de Blasio’s Friday Night Massacre
I used to preface my criticism for Mayor de Blasio, but why?
Today we learned that his Department of Education is banning Zoom, that many of us have spent 3 weeks learning to rely on. (And called into doubt our ability to use Google Meet Up, which others of us used, and which yours truly had learned as a back up). Instead we are supposed to use a Microsoft product with no training, but with the e-mail address of some schlub who I already know won’t answer beyond sending us to a help page, where we can spend more hours learning on line. I could rant for a full post. But no.
Tonight we learned that the Mayor has decided to open schools (well, remote learning) for the last two days we have off, for Passover and Good Friday. We got a very strongly worded e-mail from Mulgrew. We, the whole UFT, are furious.
I am glad that Mulgrew expressed outrage over de Blasio’s move. And I am glad that we will continue to fight for compensation.
But honestly, I’m not the hardest working out there (not that I’m a slouch) and I am exhausted, physically, intellectually, emotionally.
I need, not just want, but need, time to breathe, recover, catch up, figure out adjustments, and replan my expectations and daily work, and replan my scope and sequence for the rest of the year.
And Zoom is out. Google Meet Up probably, too. So I real need some time to figure things out, including technology I’ve never used before.
And then the Mayor takes the last two days?
I am glad that Mulgrew expressed outrage over de Blasio’s move.
But I want to know how we will stop him.
JD2718 
I’m literally driven to an emotional cliff,
I am healthy. My loved ones are healthy, for now. I have an abundance of technology and resources. I have zero children at home that I have to assist the remote education of.
My blessings are many. My hardships are few. However this post, this post makes me confront this new realization that has me handcuffed and frustrated to the point of tears.
I can not imagine what this news will do to the psyche of those in less privileged circumstances.
Not to be flippant, but purposely using a catch phrase
I. CAN. NOT.
Because of an incompetent mayor who feels we are babysitting and what you outlined above, this is why teachers need to unite.
Only work contractual hours. Do what you can do and that’s that.
Only in the doe can you get punished for working hard.
I know you guys will think I am ‘bitter’ or ‘trying to do less’ but that is not the case.
Between the hours of 8 am to 220 pm Monday through Friday I’ll do my best. However, I will take a 45 minute lunch and my prep periods.
Will I answer ridiculous emails from colleagues or from a student at 10 immediately? No!
We need to realize that what we are doing is important, but should not make us crazy.
Now, go ahead and denigrate me. That’s cool!
Here is the lesson plan for what was previously Spring Break.
Don’t stress.
Just post these seven one question assignments.
One question a day.
Copy and paste responses here on Sunday 4/19/2020. All of us. At once.
https://www1.nyc.gov/office-of-the-mayor/mayor-contact.page?fbclid=IwAR2CkUpRDvmTpJ3tcyW6x0IvU2fWgW0fjbcgB15CHfMVIZVvsdrDEg2DB-c
Question #1 of Spring Break Forced Labor Thursday 4/9/2020
Why do you think the mayor made your teachers go to work in the schools for three days after determining it was unsafe for you?
Question #2 of Spring Break Forced Labor Friday 4/10/2020
During your last full week of school how safe did you feel if you attended? If you did not attend why?
Question #3 of Spring Break Forced Labor Monday 4/13/2020
Why do you think the chancellor directed principals NOT to report confirmed cases of Covid 19 in your school? How does that make you feel?
Question #4 of Spring Break Forced Labor Tuesday 4/14/2020
The governor and mayor believe that keeping “school” open during spring break will keep you inside, making social distancing more effective. Do you agree or disagree with that decision? Why?
Question #5 of Spring Break Forced Labor 4/14/2020
Originally last Thursday and Friday were days off for religious observance. The mayor decided to add them back as attendance days even though the governor did not require it and other districts have off. How does that make you feel?
Question #6 of Spring Break Forced Labor 4/15/2020
Do you feel like the mayor is keeping you and the citizens of NYC safe? Why or why not?
Question #7 The Final Day of Spring Break Forced Labor
Do you think the mayor taking so long to close schools (he even closed broadway first) caused more of your friends and family to become infected? Do you think this makes him responsible for the deaths of students, teachers, paras, and administrators who died as a result of being infected by Covid 19?
Call it a civics/current event/participation in government lesson. The whole family can participate just like Mr. Carranza would like during that week!
Everyone should call in sick. Otherwise stop complaining. This isn’t the biggest issue thinking teachers have with the City or UFT. It’s the City not releasing the data on sick and dead teachers – something that the city does for its other agencies. Especially egregious after the death of one of our own after an unnecessary training. A training that the UFT allowed teachers to be sent into schools without warning after they were closed down for students. DeBlasio thinks Mulgrew is weak and that he and all teachers can be shit on at will. Unfortunately, he’s correct.
We are in a crisis, and we are being given so much to do that we have trouble taking care of ourselves, let alone come together for a coherent response. It will take collective conversation and collective action, and I wish we were there today. I don’t think we are.
Thank you for sharing constructive ideas, and just how hard this is hitting you personally. I don’t know what comes next.
I feel we have to take care of ourselves first and do our best with teaching in these times.
Like you said, we need unity. Sadly, that won’t happen today.
So your best in the given hours of a work day.
Let administration praise the 24 year old who will work the 90 hour week. That’s cool! The 24 year old who probably has no life and no responsibilities.
Us veterans have more going on. We do our best and that’s how you sleep well at night.