absences

Home

Chat

Blogs

Collection

Directory

Home : 2008 : April : 13

absences
By tia

1. new teachers tend to get sick more (not that that's necessarily your case)

2. 6 days out is not that bad at all (have you had other personal/professional leave days?)

3. i don't think principals go
back to look at absences (that would have to be one anal retentive admin!.....and hearing from PTers around the world, i know they exist---but they are few and far between)

4. my only suggestion to you is to let your parents know (as much as you feel is appropriate--even if it is general), perhaps in a newsletter where you will be those 2 days just so they are not wondering why

you are gone AGAIN (even though you haven't been gone a lot)

i've been gone 19 days this year (mostly professional leave) and once i take 2 personal days for my sons' end-of-year activities, it will be 21--yikes! i just realized how many that was!...anyway, my point is, i usually tell in my newsletters where i'm going, how my leave helps me as a teacher in the classroom and how the district benefits from my helping. (i only write about my sick leave if it's interesting--appendectomy, kidney stones--or if it impacts somehow--oops i couldnt get monday folders out, etc.) i also usually say who my sub is--i generally get the same couple of subs who know my routine and the kids and are dependable and GOOD--so i know teaching is happening in my absence.

but in your case, it might make some parents be more understanding about all your absences (again, not many!) this way, just in case some parents are wondering, those concerns won't be brought to this year's principal and a note left in your file.

*there is also the theory that if you don't bring something up to parents, they won't know to complain about it---but i am more of an over-explainer....

good luck!