Did anyone read this morning's paper? There were two interesting articles, one was an
editorial on pay based on performance. The second was about an
IPS who had to rummage through trash bins at Carmel schools to get supplies for her kids. What do you think?
Once again, Eugene White is telling lies to the Star and they don't take the time to research it. Kudos to the young teacher who has done the dumpster diving. White lied when he said our schools have plenty of supplies. I have even bought toilet paper because the supply runs out daily. They have an allotment they put in the restrooms and when it is gone, there is no more for that day. Classrooms supplies are nonexistent or in very short supply. White is a liar!!!
ReplyDeleteThere are so many different programs for IPS kids. If her student did not have supplies she should have told someone. Lots of community partners have donated supplies to our IPS schools. There is no reason for going in the dumpster. Also, our school has to order supplies...granted we have not gotten them yet, but we did last year so Im guessing we will this year.
ReplyDeleteKatie Nave would go through Hell and back for her kids. She brought hope to #19 by boosting our plight, and is sorely missed, especially by the students and parents who hoped to be on her team this school year. She is one of the few educators who doesn't shy away from meeting her students' needs through the use of any resource, including the negative connotation that dumpster diving brings. This is one educator who is in line for Tony Bennett's first A+!
ReplyDeleteBig Gene's remarks indicated that his teachers aren't aware of the treasure trove that is Title I funding. Damn right, we aren't. Perhaps if the budget was available, and IPS's funding was transparent, Katie wouldn't have to beg TWICE on the front page on IndyStar for school supplies.
You go, girl! Let me know when you're scheduling your next trip north. I have the right vehicle, and plenty of batteries for flashlights (Thanks, Teachers' Treasures!)
"If her student did not have supplies she should have told someone."
ReplyDeleteSHE DID......ON THE FRONT PAGE OF THE STAR LAST SPRING!
"Also, our school has to order supplies...granted we have not gotten them yet, but we did last year so Im guessing we will this year."
ReplyDeleteThis is a large part of your school's SBDM responsibility. Oh, wait-that's a group of ASSOCIATION MEMBERS who volunteer their time and talent to assist your building's administration in making decisions for your students' education. Since you're GUESSING, I bet two things: One, you haven't a clue as to when or where this team meets, or where you can read their minutes, and two, you're not an ASSOCIATION MEMBER.
In case you don't know, SBDM stands for Site-Based Decision Making. Get your head out of your rear.
SBDM isn't functioning like it was intended. Principals do what they want to do...yes they listen and take notes, but that is it. When you need supplies you need them right away, not a month later. We have a Title Teacher who has about 20 + years...maybe that is where all the Title monies are going. We could have two Title Teachers for the price of what she is being paid and we definitely need a Title math teacher.
ReplyDelete"SBDM isn't functioning like it was intended." Ours does, but we also have a strong Association membership. You get what you pay for,
ReplyDeleteWhy are there always the union busters posting on here when we have a serious topic re: lack of school supplies. How many weeks or months are we supposed to wait until Eugene's alleged supplies arrive. "Excuse, kid, but you cannot have your bowel movement until Dr. White's toilet paper arrives in a few weeks." I just don't understand when we have a dedicated young teacher working hard and some nonunion person wants to blame her for the lack of supplies.
ReplyDeleteTalk to the folks at Teachers' Treasures. They supplied toilet tissue for an entire IPS school during the spring of 2010. If you haven't paid your supply fee for this year, you still have two days before the $25 goes to $35. Kudos to Dr. Clencey for making this supply fee eligible on our classroom reimbursement.
ReplyDeleteCentral Indiana businesses: If you wish to make a huge difference, and don't know whom to contact, go to teacherstreasures.org
No, I'm not one of the five paid TT employees, but I'm thrilled that it's available to our schools.
Where do you see union busters? I see a gripes about the SBDM, White, and one clueless poster, but nothing against the association. I missed something.
ReplyDeleteNope, I think you are with it. A lot of things on here don't make sense. If you don't belong to the union fine, but don't be bitchy about those of us who believe in standing up for our rights and want to be treated as professionals on a level with other professionals.
ReplyDeleteWhy would Teachers' Treasures need to supply an entire school with toilet paper when Eugene says there are plenty of supplies. His lie is that all you need to do ask and you will get it.
ReplyDeleteDo you have a new principal? How are they? I have a HS asst running my elementary. I doubt she'll stay more than a year.
ReplyDeleteOur first-year principal is truly a breath of fresh air. After five years of just getting by, she has no problem holding every team member accountable for his/her reaponsibilities. The old bats who haven't worked, or skated with minimal effort, are bitching and moaning, threatening to use FMLA to avoid actually working. We all have old, sick relatives, but a professional leaves that at the door to guide students in reaching their potential.
ReplyDeleteAs far as school supplies, the absolute worst was this past summer school. Provided were one dozen pencils and one ream of paper. Rediculous.
ReplyDeleteOops. Ridiculous.
ReplyDeleteOh, Blogmaster....did you mean read instead of rad?
The anti age comments on here are getting irritating. We all work with teachers who are not pulling their weight and not doing a good job. Sometimes it is an older burnt out teacher, sometimes it is a new teacher who doesn't know what to do or took a teaching job because the economy ws bad or sometimes it is a mid life teacher who is not being successful. Almost always here, the assumption is made and the comment is made that it is the "old" teachers who are not getting the job done. I could tell you some horror tales of young teachers. Why can't we just agree that there are some bad teachers without assuming that they are in one age group?
ReplyDelete@Why can't we just agree that there are some bad teachers without assuming that they are in one age group?
ReplyDeleteGood question. I can live with that idea.
We have a Title Teacher who has about 20 + years...maybe that is where all the Title monies are going. We could have two Title Teachers for the price of what she is being paid and we definitely need a Title math teacher.
ReplyDeleteLet's talk about this one, say you got rid of this title teacher, no you can't have two because teachers are assigned by FTU's Full Time Equivalents. If you endorse this idea soon there will be no one teaching in IPS with more than about 7 years experience.
@ "We all have old, sick relatives, but a professional leaves that at the door" I'm glad you're not my relative. Most people get old and sick. You may, too. I'm sure you'll tell your relatives to go on to work and let you die alone.
ReplyDeletePerhaps we can start a program where old, sick relatives are wrapped in sheets and put on the curb on trash day. YOUR statement about caring for elderly ill family members ought to disqualify you to even hold a teaching license. I hope none of your family elders ever read this disgusting comment of yours.
ReplyDelete"Old, sick relatives" and "A professional leaves that at the door."
ReplyDelete__________________
Sounds like philosophy embraced by the Nazis.
Poster, I am not saying you are a Nazi. But I am saying you need to re-think about how cold and heartless your post made you sound.
I truly hope you are a better person than that post appeared to indicate.
Teachers are human beings with children and aging parents and friends. One's entire life should not be about his/her career or it is a life that is desperately out of balance.
I'm not the poster above, but I guess I'm heartless, because I don't think we as a nation can afford to pay the salaries of people who choose to be the primary caregivers for their aged love ones. It's no different than with having kids. As heart-wrenching as it is, you can't have a job AND be the primary caregiver. You have to choose.
ReplyDeleteOne teacher told me she simply could not understand how come her students didn't get their homework done... until she had children of her own. And to the poster above, it is a job, and you had better develop some balance here, what are you going to do when you have a sick child, or a sick spouse, leave them weeping at home, alone. If this is really your attitude please don't wed or have children. Often it is not a "choice" to be a primary caregiver, and this is why we have FMLA.
ReplyDeleteKatie Nave's article was infuriating. Volunteering to be the topic of an Indy Star article is the only way she's done her job. Period. Forget the "plus some." And I question her motives. Doesn't she know the only way to boost her career is to actually do her job? If you walked in to her classroom, you'd see a.) Katie talking on her cell phone, b.) the students playing with toys from home, c.) unapproved guests playing guitar, d.) the students drawing on chalkboards, e.) the students wearing their shirts untucked. Before we pat Katie on the back, let's check her ISTEP scores. I'm over her. This was just one more of her articles where she calls our kids dirty and smelly. IPS does not need another person "throwing dirt" on us, especially not one of our own.
ReplyDeleteI have never met Katie and have no idea on how she performs in the classroom. I find your personal attacks on her on this blog to be tasteless and unprofessional.
ReplyDelete"As heart-wrenching as it is, you can't have a job AND be the primary caregiver."
ReplyDelete-----------------------------
So, what is a woman who is a teacher and a mother supposed to do?
Drop their kids off at the daycare on Monday morning and then pick them up on Friday night?
Oh yeah, since there is often teacher work to do on weekends, they should ignore their children on weekends as well?
Then, those kids will grow up to have as many problems as many of the neglected kids their mothers teach in IPS.
This point that a couple of people have been trying to make here is absurd. Teachers have lives outside of teaching and they should not be made to feel guilty about that fact.
@Teachers have lives outside of teaching and they should not be made to feel guilty about that fact. (from post above)
ReplyDeleteYou're correct. No one should be made to feel guilty because they're fully human and have fully human family members complete with problems associated with aging or associated with children's issues. On the other hand, I've run into a few, just a few, IPS employees who seem to thrive on sharing the drama of their unfortunate home situations. By this, I mean these few people tend to give too much information too frequently to too many people about their home/family issues. This does distract everyone involved, co-workers and students alike. It's best to share those personal issues with a few well chosen close friends, not everyone in your building. Peace.
I have noticed that the new teachers tend to "share" much of their personal lives with their students. I am not sure that this is a good idea. It is probably better to keep your dating life and social activities private. These are your students not your peers.
ReplyDeleteI don't think anyone was saying teachers can't have personal lives. I think people were saying if your personal life is negatively impact your job, you obviously have to make some changes -- either quit your job or hire someone to care for your child/elderly parent (or in the case of the parent, perhaps consider nursing home placement). That's what everyone else in the world has to do. Why are teachers some special breed?
ReplyDelete@I don't think.....your suggestion is inane. Unless you are independently wealthy or don't need a job that is totally unworkable. That is why so many organizations and citizens worked to get FMLA passed. Americans should not have to choose between their careers and desperately ill family members.
ReplyDeleteFMLA doesn't allow you to keep getting paid while you take care of things. It only allows you to return to your job after you are finished.
ReplyDeleteFirst of all, inane doesn't make sense in your sentence. I'll assume you mean insane, or some other variation of the word "wrong." Second, if you want taxpayers to pay for you to take care of your elderly relative, go on welfare like everyone else has to do if they make that decision. If you want to be a teacher, be a teacher.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the intended purpose of FMLA. There are critical times in many people's lives when they simply need to 'be at home' taking care of family medical issues. At the same time, we do have some co-workers who abuse this leave.
ReplyDeleteI worked with one lady who got miffed at the principal about her job assignment, so the lady went to her doctor who wrote a note saying the teacher had hypertension and needed to 'be at home' because her work environment was too stressful. She spent the last 18 months of her IPS employment at home. Then, she qualified for full retirement. Of course, she was seen 'out and about' at the local malls, restaurants, and supermarkets. Go figure.
Did this lady have hypertension 'before' she got miffed, or did it develop 'after' she got miffed? Should IPS be financially responsible for a teacher who gets miffed easily? Only the shadow knows.
IPS receive $35 Million Dollars in Title One Funds. Where is the money going?
ReplyDeleteA lot of the money goes to outside consultants, many of whom are former IPS employees and now have non-profits set up for 'consulting'. Check the Board Minutes each month. You have to read the 'line items'. It helps if you know the connections between these consultants and IPS -- many are former employees, many are friends of top-level Ed Center administrators, etc. I consider much of the Title 1 spending to be similar to 'insider trading'. IPS officials know when the Title 1 grant money is coming, they call their old friend/buddy/cousin and tell them to put together a grant ASAP, and next thing you know, a consultant is hired.
ReplyDeleteYou may find people who abuse any system. Hopefully the number is small. There are administrators who abuse the teacher evaluation procedure. People abuse the postal system. That unfortunately is a part of our culture. I believe it is a very small part. To condemn FMLA because you think a teacher you know abused it, is not rational. Most people are very private about their medical records and conditions. There may have been issues with her health that your speculation did not know about. Let's be careful of assuming, speculating and conjecturing about other people's health status and please don't condemn FMLA as it is a major sign of progress in our country.
ReplyDeleteTitle One Funds -- Where do they go? Here's where $84,000 is going. This gentleman is a former IPS principal who now has formed his own consulting company (SIP, LLC). Apparently, Ms. Bogard, Campus Administrator at Tech HS, is unable to oversee the implementation of the SIP (School Improvement Plan) that her school put together. The woman needs help, it appears. Title 1 grant money to the rescue. Never mind that two Title 1 classroom teachers could be hired for the same amount. _________________________________________________
ReplyDeleteAgenda Item Details
MeetingAug 26, 2010 - Board Action Session; August 26, 2010; 7:00 P.M.Category5. General Superintendent's Recommendations - New Business
Subject 5.22 Request to Enter into a Contract with SIP Enterprises, LLC
Type Action
Fiscal Impact Yes
Dollar Amount$ 84,000.00
Budgeted Yes
Budget Source Title I Grant
Presented By:
Dr. Willie Giles
Dr. LiYen Johnson
Minetta Richardson
Strategic Plan:
Eliminate Achievement Gap
TOPIC: Request permission to enter into a contract with SIP Enterprises, LLC for the 2010-2011 school year in the amount not to exceed $84,000 to assist the Campus Administrator at Arsenal Technical High School – Leadership Team with overseeing the successful implementation of the School Improvement Plans developed in the 2009-2010 school year.
Background Information:
Provider has a record of school leadership which consistently met or exceeded the standards set forth by the IDOE
Provider has a record of successfully assisting the Arsenal Technical High School administrators develop seven school improvement plans in the 09/10 school year
Provider has established a positive relationship with InSAI and has a through working knowledge of their website and procedures
Provider has (30) years of experience in public education both in the classroom and as an administrator
Administrative Consideration
Services to be delivered include:
Oversee and conduct all data collection and analysis related to school improvement plan.
Manage all required reporting and information gathering for the school improvement process.
Oversee and assist in the writing of the yearly school improvement document.
Assist the Campus Administrator in the conducting and facilitating of meetings related to school improvement.
Serve as a member of the Campus Council.
Work closely with the Division of Curriculum and Instruction to ensure district mandates and curriculum training.
***Superintendent’s Recommendation
I recommend that the Board of School Commissioners authorize the Business Manager to execute a contract with SIP Enterprises, LLC (Daniel Stayte) to assist the campus administrator at Arsenal Technical High School – Leadership Team for the 2010-2011 school year at a cost not to exceed $84,000. The total amount to be funded from the Title I Grant.
Motion & Voting
To approve the request to enter a contract with SIP Enterprises, LLC
Motion by Mary E Busch, second by Andrea Roof.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Samantha Adair-White, W Diane Arnold, Mary E Busch, Elizabeth M Gore, Andrea Roof, Marianna R Zaphiriou
Nay: Michael D Brown
Where Title 1 Monies Go -- to retired IPS principals, among others.
ReplyDeleteAgenda Item Details
Meeting Aug 26, 2010 - Board Action Session; August 26, 2010; 7:00 P.M.
Category5. General Superintendent's Recommendations - New Business
Subject 5.22 Request to Enter into a Contract with SIP Enterprises, LLC
Type Action
Fiscal Impact Yes
Dollar Amount$ 84,000.00
Budgeted Yes
Budget Source Title I Grant
Presented By:
Dr. Willie Giles
Dr. LiYen Johnson
Minetta Richardson
Strategic Plan:
Eliminate Achievement Gap
TOPIC: Request permission to enter into a contract with SIP Enterprises, LLC for the 2010-2011 school year in the amount not to exceed $84,000 to assist the Campus Administrator at Arsenal Technical High School – Leadership Team with overseeing the successful implementation of the School Improvement Plans developed in the 2009-2010 school year.
Background Information:
Provider has a record of school leadership which consistently met or exceeded the standards set forth by the IDOE
Provider has a record of successfully assisting the Arsenal Technical High School administrators develop seven school improvement plans in the 09/10 school year
Provider has established a positive relationship with InSAI and has a through working knowledge of their website and procedures
Provider has (30) years of experience in public education both in the classroom and as an administrator
Administrative Consideration
Services to be delivered include:
Oversee and conduct all data collection and analysis related to school improvement plan
Manage all required reporting and information gathering for the school improvement process
Oversee and assist in the writing of the yearly school improvement document
Assist the Campus Administrator in the conducting and facilitating of meetings related to school improvement
Serve as a member of the Campus Council
Work closely with the Division of Curriculum and Instruction to ensure district mandates and curriculum training
***Superintendent’s Recommendation
I recommend that the Board of School Commissioners authorize the Business Manager to execute a contract with SIP Enterprises, LLC (Daniel Stayte) to assist the campus administrator at Arsenal Technical High School – Leadership Team for the 2010-2011 school year at a cost not to exceed $84,000. The total amount to be funded from the Title I Grant.
Motion & Voting
To approve the request to enter a contract with SIP Enterprises, LLC
Motion by Mary E Busch, second by Andrea Roof.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Samantha Adair-White, W Diane Arnold, Mary E Busch, Elizabeth M Gore, Andrea Roof, Marianna R Zaphiriou
Nay: Michael D Brown
@I have noticed that the new teachers tend to "share" much of their personal lives with their students. I am not sure that this is a good idea. It is probably better to keep your dating life and social activities private. These are your students not your peers.
ReplyDeleteMany would agree with your post.
Question - Is there a character limit on the length of a post at this blog? Curious to find out.
ReplyDeleteFor those of you who are disparaging FMLA, I hope that you don't teach Government. It's U.S. law. check out www.dol.gov/esa/whd/fmla. You may be paid during this time, if you have accumulated sick leave and transfer those days to FMLA. Teachers who get paid for that time have probably been regular in their attendance for years and have lots of days. Now what do the self righteous whiners have to say about that?
ReplyDeleteThe self righteous whiners. What a perfect way to describe them. Most probably don't realize that there is a limit to how many FMLA days you can use for family ill or dying family members and receive pay even if you have tons of sick days. I believe it is around 20 per year which is not enough when you are the care giver for a dying spouse or parent. For your own illness, you may use FMLA as paid days as long as your sick days last and then you can take unpaid days and they are excused until you are released by your doctor.
ReplyDeleteOn an unrelated topic, we had no toilet paper today for our students. I supplied tissues that I had purchased until they ran out...Students are starting to catch on that school supplies now means you better bring some toilet paper. One student even shared his private supply with another.
What bugged me is a teacher who routinely used up her sick time with various illnesses and then would get her psychiatrist to say that she needed to be on leave for emotional illness and she would apply to the sick bank and every year was able to draw on the sick bank for her stress. She was not able to be fired despite horrendous performance because no one ever wanted to put her on a PIP.
ReplyDeleteI heard that you can't use your sick days on FMLA for maternity leave. The theory is that YOU aren't sick. You can for the first 6 weeks but if you take your full 12 weeks the last 6 wks will be unpaid. I don't know for sure since I had my kids back in the day when you could use sick days, before FMLA was invented.
ReplyDeleteYou only get 5 family days to use as FMLA (intermmittent) to care for children or parents. This one I DO know.
After a good BM, can't your kids just shake it off and step up? That way, they can see into the next stall to check for paper there.
ReplyDeleteThe post above is ridiculous - enough already with the toilet paper talk
ReplyDeleteAnyone see WTHR news just a bit ago? All of a sudden there is a proposal to have all of IPS go to year-round schools. Any thoughts?
ReplyDeleteI say absolutely, positively bring it on! I would LOVE to work that schedule.
ReplyDeleteYes, I have some thoughts on year-round school. While I think it WILL happen because no one opposes anything at IPS and personally I don't find the schedule very bad. My question is where is a financially struggling district going to get money to pay teachers to teach/remediate in the inter-sessions? How will they pay teachers their hourly wage or will they result to that $20 an hour stipend? That will be very unfair because the teacher will lose not only money, but much needed rest! Anyone have any thoughts on that???????
ReplyDeleteThis is where the union can show us why we are paying them. Rather than negotiating a settlement after the fact, let all members make it clear that we want the hourly rate for "Inter-sessions" or for other sessions outside a contract.
ReplyDelete"The post above is ridiculous - enough already with the toilet paper talk"
ReplyDeleteYou must have an ample supply. Otherwise, you can't possibly see the terror on our kids' faces when they soil their only pair of dress code pants. It's worse on the bigger kids, since their classmates can be brutal. Grass stains don't smell. Another point - when was the last time you had to wipe with the brown paper handtowels? How would you feel if your child came home with a truly sore rear?
Get off your pedestal. This is a real, dire issue in too many schools.
Go year round school! Participation in the intercessions has been voluntary in the past.
ReplyDeleteWell, participation was not voluntary where I have worked in the past. Not at all.
ReplyDeleteIPS considers radical changes to schedule
ReplyDeleteUpdated: Aug 31, 2010 3:44 PM CDT
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HEADLINES
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IPS considers radical changes to schedule
Indiana scientist accused of stealing trade secrets
Center Grove student suspended after alleged assault
Council members want committee to investigate Bisard case
Evidence wait delays trial in Rockport girl's death
Rich Van Wyk/Eyewitness News
Marion County - The Indianapolis Public Schools system is considering a radical change. It looks something like year-round schooling, and the switch could come as soon as next year.
All IPS students may be going to near-year-round schools next year. The inner city district is considering radical changes aimed at improving failing schools "because what we are doing isn't working," said IPS board member Annie Roof.
"We think it is going to be better for our students, better for their grades, better for their graduation rates," said Roof.
Students would attend school the same number of days but with more frequent, shorter breaks from class.
In one proposal, students would be in school for nine weeks, off for three, in for another nine and off three again. Summer vacation would be about half as long as it is now.
During the short breaks, schools would offer additional help to struggling students - a prospect the teacher's union president welcomes.
"Instead of us saying okay, he didn't get it, we are going to pass him on and he will get it the next time, we have time to do the interventions and remediation we need to do as educators," said Ann Wilkins, IEA president.
But there are serious obstacles to overcome. Next year, 13 schools will still be without air conditioning. There are athletic programs to consider. Parents and teachers would have to rearrange vacations, day care, and work schedules.
Changing the calendar requires union approval.
"We definitely need the input from other parents and the community and see if it is going to work their schedule," said Roof.
IPS is under increasing pressure to turnaround its failing schools. Eight are now threatened with state takeover.
Many in the district believe change is inevitable; only the details are negotiable. Those details are still being worked out.
IPS Superintendent Eugene White expects to have a proposal ready by the end of the month. Parents, teachers, students should get their chance to comment recommend changes in October.
Warren Township implemented a similar calendar this year with little opposition.
IPS
2 votes
IPS considers radical changes to schedule
ReplyDeleteUpdated: Aug 31, 2010 3:44 PM CDT
Marion County - The Indianapolis Public Schools system is considering a radical change. It looks something like year-round schooling, and the switch could come as soon as next year.
All IPS students may be going to near-year-round schools next year. The inner city district is considering radical changes aimed at improving failing schools "because what we are doing isn't working," said IPS board member Annie Roof.
"We think it is going to be better for our students, better for their grades, better for their graduation rates," said Roof.
Students would attend school the same number of days but with more frequent, shorter breaks from class.
In one proposal, students would be in school for nine weeks, off for three, in for another nine and off three again. Summer vacation would be about half as long as it is now.
During the short breaks, schools would offer additional help to struggling students - a prospect the teacher's union president welcomes.
"Instead of us saying okay, he didn't get it, we are going to pass him on and he will get it the next time, we have time to do the interventions and remediation we need to do as educators," said Ann Wilkins, IEA president.
But there are serious obstacles to overcome. Next year, 13 schools will still be without air conditioning. There are athletic programs to consider. Parents and teachers would have to rearrange vacations, day care, and work schedules.
Changing the calendar requires union approval.
"We definitely need the input from other parents and the community and see if it is going to work their schedule," said Roof.
IPS is under increasing pressure to turnaround its failing schools. Eight are now threatened with state takeover.
Many in the district believe change is inevitable; only the details are negotiable. Those details are still being worked out.
IPS Superintendent Eugene White expects to have a proposal ready by the end of the month. Parents, teachers, students should get their chance to comment recommend changes in October.
Warren Township implemented a similar calendar this year with little opposition.
Thanks for posting it twice after we had already been discussing it.
ReplyDeleteJust the facts, Jack.
ReplyDeleteI was watching Channel 8, and missed 13's report.
You may use 20 FMLA sick leave days for intermittent care of a sick family member. I know I used my sick days to do it. I don't know where you got the 5 day limit but it is not accurate Perhaps you meant that you can use 5 of your sick leave days for family illness without going through the FMLA process. I am not certain of the number of your days that you can use that way but it might very well be 5.
ReplyDeleteWhat eight schools will be taken over? The Marian University and DOE partnership to create effective turnaround leaders starts next month. Hopefully there will be some good leaders come out of the program.
ReplyDeleteMaybe that's it. I know on my paycheck it says family leave 49 hours. I guess that would actually be 7 days. What if you don't have 20 sick days because you are fighting a chronic illness and you have to use a lot of your sick days to treat your own illness?
ReplyDeleteWhat if you're just sick of all the BS that goes on in your school and you need to take a day off? Where's the procedure for that?
Ummm....it is called a personal day...duh! If you need a break use it. We get 3 each year.
ReplyDeleteWill someone please answer the question I have posted here multiple times.
ReplyDeleteWill teachers be REQUIRED to work those weeks when students are off in the year-round schedule? I.E.: meetings, planning sessions, training sessions, etc.
Union reps - are you listening? Will you please respond, for crying out loud!?
Wage and Hour Division (WHD)
ReplyDeleteFamily and Medical Leave Act
Overview
Covered employers must grant an eligible employee up to a total of 12 workweeks of unpaid leave during any 12-month period for one or more of the following reasons:
* for the birth and care of the newborn child of the employee;
* for placement with the employee of a son or daughter for adoption or foster care;
* to care for an immediate family member (spouse, child, or parent) with a serious health condition; or
* to take medical leave when the employee is unable to work because of a serious health condition.
If the IEA union goes along with a schedule that requires teachers to involuntarily work more days than are currently required.....
ReplyDeleteThere should be a mass exodus out of the union. I have been a pro-union person all of my life, but this would be the last straw. A year-round schedule is not necessarily a bad idea, unless it requires teachers to LITERALLY work the year-round. My educated guess is that this is what is in the cards for IPS teachers.
You know with IEA president Ann Wilkins, it is hard to tell. She is a Eugene White groupie and follows his directions......she probably already has her Ed. Center job lined up when she leaves the president's office which can't be soon enough. I would vote for her impeachment if there is a procedure for that. Owned by Eugene White
ReplyDeleteSusan Garrison --- isn't she the teacher who ran against Wilkins for IEA President? I heard good things about her --- that she was a real bulldog for the teachers and would go to bat for teachers. Maybe she will run again and get elected this time.
ReplyDeleteThere are several great teacher advocates out there, and they not only advocate for teachers but for quality education, Sue is one of those people, but not the only one.
ReplyDeleteSarah Craycroft at Broad Ripple is great also!
ReplyDeleteThe must be a change of leadership of IEA. It is an organziation too crucial for teachers and students to let incompetent leadership surrender the gains that we have in our profession.
ReplyDeleteAre the certified staff working now with or without a contract? You can't work any more than the contractual days without being reimbursed, can you?
ReplyDeleteWe are currently working without a contract. It expired at the end of last school year. If you have to work outside your contracted time you must be paid. Of course all the union haters out there would do it for free.
ReplyDeleteHow many years without?
ReplyDeleteBy law, a contract never expires. If a new contract is not negotiated then the current remains in effect until a new one is ratified by both the teachers and the school board. Of course, Eugene would probably not tell the board what was in the contract and 5 of the 7 would vote for anything as long as they got the order from Eugene White, their boss.
ReplyDeleteWell last time it was 3 years without, now we're at about 3 1/2 weeks. Don't know if there's an end in sight as the union is rather quiet about things this year.
ReplyDeleteThis thing about not being forced to work more than the contract:
ReplyDeleteThe contract stipulates that before or after-school staff meetings are voluntary.
Miss two or three (before or after school) staff meetings and see how your principal reacts. I hear many stories of principals threatening teachers who miss VOLUNTARY staff meetings for important reasons.
Or, how about the principals who blast a teacher who doesn't come days ahead of the start of the school year to get their rooms fixed up to the principal's specifications? I think I remember reading on here that one principal required teachers to move to another location during Christmas break.
Principals can find ways to get back at teachers who aren't willing to work "beyond the contract."
This is what I predict will happen with the year-round school. Teachers will end up working year-round. And if they protest? Well, then their next evaluation will be ugly.
Communication/guidance/direction from the current IEA is absolutely weak. New leadership is needed.
Well the principal didn't force us to move the district did since they did extensive renovation. We had to go in at least 1 day over Christmas break to get the rooms ready for the kids in January. It wasn't that bad. MOving back at the beginning of this year, that was HORRIBLE! boxes in the wrong place, stuff lost, books in the library just shoved on the shelves. Awful!
ReplyDeleteAnd these things wouldn't happen if we had a strong association...so join and be active. It is not enough to just pay your dues, it is a partnership, and you have to do your part.
ReplyDeleteI don't think belonging to the union had anything to do with the movers losing our stuff.
ReplyDeleteThere's an example of something the newbies can learn from the veterans. Never, ever let IPS move your belongings!
ReplyDeleteSeems like Dr. Bennett wants to take over Arlington, Manual, Howe, Washington, and John Marshall next year. Expect some big changes coming to IPS, we need to clean house with students that are not coming to school, like the township schools.
ReplyDeleteI can't believe IPS is seriously considering going to total year-round scheduling. The fact that Warren Township did it means nothing. First of all, they tried it with some schools and when it became successful, they expanded it district wide. Second, Warren parents are, in general, happy with the school system and generally have a fair amount of trust in the district. IPS is a sinking shipwreck. Switching to year-round schooling in this community in this environment is just shooting a cannon directly in the bottom of the already sinking ship. I predict record dives in enrollment the year this is implemented.
ReplyDeleteMore of IPS running from pillar to post. STOP figure out one thing that is wrong and fix it. I'd get rid of the uniforms in the high schools, developmental inappropriate, and keeps students and teachers at each others throats, causes way too many suspensions...totally counterproductive....lets worry about what is in their heads, not what is on their rear ends....
ReplyDeleteSusan Garrison came close to winning the last election, but after three years, she may have plans different from being president. She would be a good one. When is the next election? Our teacher association is vital, but fewer are joining and more are dropping out. How many fewer members do we have compared to two years ago?
ReplyDeleteI voted for Susan Garrison during the last election. I did not know her personally, but I took the recommendations of fellow teachers (ones I know and respect) who worked with her at Arlington where she was the bldg. rep at the time. They all gave her a two-thumbs up for her organizational skills, her open lines of communication, her courage to say what needed to be said, and to remain a solid instructor for the kids. Our particular building that year had a weak Rep, so one of the AHS teachers would forward Susan's Newsletters to us so we could be kept in the loop.
ReplyDeleteSusan is wonderful and would have been a great president. Maybe if she had been able to go campaign on IPS time she would have won. Ann was already in a nice cozy office at the ed center during the election. Why would anyone be surprised if she went back to it?
ReplyDeleteOn second thought, Susan would not have campaigned on IPS time even if she had been allowed.
ReplyDelete