I actually think that perhaps my decision to move with confidence towards a more simplified life is helping to make the days smoother.
Today the household tasks were done quickly, even before Mass which almost never happens. We came home and Harvey made brunch, much less costly than going out to eat.
I decided rather than working on two separate projects I would finish one and then work on the second one later or even tomorrow.
The only news I have been watching is about the teachers strike in Alberta. This is only because of Kurt teaching in that province. There were two rallies being held there today. One in Calgary where a few thousand met wearing red for education and teachers. The other was in Edmonton where the count reached 20 thousand parents, students, and teachers on the grounds of the provincial legislature. I am not sure the UCP were at all ready for the ground swell of support for their educators.
Of course there are a few that say 12% raise over 4 years is more than they got in their contracts, but the nurses got 20% and the teachers in the last decade had many years of 0% (I believe 8 years) and then 2 years of a total of 5%. Pretty sure the people saying this have had regular raises over the last 10 years to at least keep up with the cost of living. Hmm, that would mean that over 13 years they might have gotten 1.25% more each year.
The teachers really do deserve more in the area of wages. The students also deserve to have smaller classes and more help in those classes. They need that help right away. One of the carrots the government held up was 3000 new teachers would be hired over three years. A whole 1000 a year which would be a drop in the proverbial bucket as there are 3000+ schools in the province. They also promised to hire more aides, however they laid off the vast majority of them over the past couple of years.
Still seeing all the support the teachers have garnered is wonderful and I hope it continues through what happens next.
Off to set my table and then get the potatoes and carrots in the roaster.
Everybody have a wonderful evening.
God bless.
ENJOY your week!
ReplyDeleteI too am grateful for the quiet times in the day. Here’s to a new week.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your time!
ReplyDeleteTeachers work so hard and are very deserving of those raises. I love it when I get my tasks done early like you did.
ReplyDeleteI truly don't mind my little part time jobs away from home, but I do enjoy my quiet time at home to do the things I love. Even if it is involving chores.
ReplyDeleteThe issue for the teachers is that many parents/citizens see them as glorified babysitters/daycare workers and thus not entitled to decent pay and benefits.. Of course they are not, instead providing the instruction needed to allow the children to be part of society.
ReplyDeleteThere is always the trope that teachers get two months off every year. No one looks at the amount of unpaid time teachers put in, with coaching, mentoring, etc.
I'm not surprised that Edmonton had a far larger turn-out for the teachers. For the sake of the kids I hope the strike can be resolved quickly, but only if it results in better supports in the classroom and appropriate pay increase.
Glad that life seems to be easier and calmer for you at the moment. I am now settling back into life at home since leaving work. It took a few weeks to decompress and get used to my new circumstances. Some days I am productive, others not so much, but I am enjoying my life and slowly getting round to doing things that I've meant to do for a while, so it's all good. I do hope that a swift resolution is found to your son's industrial action. The numbers in classes seems ridiculously high. How can it benefit anyone? Sometimes the powers that be make decisions that are very shortsighted and very detrimental in an effort to save money and end up having to spend more in the end.
ReplyDeleteTeacher need to be treated better that is for sure.
ReplyDelete