Anonymous wrote:Doesn’t MCPS have some kind of policy about teachers taking planned leave right before a break? Multiple of my kid’s teachers at Pyle were already gone on vacation yesterday or have announced they will be gone Monday and Tuesday.

I get having easy/review lessons or even playing movies, but to be already gone on vacation seems unprofessional.

You'll take playing movies over a sub? Kids deserve a break too so they can socialize. What grade?
I'll tell you what your kid needs to know in 2 minutes.

Teachers: former classroom teacher here- take the days off and don’t let anyone make you feel guilty for putting yourself or your own family first. It’s never enough; parents want more and more, kids will never appreciate what they have, so take the time. You’ll never get it back.

Anonymous wrote:Middle school? I wouldn't care at all.

I've had two kids go through MCPS and in high school, teachers in challenging classes do not take off willy-nilly - they know their students depend on them for the AP exam.

The only absent teacher my youngest has had this week is her APUSH teacher, who is out sick. We know her, because DD had her for AP US Gov. She would never leave her students hanging.

Teachers of challenging courses are also entitled to their leave. Yes, it’s our responsibility to prepare students for AP exams. It’s also our responsibility to take care of our children, our parents, etc. And we may even decide to place our family before our jobs. I took 2 days off because my family had a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity last year. It was March… close to exams. I still went and I don’t feel bad about that.

And: teachers of other courses have students who depend on them, too. This isn’t something unique to AP teachers. I don’t know why they are being held to some higher standard, as if general ed teachers’ absences matter less?

Hilarious that you think you can dictate when someone else takes their personal leave.

Very little instruction will happen next week because so many kids leave early too, that’s exactly when teachers should take off.

If you want more control; pull your kids and homeschool.

Did anyone tell you it is unprofessional to bash other professionals in an anonymous forum during your work hours??? I am sure they are not paying you to be on your phone Karen!

Middle school? I wouldn't care at all.

I've had two kids go through MCPS and in high school, teachers in challenging classes do not take off willy-nilly - they know their students depend on them for the AP exam.

The only absent teacher my youngest has had this week is her APUSH teacher, who is out sick. We know her, because DD had her for AP US Gov. She would never leave her students hanging.

Anonymous wrote:You suck OP.

Very much so. I hope OP never extends a weekend. How unprofessional!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Teachers get a certain amount of personal days to use each year. I don’t understand the issue if they want to use two or three of them right now. They are entitled to use them when they want.

+1 their time to use. I don’t see a problem.

Some parents like to think they should have control.

Op, one teacher I know took two days to go on the trip of a lifetime. You'll be OK.

To answer your question OP-yes there is a policy. But there are so many “special circumstances” that nobody actually follows it or takes it seriously.

Anonymous wrote:Ridiculous to be open next week. The kids, teachers, administrators - everyone is done and ready for break. They are useless days

They are useful in that they count toward the state mandated total and thus help us maintain the length of summer break. Yes, it highlights why the state policy is ill-conceived, but they do serve a purpose.

Anonymous wrote:Doesn’t MCPS have some kind of policy about teachers taking planned leave right before a break? Multiple of my kid’s teachers at Pyle were already gone on vacation yesterday or have announced they will be gone Monday and Tuesday.

I get having easy/review lessons or even playing movies, but to be already gone on vacation seems unprofessional.

I think you're indicating why its actually a very GOOD and considerate time for teachers to take their personal days. No instruction is happening Mon or Tuesday. It's easy for a sub to play a video. Half of the kids will be out.

Ridiculous to be open next week. The kids, teachers, administrators - everyone is done and ready for break. They are useless days

MCPS should have been closed all of next week. Many kids don’t come so it is impossible to do instruction any way. Better for teachers to take off now than in the middle of quarters

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Teachers get a certain amount of personal days to use each year. I don’t understand the issue if they want to use two or three of them right now. They are entitled to use them when they want.

+1 their time to use. I don’t see a problem.

+2. Better now when it’s a week where a lot of kids are not going to attend anyway

You suck OP.