Nj teachers convention

[twinkle49]

Hurricane Sandy has really destroyed much of NJ I'm in Passaic county and was extremely lucky that I never lost power and only had a few tree branches fall down. I'm an very fortunate that right now one of my worries is my Disney trip next week. I'm also a teacher and like many teachers in nj will be going to Disney for teachers convention. Has any other teachers heard the rumor that if the convention is cancelled instead of moved that schools be will be open for the 8th and 9th?? And if this does happen how is this going to affect your travel plans if you are also going to Disney next week?? Just trying to see what others have in mind. Thoughts and prayers to all of those who have much bigger worries then mine. Sorry for typos I'm on my iPad.

 

[tiggerteach]

I am in the same boat as you. I feel terrible even talking about it since so many other people lost so much! I am still planning on going just not sure what the schools will do.

 

[aroundtheriverbend]

How frustrating for it to be so up in the air for you! Here's hoping they stay with the current gameplan, it would be hard to change all that last minute.... and I'm sure all those who are going through tough times wish you some good luck on this too. One thing hard times do is stress why we need to focus on the happy times more.

 

[artesian]

We heard indeed the convention is cancelled and that we will infact have classes next week in my district

 

[luckyman_apd]

I'm in a pickle. Family is leaving Tuesday, but I could not take Wednesday off so my flight is Wednesday evening. If they have school those days it actually works great as I will be able to use personal days for wed,thurs,fri and I can get a tues night flight. But our contract has a clause about the district can require us to come in to work instead of the convention one day, so if they don't have school I could be required to go in Thursday for inservice. So I really am in a bind until the board makes a decision. This could be really bad for me or really good. I just hope for everyone they make quick decisions. Not just door us Disney people, but all of NJ families. No one likes indesicion.

 

[tiggerteach]

I agree! Our district has not made decision yet. E

 

[kdzgon]

I understand Christie is going to do everything possible to have districts hold school on those days.Unfortunate as it is for those with vacation plans, it really is a good option for districts that can comply. Getting back to routine as soon as possible is preferable, plus it will reduce the make-up days that will come off spring break and/or get added to the end of the year.

 

[di19]

our district said today that although the convention is cancelled, our schools will hold to the calendar - there are 7 of us (6 teachers) heading down to the Beach Club for 3 nts. We were going regardless becuase everything is paid for - using personal days would have been the answer. I think it was just too quick to require all the staff and students to be in school. I did hear that the NJEA is trying to put together some type of relief- type effort in Atlantic City for those interested. I think that's a great idea - they certainly need it and it could help our image!

 

[luckyman_apd]

Our district IS having school those days. Superintendent was flooded with personal days. People made plans. Gonna be an interesting Friday. It is not required to attend both days of convention, so it will be interesting to see what happens. I'm going regardless and so are others who put out money for their plans. I feel bad for all the people behind who will be dealing with the shortage, but we were allowed to make plans. Convention has never been cancelled before so despite what the governor wants, one week is very short notice.there is no precedent.

 

[beccasmom]

http://www.sfgate.com/news/article/NJ-gov-to-teachers-Convention-canceled-so-teach-4000147.php

I found this article. While I was driving home tonight, I heard this mentioned on KYW radio and wondered how it would affect those of you who had plans to visit WDW. I hope this works out for all of you who do.

 

[luckyman_apd]

http://www.sfgate.com/news/article/NJ-gov-to-teachers-Convention-canceled-so-teach-4000147.php

I found this article. While I was driving home tonight, I heard this mentioned on KYW radio and wondered how it would affect those of you who had plans to visit WDW. I hope this works out for all of you who do.

The biggest problem I had with this is that the governor unfortunately was not educated on how school districts work. Teachers don't make these kinds of decisions. The NJEA convention is held, and school districts schedule off to allow teachers to attend. Been this way for 150 years in NJ. It has NEVER been cancelled before. School districts make the school calendar prior to the year, and any changes must be made or approved by the board of education in each district. So despite what any teacher or NJEA "volunteered" to do (as the governor put it) it is not a decision they get to make. Many districts remain closed this week for those two days. Not all districts have off all week for students. Mine only gives thurs and fri off for students. Many other districts ARE having classes those two days. And if you can believe it, a handful STILL have not decided. (Quite ridiculous if you ask me to delay any longer). My district decided to make up last weeks two days this week. I feel a bit guilty as the hurricane actually made my life better. Now that those days are regular days, I'm allowed to take my personal days as where normally I would not have been, as person days cannot be used to extend a weekend when there is an already scheduled day off. So the hurricane gives me an extra day of vacation.