If this teacher cut out 55 hours (20+ half days) of school would you be annoyed?

[momtoS]

My daughter got a note home that due to travel time for the teacher, her day is going to be cut 15 minutes a day. Which during the school year works out to 55 hours, or 20+ half days less of literacy, social skills, numeracy, etc. that she will be receiving. Although there were other moms that were upset, I am the only one in the class that wrote a note to the principal. I am so upset that the principal had NO other solutions to the problem and gave no notice to the change.......ARGHHHHH.... I feel like the crazy mom that is making a big deal about 15 minutes....but that adds up!

[the_lissa]

That's really bizarre that she can do that. Here, the boards set how many minutes of classroom instruction, and teachers can't just decide to do less.

I would call the board.

[1xmom]

Yeah, that does sound a little bizarre to me. Is the a new teacher? Did she not realize when she took the job the commute she would be making?

So what do they do w/the students? Do they go to the cafeteria or something? Or are they sent home?

[momtoS]

They are going to send the children home earlier.....

I am so annoyed and feel like I am the only one with a concern...

[kathymuggle]

Does this not mess up bussing? Does an assistant watch them for those 15 minutes? Do they go to another class? Is it affecting your pick up or drop off time?

If it affects your pick-up or drop off times - I would definately complain. People have lives....and one persons scheduel should not dictate everyone elses!

If it does not affect your scheduel it still might bug me.

The word might comes into play because it would depend on how the school behaves in other circumstances.

Are they generally a flexible place? What do you think would happen if you tried to take your child out of school 15 minutes every day? Would they accomodate that with a smile?

I ask because I flexible work places. I find it very family friendly. If this flexibility is also extended to you, I see it as a good thing. If it is not extendede to students and familes, I would be really annoyed.

I would not worry one iota about 15 minutes of lost academic work a day. I believe a good 1/2 (if not higher) amount of time is wasted in school everyday due to attendance, discipline, lining up, etc. 15 minutes in not a big deal. Moreover, if there is an EA, I imagine she will be simply following the teacher's plans anyways.

Even though I would not worry about the academic issues, I would probably end up writing a note. It shows a lack of concern for students, IMHO. Quite frankly, nothing galls me more than lack of concern. The only exception would be if this were known as a family friendly, flexible school - in which case I would be Ok with it (as I like these values, and knew this school was "accomodating" up front)

I hope this makes sense. It seems a bit garbled. In any event, kudos to you for writing a letter. You are not the "crazy mom who does not let anything slide" (an idea meant to keep people compliant and apathetic) - speaking up about your DC education is your responsibility.

Kathy

[kathymuggle]

Originally Posted by momtoS

They are going to send the children home earlier.....

I am so annoyed and feel like I am the only one with a concern...

That is not Ok. Talk to the school - and tell them this is not OK. If they do not fix it, take it to the board.

What province are you in?

I sincerely doubt you are the only one with a concern. Some parents mind, but do not speak up because they do not think it will get them anywhere. Some parents do complain - but schools, in my experience, rarely let parents know other parents have the same concern. It is not in their best interest - they want you to think you are the lone complainer - divide and conquer and all that.

I remember several years ago complaining about bullying to my DS's school. The teachers and principal claimed they really did not see a problem. I later learned that many parents had complained about bullying - and were all told the same thing: there is no issue and you are the only one complaining. :

Kathy

[Irishmommy]

Forget the principal, go straight to the school's superintendant (board rep) and if that doesn't fix things, then go to a board meeting and raise it there.

There are plenty of unemployed teachers who would give their right arm to work a full day. If she can't hack it for that stupid reason, then she needs to quit.

[GuildJenn]

That would definitely not be okay with me - the school needs to find another solution, if it wants to support the teacher. Who knows what the story is there - as a working mum myself I can appreciate what a difference 15 minutes makes, or if someone is dealing with an aging parent. But regardless there are some things you have to be there for and teaching is one of them. The principal him or herself could supervise a reading period, or perhaps they could combine classes or have the librarian do something but it is not okay just to dismiss one class at a different time!

I agree that you should go over the principal's head - superintendent, or your local school councillor.

[pumpkin]

Whatever jurisdiction you are in, they probably have rules about minimum number of hours per school year. There may even be rules about the length of the school day. If they are dropping 55 hours of instruction, it is likely the school is in violation of those rules. That could jeopardize funding, accreditation, etc.

[Irishmommy]

One thing I just thought of that might be worth looking into...All teachers get prep time, where another teacher fills in for them (in our school, the classroom teacher's prep time is their science class, with the science teacher, or French teacher in the higher grades). Maybe she is using her prep time to leave and doing her stuff at home? If that's the case, and they have a real teacher teaching them during the time, it might not be so bad.

[CarrieMF]

What grade are we talking about?

If it is 1-6(& K if K is mandatory) then I"d call the district as I'm 99% sure this would not be allowed.

If it's JR/SR K or a preschool then there isn't anything you can do and it wouldn't bother me.

You mentioned half days so I"m guessing this is most likely a JR/SR K or pre-k

If it's only 55 hours for an entire school year that works out to 8.5 days or 17 half days.

[the_lissa]

Well it depends where she is. That would not be legal here and JK/SK are optional.

[dancingmama]

I assume this is a private school? I can't imagine this would be allowed at a public school...

[kathymuggle]

Originally Posted by dancingmama

I assume this is a private school? I can't imagine this would be allowed at a public school...

I wonderred about that as well.

If it is true, I would ask for a refund. You paid for a set amount of school time - which you should get.

If it is a 4 hour school day, you should get 1/16 back. If it is a 3 hour - 1/12.
Now, that will add up (particularly if it is the whole class) - and hopefully be a good incentive for them to deliver a full program.

kathy

[momtoS]

Originally Posted by 1xmom

So what do they do w/the students? Do they go to the cafeteria or something? Or are they sent home?

They are sending them home.

[momtoS]

[QUOTE=kathymuggle;12456522]Does this not mess up bussing? Does an assistant watch them for those 15 minutes? Do they go to another class? Is it affecting your pick up or drop off time?

It will affect my day, as I have already joined other groups with my other littleone, and I will have to leave those classes early

If it affects your pick-up or drop off times - I would definately complain. People have lives....and one persons scheduel should not dictate everyone elses!

If it does not affect your scheduel it still might bug me.

The word might comes into play because it would depend on how the school behaves in other circumstances.

Are they generally a flexible place? What do you think would happen if you tried to take your child out of school 15 minutes every day? Would they accomodate that with a smile?

They are not accomodating at all

I ask because I flexible work places. I find it very family friendly. If this flexibility is also extended to you, I see it as a good thing. If it is not extendede to students and familes, I would be really annoyed.

I would not worry one iota about 15 minutes of lost academic work a day. I believe a good 1/2 (if not higher) amount of time is wasted in school everyday due to attendance, discipline, lining up, etc. 15 minutes in not a big deal. Moreover, if there is an EA, I imagine she will be simply following the teacher's plans anyways.

Even though I would not worry about the academic issues, I would probably end up writing a note. It shows a lack of concern for students, IMHO. Quite frankly, nothing galls me more than lack of concern. The only exception would be if this were known as a family friendly, flexible school - in which case I would be Ok with it (as I like these values, and knew this school was "accomodating" up front)

[momtoS]

All the parents got a letter that 100% agreed with the change (we were sent home a note on Wednesday pm, that has a yes or no on it (the answer had to be in by Thursday am) . So apparently my note that said no and had several concerns on it....must have got misplaced in the shredder

[studentmidwifemama]

I find that weird. And Unacceptable. I would consider the above advice to communicate with the school board. I'd also suggest to them that the principal or someone in the school mind the children's class for those 15 minutes each day and provide that time for a supervised activity such as reading.

[grniys]

Is this a public school or private? Because if it's public there is no way that's allowed.

20+ half days equals over 2 weeks of extra paid vacation each year.

I would be livid. She can deal with a commute or find a different job. Your child's education is more important.

[momtoS]

It is public school....