focus april 2012

8/2/2019 Focus April 2012

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focus on educators

focus on educators is an award winning publication of the Pittsburg Education Association/CTA/NEA www.peateachers.org

California Teachers AssociationStatement of Mission

The California Teachers Association exists to protect and promote the well-being of its members; to improve theconditions of teaching and learning; to advance the cause of free, universal, and quality public education; to ensurethat the human dignity and civil rights of all children and youth are protected; and to secure a more just, equitable,and democratic society.

APRIL 2012

Volume XXINumber 8

In this Issue

Presidents Message &Informational Items ..pgs. 1-4Executive Board .. p. 3Announcements.p. 4Grade-In Photos.p. 5CTA News......pgs. 6-9PEA Calendar.... .The Last Page

P E A P residents M essage It has been wonderful to see somany PEA members attendingmany of the Organizing Teamfunctions for the last fewmonths. When I see the lines of members diligently working ontheir papers for the Grade-In atthe last school board meeting I

feel the unity of ourorganization. When I see theenthusiastic group of over ahundred members marching andwhistling and carrying signs infront of the district office I seeunity of organization once again.When I viewed the hundreds of post cards with messages for ourschool board members I see theunity of our organization. Weare truly a collective union all inpursuit of a common goal whichis to maintain our contract andsettle our current contract stillbeing bargained. For those of you who have not done a darnthing you will also be able toreap the rewards from what youfellow union members havesown. When they have shownup, suited up and made theirvoice heard they have beendoing it in your name as well. Sonow I ask the question why areYOU allowing THEM to carrythe load? Does having a faircontract, a good salary, limitedclassroom sizes, adequate lunchbreaks, fair evaluations, limitedextended meetings, staff directedStaff Development days, prep

periods protected, benefits, etc.sound good to you? You canthank your Bargaining Teamspast and present for thesewonderful working conditions.Dont assume that all schooldistricts have what we have.They dont. PEA has foughtlong and hard to keep ourworking conditions the way theycurrently are. Remember: OurWorking are Our StudentsLearning Conditions. If youvalue having good workingconditions while teaching inPittsburg, then please be a part of YOUR organization. Stayinformed by reading the FOCUS,attending reps 10-minutemeeting, reading flyers andchecking the web. AttendGeneral Membership meetings,President Site Visits, Organizingteam rallies. Volunteer to be asite rep or a member of the O-Team from your school site.Attend anything to support yourunion. Help put the YOU in ourUnion.

Wag More and Bark Less

A


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Chris Coan, President

PEA Leadership 2011-2012President

Chris CoanWillow Cove Elementary/ PEA Office

Elementary Vice PresidentSharie Chmura

Parkside Elementary

Secondary Vice PresidentArthur PruynPittsburg High

SecretaryTammy Carr

Highlands ElementaryTreasurer

Gale HigginsStoneman ElementaryCommittee Chairs

Grievance CommitteeRichard Higgins Pittsburg High

Jim Vaughan - RiversideNegotiations TeamDawn Cova - Chair

Political Action CommitteeIris Contreras - Chair

Elections Chair Cindy Joy

Human Rights CommitteeTasharie Ameral Chair

Womens Issues CommitteeAllison Azevedo - Chair

Community Outreach Chair Vacant

CTA State Council RepresentativesIris Contreras PEA

Denise James, Sara Savacool, Robert Strickler - AEAAlternate

Pandora Bethea - AEACTA Director District C

Vacant NEA Director for California, District 3

Greg Bonaccorsi Technical Editor

Susan Harrison PEA Site Secretary

Focus on Educators is a publication of the

P ittsburg E ducation Association CTA/NEA159 East 4 th Street

Pittsburg, CA 94565Phone: (925) 432-0199

fax: (925) 432-4854E-MAIL:[email protected]

WEBSITE: www.peateachers.org

2Rep. Council Meeting Calendar

September 21October 19

November 16December 14January 18

February 15March 21April 18May 16June 7

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School Board Meeting Calendar August 10 & 24

September 14 &28October 12 & 26

November 16December 14January 11

February 22March 14 & 28

April 25May 9 & 23June 6 & 20

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Are you Getting your PEAInformation???

Having the site reps attend their monthly meeting andthen reporting back to you is vital in thecommunication chain of our Association.

Roll call at last March 21 st Rep Council Meeting:Adult Ed . absent Stoneman absentFoothill present Willow Cove presentHeights present MLK/CC presentHighlands present Hillview - present

Los Medanos absent Rancho Medanos presentMarina Vista present PHS - absentParkside present Riverside presentTOSA present

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Introducing. Gale HigginsPEAs Executive Board Treasurer

Hello, this is your Treasurer coming to you from StonemanElementary. Prior to my 4 years at Stoneman, I taught atWillow Cove for 5 years. Thats the sum total of my teachingexperience, all in 3rd grade! Let me back up 30 years, soyou understand why Im proud to be your treasurer.

I began my career as a secretary at a well-known regionalbank--the good old days of shorthand, IBM Selectrictypewriters, and carbon copies! Ten years later, I enteredthe retail side of banking, where I got hands-on financialexperience. Along the way, I achieved my B.A. in BusinessManagement, taking classes part time at night. One of themost memorable days of my life is standing alongside myhusband while holding my 6 week old daughter at mygraduation ceremony in 1988. I put that undergraduatedegree to good use in 2002 when I decided to retire frombanking to enter the credential program. And my businessbackground came in handy when I was recruited to fill thetreasurer position in 2010.

Fast forward to today: Ive learned a lot about PEA sincebecoming treasurer. For instance, we are ALL vital membersof the union, each and every one of us. Without your support, PEA is weak and ineffective. With your support,PEA can accomplish a great deal! Please come to our monthly meetings and see for yourself. If youd like more

information about the treasurers duties, Im happy to mewith you. If youd like to run for treasurer, Ill train you!involved! You really can make a difference!

3

Certificated Roundtable

Thursdays from 3:30 to 5:00 p.m. in the Board Room

April 26, 2012

Teacher Discounts

The Railroad Book Depot offersteachers a 20% discount on mostbooks and special orders formaterials used in the classroom!Contact us at (925) 427-2334,www.RailroadBookDepot.com, orvisit the store at 650 Railroad Avenue, in Old TownPittsburg.

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U.S. Dept. of Education Publications

PEA has copies of the following U.S. Department of Education publications. If you are interested in having acopy, e-mail your request to [email protected]. State your desired publication and school site and they will be ponieyou.

ED004583P Exec. Summary, Developing EarlyLiteracy: Report of the National EarlyLiteracy Panel

ED002624P What Content Area Teachers ShouldKnow About Adolescent Literacy

ED001980H What is Scientifically Based Research: Guide for Teachers

ED005150P Transforming American Education


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ANNOUNCEMENTS

PEA OFFICER ELECTIONSCANDIDACY FORMS AVAILABLE NOW

Elections for PEA Officers: Elementary Vice President,Secondary Vice President, Treasurer, and Secretary willbe held May 10-May21. (Offices are a one (1) year term).All members in good standing of NEA/CTA and PEA areeligible to run. Candidacy forms are available throughyour site representative or at the PEA Office.

Candidacy Forms are due into the PEA Office

(159 East 4th Street, or FAX: 432-4854)no later than 3:30 p.m., Wednesday, May 2, 2012.

PEA SCHOLARSHIPS

PEA Scholarship Achievement Applications are availableat the PEA Office for graduating high school seniorswho will be attending an institution of higher learning inthe fall of 2012. You must be the son or daughter of aparent who is a current member of the PEA/CTA/NEA.Forms must be returned to the PEA office byWednesday, May 2, 2012.

PEA OFFICEINFORMATION

All members are welcome to come in on any Monday orTuesday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and browse throughthe PEA meeting minutes, bargaining l iterature, etc.located in the filing cabinet in the front lobby of the PEAoffice.

PEA COMMUNITY OUTREACH has donated CaldecottAward Books to:

CA Eye Clinic in PittsburgLa Clinica Dental PittsburgLa Clinica Medical PittsburgLynn Center PittsburgDr. Gretchen Graves Pediatrician Pittsburg

PEA COMMUNITY OUTREACH purchased a chair in theremodeled Creative Arts Building Seat 107DLook forus !

4Attention Education Specialists who

Teach Students with Autism!

PEA and PUSD have a Memorandum of Understanding fobtaining the Added Authorization in Special Education(AASE) for teaching students with Autism SpectrumDisorders. The MOU was e-mailed to all EducationSpecialists in November by the Assistant Superintendent Human Resources. We want to remind you to takeadvantage of this opportunity as it only applies for 2 yearHere is a summary of the agreement:-Unit Members who are employed by the District for the2011-2012 school year and who are required to obtain the AASE for Autism are eligible for reimbursement-Unit Members have until January, 2014 to complete the

necessary requirements and until December, 2014 to submreceipts for reimbursement-The Madera County Office of Education offers TeachinExcellence for Autism On-line Classes-The cost of the program depends on the amount of experience you have teaching students with Autism-Equivalencies- Credential and at least one year teachingexperience (9 modules) $1035.00-Additional equivalencies could bring costs down to as lo$600.00-Unit Members must pay for the program, but shall submreceipts to PUSD upon completion of the coursework

-Within 30 days of submitting receipts, Unit Members shreimbursed by the District for the fees charged by MaderCounty Office of Education for enrollment, registration, acoursework-Unit Members who choose to complete a different progrthough an accredited institution are also eligible for reimbursement up to $1035.00-The Madera County Office of Education offers differentcohorts throughout the year; for more information go tohttp://www.maderacoe.k12.ca.usor Contact Yvette Cisnerosat 559-662-4665

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FREE Subscr ipt ion t o

T eaching T oler ance magazine

Subscribe t o Teaching Tolerance . Its easy, itsvaluable and, best of all, its FREE.

1. VI SI T t olerance.or g/ subscribe


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2. SI GN UP

3. STA RT ENJ OYI NG YOUR FREESUBSCRI PTI ON


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School Board Grade-In March 28 , 2012


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Ju ry Du ty Cla r i f i ca t ionf rom

Dorothy Epps , Hum an Resources

If an employee has to call to check to see if they have toreport for jury duty, if it is during the work time they can notifythe office that they need to step out of the class for a coupleof minutes to make a call. It does not take long, you call anda recording lets you know if your group needs to report.There is normally a 2 hour window. If an employee getscalled in for jury duty, we will provide a sub.

An employee should always call and check in as instructed.There could be consequences for not calling in. However wedo not pay if an employee is not called in for jury duty. If timeis taken off by an employee then the time off is chargedagainst the employee.

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What Drains Your Energy? Extra responsibilities that cut into family

time Lack of say in work life Unrealistic expectations for range of

students Inadequate facilities, unhealthy environment Inadequate resources equipment, materials,

supplies New/changing and costly credential requirements Lessons plans no longer a tool for teaching Over/under involved parents Micro managing by administrators Cuts to essential programs, narrowing of curriculum

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NEWS

NEA Creat i ng Change T hrough

So c i a l J u s t i c eThe Five Faces of Oppression

Criteria for determining whether individuals andgroups are oppressed.

Illustration of commonalities among/across thevarious isms.

Presence of any one Face indicates socialoppression.

6

Exploitation A state of domination that occurs through a stea

process in which the results of the labor of one sgroup are transferred to the benefit of another gr

Marginalization The exclusion of a whole category of people fro

useful participation in social life and their disrespectful and demeaning treatment by societinstitutions and services.

Powerlessness A peoples lack of access to participation in mak

decisions that affect the conditions of their lives actions.

Cultural Imperialism The widespread dissemination of a dominant gro

experience and culture, and its establishment of experience and culture as the norm.

Violence The random, unprovoked attacks against membe

of social groups and their property with the primmotivation to damage, humiliate, or destroy, in acontext that is tolerated or even enabled byinstitutions and social practice.

************************************ Unions 2.0 A Look at Unionsand the Educat ion Profess ion

IntroductionThe United States has the bloodiest history of labor of anindustrialized nation on Earth. It is a story rich in humandrama and tragedy. It is also one of progress and hope.

The Roaring Twenties: 1921-1929

1921 The Presidential Commission on Unemploymen

placed the main responsibility for unemploymenrelief upon local communities.

In Truax v. Corrigan, the Supreme Court ruled than Arizona law forbidding injunctions in labor disputes and permitting picketing wasunconstitutional under the 14 amendment.

1926


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The Railway Labor Act required employers to

bargain collectively and not discriminate againstemployees who wanted to join a union. The act alsoprovided for mediation and voluntary arbitration inlabor disputes.

The Great Depression: 1929-1930 The Great Depression was devastating to the commonworking man but saw dramatic growth in the labor movement.The use of the sit-down strike strategy brings recognition of unions in several large industries including the auto industry.Many of the labor movements battles were fought anddecided in the courts.

1935 The Wagner Act (National Labor Relations Act)

establishes the first national labor policy of protectingthe right of workers to organize and to elect their representatives for collective bargaining.

Social Security Act approved.

1937 General Motors agreed to recognize the United Auto

Workers (CIO) as the bargaining agents for autoworkers and not discriminate against union membersfollowing a year of sit-down strikes.

US Steel recognizes the Steel Workers OrganizingCommittee as the official bargaining agent of thesteel works. Workers also earn a 10% wageincrease and an 8 hour day/40 hour week.

The Wagner Act (National Labor Relations Act) wasdeclared Constitutional by the Supreme Court (NLRBv. Jones & Laughlin Steel Corp.)

In south Chicago, 10 people were killed and 80wounded in the Memorial Day Massacre during theLittle Steel strikes. Police attacked an unarmedcrowd of men and women who were supporting thestrike between the Steel Workers OrganizingCommittee and Republic Steel.

The 5 week strike Little Steel strike was brokenwhen Inland Steel employees went back to workwithout union recognition or other gains.

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Know Your Righ t s

Wi l l i a m s v. C a l i f o r n i a

FAQsQ. May anyone fi le a complaint? A. Yes. Any person or organization may file a

complaint.

7Q. Do I have to put my name on my complaint? A. No. However, if you want the principal or distric

official to report to you how the problem was fixeyou must include your name and contact informat

Q. Do I have to use a particular form to file acomplaint?

A. No. Your school must have complaint forms available, but you may use any form you want. Aeasy to use complaint form is available at www.decentschools.org . Alternatively, you can cathe toll-free phone number below and request one

Q. What days do not count as working days? A. Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays.Q. Should I make and keep a copy of my complaint? A. Yes.Q. Who can I contact if I want more information or

would like help filing a complaint or an appeal? A. Email [email protected] or call the toll free

number 1-877-532-2533.************************************

I NJ URY & I LLNESS

PREVENT I ON PROGRAMMISSIONIt is the policy of Pittsburg Unified School District (the Dto protect the health and safety of employees, students,guests, and the environment. This goal can be met throu

the development of a comprehensive and effectiveenvironmental health and safety plan known as the InjurIllness Prevention Program (IIPP) that endeavors to elimunsafe conditions and minimize the impact of hazardoussituations. Such a program can benefit the District andcommunity by reducing illness and injury to students anpersonnel, preventing property damage, and preserving tenvironment. The District will make every reasonable epromote, create, and maintain a safe and healthfulenvironment. This can only be realized by adherence tosafety principles, sound management practices, andcompliance with applicable federal, state, and local code

laws, and standards.HAZARD CORRECTIONUnsafe or unhealthy work conditions, practices or proceshall be reported and corrected in a timely manner basedthe severity of the hazards. Hazards shall be correctedaccording to the following procedures:

1. When observed or discovered.2. When an imminent hazard exists which cannot b

immediately abated without endangering


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employee(s) and/or property, we will remove allexposed employees from the area except thosenecessary to correct the existing condition.Employees who are required to correct thehazardous condition shall be provided with thenecessary protection.

TRAINING AND INSTRUCTION

All employees, including managers and supervisors, shallhave training and instruction on general safety and healthpractices. Training and instruction is provided:

1. When the IIPP is first established.2. To all new employees.3. Whenever the District is made aware of a new or

previously unrecognized hazard.4. Whenever new substances, processes, procedures

or equipment are introduced to the workplace andrepresent a new hazard.

5. To supervisors to familiarize them with the safetyand health hazards to which employees under their immediate direction and control may be exposed.

6. To all employees with respect to hazard specific jobtasks.

General workplace safety and health practices include thefollowing:

1. Implementation and maintenance of the IIPP.2. Emergency action and fire prevention plan.3. Provisions for medical services and first aid including

emergency procedures.4. Prevention of musculoskeletal disorders, including

proper lifting techniques.5. Proper housekeeping, such as keeping stairways

and aisles clear, work areas neat and orderly, andpromptly cleaning up spills.

6. Prohibiting horseplay, scuffing, or other acts thattend to adversely influence safety.

7. Proper storage to prevent stacking goods in anunstable manner and storing goods against doors,exits, fire extinguishing equipment and electricalpanels.

8. Proper reporting of hazards and accidents tosupervisors.

9. Hazard communication, including employeeawareness of potential chemical hazards, and proper labeling of containers.

10. Proper storage and handling of toxic and hazardoussubstances including prohibiting eating or storing

food and beverages in areas where they canbecome contaminated.

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Tax Fa i rness , Econom ic Jus t i ce& School Funding

Progressive TaxationTaxing the Wealthy at higher rates than the poor

Premises:1. Common wealth(taxes) should serve the commo

good (protection & empowerment)2. All businesses and working people are financial

responsible to maintain the common wealth3. No business or working person can prosper with

the benefits derived from the common wealth.4. Common wealth empowers the wealthy to create

more wealth

Therefore, it is fair and responsible for those with morresources to contribute more toward the common wealth

more of the common good

************************************ 44014. Report of Assault or Threats by PupilAgainst School Employee; Offense; Fines

(a) Whenever any employee of a school district or ooffice of a county superintendent of schools isattacked, assaulted, or physically threatened by apupil, it shall be the duty of the employee, and thduty of any person under whose direction or supervision the employee is employed in the pubschool system who has knowledge of the incidenpromptly report the incident to the appropriate laenforcement authorities of the county or city in wthe incident occurred. Failure to make the reporshall be an infraction punishable by a fine of notmore than one thousand dollars ($1,000).

(b) Compliance with school district governing boardprocedures relating to the reporting of, or facilit

of reporting of, the incidents specified in subdiv(a) shall not exempt a person under a duty to mathe report prescribed by subdivision (a) from mathe report.

(c) A member of the governing board of a school dia county superintendent of schools, or an emploof any school district or the office of any countysuperintendent of schools, shall not directly or indirectly inhibit or impede the making of the represcribed by subdivision (a) by a person under


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duty to make the report. An act to inhibit or impedethe making of a report shall be an infraction, andshall be punishable by a fine of not less than fivehundred dollars ($500) and not more than onethousand dollars ($1,000).

(d) Neither the governing board of a school district, amember of the governing board, a county

superintendent of schools, nor an employee of aschool district or of the office of any countysuperintendent of schools shall impose anysanctions against a person under a duty to make thereport prescribed by subdivision (a) for making thereport.

******************************* PENSI ON MYTHS :

TEACHERS RETI RE TOO EARLYAND WI TH EXTRAVAGANT

PENSI ON BENEFI TS2009 data from CalSTRS currently reports224,000 benefit recipients.Only 1.3%, or 3,100 CalSTRS benefit recipients, receive apension of $100,000 or more, known as the $100,000 Club.

These are usually administrators andsuperintendents.

80% of these recipients have worked 35-45 years inthe profession.

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VALIC Notes & NewsFinancial planning for women: it matters

The recent economic crisis threw a wrench into the retirementplans of many especially those nearing retirement andalso increased many individuals fears of outliving their moneyin retirement. Now consider that, statistically, women outlivemen. In fact, women outnumber men four to one over the ageof 85.1 That fact alone should convince women they need tothink long-term when it comes to financial planning and gain athorough understanding of the financial ramifications of living

a long life. Longer life spans = the need for more retirement savingsWhile simple mathematics tells us that a longer life spanmeans the need for more retirement income, reality tells adifferent story. Womens average defined-contribution planbalances are only 60% of mens average balances.2 Yet,statistically, women are much more likely to be on their own intheir later years. Of women over age 65 living alone, four outof 10 depend solely on Social Security for their income.1 So, it

behooves women not only to save more, but also to havewithdrawal strategy in retirement that factors in longevit

9Career gaps and contributions speed bumpsOne reason women should focus hard on contributing toretirement savings? Womens working lives are much mlikely than mens to be interrupted, often years at a time,childrearing or caring for ill or aging family members.Providing such care is generally the right thing to do, bumay take a toll on retirement saving. Years out of theworkforce equals years not contributing to an employer-sponsored retirement plan. Women affected by suchsituations should factor them into their retirement planniand make sure they are taking care of themselves, too. Ayour VALIC financial advisor to help you estimate whatneed for retirement and work out a plan to get there.

How you withdraw is as important as how you contributeRetirement means different things to different people, buview it as the threshold of a new set of financial challengwhich it is. Think about it this way: Today youre doing than just saving for retirement, youre also planning for retirement income that lasts. Many people think they wilable to sustain a 10% annual withdrawal rate in retiremebut the reality has proved to be more like 4% to 5% annuEveryone women and men should have a sustainablewithdrawal strategy. Be sure this important topic is a paryour financial planning.

Want to learn more? Call your local VALIC financial advDrew Tamaki at (925) 303-9406.

1 Source: The Society of Actuaries, The Impact of Retirement Risk on Women, December 2010.2 Source: LIMRA, Gender Matters: Retirement Savings of Working

Men and Women, 2011. Used with permission.

Securities and investment advisory services are offered byVALIC Financial Advisors, Inc., member FINRA and anSEC-registered investment advisor.VALIC represents The Variable Annuity Life Insurance Companyand its subsidiaries, VALIC Financial Advisors, Inc. and VALICRetirement Services Company.

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I f w e did al l the t hings w eare really capable of doing,w e w ould li terally ast ound

ourselves


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THOMAS EDISON


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PEA C alendar

APRIL 201 2

16 PHS Bullying Workshop18 PEA Rep Council PEA Office 159 East 4 th St. 3:45 PM25 PUSD School Board Meeting 2000 Railroad Ave. 7:00 PM

26 Certificated Roundtable 2000 Railroad Ave. 3:30 PM

MAY 2012

Day of the Teacher Date, Time, Place - TBD2 PEA Executive Board PEA Office 159 East 4 th St. 3:45 PM2 PEA Scholarship Applications Due2 Declaration of Candidacy Forms for Executive Board Positions Due

9 PUSD School Board Meeting 2000 Railroad Ave. 7:00 PM10-21 PEA Executive Board Election13 Mothers Day16 PEA Rep Council PEA Office 159 East 4 th St. 3:45 PM23 PUSD School Board Meeting 2000 Railroad Ave. 7:00 PM28 Memorial Day

Next Deadline for Articles is May 7, 2012

STAY INFORME D @

P e a t e a c h e r s . o rg

WWW.CTA.ORG & WWW.NEA.ORG


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