[LM_NET] Input about reverting to a totally fixed schedule/Vent

[Kathy Bunting <kathyb3innc@YAHOO.COM>]

Hello to all,
 
I have been approached by my principal to revert from a fixed/flex schedule to a 
totally fixed one.  Over the past 3 years I have tried every which way to work 
collaboratively with the teachers at my school, facilitate technology use, and 
offer totally flexible access to the media center.  Most of them have balked at 
every turn. I have worked around all of the different ways that the media center 
gets used, ie: classes, remediation, meetings, staff development, parent functions, 
county training, pictures, luncheons etc. I volunteered to have fixed classes for 
my K-1 students, because their teachers refused to bring them at all and finally 
added 2nd grade this year because I never saw them either.  Now an upper grade 
teacher has "looked in from the outside" and decided that since I am not "doing 
anything" in the afternoons(since they haven't scheduled or planned anything with 
me) that there is no reason why I couldn't cover their classes too. This is
 supposedly because they say that they liked the things I did with their classes 
back when we had fixed classes in the past. I think the more accurate reason is 
because our school has grown and they have uncovered planning time and they think I 
am doing nothing.  As we all know, even if we never taught a class, there is more 
than enough for four people to do just to keep the media center running and open 
all day long! I never have time to goof off!   That is the vent..... I need input 
because I am meeting with our school leadership team tomorrow and after the 
conversation about this with my principal this afternoon, I have a sinking feeling 
the issue is going to come up.  Our leadership team carries a great deal of weight 
in these kind of decisions in the school and I twill be me (1) against them (many) 
Do you have some arguments that I can use against the mentallity that since they 
don't chose to work with me, I should cover their
 planning period?   I don't mind having the k-1s on a fixed schedule, but I really 
hate the idea of losing the flexible schedule portion of my day. Help!!!!  Please 
email any comments and suggestions to my school email as I will be checking 
throughout the day.   Sorry for such late notice, but I was just approached today.  
Thanks in advance.  Kathy
 
Kathy Bunting,Media Specialist
W.J. Gurganus Elementary School
Havelock, NC
kathyb3innc@yahoo.com
kathy.bunting@craven.k12.nc.us
I've traveled the world twice over, 
Met the famous; saints and sinners, 
Poets and artists, kings and queens, 
Old stars and hopeful beginners, 
I've been where no-one's been before, 
Learned secrets from writers and cooks 
All with one library ticket 
To the wonderful world of books. 
~ Anonymous ~

Kathy Bunting,Media Specialist
W.J. Gurganus Elementary School
Havelock, NC
kathyb3innc@yahoo.com
kathy.bunting@craven.k12.nc.us
I've traveled the world twice over, 
Met the famous; saints and sinners, 
Poets and artists, kings and queens, 
Old stars and hopeful beginners, 
I've been where no-one's been before, 
Learned secrets from writers and cooks 
All with one library ticket 
To the wonderful world of books. 
~ Anonymous ~

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