KEEPING YOU INFORMED - Negotiations Update By Ruben Mancillas
I hope your first week back with students was a success.
This is a reminder that our retro checks will be disbursed on or before August 31.
At the school board meeting on Tuesday night, Dr. Castro gave a presentation about our recent professional learning days which was very well received by the board. We do not currently have any professional learning scheduled for the 2024-2025 school year but based on the positive feedback from both our members and the district this possibility will likely be a topic discussed during our upcoming negotiating sessions. The board did approve our sunshine agreement so we will be bargaining regarding salary, benefits, and the calendar this year.
As Ray noted last week, we do not anticipate any significant changes to our start date in the future. That is, we made our big shift this year but looking at next year’s calendar a reasonable expectation would be that we start with students on August 12, 2024.
A question we have received is whether our checks will stay on an 11-month schedule or if will we revert back to ten checks now that we end the school year in May? The answer is that we will maintain eleven checks despite the change in our calendar.
Another reminder is that four hours is the amount of time that administrators should be setting aside for members to complete their Keenan training.
Mancillas family update: Our eldest son is in the air right now heading back to Pittsburgh for the fall semester. Go Panthers! A summer movie highlight was seeing the 40th anniversary of Valley Girl at the Hollywood Forever cemetery. I had never been to a Cinespia event before and was concerned that the picnic atmosphere would clash with my rather austere movie-going rules but it was the perfect film for a summer night in a communal, fun environment.
In Unity,
MEMBER-ONLY RESOURCES
For more than 20 years, the AFT has developed resources to help teachers become skilled in reading instruction—from reports by leading researchers and professional development courses to webinars and issues of American Educator.
Now, as we intensify our efforts to ensure all children become confident, joyful readers, we've devoted the fall 2023 issue of American Educator to helping families support their children's reading development. In addition to sending it to all of our members in K-12 and higher education, we've printed an extra 100,000 copies to distribute to families through partner organizations.
You can download a copy of this quarterly newsletter here
ABCFT PRESIDENT’S REPORT - Ray Gaer
Consistent and regular communication is a union’s most important tool for advocating for its members at the bargaining table. Every conversation with members is focused on the end result of negotiating for the future prosperity and well-being of ALL ABCFT members. This weekly report informs members about issues impacting their working/learning conditions and mental well-being. Our work as a Union is a larger conversation and united, we make the YOUnion.
“Respond rather than react, respond by creating an opening for dialogue” - Trainer at CA LMI (CA Labor Management Institute)
I hope that your first week with students has been productive and hopefully less stressful in some ways than starts the last couple of years. I know for those of you in schools that are undergoing renovation that your time has been filled with making the best of the situation as the facility's work continues to be completed. For many, you find yourself in a new grade, a new school situation, or a new position which means your weeks have been filled with anxiety and anticipation. For even more of you there are new administrative leaders in your schools and programs, which can also be a challenge as you work to build working relationships centered around best practices and meeting the needs of our students.
For Tanya Golden (ABCFT Executive VP) and I, we find ourselves experiencing many challenges and changes. In June, we vacated our previous office space and moved into a temporary office by the Cerritos Town Center (17777 Center Court Drive, #618). It is smaller (180 sq feet), our files are in boxes or storage, the furniture isn’t what we thought it would be and the internet has been troublesome. For those of you who are having or have had your classrooms worked on recently, you know all too well these universal challenges. Change stinks but every day we can work to slowly make our classrooms and schools familiar again, just like we do when getting to know our new students.
I was able to go to Gahr and passed by some other schools to check in on the construction that is happening around the district. I think the timeline the district pushing to get our schools ready to be 21st-century schools is ambitious but we can all agree that our schools are in need of these changes. Many teachers have commented that the current construction teams and the project managers have been responsive to the needs of the staff in addressing items that are critical for our classrooms. I’m sure there are exceptions and not everyone will be happy with the changes but I would encourage everyone to talk with their administrators or your site representatives about any concerns you may have during this construction. Someone commented to me that they were overall impressed with the workmanship they saw at Artesia High School during the professional development but were concerned about their own site. I gently reminded them that when the Artesia High Staff returned last August (2022) that their school was just as incomplete as Ross or Gahr or Cerritos High or Carmenita or any other sites are this year. It will take a little time and patience but your schools and classrooms will look significantly improved at the completion of these renovations.
Lastly, my Youtube algorithm dropped a diamond in my feed last night from 1947 concerning classroom discipline. I like to watch old instructional videos from seventy years ago just to compare the to what we are doing today. As I watched the video last night, I realized that Tier 1 strategies with students and good teaching techniques are not rocket science and in most cases, those strategies used seventy years ago are similar to what we do in our classrooms today. The first 5 minutes are cringe-worthy to make a point, but when the film changes to show alternative methods of engaging students, it becomes very familiar territory if you ignore the outdated biases, gender stereotypes, and suit the teacher is wearing. Click here to watch Maintaining Classroom Discipline (1947)
Next week we start a new feature: Getting to Know Your Contract. Every week we will share language from the contract and give you explanations and examples to help you understand your contract. Look for it!
I hope your first weekend is a good one. We all did extraordinary things this week. Thanks for all you do for the ABC community!
In YOUnity,
Ray Gaer
President, ABCFT
CALIFORNIA FEDERATION OF TEACHERS
Please take a moment to sign the CFT petition urging Governor Newsom and Assemblymember Holden to support the passage of SB 394 to create a Statewide Master Plan for Healthy, Sustainable, and Climate-Resilient Schools.
As California’s climate changes and extreme weather events such as heat, smoke, and flooding intensify, our aging public school infrastructure is increasingly unable to provide a healthy and safe learning environment. This threatens our health and safety as teachers and school staff and has serious, life-altering impacts on our students.
Sign the petition today, urging Governor Newsom and Assemblymember Holden to continue their climate leadership by supporting SB 394 and allocating the necessary funds to create this critical plan for the future of our schools and our students.
In Unity,
Jeffery Freitas
CFT President
The latest CFT articles and news stories can be found here on the PreK12 news feed on the CFT.org website.
AMERICAN FEDERATION OF TEACHERS
Follow AFT President Randi Weingarten: http://twitter.com/rweingarten
----- NEWS STORY HIGHLIGHT-----
Can teachers be legally liable if district policy requires they break the law?
Policies requiring staff to report transgender students to parents make some nervous
Teachers working in California school districts with conservative school boards are increasingly finding themselves with a difficult decision: violate district policy and risk losing their job, or potentially disobey federal and state laws and policies and take a chance on ending up in court.
Last Monday was the first day of school at Chino Valley Unified campuses since the passage of a controversial board policy that would require teachers, counselors and administrators to notify parents if a child asks to be identified by a different gender or name, or to access a bathroom or take part in a program not aligned with the gender on their official records.
After the Chino Valley Unified decision, California Attorney General Rob Bonta warned the school district that the parental notification policy could violate the state’s anti-discrimination laws and students’ rights to privacy guaranteed under the U.S. and California constitutions, as well as federal Title IX protections and the state education code. Bonta launched a civil rights investigation into the school district last week.
----- NATIONAL NEWS -----
President Biden brings in economic adviser with emphasis on education
President Joe Biden has appointed Northwestern University Professor C. Kirabo Jackson to join his Council of Economic Advisers. The education labor economist will take leave from the university while serving in the position, which does not require congressional confirmation. His work challenges the political consensus of the 1980s and '90s, arguing that higher spending on education can improve students' prospects. One study found that a 10% annual boost in education funding for each student's 12 years of public school resulted in the equivalent of an extra 0.27 years of schooling and long-term benefits such as reduced poverty and higher wages.
More states expect schools to keep trans girls off girls teams
As children across the U.S. head back to classes and practices for fall sports, four more states are expecting their K-12 schools to keep transgender girls off their girls teams. Kansas, North Dakota and Wyoming had new laws in place restricting transgender athletes before classes resumed, and a Missouri law takes effect at the end of this month, bringing the number of states with restrictions to 23. North Carolina could enact a ban later this month, while Ohio could follow in the fall. A few laws, including ones in Arizona and West Virginia, are on hold because of federal lawsuits.
----- STATE NEWS -----
California's lack of certified athletic trainers puts students at risk
Emmanuel Serafin, a high school football player, suffered a severe knee injury during practice. However, due to the lack of athletic trainers in the Los Angeles City Section, he was left without immediate medical assistance. California is the only state that doesn't require schools to provide athletic trainers or have licensing and training requirements for them. According to data presented by the California Athletic Trainers' Assn. during a March summit at UCLA, only 4.8% of schools in the City Section employ a certified athletic trainer. That number jumps to around 50% in the Southern Section, which includes a wider range of private and charter schools. The absence of medical professionals puts student athletes at risk, as coaches without medical backgrounds are left to handle injuries. Efforts are being made to increase the presence of athletic trainers in schools, but progress is slow due to budget constraints. Legislation is being proposed to create a regulatory board for athletic trainers in California. The lack of access to healthcare services has long-term effects on student athletes, particularly those from lower-socioeconomic communities and communities of color. The absence of care also leads to disillusionment among parents and affects school enrollment. Serafin, who had to wait months for surgery, continues to experience pain and fears that his knee will never fully heal.
Liability concerns shadow California's transgender reporting requirements
Policies requiring staff to report transgender students to parents are causing uneasiness among teachers in California school districts. The controversial policy mandates that parents be informed if their child shows any indication of being transgender. Violating the policy could result in job loss or legal action. The California Attorney General has warned that the policy may violate anti-discrimination laws and students' rights to privacy. Teachers are concerned about potential liability and lawsuits. Teachers' unions are filing unfair labor practice charges against districts for implementing policies without negotiation.
----- DISTRICTS -----
Orange USD to consider policy on trans student notification
Orange USD is set to consider a policy later today that would require certain school officials to notify parents if their child is "requesting to be identified or treated" as a different sex or gender. The proposed policy includes notifying parents when a child requests to use different names or pronouns, or to change sex-segregated programs. The Orange Unified Education Association expressed concerns about the policy, alleging it violates privacy rights. Other districts in Southern California have implemented similar policies, causing uproar among parents, as well as State Superintendent of Schools Tony Thurmond. Assemblymember Bill Essayli has led legislative efforts to require schools to inform parents if their child is transgender. Governor Gavin Newsom has vowed to combat these notification policies. The Legislative LGBTQ Caucus condemns these policies and hopes OUSD respects the humanity and dignity of LGBTQ+ students. The proposed policy also addresses suicidal intentions, physical altercations, injuries, and bullying.
----- WORKFORCE ----
School bus driver shortages hitting crisis levels
Although national data for 2023 aren’t yet available, a USA TODAY analysis of news coverage and local statistics found at least one instance of a major school bus driver shortage in every state this year. In Chicago, most routes have been suspended for the upcoming school year, and across Virginia, districts are desperately trying to find emergency drivers. In Louisville, Kentucky, school bus route problems stemming from staff shortages forced the district to disrupt the school year just after it began. School bus driver positions have long been hard to fill, largely because of the job’s expectations and low pay, but since COVID the problem has hit crisis levels. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, school bus drivers last year made a mean annual wage of $42,400 but that's assuming they worked full time. Many do not, making less than $20 an hour. Ninety-two percent of leaders surveyed report their operations are constrained by the driver shortages, compared with 88% last year and 78% in 2021. Nearly half of respondents (40%) said they’ve had to reduce transportation services to deal with the shortages.
----- SECURITY -----
Childcare expulsions a growing concern
Child care expulsions have become a growing concern for families, with behavioral issues being the main cause. A 2005 study found that children in state-funded prekindergarten programs were three times more likely to be expelled than students in K-12 schools, and the rate was even higher in Wisconsin. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the problem, with more challenging behaviors reported by early care and education professionals. Black preschoolers, boys, and children with disabilities are disproportionately affected by expulsions. The lack of checks and balances in the child care system, along with staffing shortages and a lack of resources, contribute to the problem. Expelled children are more likely to struggle academically and face negative outcomes in the future. Early intervention and support services are crucial in addressing these issues and empowering children and families.
----- LEGAL -----
Parents cannot challenge school gender identity policy, U.S. court rules
A federal appeals court has ruled against a group of parents which challenged a Maryland school district's policy on transgender and gender nonconforming students. The court found that the parents lacked standing to challenge the policy as they had not alleged that their children were transgender. The policy, adopted by the Montgomery County Board of Education, allows schools to develop gender support plans for students and prohibits staff from informing parents without a student's consent. Similar lawsuits are pending in other states. The court's decision was criticized by dissenting judge Paul Niemeyer, who argued that parents have a stake in the issue and should have standing to sue. The case is the first of its kind to be argued before a federal appeals court.
----- HEALTH & WELLBEING -----
Corporal punishment in schools is declining
Support for corporal punishment in schools is diminishing. By 2018, use of corporal punishment had fallen 35% in four years. More recent data from several states, including Mississippi and Arkansas, suggests a far steeper plunge since then. In Mississippi, the state’s total of more than 24,000 incidents in 2018-19 plummeted to fewer than 4,000 last year. Arkansas’s drop was not quite as sharp but still fell more than 70% from 2017-18 to 2021-22. While most schools in America (more than 90%) do not use corporal punishment, more than 15 states, mainly in the South, still allow paddling or other physical discipline measures. Critics say the practice is underreported. It also varies by race and gender, with boys far more likely to get hit than girls. Black boys, in particular, were twice as likely to be paddled or struck at school as White boys across the United States, according to federal data. Students with disabilities were also at greater risk. For years, the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Psychological Association have weighed in against corporal punishment in schools. Psychologists and scholars say the practice is ineffective in changing behavior and at odds with modern approaches geared toward preventing problems, learning from mistakes and understanding childhood trauma.
----- NUTRITION -----
School cafeterias under increasing pressure
Schools across the country are being pushed to hike the cost of breakfasts and lunches for kids this fall. On top of rising inflation and the end of the short-lived boost in additional federal subsidies for every school meal, the federal government could soon force schools to serve healthier meals with less salt and sugar, which could make them even more expensive to prepare and serve. Many who work to serve kids meals say it's a noble pursuit "at odds with reality" based on the already challenging financial climate. Difficulties finding school cafeteria staff, supply chain problems and concerns about food waste all add to the pressures. Families who send their kids through their school's lunch line yet can't afford the costs but don't qualify for free meals could also leave school systems to foot an even bigger bill. The expiration of the aid left "schools with greater administrative and financial difficulties than ever before in serving healthy and affordable meals to students who need them," wrote researchers at the Center for American Progress, a public policy research and advocacy organization, in May. Schools in America accrued $19.2m in unpaid meal debt by November 2022 with a median of $5,164 per school, according to a national survey of school nutrition directors. Several states have moved to offer all students regardless of family income free meals within the last year. California became the first state to make meals free for all kids last year. Maine and Colorado followed suit last year, and Massachusetts, Minnesota, Michigan, New Mexico and Vermont have passed similar legislation. The School Nutrition Association, which represents more than 50,000 people who work on school meals across the nation, is urging the federal government to act.
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