Since the school year began, I have witnessed several public transportation strikes, Air France, and two national teacher strikes. And then yesterday, a local strike at my little school. When the faculty and staff learned about the changes that will be imposed next school year, they joined forces. All the teachers and support staff met during the lunch hour over the course of a week in order to plan their course of action. Pierre, who is out on sick leave, has been coming in to lead the meetings since he's the union rep.
Here's my understanding of why they're upset. Next year, there will be 15 more students in 6ème but no additional teacher. The conseiller principal d'éducation (CPE) is retiring, and since Poix has less than 400 students, will not be replaced. Schools as small as mine are not allowed to have both a CPE and a principal adjoint. The vice principal will be responsible for la vie scolaire: monitoring student attendance, the surveillants, detention and covering classes on top of her regular duties. There will be fewer surveillants and the position of intendant will be cut to half time. There will be no more soutien, or "extra help" positions; instead, these will be considered overtime.
It was decided to send a letter home to the parents outlining the impending cutbacks and encouraging them to keep their children at home on the 5th. These changes are unacceptable, and the safety of the children is a valid concern. A petition was posted on the school website, and also made available in the teacher workroom and the vie scolaire. A manifestation was planned in front of the rectorat in Amiens on Wednesday afternoon, where the teachers of Poix were joined by several other schools protesting changes at their sites.
On Thursday, all but seven families kept their children home, and we know that certain students only came to school so they'd have something to eat for lunch. The cuistos were also on strike, but the elementary students also eat at our cantine, so a basic lunch was provided. This wasn't your ordinary strike - the teachers all came to school to unite in their outrage. Three newspapers came to write articles; while I am not allowed to strike, I did go outside with everyone to show my support from afar. One of the journalists, not knowing my situation, jokingly asked, "Is she a Sarkoziste?" when I stood behind the cameras. "Say something sad, Jennifer, so we won't look happy in the photo." "I'm leaving you in July," I replied.
Then, we got down to business: lunch. Most everyone brought something to eat, and others ran to Champion to pick up the necessary charcuterie, baguettes et fromage. We had jambon et saucisson, tartes salées, cake aux lardons, salade...and the best part...dessert. Franck made a tarte tatin and une tarte aux poires, Emmanuelle brought a Corsican cake called fiadone made with fromage de brebis, or brocciu. We had two chocolate cakes and as usual, I baked an American dessert. This time, it was Nestlé Tollhouse Cookies - only with a chopped up a bar of baking chocolate rather than Nestlé chocolate chips. Even better than the oatmeal cookies, they said.
The spirit of unity and collegiality I felt yesterday was amazing. When I think of the drama and divisiveness that's going on at Classen, I'm not too keen on returning. I hope things settle down before the end of the school year. And if they don't, I think I'll have to introduce the French concept of la grève. And then, I'll bring a French dessert.
3 comments:
Wow. That's awesome. There has indeed been all the drama here. Not just at Classen, but down the street at Klein, too. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the whole thing gets straightened out, keeping the students in mind.
So did anything change?
~Angie
What is going on at your school?
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