CAT Tracks for May 7, 2011 SCHOOL, PAYDAY, WHATEVER

I know, I know...

...you are already wondering "Will there be school on Monday? Next week?"

The desperately dedicated among you are losing sleep...worrying about the PSAE and MAP testing.

Some of you are fearfully fretting next Friday...Friday the 13th...payday.

Well, the Great and Wonderful Ron has answers...for all you folks!

In the order that they were received:

• School on Monday? No Way! Madam CAT President did receive word yesterday that Cairo Superintendent of Schools Leotis Swopes (possibly prodded by Cairo Mayor Tyrone Coleman's statement that the District did not have a plan in place...although that can't be true because Leotis was not at Thursday night's meeting and he has told us many, many times that he doesn't read rags like CAT Tracks.) Uh, where was I? Oh, yeah...Madam CAT President has been told that the Superintendent has called a meeting of the District's union leaders for 11 a.m. Monday in the CJSHS Library. Madam President has NOT been told what the meeting is about. However, after that meeting, maybe information will be forthcoming on what the future holds.

• School next week? Here is your best advice..."School is closed until further notice." If the District has your contact information, you should receive a call from them notifying you when to report for work. If you are the nervous type, watch the local newscasts for school closings/openings. If you are really, really nervous...call your principal (at a reasonable hour.) Don't bother calling Madam CAT President...she's in the same boat as you. (Pardon the flood-related pun. BTW...DISCLAIMER! Madam President did NOT have input into my admonition not to call her...it's just FACT. She often learns of school openings/closings from other teachers who got called before she did.) Also, if you don't share the Superintendent's prejudice toward CAT Tracks, feel free to visit our (uh, MY) website. As soon as Madam CAT President gets the call on school, she calls me and I post it as a courtesy.

• What about the PSAE? MAP Testing? It will resolve itself. People above your pay grade are working on this. There is absolutely nothing you can do while the schools are closed. As soon as you return, District officials will have the answers to you testing concerns...or not. You just really, really need to chill out on testing. You did your best to prepare your students...and then the floods came. When you return, you will surely have a few days to review and reteach. That's all you can do...

• And, finally...payday. Many of you old-timers suffer from PTSD. I mean, normal paydays used to always be an adventure. Remember "CHECK YOUR CHECK"? (If you are tenured you do...fer sure!) However, it's a new day. Business Manager Justin Miller is "on it". The checks have been printed and signed and are ready to be mailed...if necessary. The direct deposit is ready to be made on the appointed day. If school is back in session next Friday, it will be business as usual. If not...you WILL get your paycheck...bank on it! (Uh..well...hopefully, the banks will be back by then!!!)

Relaaaaaaaaaaax...