Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Mariposa1418]

I have to do Saturday Camp every 2nd and 4th weekend during the month at my public school. This has already caused me to miss out on trips during long weekends.

Now I realize that the weekend following Chuseok is the fourth Saturday of September. I think that means that I will probably have a camp scheduled. The problem is that a group of us have planned a trip to Taiwan.
I should mention that I am paid extra for these camps, and for the most part, I don't mind doing them. However, when it cuts into long vacation time, I can't help but feeling a little jilted. (Especially since I wasn't informed until after giving my consent, that I actually had the OPTION to do the camp.)

I don't want to say anything to my co-teacher now, as I am afraid she might be angry and try to mess with our agreement on my summer vacation. I am thinking I will simply inform her at the beginning of the next semester that I am taking that Saturday off.

Does that seem unusually cruel? Honest (but gentle) advice would be greatly appreciated.

[kiwipenny]

~ I would get the ticket and tell her that you just realized that your trip is that weekend and that your friends booked the trip as a group months ago~ See if they they will allow you to find someone else to do the camp that weekend~

I'm assuming you get paid in cash for the camp and it's not overtime or on the books.. as I did the same thing last year.. and it was optional and only went ahead if I agreed.. so you could point out that it is optional but you didn't have the choice and your trip has been planned for a long time...

I know it may interrupt kids schedule etc if you don't do it and they will try to make you feel guilty even though they were cunning to get you to do it... but suggest a replacement and see what happens.

Am sure you could get someone to cover it.. even if you had to pay them a few extra dollars just so you can join the trip ^^

[Mariposa1418]

Thanks for the reply. My camp is actually recorded, and the money is deposited directly into my bank account.

I do the camp with my coteacher (and by that I mean, I plan the camp, make the lesson plans, organize everything, do most of the teaching, etc. She makes phone calls, helps sometimes with the teaching, and video records everything for our district office to prove that we are "making good use" of the money they gave the school), so I assume she would have to do the camp by herself.

I am going to take your advice and just suggest that the camp for that day continue, if she really want it to that badly, and I will still do all of the preparation and planning.

Can they deny me that day off?

[Goon-Yang]

There is no way they're going to have a camp on Chuseok. It's one of the biggest family holidays Koreans get.

[salgichawa]

[Goon-Yang]

Even if the actual holiday falls on a weekday the weekend is usually considered part of the holiday.

You're right it's no Christmas. Not everyone in the west celebrate Christmas. 99.9% of Koreans do celebrate Chuseok.

If it's a 4 or 5 day Chuseok...Koreans might go somewhere and do stuff with their families.

Another 9 days of holiday for me:) Best I had was an 11 day Chuseok.

[Mariposa1418]

Well, that's good to know that I might at least have a chance at getting it off. I will just have to wait and see I guess.

[ticktocktocktick]

Just reschedule for the week after. The kids and your c/t won't want class on that Saturday anyway.