Just in case key people missed this.

Grasshopper
I was just about to top this as well after replying to maryintwins post about keeping children off school because she hates travelling when everyone does!

Ira: not quite. They may be underpaid for what they do, but usually health benefits are carried over the vacation time; they are not being layed off. I worked for a university as a staff member, hence a 12 month job. Eventually I chose to go 10/12 (working 10 months, paid over twelve) with a corresponding reduction in salary but maintaining health and retirement benefits. I do not think that anyone would have suggested that I was being layed off in the summer even if they knew that I chose that route.

somebody got out of bed on the wrong side this morning!I don't think the post was negative-just a bit of fun.

In NYC teachers get paid over the summer- their salary is spread out over the 52 weeks even though they do not work 52 weeks. I think being a teacher is a difficult job, and I wouldn't want to be one. But there's more than enough time off to recuperate and relax.