Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think people should stop using “per year” to describe leave taken within ten months not including the 39 vacation days already included.

You're right, teachers should definitely schedule their illnesses to happen during summer and winter break. It's so inconvenient to get the flu in January.

If you really believe these absences are based on illnesses, why do sub rates surge right before winter and spring breaks? This year probably before Memorial day but too soon to say.

Teachers want cheap flights and midyear pricing on vacations just like everyone else, please stop pretending they’re only out for illness and tragedy— you’re embarrassing yourself.

NP but given how many people pull their kids early for breaks or return late, if the teachers have the leave why shouldn’t they take it and do the same?

I have no objection to them doing it, I just think we should pretend that isn’t what’s happening while we create fantasies about the death of parents and children.

Principals who allow this, though, should definitely not send emails, reminding parents about “the gift of attendance”. Terrible look.

You’ve been on here before complaining about this, haven’t you?

It would be nice if you could give us a bit of respect. Many (most?) teachers are hesitant to take leave because it’s so much extra work. I’ve never, in 24 years, taken off for a vacation. I travel at the most expensive times of the year because that’s when I don’t have to make sub plans or feel guilty about leaving my class with a sub. And guess what? Many teacher absences are for tragic reasons (bereavement, cancer) because we are humans and bad things occasionally happen to humans. To belittle that is rude.

Also… where’s your data about these winter/spring surges?

If you go on the sub website, you will find bonus payments for those days, which reflects high demand days.

It is not disrespectful to tell the truth: days in which substitute levels are high enough that the county can plan for surge payments are not about tragedies or illness. Those are planned absences. Do not disrespect the public by pretending otherwise.

Or, they need to pay more for those days, because subs choose not to work on those days. Which they are allowed to do.

I'll also point out, that many people, teachers and otherwise, who need to take time off work for something like a planned medical procedure, will try to schedule it before a time when they can be off. I recently had to take time off to visit my elderly sick mother. I needed to be there on a weekday, so that I could go to some appointments with her. So, I took a day off before a 3 day weekend. I couldn't schedule the appointments on the holiday, but by putting it there it meant I could do the appointments on the Friday, and still also have a nice visit.

Fairfax isn’t even taking applications for new subs right now they have so many. This is demand driven, not supply driven.

I’m glad you got to spend extra time with your mom. I don’t see anything wrong with it. I also don’t think we should pretend that everybody just got the flu, lost a child, or got a cancer diagnosis. Teachers are taking off because they want a four-day weekend to do whatever (help parent in your case, go on a Disney cruise in another) and asking about prolonged absences is not ridiculous.

If FCPS had enough subs to cover those days without offering an incentive there is no way they would be offering an incentive.

Anonymous wrote:Do you ever think about the teachers who don’t visit the doctor because they want to be present everyday?

Do they die earlier because of lack of medical care?

Would it matter to OP if it meant her kid had more consistency?

I’m not OP but do you get the impression doctors only work 185 days per year?

Teaching is a very difficult job to do when you feel sick. If you WFH or have an office job where you’re sitting all day, you can tough it out if you’re under the weather. But if you aren’t feeling well it is very difficult to spend all day with high energy kids, who are often sneezing and sniffly themselves.

Do you ever think about the teachers who don’t visit the doctor because they want to be present everyday?

Do they die earlier because of lack of medical care?

Would it matter to OP if it meant her kid had more consistency?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think people should stop using “per year” to describe leave taken within ten months not including the 39 vacation days already included.

You're right, teachers should definitely schedule their illnesses to happen during summer and winter break. It's so inconvenient to get the flu in January.

If you really believe these absences are based on illnesses, why do sub rates surge right before winter and spring breaks? This year probably before Memorial day but too soon to say.

Teachers want cheap flights and midyear pricing on vacations just like everyone else, please stop pretending they’re only out for illness and tragedy— you’re embarrassing yourself.

NP but given how many people pull their kids early for breaks or return late, if the teachers have the leave why shouldn’t they take it and do the same?

I have no objection to them doing it, I just think we should pretend that isn’t what’s happening while we create fantasies about the death of parents and children.

Principals who allow this, though, should definitely not send emails, reminding parents about “the gift of attendance”. Terrible look.

You’ve been on here before complaining about this, haven’t you?

It would be nice if you could give us a bit of respect. Many (most?) teachers are hesitant to take leave because it’s so much extra work. I’ve never, in 24 years, taken off for a vacation. I travel at the most expensive times of the year because that’s when I don’t have to make sub plans or feel guilty about leaving my class with a sub. And guess what? Many teacher absences are for tragic reasons (bereavement, cancer) because we are humans and bad things occasionally happen to humans. To belittle that is rude.

Also… where’s your data about these winter/spring surges?

If you go on the sub website, you will find bonus payments for those days, which reflects high demand days.

It is not disrespectful to tell the truth: days in which substitute levels are high enough that the county can plan for surge payments are not about tragedies or illness. Those are planned absences. Do not disrespect the public by pretending otherwise.

Or, they need to pay more for those days, because subs choose not to work on those days. Which they are allowed to do.

I'll also point out, that many people, teachers and otherwise, who need to take time off work for something like a planned medical procedure, will try to schedule it before a time when they can be off. I recently had to take time off to visit my elderly sick mother. I needed to be there on a weekday, so that I could go to some appointments with her. So, I took a day off before a 3 day weekend. I couldn't schedule the appointments on the holiday, but by putting it there it meant I could do the appointments on the Friday, and still also have a nice visit.

Fairfax isn’t even taking applications for new subs right now they have so many. This is demand driven, not supply driven.

I’m glad you got to spend extra time with your mom. I don’t see anything wrong with it. I also don’t think we should pretend that everybody just got the flu, lost a child, or got a cancer diagnosis. Teachers are taking off because they want a four-day weekend to do whatever (help parent in your case, go on a Disney cruise in another) and asking about prolonged absences is not ridiculous.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think people should stop using “per year” to describe leave taken within ten months not including the 39 vacation days already included.

You're right, teachers should definitely schedule their illnesses to happen during summer and winter break. It's so inconvenient to get the flu in January.

If you really believe these absences are based on illnesses, why do sub rates surge right before winter and spring breaks? This year probably before Memorial day but too soon to say.

Teachers want cheap flights and midyear pricing on vacations just like everyone else, please stop pretending they’re only out for illness and tragedy— you’re embarrassing yourself.

NP but given how many people pull their kids early for breaks or return late, if the teachers have the leave why shouldn’t they take it and do the same?

I have no objection to them doing it, I just think we should pretend that isn’t what’s happening while we create fantasies about the death of parents and children.

Principals who allow this, though, should definitely not send emails, reminding parents about “the gift of attendance”. Terrible look.

You’ve been on here before complaining about this, haven’t you?

It would be nice if you could give us a bit of respect. Many (most?) teachers are hesitant to take leave because it’s so much extra work. I’ve never, in 24 years, taken off for a vacation. I travel at the most expensive times of the year because that’s when I don’t have to make sub plans or feel guilty about leaving my class with a sub. And guess what? Many teacher absences are for tragic reasons (bereavement, cancer) because we are humans and bad things occasionally happen to humans. To belittle that is rude.

Also… where’s your data about these winter/spring surges?

If you go on the sub website, you will find bonus payments for those days, which reflects high demand days.

It is not disrespectful to tell the truth: days in which substitute levels are high enough that the county can plan for surge payments are not about tragedies or illness. Those are planned absences. Do not disrespect the public by pretending otherwise.

Or, they need to pay more for those days, because subs choose not to work on those days. Which they are allowed to do.

I'll also point out, that many people, teachers and otherwise, who need to take time off work for something like a planned medical procedure, will try to schedule it before a time when they can be off. I recently had to take time off to visit my elderly sick mother. I needed to be there on a weekday, so that I could go to some appointments with her. So, I took a day off before a 3 day weekend. I couldn't schedule the appointments on the holiday, but by putting it there it meant I could do the appointments on the Friday, and still also have a nice visit.

Here are the approved high volume days this year:


High volume days for ‘’25-‘26:

Friday, October 10
Friday, November 21
Friday, December 5
Friday, December 12
Friday, January 16
Friday, February 13
Friday, February 27
Friday, March 6
Friday, March 13
Friday, March 27
Friday, April 17
Friday, April 24
Friday, May 1
Friday, May 8
Friday, May 15
Friday, May 22
Friday, May 29

Truly it is so remarkable how tragedy and illness only strike on Friday.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think people should stop using “per year” to describe leave taken within ten months not including the 39 vacation days already included.

You're right, teachers should definitely schedule their illnesses to happen during summer and winter break. It's so inconvenient to get the flu in January.

If you really believe these absences are based on illnesses, why do sub rates surge right before winter and spring breaks? This year probably before Memorial day but too soon to say.

Teachers want cheap flights and midyear pricing on vacations just like everyone else, please stop pretending they’re only out for illness and tragedy— you’re embarrassing yourself.

NP but given how many people pull their kids early for breaks or return late, if the teachers have the leave why shouldn’t they take it and do the same?

I have no objection to them doing it, I just think we should pretend that isn’t what’s happening while we create fantasies about the death of parents and children.

Principals who allow this, though, should definitely not send emails, reminding parents about “the gift of attendance”. Terrible look.

You’ve been on here before complaining about this, haven’t you?

It would be nice if you could give us a bit of respect. Many (most?) teachers are hesitant to take leave because it’s so much extra work. I’ve never, in 24 years, taken off for a vacation. I travel at the most expensive times of the year because that’s when I don’t have to make sub plans or feel guilty about leaving my class with a sub. And guess what? Many teacher absences are for tragic reasons (bereavement, cancer) because we are humans and bad things occasionally happen to humans. To belittle that is rude.

Also… where’s your data about these winter/spring surges?

If you go on the sub website, you will find bonus payments for those days, which reflects high demand days.

It is not disrespectful to tell the truth: days in which substitute levels are high enough that the county can plan for surge payments are not about tragedies or illness. Those are planned absences. Do not disrespect the public by pretending otherwise.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think people should stop using “per year” to describe leave taken within ten months not including the 39 vacation days already included.

What vacation days are you referring to? Surely you don't mean summer ... when teachers aren't paid? Or holidays? Surely you aren't confusing holidays with being "vacation days?"

How would you like to characterize the three weeks of spring and winter breaks? The five days of Memorial day weekend? It isn’t 10 days total, it is 10 days additional.

I’d categorize them as “days not included in the 195 days I’m contracted to teach and that I’m paid for.” Kind of like weekends.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think people should stop using “per year” to describe leave taken within ten months not including the 39 vacation days already included.

You're right, teachers should definitely schedule their illnesses to happen during summer and winter break. It's so inconvenient to get the flu in January.

If you really believe these absences are based on illnesses, why do sub rates surge right before winter and spring breaks? This year probably before Memorial day but too soon to say.

Teachers want cheap flights and midyear pricing on vacations just like everyone else, please stop pretending they’re only out for illness and tragedy— you’re embarrassing yourself.

NP but given how many people pull their kids early for breaks or return late, if the teachers have the leave why shouldn’t they take it and do the same?

I have no objection to them doing it, I just think we should pretend that isn’t what’s happening while we create fantasies about the death of parents and children.

Principals who allow this, though, should definitely not send emails, reminding parents about “the gift of attendance”. Terrible look.

You’ve been on here before complaining about this, haven’t you?

It would be nice if you could give us a bit of respect. Many (most?) teachers are hesitant to take leave because it’s so much extra work. I’ve never, in 24 years, taken off for a vacation. I travel at the most expensive times of the year because that’s when I don’t have to make sub plans or feel guilty about leaving my class with a sub. And guess what? Many teacher absences are for tragic reasons (bereavement, cancer) because we are humans and bad things occasionally happen to humans. To belittle that is rude.

Also… where’s your data about these winter/spring surges?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think people should stop using “per year” to describe leave taken within ten months not including the 39 vacation days already included.

What vacation days are you referring to? Surely you don't mean summer ... when teachers aren't paid? Or holidays? Surely you aren't confusing holidays with being "vacation days?"

How would you like to characterize the three weeks of spring and winter breaks? The five days of Memorial day weekend? It isn’t 10 days total, it is 10 days additional.

Anonymous wrote:I think people should stop using “per year” to describe leave taken within ten months not including the 39 vacation days already included.

What vacation days are you referring to? Surely you don't mean summer ... when teachers aren't paid? Or holidays? Surely you aren't confusing holidays with being "vacation days?"

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think people should stop using “per year” to describe leave taken within ten months not including the 39 vacation days already included.

You're right, teachers should definitely schedule their illnesses to happen during summer and winter break. It's so inconvenient to get the flu in January.

If you really believe these absences are based on illnesses, why do sub rates surge right before winter and spring breaks? This year probably before Memorial day but too soon to say.

Teachers want cheap flights and midyear pricing on vacations just like everyone else, please stop pretending they’re only out for illness and tragedy— you’re embarrassing yourself.

NP but given how many people pull their kids early for breaks or return late, if the teachers have the leave why shouldn’t they take it and do the same?

I have no objection to them doing it, I just think we should pretend that isn’t what’s happening while we create fantasies about the death of parents and children.

Principals who allow this, though, should definitely not send emails, reminding parents about “the gift of attendance”. Terrible look.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think people should stop using “per year” to describe leave taken within ten months not including the 39 vacation days already included.

You're right, teachers should definitely schedule their illnesses to happen during summer and winter break. It's so inconvenient to get the flu in January.

If you really believe these absences are based on illnesses, why do sub rates surge right before winter and spring breaks? This year probably before Memorial day but too soon to say.

Teachers want cheap flights and midyear pricing on vacations just like everyone else, please stop pretending they’re only out for illness and tragedy— you’re embarrassing yourself.

NP but given how many people pull their kids early for breaks or return late, if the teachers have the leave why shouldn’t they take it and do the same?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think people should stop using “per year” to describe leave taken within ten months not including the 39 vacation days already included.

You're right, teachers should definitely schedule their illnesses to happen during summer and winter break. It's so inconvenient to get the flu in January.

If you really believe these absences are based on illnesses, why do sub rates surge right before winter and spring breaks? This year probably before Memorial day but too soon to say.

Teachers want cheap flights and midyear pricing on vacations just like everyone else, please stop pretending they’re only out for illness and tragedy— you’re embarrassing yourself.