Is this okay?

Sammy2012

Was speaking to a friend today who is a fellow primary teacher. They were telling me that their principal has had the school building open since the closure directive was announced on 30th of March and is expecting almost the full staff to be in. They are all in at the same time and some people are refusing to practice social distancing and there is no sanitizer being provided. Also the staff were provided with letters from them to class themselves as essential workers even though teachers are not on this list.

Just wondering what peoples thoughts are on this?

dory

How did they get a letter saying their essential workers when teachers aren't?? Does the letter say they work as something else?

This is why unions were invented. They should all get onto their union.

afkasurfjunkie

How big is this school? I can’t imagine that many sheep on a staff. Is there not one with a modicum of sense that would put the foot down and say no.

And then we wonder why the lockdown will be extended...

Mardy Bum

This is too ridiculous to believe.

doc_17

Ring the guards. DM me, I’ll ring them. It’s because of idiots like this that we’ll be stuck in lockdown for weeks on end.

mtoutlemonde

doc_17 wrote: »

Ring the guards. DM me, I’ll ring them. It’s because of idiots like this that we’ll be stuck in lockdown for weeks on end.

I don't know how long the principal has before retirement but I would hate to work in an atmosphere where work is more important than health. My answer, no - fire me.

This happened a few weeks ago in westmeath where principal wanted his/her 14 staff present for staff meeting.

I'll dial 999 for you. I wonder would the indo be interested

blueberrypie

I was speaking to a principal last night, who has to go into the school to access proper internet.
He explained technically he is not supposed to be on the school premises unless he/she is doing the wages.

Before the major shutdown, schools were closed to students but principals were checking could they actual insist on teachers being in at their desks completing admin duties. This particular principal felt when he researched it he could have insisted his staff were in working. It would not have gone down well.

Treppen

Sammy2012 wrote: »

Was speaking to a friend today who is a fellow primary teacher. They were telling me that their principal has had the school building open since the closure directive was announced on 30th of March and is expecting almost the full staff to be in. They are all in at the same time and some people are refusing to practice social distancing and there is no sanitizer being provided. Also the staff were provided with letters from them to class themselves as essential workers even though teachers are not on this list.

Just wondering what peoples thoughts are on this?

Thoughts!!!

Have they no homes to be going to?

deiseindublin

I find it hard to believe tbh. No way each and every staff member know so little as to just turn up.

Sammy2012

I assure you all this is very much a true story. Theres around 9 on staff in total and all bar 2 are attending the school building with up to 5 there at any one time.

The principal got the secretary to type up the letters and then delivered them to staff. So the school wrote the letters themselves.

deiseindublin

Why don't you name the school so and one of us can report it?

downthemiddle

Sammy2012 wrote: »

I assure you all this is very much a true story. Theres around 9 on staff in total and all bar 2 are attending the school building with up to 5 there at any one time.

The principal got the secretary to type up the letters and then delivered them to staff. So the school wrote the letters themselves.

If you PM me the name of the school I can assure you that I will have the matter dealt with immediately.

byhookorbycrook

What exactly are they doing? IF this is true, the staff must be bullied and cowed by this principal. Ring the Gardaí and the DES.

mtoutlemonde

byhookorbycrook wrote: »

What exactly are they doing? IF this is true, the staff must be bullied and cowed by this principal. Ring the Gardaí and the DES.

The chairperson of the BOM as well.

r93kaey5p2izun

Unless they are there for the purposes of organising school meals, they are breaking the regulations. It's not ok. If true, then the principal should be sacked tbh. Irresponsible, risking health and safety, and ignoring the law. Not fit to be entrusted with the welfare and education of children, and definitely couldn't be trusted to safely manage whatever precautions will be required for eventual reopening. A Teaching Council fitness to teach enquiry could also be warranted imo. The other staff are also responsible for breaking these regulations. It's very sad if they are coerced and bullied, but ultimately government regulations are more important than one principal on a power trip. The BOM and patron also need to be held to account.

Sammy2012

Robert Harsh Mural wrote: »

Unless they are there for the purposes of organising school meals, they are breaking the regulations. It's not ok. If true, then the principal should be sacked tbh. Irresponsible, risking health and safety, and ignoring the law. Not fit to be entrusted with the welfare and education of children, and definitely couldn't be trusted to safely manage whatever precautions will be required for eventual reopening. A Teaching Council fitness to teach enquiry could also be warranted imo. The other staff are also responsible for breaking these regulations. It's very sad if they are coerced and bullied, but ultimately government regulations are more important than one principal on a power trip. The BOM and patron also need to be held to account.

I can assure you that it is very much true and they are not there to deal with the school meals. There is huge problems within the school regarding the running of it. This is just another thing in a long line. The letters were "signed" by the chair of the BOM. I say "signed" as the name on the letter is the chair but the handwriting looks suspiciously like the principal's. I am very close to the person who told me this and I have seen the letter. It's no joke. I know the staff also fear what is coming down the tracks regarding reopening procedures also but will have to see how that pans out.

deiseindublin

I don't understand why they are turning up?

If afraid to stick their neck out, contact the guards or the media.

2011abc

Patrons held to account ?! That will be the day ! Easy to say stick your neck out but these sociopathic bully principals will make it their life’s goal to put you under so much stress you get sick / leave /are let go .In these times when what little power the unions had to protect workers is fading to zero ( like our Ministers their bosses generally requires very little scratching to reveal their base metal/ mettle ).Sometimes easier to just go along with these c*•+s .

rainbowtrout

2011abc wrote: »

Patrons held to account ?! That will be the day ! Easy to say stick your neck out but these sociopathic bully principals will make it their life’s goal to put you under so much stress you get sick / leave /are let go .In these times when what little power the unions had to protect workers is fading to zero ( like our Ministers their bosses generally requires very little scratching to reveal their base metal/ mettle ).Sometimes easier to just go along with these c*•+s .

Can't say I agree. Most of the teachers in the school are probably permanent/CID. The principal is breaching the lockdown. They should be picking up the phone to the union and getting it sorted.

It's what we did on day one when our principal told staff by email that he was getting their pay docked for not being live online for classes. Union got involved. That was the end of it.

Mardy Bum

rainbowtrout wrote: »

Can't say I agree. Most of the teachers in the school are probably permanent/CID. The principal is breaching the lockdown. They should be picking up the phone to the union and getting it sorted.

It's what we did on day one when our principal told staff by email that he was getting their pay docked for not being live online for classes. Union got involved. That was the end of it.

Jaw dropping. How do some people make it to management?

2011abc

Mardy Bum wrote: »

Jaw dropping. How do some people make it to management?

By being back stabbing , vicious sods without a kind bone in their bodies

Mind you the ‘pay docking ‘ principal sounds like a piece of work even by those standards !

joebloggs32

rainbowtrout wrote: »

Can't say I agree. Most of the teachers in the school are probably permanent/CID. The principal is breaching the lockdown. They should be picking up the phone to the union and getting it sorted.

It's what we did on day one when our principal told staff by email that he was getting their pay docked for not being live online for classes. Union got involved. That was the end of it.

I'd really love to know what is being thought on these management/leadership courses that some of these clowns have taken part in.

spurious

Mardy Bum wrote: »

Jaw dropping. How do some people make it to management?

In the case of many Principals, nobody else applies.

Rosita

Mardy Bum wrote: »

Jaw dropping. How do some people make it to management?

It reminds me of the old Douglas Adams comment: “Anyone who is capable of getting themselves made President should on no account be allowed to do the job.”

I have seen that in action in schools (not often happily enough) where rat-like cunning, ruthless networking, and relentlessly conspicuous "hard work" are the necessary qualities to get into management. In practice, when in the job these can present as qualities unfit for dealing with others.

Murple

I hope the department or unions issue guidelines on what is permitted from the 18th of May when school buildings are opened to teachers. I can see many teachers being under pressure to go in to do tasks that are not essential and don’t need to happen or can wait.

Ray Donovan

Was on a Zoom call with our staff today and our principal requested we all be in school Monday morning at 9.30. We have to get all the kids books/copies etc into bags and have them labelled. In the afternoon the parents have a 2 hour window to come in collect the books and give us back any rental books they have at home.

To say I'm far from enthused by this would be an understatement. I'm not too keen on having 30 parents in on top of me and I'm sure some will bring their kids in for the "chat". This surely could have have been left until Phase 2 (June 9th) when we might have a bit more clarity where we stand infection wise.

blueberrypie

We had to go into the primary school in March. It was very well done. School classrooms were open. One in and one out to collect books. Books were stacked on childs desk. All info sent in text, very specific on what was to happen/not happen.

Teachers had books ready for collection, no need to meet any staff member. The secretary stood in the yard directing people to classrooms and to remind parents of social distancing.

Could you suggest principal sends text not to bring children and the need for only one parent to collect books.

Ray Donovan

blueberrypie wrote: »

We had to go into the primary school in March. It was very well done. School classrooms were open. One in and one out to collect books. Books were stacked on childs desk. All info sent in text, very specific on what was to happen/not happen.

Teachers had books ready for collection, no need to meet any staff member. The secretary stood in the yard directing people to classrooms and to remind parents of social distancing.

Could you suggest principal sends text not to bring children and the need for only one parent to collect books.

I did. And I also don't see the need for us to be there when the parents arrive just like was organised in your school.

afkasurfjunkie

blueberrypie wrote: »

We had to go into the primary school in March. It was very well done. School classrooms were open. One in and one out to collect books. Books were stacked on childs desk. All info sent in text, very specific on what was to happen/not happen.

Teachers had books ready for collection, no need to meet any staff member. The secretary stood in the yard directing people to classrooms and to remind parents of social distancing.

Could you suggest principal sends text not to bring children and the need for only one parent to collect books.

Similar here too. 2 teachers stood at the emergency exit of the hall. You gave them kids’ name. They fetched the pile, which was left in a section in the hall. Left them down on a table which blocked the exit. I didn’t have to enter the building.

Treppen

Ray Donovan wrote: »

Was on a Zoom call with our staff today and our principal requested we all be in school Monday morning at 9.30. We have to get all the kids books/copies etc into bags and have them labelled. In the afternoon the parents have a 2 hour window to come in collect the books and give us back any rental books they have at home.

To say I'm far from enthused by this would be an understatement. I'm not too keen on having 30 parents in on top of me and I'm sure some will bring their kids in for the "chat". This surely could have have been left until Phase 2 (June 9th) when we might have a bit more clarity where we stand infection wise.

What the hell is the major need to give books back right now?Can it really not wait another month or so.

Ray Donovan

Exactly

mtoutlemonde

Treppen wrote: »

What the hell is the major need to give books back right now?Can it really not wait another month or so.

Yes definitely. All the book companies have made their books free to use on their websites including the workbooks.

byhookorbycrook

At primary level both the DES and CPSMA aren’t suggesting giving books out at present . Our school operates book rental so I’d be against giving anything out bar workbooks that children fill in .

mtoutlemonde

byhookorbycrook wrote: »

At primary level both the DES and CPSMA aren’t suggesting giving books out at present . Our school operates book rental so I’d be against giving anything out bar workbooks that children fill in .

Re: book rental, we were told that students could leave the books into school in plastic bags/boxes which would not be touched for at least a week as the virus would not be able to survive after seven days.

I can't understand the rush for parents to need books and at the end of the day, IF the books were really needed in hard copy - the bookshops remained open. I think it is principals throwing their weight around giving teachers something to do, if they hadn't even to be doing.

patsman07

Just found this thread. I think this is a perfect example of a major issue within teaching. Principals have too much power and there is next to no oversight.
I left a permanent position in a school where the Principal was a complete bully. I am still working down the clock to get panel rights. I was one of three permanent staff members who left that year and the entire staff would only be about 12/13. When I read the OP here, I thought of that school straight away, only I would have heard from my former colleagues.
Because most Principals are decent and hard-working, a blind eye seems to be turned by unions, the department and the inspectorate to the type of Principal that the OP has mentioned. Even if you don't teach in such a school, I'm sure every teacher has heard anecdotally, of such a Principal.
Some seem to think they are entitled to run the school as their own personal fiefdom and it seems to be particularly true when it comes to hiring practices. It's easy to say "just tell her to fire me" but unless you've worked for such a Principal it's hard to imagine how intimidating it can be.

SnrInfant

I’m currently working with an absolute power hungry, control freak Principal who has no social distancing skills whatsoever!
He stands over me in the office all the time with no mask on, brings parents directly in on top of me in my pokey office, again with no masks.
He constantly sits at my desk using my computer and phone when he has his own office.
I’m out now with suspected Covid and he is raging that I might have ‘passed it on to him’!!
God give me patience 😡

Treppen

SnrInfant wrote: »

I’m currently working with an absolute power hungry, control freak Principal who has no social distancing skills whatsoever!
He stands over me in the office all the time with no mask on, brings parents directly in on top of me in my pokey office, again with no masks.
He constantly sits at my desk using my computer and phone when he has his own office.
I’m out now with suspected Covid and he is raging that I might have ‘passed it on to him’!!
God give me patience 😡

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