BY MARIA SMITH

CSA officers frequently encouragemembers to donate to the union’s polit-ical action committee. Why? What is itfor? In the face of giant, well-fundedlobbying efforts by opponents of organ-ized labor and those committed to“reforming” public education, is suchan effort even worth it? Here are someanswers to those questions.

The CSA Political Action Committee(PAC) is the union’s non-partisan polit-ical action fund. It’s an important toolCSA uses to ensure our elected officialsrepresent our need for strong educa-tional policies, competitive salaries, ade-quate pension funding and smart class-room practices.

Since federal law prohibits unionfunds being used to support political

BY MARIA SMITH

“Greenpoint Eco-Schools,” a majorconservation and recycling programlaunched in four Brooklyn schools last fall,is the latest step forward in reclaiming theneighborhood from one of the worst envi-ronmental disasters in US history. The pro-gram’s announcement was held in the PS31 schoolyard with educators, students,parents, community members and guestsincluding Chancellor Carmen Farina andNYS Attorney General Eric Schneiderman.

The environmental program, overseenby the National Wildlife Federation incooperation with the DOE, is funded witha $1.75 million grant from a $25 millionsettlement obtained from ExxonMobil in2010. The New York State AttorneyGeneral’s office sued the oil giant in 2007for leaking millions of gallons of oil andcontaminants into nearby NewtownCreek for more than 50 years. The oilgiant also agreed to clean up the damagecaused by the underground spill.

Settlement funds have been dispersedto improve Greenpoint’s environment,through competitive grants such as theDOE proposal.

With the award, local schools PS 31,PS 34, PS 110 and MS 126 – now have arobust environmental curriculum includ-

ing a full-time “sustainability coach. ” “What we are doing is taking money

from one of the worst environmental dis-asters in America to create the next gen-eration of environmental stewards,” saidMr. Schneiderman.

Indeed, before the ceremony began,guests watched as 8th-graders observedmitosis through individual microscopes,paid for courtesy of the settlement funds.

MS 126 students recently built modeltruss bridges to replace the crumblingKosciusko Bridge over Newtown Creek.Students are monitoring the pollution

and studying the marine biology andmonitoring the pollution of nearbyNewtown Creek.

Building sustainability is another goalof the program. Each school is aiming toreduce waste by 25 percent, decreaseenergy use by 10 percent, and reducewater usage by five percent annually.

“We are able to incorporate environ-mental studies with concrete math, sci-ence and technology lessons,” said PS31Principal Mary Scarlato. “This programnot only benefits students but the wholeGreenpoint community.”

BY CLEM RICHARDSON AND CHUCK WILBANKS

CSA’s efforts to get a contract and araise for Early Childhood Education (ECE)members continued through the end of2015, but a recalcitrant city governmenthas offered little that educators and theirunions can accept.

Union officers and Early Childhoodmembers, as well as management, hadhigh hopes that the city would present ameaningful proposal for a raise and acontract at a pivotal meeting held justbefore Christmas at the Office of LaborRelations. They were disappointed.Similarly, a meeting of CSA ECE membersDec. 11 had been billed as a chance tohear City officials discuss the group’s longoverdue contract. That too was a letdown.

Community Affairs CommissionerMarco Carrión, himself a former commu-nity organizer, had little to say on theissue during his minute-long talk in CSA’sFounders Hall, other than to reiterate avague support for ECE members, whohave worked for a decade without a con-tract or wage increase.

The Office of Labor RelationsCommissioner Bob Lynn has said thereis an “economic box” for ECE members,but has not been forthcoming with an

amount, and there is little optimismabout how much the box actually holds.The most concrete offering so far fromthe de Blasio administration has been aone-time, 2.5 percent cost of livingincrease, or COLA, to ECE members.While DC 1707, which represents manyEarly Childhood employees, decided toaccept the COLA as it continues to seeka more substantial deal, CSA has rejectedthe offer as a nearly meaningless distrac-tion.

In fact, 1707 members were openlycalling for a strike at a Dec. meeting,according to people who were present.

CSA President Ernest Logan, ExecutiveVice President Mark Cannizzaro, First VicePresident Randi Herman, CSA GeneralCounsel David Grandwetter, and Assistant

Continued on Page 5

Continued on Page 5

The ‘Greening’ of GreenpointEcological Program Launched in 4 Brooklyn Schools

MARIA SMITH

n PS 31 celebrated the new program in their schoolyard on Nov. 31 with ecologicalexhibits, demonstrations, free apple cider and doughnuts.

CSA’s PAC:EnsuringOur VoicesAre Heard

Workers TellTheir Stories3

Queens School‘Rewarded’4

DeductiblesReset in 20166

RememberingIrving Natter7

Energy BusinessScholarship8

Jan. 2016Volume 49, Number 5American Federationof School Administrators,AFL-CIO Local 1

NEWSCOUNCIL OF SCHOOL SUPERVISORS AND ADMINISTRATORS

RetireeChapterSpringProgram8-PAGE PULLOUT

SECTION(in Centerfold)

‘It has been a decadenow with no wageincrease, no contract.’

NY City Government OffersPeanuts to ECE Members

Logan: Bad Recipe for Renewal Schools. P.2Cannizzaro: Don’t Eliminate Suspensions. P.4

CSA NEWS 2 Jan. 2016

Council of SchoolSupervisors & Administrators

American Federation of SchoolAdministrators, AFL-CIO, Local 1

40 Rector St., NY, NY 10006Phone: (212) 823-2020Fax: (212) 962-6130www.csa-nyc.org

PresidentErnest A. Logan

Executive Vice President Mark Cannizzaro

First Vice President Randi Herman, Ed.D

TreasurerHenry Rubio

SecretarySandy DiTrapani

Vice PresidentsDebra Handler

Lois LeeChris Ogno

Ronald WilliamsNancy Russo, Retiree Chapter

Executive Director OperationsErminia Claudio

General Counsel David Grandwetter

Comptroller Phil Fodera

Executive Director Field ServicesSana Q. Nasser

Field Directors Juanita Bass, Stephen Bennett,Mildred Boyce, James Harrigan, Christine Martin, Daisy O’Gorman,

Mercedes Qualls

Assistant Field DirectorsEleanor Andrew, Mauro Bressi,

Laverne Burrowes, Kenneth LlinasCharles Dluzniewski, Nancy Esposito,

Aura Gangemi, Ellie Greenberg, Ray Gregory, Robert Jeanette,

Kate Leonard, Monica McDonald, Dorothy Morris, Ralph Santiago,

Shelli Sklar, Wanda Soto, MaryAnn Tucker, George Young

Grievance DirectorRobert J. Reich

Assistant DirectorsCarol Atkins, Robert Colon,

Jermaine Garden, Marlene Lazar, Ph.D,Steve Rosen

Director of CommunicationsClem Richardson

Assistant Director of CommunicationsCorey Bachman

Director of Political AffairsHerman Merritt

Assistant Director of Political AffairsGabe Gallucci

Assistant DirectorJohn Khani

Special Assistant to PresidentGary Goldstein

CSA Conference ChairPierre Lehmuller

CSA HistorianManfred Korman

CSA Retiree ChapterGayle Lockett, Chair

Mark Brodsky, Director

CSA NEWSEditor Chuck Wilbanks

Associate Editor Maria Smith

Design Consultant Michele Pacheco

Production Assistant Christine Altman

CSA News (004-532) is publishedmonthly except July and August for$35 per year per member by CSA, 40Rector St., NY, NY 10006. Periodicalpostage paid at Manhattan, NY, andadditional mailing offices. POSTMAS-TER: Send address changes to CSANews, 40 Rector St., NY, NY 10006.

PRESIDENT’S PAGE

When Chancellor Fariñaincluded “trust and a sup-portive environment”among her metrics for thecity’s 94 Renewal Schools,

you didn’t find me laughing at her “soft sen-timentality.” After years being flagellated bythe corporate types at Tweed, educators wel-comed her promise of “collaboration, notcompetition” and “a culture of continuouslearning and trust.” They were crying out forrespect. Their morale had to be restored ifthe overall system was to move forward andthe most troubled schools were to succeed.

It wasn’t easy for me to speak out last yearabout how glacially the city was moving on aplan for these struggling schools. It wasn’teasy for me to tell you in Nov. about how thebelated plan was already faltering. Rightnow, it’s actually painful for me to let you know I think thisSchool Renewal Plan could be headed for the dead letter file atTweed, which could soon become as bloated as the one theyhad on Livingston Street.

CSA voiced uncompromising support of a Chancellor whocame out of our ranks and a Mayor devoted to an agenda ofequity. When it came to the hard work of turning around ourlowest-performing schools, we applauded their campaign tobring together school leaders, teachers and community part-ners to transform these schools into community schools thatwould provide a quality education for each student.

But to keep such a challenging initiative on track requiresfocus and clarity, a streamlined process and principal discre-tion. Sadly, in the timeworn tradition of the DOE, there are somany cooks running around the kitchen, the chefs don’t knowwhat kind of dish they’re concocting. So many ingredientshave been tossed into the Renewal recipe, all we have is arecipe for disaster.

The education of children isn’t the priority here; paperworkis. Renewal School Principals are required to create and/or beevaluated on an alphabet soup of diagnostic and accountabilitytools that include an RSCEP and a QR, and then to analyze datafrom the AIR, the DTSDE and so on. They are also asked to alignthe RSCEP to the FGS and enter something called the HEDI rat-ings for each SOP. I won’t bother to translate! You get it.

The ingredients in this brew would make anyone’s head spin

360 degrees, but that isn’t all. While theRenewal Principals are doing all this paper-work, they are also being pulled out of theirschools to DOE and District meetingsdesigned specifically for Renewal Schools.And while in their schools, they are com-monly called on to entertain various visitingmonitors who want to discuss data from theaforementioned alphabet soup.

At the same time, they are required tomake sure their schools provide rigorousinstruction. To help with this, they were sup-posed to be supported by a LeadershipCoach and/or Ambassador AP to fill thevoids. This was to happen in Sept. The“ambassadors” would be educators whowould introduce best practices from theirown schools. To date, only one AmbassadorAP has been placed in a Renewal School.

A few coaches have recently appeared, but their roles havebeen perverted. Coaches were to be experienced educators whocould support Principals as professional colleagues. Instead ofbeing confidential supports of the Principal, some have beenturned into accountability officers, engaged in public shaming

and denigrating of Principals to the Chancellor. This has pro-duced massive mistrust. CSA was supposed to be providingsome of these coaches through ELI, our PD unit, but in Dec. Iwithdrew from the program because of the DOE’s bad faith.

Throughout the system, there is now a shocking lack ofPrincipal discretion. For Renewal Principals, the situation iseven worse. They’ve been denied the discretion to choose,guide or evaluate the CBOs that are partnering with them. Ifthe DOE doesn’t make clear that CBOs are not free agents, butare accountable to school leaders and leadership teams, theSchool Renewal Program will fall apart sooner rather than later.

Speaking of discretion, Principals are frequently being chal-lenged for setting teacher standards, and while this is also hap-

pening in all kinds of schools, it is partic-ularly harmful in Renewal Schools. Forthings like rating their teachers “in needof improvement,” they are often sub-jected to anonymous allegations andmust take time out from school to defendthemselves at investigations, includingagainst a new charge classified as a “proce-dural violation.” Such a violation can beleveled on a Principal who spent 13instead of 15 minutes at an observation.

At the beginning of her tenure, theChancellor called for “commonsense.” I don’t know if she started

out with a sensible Renewal Plan and thenthe career educrats at Tweed complicatedit. Or maybe the Mayor, looking throughhis political lens, decided that whatlooked best to his constituents was moreimportant than what worked best for thechildren. For their own good and every-one else’s, I hope they both step back andtake a hard look at their teetering cre-ation. When you build a new structurethat’s so top-heavy and full of holes, youcan end up buried under the weight ofyour good intentions.

• • •

• • •

The Renewal Schools Plan is Courting Disaster By Ernest A. Logan

What Happened to the Promise?

To keep a challenging initiative ontrack requires focus and clarity, astreamlined process, and trust.

JAMBREY CLINKSCALE

n CSA President Ernest Logan enjoying a productive dinner and meeting in Savannahwith members of the Georgia and Carolinas Retiree Unit in Dec. From Left: Iris Berkel,Jambrey Clinkscale, Gwen Clinkscale, Melba Parks, Mr. Logan, Althea Serrant.

Visiting Southern RC Members

CSA NEWS 3Jan. 2016

)COMINGEVENTS

Events are at CSA’s ManhattanHeadquarters, 40 Rector Street

unless otherwise noted. (JAN 12, 8 AM: SBISI,

Series 1, Day 4

JAN 13, 10 AM:Chancellor’sConsultation

JAN 20, 3:30 PM:NYCESPA ExecutiveBoard Meeting

JAN 29, 2:30 PM: ELI NYC-DOE ProfessionalDevelopment

FEB 1, 11:30 AM: RetireeChapter Educationand CulturalCommittee

FEB 3, 1PM: CSA/NYPDSchool SafetyCommittee

FEB 4, 1: 30 PM: APIGroup Meeting

Confirm the above meetingtimes and dates with the eventcoordinator before attending.

Teachers’ Retirement

SystemDecember 2015 Unit Values

Diversified Equity Fund: 79.588

Bond Fund: 17.374International Equity

Fund: 9.562Inflation Protection

Fund: 10.029Socially Responsive Equity Fund: 14.599

www.trsnyc.org

CorrectionsIn the Dec. 2015 issue of CSA

News, the photo caption on p. 7incorrectly identified the schoolwhere one of our members works.Scott Schneider is an AssistantPrincipal at PS 51 in the Bronx, notPS 377 in Brooklyn.

Due to an editing error on p. 12,a photo caption incorrectlydescribed Louis Pavone as a residentof the New York Academy of PublicEducation. He is the president of theorganization.

We regret the errors.If you have any comments or

questions about the CSA News,please contact the editor, ChuckWilbanks, at chuck@csa-nyc.org.

BY CHUCK WILBANKS

In 1974, Chicago radiohost and author StudsTerkel publishedWorking: People TalkAbout What They Do All

Day and How They FeelAbout What They Do, athick volume of interviewswith everyone from a sani-tation truck driver to ajockey to a gravedigger toa dentist. It was animmensely readable bookthat celebrated work andhumanity in an unvar-nished and unsentimentalway.

Now, Brooklyn’s HardBall Press has put togethera contemporary offering along the lines ofTerkel’s memorable work. In We Are One:Stories of Work, Life and Love, EditorElizabeth Gottlieb presents first personaccounts from a diverse group of workers,all union members, who discuss their

careers, their experiencesas unionists, and their rela-tionships to their work.

As in Terkel’s work, WeAre One assembles life sto-ries from an wide array ofpeople. There is the coalminer who explains thathe extracted coal by work-ing in 30-inch veins – “likecrawling under a coffeetable and working all day,”but “what was on top wasa mountain.” There is anairline attendant whodetails how a generationago, women would bechecked to make sure theywere wearing girdles andfalse eyelashes. There is afarmworker from

Washington State, a member of theUnited Farmworkers Union, who prima-rily toils in vineyards of well-knownwineries. Like many of the other peoplein the book, she credits her union withhelping her and many others achieve a

better life. “Thanks to the union, we arenot harassed and there’s no pressure towork like machines.” It seems improbableto call a book like this a “page turner,”yet the conversational style of oral his-tory makes each of these people’s storieshard to put down.

Hard Ball Press editor Tim Sheard saidthe price of the richly illustratedbook has been kept low – $15 – to

make it easier for workers and students tobuy it. Unions can also buy an abbrevi-ated version for even less in the hopesthat organizers can use it as a useful toolwhen contacting workers. This is an age,after all, when large corporations employheavy-handed propaganda, threats andsurveillance to prevent their workforcesfrom unionizing. “The personal storiesmay help correct their inaccurate under-standing of what union culture andunion membership means,” Sheard said.

For more information, contact info@hard-ballpress.com

We Are OneElizabeth Gottlieb, Editor

Illustrated 278 PagesHard Ball Press, Brooklyn $15

• • •

What Union Membership MeansDiverse Array of Workers Share Life Stories in New Book

BY MARIA SMITH

The saying goes that the devil is in the details: with morethan 1,000 pages in the newly signed Every Student SucceedsAct (ESSA), one can only hope that what’s planned actuallyhappens.

Signed into law by President Obama in Dec., ESSA replacesthe 2002 “No Child Left Behind,” legislation signed into lawby then President Bush. ESSA provides a roadmap for statesto reclaim educational testing and policy. While the new law

does not eliminate federally mandated or required state tests,states now have more latitude in how they create studentand school accountability.

“Intellectual curiosity, parent satisfaction and school cli-mate are parts of the educational experience that test scoressimply don’t capture,” said Director of Public Affairs BobFarrace, National Association of Secondary School Principals(NASSP). “We have a law that now recognizes the need formore holistic accountability systems.”

The new law provides for states to conduct test audits todetermine if processes can be streamlined, improved or elim-inated.

A big win for school administrators is the provision withinESSA that up to three percent of Title II funds can be usedfor principal professional development.

“With the signing of ESSA, it looks like the federal gov-ernment acknowledges that states need to have a greater rolein educational policy,” said CSA President Ernest Logan. “The

emphasis in ESSA on the role of Principals and the need forprofessional development is encouraging. Now we need tosee how it is implemented. CSA will be watching veryclosely.”

Other ESSA provisions:• States will reserve up to seven percent of their Title 1funds for school improvement activities, not rigidly pre-scribed at the federal level, but that begin with a needsassessment and capacity analysis.• Require state plans to include information about howthe state will work with local school districts to provideeffective transition of students to middle grades andhigh school thereby decreasing the risk of studentsdropping out.

LEGISLATION

President Obama Signs EveryStudent Succeeds Act (ESSA)

n President Barack Obama signing S. 1177, Every StudentSucceeds Act, on Dec. 10, 2015. The bill promises, among otherthings, to boost professional development and return more con-trol over education to state governments.

States now have more latitude inhow they create student andschool accountability.

CSA NEWS4 Jan. 2016

Schoolleadersmust betrusted touse theirdiscretionto bestdevelopgood citizens

From Rector Street Mark Cannizzaro

Arguably the most important job ofa school leader is to relentlessly sup-port a positive school environmentthat recognizes the formal natureof education, respects the diversity

of the student body and the uniqueness of indi-viduals, promotes personal responsibility forone’s actions and encourages excellence for all.

This type of school atmosphere is mostconducive to learning and is one which ourstudents, teachers and families crave. Itrequires hard work and buy-in from all. Italso requires focused and reflective leadershipto create and a keen sense of awareness tomaintain.

Of course, in even the best environments,negative behaviors will emerge from time totime. When this happens consequences needto be fair, appropriate and consistent. Theyalso need to be delivered with compassion sothat they are not misconstrued as personal innature.

With that said, I welcome the discreditingof the “zero tolerance” policies of the not toodistant past. These policies, as the nameimplies, disallowed consideration of circum-stances and/or Principal’s discretion whenschool or district rules were violated. As aresult, mandatory suspensions were metedout for some of our youngest students for“infractions” that often made the newspaperas examples of the absurdity of our system.

The policies embarrassed school leaders,angered parents, and, far worse, confused ourchildren.

Today, many of the very same educatorsand advocates who rallied to discredit “zerotolerance” are now focused on another trendthat has gained national attention. Studentsof color, especially males, are suspended fromschool at a disproportionate rate compared totheir overall representation in schools. In

response there has been a call for alternates tosuspension including a restorative justiceapproach to student behaviors. Thisapproach, sensibly, calls for an increase inschool mental health staffs and professional

development for educators in crisis manage-ment, the use of de-escalation techniques,and the identification of root causes of nega-tive behaviors.

We fully support this approach and alsobelieve that additional professional develop-ment is needed to ease the transition andensure success for students returning toschool after a suspension.

However, we are not in agreement witheverything that is being proposed. Some edu-cators and other advocates are calling for theelimination of suspension as an option forcertain infractions in the discipline code. InNew York City, the infraction pertaining to“defying the lawful authority of school per-sonnel” (code A-22 in elementary schoolsand B-21 for grades 6-12) has gained particu-lar attention as it is the most often referencedcode for student suspensions.

L ast year, the Department of Educationbegan requiring that Principals seek per-mission to enforce a Principal’s suspension

using this code. We opposed that change andwe will continue to oppose the elimination ofsuspension as an option for Principals. Like the

zero tolerance policies of the past, this ruleeliminates the use of a Principal’s discretion indeciding which, if any, disciplinary responsesare appropriate to unacceptable student behav-iors.

A written code of conduct cannotaccount for all scenarios and, therefore, can-not be used by school leaders withoutthoughtful consideration of circumstancesparticular to each case. Furthermore, thenotion that “defying the lawful authority ofschool personnel” is always a minor offensethat should not result in suspension is mis-guided. Schools are a microcosm of societyand school leaders are expected to maintainorder so that students can learn. Blatant actsof disrespect and defiance can disrupt thispedagogical atmosphere. Being forced to tol-erate them by an inflexible discipline codewould be a disservice to the entire schoolcommunity and to the student offenders.

Let us continue to examine data that indi-cates disparate treatment of students and letus seriously search for ways to do better. Letus also continue to realize that we are dealingwith young people who make mistakes, mis-takes we must not take personally.

However, we should not forget that one ofour most important roles is to assist inthe development of good citizens who

take responsibility for their actions. School lead-ers are identified and chosen as worthy fromamong their peers. They are the professionalsbest positioned to make the call and they mustbe trusted to use their discretion if our schoolsare going to be the safe havens for learning weexpect them to be.

Mark Cannizzaro is the Executive Vice Presidentat CSA.

School Climate – What’s Needed and What’s Not

• • •

‘Zero tolerance’ and theelimination of suspensionare both too extreme.

• • •

BY MARIA SMITH

The Rosa Parks School, PS 254, Queens, pul-sated with energy on Dec. 11 as staff, par-ents and students celebrated the honor ofbeing named a “Reward School,” by theNYS Education Department.

PS 254 was one of just 143 city public schools toachieve this honor (222 others around the statewere also recognized). Reward Schools are thosewith high achievement or have made the mostprogress academically. The criteria used to desig-nate PS 254Q as a Reward School was its academicachievement.

In 2004, The Rosa Parks School opened underthe leadership of Principal Naomi Drouillard. Fromits inception, the school leadership team envi-sioned an educational institution that wouldemphasize reading and math, but also provide arobust program of art, music and dance. The resultof this educational philosophy? Well-rounded,smart and motivated students who know theirABC's, can sing like angels, and recite “Invictus” byWilliam Ernest Henley with proper elocution.

“Our goal was to create a school where childrenwanted to come to learn, a place where they couldinteract and become critical thinkers,” said Ms.Drouillard. “We also believe very strongly inparental involvement. The Rosa Parks School isn't

just a building; we are part of this community.”Indeed, the school's auditorium was packed to

the rafters with parents and community membersexcited to see students perform the color guard,sing musical numbers including: “Adding and

Subtracting is So Grand,” sung by first graders, and“We're a Reward School,” performed by Pre-K stu-dents to the tune of Jingle Bells.

“Celebrating is important but only after hardwork and real success,” said Ms. Drouillard.The team's efforts have paid off with other

recognitions as well: PS 254 is also a Title 1 Schoolof Distinction and a 2010 Blue Ribbon School.

“The whole school has worked diligently toensure that each child receives rich experiences. Wepride ourselves in laying the foundation for middleand high school, college and ultimately for all ofour students to have a successful and rewardingcareer,” Ms. Drouillard said.

Queens School Celebrates Academic Progress

MARIA SMITH

n Under a picture of PS 254’s namesake, AssistantPrincipal Pamela Markham, Principal Naomi Drouillard,and Assistant Principal Heather Sosnovsky celebratedthe school’s newest achievement.

New York State Education Department Honor

The auditorium was packedwith excited parents.

• • •

CSA NEWS 5Jan. 2016

As I think of appropriateNew Year resolutions forthe Department ofEducation, I must hopethat the song “The

Impossible Dream” is not applicable.Still, to all of our friends at the DOE,allow me to offer a few suggested reso-lutions that, if you keep them, willshow that the DOE respects adminis-trators, is committed to the growth ofour schools and honors our collectivebargaining agreement.

1. The Department of Education,the Commissioner of LaborRelations and the Mayor of theCity of New York realizes thatadministrators are entitled to park-ing permits and we will immedi-ately stop appealing court decisionsand PERB decisions which NYC haslost. We will issue permits toadministrators as we do for others.

2. If we at the Department ofEducation choose to offer anadministrator an extension of pro-bation, we will provide valid rea-sons, supported by written docu-mentation, in advance of theextension being given to theemployee. Although CSA’s contract requires that administra-tors receive explanations if they so request after signing theextension, it would be professional if the reasons were offeredin advance.

3. The Medical Bureau of the Department of Educationwill, in a timely manner, determine whether someone is eligi-ble for disability due to injury in the line of duty. Currently,an injured member is absent for several months before a DOEexamination is scheduled and a determination is made.

4. The Office of Labor Relations and Collective Bargainingwill issue fair and accurate decisions after a grievance is held.Now, the office waits to settle a grievance just prior to arbitra-tion or after arbitration has begun.

5. The Office of Appeals and Reviews will conduct fair andunbiased hearings of adverse rating appeals and discontinu-ances or denials. Appeals that are valid will be upheld. It isunconscionable that presently, hearing officers often allowmaterial to be entered in a hearing that was not given to theappellant, and allowing verbal testimony when there is nowritten documentation.

6. The Chancellor’s investigative offices, OSI and OEO, willcomplete investigations in a timely manner. Currently,Principals are required to complete an investigation withinten days of receipt, why should the investigative offices havean unlimited time (note that the contract does require casesto be completed within a timeframe) to close an investiga-tion.

7. The Department of Education will finally schedule APPRAppeals for the 2013-2014 school year.

8. The Department pledges to follow and honor the man-dated procedures and timetables for selecting mandated andnon-mandated summer school Assistant Principals. They fur-ther pledge to payroll all selected in a timely manner not twomonths into the new school year.

9. Superintendents will follow the rules related to PPOfeedback and will also provide the feedback in a timely man-ner.

Most importantly, the Department of Education andthe City of New York resolve to recognize the contri-butions administrators have made and continue to

make to ensure that their students, staff and communitiesthrive and be all they can be.

If you have any questions or concerns please email me atbob@csa-nyc.org.

Follow therulesrelated tofeedback,disability,ratings,and more.

GrievanceCorner Bob Reich

DOE New Year’sResolution Ideas

• • •

Making Sure Our Voice Is Heardcandidates, CSA relies on volun-tary contributions by our mem-bers. PAC funds are used to sup-port candidates who valueinvestment in public and earlychildhood education and whosupport organized labor.

“The CSA PAC puts us andour issues on the frontline,” saidGabe Gallucci, CSA assistantdirector of government andpolitical affairs. “We’re able tobuild relationships locally and inAlbany and Washington. CSAhas a seat at the table whenimportant issues are being raisedand debated.”

From last year’s hard-foughtcontract, to this year’s ECE

Director of Labor Negotiations,CSA’s allies make a huge differ-ence in achieving positive resultsfor our members.

A recent example is the“Breakfast in the Classroom” ini-tiative. While an admirable goal,the DOE fell short on actualimplementation. And, when CSAmembers stated their displeasure,a meeting was promptly set upwith City Councilmember andEducation Committee ChairDaniel Dromm.

During the meeting, CSAexplained the program’s pitfallsincluding loss of instructionaltime, insect infestation and pilesof garbage lingering in schoolhallways. Now, through dialogue

between Mr. Dromm, CSA andthe DOE, the program is beingreevaluated with the promise ofinput from school administra-tors.

“This is what the PAC does.We make sure our voices areheard. We change the course ofthe dialogue,” said Gallucci.

Joining the PAC is as easy asfilling out the one-page lightgrey application. Beginning inJanuary 2016, CSA FieldRepresentatives will give mem-bers applications during schoolvisits. For more information on the

PAC, contact Gabe Gallucci at(212) 283-2039 or email politi-calaffairs@csa-nyc.org.

Continued from Page 1

Director of Government Affairs Gabe Gallucci urgedECE members to maintain a united front in ongo-ing contract negotiations.

“Let me make this clear,” Logan said. “A costof living adjustment (COLA) sounds like it’s big,but when you think about 2.5 percent over a periodof ten years, that’s not enough. And remember, thisis only guaranteed over this fiscal year. Nobody saidthat this will be added to your base salary.”

“This is a mess, and has always been a mess,”Logan told the group. Referring to the pay dispar-ities among ECE Directors triggered by the adventof the city’s Universal Pre-Kindergarten program,he said “You can’t pay someone with a master’sdegree $40,000 a year and pay someone else withthe same degree $100,000.

Cannizzaro said CSA rejected the COLA as woe-fully inadequate. He said it would also become partof a “Happy Holiday” announcement that wouldmake it appear that the city had done somethingsubstantial for Early Childhood members.

“Accepting that COLA would lose us the edgein our negotiations,” Cannizzaro said as membersnodded in agreement. “And not all of you wouldbe eligible for the COLA. (Those members paidthrough City Council discretionary funding wouldbe ineligible to receive the money.) We think thesmartest bargaining position was to not let themdo that on your backs.

“Two-point-five percent buys advertising for theMayor,” Cannizzaro said. “But it doesn’t begin torespect the great work you do.”

Another compelling reason to defer acceptance:Not all CSA ECE members would get the COLA.Discretionary funded center members are not eli-

gible. COLA payments will go out soon to 1707members. The COLA money for CSA members willbe deposited into each center’s budget for later pay-ment.

James Matison, the executive director of theBrooklyn Kindergarten Society, said the disappoint-ment among early childhood directors and employ-

ees with Mayor de Blasio has been deep and wide.“You can’t just blame the prior administration,” hesaid. “The mayor has been in office two years. Talksbegan at the end of last summer and the city hasyet to put a number on the table.”

CSA First Vice President Randi Herman notedthat in 2011, then Public Advocate de Blasio saidhe was fighting for child care in part because it’san “act of patriotism.”

“No one thinks we’re in easy times, but theamount of money we’re talking about here is smallin the scheme of things,” he said at the time. “It’sa huge, important investment for the future of thecity.”

Herman noted that those words are particularlygalling now: New York City’s DOE budget in 2016is over $27 billion, and the city has managed tofind $20 million to fund unarmed security guardsat private schools throughout the city, all the whilepresenting a cold silence to ECE members.

Continued from Page 1

NEGOTIATIONS

Government Offers Little toEarly Childhood Educators

In 2011, de Blasio calledfighting for child care an‘act of patriotism.’

The AFSA 2016 Scholarship Program is nowaccepting applications! There will be 5 schol-arships of $2,500 awarded.

Scholarship application and award eligibilityrequirements are:

· Applicant must be a graduating highschool senior who is attending college forthe first time in the award year.· Applicant’s parent or legal guardian mustbe an AFSA member in good standing.· Scholarship Award check will be issued

upon college enrollment verification.· Scholarship Award funds may only be usedfor tuition, books, fees, supplies and equip-ment.· Applications must be completely filled outand postmarked no later than Feb. 292016.

Visit www.afsaadmin.org/scholarship2016/ forapplications, or call Nick Spina at (202) 986-4209or email him at NSpina@afssa.com.

AFSA Scholarships Available

CSA NEWS6 Jan. 2016

QUESTION: I retired in Juneof 2015. I attended your pre-retirement workshop andremember you saying some-thing about getting reim-

bursed for prescription drug co-pays,but do not remember the process.Please refresh my memory.

ANSWER: Since the CSA RetireeWelfare Fund does not provide a pre-scription drug benefit, retirees mustpurchase the drug benefit through theoptional benefits rider to their City-provided coverage (or be covered by aspouse’s drug plan). If you are in theGHI drug plan, send us a copy(don’t send the original, the postalservice may lose it) of the quarterlyreports from Express Scripts onceyou receive the Oct. – Dec. 2015report. We review submissions andfile them in date order. While youare submitting the reports, we aresending a list of all our retirees toGHI, who will return an electronicfile of all prescriptions filled by ourretirees. This file is matched to ourdatabase, and when all is in order,reimbursements are made in theorder claims were received. If youare in a non-GHI plan, please submit a report from the phar-macy indicating the date of the prescription, name andstrength of the medication, days supplied, amount the planpaid, and amount you paid.Please Note: If the cost of the medication is less than the co-pay

amount (for example, prescription costs $7.50 and your co-pay is$10) you will pay the full amount of the medication. Since the plandid not pay anything, you have no co-payment, and the amountpaid cannot be reimbursed by the Fund.

QUESTION: I am an active Assistant Principal in theBronx. My son is prone to ear infections, for which Ineed a prescription for Amoxicilyn each time. He had

one in Nov., and my cost for the medication was $4.50. Hehad another one on New Year’s Day, and the cost was $45.What happened?

ANSWER: Bad timing! If you had had the prescriptionfilled one day earlier, on New Year’s Eve, it would have costthe same $4.50. The reason for the difference is that there is a$50 per person, $150 per family annual deductible on pre-scriptions purchased from a local pharmacy. The cost of thefirst prescription (or prescriptions ) each year go toward yourdeductible, after which you pay the appropriate co-payment.The good news from all of this is that your son is almost donewith his deductible, and it’s only the beginning of Jan.

Email questions to Dr. Hathaway at dhathaway@csawf.org.

Retireeswith drugbenefitmay bereimbursedfor drugco-pays

The WelfareFund Dr. Douglas

V. HathawayBY DR. DOUGLAS V. HATHAWAY

The CSA Welfare Funds remind members thatvarious health plan deductibles reset beginningJan. 1. For active Department of Education andECE members, the SIDS dental deductible of $25resets, and for active Department of Educationmembers the Catamaran prescription drugdeductible of $50 per person/$150 per familyresets, and are taken from the first applicable den-tal visit or first prescriptions purchased at a localpharmacy.

Part B Premiums and DeductiblesFor retirees who are Medicare-eligible, the

Medicare Part-B deductible will increase to $166in 2016. The GHI Medicare Part-B deductibleremains $50. For those Medicare participantsenrolled in Medicare AND receiving social securitybenefits in 2015 who do not qualify for an IRMAA

surcharge the standard Medicare Part B premiumremains $104.90. For those either new to Medicarein 2016 or who are not yet receiving social securitybenefits the standard amount will be $121.80. Forthose who have been receiving Medicare benefitsand social security benefits and whose MedicareAdjusted Gross Incomes (MAGI) is more than$85,000 as an individual or $170,000 for a couplethe table below shows the various premiums byincome and filing status. The total amount is paidby each individual (for example, a couple earningbetween $170,001 and $214,000 each pay an addi-tional amount of $48.70). Medicare Part-B premi-ums, including the IRMAA amount, will continueto be reimbursed by the City consistent with thenegotiations between the Municipal LaborCommittee and the City.

Part D Surcharge Continues, Out of Pocket Amount Increases

In 2016, the out-of-pocket limit willincrease to $4,850,before catastrophiccoverage kicks in. Thepension deductionfor this plan willincrease to $107.00per person permonth.

The point of salediscount on brandname drugs once aparticipant reachesthe coverage gap or“donut hole” contin-ues in 2016. As partof the Health CareReform legislationpassed in 2010, man-ufacturers provide apoint-of-sale dis-count. As a result,

once you reach the coverage gap or “donuthole” you will pay 58% of generic medica-tions and 45% of brand name medications.The value of the manufacturer’s discountis credited to you as the “amount otherspaid on your behalf” amount shown onyour monthly reports from Express Scripts.

In 2016, those who are subject to anIRMAA assessment on Medicare Part-B willcontinue to be assessed a surcharge onMedicare Part-D, according to the tablelisted below. This amount is in addition tothe plan premium which is deducted fromyour pension check. The total amount ispaid by each individual (for example, acouple earning between $320,001 and$428,000 each pay an additional amountof $41.30). Unlike Medicare Part B sur-charges, Part-D surcharges are not reim-bursable by the City.

Medicare B Premiums 2016(NOT Previously covered by Medicare or NOT taking

Social Security Or Subject to IRMAA Surcharge)

Individual Income Joint Income Amount Premium

Less than or Less than or equal to $85,000 equal to $170,000 $0.00 $121.80

$85,001 to $107,000 $170,001 to $214,000 $48.70 $170.50

$107,001 to $160,000 $214,001 to $320,000 $121.80 $243.60

$160,001 to $214,000 $320,001 to $428,000 $194.90 $316.70

More than $214,000 More than $428,000 $286.00 $389.80

Deductibles Reset in Jan. 2016

Medicare D Surcharge 2016

Individual Joint SurchargeIncome Income Amount

Less than or Less than orequal to $85,000 equal to $170,000 $00.00

$85,001 to $170,001 $107,000 to $214,000 $12.70

$107,001 to $214,001 to$160,000 $320,000 $32.80

$160,001 to $320,001 to$214,000 $428,000 $52.80

Over $214,000 Over $428,000 $72.90

MonthlyIRMAA*

TotalMonthly

*IRMAA stands for Income-Related Medicare Adjustment Amount

TABLE A

TABLE B

Prescription Query

Rubén Blades, thePanama-born enter-tainer and politician,

paid a visit to Bronx Scienceon Dec. 1. Known for hispioneering work in Latinmusic as well as his actingcareer, which most recentlyhas included the role ofDaniel Salazar in Fear theWalking Dead, Mr. Bladesdiscussed his experiences inthe entertainment business,

starting with a job as amailroom clerk in a musiccompany. The first personin his family to attend col-lege, he went on to get anadvanced law degree fromHarvard University, and torun for the presidency ofPanama. (He lost, but wenton to serve as minister oftourism for several years.)His advice to students:“Dream big, but keep your

feet on the ground." He alsotold them that protesting apolicy is not enough:“Instead, present a solutionto a problem, as well.”Blades came after an invita-tion from Spanish TeacherMyrna Nevarez. “Studentswere inspired by thisincredibly accomplishedman's journey,” saidPrincipal Jean Donahue.

— CW n Rubén Blades: “Dream big, but keep your feet on the ground.”

Visitor for Bronx Students

R E T I R E E C H A P T E R C U LT U R A L A N D E D U C AT I O N A L P R O G RAM

SP16C1 Jewelry Making Class Instructor: Lydia GonzalezLocation: 40 Rector St., 12th Floor, NYCDay/Dates: Mondays, March 7, 14, 21,28 Time: 9:30 am to 1:00 pm Fee: Member $55, non-member $60 Limited: 10 participants P

The Jewelry Class has become one ofthe Educational Cultural Programs eliteclasses. The instructor will lead a creativeexperience with the participants in usingwire, beads, string, leather and othermaterials. Participants will learn todesign a necklace, bracelets and/or ear-rings. Focus will be on completing newand different projects in every session.

SP16C2 American Mah Jongg Instructor: Beverly HershkowitzLocation: 40 Rector St., 12th Floor, NYCDay/Dates: Mondays, March 7, 14, 21,28, and April 4, 11Time: 12:30 pm to 3:30 pmFee: Member, $15, non-member $20Limited: 16 participants P

Come play Mah Jongg. For those inneed of instruction, BeverlyHershkowitz will provide it. For thoselooking to just play, bring your friendsor come to make new ones. Previousgraduates are warmly welcomed!

SP16C3 Beginner Bridge IIInstructor: Michael EbensteinLocation: 40 Rector St., 12th Floor, NYCDay/Dates: Tuesdays, March 1, 15, 22,29 and April 5, 12, 19, May 3 Time: 10 am to 12 noonFee: Member $15, non-member $20Limited: 16 participants P

This class is for beginner bridge play-ers. Instruction will build on basicbridge understanding by introducingmore advanced concepts such asStayman Convention, Jacoby Transfer,strong opening bids and the various

meanings of double. Concentration willbe on the play of the hand.

SP16C4 Supervised Intermediate BridgeInstructor: Michael EbensteinLocation: 40 Rector St., 12th Floor, NYCDay/Dates: Tuesdays, March 1, 15, 22,29 and April 5, 12, 19, May 3 Time: 10 am to noonFee: Member $15, non-member $20Limited: 16 participants P

The supervised bridge class is meantfor the advanced beginner to intermedi-ate bridge player who enjoys playing ina social setting and would like to movetheir game to a higher level.

SP16C5 American Canasta for All Levels Instructor: Judith KotkinLocation: 40 Rector St., 12th Floor, NYCDay/Dates: Wednesday, Feb. 24,March 2, 16, 23, 30, and April 6, 13, 20 Time: 10 am to noonFee: Member $10, non-member $15Limited: 16 participants P

Canasta, a card game in the rummyfamily, is considered an easy game tolearn but hard to master. We’ll teachyou the modern American rules andstrategies of Canasta and you’ll have achance to meet fellow card players.Millions of people play this game daily.Come learn why Canasta’s popularitycontinues unabated.

SP16C6 Painting WorkshopInstructor: Nancy BaldwinLocation: 40 Rector St., 12th Floor, NYCDay/Dates: Wednesdays, March 2, 9,16, 23, 30, and April 6, 13, 20

Time: 1 pm – 3 pmFee: Member $140, non-member $145Limited: 10 participants P

Come paint and chat at the paintingworkshop. Explore your creativity whilecreating your own masterpiece. Noexperience or talent required. An artinstructor will guide you in a step-by-

step recreation of a featured painting.All materials will be provided (canvas,easel, acrylic paints, brushes, etc.) Youwill leave the class with your very ownwork of art.

SP16C7 Quilting 104Instructor: Brenda LuckLocation: 40 Rector St., 12th Floor, NYCDay/Dates: Thursdays, March 10, 17,24, 31, and April 7, 14 Time: 9:30 am to 12:30 pmFee: Member $15, non-member $20(The fee includes the patterns.)Limited: 10 participants P

This class is designed for studentswho have taken Basic Quilting 101, 102and 103. This semester, we will be work-ing on quilts of our choice. Some mem-bers will make T-shirt Quilts, others willmake Memory Quilts and others willmake Pieced Block Quilts. If you havebasic quilting skills you are welcome toattend. The list of supplies will be sentwith the confirmation of registration.

Dear Retirees,We are excited to present these classes, activities, trips and expe-

riences for you to participate in. Our committee and staff discussall types of new and different events, as well as revisit the most suc-cessful options from the past. We visit the best restaurants the cityhas to offer, attend the newest and most innovative museums, the-ater and cultural events, while adding educational workshops andclasses. Your participation enables us to once again, push the envelope.

We look forward to seeing you at many of these activities. Pleasenote that we are moving toward an all online registration, and willbe offering fewer and fewer events that will accept mail registration.

In Unity,Gayle Lockett, Retiree Chapter ChairMark Brodsky, Retiree Chapter DirectorLucie M. Elio, Educational/Cultural Program Coordinator

CLUBS/CLASSES

REGISTER ONLINE: The l ink wil l be posted at www.csa-nyc.org on Jan. 25 at 11 am

KEY TO SYMBOLS:

T TRAVEL INSTRUCTIONS WILL BE MAILED

P PARKING/TRANSPORTATION AVAILABLES THIS EVENT IS SOMEWHAT STRENUOUS

n Create your own jewelry!

Continued on R2

LUCIE ELIO

n On a trip to a sculpture garden, Etel Elman seems to share a read with a friend.

R2 Comp l e t e Edu ca t i o na l / Cu l t u ra l P rog ram

SP16C8 Origami II PInstructor: Tina WeintraubLocation: 40 Rector St., 12th Floor, NYCDay/Dates: Thursday, April 14 Time: 1 to 3 pmFee: Member $20, non-member $15 Limited: 10 participants

Join Tina for a two-hour workshop offun and folding. All are welcome. Wewill begin with a review. Origami is anart that you can make and take any-where and your grandchildren will loveyou for sharing it with them. Some ofthe models you will learn are a butterfly,a picture frame, a modular cube and aflapping bird. Materials will be pro-vided. Tina Weintraub, who leads ourart galleries tour, is also the co-author ofa Scholastic origami book for teachers.She has been folding and teachingorigami for over 25 years.

TENNIS CLINICS

For this semester, the Retiree Chapter hasagain made arrangements with the WestSide Tennis Club in Forest Hills for grouptennis lessons in their indoor facilities.There will be three sets of intermediate ten-nis lessons. Each clinic will run for fourweeks and will accommodate four partici-pants. The theme of the clinic will be strokeproduction. Each session will run for oneand one half hours. Registrants above theinitial four will be placed on a wait list. Ifwe have sufficient numbers on the wait list,we will be able to open a second group. Youmay register for one, two or all three of theintermediate clinics. We believe these clin-ics offer a great value and expect them tofill up quickly. Please note that there is freeparking at the Tennis Club.

SP16C9 Intermediate Tennis Clinics 1 P T SInstructor: West Side Tennis Club ProLocation:West Side Tennis Club, ForestHillsDay/Dates: Thursdays – February 4, 11,18, 25Time: 11:30 am to 1 pm Fee: Member, $105, non-member $110Limited: 4 participants per session

SP16C10 Intermediate Tennis Clinics 2 P T SInstructor: West Side Tennis Club ProLocation:West Side Tennis Club, ForestHillsDay/Dates: Thursdays – March 3, 10,17, 24Time: 11:30 am to 1 pm Fee: Member, $105, non-member $110Limited: 4 participants per session

SP16C11 Intermediate Tennis Clinics 3 P T SInstructor: West Side Tennis Club ProLocation:West Side Tennis Club, ForestHillsDay/Dates: Thursdays – March 31,April 7, 14, 21Time: 11:30 am to 1 pm Fee: Member, $105, non-member $110Limited: 4 participants per session

SP16C12 Golf P T SInstructor: Bob Guido, John MorrisonLocation: North Shore Towers, GrandCentral Parkway, Floral Park, NYDay/Dates: Wednesdays: March 30,April 6, 13, 20Time: Section 1: 10 am to 11:30 am andSection 2: 11:30 am to 1 pm Fee: Member $165, non-member $170Limited: 8 participants

Robert Guido and John Morrison arePGA professionals who work at theNorth Shore Towers Golf Club. The class

will be following the theme of the lastfew semesters “Course Play.” With thesmall size of the group, Bob and Johnwill be able to personalize instruction,taking into account that everyone maynot be at the same playing level. Pleasenote that if we have sufficient numbers,we will run two sections. Section I willbe filled first.

DININGAND FILM CLUBS

ANYONE INTERESTED IN PARTICI-PATING IN THE GOURMET DININGCLUB MUST REGISTER. There is a $5registration fee. Only those registered atthis time will receive information aboutthe dining events. Previous club’s contactlist will not be used. Information will besent to you by email only and paymentwill be online with a credit card only (nochecks). Members will always be able tobring one guest without restrictions. Ourgoal is to involve as many members aspossible. Please Note: When registeringplease provide us with an email address toaid with communications. Dining Cluband Film Club participants will be notifiedby email of the upcoming events.

SP16C13 Gourmet Dining Club CSA Leaders: Stanley Wilson, HarrietCohenLocation:Will vary according to mem-ber interestsDay/Dates: Thursday, March 31;Thursday, May 12; Thursday, June 2Time: usually around 1:30 to 3 pmFee: There is a $5 fee for registration.

Anyone interested must register (fee$5). Participants will be responsible forthe cost of their beverages. Prices willvary depending upon the restaurant.This club has been created to provide

the membership with social opportuni-ties to explore their dining interest in asocial group setting. Please note: Thecost should be inclusive of everythingexcept any type of alcoholic beverage orsoda. We plan to offer three diningexperiences this semester.

SP14C14 Film ClubInstructor:Mark KaufmanLocation: Locations varyDates: Dates varyTime: Times varyFee: There is a $5 fee for anymembers/spousal member registeringfor the first time. Previous registrantsneed not re-register (no fee).

Participants will be responsible topurchase their own film tickets for thefilms they attend. This club has beencreated to provide social opportunitiesfor members to explore both classic andrecently released film productions in acordial and intellectual environmentwith their fellow colleagues. After eachfilm offering, the group will meet to dis-cuss the film. Please note: anyone presently receiving

emails regarding Film Club offerings neednot re-apply; you are considered registeredfor this term.

SP16C15 Theater ClassInstructor: Stanley Wilson, HarrietCohenLocation: For first session, Rego Park,Queens Day/Dates: 1st Meeting at Harriet’sHouse, Friday, April 6, 2 to 4 pm Theater Dates: (3 of these 4 dates):May 4, May 18, June 15 and June 22Time: Times varyFee: Member $25, non-member $30Limited: 15 participants per session

This club has been created to providesocial opportunities for members toexplore both classic and recentlyreleased productions.

The first session for this class will beat Harriet Cohen’s home. During thissession, the group will discuss whatshows are available. Also, during thissession the group will begin their discus-sion on the American Theater. Theaterperformances will be Wednesday mati-nees or an early Tuesday evening per-formance the day before the datesshown above.

Once you are REGISTERED for thisclub and have paid the fee shown, youwill be responsible for paying for the setof tickets you commit to on this firstvisit. Please bring blank checks to thismeeting.

KEY TO SYMBOLS:

T TRAVEL INSTRUCTIONS WILL BE MAILED

P PARKING/TRANSPORTATION AVAILABLES THIS EVENT IS SOMEWHAT STRENUOUS

MORE CLASSES

DINING AND FILM CLUBS

Online registration opens on Monday, Jan. 25 at 11 a.m. Brochure will be posted Tuesday, Jan 19.

www.csa-nyc.orgYou may also use the forms included on Pages R5 and R6. Rules and regulations are on the forms.

Continued from previous page

LUCIE ELIO

n The great plains were the setting of this vignette, one of several viewed during the Sept. trip to the Museum of Natural History.

SPECIAL PULLOUT SECTION

Continued on next page

Sp r i ng 2 0 1 6 R3

Technology SeriesThe Retiree Chapter has made arrange-

ments with the Sharper Training Solutions,Inc. to present a series of technology work-shops. These workshops provide technicalhands-on training and lectures on computertopics. Workshops that teach computerskills, laptop computers will be provided.

SP16L3 Word Processing for Home UseCSA Leader: Emerson SpryLocation: 40 Rector St., 12th Floor, NYCDay/Dates: Thursday, March 3Time: 10 am to 12 noonFee: Member $25, non-member $30Limited: 20 participants P T

Learn how to write a letter, create anewsletter and make a flyer or sign.Learn how to edit and format text, layout a letter, work with graphics andmuch more. Prerequisites: Basic com-puter skills.

SP16L4 Computers for Home FinanceCSA Leader: Emerson SpryLocation: 40 Rector St., 12th Floor, NYCDay/Dates: Thursday, March 3Time: 1 pm to 3 pmFee: Member $25, non-member $30Limited: 20 participants P T

Use your computer to help manageyour personal finances: learn how tocreate a check register and format for abank reconciliation, keep track ofinvestments and expenses and create asimple database. Prerequisites: Basiccomputer skills.

SP16L5 Introduction to the iPad & iPhoneCSA Leader: Emerson SpryLocation: 40 Rector St., 12th Floor, NYCDay/Dates: Tuesday, March 22Time: 10 am to 12 noonFee: Member $25, non-member $30Limited: 20 participants P T

Learn all about Apple’s hottest gadg-ets. You will get an intro to the hard-ware, learn how to access the Internetand email, understand the settings, usethe apps and learn how to get new ones,discover many tips and tricks and muchmore. Bring your device if you have one.Prerequisites: None.

SP16L6 Introduction to AndroidCSA Leader: Emerson SpryLocation: 40 Rector St., 12th Floor, NYCDay/Dates: Tuesday, March 22

Time: 1 pm to 3 pmFee: Member $25, non-member $30Limited: 20 participants P T

In this class, you will get an intro tothe hardware, learn how to access theInternet and your email, understand thesettings, use the apps and learn how toget new ones, discover many tips andtricks and much more. Bring yourdevice or just come and listen.Prerequisites: None.

SP16L7 Art Lecture onExpressionism with LunchLecturer: Gema Alava - Art EducatorCSA Leader: Emerson SpryLocation: 40 Rector St., 12th Floor, NYC

Day/Dates: Thursday, April 7 P TTime: 10:30 am to 12:30 noonFee: Member/Spousal Member $25,non-member $30 Fee includes lunch Limited: 40 participants

The Art Lecture with lunch met withsuch success that we have decided torepeat it for this term. Join Art LecturerGema Alava for lunch, as she discusses“Expressionism.” Expressionism was amodernist movement, initially in poetryand painting, originating in Germany atthe beginning of the 20th century. Itstypical trait is to present the world solelyfrom a subjective perspective, distortingit radically for emotional effect in orderto evoke moods or ideas. Expressionistartists sought to express meaning oremotional experience rather than physi-cal reality. Some notable expressionistartists are Edvard Munch, Paul Klee,Franz Marc and El Greco.

SP16 L8 Wine Seminar – Wines of ItalyLecturer: Ron AttivissimoCSA Leader: Emerson SpryLocation: 40 Rector St., 12th Floor, NYCDay/Dates: Friday, June 3Time: 5 to 6:30 pmFee: Member/Spousal Member $30,non-member $35Limited: 15 participants P T

Building on the success of past events,we are offering another Friday eveningevent. This class will focus on varietalsthat are produced in both the “OldWord” (i.e. France, Spain, Italy) vs. the“New World” i.e.(Ca. Australia, S.America). Participants will look at the

subtle or not so subtle differences amongthese varietals and share their prefer-ences. For a more intriguing look at tast-ing wines, some will be tasted blind.

SP16T1 Urban Glass and Lunch at Junior’sCSA Leader: Emerson SpryLocation: 647 Fulton Street, at RockwellPlace, BrooklynDay/Dates: Tuesday, March 1Time: 10:30 am to 2:30 pmFee: Member $51, non-member $56 Feeincludes lunchLimited: 25 participants P T S

Urban Glass was the first artist accessglass center in the United States. UrbanGlass serves as the primary studio of over200 artists and designers, and featuresover 17,000 square feet of state-of the-artstudio space. We will tour the studios fea-turing a variety of techniques such askiln casting, lampworking, mosaics, andstained glass. We will also have a privateglass blowing demonstration given by aprofessional artist and glass blower. Therewill be ample time to visit the gift shopwhich features one of a kind glass art andjewelry. Following the tour, we will havea 3-course lunch at the world famousoriginal Junior’s restaurant. Junior’s hasrecently updated its menu and it’s sure tobe a treat. We have visited Urban Glasstwice previously, each time we had along waitlist. Don’t hesitate! Space is lim-ited to 25. Register now!

LECTURES/SEMINARS

Continued on R4

MUSEUM OF MODERN ART LECTURE OR WORKSHOP AND DOCENT TOURS

Jackson Pollock: A Survey, 1934–1954 This exhibition offers a concise, but detailed survey of the work of Jackson Pollock (American, 1912–1956). It

tracks his artistic evolution from the 1930s and early 1940s, when he made loosely figurative images based on mythi-cal or primeval themes, to the late 1940s and early 1950s, when he pioneered the radical abstractions for which he isbest known by pouring and dripping paint onto canvas or paper. The exhibition features approximately 50 works—paintings, drawings, and prints—from the Museum’s collection, which is unparalleled in the breadth, depth, andquality of its Pollock holdings. Among the paintings on view is One: Number 31, 1950 (1950), arguably Pollock’sgreatest masterpiece, and one of his largest canvases. Exceedingly rare and little-known engravings, lithographs,screen-prints, and drawings are also included, highlighting an underappreciated side of one of the most importantand influential American artists of the 20th century. By bringing together works made using a range of materials andtechniques—both traditional and unorthodox—the exhibition underscores the relentless experimentation andemphasis on process that was at the heart of Pollock’s creativity.

SP16L1 Museum of Modern ArtDocent Tour 1 – Jackson PollockCSA Leader: Emerson SpryLocation: 11 West 53rd Street,ManhattanDay/Dates:Wednesday, February 24 Time: 10 am to 12 noonFee: Member $20, non-member $25Limited: 15 participants P T

SP16L2 Museum of Modern ArtDocent Tour 2 – Jackson PollockCSA Leader: Emerson SpryLocation: 11 West 53rd Street,ManhattanDay/Dates: Tuesday, March 8Time: 10 am to 12 noonFee: Member $20, non-member $25Limited: 15 participants P T

YOUR FINANCES

SPECIAL PULLOUT S

ECTIO

N

Estate Planning SeminarSP16 L9 Estate Planning Presenter: Anthony Canale, Certified Financial PlannerLocation: 40 Rector Street. 12th floor, NYCDay/Dates:Wednesday, May 4Time: 10:30 am to 12:00 noonFee: Member/Spousal Member only $5 Limited: 40 participants P T SPlanning your estate is an essential part of your retirement. Stocks, bonds,insurance, real estate: information that, as retirees, we all should know. Whatdoes it all mean? Join us for an informative session presented by a certifiedfinancial planner. This is not a sales pitch or an endorsement of any product.This information, that as retirees, we should all know. If you are a new retireeor have been retired for many years, it’s never too late to learn somethingnew about planning for the future of you and your loved ones.

TRIPS/WALKING TOURS

R4 Comp l e t e Edu ca t i o na l / Cu l t u ra l P rog ram

SP16T2 Neue GalerieCSA Leader: Harriet CohenLocation: 1048 5th Ave, ManhattanDay/Dates: Thursday, March 10, Time: 10 am to 2 pmFee: Member $60, non-member $65The fee includes lunchLimited: 20 participants P T S

Neue Galerie New York is a museumdevoted to early twentieth-centuryGerman and Austrian art and design.We will be visiting the galerie and view-ing “Munch and Expressionism,” anexhibition that examines EdvardMunch’s influence on his Austrian andGerman contemporaries. The show willoffer a fascinating new look at theNorwegian artist, whose painting “TheScream” had become a symbol of mod-ern angst.

The Neue Galerie is also the solevenue for exhibition of "Gustav Klimtand Adele Bloch-Bauer: The Woman inGold," an intimate exhibition devotedto the close relationship that existedbetween the artist and one of his keysubjects and patrons. After the tour, wewill have lunch at a restaurant.

SP16T3 Tour of the NationalAcademy and LunchCSA Leader: Mark KaufmanLocation: 1083 5th Avenue at 89thStreet, ManhattanDay/Dates: Friday, March 18Time: 11:30 am to 3:00 pmFee: Member $64, non-member $69The fee includes lunchLimited: 15 participants P T S

Tina Weintraub, our tour guide forour art galleries tour, is the head docentat the National Academy Museum. JoinTina as we view the exhibit Miriam

Schapiro, A Visionary which presents across section of works from each periodof the artist’s remarkable, multifacetedsixty-year career, and will be Schapiro’sfirst survey exhibition in New York City,where she resided. In the ‘50s, Schapiroadhered to the principles of AbstractExpressionism; by the mid-‘60s she haddeveloped a series of works using com-puter software. By 1970 her practiceshifted dramatically, informed by herinvolvement in the Women’sMovement, and that year she founded,with Judy Chicago, the Cal ArtsFeminist Art Program. Throughout the‘70s and early ‘80s, Schapiro was associ-ated with the Pattern and Decorationmovement, producing innumerable“femmage” works, which incorporateddecorative scraps of fabric in her acrylicpaintings. After the tour we will be hav-ing lunch at Morini’s.

SP16T4 Tour of the Museum of the City of New YorkCSA Leader: Kathleen MurphyLocation: 1220 5th Avenue and 103rd& 104th Street, ManhattanDay/Dates: Wednesday, March 23Time: 11:30 am to 1 pmFee: Member $20, non-member $25 Limited: 20 participants P T S

Explore with us the visual culture ofelite New York in the late-19th andearly- 20th centuries when its elite classflaunted their money as never before. InNew York, this era was marked by the

sudden rise of industrial and corporatewealth, amassed by titans such asCornelius Vanderbilt and Jay Gould,who expressed their high status throughextravagant fashions, architecture andinterior design.

The exhibition presents a lavishdisplay of some 100 works,including costumes, jewelry,portraits and decorativeobjects, all createdbetween the mid-1870sand the early 20th cen-tury. The dazzlingworks in the exhibi-tion will illuminate anera when members ofthe new American aris-tocracy often displayedtheir wealth in storiedballs in Fifth Avenuemansions and hotels. Itwas a time when New Yorkbecame the nation’s corpo-rate headquarters and a popu-lar Ladies’ Mile of luxury retailestablishments and cultural institu-tions helped launch the city to globalprominence.

SP16T5 St. Patrick’s Cathedral and Lunch at the 21 ClubCSA Leader: Jacki FosterLocation: Fifth Avenue and 50th Street,ManhattanDay/Dates: Tuesday, April 5Time: 11am to 2:30 pmFee: Member $60, non-member $65Fee includes lunchLimited: 20 participants P T S

Come join us! Taking a tour of St.Patrick’s, a prominent landmark of NewYork City is a wonderful opportunity tocome to a deeper understanding of thearchitecture, history and spirit of thisgreat Cathedral. Recently, the cathedralunderwent phases of restoration includ-

ing the interior and exterior of theCathedral from 5th Avenue to the highaltar. Key scopes of work in these phasesare the restoration of the gallery organ,

the cathedral’s pews, stained glass win-dows, exterior stonework, altar nichesand ceiling plasterwork.

After touring the cathedral, we willhave lunch in the renowned restaurant,the 21 Club, the hangout of choice forAmerica’s rich and famous. It isrenowned for its whimsical and colorfulcollection of ‘toys’ suspended from theceiling. Each of these was donated by alegion of legendary sports stars, presi-dents, movie stars and business leaders.Dress code: Business casual.

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n Retirees visited wax doppelgangers atMadame Tussauds museum in November.

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n A hugefacility indowntownBrooklyn,Urban Glass isthe USA’s firstand largest artglass studioand the NYCmetropolitanarea’s largestglass blowingfacility. Itoffers classes,open studios,exhibitionsand more. TheRetireeChaptergroup visitedUrban Glassand sawartists at workin October.

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PLEASE NOTE: You must submit a separate check for each event for which you register. Each registrant must complete a separate registration form and submit a separate check for each event.

Name of Member: Check Status: CSA Retiree Spousal member

Address:

City: State: Zip:

Phone: Cell phone:

Email :

Emergency Contact: Phone:

If you would like us to confirm registration by email instead of US mail,check the box here and make sure you give us your email address (above).

Make checks payable to: CSA Retiree ChapterMail to: CSA Retiree Chapter, Attn: Educational/Cultural Committee,40 Rector Street, 12th Floor, New York, NY 10006

ALL CANCELLATIONS MUST BE IN WRITING OR EMAIL TO LUCIE@CSA-NYC.ORG

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RETIREE EVENTS SPRING 2016 REGISTRATION FORM Members and Spousal Members

Educational/CulturalEvent Code FeeEvent Title

REGISTRATION RULES AND PROCEDURES ON BACK

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FOR OFFICE USE ONLY:

GENERAL PROCEDURES

1. Once registration is open, only CSA Retiree Chaptermembers and spousal members may register up toSunday, Feb. 7, 2016. Guest registrations receivedprior to that datewill be placed on a waiting list untilMonday, Feb. 8, 2016. After Feb.8, all registrations willbe on a first-come, first-served basis.

2. Please note: Members may register by mail or online.Guests may register by mail only. The online systemwill not allow guest registration. a. Guests may register without restrictions for the fol-lowing: SP16T12, Sunday Brunch Jazz Cruise,SP16T14, Grounds for Sculpture Bus Trip and Lunch,SP16T18, Architectural Cruise Around Manhattan,

and SP16T 17, NY Harbor Evening Cruise3. If you are placed on a waitlist, and a cancellation occurs

the Retiree Office will contact you and ask your per-mission to place you on the registered list. No suchchange in your registration status will be made withoutyour approval. If you no longer wish to be on the wait-list, contact us at (212) 823-2076 or lucie@csa-nyc.com.

4. All mail-in registrations up to the actual date of regis-tration will be placed in one box. On that day of regis-tration, registration forms will be withdrawn from thebox randomly.

5. Members may register for any or all of program events.All events are to be placed on one form.However, it isimportant that each registrant must complete a sepa-rate registration form. If you intend to register by mail,

make additional copies of the registration form asneeded. Copies of the registration forms can be foundon the CSA website www.csa-nyc.org under the RetireeChapter heading in the “Upcoming Events” section.

6. In all of our events, the fee always includes all taxesand gratuities except if otherwise noted.

7. In the case of too few registrants for an offering, theCSA Retiree Chapter reserves the right to cancel theprogram with full refunds.

MAIL-IN PROCEDURES1. Your original registration form will be returned with anotation of either “Registered or “Waiting List”. The turn-around time for registration should be no more than

What You Need To Know To Register (See Guest Registration Form Page R6)

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PLEASE NOTE: You must submit a separate check for each event for which you register. Each registrant must complete a separate registration form and submit a separate check for each event.

Sponsoring Member:

Guest Name:

Address:

City: State: Zip:

Phone: Cell phone:

Email :

Emergency Contact: Phone:

If you would like us to confirm registration by email instead of US mail,check the box here and make sure you give us your email address (above).

Make checks payable to: CSA Retiree ChapterMail to: CSA Retiree Chapter, Attn: Educational/Cultural Committee, 40 Rector Street, 12th Floor, New York, NY 10006

FOR OFFICE USE ONLY:

TOTAL:_________

Educational/CulturalEvent Code

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Form For GuestsRETIREE EVENTS SPRING 2016 REGISTRATION FORM

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ALL CANCELLATIONS MUST BE IN WRITING OR EMAIL TO LUCIE@CSA-NYC.ORG

two weeks. If you do not receive notification within thistime period you should call the Retiree Office at (212)823-2020 and speak to Lucie, Emerson or Jacki.2. You must submit a separate check for each event

you wish to attend. For example, if you wish to reg-ister for five events, you must complete one formbut submit five separate checks. This will be the sameprocess if you are completing a registration for yourspouse or for a guest. For those on a waitlist, afterthe event, your check will be VOID and returned.

3. Make checks payable to “CSA Retiree Chapter” andmail to: CSA Retiree Chapter, Attn: Educational/CulturalCommittee, 40 Rector St., 12th Floor New York, NY10006.

ONLINE REGISTRATION1. Only members and spousal members may register

online. The online system is closed to guests. 2. To register online, follow the prompts on the RetireeChapter section on the CSA website (www.csa-nyc.org).The link will be posted on January 19 and will be “acti-vated” on January 25 at 11 a.m.

3. As you work through the online registration, the systemwill make note if the registration limit has been reachedand mark your form as wait listed.

4. All rules and procedures listed above for general andmail-in registration prevail for online registration.

5. Once you have completed the online process, yourcredit card will be charged for those events for whichyou are registered. The system will not charge yourcard for events where you are waitlisted.

6. When you finish the registration process, print YourRegistration Record. It will be your only copy of yourregistration.

CANCELLATION POLICY1. For either mail-in or online registrations of all

Educational/Cultural events, refunds will be given forprogram cancellations made up to a month prior tothe date of the event. For cancellations less than amonth prior to the event, refunds will only be issuedif we can fill your slot from the waiting list. There willbe no exceptions. All cancellations must be in writingor by email to lucie@csa-nyc.org. Call the Chapteroffice at (212) 823-2020 if you have questions.

2. Refunds will be processed only after the event hasbeen concluded. However, in the case where there isa significantly long waiting list, some refunds may beprocessed sooner.

3. In the case of mail-in registrations, checks will bevoided and returned to the registrant.

4. In the case of online registrants, refunds will be han-dled through your credit card.

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SP16T6 Whitney Museum CSA Leader: Ana MaldonadoLocation: 99 Gansevort Street,ManhattanDay/Dates: Wednesday, April 20Time: 11:30 am – 1 pmFee: members $33, non-members $38Limited: 20 participants

The Whitney Museum of AmericanArt is now at its new location, WestVillage/Meatpacking District neighbor-hoods of Lower Manhattan. As the pre-eminent institution devoted to the artof the United States, the WhitneyMuseum presents the full range of twen-tieth-century and contemporaryAmerican art, with a special focus onworks by living artists. The Whitney isdedicated to collecting, preserving,interpreting, and exhibiting Americanart. Its collection—arguably the finestholding of twentieth-century Americanart in the world—is the Museum’s keyresource.

SP16T7 Cooper Hewitt, SmithsonianDesign Museum & LunchCSA Leader: Roz PerskyLocation: 2 East 91st Street & 5thAvenue, ManhattanDay/Date: Tuesday, May 3Time: 10 am – 2 pmFee: Member $53, non-member $58Limited: 20 participants

The Cooper Hewitt Museum,Smithsonian Design Museum will bepresenting in the museum’s Process Lab,“Pixar: The Design of Story.” Pixar isone of the most innovative animationcompanies of the 21st century. We willhave a rare opportunity to examine thedesign process behind Pixar AnimationStudios and films such as Toy Story,Wall-E, Up, Brave, The Incredibles, andCars, among others.

Focusing on the process of iteration,collaboration and research, the exhibi-tion will feature original artwork,including rarely seen hand-drawnsketches, paintings and sculptures,revealing how Pixar develops popularcharacters, fosters emotional connectionto its films and, ultimately, how thedesign process is at the studio’s core.

SP16T8 57th Street Art Galleries and LunchTour Guide: Tina WeintraubCSA Leader: Stanley WilsonLocation: TBADay/Date: Thursday, May 5Time: 11 am to 3 pmFee: Member $65, non-member $70The fee includes lunchLimited: 15 participants P T S

SP16T9 57th Street Art Galleries and Dinner at Brasserie 8½Tour Guide: Tina WeintraubCSA Leader: Michael EbensteinLocation: TBADay/Date: Friday, May 13 Time: 4 pm to 8 pmFee: Member $75, non-member $80The fee includes dinner.Limited: 15 participants P T S

Tina Weintraub has been runningArt Gallery Tours for the Retiree Chapterfor years. We usually alternate betweenthe Art galleries in Chelsea and 57thStreet. For the spring semester, join Tinaand our members as we return to the

57th Street art gallery scene. There willbe a tour during the day and anotherwill be in the evening. After the after-noon tour, we will lunch in a nearbyrestaurant and the evening tour groupwill go to dinner.Please note: as with any of our walking

tours there will be extensive walking. Youshould expect to be walking and or standingfor up to and perhaps for more than 2hours.

SP15T10 Walking Tour of GramercyPark, the Players’ Club and LunchTour Guide: Barry FeldmanCSA Leader: Barbetta KrinskyLocation: TBADay/Date: Tuesday, May 17Time: 10 am to 2:30 pmFee: Member $38, non-member $43The fee includes lunchLimited: 20 participants P T S

Step into Victorian New York City asyou explore the quiet corners of this his-toric district. Admire stately townhouseswhere mid-nineteenth century notableslived, worked and worshipped. Peek intothe beautifully landscaped gardens ofthe park. Visit the elegant Players Clubfor a presentation and viewing of actorEdwin Booth’s residence and theNational Academy of the Arts. Walk oneblock to one of the most admired resi-dential stretches in the city, “BlockBeautiful.” Tour narrative will includethe origin and development of theneighborhood and events of the nine-teenth and twentieth centuries.Please note: as with any of our walking

tours there will be extensive walking. Youshould expect to be walking and or standingfor up to and perhaps for more than 2 hours.

SP16T11 Body & Soul: America’sUnforgettable Crooner & DinnerCSA Leaders: Barbetta Krinsky andLucie ElioLocation: 10 Columbus Circle,ManhattanDay/Date: Friday, May 20Time: 5 pm – 9 pmFee: Members $140, non-members $145The fee includes dinnerLimited: 20 participants

The Retiree Chapter will be partici-pating in a musical evening at the Jazzat Lincoln Center. Join us for dinner atBello Restaurant before we go to the jazzcenter. Bing Crosby, Nat “King” Cole,and Mel Tormé are three great mastersof the canon known as, “The GreatAmerican Songbook.” Their velvetyvoices and mastery of sentimental sere-nades made them the quintessentialcrooners of the twentieth century, buttheir respective landmark achievementsacross the mediums of radio, television,film, and recording made them legends.Music Director Bryan Carter and hisstellar ensemble, featuring vocalists

Denzal Sinclaire, Benny Benack III, andCharles Turner, pay tribute to thesegeniuses of song.

There is a possibility of a tour of thejazz center before dinner at Bello’s.

SP16T12 Sunday Brunch Jazz Cruise CSA Leader: Miriam Martínez-DíazLocation: Chelsea Piers – Pier 40, 353West Street, ManhattanDay/Date: Sunday, May 22Time: 12 noon – 2:30 pmFee: Member $85; non-members $90 Limited: 25 participants P T

Got a case of the Sunday blues?Banish them with brunch on the water.Join once again the Retiree Chapter withtheir family and friends as we glide pastsome of New York’s iconic sights whilelistening to a live Jazz band with a DJ.

Adults will be served unlimitedMimosas, Champagne and mineralwater along with a bountiful brunchbreakfast and lunch buffet and dessertstation.

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LUCIE ELIO

n From left: Beverly Hershkowitz, Barbara Bader, Gayle Lockett and Miriam Martinez-Díaz enjoy the Jazz brunch cruise.

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LUCIE ELIO

n Michael Ebenstein (with computer, right) led a lively Bridge Class in March.

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SP16T13 Offbeat FlushingLandmarks Tour Tour Guide: Justin FerateCSA Leader: Lucie ElioLocation: Northeast corner of Mainand Roosevelt AvenueDay/Date: Monday, May 23Time: 10 am to 1 pmFee: Member $25; non-members $30 Limited: 20 participants

Join Justin on this offbeat tour ofFlushing, Queens – highlighting a variedselection of unusual landmarks. Today,Flushing is one of the country’s mostdiverse communities. With a populationof approximately 236,000, one can hearas many as 170 languages spoken on thestreet. The neighborhoods have somedelightful and often overlooked land-marks so we will venture out to discovera few of them!

SP16T14 Grounds for Sculpture Bus Tour & LunchCSA Leaders: Harriet Cohen, LucieElioPick up info: First Stop around 7:30am at Christopher Morley Parking Lot –Exit 36 L.I.E; second stop around 8:30am at 42nd St. at Grand Hyatt HotelWe will return to Manhattan at approxi-mately 5 pm – and Christopher MorleyPark at around 6 pmLocation: 18 Fairgrounds Road,Hamilton, NJDay/Date: Thursday, May 26Time: 7:30 am to 6 pmFee: Member $92, non-member $97Limited: 40 participants P T S

The curatorial focus of Grounds forSculpture, the former site of the NewJersey State Fairgrounds, is to presentthe work of established and emergingsculptors. Emerging sculptors aredefined as artists at the beginning oftheir careers as well as artists whosework has contributed to the field of con-temporary sculpture significantly with-out accompanying recognition.

The grounds have more than 270large-scale contemporary sculptures,with works by the founder, J. SewardJohnson, and other American and inter-national artists. The outdoor exhibitiongrows by approximately 15 sculpturesannually. New additions outdoors areselected to augment indoor exhibitions,to add new artists, and to work in con-junction with the landscaped environ-ment.Please note: as with any of our walking

tours there will be extensive walking. Youshould expect to be walking and or standingfor up to and perhaps for more than 2hours.

SP16T15 Tour of Sagamore HillCSA Leader: John OricchioLocation: 20 Sagamore Hill Road,Oyster BayDay/Date: Sunday, June 5Time: 10:30 am to noonFee: Member $15, non-member $20Limited: 25 participants

Sagamore Hill was the home ofTheodore Roosevelt, 26th President of

the United States, from 1885 until hisdeath in 1919. During Roosevelt’s timein office, his “Summer White House”was the focus of international attention.Explore with the Retiree Chapter thenatural surroundings, and becomeinspired by the legacy of one ofAmerica’s most popular presidents.

SP16T17 NY Harbor Evening Cruise CSA Leader: Lucie ElioLocation: 1 World’s Fair Marina, PierOne- Directions will be sentDay/Date: Friday, June 24Time: 6 pm to 11 pmFee: Member $90, non-member $95Limited: 10 participants P T S

The Association of AssistantPrincipals along with the NYCElementary Schools PrincipalsAssociation charters a harbor cruise shipfor the evening. They are offering theRetiree Chapter’s members an opportu-nity to join their colleagues for theevening. This will be a private cruise forCSA members only.

The ship will cruise the East River tothe Statue of Liberty and then return tothe Marina. The trip will offer buffetdining, an open bar, a DJ and dancing.The dress code will be casual. Memberswill be registered together and informa-tion will be mailed in advance.

SP16T18 Architectural Tour ofManhattanCSA Leader: Lucie ElioLocation: Chelsea Piers (Pier 62) – West22nd and Hudson River, ManhattanDay/Date: Thursday, June 30Time: 1:45 pm to 4:30 pmFee: Member $94, non-member $99Limited: 40 participants P T S

Step aboard the teak decks of the1920s style yacht, the Manhattan, andenjoy NYC's architectural landmarksfrom the water. The "AroundManhattan" tour narration is providedby members of the American Instituteof Architects’ (AIA) NYC chapter.Aboard the Manhattan, experience acomfortable and unique tour throughthe Hudson, East, and Harlem Riversfrom the climate-controlled andenclosed back-deck observatory or wan-der to the outer decks for fresh air andsunlight with a complimentary beveragein hand. Guests are treated to a compli-mentary drink from the bar and lightsnacks. Additional beverages and a fullbar are available for purchase.

SP16T19 Statue of Liberty Tall ShipSailing CruiseCSA Leader: Emerson SpryLocation: South end of Battery Park,Lower ManhattanDay/Date: Wednesday, July 6Time: 2 pm to 3:30 pmFee: Member $40, non-member $45Limited: 10 participants P T S

Ahoy matey! Step aboard a historicsailing ship and cruise around New YorkHarbor, taking in magnificent views ofthis grand city. You will enjoy breathtak-ing views of New York City and see theStatue of Liberty, Brooklyn Bridge, EllisIsland, the Manhattan skyline and othertreasures of the harbor from the decks ofNew York’s only tall ship.

In addition to the breathtaking viewof the city, you will be able to raise thesails or take a turn at the helm on theClipper City, New York’s largest andmost exquisite sailing ship. Note: wheel-chair accessible.

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SP16T16 Hard Hat Tour of Ellis Island HospitalCSA Leader: Ana MadonadoLocation: TBDDay/Date: Tuesday, June 7Time: Ferry 9:30 am, tour 11 amFee: Member $47, non-member $52Includes ferry ticketLimited: 20 participants P T S

Ellis Island was the gateway formillions of immigrants to theUnited States as the nation’s busiestimmigrant inspection station from

1892 until 1954. For the first time in 60 years, vis-

itors to Ellis Island are able to reen-ter its south side hospital.

A massive complex comprised of30 buildings, including staff resi-dences and a mortuary, the hospitalscreened immigrants for infectiousdiseases before it was shuttered in1954. But thanks to the diligence ofnonprofit group Save Ellis Island inpartnership with the National ParksService, new tours will now beoffered to groups.

ELLIS ISLAND HOSPITAL TOUR

NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY

n The Ellis Island Immigrant Hospital, on the south side of the island was a complex ofbuildings which served arrivals at the immigration station.

LUCIE ELIO

n In the March Quilting Class, alongside others doing the same, Joan Websonpatiently pieced together her project.

n BARBARA GREENE, 85, of SouthEgremont, MA died on Nov. 5, 2015. Sheretired in 1991 as Principal of Newtown HS,Queens. She also was the former Principal ofGrady HS, Brooklyn. Mrs. Greene obtainedher undergraduate degree in English fromNew York University and earned a master’sdegree from St. John’s University. She beganher teaching career instructing CRMD stu-dents, becoming a guidance counselor, APand then Principal. She was an avid travelerand reader and was involved with theEgremont Land Trust in the Berkshires onceshe retired. In addition to her husband,Martin, Mrs. Greene is survived by twodaughters, Elizabeth and Alice, and fourgrandchildren.

n ALAN A. GROSSER, 92, a life-long residentof the Bronx, died on Sept. 4, 2015. Heretired in 1987 as AP of PS 77, the Bronx. Mr.Grosser served in the Army from 1944 – 1947as a pilot. His last post was in Okinawa duringthe rebuilding of Japan, said his wifeBlanche. After the war, Mr. Grosser worked ina jewelry store, but decided to enroll in LongIsland University and obtain his teachinglicense. Mr. Grosser earned his master’sdegree from Teachers College. He was anavid tennis player and enjoyed tending thegardens of his co-op, Woodlawn VeteransMutual Housing Company, where he was alongtime director. Besides his wife, Mr.Grosser is survived by three daughters:Barbara, Nancy and Laura.

n CINDY JACOBS-ALLMAN, 63, of BrooklynNew York, died on May, 19, 2015. She retiredin 2012, as Administrator of SpecialEducation, Staten Island Integrated ServiceCenter, where she had served since 2007.Mrs. Jacobs-Allman’s 39-year career in thefield of special education began in 1973 as ateacher in School Districts 18, 20, and 23.From 1980-1984, Mrs. Jacobs-Allman workedas a Teacher Trainer/Staff DevelopmentCoordinator, Brooklyn East Region, SpecialEducation Office, for Districts 18, 19, 21, 22,23, and 32. From 1984-1987, Mrs. Jacobs-Allman served as Supervisor of StaffDevelopment/ Supervisor of SpecialEducation, Brooklyn East Region, SpecialEducation Office. In 1987, Mrs. Jacobs-Allmanbecame the District Administrator of SpecialEducation, Community School District 22. Itwas there that she piloted the LeastRestrictive Environment Program for the Cityof New York, which grew into the largestinclusionary program in New York City, andDistrict 22 was designated as an LRE demon-stration site nationwide. From 2003-2007,Mrs. Jacobs-Allman served as RegionalAdministrator Special Education, Region Six-Learning Support Center. Then, from 2007,until her retirement, she served asAdministrator of Special Education, StatenIsland Integrated Service Center. Mrs. Jacobs-Allman is survived by her husband Willard,and one daughter, Stefanie.

n STANLEY R. LISSER, 89, an educator formore than 40 years died November 3, 2015.He was a resident of Marlboro, NJ. Mr. Lisserbegan teaching at Staten Island’s TottenvilleHigh School in 1950, but shortly thereafterentered military service during the KoreanWar. After the war, he resumed teaching,becoming an elementary school AP in 1952.In 1966, he was appointed Principal of IS 201,Harlem. The school was one of three experi-mental school districts created from a FordFoundation grant aimed to involve minoritycommunities and parents in the educationalprocess. Mr. Lisser selected a racially diversestaff, including an African American AP, andworked toward establishing a professionaland respectful rapport with the surroundingcommunity. Despite this plan, Mr. Lisserfound himself embroiled in a battle betweenactivists who wanted an African American

Principal and the UFT, who refused to sup-port hirings made on racial or ethnic lines.Mr. Lisser remained the Principal at IS 201with the majority of the school’s teachers,black and white, supporting him. He eventu-ally went to work for the Ford Foundation. In1975, he returned to the BOE and becamethe founding Principal of IS 238, Queens.During his years of service as Principal of IS238, he was elected to the position of presi-dent of the Junior HS Principals Associationof NYC. He also worked for the Board ofExaminers, preparing examinations for allsupervisory levels. After retiring, Mr. Lisserwas the first coordinator of the SupervisorySupport Program (SSP), the contractual rightimplemented by then president DonaldSinger to assist members seeking supportand professional advancement. He alsoworked at the ATS Division of Technology asa consultant for a number of years, trainingand assisting elementary and intermediaryschool principals with real time data onschool budgets, staffing, and building repair.Mr. Lisser built wall clocks as a hobby. In addi-tion to his wife Ann, he is survived by threesons. Condolences may be sent to Mrs. AnnLisser, at 6 Suffolk Way, Marlboro, NJ 07746.

n SOLOMON PARMET, 95, husband of CSAretiree Antoinette Parmet, and resident ofBrooklyn, died on Oct. 28, 2015. He was abusiness teacher at Curtis HS, Staten Island,until his retirement from the DOE. Mrs.Parmet retired in 1987 as a Supervisor ofSocial Work. Mr. Parmet, a veteran of WWII,was awarded two bronze stars for meritoriousservice during his time as a member of the“Flying Tigers” squadron, the volunteer air-men who trained in Burma prior to America’sentry into the war, and helped Chinese forcesin their battle against the invading Japanese.After the war, Mr. Parmet used the GI Bill toobtain degrees from NYU and ColumbiaUniversity. He was an accomplished bass play-er. In addition to his wife, Mr. Parmet is sur-vived by a daughter and two granddaughters.

n HOWARD SAFIER, 83, of Cedarhurst, NY,died on Nov. 23, 2015. He retired in 1991 asPrincipal of PS 26, the Bronx. Mr. Safierearned his undergraduate degree fromBrooklyn College and his master’s degreefrom Yeshiva University. He also was atrained rabbi and taught Hebrew. He is sur-vived by his wife Thelma, a daughter, Reenaand two sons, Raphael and Jeffrey.

Send obituary notices to Associate CSA NewsEditor Maria Smith at maria@csa.nyc.org.

CSA NEWSJan. 2016 7

Educator and Publisher

NATION

Education

State tests, more than local assess-ments, have been identified as asource of stress, according to threequarters of NY school psychologistsfrom nearly 700 districts. Accordingto a recent report, test anxiety ismore common in elementaryschool, with students more oftenshowing internalized rather thanexternalized symptoms. The report,compiled by the State School BoardAssociation, offers tips for reducingstress. (democratandchronicle.com)

NEW YORK:

High Anxiety

The Individuals with DisabilitiesEducation Act (IDEA) commemo-rated its 40th anniversary with theissuance of new guidance. It clari-fies that, in addition to access tofree, appropriate public education,students with disabilities shouldhave individualized education pro-grams (IEPs) that are aligned withstate standards. To read more, goto: http://idea.ed.gov/.

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA:

IDEA Hits 40

The spork, the plastic spoon-forkused in schools across the country,will have its last day in six publicschool districts – Miami, LosAngeles, Chicago, Dallas, Orlandoand New York. The districts, whichformed The Urban School FoodAlliance in 2012 to force lowerprices for better quality and moreenvironmentally friendly options,will replace plastic cutlery withspoons, forks and knives madefrom compostable materials.(washingtonpost.com)

— COMPILED BYCHRISTINE ALTMAN

Fort Wayne Community Schoolsare making a concerted effort toimprove their level of customerservice. In that spirit, the districtintroduced “Let’s Talk”, a cloud-based listening station from K12Insight. The program solicits com-munity feedback through a buttonon the school website. Commentsare then automatically routed tothe right staff member to issue aresponse, generally within 48hours. Response times are gauged;trends are identified. The programsees to it that no messages fallthrough the cracks. (districtadmin-istration.com)

INDIANA:

Customer Service

FLORIDA:

Going Green

The Superintendent of MaderaSchools gave each of the approxi-mately 1,100 teachers $500 tospend as they saw fit on profes-sional development last year. Thisyear, he did it again, includinganother 1,000 classified employees,such as bus drivers, who wantedsafety training on how to deal withactive shooters and/or assaults.(districtadministration.com)

CALIFORNIA:

Choosing PD

BY MARIA SMITH

Irving Natter, founder of the NatterCalendar and a former junior highschool AP, died on Nov. 6. He was 91-years-old years old and lived in WhitePlains, New York.

A Bronx native, Mr. Natter obtainedhis undergraduate and graduate degreesfrom New York University. He servedin the Army during WWII, stationedfirst in Antwerp, Belgium for the finalassault on the Nazis and then to thePacific for the invasion of Japan. Heworked in the fuel division, ensuringtanks and aircraft were supplied withpetroleum.

After the war, Mr. Natter began along career in education; he retired in1993 as AP from JHS 44, the Bronx. Itwas his idea to create an academic cal-endar for educators in the New York

City public school system. Althoughthe city’s former Board of Educationpublished a “little red book” every fewyears, the tome often neglected itemsand important dates. Mr. Natter, wholiked to be organized, formatted a cal-endar or “blue book” that was pub-lished yearly and was more inclusiveof holidays and other important dates.

“He started the calendar in the base-ment,” said his wife, Esther Natter.“Long before there was a focus on mul-ticulturalism, Irving listed different eth-nic and religious observances. He wasahead of his time.”

After he retired, Mr. Natter kept pub-lishing Natter’s Calendar. He turned thebusiness over to his son, Mitchell, onlyeight years ago.

While he witnessed the internetexplosion, Mr. Natter believed thatthere would always be people whodesired a hard copy book or calendar,said Mrs. Natter.

“He felt that you could have both.You could use a computer, but it wasalso important to have something inyour hand to help you stay organized,”she said.

And while the bluebooks are still asought-after product, Natter Publishingproduces calendars that are letter, walland desk-sized. In 2011, they intro-duced an app that can be downloadedto a smartphone for those who preferelectronic communication only.

In addition to his business, Mr.Natter was an avid reader and tennisplayer. He was former president of theWhite Plains Historical Society andhelped preserve the “Purdy House,” anhistoric house where General GeorgeWashington stayed during the Battleof White Plains.

In addition to his wife and son, Mr.Natter is survived by a daughter, Betsy.

Irving Natter of CalendarFame: ‘Ahead of His Time’

n WWII Army veteran Irving Natter had along career in education.

In Memoriam

CSA NEWS8 Jan. 2016

BY MAURO BRESSI

There is a painting by Spanish artistFrancisco Goya known as SaturnDevouring His Son. An ancient

theme of fathers and sons, it is a depic-tion of the Greek myth of Titan Cronus(Saturn is the Latin name), swallowinghis children at birth because he fearedone of them would overthrow him.

Imagine Cronuswearing UncleSam’s top hat andcoattails. It is afrighteningmetaphor of ourcurrent state:America is eatingits young.

Burdened withcollege debt andfacing a weak econ-omy, America’s col-lege graduates

barely have a chance to survive. Theycan’t find well-paying work, so theyhave trouble paying off their collegeloans. The United States governmentholds a portfolio of about $1 trillion insuch debt. According to a recent articlein the New York Times, “Student loansare now the second-largest source ofconsumer debt in the United States, sur-passed only by home mortgages.” Thisis a shameful way for a country to treatits children. America spends trillions ofdollars on war, but it won’t freely sup-port college students who, as the nextgeneration, are our country’s lifebloodof productive citizens.

The average college graduate holds adebt of almost $30,000. A college loandebt is the most onerous obligationthere is. Debtors can never escape it:Thanks to bankruptcy legislation passedin 2005, borrowers can’t discharge theseloans in bankruptcy. The governmentwill find them, whatever their circum-stances, and garnish their salaries if theyare in default. With such a burden ontheir shoulders barely out the gate,young adults are forgoing marriage andbuying a home until much later in theirlives. Such decisions create a furtherdrag on the economy.

Why are countries such as France,Italy, Brazil, Germany, Norway and oth-ers able to provide free higher educationto its people, but America is not? Why isour government so stingy toward itsyouth while it hands over $700 billionto the banks — as it did in 2008 —when they are in trouble? Could it bebecause the banks are in control? Oureconomic system is lauded as one thatpromotes opportunity. However, whenyou add credit card debt and homemortgages (for those who dare takethem on) to the mix of student loans,the system resembles one of perpetualindentured servitude. The banks, itseems, need constant feeding.

In a New York Times Op-Ed article inJune, cultural critic Lee Siegel dis-cussed his decision to default on loans

he had taken out 40 years earlier, inwhich the accrued interest had bal-looned way beyond the principal. “Itstruck me as absurd that one couldamass crippling debt as a result, not ofdrug addiction or reckless borrowingand spending, but of going to college.”He also argued that class plays a role inthis dynamic, and that exhortations tosummon the “character” to pay one’sdebts are hollow. “The road to characteris often paved with family money andfamily connections, not to mention 14percent effective tax rates on seven-fig-ure incomes,” he wrote. Characterizinghis predicament as immoral and unjust,Siegel chose not to waste the rest of his

life paying back a debilitating debt.What’s more, against the charge that ifeveryone acted as he did chaos wouldensue, he answered that such chaosmight bring about a change in the struc-ture of American higher education thatis desperately needed. The governmentshould not be in the business of guaran-teeing loans, but of guaranteeing a col-lege education.

Two candidates in the current presi-dential campaign have promised toaddress the situation. Hillary Clinton’sNew College Compact proclaims that“cost won’t be a barrier” to a collegeeducation. Under her plan, students willnot have to borrow to attend a four-yearpublic college, and students who attendcommunity colleges will receive freetuition. BernieSanders hasoffered a similarplan, promising tomake tuition freeat public collegesand universities.He also calls forsubstantially cut-ting student loaninterest rates. Thefederal govern-ment, statesSanders’ platform,should not bemaking a profiton student loans.

The two candi-dates have distinctrecords on one keypart of the issue:Sanders votedagainst the 2005bankruptcy“reform” legisla-tion that outlawedrestructuring stu-dent loans inbankruptcy.Hillary Clinton, atthe time a U.S.Senator represent-ing New York,missed the vote

for that bill while her husband was inthe hospital and has said she would havevoted against it. However, she did votefor an earlier, nearly identical version ofit in 2001, which did not pass. She hasbeen heavily criticized for that vote, byeveryone from Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., to then candidate Barack Obamaduring the 2008 presidential election.

Whomever is elected, let’s hopethat the student debt crisis issolved. Otherwise, Lee Siegel’s

radical act may stand as a harbinger ofthe chaos he warns is needed to bringabout change. Ancient Cronus was infact overthrown by Zeus, his sixth son.Zeus’s mother hid him from Cronus,who was tricked into devouring a stone

wrapped in swad-dling instead. Abattle ensued, andsure enough, ZeussupplantedCronus.

Until there is asolution to thepresent crisis, col-lege students areat the mercy of aravenous systemeschewing thepromise ofAmerica. AnAmerica thatpreys on itsyoung mocks theepithet of “great-est country in theworld.” A greatcountry has itschildren’s interestat heart. It doesnot consumethem out of atitanic appetitefor interest oncapital.

Mauro Bressi isan Assistant FieldDirector for CSA inDistricts 1 & 2.

College students are atthe mercy of a ravenoussystem eschewing thepromise of this country,consuming them forinterest on capital.

When Will America Stop Eating Its Young?ViewpointViewpoint

Mauro Bressi

CSA SalutesVeterans

Michael E. BackelStanley BeckerArthur IsmanLeon KurtzJoseph RosendaleSimpson SasserithJacob SchorrLouis Eladio TorresJulius ZeidmanSamuel Zilberzweig

BY MARIA SMITH

CSA is proud to publish names ofmore members who served our countryin the U.S. Armed Services. We thankyou for your service!

HONOR ROLL GOOD THINGS FOR YOUR SCHOOL

BY CSA STAFF

The American Association of Blacks inEnergy (AABE) is an organization ofAfrican Americans in the energy indus-try. Through its scholarship program,AABE seeks to increase the number ofAfrican Americans, Hispanics and NativeAmericans in energy related fields.

EligibilityCandidates must: Have, minimally, anoverall “B” unweighted academic average(3.0 or better on a 4.0 scale); Be a gradu-ating HS senior who has applied to oneor more accredited colleges/universities;Plan to major in business, one of thephysical sciences, technology, engineer-ing, or mathematics fields in preparationfor a career in the energy sector; Be amember of one of a class or group of indi-

viduals who has been historically under-represented in the sciences, technology,engineering and math related disciplines.

SelectionScholarship recipients are selected eachspring by the organization’s local chaptercommittee for local scholarships and bythe national scholarship committee fornational scholarships.

AwardsThe NY Metropolitan Area Chapter ofAABE will award $2,000. The winningapplication is forwarded to compete for aNortheast Regional Award of $3,000.Additionally, a “Rufus D. Gladney”Premier Award of $5,000 is given annuallyfor a maximum of four years to the candi-date who demonstrates the most promise.National Awards are made to the students

upon presentation of proof of enrollmentat an accredited college or university.Distribution of local chapter awards aremade at the discretion of the local chapterupon proof of enrollment at an accreditedcollege or university.

The Application PackageConsideration will be given only to can-didates submitting complete applicationpackages which include: 1) a completedAABE application form (copies areacceptable); 2) an official high schooltranscript; 3) official proof of ACT or SATscores; 4) two letters of reference; and 5)a completed checklist. Please redactSocial Security Numbers from any docu-ments. Completed application packagesmust be submitted no later than March 4to the local AABE chapter. Visit aabe.orgfor applications and more information.

Energy Industry Scholarship Program

n Saturn Devouring His Son, painted byFrancisco Goya in the early 19th century.

NATION

Labor

CSA NEWSJan. 2016 9

Caribbean SailFeb. 13-20, 2016

Sail from San Juan to St. Croix, St.Kitts, St. Martin, Martinique and Barbados.Enjoy the luxury of the Adventure of theSea, Royal Caribbean’s popular cruise ship.

RATES: Call for rates. Very limitedspace.

2016 Spring BreakApril 23-May 1, 2016

We’ll fly to elegant San Juan andboard the fabulous Celebrity Summit.We’ll sail back to the states stopping inSt. Martin, St. Thomas and Bermudabefore we arrive home in Bayonne, NJ.

RATES: Rates begin at an astounding$628.09 for inside cabins (plus one-wayairfare to San Juan.) Rates won’t last.

Japan, Korea, Russia!July 3-17, 2016

Sail the beautiful Diamond Princessdeparting Tokyo July 3 to Busan (Korea),Nagasaki, Tokyo, Kushiro, ShiretokoPeninsula, Korsakov (Russia), Otaru,Hakodate, Aomori, and return to Tokyoon July 16. Tokyo pre stay is available.

Rates begin at $2,119 incl. taxes.Optional insurance and air is notincluded. At this point flights are deeplydiscounted and is a great opportunity touse AA miles. Is 15 days too long?

Join the Diamond Princess on July 8-17 for a shorter version with rates begin-ning at $1,499! Call for details.

China by Land, RiverAug. 13-25, 2016

This will be a magical trip as we cruisethe Viking River Cruises Emerald for sixdays and explore parts of Xian andShanghai by land. In Xian, we’ll see thefamous Terracotta Army, including 8,000soldiers, 130 chariots with 520 horses and150 cavalry horses. We’ll spend two nightsin Beijing, fly to Xian for 2 nights, thenboard the Emerald for the 5-night cruiseon the Yangtze, disembark the boat inShanghai and spend 2 nights. A 4-nightextension to Hong Kong is also available.

RATES: $2,767 to 3,067, althoughLoyalty Passengers may receive additionalsavings. Rate includes most meals, sight-seeing, deluxe lodging, intra-China air-fare. Airfare to China and insurance notincluded, but please note that Vikingoffers deep discounts on airfare.

Sirena-Oceania Sept. 20 - Oct. 4, 2016

Includes FREE airfare (capacity con-trolled)! Depart U.S. Sept. 19, and arrivein Barcelona Sept. 20. Sail the brand newSirena to: Cartagena, Malaga, Cadiz,Lisbon, Madeira, Tenerife, Arecife, Agadir-Morocco, Casablanca, Gibraltar (United

Kingdom), Palma de Mallorca.RATES: begin at $5,799 per person

double interior. Porthole $6,299 per per-son; Window $6,799 per person;Verandah $7,799 per person. Gov’t. fees,taxes are included. Optional insuranceavailable. Ask for O-Life perks!

Return to CubaDec. 13-21, 2016

Depart Dec. 13 - overnight at theTampa Marriott. Dec. 14 fly to Santa Clarain preparation for our inclusive tour toCayo Santa Maria, Remedios, Caibarien,Cienfuegos, and Havana. Return fromHavana to NY via Miami.

RATES: All inclusive with air, touring,lodging, and 17 meals $4,599 pp-dbl(additional discounts may apply). Singlesadd $450. We have 38 seats and they willgo quickly!

Panama Canal CruiseJan. 4 - Jan. 19 2017

Depart Los Angeles Jan. 4, 2017 andarrive Fort Lauderdale Jan. 19, 2017. VisitPuerto Vallarta, Huatulco, San Juan DelSur, Puntarenas, full canal transit,Cartagena, and Aruba. Secure deepest dis-count rates now with deposit. Rates beginat $1,899 pp. Add taxes and insurance.

For more info, contact Gary Goldstein atggoldstein@csa-nyc.org with any questions.

Head Far South or Sail Away!

GARY GOLDSTEIN

TravelDesk

NORTH CAROLINA:

Political RivalsThe North Carolina Association ofEducators, once a powerhouseamong state advocacy groupswhen Democrats ruled, continues topush its agenda with Republicanswho control the General Assemblychambers since 2010. The group’sefforts have been stymied on manyissues, though it has been able toincrease textbook funding and pre-serve thousands of teacher assis-tant positions. (timesunion.com)

INDIANA:

Work-Share

Global Contact Services, whichhires MTA contract workers to fieldcalls for Access-A-Ride, is the sub-ject of an inquiry. Workers com-plain about low wages, hostileworking environments and bedbugs in their office. Talks haveincreased between TWA Local 100,the union that represents theworkers, and Global ContactServices. It is hoped that a strikewill be averted. (nytimes.com)

— COMPILED BYCHRISTINE ALTMAN

Administrators at the state’s largestonline charter network – CaliforniaVirtual Academies (CAVA) –responded to teachers’ efforts toorganize by arguing that its teach-ers do not comprise a single legalentity. However, the Californiastate labor board recently decidedotherwise, allowing the CaliforniaTeachers Association to serve astheir exclusive bargaining repre-sentative. A recent report indicatesthat CAVA network has poor aca-demic outcomes, financial conflictsof interest, and insufficient supportfor teachers. (prospect.org)

Indiana is pursuing legislativeapproval of a work-share proposal.The plan would allow businesses toreduce employees’ hours duringeconomic slowdowns while the statewould provide unemployment com-pensation for lost wages. Followingin the footsteps of nearly 30 otherstates, Indiana hopes the programwill preserve jobs. Unions have sup-ported such initiatives in the pastand will likely continue to do so, pro-vided they do not include languagethat would void collective bargain-ing agreements. (wane.com)

CALIFORNIA:

Unions & Charters

NEW YORK:

MTA Contract Work

Teachers and students are back toschool, in spite of an ongoing con-tract dispute, following a 21-daystrike – the maximum allowed bylaw. The district and union willmeet with a non-binding arbitrator,each to present its best contractoffer. If agreement is not reached,there could be another strike. Thedistrict and union are at odds on:salary, class size and length of day.(pittsburgh.cbslocal.com)

PENNSYLVANIA:

Back To School

• • •Join us inFeb. at the Capitol tofight backagainstattacks,and advocatefor ourissues

LegislativeAgenda Herman Merritt

In April, the New York StateLegislature passed theEducation TransformationAct, part of the FY 2016State Budget. The bill had a

wide range of measures tuckedinto it, enough to rankle orplease people from across thespectrum. The school reformcrowd, led by Gov. AndrewCuomo, got a lot of what itwanted, such as stringentteacher evaluation rules. Forthose concerned about futuregenerations of teachers andadministrators, the bill encour-aged the recruitment of high-achieving students into schoolsof education. It also mandatedthat all educators had to com-plete additional hours of contin-uing education. With the infu-sion of $1.3 billion to the educa-tion budget, legislators heldtheir noses and passed it.Besides, the thinking went, thelaw could be amended later.

One of the changes manypeople wanted to make had todo with labeling schools as “fail-ing.” As AssemblywomanCatherine Nolan and SenatorHugh T. Farley wrote, there is astigma attached to such lan-

guage, one that “further perpet-uates the issues and difficultiesthese schools face.” The label ofa failing school encourages stu-dents to transfer. At the veryleast, such a designation seemsto provide proof that they arenot getting a good education.The legislation by Ms. Nolanand Mr. Farley sought to change“failing” and “persistently fail-ing” to “struggling” and “persis-tently struggling,” words thatsuggest the situation isn’t per-manent. Their bill passed theAssembly 137-1, and the Senateapproved it 62-0.

Despite that near total sup-port, Gov. Cuomo vetoed thebill on Dec. 11. “I do not believein making isolated changes out-

side of a larger conversationabout our state’s commitmentto maximizing student achieve-ment at these schools,” theGovernor argued. Educators andparents who understand the sig-nificance of language in moti-vating students were devastated.

Although this effort has beenunsuccessful so far, we appreci-ate the efforts of Assembly-woman Nolan and SenatorFarley.

By the time you read thiscolumn, the Governor willhave introduced his

annual budget as well as deliv-ered his State of the Stateaddress. Please read CSA’s leg-islative agenda for the 2016 ses-sion on our website: www.csa-nyc.org. Hopefully, we canspend our energy advocatingproactively for the issues thatare of interest to us rather thanfighting draconian measuresthat don’t help our schools suc-ceed. Join us on Thurs., Feb. 25as we travel to Albany to fightfor our issues and against theongoing attacks on public edu-cation.

Cuomo’s Lands a Linguistic Low Blow

With the infusionof 1.3 billion tothe educationbudget, lawmakersheld their nosesand passed it.

In Dec., the Zadroga Act, firstpassed in 2011 to fund healthcareneeds of 911 responders, was madepermanent. Key to its passage wasthe fact that it was placed within

the $1.1 trillion omnibus spending bill,legislation lawmakers had to approve inorder to prevent a government shutdown. Hats off to all who took time topetition members of Congress. Rep.Carolyn Maloney, D-N.Y., and Sen.Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y. were steadfastin pushing through the reauthorization.Yes, our government still works, but inthis case it required nearly 10 years ofpersistence by citizens like you.

The omnibus spending package alsoincluded a historic increase -- $350 mil-lion – for Alzheimer’s Disease research.You may recall that CSA and the RetireeChapter participated in raising moneyfor the Alzheimer’s Association. Afterall, many of us have experienced thedevastation and seen how Alzheimer’saffects our family and friends.

Please reach out to those who haveretired recently and encourage them tojoin the Retiree Chapter and a local

unit. We want newly retired members to experience a smoothtransition to a new and exciting chapter in their lives. If you haveany questions, call the Retiree Chapter.

The Educational/Cultural committee’s spring brochure isincluded in this newspaper. Trips and events fill up quickly, so signup immediately. Online registration begins on Jan. 25.

By now, retirees receiving Social Security should have receivedtheir Social Security benefit letter for 2016. This letter tells youexactly how much you will receive, minus your standardMedicare Part B monthly deduction and in addition any income-related monthly deduction based on your income tax return for2014. Save this Social Security benefit letter, especially if you arefiling for IRMAA in the fall. For those who pay more than thestandard deduction, I will talk more in coming months aboutIRMAA and what is submitted.

For the New Year, we will continue to “fine-tune” our 3-year to5-year planning committees to improve our services and addressour needs. Our standing committees are: Units, Legislative,Educational/Cultural, Outreach, and Supplemental Benefits.

Remember to register for the Outreach Workshops given byFelice Hannah. This year we are requesting that you registeronline for $5. See the article on the facing page for the upcomingworkshop titles and dates.

R emember to give to CSA’s PAC, Political Action Committee,formerly called COPE. Through PAC contributions we areable to pursue political actions to protect our benefits,

defend active members’ working conditions and support the besteducational practices for all students.

On behalf of the RC, it is my hope and wish that everyone hasa healthy and happy New Year!

CHAIR’S MESSAGE

Gayle Lockett

2015 Was A SolidLegislative Year

Ch a p t e r

The persistenceof citizenslike youmakes oursystemwork.

• • •

Bauer, SusanBoykin, AngelaClarke, Erica

Clark-Johnson, DeborahEsposito, LisaGomez, Ana

Halperin, MarciaMiller, JoanWilkins, Pamela

Welcome New Chapter Members

CSA NEWS10 Jan. 2016

One Day University offers daylong semi-nars, with classes that run just over one hour.Award-winning professors from the country'stop colleges and universities teach these shortseminars, on a wide variety of topics. Learningis a rewarding, lifelong process, not a chorethat ended on the day one received theirdiploma. This is pure mental stimulation,

learning without any of the aspects you mayhave dreaded in your school days: no tests,no homework, no term papers and no stress.

The program is once again offering mem-bers of the CSA Retiree Chapter a discount.Review the spring offering and register directlywith One Day University using the code forthe discount.

To Register: Call One Day University at (800) 300-3438 info@onedayu.com | www.onedayu.com

One-Day University: Go Back to College For Spring Offerings

Genius Day with the 92nd Street YOne Day University has teamed up with 92nd Street Y to present a special morning offascinating lectures by three dynamic college professors renowned for their teaching.

March 12 | Cost for CSA members: $89 with the Code “CSA89” (full price $149)92nd Street Y - Kaufmann Concert Hall | 1395 Lexington Ave., NY, NY 10128

9:30 – 10:35 am: The Genius of Mozart | Craig Wright / Yale University10:50 – 11:55 am: The Genius of Michelangelo | William Wallace / Washington U. in St. Louis12:10 – 1:15 pm: The Genius of Shakespeare | Joseph Luzzi / Bard College

May 7 | Cost for CSA members: $109 with the Code “CSA99” (full price $179)Symphony Space | 537 Broadway @95th Street, New York, NY

9:30 – 10:40 am: Reinventing English: The Future of Reading, Writing and Thinking Seth Lerer / University of California at San Diego10:55 am – 1:25 pm: America's Founders: What Were They Really Like? Joanne Freeman / Yale University12:05 – 1:25 pm: Lunch Break2:50 – 4 pm: How Religion Changes Your Brain Andrew Newberg / Thomas Jefferson University Medical School

RETIREEMinimum Wage

n Richard Oppenheimer, CSA Retiree Chapter Legislative Liaison (left) and Marvin Goodman,Bronx Retiree Chapter Unit Leader, rallied at Manhattan’s Foley Square on Nov. 10 in the ‘Fight for15’ Campaign to raise the minimum wage to $15 per hour. More than 10,000 people attended.

CSA NEWS / Retiree ChapterJan. 2016 11

The Brooklyn Unit Newsletter Brooklyn Byteswill be sent to members this month. Thenewsletter will contain information about trips,luncheons, our unit elections and unit meetingdates for this year. We also want to thank allmembers who contributed to our toy and bookgift drive to the children at the Kianga HouseShelter.

— RON JONES

BROOKLYN

The members of the Lower Hudson ValleyRegional Unit enjoyed a wonderful afternoonat the Westchester Broadway Theater on Nov.18, 2015. The performance of Showboat wasoutstanding. All members will be receiving theirmembership renewal form and winter newslet-ter in late January. If you will be in a warmerclimate and would like your informationemailed to you, please contact me atLoHudCSA@aol.com. Please send all commentsand suggestions to the same email address orwrite to me at 26 First Street, P.O. Box 8545,Pelham, NY 10803.

— JANICE IMUNDI

LOWER HUDSON VALLEY

We are pleased to announce that the QueensUnit has started a movie club. Members whoexpress an interest will receive email notifica-tions about movies showing at the North ShoreTowers Cinema for $8 per ticket, with a discus-sion afterwards at the Towers Restaurant nextdoor.

Meanwhile, now is the time to renew yourmembership in the Queens Regional Unit for2016. The form can be downloaded from ourwebsite at www.csaqueens.org. You will receiveinformation about all of our activities through-out the winter months by email or by period-ically checking the site.

If you have any questions you can contactme at stermanlen@aol.com. Best wishes for ahealthy and happy new year!

— LEONARD B. STERMAN

QUEENS

By the first week of Jan., you should havereceived fliers about our three spring excursions.Please make out a separate check out for eachevent to "Manhattan Unit, CSARC." Fill out thebottom of the flier, detach it and send it withyour checks to: Irma Schonhaut, 305 E. 24Street, 19 S, New York, NY, 10010. Of course,you may place all the checks and detached slipsin one envelope. If you have any questions callIrma at 212-685-6823. On behalf of our entireunit, I want to express deep gratitude to Irmafor the truly terrific job she does.

— STANLEY WILSON

MANHATTAN

I wish to thank Al and Sandy Levy forarranging our wonderful “Dine Around” dinner,held at Henry’s Restaurant in Delray Beach.Meanwhile, all of our members should havereceived the first newsletter of the season. Weare in the process of putting together the direc-tory for this year. If you have not sent in yourmembership dues, please do so now so thatyour name and information will appear in thedirectory, which will be given out at the Jan.25 Health and Welfare Meeting and at the Feb.5 meeting and luncheon at BenvenutosRestaurant in Boynton Beach. Please see thenewsletter for all event dates. If you have notreceived any information, call me at (561) 964-8865 or e-mail me at gcleflt@gmail.com.

—DR. LOIS TURETZKY

SOUTHEAST FLORIDA Save the date: On April 18, a health fair will

be held at Central State Hospital in Freehold,NJ from 10 am to 1 pm. Flyers will be sent tomembers by email or through the US PostalService soon with more details. Any questions,write me at luluvecch@gmail.com or call me at(732) 919-1801. On behalf of the New JerseyExecutive Board, I wish you all a very happy,healthy and prosperous new year.

—LUCILLE VECCHIARELLI

NEW JERSEY

On Tuesday Dec. 8, about 50 membersattended the Staten Island Retiree Unit’s annualholiday gala at the Hilton Garden Inn. TheTottenville High School Saxophone ensemble,led by faculty advisor Laurie D'Amico, playedholiday music as the members arrived, and EdMorand, a former music teacher, played thekeyboard during lunch. RC Chair Gayle Lockettand RC Director Mark Brodsky addressed thecrowd. During the party, there was entertain-ment such as a holiday trivia contest, giveawaysof movie tickets, and a supper for two at theHilton. Members collected a huge stack of pres-ents for the "Toys for Tots" program, sponsoredby the United States Marines and coordinatedby Mike Marotta, former Marine and TottenvilleHigh School Principal.

Thanks to everyone who helped make thissuch a success, including David LaMorte,Assistant Principal of Visual, Performing, andCareer Arts at Tottenville High School.

— AL NILSEN

STATEN ISLAND

We will have the first of our two 2016 meet-ings at The Oriental Buffet restaurant in Sarasotaon Tues., Jan. 26 at noon. Details of the meetingand location directions are being mailed at theend of Dec. Please respond as soon as you receivethem. Questions? Call me at 941-383-0408.

—MIKE NEMOYTIN

SUNCOAST

Presentations Concerning Benefits: March 16Representatives from Medicare, Social Security, Veteran’sAdministration and The Office of Labor Relations Health BenefitsUnit will present on: Medicare and The Affordable Health Care Actand Patient Protection Rights; Social Security Updates; City HealthCoverage and Plans; Part B Premium Reimbursement Procedures;Veteran’s Benefits and Prescription Drugs.

Cybercrime: April 13 A presenter from The ICAC Task ForceCybercrime Unit will discuss how to keep yourself and your chil-dren safe from cybercrime.

Medicare and Explanation of Benefits: May 11MichaelFisher, CSA Retiree, will help you understand information providedon your Medicare Summary Notices and how to avoid becoming avictim of Medicare Fraud. Felice Hannah will explain differences inOriginal Medicare and Medicare Advantage Plans (MA) andExplanation of Benefits (EOB) for MA and Medicare Part D.

Getting Your Papers In Order: Sept. 7 A Long Term CareAttorney and Felice Hannah will present a workshop on AdvanceCare Planning and Estate Planning.

2016 Workshops Registration is $5. Fill out and mail the form below or registeronline at: www.csa-nyc.org. Coordinated by Felice Hannah, CSARetiree Member. All workshops will be 9 am – 1 pm at CSAHeadquarters, 40 Rector St., 12th floor, NY, NY 10006

n Mike Marotta, former Marine and retired Tottenville HS Principal helped collect “Toys for Tots” at theStaten Island retiree unit’s annual holiday event on Dec. 8.

RC Regional Units

OUTREACH WORKSHOPSn Wed., March 16, 2016 n Wed., May 11, 2016n Wed., April 13, 2016 n Wed., Sept. 7, 2015

Name

Address

Home Number:

Cell Number:

E-mail Address:

Mail to: CSA Retiree Chapter, 40 Rector St., 12th Fl., NY, NY 10006.You will only receive a reminder prior to the event if you give usan active email address. Checks payable to CSA Retiree Chapter:$5. A SEPARATE CHECK MUST BE SUBMITTED FOR EACHWORKSHOP. For more information call (212) 823-2020, ext. 2075

AARP Driver Safety ProgramFeb 2 at 9:30 am | 6 Hours of Instruction

Name

Address

Home Number:

Cell Number:

E-mail Address:

Mail by Jan. 25, to CSA Retiree Chapter, 40 Rector St., 12th Fl., NY,NY 10006. Or email Lucie@csa- nyc.org. Include a copy of your validdriver’s license and if applicable your current AARP membershipcard. Checks payable to AARP. $20 for AARP members, $25 for non -members. For more information, call (212) 823 -2020, ext. 2075.

All retirees are welcome. Online registration is not available, andis limited so sign up now. Class will be at CSA headquarters: 40Rector St., 12th Floor.

Register by mailing coupon below. 1) Send check with thecoupon: AARP members $20; non- �members $25. 2) Send copy ofvalid driver’s license and copy of current AARP membership, if appli-cable. We will send you a letter of confirmation. Participants mustbring to class a valid driver’s license and a current AARP membershipcard. Light refreshments will be provided and you are welcome tobring a bag lunch.

Defensive Driving Class

JANUARY 2016

Periodicals

US POSTAGE PAID ATBrooklyn, NY 11201and Additional Mailing Office

Council of School Supervisors & Administrators, NYCNew York State Federation of School AdministratorsLocal 1 AFSA, AFL-CIO40 Rector St., NY, NY 10006

Printed on FSC certified paper

Borough Briefs / In The Schools Compiled by Corey Bachman

Students of Harlem RenaissanceHigh School premiered their films atthe famed TriBeCa Film Center ScreeningRoom. Through a partnership with theTriBeCa Film Center, students learnscreenwriting, film production, editingand get to explore possible careers in thefilm industry. “It’s a great partnershipbecause we focus on practical and cre-ative skills,” said Principal Nadav Zeimer.Twelve films were screened, including afaux-horror movie titled, “Children ofthe Common Core.”

Send Borough Briefs to Corey Bachmanat corey@csa-nyc.org.

Lights! Camera!And…Action!

PS 97 The Forest Park School’sGenerationOn Kids Care Club held their“Donate-A-Toothbrush” drive the weekof Nov. 2. The students collected 236new toothbrushes for people in Haiti.“When you think about it, somethingas simple as a toothbrush promotes per-sonal hygiene and there are many peoplewho do not have one,” said PrincipalMarilyn Custodio. “Our donation tothose in Haiti will allow them to main-tain a healthier lifestyle and for that weare thrilled.”

A Simple Gift

In Dec., to recognize World AIDS Day,Edward R. Murrow High Schoolshowcased presentations to teach aboutHIV awareness and prevention, includingpanels from the AIDS Memorial Quilt inthe school’s gymnasium. One panel wasmarked with the names of a former stu-dent and two teachers from the schoolwho died from complications of thevirus. The entire quilt, first displayed inWashington D.C. in 1987, spanned thelength of 24 football fields. It is alsoreferred to as the world’s largest commu-nity art project.

For World AIDS Day

Brooklyn (DIST.13-23,32)

Bronx (DIST.7-12)

Queens (DIST. 24 - 30)

Schools Chancellor Carmen Fariña,in early Dec., recognized 15 city schoolsfor offering exemplary instruction fordual language learners. Among theschools was PS 19 The Curtis School,which conducts dual language classes inSpanish and English. Each school willreceive $10,000 from the Department ofEducation to purchase multilingualinstructional materials and to fund ongo-ing professional development. “DualLanguage promotes our students’advancement into the world of biliteracyand fosters an appreciation, not only oftheir culture, but the culture of others,”said Principal Mary Petrone. “Becomingbilingual in this process is a lifelong gift.”

Dual Language

Staten Island (D-31)

Manhattan (DIST.1-6)

Academics and Activism

A problem all too familiar to New Yorkers created an opportunity for lessonsin advocacy at PS 54. Principal Dr. Marybelle Ferreira, the Student Counciland the Parent Association joined forces to take back their sidewalks --

from dog excrement. Students have complained they often find themselveswalking unknowingly onto dog poop on their way to and from school, oftendelaying their arrival to school. The school community dubbed the campaign,"Clean Up After Your Pup." The student council organized a poster awarenesscontest and the top students, staff and parents voted on the best student posters.Winning designs were transformed into weather-resistant signs and hung outsideon the school walls and fences. Parents and staff donated plastic containers andshopping bags to be used as waste bags for dog owners. The effort culminatedwith a community rally.

n PS 97 students collected toothbrusheswhich they donated to Haiti.

n Dual Language programadministrators, from left toright: Evelyn Crespo, PS19model dual languageteacher; Australia Fernande,LPP facilitator; Sam Seidman,PS19 model teacher; EnricoDomingo, Borough FieldSupport ELL Compliance;Mary Petrone, PS19 modelprincipal; AlexandraScribani, PS16 modelteacher; Lara Scaringella,PS16 model teacher; MariaSimpson, Melissa Donath,PS22 Principal.