Fridays are reserved for a review of the legal fundamentals that affect teachers.
Today - Duty-Free Lunch
In recognition of the need for at least a little mental downtime, and the difficulty of achieving it in a school where something is always happening, the state legislature years ago put into a law a mandatory lunch break for classroom teachers. If you are a full-time classroom teacher, you are entitled to a minimum of 30 minutes of time, somewhere in the middle of the day, free from any duties. You may even leave campus during that time.
Some FAQ's
Can you eat in your classroom?
Only if the campus allows it. You are entitled to be free from duty and to leave campus, but you otherwise have to follow any campus rules.
Can I be asked to do lunch duty?
Yes, as long as you also have a 30 minute duty-free period.
Can I be asked to do lunch duty because people are absent?
Yes, you can be asked to give up your duty-free lunch no more than one time a week, if there is an emergency situation. Unexpected staff absences would qualify as an emergency, but if the lunch room is understaffed for a long period because not enough lunch aides were hired, that is not an emergency.
What if I am officially "off" for 30 minutes, but I'm required to walk my students to and from the lunchroom during that time?
That is an infringement of your duty-free lunch. If the schedule shows 30 minutes, but the reality is 23 minutes because of a required duty, then the school should make an adjustment. If you are walking your students to lunch because you think they need you, even if the principal has said you don't need to do that, then that is not a required duty.
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