Keeping children out of school during the strike?
Many families have thought long and hard about students staying home during the strike, and a significant number of students have stayed home for a variety of reasons. The great majority of these appear to be seriously pursuing education and other developmental activities while at home, so this is rarely a trivial decision nor an excuse to slack off. However, there is some concern about whether parents/guardians may be legally pursued for truancy, which is possible after 10 days of unexcused absence. Attorneys Kristin Bryant (www.BryantLawOfficesLLC.com) and Chris Shook have offered on the Families for Teachers Facebook page to represent any Reynoldsburg student, parent or teacher for free IF charged with a crime/truancy related to the strike.
IEP / 504 issues
The current school conditions are inappropriate and potentially harmful for many students with IEPs or 504s. Parents of kids with IEPS and 504s are invited to a meeting with a lawyer in order to prepare a class action suit. The meeting is at 6 pm this Sunday, October 5, at Messiah Lutheran Church.
Q & A: what will it mean for us if teachers strike?
Note: this pre-strike information has aged several centuries in a few days, but we will keep it on this page for a while
A number of parents and students have been asking how a strike will affect them. Here are answers provided by school district administrators to some of these questions. Please bear in mind that this web page is not a source of official information and important information should be confirmed by the schools administration. Visit the strike information page of the school district website or speak with a school administrator. Some of this information was posted before the School District's strike information page was set up. We may add new information here if it is not covered by the School District's Q&A.
A number of parents and students have been asking how a strike will affect them. Here are answers provided by school district administrators to some of these questions. Please bear in mind that this web page is not a source of official information and important information should be confirmed by the schools administration. Visit the strike information page of the school district website or speak with a school administrator. Some of this information was posted before the School District's strike information page was set up. We may add new information here if it is not covered by the School District's Q&A.
Will the substitute teachers actually be licensed teachers? Yes, and/or college students with substitute licenses.
How will this be verified and monitored? Huffmaster (the strike-staffing company hired by the Reynoldsburg Board of Education) does the first screening then the applicant comes to Reynoldsburg and goes through the normal process of background checks.
Who will perform background checks on substitute teachers? The School Board will do this.
Will licensed teachers be teaching the classes they are authorized to teach? Every effort will be made to put qualified teachers in the classroom. If the teacher is not qualified to teach that subject, then by law the teacher can only stay in that classroom for 5 days.
How will the effectiveness of the substitutes be measured? There will be training so the person knows how Reynoldsburg does things. There will also be in-service time with the principals.
What about a French teacher and receiving the credit for that class? There will be qualified teachers in the class rooms, but they cannot guarantee that the teacher will be a specialist French teacher.
How will this be verified and monitored? Huffmaster (the strike-staffing company hired by the Reynoldsburg Board of Education) does the first screening then the applicant comes to Reynoldsburg and goes through the normal process of background checks.
Who will perform background checks on substitute teachers? The School Board will do this.
Will licensed teachers be teaching the classes they are authorized to teach? Every effort will be made to put qualified teachers in the classroom. If the teacher is not qualified to teach that subject, then by law the teacher can only stay in that classroom for 5 days.
How will the effectiveness of the substitutes be measured? There will be training so the person knows how Reynoldsburg does things. There will also be in-service time with the principals.
What about a French teacher and receiving the credit for that class? There will be qualified teachers in the class rooms, but they cannot guarantee that the teacher will be a specialist French teacher.
Who will write and be responsible for WEPs, IEPs and 504 plans? The district is looking to hire subs trained in or with a background in special education. The superintendent expects that building administrators will oversee the reviews, re-evaluations and follow up of WEPs, IEPs and 504s (not yet clear how). Each building administrator has a spreadsheet of what is due and when for each student receiving these services. Some building administrators and a few central office staff are trained in special ed., and will be available to assist in overseeing the process. Administrators are expected to have daily briefings with substitute teachers (subs) to help maintain compliance. Computer hardware and software have been purchased to assist subs and students. It will be used to help subs navigate the curriculum as well as provide remedial and enrichment activities. Subs are being trained/assisted in the legal aspects of these documents. (9/8/2014)
Who will be available to provide documents such as recommendation letters and transcripts for seniors applying to colleges? There will be staff in the office able to take care of these items. (principals, councilors, etc) If your student wants a specific teacher to write the letter, you may want to ask them to do this before the strike starts.
If we have a child enrolled in a school of choice, would they lose their place if parents keep them home during a strike? The School Administration would not punish a child but would encourage parents to send their student and voice their concerns if something occurs.
[Please note that the School District Q&A clearly states: According to board policy and as set forth in the student code of conduct, if a student is absent and that absence is unexcused, the student does not get credit for that day. Students should be in attendance during a strike unless excused for one of the acceptable reasons set forth in board policy.]
If my child who is anxious goes to school during the first day of a strike and is too scared to come back, would she lose her place in the school? Absolutely not, they are not trying to punish kids.
[Note from one parent: the process for homeschooling takes much time and effort. Virtual (online) school is easier to enroll and unenroll in.]
[Please note that the School District Q&A clearly states: According to board policy and as set forth in the student code of conduct, if a student is absent and that absence is unexcused, the student does not get credit for that day. Students should be in attendance during a strike unless excused for one of the acceptable reasons set forth in board policy.]
If my child who is anxious goes to school during the first day of a strike and is too scared to come back, would she lose her place in the school? Absolutely not, they are not trying to punish kids.
[Note from one parent: the process for homeschooling takes much time and effort. Virtual (online) school is easier to enroll and unenroll in.]