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.