PEA

focus
on educators
California Teachers Association

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

Statement of Mission
The California Teachers Association exists to protect and promote the well-being of its members; to improve the conditions of teaching and learning; to advance the cause of free, universal, and quality public education; to ensure that the human dignity and civil rights of all children and youth are protected; and to secure a more just, equitable, and democratic society. will take it all to fit their needs. I but leave theirs standing and with need my time. To be well prepared even MORE power vote, NO on 32. and read on my lesson. I need to Dont just stop there. Tell your have this time to get my best lesson friends and family and explain the formulated. issues. You have been given the baton now pass it on. Next, please remember that your 50-minute (elementary) and 30Just a few things I want to talk Volume XXII ,Number 2 minute (secondary) lunch time is about this month. These are issues duty free. You cannot be asked to that have come up and I figure that In this Issue work during this time. You cannot if one site has them then perhaps Presidents Message & do paid intervention during this other sites have them coming up as Informational Items ..pgs. 1-5 time either. This is a federal well. First lets talk about your prep Announcements..p.3-4 violation. The district would not ask time. For elementary teachers they Thank You Corner.p.3 you to do this as it puts them in have three-45 minute preps a week. Election Newsp.3 jeopardy. For secondary they have one every Bargaining..p.5 Community Outreachp.5 day. According to our contract, Finally, enjoy the fall colors and PHS Band..p.6 which PEA and the district have chill to the air and begin thinking of CTA News....pgs. 7-8 agreed on, these sacred times are for all the things we here in Pittsburg Principal Eval. Info. p.9 you to use to plan and prepare. Not can be thankful for: a 4% pay PEA Calendar.... .The Last Page at any time are they to be used by increase, no furlough days, paid your administrator to do what staff development days and a PEA Presidents Message THEY have decided for you to do, district financially stable. We have such as grade level collaboration, Welcome to an exciting upcoming some challenges to overcome, but training and department meetings. month. We have elections to think we have some wonderful kids that You are in charge here to use this about and make decisions upon. By that make us realize what a great time for what you need to do. If now you have had your CTA profession we are in. One of the collaboration time is needed, then presentation on Propositions 30 and best things we can experience is your site, as other sites have done, 32 and you have received your having grown up students come by need to have subs to cover your latest California Educator magazine to visit and you can see their bright meeting together or pay you to stay and have seen the commercials eyes and how excited they are for after school to voluntarily from both sides of the issues. For life, and YOU were a part of that collaborate. If you start to allow the sake of our students and their story. your personal prep time to be right to a quality public education, Wag More and Bark Less dictated by your principal, then vote YES on 30. And for the sake of Chris Coan, President eventually all will lose these times our voice to be heard and big to be self-directed and the district corporations wanting to take it away

OCTOBER 2012

PEA Leadership 2012-2013 President Chris Coan

Willow Cove Elementary/ PEA Office

Rep. Council Meeting Calendar

September 19 October 17 November 14 December 19 January 23 February 20 March 20 April 24 May 15 June 5 ***********************************

Elementary Vice President Cindy Joy

Parkside Elementary

Secondary Vice President Shelly Bascomb

Pittsburg High

Secretary Tammy Carr

Highlands Elementary

Treasurer Gale Higgins

Stoneman Elementary

School Board Meeting Calendar

August 22 September 12 & 26 October 10 & 24 November 14 December 12 January TBD February TBD March TBD April TBD May TBD June TBD ***********************************

Committee Chairs Grievance Committee Richard Higgins Pittsburg High Negotiations Team Dawn Cova - Chair Political Action Committee Iris Contreras - Chair Elections Chair Vacant Human Rights Committee Heather Asselin Chair Womens Issues Committee Allison Azevedo - Chair O-Team Arthur Pruyn - Chair CTA State Council Representatives Iris Contreras PEA Denise James, Sara Savacool, Robert Strickler - AEA Alternate Pandora Bethea - AEA CTA Director District C Terri Jackson NEA Director for California, District 3 Greg Bonaccorsi Technical Editor Susan Harrison PEA Site Secretary Focus on Educators is a publication of the Pittsburg Education Association CTA/NEA 159 East 4th Street Pittsburg, CA 94565 Phone: (925) 432-0199 fax: (925) 432-4854

Are you Getting your PEA Information???

Having the site reps attend their monthly meeting and then reporting back to you is vital in the communication chain of our Association. Roll call at last September 19th Rep Council Meeting: Adult Ed. absent Stoneman present Foothill present Willow Cove present Heights present MLK Jr. absent Highlands present Hillview - present Los Medanos present Rancho Medanos present Marina Vista present PHS - present Parkside present Black Diamond present ************************************

PEA Endorsements
We, as an Association, have decided to Endorse: Duane Smith for Pittsburg School Board Measure Q for Firefighters Yes on 30 and No on 32

E-MAIL:peatchrs@att.net WEBSITE: www.peateachers.org

Political Action News

Last month the PEA Political Action Committee interviewed the three candidates running for the 2-year school board position. This position needed to be filled after School Board member, Robert Bellecis resignation. We interviewed former school board member, Joe Arenivar Jr., Ruben Esqueda Jr. and Duane Smith. The Political Action Committee has selected Duane Smith as the preferred candidate for the Pittsburg School Board. He has demonstrated over time that he cares about the quality of education that our students should have. As a parent of a Jr. High son he has kept himself involved in our schools, as a former member of Foothills School Site Council and Parent/Faculty Club, helped organize a Spanish Club at Hillview Jr. High and served two years on the District Advisory Committee. He presently sits on the Dual Immersion Oversite Committee. In the community, he gives his time to coaching Youth Football. He has chosen to run for School Board as he states, to provide teachers, students and community adequate tools to perform their jobs; to provide them with a safe environment; to continue the development and upgrading of district facilities; to continue focusing on increasing the test scores and graduation rate of Pittsburg students. The PEA Political Action Committee asks that you support Duane Smith for School Board. We will need your help to get him elected! Please volunteer for phone banking and precinct walking. Dates and times will be coming your way! Iris Contreras Political Action Chair

THANK YOU Corner

PEA would like to thank the following people for helping and supporting their local association for the month of October: Phone banking at CTA office: Tammy Carr, BeBe Vaughan, Jim Vaughan, and Cindy Joy Back-To-School Night PEA information distribution: Shelly Bascomb, Heather Asselin, Tammy Carr, Cindy Joy, BeBe Vaughan, Jim Vaughan, Myrafiel Bordelon, Robert Butterfield, and Chuck Perez Andrea McKinney for stepping up and being the MLK, JR., JH site rep Tanya Leyden and Cindy Joy for PEA information distribution at the Pittsburg Farmers Market ***********************************

ANNOUNCEMENTS
PLEASE NOTE: The district does not deliver items thru their pony system to the PEA office. If you have something that needs to get to the office fast, then I suggest you drop by and put it in our mail drop. If you have a bit more time, then mail your item to: PEA office, 159 E 4th Street, Pittsburg, CA 94565. If you have plenty of time, then give to your site rep to deliver when they attend the next rep council meeting.

YOUR QEIA SITE REPS FOR THIS YEAR ARE: Rancho Medanos : Jeff Greco Parkside: Paul Thompson Stoneman: Gale Higgins Foothill: Donna Binkowski WE ARE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER PEA is proud to announce that we have donated $500 to the Chicago Teachers Union strike fund. The money will be pooled and distributed to those who face financial hardships when they went out on strike last month. When Pittsburg went on strike many years back we were out for 5 days and associations from all across the state and the country donated funds to support many of our members in need. All-for-One and One-for-All. A blow to any union is a blow to us all. Thank goodness we have each other.

CALLING IN A SUB? Just to make you aware, it used to be that you could get sub coverage for 30 minutes or an hour or so if you needed to go for medical or such. Just to let you know that now you are limited to half day subs for either morning or afternoon times. That means if you have a medical appointment late in the day you still get docked for the entire half day even when you left later. Guess that means to use it since you are being deducted for it. MICE OR RODENT PROBLEM? If you have either of these problems in your classroom first let office staff know to write up a report for maintenance. Make sure someone comes and then gives you some kind of a report. If you still have this problem then you can either take it to a grievance (since we have a contract article on this one Article 11.1.8). You can also choose to write a Wiilliams Act complaint and you can contact Abe Doctolero to complete that one. Dont feel you are being a pest. Remember your working conditions are your students learning conditions. END-OF-YEAR FINES Have you been given a bill by your librarian for DVDs, VCR tapes and library books that you just cant seem to locate? If you have been given a bill to pay for these items used in your classroom then you are not required to pay for them according to Labor Law. Items used to conduct your business that become lost, broken or stolen are not the financial responsibility of the employee. They are the cost of doing business and are to be covered by your employer. Please keep in mind losing or breaking laptops is another story. BE CAREFUL Please remember to be careful in your classroom. The number one accident that occurs in our district is Slips Trips and Falls. Please be on the look- out for possible danger zones at your site and report to your office staff or tell your safety team leader. Every site is supposed to have a safety team leader. Heads Up! One issue brought up at last safety meeting was regarding fire code. Only 50% of your classroom walls can be covered with paper. The paper has to be nonflammable. Laminating makes paper very flammable. Also look for heavy items above anyones head. They could fall in an earthquake. Superintendent Rondeau

was informed of this 50% paper business, so we will wait to see when the enforcement comes down the pike. 2012-2013 PRINCIPAL EVALUATIONS BY TEACHERS This year we are going to do principal evaluations in a much more productive way. Last month a blank copy of the PEA Principal Evaluation was given to Superintendent Rondeau. She was to pass them on to the principals so that they can see ahead of time what we will be evaluating them on. Please note that these evaluation questions are based on the Principals Standards that are already established. The evaluations will be sent to members in February and collected in March. Then the results will be tabulated and formatted and then given to each site, School Board members as well as Superintendent Rondeau. How else will they be able to find out how things are going at your site if you dont step up and complete and eval? If you have the perfect principal then show it. If you have needs and concerns then please show that as well. LOCAL HEALTH CLUB DISCOUNTS CCCSIG believes that fitness and good nutrition are extremely important when it comes to preventing injuries and has established agreements with the local health clubs listed below to provide Contra Costa County school district employees with discounted health club rates and other incentives: 24hr Fitness In-Shape The Big C Athletic Club For further information you can go to the website at: http://www.cccsig.org/healthsafety/localhealth.html

3rd Annual Sock Drive

Let's be thankful for the children of Pittsburg and donate socks to the Boys and Girls club. Just a pair of socks will help keep a child's feet from getting cold! When? November 14th Where? Rep Council Meeting How? Give them to your Rep It's as simple as that! 4

Community Outreach Report

PEA is pleased to announce to our members that we have reached out to our community in several ways. We donated $500.00 to the Pittsburg High School Marching Band to perform in a parade in London, England We have sponsored a team through the Delta Youth Softball League We distributed educational tips to parents at Back-To-School Night and at the Pittsburg Farmers Market We are currently doing our 3rd Annual PEA Sock Drive for children **********************************

From Your Bargaining Team

Joint evaluation trainings have occurred for all school sites. Remember these key points during this observation cycle: Under the administrative mandated evaluation, you select a standard, your evaluator selects a standard, everyone is evaluated on standard 6. The first observation must be scheduled by mutual agreement. You have the opportunity to provide evidence of the standards to your evaluator, beyond what he/she sees in the classroom during observations. Be sure to keep signed copies of all documents. Permanent unit members, who receive Meets Standards on at least 2 out of 3 selected standards, continue on the 4-year cycle; you shall not be evaluated next year, then the following year is a choice year. The Contract review has been completed by PEA and the District is working on getting the final copy ready for print. New Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between PEA & PUSD Assistant Band Director Stipend for Pittsburg High School On September 19th, PEA and PUSD agreed to the following for the 2012-2013 school year: 1. One Assistant Band Director is listed under the current certificated extra duty stipends. The number of students playing in the Pittsburg High School Marching Band has increased to approximately 160. This requires more teaching support and supervision. For the 2012-2013 school year two additional Assistant Band Directors stipends will be added to support the marching band. 2. The stipends are $1,748.00 each for an additional cost of $3,496.00 for the 2012-2013 school year. 3. The selection of the two additional Assistant Band Directors candidates to receive the stipends shall follow the current PEA contract language.

PITTSBURG FARMERS MARKET

Cindy Joy and Tanya Leyden Parkside Elementary

PUSD Your Rights Under FMLA, CFRA, AND PDL

Paid Family and Medical Leave (effective July 1, 2004) provides up to six weeks of partial wage replacement in a 12-month period for certain qualifying events and is not a job protected leave similar to FMLA/CFRA and PDL. Qualifying Events Care for any of the following with a serious health condition: spouse, parent, child, domestic partner, child of a domestic partner (please note that care for a domestic partner or the child of a domestic partner is not covered under FMLA/CFRA) ************************************

1962

AFL-CIO losing members, so AFTs first president believed that teachers should firmly establish and enforce teaching standards among themselves. ESEA was the first Federal $ for public educationtargeting high-poverty schools and new programs for improved higher education teacher prep programs. An example: Teacher Corps drew mavericks into the profession wanting to incite social change, most of whom fell back on traditional methods or left teaching disheartened. Nation at Risk was published criticizing everything about public schools-calling for merit pay tied to test scores and dismantling salary schedules, and so states intensified efforts to measure schools using standardized test scores.

1965

1983

NEWS
Bargaining Implications
Districts have planned for a worst case scenario in budget projections ($370 to $455 per ADA mid-year cut 2012-13) Carefully evaluate district fiscal circumstances before accepting concessions and be cautious with basing concessions & contract modifications on district MYPs If Govs initiative passes, MYPs improve significantly due to Govs plan to pay off education by 2015-16 If Govs initiative fails, MYPs get much worse $441/ADA mid-year cut will be ongoing Student year can be reduced further (15 days over 2 years) which only is about half the savings needed over 2 years ************************************

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INJURY & ILLNESS PREVENTION PROGRAM

HOUSEKEEPING Good housekeeping practices improve morale, provide a better working environment, and reduce accidents. Accidents can be avoided when everyone practices good housekeeping. 1. Keep your working environment clean and in order at all times. Put things where they belong when you have finished with them. 2. Do not place material or equipment in aisles, stairways, in front of exits, emergency showers or electrical control panels. 3. Tools, equipment, and chemicals shall be stored in designated spaces/areas when not in use. 4. Do not place or stack material or equipment in such a manner that they constitute a falling hazard. 5. Put paper, foam cups and other waste materials in trash or recycling containers. 6. If anything is spilled in the work area, it should be cleaned up as soon as possible after it has been determined that the spilled substance is not hazardous. If it is hazardous, immediately call your supervisor, isolate and deny entry by anyone. Maintain a safe distance upwind from the product.

Unions 2.0 A Look at Unions and the Education Profession

Teaching History Key Points WWII Teaching force was depleted so hiring standard went down. Normal Schools had morphed in favor of 4-year teacher colleges-these were viewed as isolated from arts and sciences colleges.

Teachers Legal Rights and Duties

I. EMPLOYMENT CONTRACTS A. For Teachers, Contracts Last the School Year If a teacher fails to fulfill the terms of his contract without good cause, or leaves the services of the District without the consent of the superintendent, the CTC may take adverse action against the credential holder, but may revoke or suspend for more than one year. Ed Code 44420 If the District asks in writing for a declaration of intent to remain for the next school year, you must respond by July 1. Deadline is June 1 in year-round schools. This is not the same thing as informal surveys placed in teacher mailboxes. Failure to reply will be deemed a declining of employment. Ed Code 44842 *********************************

communication patterns. However, some parents are indeed rejecting and indifferent. Adolescents who feel rejected often develop an uncaring attitude toward themselves. Another stress that can affect adolescents adversely is unrealistic parental expectations. For example, some parents tend to be overly protective and deny their children the ability to grow up at a proper rate. Other parents tend to be overly permissive and allow their children to take on experiences and responsibilities long before they are ready. In both cases, the adolescent feels a great deal of stress, and this may negatively impact the adolescents ability to function. Severe depression, which can trigger a teenagers suicide, is exacerbated when a youth feels shame over a subject that is taboo within the family, for example: homosexuality, an unwanted pregnancy, the familys unacknowledged history of mental illness. [Smolowe, Jill as cited in NPR] Youth vividly notice the discrepancy between adult rules and behavior. Negative childhood experiences can cause adolescents to distrust adults, and to depend on peer groups, who may not be there physically or emotionally. 4. Lack of Coping and Communication Skills Typically, individuals respond to stress according to the coping skills they have or have not acquired via their family system, personality structure, and sociocultural support system. Young people today have fewer of these coping skills necessary to handle pressures and are likely to respond to stress with whatever means is most readily available. [Deykin, Eva Y. and Buka, Stephen L. as cited in NPR] Because they lack experience, adolescents may overreact to trivial frustrations failure on a test means failure in life, a disappointing date means permanent loneliness. [The Harvard Mental Health Letter] Suicide in youth often occurs after the victim has gotten into some sort of trouble or has experienced recent disappointment and rejection. [American Foundation for Suicide Prevention] Although he/she tries, adolescent doesnt have enough experience to perform as maturely as adults would like. Teens have the same intense emotional needs/feelings as adults, but not the maturity to recognize/cope with such emotions.

The Bad Teacher Narrative Countering the Message

Instead of promoting innovation, creativity and imagination, the current obsession with raising test scores discourages these things. Students are learning to pick the right answer and being penalized for thinking differently. Subjects that spark students imagination, like the arts, are being squeezed out of the school week. And some districts plan to develop standardized tests for all subjects, which are guaranteed to do damage to students ability to think creatively. Yes, our schools need to improve. But they should pursue proven strategies, under which schools, families and communities work together to make sure that children arrive in school ready to learn. Our schools need experienced teachers and a curriculum with more time for in-depth study of history, science civics and other subjects that prepare students for the duties of society. *********************************

Reducing the Risk: Teen Suicide

SOME CONTRIBUTING FACTORS TO TEEN SUICIDE 3. Parental Behavior Adolescents can interpret parental communication as indicating rejection and indifference when such behavior may actually result from faulty

PEA Principal Evaluations

Dear Members, Each Spring, PEA conducts an Evaluation of the Principals in the District. Each site is asked to rate the principals performance in areas relating to Standards 1-5 of the California Professional Standards for Educational Leaders. Standard 1 Does the administrator involve the staff in the development of the shared vision for achievement of all students? Does the administrator shape school programs, plans, and activities to ensure that they are integrated, articulated throughout the grades, and consistent with the vision? Standard 2 Does the administrator promote equity, fairness, and respect among all members of the school community? Does the administrator guide and support the long-term professional development of all staff? Standard 3 Does the administrator sustain a safe, efficient, clean, well-maintained, and productive school environment that support the professional growth of teachers? Standard 4 Does the administrator communicate information about the school on a regular and predictable basis? Standard 5 Does the administrator protect the rights and confidentiality of the staff? Does the administrator demonstrate knowledge of the standards-based curriculum and the ability to integrate and articulate programs throughout the grades? Does the administrator encourage and inspire others to higher levels of performance, commitment, and motivation?

Cesar E. Chavez Memorial Education Awards Program

The CTA is holding the 12th annual contest in honor of Cesar E. Chavez. Winners will be awarded up to $550.00 and recognition. Group Projects can be Visual Arts. Individual Projects can be either Written Essays or Visual Arts. All applications and projects must be postmarked by December 7, 2012. For more information and applications, please go to the members only website: www.cta.org/About-CTA/CTA-Foundation/Scholarships *********************************

ELECTION DAY IS TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2012

Once the results are tallied, they are presented to the Superintendent, who shares them with the principals. Your input on these evaluations is important because, since you interact with the principal on a daily basis, you are uniquely qualified to judge his/her performance. This is a valuable source of information for the Superintendent, the School Board, and the Principals. This year the Principal Evaluations will be distributed to PEA members in February. Thank you for your support. Shelly Bascomb, PEA V.P. - Secondary

PEA
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Calendar
OCTOBER 2012

PEA Executive Board PEA Office 159 East 4th St. 3:45 PM Columbus Day PEA Rep Council PEA Office 159 East 4th St. 3:45 PM Halloween

NOVEMBER 2012
4 Daylight Savings Time Ends 6 Election Day 7 PEA Executive Board PEA Office 159 East 4th St. 3:45 PM 11 Veterans Day 12 Veterans Day Observed No School 14 PEA Rep Council PEA Office 159 East 4th St. 3:45 PM 19-23 Thanksgiving Recess 22 Thanksgiving Day

Next Deadline for Articles is November 5, 2012

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