We received an email from a teacher trying to take a half day for a medical appointment. She was told by her principal that it's too close to the end of the year so she can't take the day and needs to reschedule. Yes, this is a new teacher. I've never seen a principal try to pull this on a veteran, but I don't doubt that it happens.
Short answer, no. Take your days when you need them. Do understand that principals to make the decision every year to either renew your contract or not. DISD is trying to make some cuts and save space in classrooms for the administrators that may get downsized so roll the dice if you're feeling lucky.
Over the years, I’ve both seen the emails and attended the all faculty meeting where administrators try to tell their teachers when they can or can’t use their state and local days. I understand that the year is almost over and that you want teachers to get some last minute time with the kids in so their ACPs will be as good as they can be, but if you need it, take it.
There are few things that I’ve seen teachers get fired up over more than this. Once I heard a teacher walking out of the auditorium make the decision, out of protest, to take the next two days off. Granted, this was a +20 veteran, but it's still a power move.
Good for them.
Your days are your days and you should take them as you need them. Whether it’s a sick day, a mental health day, or you need to run errands, do what you need to do to be the best you that you can be for your students. Young teachers are the ones who end up getting strong armed by this much more easily, but your administrators don’t actually get to decide when you can or can’t take your days.
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