Manic Monday

Just another manic Monday! Monday started off that way and it has not eased up all week! I need a break! So, Monday morning I was greeted by the principal. He let me know that my colleague would not be returning effective immediately. I knew she had resigned but she had planned on finishing out the semester. My mind was racing with questions. She did call me Monday night to let me know what happened. She met with the principal on Friday over an issue and let him know she was not pleased in the way he handled it. She has a temper but I do think her argument with the principal was valid. Apparently she was called on Sunday and asked not to return for the remainder of the semester although she was told she would still receive her salary. Once again I don't think our leader has thought any of this through and we are providing a real disservice to our students. I'll admit I'm a little resentful. I was never asked to put together sub plans yet had Laura and I not stepped up the sub would have had nothing to do with the kids all week. So here I am with the added stress of not only teaching my own students but trying to help the other classes finish out the year as well. O.K. I'm very resentful. This teacher is continuing to get paid and no longer has to deal with any of this crap while I'm dealing with the fall out! The principal has asked Laura and I to meet with him tomorrow morning to help plan out the rest of the year and discuss finals. We've been asking him all week how they will handle grades. There is a stack of papers on the desk that still need to be graded and it is unfair to these kids to just give them the grade that is currently in the computer. They all assumed they still had several weeks left to improve their grades and turn in missing work. Honestly our building is in turmoil. I do not know how the school board could possibly renew the principal's contract with all that has transpired this year! It is almost unheard of to have a teacher ask to be released from their contract mid-year and we have two! If this isn't a wake-up call for them then I don't know what is!