We mourn the passing of Catherine Spatola. She was a part of our P.S. 123 community for over 35 years. She was a music teacher for many years before serving as our principal for 22 years. She left P.S. 123 in 1998 to become District 32’s deputy superintendent.
Under her tenure, P.S. 123 was the top elementary school in District 32. After many of our students won writing contests in the early 1990’s, WCBS-TV ran two reports on Mrs. Spatola and P. S. 123, calling our school “An oasis of learning.” Her impact on the Bushwick community is still felt today.
TENURE
Chancellor Klein has instructed principals to use student test scores as part of the criteria for making tenure decisions. The UFT will use all legal means possible to fight this, as only the state legislature has the authority to change the law.
Chapter 57 of the Laws of 2007 added Section 3012-b to Education Law requiring the Board of Regents to develop rules establishing minimum standards and procedures for tenure determination of teachers. Section 3012-b was amended by in 2008. The amendment:
Changes the effective date of the legislation requiring these new standards and procedures to apply to teachers whose probationary period commences on or after July 1, 2008;
Prohibits school districts and BOCES from using student test scores to grant or deny tenure; and
Establishes a two-year sunset on Section 3012-b, which will allow the Legislature to revisit this law in 2010.
PAY STUBS
On March 1, 2010, all city employees paid via direct deposit will receive their pay stubs electronically. To view your pay stub, access the DOE payroll portal at:
Select “EFT/Direct Deposit” listed under “Employee Self Service”.
If you are in more than one Payroll Bank, please select the appropriate Payroll Bank from the list of radio buttons.
Select the “Update” function from the list of available actions displayed and click “Continue”.
Verify your “User and EFT/Direct Deposit Information” and click “Continue”.
Select the “Yes” radio button listed next to “Print Pay Stub:” field and Click “Continue”
Confirm your update.
Those still receiving checks are not affected. If you have any questions, call HR Connect at (718) 935-4000
EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION: 3rd ANNUAL EARLY CHILDHOOD CONFERENCE
Saturday, April 24, 2010, 8:30 a.m.–3 p.m., at UFT headquarters. The theme is: “Children ... The Heart of It All.” Conference includes breakfast & lunch, plenary sessions, workshops, and resource materials. Early childhood teachers, administrators, paraprofessionals in early childhood grades, guidance counselors, child care providers, social workers and parents are invited to attend. If you are interested, see me.
MATERNITY WORKSHOPS
On March 9, April 13, May 11, June 8 & June 22, maternity workshops will be held from 4:30 to 6 p.m. at the Queens UFT office. RSVP to Karla Jordan at kjordan@uft.org. No unregistered members will be allowed. Include your due date, file number, non-DOE e-mail address, school, district and phone number when reserving a spot. You will be registered for workshop according to your due date. This workshop is for women only (Sorry, guys!).
ALBANY LOBBY DAY
Albany Lobby Day will be on Tuesday, March 9. After a lunch reception, we will meet with Bushwick’s state senator and assemblyman. The day will count as an authorized conference day for teachers, but will be considered as a non-attendance day for paras. Busses will depart from the Brooklyn UFT office on Adams Street at approximately 6:30 AM, and return in the early evening. If interested, see me by 11 AM tomorrow (February 23).
PARKING (AGAIN!)
Someone’s been very naughty! You can not sign out a permit, keep it, and simply sign out the same numbered permit each day. You can not have a colleague hold one for you, or call from your cell phone, asking them to put one aside for you if they arrive before you. This applies to all personnel. We all must play by the same rules.
0 comments:
Post a Comment