October 26, 2009

WELCOME
We wish to welcome Angela Espinal and Paula Inestroza to our staff. May they have long and successful careers.

SCHOOLWIDE PERFORMANCE BONUS
According to the UFT, we are now scheduled to receive our bonuses this week!

GRADE CONFERENCE SBO
This past spring. We took a School-Based Option (SBO) vote on holding the 40 minute monthly grade conferences during the lunch periods instead of holding them on Monday after school. It passed overwhelmingly.
However, many members have expressed the desire to hold them during their common prep instead. The only way this can legally be changed is through the SBO process.
Therefore, as was discussed at the October 21 chapter meeting, we will hold another SBO vote. It will be as follows:
“Instead of holding the monthly grade conferences once a month during the lunch periods, we will hold the monthly grade conferences once a month on a common prep.”
The specific contract articles to be changed are Article 6 and Article 7, subsections C4 and Q
In order to pass, 55% of the UFT staff voting must vote yes.

DISTRICT 32 SUNSHINE FUND
The District 32 Sunshine Fund is to aid students in the district whose families are the victims of tragedy. Voluntary donations of $1.00 may be given to me.

MATERNITY WORKSHOP
Nov. 17 and Dec. 8, 2009, 4:30 – 6 PM, Queens UFT office. RSVP to Karla Jordan at kjordan@uft.org

NOVEMBER 4 MEETING CANCELLED
The November 4 chapter meeting with Kathy Sharko has been cancelled.

CHANCELLOR’S CONFERENCE DAY
November 3, 2009, Election Day, has been designated as a Chancellor’s Conference Day. All staff must be in by 8:00 AM and may leave at 2:50 PM.

CONFERENCES, MEETINGS, ETC.
Please make sure that you return to your class on time at the end of the period. This will enable the cluster teacher to provide a full prep period to the next teacher whose class they instruct.

SAFETY
1. Other schools in the city are reporting an increase in petit theft and grand larceny, and staff members are the victims. Be sure to secure your handbags, purses, etc., and always lock the door whenever you leave the classroom. This will also prevent students from entering an empty classroom where they can take things and/or injure themselves.

2. If you are threatened, assaulted or injured in any way by a student, parent, intruder, etc. be sure to fill out a UFT Safety Report in addition to the DOE reports.

EVENTS
Check the New York Teacher for workshops, courses and events. Also, check the UFT bulletin board outside of room 251.

CONTACT INFO
You can e-mail me at 123uft@optonline.net.

Chapter Blog: http://uft123k.blogspot.com/

Brooklyn UFT Office: (718) 852-4900

Before taking a leave of any kind, call John Settle.
For certification questions, call Elizabeth Perez