Anonymous wrote:A big part of the problem is this new federal holiday that falls right near the end of school and causes all sorts of headaches. Tuesday the 16th having no school isn't helping either.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

They could have just stuck to the plan which was to tack those days on at the end of the year. They did not have to take PTC and yet DCPS chose to.

Since you were kind, I hope this explanation makes sense.

One of them was tacked on to the end. They should have chosen April 6 as the other day since it is in the last week before spring break and grading can be done on the adjacent weekend or during free times. The now last day for students is June 18 right before a 3-day weekend from Juneteenth. They now have a strange staff end date of Monday, June 22. They should make June 18 a half student day and full staff day. Waive the 2 half PD days after the 3rd and 4th quarters.

+1

This is a good idea. Why we have a PD day after students leave is beyond me. I’ve never worked in any other district that required that. You can make it optional- if teachers need to complete grades, clean out their rooms, etc. then have the buildings open the day after students leave. But making thr last day half day students and full day staff is perfect.

There’s generally not any PD that day. Sometimes schools have some new initiative or training but for the most part it’s just a teacher work day. PreK in particular I think has a ton of cleaning work (at least they did in the Head Start era). Half day student-teacher is perfect, but parents voted against them a few years ago. As for making it optional, if it needs to be done they need to give teachers time for it. Taking away that day and making it an optional unpaid day to do required work wouldn’t fly.

So instead either teachers who are all done have to go sit in their school doing absolutely nothing or burn a day of leave? Why does that fly?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

They could have just stuck to the plan which was to tack those days on at the end of the year. They did not have to take PTC and yet DCPS chose to.

Since you were kind, I hope this explanation makes sense.

One of them was tacked on to the end. They should have chosen April 6 as the other day since it is in the last week before spring break and grading can be done on the adjacent weekend or during free times. The now last day for students is June 18 right before a 3-day weekend from Juneteenth. They now have a strange staff end date of Monday, June 22. They should make June 18 a half student day and full staff day. Waive the 2 half PD days after the 3rd and 4th quarters.

+1

This is a good idea. Why we have a PD day after students leave is beyond me. I’ve never worked in any other district that required that. You can make it optional- if teachers need to complete grades, clean out their rooms, etc. then have the buildings open the day after students leave. But making thr last day half day students and full day staff is perfect.

There’s generally not any PD that day. Sometimes schools have some new initiative or training but for the most part it’s just a teacher work day. PreK in particular I think has a ton of cleaning work (at least they did in the Head Start era). Half day student-teacher is perfect, but parents voted against them a few years ago. As for making it optional, if it needs to be done they need to give teachers time for it. Taking away that day and making it an optional unpaid day to do required work wouldn’t fly.

So instead either teachers who are all done have to go sit in their school doing absolutely nothing or burn a day of leave? Why does that fly?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

They could have just stuck to the plan which was to tack those days on at the end of the year. They did not have to take PTC and yet DCPS chose to.

Since you were kind, I hope this explanation makes sense.

One of them was tacked on to the end. They should have chosen April 6 as the other day since it is in the last week before spring break and grading can be done on the adjacent weekend or during free times. The now last day for students is June 18 right before a 3-day weekend from Juneteenth. They now have a strange staff end date of Monday, June 22. They should make June 18 a half student day and full staff day. Waive the 2 half PD days after the 3rd and 4th quarters.

+1

This is a good idea. Why we have a PD day after students leave is beyond me. I’ve never worked in any other district that required that. You can make it optional- if teachers need to complete grades, clean out their rooms, etc. then have the buildings open the day after students leave. But making thr last day half day students and full day staff is perfect.

There’s generally not any PD that day. Sometimes schools have some new initiative or training but for the most part it’s just a teacher work day. PreK in particular I think has a ton of cleaning work (at least they did in the Head Start era). Half day student-teacher is perfect, but parents voted against them a few years ago. As for making it optional, if it needs to be done they need to give teachers time for it. Taking away that day and making it an optional unpaid day to do required work wouldn’t fly.

So instead either teachers who are all done have to go sit in their school doing absolutely nothing or burn a day of leave? Why does that fly?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

They could have just stuck to the plan which was to tack those days on at the end of the year. They did not have to take PTC and yet DCPS chose to.

Since you were kind, I hope this explanation makes sense.

One of them was tacked on to the end. They should have chosen April 6 as the other day since it is in the last week before spring break and grading can be done on the adjacent weekend or during free times. The now last day for students is June 18 right before a 3-day weekend from Juneteenth. They now have a strange staff end date of Monday, June 22. They should make June 18 a half student day and full staff day. Waive the 2 half PD days after the 3rd and 4th quarters.

+1

This is a good idea. Why we have a PD day after students leave is beyond me. I’ve never worked in any other district that required that. You can make it optional- if teachers need to complete grades, clean out their rooms, etc. then have the buildings open the day after students leave. But making thr last day half day students and full day staff is perfect.

There’s generally not any PD that day. Sometimes schools have some new initiative or training but for the most part it’s just a teacher work day. PreK in particular I think has a ton of cleaning work (at least they did in the Head Start era). Half day student-teacher is perfect, but parents voted against them a few years ago. As for making it optional, if it needs to be done they need to give teachers time for it. Taking away that day and making it an optional unpaid day to do required work wouldn’t fly.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

They could have just stuck to the plan which was to tack those days on at the end of the year. They did not have to take PTC and yet DCPS chose to.

Since you were kind, I hope this explanation makes sense.

One of them was tacked on to the end. They should have chosen April 6 as the other day since it is in the last week before spring break and grading can be done on the adjacent weekend or during free times. The now last day for students is June 18 right before a 3-day weekend from Juneteenth. They now have a strange staff end date of Monday, June 22. They should make June 18 a half student day and full staff day. Waive the 2 half PD days after the 3rd and 4th quarters.

+1

This is a good idea. Why we have a PD day after students leave is beyond me. I’ve never worked in any other district that required that. You can make it optional- if teachers need to complete grades, clean out their rooms, etc. then have the buildings open the day after students leave. But making thr last day half day students and full day staff is perfect.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I cannot believe they cancelled PTC and kept the wellness day. The union has an absolute chokehold on this district and it’s driving more and more parents to private.

Why didn’t they preemptively shift one of the wellness days to the two snow days we had off and keep PTC?? We get NO communication about how our ES kid is doing as it is. PTC was the one chance to do that and you know the teacher isn’t going to offer any other ad hoc conferences or communications.

I mean if you can’t handle teachers having a day off, peace. DCPS doesn’t care about your demographic anyway.

We found out in the middle of class at 11:47 on a Wednesday. If you think teachers had any say, you don’t understand DCPS.

Does DCPS care about any demographic? Does the teachers’ union? And why do teachers say they have no say in these situations when it is their union?

1. Yes, but I won’t derail the thread discussing it. They are fairly open about it.

2. The teacher’s union is not a student or parent union so I’m not sure who you want them to prioritize. Spare us the whole teaching is a calling and we should die on the altar of students. It’s a job.

3. Teachers say they have no say because in these decisions because DCPS is not the union. Chancellor is not part of the WTU. Central office is not part of the WTU. Principals are not part of the WTU. They didn’t ask teachers what we wanted so how could we even have a say?

Do teachers have any say in what the union does? Some teachers seem to be saying they would prefer one thing but the union won’t allow it.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

They could have just stuck to the plan which was to tack those days on at the end of the year. They did not have to take PTC and yet DCPS chose to.

Since you were kind, I hope this explanation makes sense.

One of them was tacked on to the end. They should have chosen April 6 as the other day since it is in the last week before spring break and grading can be done on the adjacent weekend or during free times. The now last day for students is June 18 right before a 3-day weekend from Juneteenth. They now have a strange staff end date of Monday, June 22. They should make June 18 a half student day and full staff day. Waive the 2 half PD days after the 3rd and 4th quarters.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

They could have just stuck to the plan which was to tack those days on at the end of the year. They did not have to take PTC and yet DCPS chose to.

Since you were kind, I hope this explanation makes sense.

One of them was tacked on to the end. They should have chosen April 6 as the other day since it is in the last week before spring break and grading can be done on the adjacent weekend or during free times. The now last day for students is June 18 right before a 3-day weekend from Juneteenth. They now have a strange staff end date of Monday, June 22. They should make June 18 a half student day and full staff day. Waive the 2 half PD days after the 3rd and 4th quarters.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I cannot believe they cancelled PTC and kept the wellness day. The union has an absolute chokehold on this district and it’s driving more and more parents to private.

Why didn’t they preemptively shift one of the wellness days to the two snow days we had off and keep PTC?? We get NO communication about how our ES kid is doing as it is. PTC was the one chance to do that and you know the teacher isn’t going to offer any other ad hoc conferences or communications.

I mean if you can’t handle teachers having a day off, peace. DCPS doesn’t care about your demographic anyway.

We found out in the middle of class at 11:47 on a Wednesday. If you think teachers had any say, you don’t understand DCPS.

Does DCPS care about any demographic? Does the teachers’ union? And why do teachers say they have no say in these situations when it is their union?

1. Yes, but I won’t derail the thread discussing it. They are fairly open about it.

2. The teacher’s union is not a student or parent union so I’m not sure who you want them to prioritize. Spare us the whole teaching is a calling and we should die on the altar of students. It’s a job.

3. Teachers say they have no say because in these decisions because DCPS is not the union. Chancellor is not part of the WTU. Central office is not part of the WTU. Principals are not part of the WTU. They didn’t ask teachers what we wanted so how could we even have a say?

Anonymous wrote:

They could have just stuck to the plan which was to tack those days on at the end of the year. They did not have to take PTC and yet DCPS chose to.

Since you were kind, I hope this explanation makes sense.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I cannot believe they cancelled PTC and kept the wellness day. The union has an absolute chokehold on this district and it’s driving more and more parents to private.

Why didn’t they preemptively shift one of the wellness days to the two snow days we had off and keep PTC?? We get NO communication about how our ES kid is doing as it is. PTC was the one chance to do that and you know the teacher isn’t going to offer any other ad hoc conferences or communications.

I mean if you can’t handle teachers having a day off, peace. DCPS doesn’t care about your demographic anyway.

We found out in the middle of class at 11:47 on a Wednesday. If you think teachers had any say, you don’t understand DCPS.

Does DCPS care about any demographic? Does the teachers’ union? And why do teachers say they have no say in these situations when it is their union?

If you think the teacher’s union is so evil, stay at your non-unionized charter school or if you are at a DCPS school -what a weird take.

The wellness day is something teachers agreed to prior to any kind of weather events, meaning this is separate from a snow day. Can we use our critical thinking skills?

It’s interesting, charter schools also closed -they closed during Covid too -with no union present. Funny how some of you are quick to blame workers and not the management. Makes me think it’s just 1-2 people trolling because there’s no way multiple people could be this dumb.

I am not the PP, but it actually doesn't seem impossible to me that DCPS could have retained the flexibility to change one of the 3 snow days into the teachers' wellness day (provided that they weren't requiring them to do any work); I suspect that if the contract didn't give them that flexibility, then the next one will. Assuming that they weren't working any of those days, why couldn't one be designated as the wellness day? They got the days off... Maybe I'm missing something?

Since it was an emergency event they could not have have just randomly decided to make it a wellness day -despite DCPS often being a tumultuous place to work even they cannot just decide to change the date of the wellness day with zero notice. For example I have already planned to do something with my family that day (the actual wellness day). Also let’s be honest, it’s not much of a wellness day to be anxious about what DCPS is deciding to do (as you know).

To note some teachers would have been happy to take the wellness day, however it would have had to be put to a vote and there was not enough time for all of that.

They could have just stuck to the plan which was to tack those days on at the end of the year. They did not have to take PTC and yet DCPS chose to.

Since you were kind, I hope this explanation makes sense.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I cannot believe they cancelled PTC and kept the wellness day. The union has an absolute chokehold on this district and it’s driving more and more parents to private.

Why didn’t they preemptively shift one of the wellness days to the two snow days we had off and keep PTC?? We get NO communication about how our ES kid is doing as it is. PTC was the one chance to do that and you know the teacher isn’t going to offer any other ad hoc conferences or communications.

I mean if you can’t handle teachers having a day off, peace. DCPS doesn’t care about your demographic anyway.

We found out in the middle of class at 11:47 on a Wednesday. If you think teachers had any say, you don’t understand DCPS.

Does DCPS care about any demographic? Does the teachers’ union? And why do teachers say they have no say in these situations when it is their union?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I cannot believe they cancelled PTC and kept the wellness day. The union has an absolute chokehold on this district and it’s driving more and more parents to private.

Why didn’t they preemptively shift one of the wellness days to the two snow days we had off and keep PTC?? We get NO communication about how our ES kid is doing as it is. PTC was the one chance to do that and you know the teacher isn’t going to offer any other ad hoc conferences or communications.

I mean if you can’t handle teachers having a day off, peace. DCPS doesn’t care about your demographic anyway.

We found out in the middle of class at 11:47 on a Wednesday. If you think teachers had any say, you don’t understand DCPS.

Does DCPS care about any demographic? Does the teachers’ union? And why do teachers say they have no say in these situations when it is their union?

If you think the teacher’s union is so evil, stay at your non-unionized charter school or if you are at a DCPS school -what a weird take.

The wellness day is something teachers agreed to prior to any kind of weather events, meaning this is separate from a snow day. Can we use our critical thinking skills?

It’s interesting, charter schools also closed -they closed during Covid too -with no union present. Funny how some of you are quick to blame workers and not the management. Makes me think it’s just 1-2 people trolling because there’s no way multiple people could be this dumb.

I am not the PP, but it actually doesn't seem impossible to me that DCPS could have retained the flexibility to change one of the 3 snow days into the teachers' wellness day (provided that they weren't requiring them to do any work); I suspect that if the contract didn't give them that flexibility, then the next one will. Assuming that they weren't working any of those days, why couldn't one be designated as the wellness day? They got the days off... Maybe I'm missing something?