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TaraHutch
True beauty
Member since 10/07 9888 total posts
Name:
Tara
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Tenure year and maternity leave
Hi all....well, originally I thought I should wait until I had tenure before I had kids, but that feels so far away at this point. DH tells me whenever I'm ready is good for him. I'd love to have one by next summer. Thing is, 08-09 is my tenure year. I need to work that school year, plus one day of the next school year. I feel pretty secure with my job...my principal supports me wholeheartedly, the parents love how much 'energy' I brought into the music program, and my music supervisor loves me. I'm definitely a part of that world.
Why does it nag at me though? See, like most teachers that can't afford a year off, I want to have a baby during or right before summer so that I can get more time with the baby. So...if I wait til I have tenure, I won't have a baby until 2010. Then I had a thought...have the baby next summer, return for the first day of school and then take maternity leave. But that doesn't look so good does it?
I know my sister had my nephew right before her tenure, it just pushed her tenure date up. Should I be nervous about this? DH doesn't seem to be so I don't know why I am!!
Thanks for listening to my long rambling. I'd love to hear if any of you have played with the whole tenure year/maternity thing. Thanks!
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Posted 6/15/08 7:59 AM  |
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browneyedgirl
family is all that matters
Member since 6/06 6513 total posts
Name:
browneyes
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Re: Tenure year and maternity leave
don't worry about it. it's not as complicated as you think.
first of all, you can't come back the first day and then take maternity. maternity starts when the baby is born (if he's born over the summer like mine will be, supt conference day starts day 1). you have to take maternity first and then start the school year when you come back in that case.
second, they will push tenure back however many months you were out. so if you're supposed to get tenure in june but take 3 months off, you will get it in nov/dec.
third, they CANNOT not give you tenure because of maternity!!! they would be facing a HUGE lawsuit if all of your observations/write ups have been positive. if they're not all positive, then i might reconsider only because you want to have stellar reviews in general. but it doesn't seem like it's that way for you since they love you
i understand being nervous, but they can't penalize you for having a baby. it's major discrimination and they wouldn't chance it.
IMO don't put your life on hold for your job if you don't want to. your family is much more important, and, not to be a downer, but you don't know how long it will take you to get pregnant. it could wind up taking much longer than you thought and you would be so upset if you had waited. i lucked out and got my end of june/beginning of july baby-to-be, but that doesn't always happen and i'm glad i started when i did because all i wanted was a healthy baby regardless of when would be convenient for my job.
best of luck to you!!!! if you need any more advice, FM me---i know a lot about this due to my position in the schools. hope all goes well!!
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| Posted 6/15/08 9:03 AM |
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TaraHutch
True beauty
Member since 10/07 9888 total posts
Name:
Tara
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Re: Tenure year and maternity leave
Thank you so much!
So I guess what you're saying is....to get the most time with the baby, having the baby in the spring makes the most sense? My only worry is- concerts! I know, everyone says I'm nuts for worrying but...it's a huge part of what I do. I have one concert in the end of May, and 3 in June!
My friends at work thought I could take maternity leave after summer....maybe my school's policy is different? So what you're saying is, I could have a baby in August and not get maternity leave?
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| Posted 6/15/08 9:11 AM |
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browneyedgirl
family is all that matters
Member since 6/06 6513 total posts
Name:
browneyes
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Re: Tenure year and maternity leave
Posted by TaraGotHutched
Thank you so much!
So I guess what you're saying is....to get the most time with the baby, having the baby in the spring makes the most sense? My only worry is- concerts! I know, everyone says I'm nuts for worrying but...it's a huge part of what I do. I have one concert in the end of May, and 3 in June!
My friends at work thought I could take maternity leave after summer....maybe my school's policy is different? So what you're saying is, I could have a baby in August and not get maternity leave?
have the baby when YOU want, and when you can get pregnant. it is so unbelievably hard to schedule a pregnancy, no matter how much you do correctly. it's our body's way of playing games with us.  i totally understand being stressed over concerts. but, to me (and this is my opinion), my family comes first and foremost. if i have to miss something important at work, so be it and someone else will do it for me. my baby comes first. again, for me, i wanted an april-july baby because then i would have the summer contingent to it. but honestly, i would have been happy any time just to have a baby! but, yes, spring does mean you get an extra 2 months off with your baby.
it is possible that your school's policy is different, but my friends told me the same thing! they said to go the first day of school and then take off. so i asked our FMLA person about that and she told me how it works. that the day the baby is born is when FMLA starts (except for the summer months). i would call your union's FMLA person and ask. if you don't know who it is, ask your union rep to tell you--she will know who it is. the union (if you're on LI at least) handles FMLA, not the district.
so if you had a baby in july or august (like i will be doing), you will have the summer months "free". then you could take your 12 weeks FMLA (or longer or shorter depending on your financial situation as well as what your district allows) starting the first day of school in sept. for this coming year, people taking 12 weeks come back about dec 1st.
hope that makes sense! deciding to try to conceive is a huge decision. that's why you have to do what is best for you and DH, and not for your job.
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| Posted 6/15/08 9:18 AM |
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TaraHutch
True beauty
Member since 10/07 9888 total posts
Name:
Tara
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Re: Tenure year and maternity leave
thank you ohhh so much. You are totally right- family comes first. I guess it's just hard because my job is still new to me, I'm still trying to prove myself and I get so into it. I feel like I'm leaving MY program behind- so silly. And I know once I have kids, the job will take a backseat- and that kind of scares me. I don't want to hate my job once I have kids! 
Are you on leave now? How are you feeling?  
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| Posted 6/15/08 9:25 AM |
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browneyedgirl
family is all that matters
Member since 6/06 6513 total posts
Name:
browneyes
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Re: Tenure year and maternity leave
Posted by TaraGotHutched
Are you on leave now? How are you feeling?
i wish! i'm due in 2 weeks and i'm going to try to work to the end due to FMLA. i want my days WITH the baby. i feel fine other than the massively swollen feet that DH keeps threatening to pop with a needle 
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| Posted 6/15/08 9:40 AM |
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LulaBell
:)
Member since 1/06 3508 total posts
Name:
J
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Re: Tenure year and maternity leave
I agree with PP - one of my good friends got pregnant in the first year of her probationary period, had the baby in december and actually took an extended leave to stay out the rest of the year. It just pushed back her tenure date. She was very worried that she would not get tenure (the pregnancy was not planned but of course welcomed) but when she spoke to our union rep he said that there was no way they could hold the pregnancy against her - that would be a MAJOR lawsuit.
I understand how you feel about your responsibilities as a teacher and planning your pregnancy! If you find a happy resolution please let me know!
Good luck!
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| Posted 6/15/08 9:54 AM |
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TaraHutch
True beauty
Member since 10/07 9888 total posts
Name:
Tara
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Re: Tenure year and maternity leave
Posted by browneyedgirl
Posted by TaraGotHutched
Are you on leave now? How are you feeling?
i wish! i'm due in 2 weeks and i'm going to try to work to the end due to FMLA. i want my days WITH the baby. i feel fine other than the massively swollen feet that DH keeps threatening to pop with a needle
 I bet you wouldn't mind them popping either!
Thanks again! and thanks Mrs. Madness as well! Ugh this is all so frustrating and confusing...
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| Posted 6/15/08 9:58 AM |
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Lauren82
LIF Adult
Member since 10/06 4580 total posts
Name:
L
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Re: Tenure year and maternity leave
Definitely ask a union rep in your school about FMLA and the summer months, because we have an issue right now with a teacher giving birth in the summer and our union FMLA rep told her that she must start her FMLA from the day she gives birth, not the beginning of the school year...she is fighting it, but definitely check on that issue because it seems to be a technicality that my district is holding strictly to...
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| Posted 6/15/08 12:50 PM |
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Jacksmommy
My love muffin!
Member since 1/07 5819 total posts
Name:
Liz
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Re: Tenure year and maternity leave
I am pg with my first and I am due Sept 8th. This was my tenure year so techinically I have to go in one day (sept 2nd) which I plan to to get my tenure (and also my days for next year). I spoke to someone and they said you only get to use your days until you are medically cleared by a dr. I am trying to stay out until the first week of Nov. Unfortunately, if I have the baby in Aug- it might not be possible! I did not tell anyone I was pg until April. I was nervous with tenure and stuff!
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| Posted 6/15/08 8:55 PM |
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MrsPowers
So blessed!
Member since 11/06 10348 total posts
Name:
Ivelysse
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Re: Tenure year and maternity leave
I agree with many of the previous posts. I would check with a union rep or the union person in charge of leaves. Ours is great and answers all of your questions.
As for the tenure thing, I think that is a personal decision. To me, I wanted to be secure in my job before having a baby. Having said that I was tenured way before even getting married so I didn't have to worry. However, I would be concerned with excessing and class sizes and etc...sometimes this can interfere with your job. You can have tenure and still be excessed if you are low person on the seniority list.
sorry to be the realist but as a union rep in my building and one who has learned a lot about these things, I felt I should give you a clear picture.
I would do what is right for you and your DH. only you know what that is! good luck!
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| Posted 6/15/08 9:01 PM |
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karjules
Love my Jules :)
Member since 1/07 2056 total posts
Name:
Karen
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Re: Tenure year and maternity leave
Posted by ejm1219
I am pg with my first and I am due Sept 8th. This was my tenure year so techinically I have to go in one day (sept 2nd) which I plan to to get my tenure (and also my days for next year). I spoke to someone and they said you only get to use your days until you are medically cleared by a dr. I am trying to stay out until the first week of Nov. Unfortunately, if I have the baby in Aug- it might not be possible! I did not tell anyone I was pg until April. I was nervous with tenure and stuff!
I was told the same thing. Most dr.s will only clear you 6 weeks for a vaginal delivery and 8 for a C-Section, so I am due 8/6 and my sick days would only cover me until 9/15 if I have a regular delivery and go ontime. I then have to use unpaid time.
What does FMLA cover? I was told only your medical insurance costs (meaning they keep it the same while you are out). Our FMLA is unpaid. Do others have paid FMLA?
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| Posted 6/15/08 9:13 PM |
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MrsS2005
Mom of 3
Member since 11/05 13118 total posts
Name:
B
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Re: Tenure year and maternity leave
Posted by Lauren82
Definitely ask a union rep in your school about FMLA and the summer months, because we have an issue right now with a teacher giving birth in the summer and our union FMLA rep told her that she must start her FMLA from the day she gives birth, not the beginning of the school year...she is fighting it, but definitely check on that issue because it seems to be a technicality that my district is holding strictly to...
FMLA regulations clearly state that if the employer's business activity has temporarily ceased and employees generally are not expected to report for work for one or more weeks (i.e., a school's summer vacation), the days the employer's activities have ceased do not count against the employee's FMLA leave entitlement.
If you give birth during the summer, you can still take 12 weeks of FMLA leave to care for your child once school resumes. The only issues you may face concern substituting accumulated paid leave (sick days) for unpaid leave. Some districts may not allow substitution of paid leave (sick days) for unpaid leave after the 6 or 8 weeks you're considered disabled. You should check your contract and any Board policies on FMLA leave. You can also talk to HR about this when the time comes.
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| Posted 6/15/08 10:58 PM |
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MrsS2005
Mom of 3
Member since 11/05 13118 total posts
Name:
B
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Re: Tenure year and maternity leave
Posted by karanthony
Posted by ejm1219
I am pg with my first and I am due Sept 8th. This was my tenure year so techinically I have to go in one day (sept 2nd) which I plan to to get my tenure (and also my days for next year). I spoke to someone and they said you only get to use your days until you are medically cleared by a dr. I am trying to stay out until the first week of Nov. Unfortunately, if I have the baby in Aug- it might not be possible! I did not tell anyone I was pg until April. I was nervous with tenure and stuff!
I was told the same thing. Most dr.s will only clear you 6 weeks for a vaginal delivery and 8 for a C-Section, so I am due 8/6 and my sick days would only cover me until 9/15 if I have a regular delivery and go ontime. I then have to use unpaid time.
What does FMLA cover? I was told only your medical insurance costs (meaning they keep it the same while you are out). Our FMLA is unpaid. Do others have paid FMLA?
FMLA only requires 12 weeks of unpaid leave. It protects your job for that period of time and requires employers to continue your health insurance. You must continue paying the same amount for health insurance that you had been paying prior to your leave. Employers can offer you paid leave, but they are not required to do this under FMLA.
Also, under certain circumstances, you can substitute accumulated paid leave for unpaid leave. You can substitute sick days for leave taken for your own serious health condition. Since women are considered disabled for 6 or 8 weeks following delivery, the leave they are taking for that period is for their own serious health condition. The remaining portion of the FMLA leave is taken for the care of a child. Employers are not required to allow the substitution of sick leave for unpaid leave due to the care of a child.
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| Posted 6/15/08 11:06 PM |
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MrsPowers
So blessed!
Member since 11/06 10348 total posts
Name:
Ivelysse
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Re: Tenure year and maternity leave
In my district if you have a baby over the summer you do not get paid leave at that time. My friend had a baby on July 9th and she got her 12 weeks of FMLA which basically entitles her to benefits but no paid leave because technically (on LI) we have already been paid for the summer. If your 6 weeks overlaps to the beginning of the school year, then you can take paid leave but otherwise no.
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| Posted 6/16/08 6:08 AM |
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beachgirl13
Mommy to 3 boys!
Member since 5/05 4114 total posts
Name:
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Re: Tenure year and maternity leave
I got pregnant my second year teaching and had my son Aug 30th. So my third year I was out until after Thanksgiving. I still got my tenure. As for the timing, try not to give it so much thought. When you feel ready for a baby, start trying. Don't try to schedule it around a school calendar. I know most teachers aim for having babies in the spring, but I liked being off for the beginning of the year. I'm pregnant again and this time I'm due in October. I'm happy about the timing, but then again, I think any time is fine. Definitely don't put your baby plans on hold for tenure. Try for a baby when you are ready and everything else will fall into place. Good luck!
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| Posted 6/16/08 9:20 PM |
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Candy Girl
Candy girl- you are so sweet!
Member since 11/07 6349 total posts
Name:
erin
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Re: Tenure year and maternity leave
Tara-
I used to think that I wanted to plan my baby for the late spring/early summer, but then I got pregnant, am due right around Christmas and it works out well for me. I will be due during Christmas break, will begin my 12 week FMLA on January 5th and return to school in late March--about one week before spring break which begins on April 7th. By the time we return to school, I will only have about 8 teaching weeks left and then the entire summer. Also keep in mind that you never know when your body will decide it "wants" to get pregnant! I think you and your DH should go for it and not worry about tenure--you're an awesome teacher and they would be utter fools to mess around with your tenure! Go make a     !!!
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| Posted 6/16/08 9:35 PM |
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TaraHutch
True beauty
Member since 10/07 9888 total posts
Name:
Tara
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Re: Tenure year and maternity leave
Thank you all so much for your comments and support. (you're so sweet Erin! )
I guess not only because it's my tenure year...but I can't imagine it would look good to up and leave on my school when I'm not tenured and there's concerts to be done...I keep trying to plan this around concerts and I know that's nuts. But I put on big ol' productions.
December is a crazy time with 2 huge holiday concerts....
May will have my big 4th/5th spring concert plus a trip to Carnegie Hall....
and June- UGGGH - THREE concerts.
I just feel like there's never a good time!!
Thanks for listening to me vent and offering your wonderful advice!
Message edited 6/16/2008 9:48:59 PM.
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| Posted 6/16/08 9:48 PM |
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SupportACop
Momma's Boy & Lovin' it!!
Member since 5/06 2579 total posts
Name:
C
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Re: Tenure year and maternity leave
I just got tenure, will be board approved tomorrow night, but I am on Maternity leave for the next two weeks. It was not a problem and my principal was great when I told her in Oct about my pregancy. It did not affect my tenure.
BTW Another girl I work with it was her first year and she is not tenured. She is pregnant and due in Sept. she is coming back in Feb and not tenured. so that was great for her she was really stressed if she was going to be asked to come back...GOOD LUCK 
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| Posted 6/17/08 9:43 AM |
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SupportACop
Momma's Boy & Lovin' it!!
Member since 5/06 2579 total posts
Name:
C
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Re: Tenure year and maternity leave
forgot to add...I had to write a letter stating I would be back in Sept. If you do not come back in Sept you have to wait until Feb 1st..not sure why they do that but that was also something I learned this week taking maternity leave.
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| Posted 6/17/08 9:44 AM |
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want2beamom
Love my boys soooo much!!!
Member since 8/06 10164 total posts
Name:
True love doesn't end with happily ever after...
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Re: Tenure year and maternity leave
I had my son my first year of teaching, and it just pushed my tenure date up the amount of time that I took off. Now, going into my third year, I am having another little one. I think I will get tenure around the time I am 100 at this point, but it is all worth it for me!
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| Posted 6/17/08 9:28 PM |
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