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focuson educators

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

California Teachers AssociationStatement of Mission

The California Teachers Association exists to protect and promote the well-being of its members; to improve the

conditions of teaching and learning; to advance the cause of free, universal, and quality public education; to ensure

that the human dignity and civil rights of all children and youth are protected; and to secure a more just, equitable,

and democratic society.

MAY 2012

Volume XXI

Number 9

In this Issue

Presidents Message &

Informational Items ..pgs. 1-3

Announcements.p.3

Rally Photos...p.4

CTA News......pgs. 5-7

PEA Calendar.... .The Last Page

As the school year closes and many

of you get ready to wind down for

the summer, please take some timeat your school site to gather and

decide who will be the site reps for

the 2012-2013 school year.

Hopefully many seasoned reps will

stay on board, but if not, we really

need YOU to volunteer. When I getinformation from CTA to pass

along or when PEA has information

to pass along to you I cannot do it

personally. In fact it should neverbe that the PEA President and

elected Executive Board members

do all of the Association work

personally. We need to work as a

collective team for the common

good which is the educationbusiness we are in and to make each

and every work day a safe,supported and wonderful

experience. When deciding who

will be a rep from your school site

there are several positions you can

choose to undertake. One person

can be the person to attend the

monthly rep council meetings and

then pass the information along to

their members either via a live

10-minute meeting, or by

distributing a hard copy of the

information, or by sending the infovia personal e-mails. PEA even

provides the written list of

information to tell your members. It

is very easy. The second site rep can

be the person to stuff the teacher

boxes with flyers and member info.This is also important because if

you dont get the information in a

timely manner or not at all we are in

big trouble. The third site rep can b

in charge of any elections PEA hasby collecting ballots and signature

and then dropping the election

envelope off at the PEA office.

To help reps feel better trained and

supported PEA will be offering tw

Site Rep Training sessions in

September at the PEA office after

school. The current PEA leadershi

team will also be giving the

10-minute meetings FOR YOU at

your school site so that you can sepersonally how easy it is to do. Al

at every monthly site rep council

meeting we will include a

10-minute mini lesson for reps on

handling certain situations and to

educate you on a particular contrac

topic.

PEA is bound and determined togive you the tools you will need to

make us a strong Association. We

invite you new site reps to join us the June 6th final rep council

meeting for the year so we can

show you the ropes and get youstarted. Remember that your

working conditions are your

students learning conditions and s

everything that PEA does for you i

to make both of these better.

P A

mailto:peatchrs@att.net

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Wag More and Bark Less Chris Coan, President

PEA Leadership 2011-2012

President

Chris CoanWillow Cove Elementary/ PEA Office

Elementary Vice President

Sharie ChmuraParkside Elementary

Secondary Vice PresidentArthur PruynPittsburg High

Secretary

Tammy CarrHighlands Elementary

Treasurer

Gale HigginsStoneman Elementary

Committee Chairs

Grievance Committee

Richard Higgins Pittsburg High

Jim Vaughan - RiversideNegotiations Team

Dawn Cova - Chair

Political Action Committee

Iris Contreras - Chair

Elections ChairCindy Joy

Human Rights Committee

Tasharie Ameral Chair

Womens Issues Committee

Allison Azevedo - Chair

Community Outreach Chair

VacantCTA State Council Representatives

Iris Contreras PEA

Denise James, Sara Savacool, Robert Strickler - AEA

Alternate

Pandora Bethea - AEA

CTA Director District C

Vacant

NEA Director for California, District 3

Greg Bonaccorsi

Technical Editor

Susan Harrison PEA Site Secretary

Focus on Educators

is a publication of the

Pittsburg Education Association CTA/NEA

159 East 4th Street

Pittsburg, CA 94565

Phone: (925) 432-0199

fax: (925) 432-4854

E-MAIL:peatchrs@att.net

WEBSITE: www.peateachers.org

2

Rep. Council Meeting CalendarSeptember 21

October 19

November 16

December 14January 18

February 15

March 21

April 18

May 16

June 7

***********************************

School Board Meeting CalendarAugust 10 & 24

September 14 &28

October 12 & 26November 16

December 14

January 11

February 22

March 14 & 28

April 25

May 9 & 23

June 6 & 20

***********************************

Are you Getting your PEAInformation???

Having the site reps attend their monthly meeting and

then reporting back to you is vital in the

communication chain of our Association.

Roll call at last April 18th Rep Council Meeting:

Adult Ed. absent Stoneman presentFoothill present Willow Cove presentHeights absent MLK/CC present

Highlands present Hillview - present

Los Medanos present Rancho Medanos absentMarina Vista present PHS - present

Parkside present Riverside presentTOSA present

************************************

mailto:peatchrs@att.nethttp://www.peateachers.org/http://sces.seminole.k12.ga.us/_/rsrc/1285253551306/classroom-news/untitledpost/newsletter_clip_art_1_.jpghttp://www.peateachers.org/mailto:peatchrs@att.net

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2011-2012 Pittsburg USDProgram Improvement Schools

School In PI? 2011-2012

Foothill In PI Year 5

Heights In PI Year 2

Highlands In PI Year 3

Los Medanos Not in PI

Marina Vista Not in PI

Parkside In PI Year 4

Stoneman In PI Year 3

Willow Cove In PI Year 2

Hillview In PI Year 5

Rancho Medanos In PI Year 5

Pittsburg High Not PI

************************************

Teacher Discounts

The Railroad Book Depot offers

teachers a 20% discount on most

books and special orders for

materials used in the classroom!Contact us at (925) 427-2334,

www.RailroadBookDepot.com, or

visit the store at 650 Railroad Avenue, in Old Town

Pittsburg.

************************************

U.S. Dept. of Education Publications

PEA has copies of the following U.S. Department of

Education publications. If you are interested in having acopy, e-mail your request to peatchrs@att.net. State yourdesired publication and school site and they will be ponied toyou.

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

ED002624P What Content Area Teachers ShouldKnow About Adolescent Literacy

ED001980H What is Scientifically Based Research: AGuide for Teachers

ED005150P Transforming AmericanEducation 3

ANNOUNCEMENTS

DEAR MEMBERS,

When completing timesheets for before or after schoolwork, please turn them in to payroll within 30 days toavoid any pay issues in personnel.

PEA OFFICER ELECTIONS

Elections for PEA Officers: Elementary Vice President,Secondary Vice President, Treasurer, and Secretary willbe held May 10-May21.

STATE COUNCILREPRESENTATIVE ANDMINORITY-AT-LARGE REPRESENTATIVE ELECTIONS

Election wil l be held May 18-May 30.

PEA OFFICEINFORMATION

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

PEA COMMUNITY OUTREACH has donated CaldecottAward Books to:

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

http://www.railroadbookdepot.com/mailto:peatchrs@att.nethttp://images.search.yahoo.com/r/_ylt=A2KJkPr2TrFPUmIA2HajzbkF;_ylu=X3oDMTBpcGszamw0BHNlYwNmcC1pbWcEc2xrA2ltZw--/SIG=13gu9ccm5/EXP=1337048950/**http:/www.deerlake.leon.k12.fl.us/test/Atkinson%20Clip%20Art/Forms/DispForm.aspx?ID=2http://www.nea.org/mailto:peatchrs@att.nethttp://www.railroadbookdepot.com/

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

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Settle Our Contract Presentation- April 25, 2012

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What Drains Your Energy? Mandates without resources Not enough support with special needs

students Lack of art and music in schools EL requirements Pay/benefit cuts Not listening to teachers needs Educators not doing their job, lack of effort, coasting Too many emails Discipline, lack of support for

************************************

NEWS

NEA Creat ing Chan ge

Through Soc ia l J us t ic e

OUR CORE VALUES:

Equal Opportunity. We believe public education is thegateway to opportunity. All students have the human andcivil right to a quality public education that develops theirpotential independence and character.

A Just Society. We believe public education is vital tobuilding respect for the worth, dignity, and equality ofeveryindividual in our diverse society.

Democracy. We believe public education is the cornerstoneof our republic. Public education provides individuals with theskills to be involved, informed, and engaged in ourrepresentative democracy.

Professionalism. We believe that the expertise andjudgment of education professionals are critical to studentsuccess. We maintain the highest professional standards,and we expect the status, compensation, and respect due allprofessionals.

Partnership. We believe partnerships with parents, families,communities, and other stakeholders are essential toquality public education and student success.

Collective Action. We believe individuals are strengthenedwhen they work together for the common good. Aseducation professionals, we improve both our professionalstatus and the quality of public education when we unite andadvocate collectively.

5

Unions 2.0 A Look at Unions

and the Educat ion Profession

Introduction

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

The Second World War: 1939-1945

1941 The United Auto Workers were recognized by Ford

Motor Company. They sign a union-shop agreement the first in the auto industry.

The United States entered World War II onDecember 8.

The AFL and the CIO announce a no-strike pledgefor the duration of the war.

Post War America: 1946-1990

Though the timeline below does not show it, a growing trenddeveloped and continues for the unification of unions inrelated occupations. In the 1990s, unions with no apparentconnection are merging to form large associations. Thismirrors the trends in business consolidations for reasons ofeconomy of resources.

1947

Congress passed the Taft-Hartley Act which restrictsunion activities and permits the states to pass right-to-work laws.

1948 General Motors and the United Auto Workers signed

the first major contract with an escalator clause,providing for wage increases based on theConsumer Price Index.

General Motors and the United Auto Workers signedthe first major contract with an escalator clause,providing for wage increases based on the

Consumer Price Index.

1962 Federal employees unions given the right to bargain

collectively with government agencies as a result ofPresident Kennedys executive order.

1963 The Equal Pay Act prohibited wage differences for

workers based on sex.

http://www.nea.org/http://www.clker.com/cliparts/d/Q/c/y/l/C/stickman-tired-hi.png

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1964 The Civil Rights Act prohibits discrimination in

employment based on race, color, religion, sex ornational origin.

1973 Washington became the first state to allow the union

shop for civil service employees************************************

INJURY & ILLNESS

PREVENTION PROGRAM

MISSION

It is the policy of Pittsburg Unified School District (the District)

to protect the health and safety of employees, students,guests, and the environment. This goal can be met throughthe development of a comprehensive and effectiveenvironmental health and safety plan known as the Injury andIllness Prevention Program (IIPP) that endeavors to eliminateunsafe conditions and minimize the impact of hazardoussituations. Such a program can benefit the District andcommunity by reducing illness and injury to students andpersonnel, preventing property damage, and preserving theenvironment. The District will make every reasonable effort topromote, create, and maintain a safe and healthfulenvironment. This can only be realized by adherence to basicsafety principles, sound management practices, andcompliance with applicable federal, state, and local codes,laws, and standards.

RECORDKEEPING

The following categories pertain to our recordkeeping policy.

1. Records of hazard assessment inspections,including the person(s) conducting the inspection,the unsafe conditions and work practices that havebeen identified and the action taken to correct theidentified unsafe conditions and work practices, arerecorded on the Employee Health and/or Safety

Concern AND/OR the Employee AccidentInvestigation forms.

2. Documentation of safety and health training for eachemployee, including the employees name or otheridentifier, training dates, type(s) of training, andtraining providers are recorded on an employeetraining and instruction form or sign-in sheet.Inspection records and training documentation willbe maintained according to the Districts HumanResources Department.

6

FIRST AID AND MEDICAL SERVICES

Employees must clear through their supervisor and/ormanager:

1. When leaving work prior to the end of the working

day for illness or injury.2. When returning from any absence due to

occupational illness or injury.

3. When returning from any absence due to non-occupational illness of three days or more. A releasefrom the treating physician may be required.

4. When wearing a bandage or dressing whichobscures vision.

5. When wearing a cast, splint or using a/or crutch(es).

6. Be sure to notify your supervisor of any change in

your name or address. This is important in order tomaintain necessary contact with you and your family

In case of accident, sickness or inability to report to work,phone your supervisor ASAP.

*******************************

PENSIONOMICS:

Pension benefits received by retirees arespent in the local community. This spendingripples through the economy, as one

persons spending becomes anotherpersons income, creating a multiplier effect.Pension benefits also provide billions in tax revenue.

According to the National Institue of Retirement Security:

1. Each $1 in taxpayer contributions to Califorias stateand local pension plans equates to a return of $7.91in totoal output to the state. This reflects the fact thataxpayer contributions are a minor source offinancing for retirement benefits investmentearnings and emloyee contributions finance the lions

share. (2006 NIRS data)2. Each $1 in state and local pension benefits paid to

California residents ultimately supported $1.47 intotal output in the state. This multiplierincorporates the diret, indirect, and induced impactsof retiree spending, as it ripples through the stateeconomy. (2006 NIRS data)

http://www.nea.org/http://www.nea.org/

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Warn Your Members About Mixed Messages from 403(b) Vendors

Each year, your district is required to provide meaningful notice of universal availability. That means theymust let everyone know that their 403(b) plan must be offered to everyone who is eligible, not justselected individuals. They also need to communicate when members can enter into a salary reductionagreement and how many times and when during the year they can alter their salary reductionagreement. Please forward this information to your members: Many districts attempt to satisfy themeaningful notice requirement by having their third-party administrator (TPA) send representatives toschools to talk about the 403(b) plan.

Many districts attempt to satisfy the meaningful notice requirement by having their third-party

administrator (TPA) send representatives to schools to talk about the 403(b) plan.

The TPA reps may provide the meaningful notice, but may also promote 403(b) plans affiliatewith the TPA. This does not mean the district has vetted or done any due diligence on the403(b) plans. Dont confuse the districts relationship with the TPA as vetting of the 403(b)vendors.

The 403(b) vendors approved by the district must register on403bCompare.com. You can goto this website to compare the fees and performance of the various vendors available to you.

Encourage your members to use the resources atCTAinvest.orgto learn more about their 403(b) and

457plans.

Change is a journey,

not a blueprint

...provide a map,not a route.

Michael Fullan

http://403bcompare.com/http://403bcompare.com/http://403bcompare.com/http://ctainvest.org/home.aspxhttp://ctainvest.org/home.aspxhttp://ctainvest.org/home.aspxhttp://ctainvest.org/home.aspxhttp://403bcompare.com/

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PEA

MAY 2012

10-21 PEA Executive Board Election

12 WHO Award Hs Lordships Berkeley 11:00 AM

13 Mothers Day

16 PEA Rep Council PEA Office 159 East 4

th

St. 3:45 PM18-30 State Council & Minority-at-Large Election

23 PUSD School Board Meeting 2000 Railroad Ave. 7:00 PM

28 Memorial Day

J UNE 2012

6 PEA Executive Board PEA Office 159 East 4th

St. 3:45 PM

6 PUSD School Board Meeting 2000 Railroad Ave. 7:00 PM7 PEA Rep Council PEA Office 159 East 4th

St. 3:45 PM (Thursday)

13 Last Day of Instruction

14 Last Day @ Work

17 Fathers Day

20 PUSD School Board Meeting 2000 Railroad Ave. 7:00 PM

20 Summer Begins

STAY INFORMED @

Peateachers.org

WWW.CTA.ORG & WWW.NEA.ORG

http://www.nea.org/http://www.nea.org/http://www.nea.org/http://www.nea.org/

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