You could decline and cite your contract.

-another teacher

"Reasonable" is open to interpretation. That's an issue with a lot of the school board policies regarding things like meeting, planning time, teacher-directed work time during teacher workdays, etc. Rather than relying on school board policies and good-will of principals, job requirements need to be contractual. So, now that FEU has filed for collective bargaining, vote "Yes" on CB when asked.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If it makes you feel any better, I’ve not taken 1 sick day for myself. I’ve used my 5 personal days each year for family/kids things (graduation, etc) and only a few sick days for kid reasons.

Why are you pandering to this? Who cares if you took 5 days for yourself or your kids or whatever. EVERY JOB that’s salaried includes days off, nobody has to justify using them.

Most salaried jobs are based on a schedule of 5 days per week, 52 weeks per year. The reason PTO exists is to allow workers to choose which days to take off. Teachers have a contract based on roughly 40 weeks a year with sick days and personal days for emergencies. They also end their work day earlier than 5pm and presumably can make appointments during that time. My mom was a teacher for 40 years and rarely took days off except when she was truly sick. She took 1 personal day my senior year for my awards assembly.

So your mother was a martyr.

My personal days are not just for emergencies. If I decide I’d like to visit a relative, I have that right. I am not chained to my desk, no matter how much you may want me to be.

I’m tired of the idea the only way to be a good teacher is to give up my own wants and needs. I worked that way for many years, pulling 65 or 70 hours weeks. I realized the more I gave, the more I was expected to give.

So I pulled back. I (gasp) take my leave. I stay home when my kids are sick. I make that 2pm doctors appointment so I don’t have to wait another two months for the next available 4:30pm one.

I’m a very good teacher, but I’m not going to bend over backwards for this job anymore.

This! Want teachers to work constantly???~ PAY them-respect their profession and expertise. Until the pay and benefits are better I'll be using my time especially since this county does nothing to compensate you for not using your time-you just lose it. Long gone are my martyr days!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If it makes you feel any better, I’ve not taken 1 sick day for myself. I’ve used my 5 personal days each year for family/kids things (graduation, etc) and only a few sick days for kid reasons.

Why are you pandering to this? Who cares if you took 5 days for yourself or your kids or whatever. EVERY JOB that’s salaried includes days off, nobody has to justify using them.

Most salaried jobs are based on a schedule of 5 days per week, 52 weeks per year. The reason PTO exists is to allow workers to choose which days to take off. Teachers have a contract based on roughly 40 weeks a year with sick days and personal days for emergencies. They also end their work day earlier than 5pm and presumably can make appointments during that time. My mom was a teacher for 40 years and rarely took days off except when she was truly sick. She took 1 personal day my senior year for my awards assembly.

I’ve been with FCPS for over 15 years and have never been told that personal or sick days were for “emergencies.”

They are not. PP's Mom probably taught 20 years ago when schools were a great place to work and teachers really did feel valued enough to force themselves in.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If it makes you feel any better, I’ve not taken 1 sick day for myself. I’ve used my 5 personal days each year for family/kids things (graduation, etc) and only a few sick days for kid reasons.

Why are you pandering to this? Who cares if you took 5 days for yourself or your kids or whatever. EVERY JOB that’s salaried includes days off, nobody has to justify using them.

Most salaried jobs are based on a schedule of 5 days per week, 52 weeks per year. The reason PTO exists is to allow workers to choose which days to take off. Teachers have a contract based on roughly 40 weeks a year with sick days and personal days for emergencies. They also end their work day earlier than 5pm and presumably can make appointments during that time. My mom was a teacher for 40 years and rarely took days off except when she was truly sick. She took 1 personal day my senior year for my awards assembly.

So your mother was a martyr.

My personal days are not just for emergencies. If I decide I’d like to visit a relative, I have that right. I am not chained to my desk, no matter how much you may want me to be.

I’m tired of the idea the only way to be a good teacher is to give up my own wants and needs. I worked that way for many years, pulling 65 or 70 hours weeks. I realized the more I gave, the more I was expected to give.

So I pulled back. I (gasp) take my leave. I stay home when my kids are sick. I make that 2pm doctors appointment so I don’t have to wait another two months for the next available 4:30pm one.

I’m a very good teacher, but I’m not going to bend over backwards for this job anymore.

This! Want teachers to work constantly???~ PAY them-respect their profession and expertise. Until the pay and benefits are better I'll be using my time especially since this county does nothing to compensate you for not using your time-you just lose it. Long gone are my martyr days!!

There is one thing they do for those with unused leave. If you are under the ERFC Legacy Plan your unused leave will count as service credit when you retire. 12-month employees that earn annual leave (ex. principals), get a payout at their hourly rate.

https://www.erfcpension.org/resources/faqs/
Unused sick leave is converted to retirement credit at the time of retirement by the HR payroll office. This is added to your service total and included in your retirement calculation. The conversion is as follows:

Number of hours ÷ Contract days ÷ Work hours per day = Amount of service

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If it makes you feel any better, I’ve not taken 1 sick day for myself. I’ve used my 5 personal days each year for family/kids things (graduation, etc) and only a few sick days for kid reasons.

Why are you pandering to this? Who cares if you took 5 days for yourself or your kids or whatever. EVERY JOB that’s salaried includes days off, nobody has to justify using them.

Most salaried jobs are based on a schedule of 5 days per week, 52 weeks per year. The reason PTO exists is to allow workers to choose which days to take off. Teachers have a contract based on roughly 40 weeks a year with sick days and personal days for emergencies. They also end their work day earlier than 5pm and presumably can make appointments during that time. My mom was a teacher for 40 years and rarely took days off except when she was truly sick. She took 1 personal day my senior year for my awards assembly.

Think of all the things your mom missed because she’d rather be working. I’m not missing out on my kid for your kid.

But you are correct. Teachers have a contract that allows them to take days off. We don’t need parents or WJLA interviewing teachers asking about how they went to the doctor Tuesday afternoon for a vaginal infection. If you think FCPS is allowing teachers to abuse their contractually entitled benefits, talk to FCPS. If you don’t like the quality of subs, talk to FCPS about paying for the quality of sub you desire.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If it makes you feel any better, I’ve not taken 1 sick day for myself. I’ve used my 5 personal days each year for family/kids things (graduation, etc) and only a few sick days for kid reasons.

Why are you pandering to this? Who cares if you took 5 days for yourself or your kids or whatever. EVERY JOB that’s salaried includes days off, nobody has to justify using them.

Yes, but very few teachers are part of the Legacy plan. They would already have to have 20 years of uninterrupted service to be part of that plan. There aren't many left.

Most salaried jobs are based on a schedule of 5 days per week, 52 weeks per year. The reason PTO exists is to allow workers to choose which days to take off. Teachers have a contract based on roughly 40 weeks a year with sick days and personal days for emergencies. They also end their work day earlier than 5pm and presumably can make appointments during that time. My mom was a teacher for 40 years and rarely took days off except when she was truly sick. She took 1 personal day my senior year for my awards assembly.

So your mother was a martyr.

My personal days are not just for emergencies. If I decide I’d like to visit a relative, I have that right. I am not chained to my desk, no matter how much you may want me to be.

I’m tired of the idea the only way to be a good teacher is to give up my own wants and needs. I worked that way for many years, pulling 65 or 70 hours weeks. I realized the more I gave, the more I was expected to give.

So I pulled back. I (gasp) take my leave. I stay home when my kids are sick. I make that 2pm doctors appointment so I don’t have to wait another two months for the next available 4:30pm one.

I’m a very good teacher, but I’m not going to bend over backwards for this job anymore.

This! Want teachers to work constantly???~ PAY them-respect their profession and expertise. Until the pay and benefits are better I'll be using my time especially since this county does nothing to compensate you for not using your time-you just lose it. Long gone are my martyr days!!

There is one thing they do for those with unused leave. If you are under the ERFC Legacy Plan your unused leave will count as service credit when you retire. 12-month employees that earn annual leave (ex. principals), get a payout at their hourly rate.

https://www.erfcpension.org/resources/faqs/
Unused sick leave is converted to retirement credit at the time of retirement by the HR payroll office. This is added to your service total and included in your retirement calculation. The conversion is as follows:

Number of hours ÷ Contract days ÷ Work hours per day = Amount of service