I'm actually going in today, to set up.
Yeah, I know, but it's not like I'm going to have any time to do it tomorrow or Friday.
I am going to spend today doing exactly what I did all summer- relaxing in the sunshine, with my mind as clear of school clutter as possible, and relishing the last few moments of my Randi-shortened summer vacation. THANKS FOR NOTHING RANDI!!
Sorry, but I have to add this: to all of you who feel that burning desire to set up your classrooms in advance- when we start going back to work on August 1st, will you go in to set up your room on July 31st?
Believe me, I totally see what you're saying--but when else am I supposed to set up my classroom, if not today? Tomorrow and Friday, I know, we are theoretically supposed to have some setup time, but we certainly didn't have much in my old school last year, and I don't relish the idea of spending Labor Day Weekend at school. Hence, I'm going in for a few hours today.
I do hear you- I really do- this is an issue that just drives me nutty. I would sooner skip lunch tomorrow and Friday, or go in really early on Friday morning, and get it done then. But that's just me - personally, if all the CL's would band together and make it citywide policy that no teacher enter the school before the first contractual day, we'd send a powerful message that OUR time is valuable, and we're not willing to give it away.
I wish you a peaceful school year.
i am spending my last day off nursing my killer hangover from my last fun night before school. GOD, i DO NOT want to go back--make it no true, PLEASE???!!!!!!!
I agree totally with 15 more years.
Also, whenever anybody complains about the earlier start I ask the following questions:
1. Did you vote for the contract?
2. Did you vote for Weingarten?
3. Did you vote for Bloomberg?
4. When you saw that they added two additional days and ten additional minutes a day, did you say "Oh, well, I'm here anyway..."?
You would be surprised how many UFT members answer yes to at least one of those above questions - which means they contributed to the very problem they're complaining about.
Tomorrow there will be a woman in my department who is hanging on until retirement, is completely exhausted and has three more years to go. She will complain about the earlier start and the longer days tomorrow. She will say she doesn't know how she's going to make it And I will say, "But you voted for Bloomberg twice,_____"
:: shakes head::
I'm going to read around the blogosphere and do a whole lot of nothing. Yes, nothing. That sounds nice ...
Will finish Conrad's Heart of Darkness today. First reread of it since High School. I plan to find a mental and spiritual place this year to retreat to during those times I'm not actually teaching kids.
20 months to go and it's the right time. Just got off the DoE website reading my school's Quality Review. I consider myself a well educated and well read person and I could hardly understand what that report was trying to say. My sympathies to you all with too much time left in this ongoing catastrophe.
A peaceful, thoughtful and successful year to you all.
Even though tomorrow will certainly be a glorious day full of Chancellor's Regulations, I may actually get out of workshops on Friday. The reason? My school, which has a main building and a 10 year old "temporary" mini-building out back, had all its classrooms split in half so we can accommodate twice the amount of students. Oh yea, and they're having all the teachers from the main building move into the mini-building, and vice versa. So I think (hope) they might take pity on us and let us move on Friday.
Good luck to all tomorrow. I had 35 years of opening days and yes I used to go in early so I could have time to schmooze with my friends and have long lunches when we had to come back. Yet I always found myself hustling till the last hours on the day before the kids came in. But those days seem to be over and I don't know what I'd do today but retirement sure seems nice from what you're all saying.
At 53 I read alot about teachers who are approaching retirement. I went out early 50. I felt I was becoming a dinosauer. Extinct. Like Dirty Harry my ideas didn't fit anymore. If you can go do it while you are still able to do otherthings. by the way I was an administrator for 18 years.
for more about Jim
Burns http://behavioral-management.com/
Thanks, 15. 
I found out today that I have to do much more than simply "set up," in fact. Sigh. If I just had to set up, then, yes, I could probably get it all done with two long days on Thursday and Friday. But I'm expected to have a "print rich environment" ready to run Tuesday morning, with a leveled and rated classroom library, etc. etc.
I've never taught middle school before. And NOW I am scared.
Yo miss! That's horrendous - that's another reason I don't like going in early- I like it all to be a hideous surprise on day 1.
Middle school is an adventure like no other- I wish you luck (and peace).
I too, applaud Yo Miss for her fortitude in choosing to teach middle school. I'll bet she's up to the challenge, though.
Keep us posted.
What am I doing? I'm teaching 
I had my first in-service last friday, and today was my first day with kids. (7th grade - 8th's first is tomorrow.)
I didn't get to start setting up my room until yesterday b/c the previous teacher's stuff wasn't out. But everything is now nice and pretty! and the kids are wonderful
I totally agree with reality-based educator! Everyone complains about going back before Labor Day, but they all voted for it. I've heard all the excuses about the money, too.
People: A raise is what you get for doing the same job with more money. You did not get a raise - you got more time!!!
Do the math!
I will have to sit through endless workshops - thanks to all of you that voted for "more Money".
I spent the day with my dad and in the sun. Tomorrow is soon enough to go back. One of the positive aspects of overcrowding is that I have no room of my own to set up.
Had my hair done--color and cut.
Then I checked my mega millions ticket and cried tears of sorrow.
I also used to go in early. No more after the August return.
Well I spent my last day of freedom at the Jersey shore....I refuse to go in early and I am putting in exactly 6 hours and 50 minutes (or whatever the time schedule is) tomorrow.
I think it is terrible when teachers donate their vacation time to set up classrooms.....I did it once (and was then given more work by an administrator) and vowed never to do it again.
The next two days will be such a waste of time....just blah blah blah..and with the reorganization it will probably be more blah blah blah than ever.
Schoolgal, you are a woman after my own heart!! I also got my hair colored and cut. No more summertime wildwoman am I.......back to 10 months of my brilliant career as an educator of at risk kids. I will be patient, the retirement clock is ticking. Tomorrow we enjoy one of the great victories scored by labor unions, a revolutionary early return to work so we can have invaluable staff development. I am trying to figure out how to hide those Ipod wires under my newly shorn locks....
Now I feel better- thought I was the only one who needed to wash out that gray from my hair (only I'm cheap - my honey cut my hair, and I colored it myself - I have to say, I did a pretty damn good job).
They really need a bluetooth for that IPod.....
I like going to the salon because they do a better job of styling. Have another chance to win Mega and will play.
Today sat through 2 hours of going through the same folder of information we go through every year in a hot and humid auditorium.
Randi should be the one making sure that a full day goes to setting up our rooms. Or did she just promise it?
Ugh, my room is still not finished. It's good enough for now, I guess, but my library isn't all unpacked and sorted by genre. It'll have to wait until next week.
I came in for 3 or 4 hours on Wednesday, stayed until 4:00 yesterday and 5:30 today (came in at 7:30 both days)...how is my room not finished???
Oh yeah. Stupid meetings. 
Uh oh! "...LYING about on beaches..."
I'm not a teacher, but I like reading about teachers.
This line spoke to me:
"I think a good lesson plan is the best thing to have after you control the class."
My planning plan is
-stay late and plan on Mondays.
-Tues-Friday, I leave the building at 4pm latest.
-No work comes home with me
Pay me more if you want my life to revolve around my job, is my philosophy...
Commenting by HaloScan
