PEA

focus
on educators
California Teachers Association
Statement of Mission
continued devotion to our students and to the teaching profession. I know your work is challenging and sometimes the teaching environment is less than ideal. Sometimes you dont feel valued or respected, but youre doing important work and together we can improve the teaching and learning conditions in our schools. Before you leave for a muchdeserved respite, consider taking a moment to recognize those around you who share the same commitment to creating safe, effective, and quality public schools in Pittsburg. Since this is a time of thanksgiving, acknowledge those who help us successfully do our job of educating the youngsters of Pittsburg. Lastly, during American Education Week, the NEA is encouraging all of us to Raise Our Hands for public education. Please take a few minutes to join me in pledging to continue to advocate for and advance the cause of public education. I pledge to RAISE MY HAND for: ! Every child in America to have access to quality public education, regardless of family income or where they live. ! All educators to be respected and treated as professionals and You can take the pledge at nea.org/aew. Enjoy the Thanksgiving break! In Unity and With Gratitude, Dawn Cova participate in key education policy discussions. ! Parents, families, communities, and educators to come together and create partnerships to foster environments that are conducive for student learning. ! Elected officials to do their part to ensure adequate tools and resources for all schools, include educators in key policy discussions, and make sure that students have access to a world class educationfrom pre-k and beyond. ! Public schools to have smaller class sizes, up-to-date textbooks, and safe and clean environments. Signing this pledge, I commit to being an advocate for great public schools for every student, and I will tell my relatives, friends, and colleagues to Raise Your Hand for student success.

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

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.

NOVEMBER 2013

Volume XXII, Number 3

In this Issue - Meet Your Bargaining Chair - Know Your Contract - Conference Info/Scholarships - CTA News

Presidents Message
Dear Colleagues, November 18-22 is American Education Week. It is a time when the National Education Association celebrates the hard-working educators and education support personnel in Americas public schools. Although in California, we celebrate educators and classified education support staff in May, you cant say Thank you too often to those who work tirelessly to provide outstanding public schools in our community. So, I would like to thank you for your dedication and professionalism. Thank you for your

PEA Leadership 2013-2014

President Dawn Cova Rancho Medanos/PEA Office Elementary Vice President Tammy Carr Highlands Elementary Secondary Vice President Shelly Bascomb Rancho Medanos Secretary Chris Coan Willow Cove Elementary Treasurer Gale Higgins Stoneman Elementary Committee Chairs: Grievance Committee John Kleinjans Pittsburg High Negotiations Team Mark Maselli - Chair Political Action Committee Iris Contreras - Chair Elections Chair Ruth Foster Human Rights Committee Tasharie Ameral Womens Issues Committee Allison Azevedo - Chair O-Team Vacant CTA State Council Representatives Iris Contreras PEA Sara Savacool, Robert Strickler - AEA Alternate Pandora Bethea - AEA CTA Director District C Terri Jackson NEA Director for California, District 3 Greg Bonaccorsi Technical Editor Susan Harrison PEA Site Secretary

Rep. Council Meeting Calendar

November 20 December 18 January 22 February 19 March 19 April 16 May 21 June 4 ***********************************

School Board Meeting Calendar

November 13 December 11 January TBD February TBD March TBD April TBD May TBD June TBD ***********************************

Are you getting your PEA information?

Having our Site Reps collect your input, attend the monthly Rep meeting and then report back to you is vital in the communication chain of our Association. Roll call at October 16th Rep Council Meeting: Foothill present Heights present Highlands present Los Medanos present Marina Vista present Parkside present Stoneman absent Willow Cove absent MLK Jr. present Hillview - present Rancho Medanos present PHS - present Black Diamond absent Adult Ed. present

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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 email: info@peateachers.org website: www.peateachers.org

Please give your personal email address to your Site Rep in order to stay connected!

PEA Community Outreach Presents

Our 3rd Annual Sock Drive

Rio All-Suite Hotel Las Vegas, NV Equity and Human Rights Conference February 28-March 2, 2014 Marriott Hotel Irvine, CA

November 18 to December 13 Please donate a new pair of childrens socks for the children of the Pittsburg Boys and Girls Club! Please give your donation to your PEA Site Rep. Thank you for your generosity!

Announcing

CTA SCHOLARSHIPS
Human Rights Awards
CTA is accepting applications for the following categories: Jim Clark American Indian/Alaska Native Human Rights Award Cesar Chavez Human Rights Award CTA Member Human Rights Award CTA Peace and Justice Human Rights Award Lois Tinson Human Rights Award Nancy Bailey Leadership in Lesbian and Gay Issues Human Rights Award Pacific Asian American Human Rights Award Physically/Mentally Challenged Students Issues Human Rights Award Womens Issues Human Rights Award All applications must be postmarked on or before January 7, 2014. For more information on the individual categories, please go to: www.cta.org/ /Scholarships

Join us for Old Town Pittsburgs Holiday Parade Saturday, December 14

Bring the whole family and enjoy the Holiday Boutique and Peppermint Playland after the parade!
PEA is seeking members to volunteer. Wear your Pittsburg Teachers Care t-shirt & a Santa hat if you have one! email info@peateachers.org for more info!

Cesar E. Chavez Memorial Education Awards Program

CTA is holding the 13th annual art and essay competition in honor of Cesar E. Chavez. Winners will receive recognition and up to $550.00. Individual Projects can be either Written Essays or Visual Arts. All applications and projects must be postmarked by January 10, 2014. For more information and applications, please go to: www.cta.org/ /Scholarships CTA is also supporting the Martin

UPCOMING 2013-2014 CTA CONFERENCES/EVENTS Ethnic Minority/Human Rights Reception December 10, 2013 Sail Boat House Oakland, CA 6:00 8:30 p.m. Good Teaching Conference North January 10-12, 2014 Fairmont Hotel San Jose, CA Issues Conference January 17-19, 2014 3

Luther King Jr. Memorial Scholarship Fund Drive. This

memorial fund is designed to assist ethnic minority CTA members and their dependent children pursue degrees or credentials for teaching-related careers in public education. Applications must be submitted online or postmarked by February 21, 2014. More information about contributions and applications can be found at: www.cta.org/ /Scholarships

CTA SCHOLARSHIPS (Cont.)

Applications are now being accepted for the following 2014 Online CTA Scholarships: Dependent Children Del A. Weber for Dependent Children Attending Continuation High School/Alternative Education Members L. Gordon Bittle Memorial Scholarship for Student CTA

Applications must be submitted online or postmarked by February 7, 2014. To learn about the individual scholarships, please go to: www.cta.org/ /Scholarships ************************************

I had the privilege to attend the Region 1 Leadership Conference in Pacific Grove last month at the beautiful Asilomar Conference Center. This was my first CTA conference so I wasnt sure what to expect but I hoped to learn more about our union and its members. I was not disappointed as I learned more about bargaining, how to create a positive public image, current labor laws, the Affordable Care Act and its impact on bargaining as well as the important role CTA played in the creation of the California public education budget. Im sure I was not the first newbie to a CTA conference to be a bit overwhelmed by all the class choices, acronyms and large number of knowledgeable, proactive union members but I was still encouraged by the positive yet assertive energy that CTA put forth. Plus, my roommates, Dawn Cova and Alexis Verworn, made the weekend comfortable and fun. I enjoyed getting to know my fellow PEA members as well as members of our neighboring districts. As I heard stories of battles that rage in other districts, I felt fortunate to have such a strong group of members in our local union. However, I came away understanding that we must encourage new teachers as well as all members to get involved or we may lose strength in the future. CTAs strength seems to be greatly related to collaboration and support across the state. In fact, while at the conference I saw many members exchanging ideas and talking about ways to support each other toward our common goals. While there, I couldnt help but ask myself How do I help the union? Im no hero like some of the people around me? I came away realizing that even if you dont see yourself as a hero, you are doing important work when you inform others about their contractual rights and speak up for them if needed. I was always proud to be a part of this great profession but I now realize that it didnt get this way by accident; many people have fought and continue to fight for effective learning environments for public school students. Respectfully submitted, Lisa Gonzalez, Marina Vista Elem. ************************************ As someone who has been involved with the union for a long time, I always enjoy going to conferences and learning new things about our association. CTA is working hard to help districts with the implementation of the Local Control Funding Formula and Common Core. I was able to go to workshops in those areas that will assist me in my role as Bargaining Chair. I feel I will be better able to represent our members at the table with the knowledge that I learned through these workshops. It was helpful to connect with members from other locals and see what they are doing to improve their teaching conditions. I appreciate PEA giving me the opportunity to continue learning.

Region 1 Leadership Conference - Asilomar

Attendees (L to R): Dawn Cova (Rancho Medanos), Alexis Verworn (MLKJJHS), Lisa Gonzalez (Marina Vista), John Kleinjans (PHS), Ryan Lloyd (PHS), and Mark Maselli (Hillview)

Lisa Gonzalez and Alexis Verworn at Asilomar

Respectfully submitted, Mark Maselli, PEA Bargaining Chair

The Region 1 Leadership Conference at Asilomar was my first CTA event. The most significant highlight for me was Common Core preparation. I encourage you to check out the CTA website, cta.org, and get ready for Common Core. There are many good CCSS materials there, and links to useful external sources, too. Get ready for CCSS now. Don't wait for the district administrators to tell you what it is, how it works, and how you're going to do it. The administrators aren't in the classrooms all day every day, seeing how our students interact with the material. We are! We should be the ones to shape what Common Core looks like. But we can only do that if we inform and prepare ourselves. Go to cta.org and check out: ISSUES & ACTION > Testing and Standards PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT > Publications > Latest Educator > Diane Ravitch: Reign of Error Respectfully submitted, John Kleinjans, Grievance Chair, PHS ************************************

Association Successes

Recently PEA and PUSD negotiated agreements on three Memorandums of Understanding. Tutoring at Black Diamond. Teachers will be providing a weekly tutoring session during the contracted day in order to offer intervention to struggling students. Teachers will not have the requirements of attendance, grades, contacting parents, or creating new lesson plans. Teachers have the discretion of determining which students need the tutoring and what instruction will be offered. Stipend for Speech Language Therapists over the contracted caseload limits. There is a shortage of Speech Language Therapists and this has led to increased caseloads for current practitioners. The affected Speech Therapists will receive additional compensation equivalent to a 6/5 contract during the time they are over their caseload. Additionally, the district will provide SLP Assistants to support them when available. Pittsburg High School Roving Teachers. Teachers who do not have their own stationary classroom will receive a $500 per month stipend and teachers who share their rooms during their prep periods with the roving teachers will receive a $100 per month stipend. Additionally, the district will provide laptops and work rooms for the teachers use. Although we expect the district to develop a long-term solution to the problem of inadequate facilities for the number of students were serving, this compensation serves to ease the frustration and disruption the teachers are experiencing. The Association maintains its position that teachers need their own classrooms to provide the best educational environment for their students; however, we acknowledge there are not enough classrooms at the current high school and this is a temporary solution. In addition to the three signed MOUs, we are also working with the District on Common Core Implementation. We are very close to reaching an agreement on a joint Common Core committee. District leaders heard and considered your requests to be given a voice in the implementation process. The association believes we will have a mutually beneficial agreement very soon.

Meet your PEA Bargaining Chair Mark Maselli

My name is Mark Maselli and I am the new PEA Bargaining Chair. I have been with the district since 1995 and have been on the Bargaining Team since 2003. I am currently a Physical Education teacher at Hillview, Junior High. I spent this past summer attending training sessions on Common Core and School District Budgets to be ready for this position. There are additional monies coming into the district due to the new funding model that the governor championed. I look forward to working with the district to make sure that teachers have a say in how this money will be spent. The Bargaining Team wants to know what issues are important to you. Please fill out the Bargaining Survey you received, so that your voice can be heard. Looking forward to a great year! Respectfully submitted, Mark Maselli, PEA Bargaining Chair

We are ALL the Pittsburg Education Association. Thank you to all the site reps who collected these great photos!

IMPORTANT UPDATES Elementary Recess

Most educators believe recess is a valuable time for play and social skill development; however, here is no district regulation or Ed Code requirement for recess. Some schools offer 15 minutes of recess, while others have 20 minutes. The Superintendent has said each school site principal and staff can decide on their own time, so long as minimum instructional minutes are met daily. If you have questions about recess at your site, talk to your PEA site rep and principal. ************************************

KNOW YOUR CONTRACT

Article 13.2.4 Salary Schedule Implementation: Continuing Education Units
Course credit for salary placement and movement on the salary schedule shall be given for post-graduate, lower division; upper division or graduate course work taken at twoyear or four-year colleges, universities, or graduate schools which are accredited by regional accrediting commission or other programs approved by the District. In addition, other program credit may be credited for movement on this salary schedule with prior District approval. Units of study for professional growth and district in-service (professional development) shall also be counted for salary placement and movement on the salary placement and movement on the salary schedule including Continuing Education Units (CEUs) granted for attending professional development programs completion including course work relating to completion of a credential or teaching authorization. All course semester units as defined by the particular accredited college or university shall be acceptable for placement on the salary schedule. Quarter units shall be converted to semester units by multiplying the total of such units by two-thirds (2/3). Avoid disappointment: if you are attending a great conference and would like the CEUs but youre not sure if the conference counts as professional development, get prior approval from the district before purchasing the units. ************************************

Elementary Lesson Studies Missed Prep

The Association has been hearing from many members who are frustrated with the inconsistent prep changes due to lesson study collaboration. This is especially difficult for Elementary Prep Teachers (Science, P.E., Computers, etc.) because their schedules can become completely upended when last-minute changes are made. They spend time preparing lessons for specific classes and its frustrating for them to be told, Oh, by the way, today youre not going to have 1st graders, youll teach the 5th graders instead Regarding lesson study and collaboration, all principals have the discretion to pay for missed prep OR to adjust the prep schedule. Notice of change in prep schedule must be given the week before! All lesson study dates are calendared for the year, so this should not be an issue anymore. Ask your Principal if you will be paid for missing your prep or if you will be receiving the time on a different day. For secondary teachers, you are to be released during lesson studies and collaboration to take your regularly scheduled prep or to be paid for missing your prep. Please do not voluntarily give up your prep teachers have many duties to complete and that time should be sacred. ************************************

NEWS
KNOW YOUR RIGHTS and WRONGS!
Social Networking: Teachers are held to a higher standard than most other employees.
Postings on Facebook, Twitter, Craigs List, Blogspot, etc. are NOT private or confidential. Students or their parents may see them, and any recipient (even a so-called friend) may disclose your postings to the District or to the Commission on Teacher Credentialing. Be very careful what you say, show, or tag about yourself, students, administrators, and colleagues. Advice: Create a separate Facebook page for your professional self; if you friend students on your regular Facebook page, put them on limited profile with privacy settings at their highest level; only friend, and accept as

We

Our Instructional Coaches

We appreciate the support our instructional coaches, who are also PEA members, are providing our teachers. Remember, however, teachers cannot be required to meet during their prep periods. Prep time is precious and protected after years of fighting to establish and maintain it. The district will provide release time or sub coverage when recommending you meet with a coach. Also, the work teachers and coaches do is confidential and non-evaluative. Coaches are striving to create trusting relationships with you and want to support you. They are not working as administrators or evaluators. You should speak-up directly to the coach if you have questions, concerns, or compliments. If you have additional questions, ask your PEA site rep or email info@peateachers.org.

friends, people you know; change privacy settings so only friends can see your page. You may subject to disciplinary action by the school district and/or the Commission on Teacher Credentialing if postings are inappropriate, even when the entries were not made during work time. However, online postings related to employees shared concerns about the terms and conditions of employment, including supervisors actions, should be considered protected, concerted activity for which the employee cannot be subject to discipline.

Work-Time Is Work-Time
During work time, do not use your cell phone or computer, and do not socialize with colleagues. You have a duty to supervise students. You can be sued for failing to supervise or for providing inadequate supervision.

No Personal Use of Your School Computer

You have NO right of privacy on any school computer or the districts network. Bottom line: Dont use school computers for personal email or online searches. If you discover inappropriate material on your school computer (e.g., porn, violence, etc.), immediately report the problem to the Union, who will help you determine the best course to follow so that you wont be blamed unfairly. ************************************

Sexual exploitation includes preparing, selling, or distributing pornographic materials involving children; employing a minor to perform in pornography; and employing or coercing a child to engage in prostitution. (P.C. 11165.1) Willful harming or injuring of a child or the endangering of the person or health of a child, including inflicting or permitting unjustifiable physical pain or mental suffering. (P.C. 11165.3) Note: Any mandated reporter may report any child who is suffering serious emotional damage or is at substantial risk of suffering serious emotional damage. (P.C. 11166.05) Willful infliction of cruel or inhuman corporal punishment or injury resulting in a traumatic condition. (P.C. 11165.4) Neglect of a child, whether severe or general, by a person responsible for the childs welfare. The term neglect includes both acts of omissions and harming or threatening to harm the childs health or welfare. (P.C. 11165.2)

When Do You Have To Report?

Child abuse must be reported when a mandated reporter, in his or her professional capacity or within the scope of his or her employment, has knowledge of or observes a child whom the mandated reporter knows or reasonably suspects has been the victim of child abuse or neglect. (P.C. 11166 (a)) Reasonable suspicion occurs when it is objectively reasonable for a person to entertain a suspicion, based upon facts that could cause a reasonable person in a like position, drawing, when appropriate, on his or her training and experience, to suspect child abuse or neglect. (P.C. 11166 (a)(1)) Although wordy, the intent of this definition is clear: if you suspect that abuse has occurred, make a report. You must make a report immediately (or as soon as practicably possible) by telephone and you must prepare and send, fax or electronically transmit a written report within 36 hours of receiving the information regarding the incident. (P.C.11166 (a)) Written reports must be submitted on Department of Justice form (SS 8572), which can be downloaded from the California Attorney Generals Web site at www.ag.ca.gov (click on Child Protection Program; click on forms; click on SS 8572). The mandated reporter may include with the report any non-privileged documentary evidence he or she possesses related to the incident.

CALIFORNIA CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT REPORTING LAW

This is the second part of an ongoing series. Octobers Focus newsletter included Who are mandated reporters?

What Do You Have To Report?

Under the law, when the victim is a child (a person under the age of 18) and the perpetrator is any person (including a child), the following types of abuse must be reported by all legally mandated reporters: A physical injury inflicted by other than accidental means upon a child. (P.C. 11165.6) Note that child abuse does not include a mutual affray between minors. It also does not include an injury caused by reasonable and necessary force used by a peace officer acting within the course and scope of his or her employment. (P.C. 11165.6) Sexual abuse of a child, including both sexual assault and sexual exploitation. Sexual assault includes sex acts with a child, lewd or lascivious acts with a child, and intentional masturbation in the presence of a child.

To Whom Must You Report?

The report must be made to any police department or sheriffs department (not including a school district police or security department), county probation department, if

designated by the county to receive mandated reports, or county welfare department (P.C. 11165.9). Any mandated reporter who knows or reasonably suspects that the home or institution in which the child resides is unsuitable for the child because of abuse or neglect shall inform the agency about the unsuitability of the home at the same time he or she reports the abuse or neglect (P.C. 11166 (f)). When two or more persons who are required to report jointly have knowledge of a known or suspected instance of child abuse or neglect, and when there is agreement among them, a single person from the group may make the report. Any group member who knows that the report was not made, however, shall make the report (RC. 11166 (h)).

PRINCIPAL EVALUATIONS BY TEACHERS

Dear Members, Every spring, PEA conducts an evaluation of the principals in the District. Each site is asked to rate the principals performance in areas relating to Standards 1-5 of the California Professional Standards for Educational Leaders. Standard 1 Does the administrator involve the staff in the development of the shared vision for achievement of all students? Does the administrator shape school programs, plans, and activities to ensure that they are integrated, articulated throughout the grades, and consistent with the vision? Standard 2 Does the administrator promote equity, fairness, and respect among all members of the school community? Does the administrator guide and support the long-term professional development of all staff? Standard 3 Does the administrator sustain a safe, efficient, clean, well-maintained, and productive school environment that support the professional growth of teachers? Standard 4 Does the administrator communicate information about the school on a regular and predictable basis? Standard 5 Does the administrator protect the rights and confidentiality of the staff? Does the administrator demonstrate knowledge of the standards-based curriculum and the ability to integrate and articulate programs throughout the grades? Does the administrator encourage and inspire others to higher levels of performance, commitment, and motivation? Once the results are tallied, they are presented to the Superintendent and the PEA site reps who share them with the principals. Your input on these evaluations is important because, since you interact with the principal on a daily basis, you are uniquely qualified to judge his/her performance. This is a valuable source of information for the Superintendent, the School Board, and the Principals. This year the Principal Evaluations will be distributed to PEA members in February. Thank you for your support. Respectfully submitted, Shelly Bascomb, PEA V.P. - Secondary

Immunity
Mandated reporters have immunity from criminal and civil liability for any report required or authorized under the Child Abuse Reporting Law. This immunity applies even though the knowledge or reasonable suspicion of abuse was acquired outside his or her professional capacity or outside the scope of his or her employment. (P.C. 11172(a)) And if a mandated reporter is sued for making a report, he or she may be able to receive compensation for legal fees incurred in defending against the action (P.C. 11172 ). Any person who makes a report of child abuse, even though he or she is not a mandated reporter, has immunity unless the report is proven to be false and it is proven that the person either knew the report was false or made it with reckless disregard of its truth or falsity (P.C. 11172 (a)).

Additional Safeguards for Mandated Reporters

No supervisor or administrator may impede or inhibit a mandated reporters reporting duties or subject the reporting person to any sanction for making a report. (P.C. 11166 (i) (1)) Any supervisor or administrator who violates the above code section is guilty of a misdemeanor, punishable by a fine not to exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000), by not more than six months in a county jail, or by both a fine and imprisonment. (P.C. 11166.01(a)) If however, death or great bodily injury happens to the child as a result of the abuse, the supervisor or administrator who impeded or inhibited the report is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by not more than one year in a county jail, by a fine not to exceed five thousand dollars ($5,000), or by both. (P.C. 11166.01(b))

PEA

Calendar
NOVEMBER 2013

3 Daylight Savings Time Ends 5 Election Day 6 PEA Executive Board PEA Office 159 East 4th St. 3:45 PM 11 Veterans Day No School 13 PUSD School Board Meeting 2000 Railroad Ave. 7:00 PM 18-22 NEAs American Education Week 20 PEA Rep Council PEA Office 159 East 4th St. 3:45 PM 25-29 Thanksgiving Break 27 Hanukkah Begins at Sundown 28 Thanksgiving

DECEMBER 2013
4 11 13 14 18 21 23-3 25 26 31 PEA Executive Board PEA Office 159 East 4th St. 3:45 PM PUSD School Board Meeting 2000 Railroad Ave. 7:00 PM PEA Sock Drive Ends Old Town Pittsburg Holiday Parade PEA Rep Council PEA Office 159 East 4th St. 3:45 PM Winter Begins Winter Break Christmas Kwanzaa Begins New Years Eve
Next Deadline for Articles is Monday, December 9, 2013
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