ABCFT Week in Review – March 2, 2018
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In case you’ve missed previous Weeks in Review, you can find all of them here: ABCTeachernews To find previous editions, just click on “Blog Archive” which is the menu on the right and click on the specific week.
(ABC Federation of Teachers)
In Unity
ABC Federation of Teachers
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NEGOTIATIONS UPDATE by Ruben Mancillas/Ray Gaer
If you haven’t heard the good news yet, ABCFT has reached a Tentative Salary Agreement (TA) with the district. An email was sent to all ABCFT members yesterday, so look for the timeline in that email. At yesterday’s Executive Board meeting, the TA passed the first step by obtaining the approval of the E-Board. Next, on March 8th the Rep. Council will vote to approve the TA to go out for ratification by our members. Once approved, the specific details about the TA will be mailed to all members. Scheduled is a general meeting on Friday, March 9th from 4:00 to 5:00 pm at the Union Hall,19444 Norwalk Blvd. Cerritos. Finally, we will hold an electronic election via district email beginning Friday, March 9th at 6:00 pm to Tuesday, March 16th at 4:00 pm.
Although we have made significant progress in negotiations, we are still at the table actively negotiating language in the master contract. Once we reach agreement on the master contract, it too will go through the process of approval by the E-Board, Rep. Council, and ratification by all members. Stay tuned here for updates about the negotiations process.
Post note: It has come to our attention that unfortunately there has been a leak in confidentiality and that ABC management was emailed the details of our tentative agreement. This is unfortunate because this TA has not gone through the ratification process of being approved by Teachers and Nurses of ABCFT. This tentative agreement is not “real” until the membership ratifies the agreement. ABCFT has made it clear to District Administrators that this breach of trust is unconscionable and should never happen again in the future.
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SPECIAL AFT REPORT ON TEACHERS WITH GUNS
FROM AFT PRESIDENT RANDI WEINGARTEN
WASHINGTON—Statement of AFT President Randi Weingarten on President Trump’s proposals to arm teachers:
“I spoke to 60,000 educators last night in a telephone town hall. The response was universal, even from educators who are gun owners: Teachers don’t want to be armed, we want to teach. We don’t want to be, and would never have the expertise needed to be, sharp shooters; no amount of training can prepare an armed teacher to go up against an AR-15.
“One would have thought, after the president’s listening session, that he wouldn’t have put the agenda of gun manufacturers and the National Rifle Association over our students, educators and schools. The tweets today applauding the NRA, and ignoring educators and the students themselves, were despicable and diversionary. Teachers and school staff need to ensure schools are safe sanctuaries and not armed fortresses.
“Trump wants to spend money on bonuses for armed teachers yet has cut summer school and after-school programs, and he argues we can’t afford to pay for school safety programs, school nurses and counselors, and other programs that help kids.
“How would arming teachers even work? Would kindergarten teachers be carrying guns in holsters? Is every classroom now going to have a gun closet? Will it be locked? When you have seconds to act when you hear the code for an active shooter, is a teacher supposed to use those seconds getting her gun instead of getting her students to safety? Anyone who pushes arming teachers doesn’t understand teachers and doesn’t understand our schools. Adding more guns to schools may create an illusion of safety, but in reality it would make our classrooms less safe.”
Weingarten calls on Trump to meet with unions to discuss school safety
Randi Weingarten, the president of the American Federation of Teachers, the second-largest teachers union in the country, has sent a letter to President Trump telling him that teachers oppose his proposal to give them weapons to carry in the classroom and asking him to meet with teacher union leaders to discuss how to keep schools safer. “ While we are delighted you recently met with some union leaders to discuss America’s trade deals, we ask you show the same respect when it comes to our schools - and that you meet with teacher union leaders so we can discuss how to ensure schools are safe sanctuaries and can share our concerns about arming teachers,” Weingarten wrote. Meanwhile, Stewart Rhodes, leader of the Oath Keepers, has called on the tens of thousands of members of his far-right militia group to work unpaid to defend U.S. schools at all levels, including colleges. “Oath Keepers, in the wake of the horrific attack … it is time to step up nationwide and defend our schools against the threat of mass murder. Enough is enough,” Rhodes said in an online statement.
Follow AFT President Randi Weingarten: http://twitter.com/rweingarten
CURRICULUM LINK OF THE WEEK
Google classroom is great for going paperless, but you should also look at Showbie for enhancing your paperless assessments and homework. Showbie can help your classroom organization from assignments to collaboration. Showbie helps you bring your classroom together in one simple, easy to us app.
Sharing resources and ideas are what keeps our classrooms innovative, interesting, and organized. Each week, ABCFT will highlight an education resource that we heard was great for teachers. If you have a website, book, or training that you found helpful in your classroom let us know at abcft@abcusd.us so we can share it with everyone. If you send an idea or link and we use it in the Review, we will send you a Starbucks gift card for the helpful hint.
District Writes Community and Staff About Safety at ABC Schools.
Earlier this week the Superintendent Dr. Mary Sieu sent a letter to the community about the safety of our schools. You can find this letter here ----> (letter to Community and Staff)
This Friday the district is holding a Safe School Alliance meeting with administrators where the main topic with be active shooter preparation. In the meantime, ABCFT has been notified that each site will be shown a video on the Run, Hide, Fight strategy. There are different videos for each level and watching them is a sobering commentary on the reality of how the threat of violence is destroying the sanctity of our educational system.
You can find these videos here ------> Run, Hide, Fight Videos
ABCFT - RETIREE CHAPTER by Silvia Rodriguez
Dear ABCFT Members:
First of all, I would like to thank Ray Gaer and the local for allowing our retiree chapter to meet at the Union Hall and for the support with our Scholarship Program. Our chapter has evolved in many ways. We are a support community based organization for our retiree community, for the community, and for our students. We distribute between 12 to 16 food baskets a year to families from ABC Unified School District.
A $2,500 scholarship is awarded to a senior from our district who plans to go into the field of education.
Thanks to the partnership between union and management, our chapter provided the community and the schools’ secondary personnel with informational meetings on how to help student that wanted to obtain a DACA status. Finally, we are a fun filled social group and many of our members have enjoyed meeting new retirees and/or have rekindled friendships. If you are thinking of retiring, please look us up.
With gratitude and love,
Silvia T. Rodriguez
ABCFT-R President
If you need to contact me please email: qban51@aol.com
Over this past week I attended/worked with unit members in representations, contract resolutions, email/text/phone call questions, site concerns, and mediations. Here are a couple of highlights from my week:
Overall, this has been a busy and productive week for ABCFT. The completion of the salary agreement was a giant hurtle I’m glad we’ve passed. It’s unfortunate there was some confusion in the process of ratification at the district, but it’s not a dealbreaker. The ABCFT negotiating team members worked hard to craft this good agreement and they wanted to be the team delivering the news which is part of the disappointment. Regardless, a good TA will go to the membership late next week to be ratified and that is a victory for all.
Much of my week has been centered around the negotiating process as we head toward what I think, will be the last negotiating date for the Master Contact on March 12. I’m in the middle of gathering all the safety videos and information that the district has been sending out over the past week. I’m hoping to share them in the Review next week.
As Tanya and I visit schools we hear questions about the March 14, seventeen minute walk-out that is being planned across the nation. ABCFT knows that district administrators were given guidelines on how to handle this at their sites but at this moment, it is a site decision. As we get more information we will pass it along so you have a good idea on what to expect on March 14th.
The past two weeks, Membership Coordinator Tanya Golden and myself have visited Gonsalves and Stowers to meet with the staffs during lunch. Both staffs asked about safety, negotiations, calendar, and class sizes in primary. We truly appreciate how teachers openly share their thoughts and concerns about the things that are important to their classrooms and students. Every conversation we have with teachers and nurses helps to guide our focus on how the leadership of ABCFT can best advocate for the membership of the YOUnion. I know it is hokey, but the union is not a single person nor the leadership of the organization. Every teacher is the YOUnion.
Thank you for all you do with our students and how you all support each other.
As always, have a great weekend and we will see you back here next week.
In Unity!
Ray Gaer
ABCFT President
And now the news……..
AMERICAN FEDERATION OF TEACHERS
Joint Statement on Nationwide Mobilizations,
Janus v. AFSCME Council 31 Oral Arguments
Throughout the month of February, working people have been more energized and organized than any time in recent memory. There have been nationwide moments of silence and fast food strikes to honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and the 50th anniversary of the 1968 Memphis sanitation workers strike. Tens of thousands took to the streets in at least 30 cities this weekend to demand an end to a rigged economy. Today, there are more than 500 worksite actions. Working people are speaking out with pride and passion, even as billionaires and corporate interests tried to use the United States Supreme Court today to attack public service workers, good union jobs and the health and safety of communities across America.
The presidents of the four largest public service unions in America issued the following statements about the collective power of these nationwide mobilizations, and about oral arguments in Janus v. AFSCME Council 31. They are available for further comment today:
“If the Supreme Court’s decision is based on merit, on facts and on the law, there’s no doubt they will rule in favor of working people. In the face of ruthless, dishonest attacks against their freedom to come together in strong unions, working people are drawing the line. We stand united in fighting a rigged system that rewards the super-wealthy at everyone else’s expense. And we will not rest until we build an economy where everyone has a voice on the job, a seat at the table and a chance to succeed.”
- Lee Saunders, President, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME)
“This case isn’t about Mark Janus—it’s a ruse funded by the Kochs, the Bradleys, the DeVoses and other anti-union oligarchs to deny working folks the opportunity for a better life. Unions help make possible what would be impossible for individuals acting alone: living wages and a decent retirement, safe and welcoming public schools, affordable college and healthcare, and a voice in our democracy. They’re attacking us because they see a strong labor movement as a threat to their wealth and power.”
- Randi Weingarten, President, American Federation of Teachers (AFT)
“Today, thousands of working people rallied outside the U.S. Supreme Court and around the country to send a message that, whatever the decision in this case, these oligarchs won’t stop working families from realizing our American dream. Make no mistake about it, we are living in a system that is rigged to benefit special interests and billionaires at the expense of American working people. It is no shock to most that is has become harder and harder for working people to get ahead and provide stability for their families. The corporate special interests behind this case are dead set on eliminating the rights and freedoms of working people to organize, to negotiate collectively and to have any voice in working to better their lives. This is a blatant slap in the face of educators, nurses, firefighters, police officers and all public servants who make our communities strong and safe.”
- Lily Eskelsen Garcia, President, National Education Association (NEA)
“Tens of thousands of working people have hit the streets to show that we won’t let any court case stop us from sticking together for the good, union jobs our communities need. Today we call on America’s elected leaders to take action to help more working people join together in unions to turn poverty-wage jobs into good, union jobs that provide financial security to families and strengthen communities.”
- Mary Kay Henry, President, Service Employees International Union (SEIU)
AFT’s Weingarten on Settlement of West Virginia Teachers’ Strike
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WASHINGTON— Statement by AFT President Randi Weingarten on the recent decision by West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice to increase teacher and school service personnel salaries, end the attacks on seniority and paycheck deduction, and launch a task force to improve the state’s public health insurance program:
“West Virginia’s teachers and school service personnel stood strong and stood together for basic dignity for themselves and their students. They showed what is possible when working people come together, united in their unions and joined by their communities, to fight for what educators, students and schools need to thrive. It’s been awe-inspiring seeing thousands swarm the state Capitol and stand out on the picket lines fighting for a better life and a better West Virginia.
“Last night’s proposal is a starting point in terms of treating West Virginia’s teachers and school service personnel with the respect and dignity they deserve. It provides a new pathway forward on healthcare, with a short-term freeze in premiums and a long-term commitment to get it right for public employees, educators and school service personnel.
“But this moment is about more than last night’s agreement, as important as that is. Through this strike, 55 counties strong, West Virginia’s teachers and school service personnel put legislators on notice that business as usual is over—it’s time for real investment in West Virginia’s public schools and in the professionals who teach in and work in West Virginia’s schools. The AFT stands with the educators and school staff in West Virginia today, and we will continue to stand with you as you keep fighting for your jobs, your students and your schools. We know what is possible in this state when we work together, unions and local and state officials, toward what is best for communities and schools. That is the path the governor and the Legislature should continue to take.”
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Follow AFT President Randi Weingarten: http://twitter.com/rweingarten
----- NATIONAL NEWS -----
Marjory Stoneman Douglas students return to class
Students at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Florida returned to class yesterday, two weeks after a former student opened fire killing 14 classmates and three staff members. Students wearing memorial T-shirts made their way through crowds of well-wishers, who passed out carnations and held up signs of support, while hundreds of police officers lined entrances to the school, some giving high-fives to students as they passed. Ninety-five percent of students showed up at the school, Superintendent of Broward County Public Schools, Robert Runcie, said, and only 15 students and four teachers have inquired about switching schools.
DeVos announces $2.7bn in school disaster aid
The Education Department is to use $2.7bn from the new federal budget to help K-12 schools, school districts and higher education institutions recover from recent hurricanes and wildfires. Education Secretary Betsy DeVos said she had been inspired daily by efforts of educators, administrators and local leaders in getting students' lives back to normal after hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria, as well as the wildfires, and added the money will enable the department to give immediate aid to restart school operations in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Texas and the U.S Virgin Islands.
----- STATE NEWS -----
“Run, Hide, Fight” guidance divides Californian schools
California schools are questioning whether to train students and staff in self-defence to maximise survival odds in a school shooting scenario, following national guidance that lockdowns are not always the best policy. The US Department of Homeland Security has issued “Run, Hide, Fight” guidance to replace traditional lockdown measures, recommending students and staff be taught by local police how to distinguish the best response in a shooting. While Napa Valley USD adopted the training last year, liaising with law enforcement, Vallejo CUSD Superintendent Adam Clark says he is reluctant to “buy into the hysteria”. Vallejo Police Chief Andrew Bidou however said local private schools were adopting the program, and praised the drills, noting: “We have earthquake and fire drills and they each happen far more infrequently than tragic school shooting incidents.” President Donald Trump has proposed arming teachers so as to prevent mass shootings in schools; however, such a move would be difficult to enact in California, where a law recently went into effect barring even school employees with concealed carry permits to bring weapons on to campus. The California Teachers Association has described the proposal as “a preposterous, cynical and unworkable solution.” Instead, it said “what educators need and want is continued training to help them spot potential mental health needs, bullying or high-risk behaviors.”
California responds to Florida tragedy
In the week following the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Florida, police in Southern California arrested 14 people in response to threats made against schools. Although law enforcement officials say that such threats are a fairly regular occurrence, they are now being treated a lot more seriously by students and the public, the Daily News claims. In the coming weeks, a series of high-profile events protesting gun violence will be held, with the National Education Association union designating April 20th as the National Day of Action Against Gun Violence in Schools. President Donald Trump has said he would have run into the school to prevent a gunman from carrying out the deadly mass shooting. "You don't know until you test it, but I really believe I'd run in there even if I didn't have a weapon,” Trump said. "And I think most of the people in this room would have done that, too."
New report reveals concerning California degree gap
A new report has revealed a significant gap between California’s high school and college graduation rates, with high school graduations rising from 77% to 84% from 2010-2016, while college graduations rates remained at just 55%. The largest disparity is among black students, with a 35% gap, followed closely by a 34% gap for Latino students, a 30% gap for white students and a 25% gap for Asian students. The California Competes report estimates that the state could face a college-educated worker deficit of 2m by 2025, and recommends that a state body be tasked to “inform state-level postsecondary and workforce planning through recommendations such as how best to invest state resources to close the degree gap”. Report group director Lande Anjose noted: “When you have the kind of robust economic fortune California has, and yet you see gaps […] in terms of degree attainment, that is cause for concern .”
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----- HEALTH & WELLBEING -----
How school shootings affect the survivors
Statistics show that more than 150,000 students attending at least 170 primary or secondary schools in the United States have experienced a shooting on campus since the 1999 Columbine High School massacre. According to Daniel Willingham, a psychology professor at the University of Virginia, who researched the educational experience of survivors of school shootings, enrollment at these schools fell and standardized test scores dropped. Willingham said it was unsurprising that school shootings affected academic outcomes , but on the other hand, there is research showing it is often overestimated how long people feel distressed after a negative event.
----- SOCIAL & COMMUNITY -----
Schools see increase in racial harassment
New data from the Education Department’s civil rights division shows a significant increase in the number of complaints it received regarding racial harassment in schools in 2017, including post-secondary institutions, with the number climbing to 675, a nearly 25% increase from the previous year. The increase represents the biggest rise in this category since at least 2009, the earliest consecutive year for which there are publicly reported numbers in this category. “Our schools are places that encapsulate and reflect the national climate,” said Catherine Lhamon, chair of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights. “It is distressingly unsurprising that there might be an uptick in racial harassment complaints coming to the Office for Civil Rights.”
----- HIGHER EDUCATION -----
Education Department could ease bankruptcy law for student debt
The Education Department said yesterday it is considering whether to allow more people to erase student debt in bankruptcy, and will seek public input on the current law, which prevents student debt from being discharged in bankruptcy unless they prove to a judge’s satisfaction that they face an “undue hardship,” - such a stringent standard that few borrowers even try. “Undue hardship” was left undefined in the law, leaving it to bankruptcy judges to define on a case-by-case basis. Fewer than 500 people attempted to extinguish student debt last year. John Rao, a National Consumer Law Center lawyer, said Tuesday’s announcement was a “complete surprise,” adding “We’re hopeful that the department will take a fresh look at the issue.” Several bills in Congress that would make student loans dischargeable in bankruptcy, including one introduced in May, have gained little tr action.
----- OTHER -----
Federal Reserve chairman: Student debt may stall economic growth
Federal Reserve chairman Jerome Powell has said burgeoning levels of student loan debt could slow down U.S. economic growth over time, while highlighting that the debt swelled to nearly $1.38tr at the end of 2017. "It’s not something you can pick up in the data right now. As this goes on and as student loans continue to grow and become larger and larger, then it absolutely could hold back growth," Powell said. He also said he supports the idea of a vibrant education loan climate, but said that borrowers need to be informed of the risks they're taking and wondered why student debt can't be discharged in bankruptcy. "I'd be at a loss to explain why that should be the case," he said.
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