April 4, 2011

PREFERENCE SHEETS
You have received a preference sheet for the 2011-2012 school year, which are due on April 11. List three grade choices in order of preference. Your choices are strictly up to you. Special education teachers may choose the age range of special education classes and education program designation (e.g. staffing ratio, ICT, SETSS, etc.) with the understanding that, where advisable and possible, such preferences will be honored. You must receive one of your choices. After two school years without your first choice, you must receive your first choice. Photocopy your preference sheet.

MAY DAY 2011 DEMONSTRATION
May Day takes on a special meaning this year. As workers’ rights come under continuing attack from coast to coast, mark your calendar for the Sunday, May 1 demonstration at 1 PM at Manhattan’s Foley Square, Worth Street (between Centre and Lafayette Streets). Join over three dozen labor unions and labor organizations, including our own UFT, to press for labor rights, immigrant rights and jobs for all.

SPRING EDUCATION CONFERENCE
Saturday, May 7 is the date for the UFT Spring Education Conference at the New York Hilton. The day will include breakfast, panels/workshops, exhibits, a gala luncheon, and presentation of the John Dewey Award. Please let me know by this Friday if you wish to attend.

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN…
Someone has been taking the toilet paper rolls from the bathroom in 251. This is an inconvenience to your colleagues who wish to use the bathroom. Also, toilet paper comes from the custodial supply budget. So in effect, you are stealing school supplies. And at 69 cents a roll you can afford to buy your own for the home.

UFT DISASTER RELIEF FUND
On March 11, one of the largest earthquakes ever recorded and an ensuing tsunami devastated the Japanese city of Sendai and much of the surrounding area, resulting in thousands of deaths. The catastrophe also damaged the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station.
The UFT Disaster Relief Fund is collecting donations on behalf of the Education International Solidarity Fund. In solidarity with teachers, students and the people of Japan, Education International has established a solidarity fund to aid relief efforts. EI is committed to supporting its member organization, the Japan Teachers’ Union, to help teachers and students through this difficult time.

If you wish to donate, e-mail me 123uft@optonline.net and I will send you a pdf of the form to fill out.

The UFT Disaster Relief Fund is only accepting checks and money orders. All donations are tax-deductible.

“TOWN HALL” WITH CATHIE BLACK
A community meeting with Chancellor Cathie Black is scheduled for Thursday, April 7 at PS 274 at 6PM. To get there, go down DeKalb Avenue and make a left onto Bushwick Avenue. The school is at 800 Bushwick Avenue. CANCELLED DUE TO HER RESIGNATION

WRITE FOR THE NEW YORK TEACHER
Do you have creative ideas, interesting practices or innovative methods for improving classroom instruction that you feel could benefit fellow educators? The New York Teacher is looking for educators to write Teacher to Teacher columns. The articles should explain pedagogic techniques, approaches or resources that educators can use to help students. The pieces should be about 750 words, and columnists will be paid $150 for accepted works. If you are interested, please call Ron Davis during business hours (10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday) at 212-598-9201 or email him at rdavis@uft.org.

UFT.ORG
If you have not done so already, register at UFT.org. This will enable you to receive urgent Action Alerts from the UFT, subscribe to news updates in your areas of interest, enroll online for UFT courses and workshops, view searchable contracts online, and update your contact information.

UFT BROOKLYN BOROUGH OFFICE (718)852-4900
Call Theresa Samuels for certification and licensing questions.
Call John Settle before taking any kind of leave.

WEAR RED FOR PUBLIC ED
What started as a one day event has grown into a weekly movement across America. People who support public education will be wearing red every Tuesday.

By wearing red, people will be symbolizing not only their support of America's public education system, but also their disagreement with many of the education reforms, programs, and policies currently being implemented.

FROM NYSUT
TIME IS RUNNING OUT TO SAVE EDUCATION
EXTEND THE MILLIONAIRES TAX – SUPPORT EDUCATION

PLEASE CALL YOUR STATE SENATOR AND THE GOVERNOR IMMEDIATELY

Call your Senator and the Governor via the NYS AFL-CIO action line - 1-877-255-9417 (when prompted press 2 to be connected to your Senator's office and press 1 to be connected to the governor’s office).