Week in Review – September 1, 2017
We hope your first full week of school was a success and that your Labor Day weekend is relaxing. Unions fought to make sure workers were appreciated and created many of the labor protections we enjoy today. HAPPY LABOR DAY!
More history of Labor Day is here:
ABCFT This Week –
Many of the ABC elementary schools are already having their Back to School nights so ABCFT has been making sure that Teachers and Staff are appreciated for their hard work and preparation. Nothing says thank you like CAKE!. (Pictured are Nixon teachers Kindergarten Kimberly Parsonage and TK’s Melissa Lundby on the day of their back to school night)
ABCFT Executive Board Meeting - School Board Endorsements
This week the ABCFT Executive Board met and discussed negotiations, school board elections for this November, GATE certification, Academic services, and other local issues. The ABCFT endorsement process includes the input of an election committee recommendation, approval by the ABCFT Executive Board and final approval of the endorsements by ABCFT Site Representatives. (FYI- using a district email for political information is prohibited per California Education Code) For more information about ABCFT’s endorsement, you can follow this link:
ABC Federation of Teacher School Board Endorsements
Membership Coordinator Report - Tanya Golden
ABCFT/AFT Teacher Leaders Program application process launched this week and is open to all ABC Federation of Teachers members. We are a part of a nationwide program designed to identify and join together a select group of highly motivated educators to learn how to take an active leadership role in their school, union, and community. Our teacher leaders will learn to help build and strengthen relationships with the community as well as generate support for public schools and unions.
If you are ready to make a difference and become energized about the issues facing public education then apply for the ABCFT/AFT Teacher Leader Program. In case you missed it, the application link is here and the guidelines is below.
Application deadline is Friday, September 15, 2017.
HURRICANE HARVEY RELIEF FUND - MAKE A DIFFERENCE
You have seen in the news the devastating effects of Hurricane Harvey. On Tuesday, we will provide details on how you can help out the victims of Hurricane Harvey and how the members of ABCFT can make a difference in the lives of those tragically impacted in Texas.
More info to come so keep an eye out for Tuesday’s ABCFT Keeping You Informed Bulletin.
PRESIDENT’S REPORT
Over this past week I attended/worked with members on representations, contract resolutions, site concerns and mediations. This week has been meeting heavy with numerous site visits, teacher visits, and scheduled/unscheduled meetings with the highest focus being on issues related to Child Development and Special Education.
Throughout the week, I’ve been continuing to work in collaboration with the Child Development teachers and the Child Development administrators at the District Office to ensure the viability of these important programs. A special thank you to teacher representatives Arlene Riddick, Patty Alcantar, Jessica Sandoval, and the EDP leadership team for their continuing search for better solutions and their ability to advocate for their fellow teacher colleagues at the highest level.
On Wednesday, I met with ABC’s new Director of Special Education, Roshelle Chavez and ABC SELPA Director Dr. Bill Gee. Together, we have made a commitment to meet on a monthly basis to discuss special education issues. Over the past six years, I have had quarterly meetings with the special education director to advocate for teachers and programs in special education so I am pleased to have increased access to the special ed director, Ms. Chavez. I hope to have more details I can share with you about the direction and focus of special education in ABC and the means of how to best support teachers and nurses in special education programs across the district.
Have a great weekend and we will see you back here next week.
In Unity!
Ray Gaer
ABCFT President
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(ABC Federation of Teachers)
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On our Blog Site @ http://abcteachernews.blogspot
AMERICAN FEDERATION OF TEACHERS
AFT President Weingarten on Hurricane Harvey
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WASHINGTON—Statement from American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten on Hurricane Harvey’s devastating destruction in Texas:
“As President Trump surveys Harvey’s damage, it’s imperative that he activate all the powers of the federal government, just as was done with Superstorm Sandy, to provide the necessary emergency relief funds to support rescue missions and prepare for rebuilding efforts. It’s times like these when Americans make judgments about their leaders, and the president must act swiftly to provide assistance, without any political rancor.
“In this moment of grave crisis, we are seeing the best come out in Americans. Neighbors are checking on the elderly, boat owners are using their vehicles to rescue stranded families, emergency responders are heroically working around the clock, and state leaders have reached out to Texas Gov. Greg Abbott to offer assistance.
“This is not a time to play politics; it’s time to put people first and come together as Americans to support our brothers and sisters who are in harm’s way. To that end, we are demanding that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement not use this disaster as a way to target immigrants. No one should be afraid to call 911 just because of his or her immigration status. We are better than that.
“As a union representing educators and school staff across Texas, we’re continuing to coordinate with our locals on how we can support our members, the children and families we serve, and the people of Texas. We’ve activated the AFT’s Disaster Relief Fund—which has already raised more than $50,000—so AFT members and others can help their brothers and sisters in Texas, and we have posted resources on Share My Lesson to help students and families cope with the aftermath. The AFT is all in to help the people of Texas. We pray for their safety and good health as they wait out the remainder of the storm.”
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Follow AFT President Randi Weingarten: http://twitter.com/rweingarten
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NATIONAL NEWS
Americans support traditional public schools, survey shows
According to the 49th annual PDK Poll of the Public’s Attitudes Toward the Public Schools, the longest continuously running survey of American attitudes toward public education, most American adults are tired of the intense focus on academics in public schools today, and want students to get more vocational and career training as well as mental, physical and dental services on campus. A majority also said they oppose programs that use public money for private and religious school education, policies that are supported by President Trump and Education Secretary Betsy DeVos.
Teacher shortage affecting every U.S. state
Data from the U.S. Education Department shows that every state is dealing with shortages of teachers in key subject areas, with some are having trouble finding substitute teachers, as well. The statistics show many districts are struggling to fill positions in subjects such as math, the traditional sciences, foreign language and special education, but also in reading and English language arts, history, art, music, elementary education, middle school education, career and technical education, health, and computer science.
Former SFUSD head leading Houston schools during Hurricane Harvey
The former superintendent of San Francisco USD, Richard Carranza, is currently the superintendent of Houston ISD, which is suffering the impact of Hurricane Harvey. Carranza has said his training on earthquake preparedness in the Bay Area has helped him understand planning for the wet weather. Meanwhile, San Francisco’s Mayor, Ed Lee, is encouraging residents, corporations and philanthropists to donate to the Greater Houston Community Foundation and the school district’s nonprofit wing, the HISD Foundation.
Earlier school start time would help economy, study says
According to a new study by RAND, moving the start of school to 8:30 a.m. across America's middle and high schools could add some $9.3bn to the economy within the next year, and $83bn over the next decade. The increases, the study says, would come from improved high school graduation rates leading to better jobs and fewer costs associated with sleep-related car crashes, obesity, and mental illness.
STATE NEWS
Test score delay due to mix up
California’s Department of Education has said the data-related delay in the release of its state standardized test results is due to a mix-up in some special education students' scores. Spokesman Bill Ainsworth said the agency had conducted a routine check on the analysis of test results and found that about 25,000 special education students' scores had been sorted into the wrong districts. "Currently, the CDE is calculating the data again to ensure precise statewide results," Ainsworth said. "We will release statewide results when this important work is completed." He noted that the scores in question were less than 1% of statewide scores for special education students.
LCFF aims to make funding fairer
As part of the Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF), all California public school districts, charter schools and county offices of education are required to develop a Locally Controlled Accountability Plan (LCAP) and actively seek community involvement in its development. Because LCFF redistributes public school funding across the state, the system is set to phase in over an eight-year period, with full funding expected by the 2020-21 school year. Becky Jeffries, the assistant superintendent of the Mendocino County Office of Education, says although LCFF it is not perfect, “it does correct some of the inequities of prior funding formulas.” She says the goal of the Mendocino County Office of Education and local school districts “is to do the best we can with what we have.”
Torlakson denounces racism
State superintendent Tom Torlakson has sent a letter to California school leaders denouncing racism and encouraging schools to celebrate diversity as the new school year begins. “I want to let all California educators, students and their families know that I reject the hatred, racism, and violence so sadly displayed earlier this month in Charlottesville,” Torlakson said. “We must remind California’s school community and our nation that our great state respects, celebrates, and embraces our incredibly diverse population.”
Mission project to be dropped
As history lessons change to reflect all cultures and more accurately depict the past, the a fourth-grade tradition in California schools of building a mission is being ended by the state. "What are students learning by building model missions?" asked Nancy McTygue, executive director of the California History-Social Science Project, and one of the lead writers of the new framework. "I don't think the mission project has taught students about a very difficult time in our nation's history. Attention should focus on the daily experience of missions rather than the building structures themselves."
DISTRICTS
Parents lead calendar campaign
A number of Newhall School District parents have launched a petition and student walk-out in an effort to get district administrators to change the school calendar, saying students will not attend classes on days that do not align with the William S. Hart District schedule. The campaigners argue that the other three elementary school districts that feed into the William S. Hart School District have less “non-synced” days than the Newhall School District.
FUNDING
Why is California’s $9bn not being spent?
California school officials are said to be growing impatient over the fact that $9bn in funding approved for school infrastructure improvements has yet to be utilized. Despite the measure being approved in November 2016, the state has not sold any of the authorized bonds. Although the Treasurer’s Office is scheduled to sell about $446m in Proposition 51 bonds on Tuesday – delivering state matching funds for 143 projects - school officials and other bond backers say the need is much greater. Department of Finance spokesman H.D. Palmer said the upcoming Proposition 51 bond sale is large enough to cover projects that have cleared the approval process, adding: “You don’t sell a bond until you actually need the cash for that phase of construction.”
HIGHER EDUCATION
Opinion: Schools must not baby students
Brian Crosby in the LA Times backs Chancellor Timothy P. White of the California State University system who has said that as of the fall of 2018, incoming students will no longer be given placement tests in English or math, nor will those who struggle be enrolled in remedial classes. Mr Crosby says he supports such a scheme as: “We baby students. Too much. Too often.” He says a key issue is that a number of recent high school graduates are not ready for college, arguing that with each passing year of education teachers should “hold the students’ hands less while the students gain more control of their learning.”
OTHER
Parents asked to take driver education lessons
Last month, Rhode Island became the third U.S. state to enact a law that requires parents or legal guardians to take a class about the rules and restrictions their children face when they start driving. “Mom and dad are the most influential people in a teen’s life, when it comes to driving,” said Pam Fischer, from the Governors Highway Safety Association, which represents state highway safety offices. “If they are educated to understand the risk, that’s huge because their kids are listening to them.”
Former SFUSD head leading Houston schools during Hurricane Harvey
The former superintendent of San Francisco USD, Richard Carranza, is currently the superintendent of Houston ISD, which is suffering the impact of Hurricane Harvey. Carranza has said his training on earthquake preparedness in the Bay Area has helped him understand planning for the wet weather. Meanwhile, San Francisco’s Mayor, Ed Lee, is encouraging residents, corporations and philanthropists to donate to the Greater Houston Community Foundation and the school district’s nonprofit wing, the HISD Foundation.
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