Principal Suit thinks that some things are much more important than education. For instance, the holiday show. In our 250% capacity school, it takes six times for all the kids to see it. And of course, the show runs over an hour so two classes are cut short three times this week. If a class is being taught during the show period, and it is not that classes day to see it, that class is extended to over an hour. Teacher must plan for it and prepare extra work. Teaching bell to bell is important, but only if it does not interfere with the show. Of course kids in the performance are going to miss three class' each this week, but what does it matter? There are some things just more important than education!
On another note, Principal Suit has violated our contract by extending the period 10 class 10 minutes beyond normal ending time, causing teachers on a 3 - 10 period to work a longer day. I know our exec board met with him today. I hope they had some luck in getting him to change this time schedule.
The rantings of a teacher who retired from the classroom but not from education.
4 comments:
His highness the Grand Wizard of Show Business, aka Principal Suit, is not changing anything. My own Period 3 math class, which has been working very hard on factoring, (not an easy concept for learning disabled kids), is supposed to take a test on it next week. Period 3 is now only 35 minutes long for each of 3 days in a row in order to accomodate this assembly. They will still have the test, but it will have to be given over during the 3 day span since class time is reduced 10 minutes per day. Then I meet my Period 10 class for 1 hour each day on the days of the big extravaganza. They are only going to your show of shows on Monday, the other days they are with me for an hour. When asked at the exec board meeting why this has to be, the answer was "the kids need a break". I hold my tongue, thinking, "Give US a break"; I guess instruction can be compromised if the Grand Wizard and his entourage deem it necessary in the name of entertainment and "holiday spirit". Bah Humbug!! My 10th period class, usually ending at 3:31, will end at 3:48 on each of those 3 days, which is 17 minutes longer than usual. Thanks for the extra minutes to "hold" the kids, Principal Suit!!!!!
If kids are missing your period 3 class you should make arrangements to work with them other times during the day. You can always come in early, stay late or give up your lunch and your prep. You teachers are always complaining about something.
You must have dropped some old acid from the '60's, Mr. Suit. You are hallucinating. This isn't your mother's elementary school,this is a high school at 250% capacity.....get over yourself!!
Ellie, I love your wit, please keep writing.
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