UFT Weekly Update -- October 19th 2007 Issue

Coverages now pensionable
UFT President Randi Weingarten's announcement of a landmark agreement on a 55/25 retirement option and a pilot program for voluntary school-wide bonuses overshadowed another piece of good news that she delivered at the Oct. 17 Delegate Assembly: Income that teachers earn for covering a class outside their regular schedule will now count as part of final average salaries for the purpose of calculating pensions. As a result of many years of effort by the UFT, the Teachers’ Retirement System and the city acknowledged this month that the 2002 court decision making per-session work pensionable should also apply to regular coverages. The pensions of educators who have retired since 1993 will be recalculated on that basis; they may receive up to six years of retroactive payments.

When “Donors Choose,” your students win
Have a great idea for a project, but no way to fund it? The nonprofit organization Donors Choose may be able to help. Through its Web site, teachers submit project proposals for materials or experiences their students need to learn. At the same time, potential donors who would like to fund such worthy endeavors browse through the proposals listed, selecting the ones they will support. Teachers get funding, donors get thank-you letters and students get enriching experiences. The Donors Choose Web site has the details to get started.

NCLB: not finished yet
Great as it was to send 13,000 faxes and letters to Congress telling them to fix NCLB, there’s nothing as impressive as the personal touch – a phone call from a constituent. Please join our Congressional Call-In Campaign. Call 866-327-8670 and ask for your Congressperson. Your zip code will help the switchboard connect you to your Congress member.

Leave a message identifying yourself as an educator and saying where you live, and then make a few pertinent points:

Oppose the mandated use of test scores to evaluate teachers for determining salary or incentives;
Oppose added emphasis on teaching to the test;
Urge them to fix adequate yearly progress (AYP) so that it truly reflects how schools are performing; and
Ask them not to rush, but to take the time to get NCLB right.
The UFT’s open school week guide
The UFT’s just-revised “Welcome to Open School Week” guide should be in your school by now, addressed to “Chapter Leader,” and we are asking chapter leaders to make sure that it is distributed properly. Chancellor Klein asked principals in the Principals’ Weekly to facilitate its distribution. We are printing versions in four more languages: Chinese, Arabic, Korean and Russian. Let your DR know if you need copies in any of these languages and how many copies you need.

Please distribute the booklets in the following manner:

In elementary, middle and District 75 (main site only) schools, teachers should give each student a copy to bring home. Please ask teachers to provide clear instructions so that students give it to their primary caregiver. Ideally, the copies should be distributed about a week before the first Open School visit.
In high schools, copies should be placed at the front desk so parents can pick them up when they arrive to speak with teachers.

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To Do:
Remember that safety planning is an ongoing process. The school safety committee in your school must meet at least once a month during the school year. See our Safety Plan Check List as a preliminary guide to what your safety plan should cover. Make sure that your school has a SAVE Room and a removal process as part of the Safety Plan. (Chancellor's Reg A443 1.05MB). If you have any questions, you should call your borough safety liaison.
Although the awards for UFT Outstanding Paraprofessional won’t be given out until the March 15 UFT Paraprofessional Chapter Annual Festival and Awards Luncheon, nomination forms for honorees must be submitted to the Paraprofessional Chapter by 5 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 30. Two paras from each borough will receive awards, plus two from the high school division and two from District 75. Only UFT members may make nominations.

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For your information:
New York City health benefits program transfer period: In-service members may transfer their health plan, add or drop Rider coverage, or add or drop dependents during the transfer period, which runs from Nov. 1, 2007 through Nov. 30, 2007. The new plan becomes effective in January 2008. The application (ERB form) is available through your payroll person.


File grievances online: Remember that from now on chapter leaders must go to the UFT Web site to file all Step 1 grievances on behalf of members in their chapter. You must be logged in to the UFT Web site to have access to the private chapter leader section, where the grievance form will be housed under the heading “Grievance Briefcase.” If you have not already done so, you must also register for an account at www.uft.org. If you have any questions about the new online grievance process, contact the grievance liaison/contract coordinator in your borough office.


DIAL-A-TEACHER: Members should let students know they can get homework help over the phone by calling Dial-A-Teacher at 212-777-3380, Monday through Thursday, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.


Changes to personal information : Remind members that they must notify the Department of Education, the union and the Teachers Retirement System (TRS) when they change their address, name, telephone number or marital status. They can get forms from the payroll secretary to notify the DOE. To notify the UFT, members who are already enrolled in the UFT Welfare Fund can use the new online change of status process to: 1) make changes to your name; 2) update your mailing address, and 3) update your family profile including dependents and beneficiaries. Members may also continue to use the blue “Change of Status” packets that are available through your chapter leader or by calling the UFT Welfare Fund forms hotline at 212-539-0539. If you have not previously enrolled, please click this UFT Welfare Fund Enrollment link.

Know your rights: The UFT’s “Know Your Rights” manual, an abbreviated, A-Z ready reference, is online. Please share the link with your members.


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In the News:
No private school advantage: Low-income students who attend urban public high schools generally do just as well as private-school students with similar backgrounds, according to a new study by the nonpartisan Center on Education Policy. After factoring in income and other characteristics, such as whether a parent participates in school life, 12th-graders scored no better in core subjects in private and most parochial schools than their public school counterparts.


NCLB hurting school that helps students: This year, the Tejada Academy, the last stop for troubled kids in the Harlandale (Texas) Independent School District, posted the biggest percentage gain in the county on Texas’ state tests, reports Jenny Lacoste-Caputo of the San Antonio Express-News. This should be cause for joy, but unfortunately, the school failed to make adequate yearly progress (AYP) for the third consecutive year, which could trigger serious No Child Left Behind sanctions and even possible closure. The federal law requires 70 percent of seniors to earn a diploma, which isn’t a tough goal for many Texas schools. However, Tejada is special in that it is designed specifically for students who are way behind in their credits -- the school doesn’t even accept students who can graduate in four years. Eventually, if the school continues to miss AYP, the Harlandale school district will consider rejecting federal Title I money, as schools that do not accept these funds are not subject to NCLB sanctions.


Reaching dropouts through YouTube:
The Los Angeles schools will be reaching out to dropouts on YouTube and MySpace, as well as on radio spots, hoping to lure them back with information on alternative programs. “Come back. Come back to school. We have resources for you," Supt. David L. Brewer told a news conference. More than one in every four of the district's roughly 200,000 high school students dropped out in 2006.

Calendar:
Now till Tues., Oct. 30: Do you have an idea to enhance the learning environment in your school? Act fast, because the UFT Teacher Center Mini-Grant Program’s Oct. 30 deadline is approaching. Last year more than 70 educators received grants of up to $2,500 that in a variety of ways helped to spark students’ participation in their classrooms. Mini-grant-winning proposals also address issues that affect the entire school community. Grant guidelines include such topics as designing a family engagement program; promoting collegiality and raising morale in the work environment; unconventional approaches to instruction; and mentoring new teachers in a particular area or grade level.

Saturday, Oct. 20: Parents in your school may be very interested in an upcoming conference for parents sponsored by Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer. “Getting the Most Out of NYC Schools,” from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 20, at the Tishman Auditorium of the New School, 66 West 12th Street, will feature workshops on parents finding the best school for their children, how to get help with choosing and paying for a college, and making sure children receive the services they are entitled to, including ELLs and those with IEPs. There will also be sessions on lobbying, the budget process, and school fundraising. Please RSVP at 212-669-4374 or conference@mbpo.org.


Saturday Nov. 3: A workshop focusing on classroom management called Managing the Middle School Classroom through Learning Styles will be offered on Saturday, Nov. 3. This workshop will enable middle school teachers to pinpoint the learning styles of their students while addressing classroom management concerns. It will run from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and be held at 52 Broadway. There is a $10 fee. Please share this information with your teachers, both new and experienced, as well as any of your substitutes. Call Sue Picicci at 212-598-9282 or email spicicci@uft.orgto register or for further information. A light breakfast will be provided.


Sunday, Oct. 21: It’s time again to make strides against breast cancer. Join the UFT and NYSUT at 9 a.m. on Oct. 21 and join one of the six marches in the five boroughs plus Jones Beach. Download the flyer, which also has contact information.


Tuesday, Oct. 23: Middle School and High School Chapter Leaders: Please alert your members to the upcoming workshop “Everything You Want to Know about Special Education and Lots More”. In this workshop, participants will learn about special education issues, from IEPs to evaluations, placements and program referrals. They will explore the changing roles of both the special education and general education teacher, and learn about the responsibility of the IEP team. This workshop is offered on Tuesday, Oct. 23 from 4:15 p.m. until 6:15 p.m. at 52 Broadway. Call Sue Picicci at 212-598-9282 or email spicicci@uft.org to register or for further information. Refreshments will be served. There is no walk-in registration.


Saturday, Oct. 27: In cities across the country, union members will join with others from all walks of life on Saturday, Oct. 27 in a National Day of Action to end the war now and bring the troops home. Here in New York, join the labor contingent, rallying at 11 a.m. on 17th Street east of Broadway. Wear UFT regalia if you’ve got it, and bring your enthusiasm. The march steps off at 1 p.m.


Saturday, Oct. 27: UFT President Randi Weingarten and Congressman Charles Rangel will be speaking at a rally in Harlem to support Senator Hillary Clinton’s campaign to win the Democratic presidential nomination. The rally begins at 11 a.m. outside the Adam Clayton Powell State Office Building at 163 West 125th Street (at Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd.). The American Federation of Teachers, the UFT’s parent union, endorsed Clinton on Oct. 3.


Tuesday, Oct. 30: In There’s More to Google than Search, learn how to harness Google to make you a better teacher as you search for Web content, image, news, maps, U.S. government agencies and blogs. Learn how to use Froogle and Google Earth. We promise that you will leave this workshop amazed at everything you can do to enhance your teaching. This workshop is for both middle school and high school teachers. It is scheduled for 4:15 p.m. to 6:15 p.m. at 52 Broadway. To register or to get more information, call Sue Picicci at 212-598-9282 or email spicicci@uft.org. There is a $5 fee. Refreshments will be provided.


Thursday, Nov. 8: The Ladder of Referral is a workshop targeting recordkeeping as it relates to discipline issues in middle school classrooms. Learn how to keep quality anecdotal records and write appropriate referrals for the disruptive, disrespectful and insubordinate student. Find out when to get deans, school safety, guidance counselors and administration involved with specific youngsters. This workshop is designed specifically for middle school teachers, and is scheduled for 4:15 p.m. to 6:15 p.m. at 52 Broadway. To register or to get more information, call Sue Picicci at 212-598-9282 or email. spicicci@uft.org. There is a $5 fee. Refreshments will be provided.


Friday, Nov. 9 and Friday, Dec. 14: At 6 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 9, the Professional Staff Congress, the union representing the 20,000 faculty and professional staff who work at CUNY, will be showing the film Culloden as the third of ten films about war as part of its ongoing series, Labor Goes to the Movies. The 2007-08 film series aims to create a forum to deepen the collective discussion across the labor movement about the current war and strengthen labor’s opposition to the war in Iraq. The films are shown at 6 p.m. at the PSC Union Hall, 61 Broadway, 16th floor in Lower Manhattan. There is a $2 suggested donation. The remaining 2007 movie is Ride with the Devil on Friday, Dec. 14. For more information, contact Dania Rajendra at (212) 354-1252 or at drajendra@pscmail.org.


Thursday, Nov. 15: The UFT Brooklyn Borough Office is presenting a Maternity/Childcare Workshop on Thursday, Nov. 15, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Light refreshments will be served. Limited reduced rate parking is available after 2 p.m. at the Edison Parking Garage in the Renaissance Plaza Marriott Hotel with UFT validation only. (Additional charges apply for large SUVs) To register, call 718-852-4900 M-F between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.


Saturday, Nov. 17: The UFT Teacher Center will host a seminar entitled “Assessing Current Assessments” on Saturday, Nov. 17 as part of its Urban Educators Forum. Speakers will include Robert Tobias, the director of NYU’s Center for Research on Teaching and Learning. The seminar will run from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 52 Broadway, 2nd floor.


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Professional Committees
UFT Professional Committees offer a wide range of workshops, presentations, and exchanges enabling all members to take an active part in their professional growth. Unless indicated, meetings are at UFT Headquarters at 52 Broadway. Check lobby for location. For further information contact us at 212-598-7772.

ATSS/UFT (Assn. of Teachers of SS)

Saturday, Oct. 27, 9 a.m., Annual Fall Tour.
Friday, Nov. 16, 4 p.m., Executive Board Meeting.
ELAC/UFT (English Language Arts Council)

Wednesday, Oct. 24, 4 p.m., Essay Writing…
ESL/Bilingual Committee

Tuesday, Nov. 13, 4:30 p.m., Literacy in the ESL/Bilingual Social Studies Class.
HAEA/UFT (Hellenic-American Educators Assn.)

Tuesday, Nov. 6, 4 p.m., Executive Board Meeting.
Humane Education

Saturday, Nov. 3, 9. a.m., Respecting People, Animals & Nature Conference.
NYCAFLT/UFT (NYC Assn. of Foreign Language Teachers)

Saturday, Oct. 27, 9.a.m., Annual Regional Conference.
NYCATA/UFT (NYC Art Teachers Assn.)

Saturday, Oct. 27, 8:30 a.m., Annual Artworks Conference @ Fiorello LaGuardia HS.
NYC Dance Educators/UFT

Wednesday, Nov. 14, 4:30 p.m., General Membership Meeting/Elections.
NYC Music Teachers Association/UFT

Saturday, Nov. 17, 9 a.m., Choral Workshop.
Outdoor-Environmental Education

Saturday, November 17, 8 a.m., Saturday Science @ Francis Lewis HS.
Players

Wednesday, Oct. 24, 4 p.m., Dress Rehearsal.
Thursday, Oct. 25 & Friday, Oct. 26, 6 p.m., An Actor’s Life For Me.
Friday, Nov. 9, 6 p.m., Theater Improvisation.
Runners

Thursday, Oct. 25, 4 p.m., General Meeting.
Science

Saturday, Oct. 27, 10 a.m., Hands on Science for Students @ The NY Hall of Science.
Saturday, Nov. 3, 9 a.m., Physical Science Sampler Workshop @ Cornell Weill Medical Center.
Veterans

Wednesday, Oct. 24, 4:30 p.m., General Meeting.
Editor: Paul Schickler


Contributors include: Susan Amlung, Michelle Bodden, Aminda Gentile, Samantha Mark, Nyree McCray, Deidre McFadyen, Arthur Pepper, Susan Picicci, Chris Policano, Marvin Reiskin, Sterling Roberson, Howard Solomon, Shelvy Young-Abrams and Jeff Zahler.

Agreement on 55/25 retirement option and voluntary school-wide bonuses

Agreement on 55/25 retirement option and voluntary school-wide bonuses

The UFT, the city and the Department of Education on Oct. 17 agreed on
mechanisms to implement two of the outstanding provisions of the 2005
collective-bargaining agreement: an option to allow in-service educators to
retire at age 55 with 25 years of service, and a pilot program offering
school-wide bonuses in 200 high-needs schools.

"This agreement creates pro-active programs that address two major issues
facing our schools, making the profession economically viable and fostering
collaborative learning environments where teachers have real voice," UFT
President Randi Weingarten said.

Pending legislative approval, in-service educators on Tiers II, III and IV
will be able to retire at 55 with their full pensions once they have
completed 25 years of service, as Tier I educators now can. Educators will
have six months to decide whether to opt in to this enhanced pension program
at a cost of a 1.85% pension contribution. Future hires will be
automatically enrolled in a 55/27 plan and will make an additional 1.85
percent pension contribution.

"We are delivering on the promise we made to work with the city on a
retirement benefit that could serve as an incentive for teachers to work in
and stay with the New York City public school system," Weingarten said.

Also, school-wide bonuses will be offered to approximately 200 of the city's
high needs public schools on a voluntary basis. Staff members must vote to
opt in by a 55% majority before a school will participate.

Unlike individual merit pay plans, which set teacher against teacher,
school-wide bonuses encourage educators to work together and help each other
improve instruction for all students.

Each school's award will be equal to approximately $3,000 multiplied by the
number of UFT-represented staff members in the school, but each school will
be free to determine how the money is distributed among the members.

A compensation committee of four - made up of the principal and another
administrator along with two UFT-represented educators elected by their
colleagues - will decide by consensus how to divide the bonus. If the
committee is unable to decide on the division of the bonus, it will be
forfeited.

"School-wide bonuses properly refocus the misguided debate over individual
merit pay," Weingarten said. "Respecting and understanding the importance of
teamwork and collaboration is precisely why the UFT has opposed the idea of
individual merit pay for teachers - especially when based solely on student
test scores. This school-wide program recognizes and builds upon a core
philosophy that says students learn, achieve and benefit most when all
educators in a school collaborate to provide the best possible education."

Read the full story at www.uft.org/news/issues/press/retirement55_25


Go to edwize.org to discuss the
agreement with fellow UFT members.

Jeff Zahler
Director of Staff

UFT Weekly Update -- October 5th 2007 Issue

AFT gives early nod to Hillary Clinton
The American Federation of Teachers on Oct. 3 endorsed Hillary Clinton for the Democratic Party nomination for president, calling her “a leader that its members can trust to strengthen public education, increase access to health care, promote commonsense economic priorities and secure America’s place in the world.” A recent poll of AFT members found that 45 percent said they would vote for Hillary if the election were held today, compared to 21 percent for Obama and 13 percent for Edwards.

“There is no better champion of our schools and our teachers than Hillary Rodham Clinton,” said UFT President Randi Weingarten, who is an AFT vice president. “Throughout her public life, Hillary has been a relentless advocate for children and working families — refusing to let issues like public education and health care fall off the national agenda. And she intuitively understands the challenges our teachers face — especially urban districts — and we are confident that their voices will be heard when she is president.”

Read the full story on the UFT Web site.

UFT needs your help to distribute Open School Week booklet
To encourage more parents to visit schools, the UFT just revised its “Welcome to Open School Week” booklet in English and Spanish—and is asking chapter leaders to make sure that it is distributed properly. Chancellor Klein is asking principals to facilitate its distribution.

We expect to be delivering copies to schools in bulk during the week of Oct. 15, with the first shipments targeted to high schools. The packages will be addressed to “chapter leader.” We’re asking chapter leaders to take responsibility for distributing copies—but particularly if a school lacks an elected UFT chapter leader, the DOE is asking principals to take on that responsibility.

Please distribute the booklets in the following manner:

In elementary, middle and District 75 (main site only) schools, teachers should give each student a copy to bring home. Please ask teachers to provide clear instructions so that students give it to their primary caregiver. Ideally, the copies should be distributed about two weeks before the first Open School visit.

In high schools, copies should be placed at the front desk so parents can pick them up when they arrive to speak with teachers.
We know from the past that this booklet not only improves the quality of Open School Week visits, but also builds our alliance with parents, who are our union’s greatest allies. Thanks very much for the extra time and effort that this project entails.

Here is the Open School Week calendar:

School Level
Afternoon
Evening

Elementary
Tuesday, Nov. 13
Wednesday, Nov. 14

Intermediate and junior high schools
Tuesday, Nov. 20
Monday, Nov. 19

High schools
Friday, Oct. 26
Thursday, Oct. 25

District 75
Thursday, Nov. 8
Wednesday, Nov. 7



TRS to fund affordable housing in Bronx for city educators
One of the hurdles in attracting young teachers to city schools — and retaining them once they are hired — is the soaring cost of city housing. A new housing investment initiative by the Teachers Retirement System (TRS), working with City Comptroller William C. Thompson Jr. and the City’s Housing Development Corp., aims to change that, UFT President Randi Weingarten said at the Oct. 4 announcement of a $28 million investment that will create 234 affordable Bronx housing units exclusively for educators working in New York City schools.

Read the full story on the UFT Web site.

Keep the pressure on Congress to fix NCLB
Please remind all your members how important it is to send off that second fax concerning NCLB to Speaker Nancy Pelosi and their Congress Member. The fax urges them especially to eliminate a mandate in the draft bill requiring school districts to have a performance pay plan for individual teachers based on the test scores of that teacher’s students in order to receive certain federal funds. Have members go to the Action Alert! section of the UFT Web site right now to send the fax. Time is short, and every voice counts.

Want more background information on this important debate? Our NCLB handout is online.

File all Step 1 grievances online
Remember that from now on chapter leaders must go to the UFT Web site to file all Step 1 grievances on behalf of members in their chapter. The union has moved to an online grievance procedure for Step 1 grievances so we can track grievances filed at the school level more effectively and assist members more quickly.

You must be logged in to the UFT Web site to have access to the private chapter leader section, where the grievance form will be housed under the heading “Grievance Briefcase.

If you have not already done so, you must register for an account at www.uft.org . When you identify yourself as a UFT member on our online registration form, you will be asked to verify your union membership by providing your Social Security Number, File Number or EIS number. You must verify your membership to have access to the chapter leader section of the Web site. Do not change the zip code that our computer system generates even if it is out of date. Once you click “verify membership,” your membership should be verified immediately. Click on the link, “return to home page” on our Thank You! page. You will now see a Chapter Leader section at the top of the left-hand navigation bar on the home page. When you click there, you will find the online grievance form under the heading “Grievance Briefcase.”

If you have any questions about the new online grievance process, contact the grievance liaison/contract coordinator in your borough office.

Celebrate those “tiny victories” on edwize
Having a hard time thinking positive as the class acts up yet again? You’ll empathize (and smile) with “Miss Brave” at New Teacher Diaries on edwize, the union’s blog.

Upcoming home-buying opportunities seminars in Queens & Staten Island
It’s not too late to sign up for a home-buying seminar for those looking to buy or rent a house, co-op or condo. Jointly sponsored by the UFT, ACORN and the city, the seminars, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. (see dates below), introduce members to the spectrum of offerings. After the session, each member is assigned a loan counselor who gives one-on-one support. Seminars and counseling are both free. Pre-registration is required. To register for a seminar, call 1-718-246-8080 and identify yourself as a UFT member.

Upcoming Home-buying Opportunities Seminars:

Queens: Oct. 11, UFT Borough Office, 97-77 Queens Blvd., 8th Floor, Room G

Staten Island: Oct. 18, UFT Borough Office, 4456 Amboy Road, 2nd Floor, Room ABC


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To Do:
Although the awards for UFT Outstanding Paraprofessional won’t be given out until the March 15 UFT Paraprofessional Chapter Annual Festival and Awards Luncheon, nomination form for honorees must be submitted to the Paraprofessional Chapter by 5 p.m.,Tuesday, Nov. 30. Two paras from each borough will receive awards, plus two from the high school division and two from District 75. Only UFT members may make nominations.



Address changes: Remind members that they must notify the Department of Education, the union and the Teachers Retirement System (TRS) when they change their address, name, telephone number or marital status. They can get forms from the payroll secretary to notify the DOE. To notify the UFT, members who are already enrolled in the UFT Welfare Fund can use the new online change of status process] to: 1) make changes to your name; 2) update your mailing address, and 3) update your family profile including dependents and beneficiaries. Members may also continue to use the blue “Change of Status” packets that are available through your chapter leader or by calling the UFT Welfare Fund forms hotline at 212-539-0539. If you have not previously enrolled, please click this UFT Welfare Fund Enrollment link.



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For your information:
UFT Dental Plan transfer period: Members can transfer their dental plan during the month of September through Oct. 15, and the new plan becomes effective in November. Forms and information are available on the Fund website or by calling the Fund Forms Hotline at 212-539-0539.

New York City health benefits program transfer period: In-service members may transfer their health plan, add or drop Rider coverage, or add or drop dependents during the transfer period, which runs from Nov. 1, 2007 through Nov. 30, 2007. The new plan becomes effective in January 2008. The application (ERB form) is available through your payroll person.

DIAL-A-TEACHER: Members should let students know they can get homework help over the phone by calling Dial-A-Teacher at 212-777-3380, Monday through Thursday from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

UFT Welfare Fund updates: Members can now Enroll or file a Change of Status form on-line at www.uftwf.org.

Buy-Out Waiver Program: The Health Benefits Buy-Out Waiver Program allows eligible employees who can obtain non-City group health benefits to waive their New York City health benefits in return for an annual cash incentive. The Medical Spending Conversion Enrollment/Change Form is available from your payroll person and must be submitted along with a completed ERB form by Nov. 16, 2007. Members can access a full description of the program on the following website: www.nyc.gov/olr (Click on left listing- Health Benefits Program and then Flex Spending Programs).

Know your rights: The UFT’s “Know Your Rights” manual, an abbreviated, A-Z ready reference, is online at uft.org. Please share the link with your members.



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In the News:
"The Day Louis Armstrong Made Noise"Fifty years ago, a young journalism student went to interview Louis Armstrong about jazz. The student had specifically been told by his editor not to talk politics, and Armstrong was not known to talk politics anyway. But the interview took place just as the Arkansas National Guard was attempting to prevent the desegregation of Little Rock schools, the journalism student did talk politics, and what happened next made a lot of noise, and perhaps helped make history as well.

Survey: Montana meth use plummets – big declines seen among high school students While methamphetamine use has risen in neighboring states, teenage meth use in Montana has plummeted 45 percent since its Montana Meth Project began two years ago. The project, a campaign that uses graphic advertisements depicting the effects of meth use, is given credit for the spectacular turnaround. Attorney General Mick McGrath says the advertisements, which display rotten teeth, wasted and pock-marked bodies and losing one’s virginity in a dirty bathroom, have been successful at reaching the at-risk kids. Soon other states will copy the project, as Arizona, Idaho and Illinois have plans to implement similar programs.

Smithsonian debuts virtual museum:Social networking technology will allow visitors of an interactive web site to chart the future of the Smithsonian Institution's newest museum, the National Museum of African American History and Culture, set to open in 2015. Museum officials say the interactive technology will allow those who wish to share their memories, photos, essays, and oral histories, bringing together people interested in the African American experience and those who have "great stories to tell."



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Calendar:
Thursday, Oct. 11 and Thursday, Oct. 18: The following upcoming workshops are scheduled for both middle school and high school teachers: The ABCs of the UFT Contract is scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 11. In this workshop, you will learn how to use your contract to address school issues. Explore Using the Internet to Enhance Your Teaching, on Thursday, Oct. 18 and learn to use several sites that provide tools to motivate and challenge students. There is a $5 fee for each workshop and both are scheduled from 4:15 p.m. to 6:15 p.m. and are held at 52 Broadway. Please share this information with your teachers, both new and experienced, as well as any of your substitutes. Call Sue Picicci at 212-598-9282 or e-mail spicicci@uft.org to register or for further information. Refreshments will be provided.

Wednesday, Oct. 17: The next Delegate Assembly will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 17, at 4:15 p.m., at UFT headquarters, 52 Broadway.

Fridays, Oct. 19, Nov. 9, and Dec. 14: At 6 p.m. on Oct. 19, the Professional Staff Congress, the union representing the 20,000 faculty and professional staff who work at CUNY, will be showing the documentary Control Room as the second of ten films about war as part of its ongoing series, Labor Goes to the Movies. The 2007-08 film series aims to create a forum to deepen the collective discussion across the labor movement about the current war and strengthen labor’s opposition to the war in Iraq. The films are shown at 6 p.m. at the PSC Union Hall, 61 Broadway, 16th floor in Lower Manhattan. There is a $2 suggested donation. The remaining 2007 movie schedule is: Friday, Nov. 9, Culloden and Friday, Dec. 14, Ride with the Devil. For more information, contact Dania Rajendra at (212) 354-1252 or at drajendra@pscmail.org.

Friday, Oct. 19: “A Night of Casino Fun & Games” to benefit the Katrina Relief Fund will take place on Friday, Oct. 19, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the UFT’s Bronx Borough Office, 2500 Halsey. All proceeds will go to the UFT’s disaster relief efforts. Tickets are $25, but you get $10 back for prizes and games.

Now till Oct. 21: Help rebuild New Orleans, one book at a time. The UFT is bringing donated books from the Big Apple to restock the library at Martin Luther King, Jr. Elementary School in the Big Easy. New books appropriate for a K-8 school, as well as software and audio-visual equipment, can be dropped off at any of the five borough offices. If your school would like to make a cash donation instead to help rebuild the library, please make checks payable to: Disaster Relief/MLK and mail to UFT, 52 Broadway, New York, NY 10004, Attention: Vice President Michelle Bodden.

Saturday, Oct. 20 and Saturday Nov. 3: Two workshops focusing on classroom management in the middle schools will be offered during the next few weeks. Classroom Management – Strategies to Consider is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 20. In this workshop designed specifically tailored for middle school teachers, participants will learn beginning of the year strategies and techniques for immediate use in the classroom. On Saturday, Nov. 3, the workshop Managing the Middle School Classroom through Learning Styles will be offered. This workshop will enable middle school teachers to pinpoint the learning styles of their students while addressing classroom management concerns. Both workshops run from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and are held at 52 Broadway. There is a $10 fee for each. Please share this information with your teachers, both new and experienced, as well as any of your substitutes. Call Sue Picicci at 212-598-9282 or email spicicci@uft.org to register or for further information. A light breakfast will be provided.

Sunday, Oct. 21: It’s time again to make strides against breast cancer. Join the UFT and NYSUT at 9 a.m. on Oct. 21 and join one of the six marches in the five boroughs plus Jones Beach. You can find contact information and download the flyer online.

Sunday, Nov. 4: The UFT celebrates Labor Heritage Week with its annual Teacher Union Day Awards and Gala Luncheon on Sunday, Nov. 4th at the Waldorf Astoria. The first two chapter leader mailings will include nomination forms for members who have advanced in UFT titles and chapter leader service awards. The deadline for submission of names is firmly Friday, Oct. 5, 2007. If you need further information please email Samantha Mark at smark@uft.org.




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Professional Committees
UFT Professional Committees offer a wide range of workshops, presentations, and exchanges enabling all members to take an active part in their professional growth. Unless indicated, meetings are at UFT Headquarters at 52 Broadway. Check lobby for location. For further information contact us @ 212-598-7772.
ATSS/UFT (Assn. of Teachers of SS)

Friday, Oct. 12, 4 p.m., Executive Board Meeting.
Saturday, Oct. 27, 9 a.m., Annual Fall Tour.
ELAC/UFT (English Language Arts Council)

Wednesday, Oct. 24, 4 p.m., Essay Writing…
HAEA/UFT (Hellenic-American Educators Assn.)

Tuesday, Nov. 6, 4 p.m., Executive Board Meeting.
Humane Education

Saturday, Nov. 3, 9. a.m., Respecting People, Animals & Nature Conference.
Italian-American

Thursday, Oct. 11, 4 p.m., Annual Heritage Celebration.
NYCAFLT/UFT (NYC Assn. of Foreign Language Teachers)

Saturday, Oct. 27, 9.a.m., Annual Regional Conference.
NYCATA/UFT (NYC Art Teachers Assn.)

Wednesday, Oct. 10, 5:30 p.m., Pre-Conference Dinner.
Saturday, Oct. 27, 8:30 a.m., Annual Artworks Conference @ Fiorello LaGuardia HS.
NYC Dance Educators/UFT

Wednesday, Oct. 17, 4:30 p.m., General Membership Meeting.
Players

Thursday, Oct. 11, Thursday, Oct. 18 & Friday, Oct. 19, 4 p.m., Rehearsals.
Wednesday, Oct. 24, 4 p.m., Dress Rehearsal.
Thursday, Oct. 25 & Friday, Oct. 26, 6 p.m., An Actor’s Life For Me.
Friday, Nov. 9, 6 p.m., Theater Improvisation.
Runners

Thursday, Oct. 25, 4 p.m., General Meeting.
Science

Friday, Oct. 19, 7:15 p.m., Can Technology Save the Planet? @ NYU.
Saturday, Oct. 27, 10 a.m., Hands on Science for Students @ The NY Hall of Science.
Saturday, Nov. 3, 9 a.m., Physical Science Sampler Workshop @ Cornell Weill Medical Center.
Veterans

Wednesday, Oct. 24, 4:30 p.m., General Meeting.
Editor: Paul Schickler

Contributors include: Michelle Bodden, David Hickey, Samantha Mark, Nyree McCray, Deidre McFadyen, Arthur Pepper, Susan Picicci, Chris Policano, Marvin Reiskin, Sterling Roberson, Howard Solomon, Shelvy Young-Abrams and Jeff Zahler.

UFT Weekly Update -- September 28th 2007 Issue

File all Step 1 grievances online starting this Monday
Starting on Monday, Oct. 1, chapter leaders must go to the UFT home page to file all Step 1 grievances on behalf of members in their chapter. The union has moved to an online grievance procedure for Step 1 grievances so we can track grievances filed at the school level more effectively and assist members more quickly.

You must be logged in to the UFT Web site to have access to the private chapter leader section, where the grievance form will be housed under the heading “Grievance Briefcase.

If you have not already done so, you must register for an account at www.uft.org. When you identify yourself as a UFT member on our online registration form, you will be asked to verify your union membership by providing your Social Security Number, File Number or EIS number. Do not change the zip code that our computer system generates even if it is out of date. Once you click “verify membership,” your membership should be verified immediately. Click on the link, “return to home page” on our Thank You! page. You will now see a Chapter Leader section at the top of the left-hand navigation bar on the home page. When you click there, you will find the online grievance form under the heading “Grievance Briefcase.”

If you have any questions about the new online grievance process, contact the grievance liaison/contract coordinator in your borough office.

Tell Congress not to mandate individual performance pay for teachers in NCLB
We need to send a second wave of faxes on No Child Left Behind. The voices of the educators in your school chapter are urgently needed as the House of Representatives considers a draft bill that mandates school districts to have a performance pay plan for individual teachers based on the test scores of that teacher’s students in order to receive certain federal funds. Please go to the Action Alert! section of the UFT Web site right now and send a fax to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and your U.S. Representative expressing your concerns about individual performance pay for teachers. Also please spread the word to the rest of your chapter. We need to inundate the offices of these elected officials with faxes.

This is a new letter and the first that we are sending to both Speaker Pelosi and your U.S. Representative, so if you responded to our earlier NCLB fax campaign, we need you to go back to the UFT Web site and fax this letter as well. Thank you for participating in this important political campaign.

Error in our NCLB alert handout
Our recent “Alert on NCLB Reauthorization” handout contains an error in the section on teacher performance pay. It should have said that a provision in the draft bill mandates districts to have a performance pay plan for individual teachers based on the test scores of that teacher’s students in order to receive certain federal funds.

Please download the corrected handout and distribute that instead.

Klein tells principals to use school survey results constructively
The DOE’s individual school surveys are full of information that can help your chapter committee, your school’s parent leaders, your principal and you identify issues in your school and work collaboratively to solve them through your monthly consultation meetings and/or the school leadership team. Chancellor Klein delivered a very similar message to principals in the Sept. 24 issue of the Principal’s Weekly: “By now, most principals have reviewed their Learning Environment Survey results and begun to discuss them with their communities. Survey results provide an important opportunity for school leaders to learn directly from parents, teachers and students, and from each other. In conducting these discussions, it is essential that you respect the commitment your constituents showed in filling out the survey, use the results constructively to improve your schools, and avoid any suggestion that you have breached the confidentiality of survey responses, which we have worked very hard and successfully to maintain. Use of survey results to penalize, threaten, or criticize survey participants is unacceptable and forbidden. As you develop goals and set priorities for your school, we encourage you to consult your Survey Report, which contains information you can use make the best decisions for your school community.”

To view the survey report for your school, go to the DOE Web site and enter your school’s name or number. When you get to your school’s Web site, click “Statistics” (on the left side, under “About Us”) and then click “Learning Environment Survey Report 2006-07.”

Mentoring Alert!
Please help ensure that our newest teachers receive appropriate mentoring. Every school should have a New Teacher Induction Committee that designs the school-based mentoring program. The chapter leader (or designee) should be a part of the committee. Mentoring plans with matches were due on Sept. 21. The Principal’s Guidelines for School Based Mentoring and related documents are available online.

Please e-mail UFT Vice President Aminda Gentile at agentile@uft.org if you know of new teachers that are not yet being mentored, or if non-DOE employees (i.e. consultants) are being used as mentors.

Home-buying opportunities seminars in all 5 boroughs

The UFT, in partnership with ACORN and New York City, has created a program to offer affordable housing opportunities in the city to UFT members looking to rent an apartment or buy a house, co-op or condo.


Opportunities Seminars from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. [see dates below] introduce members to the spectrum of offerings. After the session, each member is assigned a loan counselor who gives one-on-one support. Seminars and counseling are both free. Pre-registration is required.


Upcoming Home-buying Opportunities Seminars:

Brooklyn: Oct. 3, UFT Borough Office, 335 Adams Street, 24th Floor, Room 1-4

Bronx: Oct. 4, UFT Borough Office, room will be posted in the lobby area

Queens : Oct. 11, UFT Borough Office, 97-77 Queens Blvd., 8th Floor, Room G

Staten Island: Oct. 18, UFT Borough Office, 4456 Amboy Road, 2nd Floor, Room ABC


To register for a seminar, call 1-718-246-8080 and identify yourself as a UFT member.


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To Do:
Your school safety plan was due to the safety administrators at your Integrated Service Center on Friday, Sept. 28. If you have questions about the validity of your school safety plan, you do not have to sign off on it until all safety protocols and procedures are in place. See our Safety Plan Check List as a preliminary guide. Make sure that your school has a SAVE Room and a removal process as part of the Safety Plan. (Chancellor's Reg A443 1.05MB). Remember that safety planning is an ongoing process. While the school safety committee in your school must meet a minimum of once a month during the school year, you can meet as often as necessary. If you have any questions, you should call your borough safety liaison.
CORRECTION: New chapter leaders, delegates and para reps will not receive mailings that directly affect their positions unless their election certifications have been sent to the UFT Membership Department. The Election Committee Chair is responsible for sending in these certifications. In the previous edition of the update, we incorrectly stated that new chapter leaders and delegates need to send in their election certification. In fact, the chapter leader assumes that responsibility for the school only if there is no Election Committee
The next Delegate Assembly will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 17, at 4:15 p.m., at UFT headquarters, 52 Broadway.
Address changes: Remind members that they must notify the Department of Education, the union and the Teachers Retirement System (TRS) when they change their address, name, telephone number or marital status. They can get forms from the payroll secretary to notify the DOE. To notify the UFT, members who are already enrolled in the UFT Welfare Fund can use the new online change of status process to: 1) make changes to your name; 2) update your mailing address, and 3) update your family profile including dependents and beneficiaries. Members may also continue to use the blue “Change of Status” packets that are available through your chapter leader or by calling the UFT Welfare Fund forms hotline at 212-539-0539. If you have not previously enrolled, please click this UFT Welfare Fund Enrollment link.
Make sure that all teachers, parents and students in your school have received the Discipline Code and proper training with respect to the code.

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For your information:
UFT Dental Plan transfer period: Members can transfer their dental plan during the month of September through Oct. 15, and the new plan becomes effective in November. Forms and information are available on the Fund website or by calling the Fund Forms Hotline at 212-539-0539.

New York City health benefits program transfer period: In-service members may transfer their health plan, add or drop Rider coverage, or add or drop dependents during the transfer period, which runs from Nov. 1, 2007 through Nov. 30, 2007. The new plan becomes effective in January 2008. The application (ERB form) is available through your payroll person.

UFT Welfare Fund updates: Members can now Enroll or file a Change of Status form on-line at www.uftwf.org.

Buy-Out Waiver Program: The Health Benefits Buy-Out Waiver Program allows eligible employees who can obtain non-City group health benefits to waive their New York City health benefits in return for an annual cash incentive. The Medical Spending Conversion Enrollment/Change Form is available from your payroll person and must be submitted along with a completed ERB form by Nov. 16, 2007. Members can access a full description of the program on the following website: www.nyc.gov/olr (Click on left listing- Health Benefits Program and then Flex Spending Programs).

Know your rights: The UFT’s Know Your Rights manual, an abbreviated, A-Z ready reference, is online at the UFT Web site. Please share the link with your members. Here is a sample entry in the manual: “Consultation: Your principal is required to meet with your UFT chapter committee once a month on matters of school policy — and the chapter committee sets the agenda. The principal also must consult with the chapter leader on the school budget and staffing, compensatory time positions and qualifications, the school safety plan, the menu of professional activities and the faculty conference agenda. In addition, if there is a systemic school concern your members want addressed, they should speak to you about raising it during a consultation meeting.”



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In the News:
How important is math? If your students seem less concerned about their math competency than you are, perhaps it’s because their parents don’t highly value the subject. A recent study in the Kansas City area, titled “Important, But Not for Me,” revealed that only about one-quarter of parents thought higher math skills were important, and higher science and technology skills were also not highly valued. The results mirrored a survey that the non-profit group Public Agenda did last year, according to the organization’s spokesperson: “In our national ‘Reality Check’ survey of parents last year, 64 percent said that math and science education in local schools was not a serious problem; 70 percent of parents of high school students said their own child’s math and science coursework is fine as it is.”

$40 desktop computers? An effort to provide ultra-low cost computers to countries in South America, Africa and elsewhere may well provide benefits down the road for U.S. kids as well. A number of large companies, including Intel, are getting in on the act, using special chips, shared computer processing, and lower power requirements. One company, NComputing, is preparing to install classroom computers in Macedonia at a cost of $220 per seat, but NComputing's president predicts that by 2009 schools will be able to provide portable, online computers for perhaps as little as $40 each.

Child-centered education to the max: A new fad has crossed the Atlantic and is gaining fervent converts in New York. The Reggio Emilia system, named for the town in Italy in which it originated, allows children to develop their own lesson ideas and develop them in groups. It has been criticized as lacking in structure, unsuited for the city's schools, and unreasonably expensive (it requires teachers to travel to Italy for training), but some private and a few public schools are already trying it out, and there are waiting lists of eager parents.



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Calendar:
Thursday, Oct. 4: Exclusively for educators, the Bodies exhibition at the South Street Seaport will host a free preview on Thursday, Oct. 4 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Real bodies are shown dissected to display various internal organs. The Seaport Exhibition Center is located at 11 Fulton St. RSVP by Oct. 1 to www.prxi.com/newyork-rsvp/, and bring your UFT ID card when you attend.

Thursday, Oct. 4: The Elementary School Committee, headed by Michelle Bodden, will meet Oct. 4 at 4 p.m. at 52 Broadway in the second floor auditorium. On the agenda are consultation committees, missed preps/coverages, and a Q&A.

Thursday, Oct. 11 and Thursday, Oct. 18: The following upcoming workshops are scheduled for both middle school and high school teachers: The ABCs of the UFT Contract is scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 11. In this workshop, you will learn how to use your contract to address school issues. Explore Using the Internet to Enhance Your Teaching, on Tuesday, Oct. 18 and learn to use several sites that provide tools to motivate and challenge students. There is a $5 fee for each workshop and both are scheduled from 4:15 p.m. to 6:15 p.m. and are held at 52 Broadway. Please share this information with your teachers, both new and experienced, as well as any of your substitutes. Call Sue Picicci at 212-598-9282 or e-mail spicicci@uft.org to register or for further information. Refreshments will be provided.

Friday, Oct. 19: “A Night of Casino Fun & Games” to benefit the Katrina Relief Fund will take place on Friday, Oct. 19, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the UFT’s Bronx Borough Office, 2500 Halsey. All proceeds will go to the UFT’s disaster relief efforts.

Fridays, Oct. 19, Nov. 9, and Dec. 14: At 6 p.m. on Oct. 19, the Professional Staff Congress, the union representing the 20,000 faculty and professional staff who work at CUNY, will be showing the documentary Control Room about Al Jazeera television as the second of ten films about war as part of its ongoing series, Labor Goes to the Movies. The 2007-08 film series aims to create a forum to deepen the collective discussion across the labor movement about the current war and strengthen labor’s opposition to the war in Iraq. The films are shown at 6 p.m. at the PSC Union Hall, 61 Broadway, 16th floor in Lower Manhattan. There is a $2 suggested donation. The remaining 2007 movie schedule is: Friday, Nov. 9, Culloden and Friday, Dec. 14, Ride with the Devil. For more information, contact Dania Rajendra at (212) 354-1252 or at drajendra@pscmail.org.

Now till Oct. 21: Help rebuild New Orleans, one book at a time. The UFT is bringing donated books from the Big Apple to restock the library at Martin Luther King, Jr. Elementary School in the Big Easy. New books appropriate for a K-8 school, as well as software and audio-visual equipment, can be dropped off at any of the five borough offices.

Saturday, Oct. 20 and Saturday Nov. 3: Two workshops focusing on classroom management in the middle schools will be offered during the next few weeks. Classroom Management – Strategies to Consider is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 20. In this workshop designed specifically tailored for middle school teachers, participants will learn beginning of the year strategies and techniques for immediate use in the classroom. On Saturday, Nov. 3, the workshop Managing the Middle School Classroom through Learning Styles will be offered. This workshop will enable middle school teachers to pinpoint the learning styles of their students while addressing classroom management concerns. Both workshops run from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and are held at 52 Broadway. There is a $10 fee for each. Please share this information with your teachers, both new and experienced, as well as any of your substitutes. Call Sue Picicci at 212-598-9282 or email spicicci@uft.org to register or for further information. A light breakfast will be provided.

Sunday, Oct. 21: It’s time again to make strides against breast cancer. Join the UFT and NYSUT at 9 a.m. on Oct. 21 and join one of the six marches in the five boroughs plus Jones Beach. For contact information and to download the flyer, click here

Sunday, Nov. 4: The UFT celebrates Labor Heritage Week with its annual Teacher Union Day Awards and Gala Luncheon on Sunday, Nov. 4th at the Waldorf Astoria. The first two chapter leader mailings will include nomination forms for members who have advanced in UFT titles and chapter leader service awards. The deadline for submission of names is firmly Friday, Oct. 5, 2007. If you need further information please email Samantha Mark at smark@uft.org.


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Professional Committees
UFT Professional Committees offer a wide range of workshops, presentations, and exchanges enabling all members to take an active part in their professional growth. Unless indicated, meetings are at UFT Headquarters at 52 Broadway. Check lobby for location. For further information contact us @ 212-598-7772.

ATSS/UFT (Assn. of Teachers of SS)

Friday, Oct. 12, 4 p.m., Executive Board.
Saturday, Oct. 27, 9 a.m., Annual Fall Tour.
ELAC/UFT (English Language Arts Council)

Wednesday, Oct. 24, 4 p.m., Essay Writing…
ESL/Bilingual Committee

Tuesday, Oct. 2, 4:30 p.m., Issues in the ESL/Bilingual Community.
HAEA/UFT (Hellenic-American Educators Assn.)

Friday, Sept. 28, 4 p.m., Fall into Fall @ Zenon Taverna, Astoria, NY.
Wednesday, Oct. 3, 4 p.m., Executive Board Meeting.
Friday, Oct. 19, 4 p.m., TBA.
Italian-American

Thursday, Oct. 11, 4 p.m., Annual Heritage Celebration.
NYCAFLT/UFT (NYC Assn. of Foreign Language Teachers)

Saturday, Oct. 27, 9.a.m., Annual Regional Conference.
NYCATA/UFT (NYC Art Teachers Assn.)

Friday, Oct. 5, 4:30 p.m., General Meeting @ Morgan Library & Museum, NYC.
Wednesday, Oct. 10, 5:30 p.m., Pre-Conference Dinner.
Saturday, Oct. 27, 8:30 a.m., Annual Artworks Conference.
NYC Dance Educators/UFT

Wednesday, Oct. 17, 4:30 p.m., General Membership Meeting.
Players

Thursday, Oct. 4, Friday, Oct. 5 & Thursday, Oct. 11, 4 p.m., Rehearsals.
Wednesday, Oct. 24, 4 p.m., Dress Rehearsal.
Thursday, Oct. 25 & Friday, Oct. 26, 6 p.m., An Actor’s Life For Me.
Friday, Oct. 26, 4 p.m., Board Meeting.
Runners

Thursday, Oct. 25, 4 p.m., General Meeting.
Science

Friday, Sept. 28, 7:15 p.m., Neural Prostheses @ NYU.
Friday, Oct. 19, 7:15 p.m., Can Technology Save the Planet? @ NYU.
Saturday, Oct. 27, 10 a.m., Hands on Science for Students @ The NY Hall of Science.