Just got Approval... what about letting work know???

I just got my approval letter and am wondering if I should go ahead and tell my principal now or wait until I have a surgery date. I know it would be good to let him know it's coming but don't want to tell him and not be able to say when it's going to be or how long I expect to be out. I've been saving days just in case it's a long stay, but I don't want to be away long... I don't like being away from my classes! thanks, gene

Hey Gene, I told my principal after I got my approval even though it wasn't going to be during the school year. I planned my surgery around school. I had mine the first date he did it after school ended. Good Luck, Christie

The speed, or lack there of, that my WLS is progressing I may well be into summer... which would be cool as I usually don't work summers. I sure hope it will be sooner though... I'd rather do whatever extra work is involved to get this ball rolling to get my new life! Thanks Christie! gene

Gene .... congrats! on your approval. I told my principal when I started going through the process of getting approval. Heck, I told the whole world. It really depends on whether you have lap or open when you will be able to go back to school and the grade level you teach. I had mine in June. A lot of what and when you tell also depends on your relationship with your principal. If it isn't so great, wait until it's scheduled. If you have someone in mind to sub for you, you might want to give them a heads up. I'm having a tummy tuck on Dec. 23. So, I scheduled a retired teacher that I trust with my 1st graders for the week that I will be off. But she has saved extra of the 100 days that retirees in Ky can sub, in case I have complications that require a longer period of time. Let us know when your surgery is scheduled so, I can pray for you and your surgeon. Diane

I think it depends on how open you want to be about it. I didn't tell my principal about it until I got out of the hospital. I just told her I was having gall bladder surgery. Which was not a lie. I had to call her afterward and tell her that I would be back as soon as I thought. She then forced me to tell her why. (I later found out that she was violating my right to privacy.) When I got back to work, everyone knew about it because she had told them. I was so mad. I eventually got over it, but stayed clear of her office. Be careful who you tell if you aren't spreading the news. Jodie 235/133/128 (-102)

Wow, Jodie! That's a frightening story! I trust my principal and I think I'm not gonna be conerned about telling people... they know anyway, and let them say what they will... I'm doing this for me and for my family, not for all those other people! Thanks for sharing your experience with me! C h e e r s, gene

Gene, I was so excited about my surgery, that I told everyone myself. My date was the last day of school in May, so my principal didn't have to be concerned. I wouldn't involve your principal until you had a date, unless you know that he/she would be happy for you. You know his/her first question will be, "WHEN?" If I were you, I would try to schedule it during Spring Break. That way you wouldn't have to worry about missing too many school days. I wish I had done it during Spring Break, I would have enjoyed the summer break even more. Good Luck and keep us posted. Diane, Pruetty Chic

Hi Diane! Thanks for your reply - I'm thinkin' that Spring Break will be a good option... although it might work out better logistically to do it like a week before so I can have my classes working on somethhing where the sub doesn't have to know too much... we don't have very good luck with subs most of the time. I'm going to call UCLA today and ask about stuff... if I can actually reach a real human being! C h e e r s, gene

SInce you don't say what you teach, let me generalize. If I had surgery now with my grades (K-8) There is no way I could go back as soon as I did. I would do it during the summer just to be able to take the summer off. PLus the kids will really notice the difference. Of course when I taught college I could sit more and lecture and not be as active. I would have everything ready for your principal - the date a sub lesson plans etc Just some ramblings

Ha! Good point, Jack! I teach high school (9-12) computer stuff - a Microsoft Office class, as well as web publishing and digital imaging(photoshop). I was discussing with another teacher how our elective classes are different than solids in that we don't have a "set" curriculum, but instead do as much as we can so that the students learn and experience as much as they can. Some years we go fast, other years are slow... at least so far! I think I'm going to aim for a week before Spring Break. That would be pretty manageable and wouldn't blow all the rest of my days that I have saved up. Thanks for the reply - btw, I looked at your page here... it looks like you are making great progress! Cool for you! Thanks again, gene