HIT: Library as Study Hall

[Sarah Katz <skatz@BEDFORD.K12.NY.US>]

Hi all,

Thanks for your comments -- I received so many, it was amazing!

Before I summarize the resposnes (there were so many, it would be too
difficult to compile them all), there are a few points I realized I omitted
from my originial message:

Firstly, the "culture of the school" where I work (that's a phrase that is
tossed around quite a bit around here) is EXTREMELY lax in gerenal --
teachers "cancelling" classes, assigning "independent study" projects,
students with two - four free periods per day, an open campus, etc.  There
are basically no consequences for misbehaving, no detention or at least
nothing that is organized. It's like a college campus with 14-18 year olds
running around. Basically, the kids have the run of the school and they
know it.

Secondly, it is only my second year here, thus I am not tenured,
thus...well, you know the deal with that.

Thirdly, our library facility is HUGE. Our fire marshall's max capacity is
125, which of course is insane. There are not 125 chairs in here, so I have
no idea from where he/she got that number.

Lastly, this is "BEDFORD," another phrase I hear a lot. I'm in an extremely
wealthy, high paying district in upper Westchester County, and basically, I
should be giving my right arm to work here. Checy Chase, Glen Close, Mariah
Carey are just some of our district's residents, to give you an idea. Three
million dollar stone walls surround the properties of many homes in the
area. Actually, Chevy Chase lives on Fox Lane, the street for which our
school is named.

Anyway, that is a little more background on what I am up against. Thanks
for all the suggestions, many of which I have tried, such as inviting my
principal (who is new this year) to come in for a visit), checking with my
union rep, gathering teachers to complain (many of them have), videotaping,
etc.

At least I know I have support from my fellow colleagues, if not from my
own district. I think some things just never change and it's up to me how I
want to handle my situation with that knowledge!

Thanks again for everything,

Sarah Katz
Library Media Specialist
Fox Lane High School
PO Box 390
Bedford, NY 10506
skatz@bedford.k12.ny.us

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