Lunch period coverage

[Jane Brooks <jbrooks@NAC.NET>]

I need to know if anyone has had a similar dilemma and has some
suggestions for handling it:

Our high school is moving to a new rotational schedule this fall, which
means that staff and students will have a common lunch period -- all
staff, that is, except the librarian, guidance counselors and other
support staff.

I was disappointed to learn that, although we have duty teachers during
other periods of the day, we will not have one during the lunch period,
when I am expected to be there every day with either my secretary or aide.

Lunch periods, either mine or other teachers', have always been a good
time for networking, planning, brainstorming .. or just good sharing that
develops into collaborative efforts.  They have also been used for
committee meetings.

The administration asked teachers who were interested in providing
cafeteria coverage for extra pay to come forward ... and they have
received few applicants.  I understand our administration's dilemma. I
also believe that library service does need to be provided during the
lunch period; but I had been hopeful that we would have more
flexibility and that our administration would provide paid coverage so
that my staff and I would have the same opportunity for colleagiality that
our peers will have ... even if it has to be on a rotational basis so that
one of us is always available in the library.  I did write a memo to this
effect at the end of last year in preparation for the new schedule ... to
no avail.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

Jane Brooks
Library Media Specialist
W.M. Mendham H.S.
Mendham, NJ
jbrooks@nac.net

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