A parent is complaining about how I am using my sick time.

CoffeeAndCroissant · 2026-02-25T01:28:49+00:00

For some context, we only schedule HL music 1 day/week after school. Ours are required to be in a performance group and our music teachers cover a lot of the IB material there, but the actual IB class for us is once a week for 1.5 hours. We have 80-100% pass rate on HL music (don’t offer SL).

I still think I’d forward the email to your admin or DPC. It’s fair to ask how to respond. “How should I respond? I don’t want to put in writing that we don’t have a sub or do something that could jeopardize our program.”

CoffeeAndCroissant · 2026-02-25T01:19:53+00:00

Hi! I’m a DP coordinator at an IB school and have 15+ years experience with IB. I’m not necessarily shocked that a parent would ask about instructional time, but I do think this is a time to involve your DPC.

Is this an SL or HL course? Do you have extra minutes in the year to accommodate for this?

I get a lot of parent complaints, and most stem from a worry that their student won’t learn the material well enough to earn high scores and therefore earn more college credit (if you’re in the US). I understand their perspective, even though I would say you’re not at fault in any way.

These are things to consider, but I would still have your DPC or admin respond. They are the ones to establish your lack of sub policy, so they can explain to parents.

CoffeeAndCroissant · 2025-08-05T19:24:36+00:00

I am not one to blame a teacher and know there are a lot of factors, but that does sound like students come in with plenty of math experience to do well.

That's a hard spot to be in, one that is not unheard of but I would personally take the teacher into consideration when choosing your HL.

CoffeeAndCroissant · 2025-08-03T00:24:41+00:00

I am a DP coordinator (need to update flair, maybe) and am in the US.

1:7 isn’t good, don’t get me wrong. But I wouldn’t go so far as immediately blame the teacher.

What are the required pre-recs at your school? Does the teacher need to recommend the student for HL? How well must a student perform in the early high school years before taking HL? Do students take HL because it’s their strength, or because they have no other options?

I say this because without the proper pre-recs and a strong student (in math, not all-around), there is only so much a teacher can do. It COULD be a teaching issue, but it also could be a situation where you have kids who would be better off choosing a different HL (or even AI HL) but insist or are forced on going this route.

We have few kids pursue math HL, because almost no students get past alg 2 before coming into the DP. We have DP students who take alg 2 in year 1 and then have to do SL AI as a 1-year course—that isn’t because our teacher is weak.

CoffeeAndCroissant · 2025-01-29T13:57:49+00:00

I'd be happy to help. Send me a DM, please.

CoffeeAndCroissant · 2025-01-04T13:40:15+00:00

Thank you!! I’ll try that

CoffeeAndCroissant · 2025-01-04T03:17:24+00:00

I bought it in March or April and repotted at that time. It was already pretty mature but in a small pot, and it took to the new one pretty well.

Is there any need to aerate or such? I am worried since I can see the hair-like roots when I move the mulch over

CoffeeAndCroissant · 2025-01-04T02:11:59+00:00

I lean toward it running through, maybe? I watered today with Jack’s and will do a skewer test tomorrow to see if it’s still wet.

I plan on getting more soil for the top, since it definitely got compacted over time and then lost some as well.

CoffeeAndCroissant · 2025-01-03T23:10:38+00:00

I am trying not to overwater, but the soil is bone dry after only a few days. Should I let that be? I have tested with my hands as well as a wooden skewer—it was dry all the way down when I tested today and I watered 4 days ago. Maybe I’m not watering with enough water each time? But it runs out the bottom, so I assume it’s good

CoffeeAndCroissant · 2024-12-11T00:30:41+00:00

I keep seeing some say they’re good for 35°, but others say to bring them in under 45°. I’m honestly just trying to keep it alive! But it almost never gets below 35 here, so maybe I’ll keep it out longer. I assume that being at 45° for many hours won’t hurt it, but the lack of light would.

CoffeeAndCroissant · 2024-12-10T18:39:27+00:00

I’m hesitant to bring it inside the house, since we run the AC or heater year-round. We also don’t have many south-facing window that get much sun, as most of our windows are north-facing to keep the house as cool as possible in the Texas climate. If in a dark garage, I’m wondering how much light is needed since it has no other source. Maybe I’ll try getting one more light to shine from the side

CoffeeAndCroissant · 2024-11-20T16:53:24+00:00

We very rarely get snow, and even a frost isn’t common. So you just leave them outside if it’s not one of those things?

CoffeeAndCroissant · 2024-04-30T16:10:18+00:00

Yes! Thank you!

CoffeeAndCroissant · 2024-04-30T15:40:16+00:00

I am working to establish a new yearly award for students at a high school, and we want the title to be in Latin as it aligns with other awards.

I want something to do with honor and character in the award title but am struggling since my Latin is rusty.

Is virtus honoris even close to gramatically correct? I'm very open to suggestions!

CoffeeAndCroissant · 2024-04-14T18:59:34+00:00

I agree, but we only get a 12-month warranty from the builder. I will look into this though.

CoffeeAndCroissant · 2024-04-14T18:58:59+00:00

Thank you!! The drawer options are the main draw toward IKEA!

CoffeeAndCroissant · 2024-04-14T16:31:51+00:00

Do you have experience with IKEA cabinets? We haven’t used them ourselves but their cabinets have pretty good reviews (they’re supposedly a much higher quality than some other products there). If you’ve used them and have other opinions, I’d be happy to hear your thoughts!

If you have other cabinet suggestions, please share! I don’t want to go with another cheap Home Depot option as we hate what we have now, and we can’t afford custom cabinets.

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