NWR: Teachers, I need your help!

So, I had a violent stomach virus the Monday and Tuesday before the break. I wasn't allowed back to work because I was contagious. I did have plans left in the sub folder, but they were very generic, every day lesson plans.

I did have a packet of ELA Prep work, but it wasn't put together, as I was planning on giving it out Tuesday to be done over the break, so I doubt the sub even knew it was there.

However, the sub was the woman whose leave replacement I was covering, and they gave her a different job... but whatever, that's neither here nor there.

So today (the day before we go back to school after a 12 day break) I get an email from a disgruntled parent, all pissed off because she said her daughter didn't have any homework over the break.

I really don't think that Allison (the sub) would do that. She's a veteran teacher, and she knew where I kept my 'extra' ela work. This is the only e-mail I got from a parent over the whole break, and I only got it the DAY BEFORE we went back to school.

I'm freaking out because I'm pretty sure I can get fired for this, even though I have a doctor's note that said I was not allowed to go back to work on Tuesday.

What would you girls do? I emailed Allison to ask her exactly what was done because maybe it was my fault that I didn't find out what was done.... but I was literally knocked out for days because of the stupid virus, so even if I did get in touch with someone it would've been too late anyway.

I'm really distraught over this. Anyone have any advice for me?

i dont think you can get fired for not giving homework. thats a little harsh. I would print out the e-mail and not contact the parent until I spoke with my principal 1st thing monday morning. I would also call the girl that subbed and ask her if she gave the kids anything to do over the break.

HTH....good luck

First, that parent is RIDICULOUS! Seriously if a parent wanted their child to 'work' during break, they could assign them reading, stories or newspaper articles and discuss this with them. .

But I would try to relax, I don't think you can get fired for this either, esp if it was due to illness. I would either wait and ask your principal what to do, or email the parent and explain that you were out for an illness and there was homework to be given out but you are not sure what happened in the communication process.

First of all, you can't get 'fired' over anything really. It would be a long drawn out process where the UFT would back you and you'd go to your district office every day instead of your school. HOWEVER (big however) you WILL NOT get fired over a sub's mistake. Even if you chose not to give homework over the break, you wouldn't get fired. I personally would wait until Monday and call this parent while you're in school. Often times tone gets lost in emails and this parent could perceive your response in a different way than it is intended. Don't stress Marissa, really. I remember panicking like crazy my first year over stuff like this and it wasn't at all necessary.

Here's some real advice though - dress very warmly and bring and extra sweater tomorrow - when the school's been closed for 12 days it's freaking frigid for the first day back! Also, get there kind of early as your desks will be a coomplete mess scattered all over your room.

I totally agree with the other ladies. Dont email the parent..... call her from the school Monday morning. Also, I would talk to your principal so that he is aware of the situation before the parent comes in yelling while he has no idea of what is going on. I also dont think you'll get fired over this either.... you have a note from the doctor. That parent has some nerve emailing you a day before vacation is over... she didnt even know your situation. She should have asked you- and not in an attacking manner.

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Posted by dedecakes

What I want to know is...why did the parent wait until 2 days before school reopened to contact you? Obviously now you know that this child waits till the last minute to do her homework, lol! If the parent was at all concerned about homework, she would have checked her homework book/folder last week. Idiot! Don't worry about it. My guess...the child forgot to write the hw down or purposely didnt write it down bc she thought she could pull a fast one on you and her mother.

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You took the words out of my mouth! Who waits until the last two days to check their child's homework?!

Definitely talk to your prinicipal and DON'T worry, you won't be fired and you cannot really be held responsible since you were sick and had a doctor's note!

i love you girls.

you really do make me feel better. I'm so stressed out about this situation. Just to give you a few laughs, i'm going to post the exact email i got from the parent, with all names taken out.

'i am ery concern how u r preparing my dughter ******* for the city wide test since she came home with no homework and no packages to study.the test is 1/13/09 r u going to be given them homework based on the test i sure hope so all of ****** friends had gotten work for the vacation due to the test they will be given but her she did not een bring books home to study. whats going on? what happens if she fails due to r illness and not being there the last day of school? a concerned parent'

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Posted by mdawg

i love you girls.

you really do make me feel better. I'm so stressed out about this situation. Just to give you a few laughs, i'm going to post the exact email i got from the parent, with all names taken out.

'i am ery concern how u r preparing my dughter ******* for the city wide test since she came home with no homework and no packages to study.the test is 1/13/09 r u going to be given them homework based on the test i sure hope so all of ****** friends had gotten work for the vacation due to the test they will be given but her she did not een bring books home to study. whats going on? what happens if she fails due to r illness and not being there the last day of school? a concerned parent'

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Oy! Clearly this parent is no level 4!

wow- what is that e-mail??! On top of the fact that she didn't attempt to do the homework already-like everyone mentioned- does she really think that what she would have been doing the weekend before the test is going to make her 'fail' or not?! The whole thing is ridiculous! I really wouldn't worry- just explain the situation and I would say something about the preparation you have been doing in the classroom all along too!
Good Luck!

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Posted by MrsDtoBe09

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Posted by mdawg

i love you girls.

you really do make me feel better. I'm so stressed out about this situation. Just to give you a few laughs, i'm going to post the exact email i got from the parent, with all names taken out.

'i am ery concern how u r preparing my dughter ******* for the city wide test since she came home with no homework and no packages to study.the test is 1/13/09 r u going to be given them homework based on the test i sure hope so all of ****** friends had gotten work for the vacation due to the test they will be given but her she did not een bring books home to study. whats going on? what happens if she fails due to r illness and not being there the last day of school? a concerned parent'

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Oy! Clearly this parent is no level 4!

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LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!! OMGGGGGG Im dyyyyyyyyying laughing

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Posted by MrsDtoBe09

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Posted by mdawg

i love you girls.

you really do make me feel better. I'm so stressed out about this situation. Just to give you a few laughs, i'm going to post the exact email i got from the parent, with all names taken out.

'i am ery concern how u r preparing my dughter ******* for the city wide test since she came home with no homework and no packages to study.the test is 1/13/09 r u going to be given them homework based on the test i sure hope so all of ****** friends had gotten work for the vacation due to the test they will be given but her she did not een bring books home to study. whats going on? what happens if she fails due to r illness and not being there the last day of school? a concerned parent'

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Oy! Clearly this parent is no level 4!

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lol...she's probably from Teacher's College...where they tell you not to correct their spelling

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Posted by Anthonysgirl

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Posted by MrsDtoBe09

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Posted by mdawg

i love you girls.

you really do make me feel better. I'm so stressed out about this situation. Just to give you a few laughs, i'm going to post the exact email i got from the parent, with all names taken out.

'i am ery concern how u r preparing my dughter ******* for the city wide test since she came home with no homework and no packages to study.the test is 1/13/09 r u going to be given them homework based on the test i sure hope so all of ****** friends had gotten work for the vacation due to the test they will be given but her she did not een bring books home to study. whats going on? what happens if she fails due to r illness and not being there the last day of school? a concerned parent'

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Oy! Clearly this parent is no level 4!

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lol...she's probably from Teacher's College...where they tell you not to correct their spelling

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That was the most rediculous email from a parent I have ever read EVER. I wouldn't even take that person seriously. She thinks that her daughter will fail because she lacked a couple of assignments over the vacation??? Send that email to your principal. I'm sure he or she will have a good laugh.