**** ETNI on the web http://www.etni.org.il http://www.etni.org **** Vera's message on the Dovrat Commission has spurred me to say aloud what I've been thinking to myself for quite some time. First, I'm in total agreement with what she wrote. I can add that the only "working" space at my school is the round table in the teachers' room, which is not at all a working environment. There are no computers available to us; the school computer room is for the pupils and there aren't any computers in the teachers' room. Luckily, I live a 2 minute walk from home and that's where I go during my "free hours" and after school to work. Like Vera commented, there's no place for my professional library either, without which, I'm lost.Perhaps Mr. Dovrat has a building budget to provide us all with suitablework space. Second, boarding schools have different needs and schedules. I'm wondering if any thought was given to this. I'm already teaching "evening" school some days to make up for time lost when the pupils travel home every other weekend. They leave on Thurs. at 2 and return about the same time on Sun. Classes are scheduled till dinner time and sometimes even later, 3 times a week. And just in case Mr. Dovrat thinks I don't work hard enough or long enough hours, I do meet with kids when needed and also with parents, sometimes on my "free" day to accomodate everyone's needs. I can't imagine how I would function with more hours tagged onto my teaching schedule. Third, the idea raised to write a joint petition is a good one although I'm not convinced anyone will truly "listen". But we must make ourselves heard. I'm willing to work on that. The teachers unions are both involved in this, too and I believe we should also protest through them.( When I was recently at the Irgun to deal with the NBA and Bagrut, we were told that the "gmul" issue was on hold, because of the Dovrat Commission talks.) Quite frankly, I'm wearing thin. I wish I could be more optimisitc about this change, but I'm not. Why are teachers NEVER asked what they feel and think and know from the field? Laurie ##### To send a message to the ETNI list email: etni@xxxxxxxxxxxxx ##### ##### Send queries and questions to: ask@xxxxxxxx #####