PEA

focus
on educators
California Teachers Association

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

Statement of Mission

The California Teachers Association exists to protect and promote the well-being of its members; to improve the conditions of teaching and learning; to advance the cause of free, universal, and quality public education; to ensure that the human dignity and civil rights of all children and youth are protected; and to secure a more just, equitable, and democratic society. stay on board, but if not, we really big trouble. The third site rep can be need YOU to volunteer. When I get in charge of any elections PEA has information from CTA to pass by collecting ballots and signatures along or when PEA has information and then dropping the election to pass along to you I cannot do it envelope off at the PEA office. personally. In fact it should never be that the PEA President and To help reps feel better trained and elected Executive Board members supported PEA will be offering two do all of the Association work Site Rep Training sessions in personally. We need to work as a September at the PEA office after collective team for the common school. The current PEA leadership Volume XXI good which is the education team will also be giving the Number 9 business we are in and to make each 10-minute meetings FOR YOU at and every work day a safe, your school site so that you can see supported and wonderful personally how easy it is to do. Also In this Issue experience. When deciding who at every monthly site rep council will be a rep from your school site meeting we will include a Presidents Message & there are several positions you can 10-minute mini lesson for reps on Informational Items ..pgs. 1-3 choose to undertake. One person handling certain situations and to Announcements.p.3 can be the person to attend the educate you on a particular contract Rally Photos...p.4 monthly rep council meetings and topic. CTA News......pgs. 5-7 then pass the information along to PEA Calendar.... .The Last Page their members either via a live PEA is bound and determined to 10-minute meeting, or by give you the tools you will need to distributing a hard copy of the make us a strong Association. We information, or by sending the info invite you new site reps to join us at PEA Presidents Message via personal e-mails. PEA even the June 6th final rep council provides the written list of meeting for the year so we can information to tell your members. It show you the ropes and get you As the school year closes and many is very easy. The second site rep can started. Remember that your of you get ready to wind down for be the person to stuff the teacher working conditions are your the summer, please take some time boxes with flyers and member info. students learning conditions and so at your school site to gather and This is also important because if everything that PEA does for you is decide who will be the site reps for you dont get the information in a to make both of these better. the 2012-2013 school year. timely manner or not at all we are in Hopefully many seasoned reps will

MAY 2012

Wag More and Bark Less

PEA Leadership 2011-2012 President Chris Coan
Willow Cove Elementary/ PEA Office

Chris Coan, President

Rep. Council Meeting Calendar

September 21 October 19 November 16 December 14 January 18 February 15 March 21 April 18 May 16 June 7 ***********************************

Elementary Vice President Sharie Chmura

Parkside Elementary

Secondary Vice President Arthur Pruyn

Pittsburg High

Secretary Tammy Carr

Highlands Elementary

Treasurer Gale Higgins

Stoneman Elementary

Committee Chairs Grievance Committee Richard Higgins Pittsburg High Jim Vaughan - Riverside Negotiations Team Dawn Cova - Chair Political Action Committee Iris Contreras - Chair Elections Chair Cindy Joy Human Rights Committee Tasharie Ameral Chair Womens Issues Committee Allison Azevedo - Chair Community Outreach Chair Vacant CTA 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

School Board Meeting Calendar

August 10 & 24 September 14 &28 October 12 & 26 November 16 December 14 January 11 February 22 March 14 & 28 April 25 May 9 & 23 June 6 & 20 ***********************************

Are you Getting your PEA Information???

Having the site reps attend their monthly meeting and then reporting back to you is vital in the communication chain of our Association. Roll call at last April 18th Rep Council Meeting: Adult Ed. absent Stoneman present Foothill present Willow Cove present Heights absent MLK/CC present Highlands present Hillview - present Los Medanos present Rancho Medanos absent Marina Vista present PHS - present Parkside present Riverside present TOSA present ************************************

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

ED001980H ED005150P

What is Scientifically Based Research: A Guide for Teachers Transforming American Education 3

2011-2012 Pittsburg USD Program Improvement Schools

School Foothill Heights Highlands Los Medanos Marina Vista Parkside Stoneman Willow Cove Hillview Rancho Medanos Pittsburg High In PI? In PI In PI In PI Not in PI Not in PI In PI In PI In PI In PI In PI Not PI 2011-2012 Year 5 Year 2 Year 3

ANNOUNCEMENTS
DEAR MEMBERS, When completing timesheets for before or after school work, please turn them in to payroll within 30 days to avoid any pay issues in personnel.

Year 4 Year 3 Year 2 Year 5 Year 5

PEA OFFICER ELECTIONS Elections for PEA Officers: Elementary Vice President, Secondary Vice President, Treasurer, and Secretary will be held May 10-May21.

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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. ************************************ STATE COUNCILREPRESENTATIVE AND MINORITY-AT-LARGE REPRESENTATIVE ELECTIONS Election will be held May 18-May 30. PEA OFFICE INFORMATION All members are welcome to come in on any Monday or Tuesday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and browse through the PEA meeting minutes, bargaining literature, etc. located in the filing cabinet in the front lobby of the PEA office. PEA COMMUNITY OUTREACH has donated Caldecott Award Books to: CA Eye Clinic in Pittsburg La Clinica Dental Pittsburg La Clinica Medical Pittsburg Lynn Center Pittsburg Dr. Gretchen Graves Pediatrician 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 a copy, e-mail your request to peatchrs@att.net. State your desired publication and school site and they will be ponied to you. ED004583P Exec. Summary, Developing Early Literacy: Report of the National Early Literacy Panel What Content Area Teachers Should Know About Adolescent Literacy

ED002624P

PEA COMMUNITY OUTREACH purchased a chair in the remodeled Creative Arts Building Seat 107DLook for us!

Settle Our Contract Presentation- April 25, 2012

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

Unions 2.0 A Look at Unions and the Education Profession

Introduction The United States has the bloodiest history of labor of any industrialized nation on Earth. It is a story rich in human drama 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 on December 8. The AFL and the CIO announce a no-strike pledge for the duration of the war.

NEWS
NEA Creating Change Through Social Justice
OUR CORE VALUES: Equal Opportunity. We believe public education is the gateway to opportunity. All students have the human and civil right to a quality public education that develops their potential independence and character. A Just Society. We believe public education is vital to building respect for the worth, dignity, and equality of every individual in our diverse society. Democracy. We believe public education is the cornerstone of our republic. Public education provides individuals with the skills to be involved, informed, and engaged in our representative democracy. Professionalism. We believe that the expertise and judgment of education professionals are critical to student success. We maintain the highest professional standards, and we expect the status, compensation, and respect due all professionals. Partnership. We believe partnerships with parents, families, communities, and other stakeholders are essential to quality public education and student success. Collective Action. We believe individuals are strengthened when they work together for the common good. As education professionals, we improve both our professional status and the quality of public education when we unite and advocate collectively.

Post War America: 1946-1990 Though the timeline below does not show it, a growing trend developed and continues for the unification of unions in related occupations. In the 1990s, unions with no apparent connection are merging to form large associations. This mirrors the trends in business consolidations for reasons of economy of resources. 1947 Congress passed the Taft-Hartley Act which restricts union activities and permits the states to pass rightto-work laws. General Motors and the United Auto Workers signed the first major contract with an escalator clause, providing for wage increases based on the Consumer Price Index. General Motors and the United Auto Workers signed the first major contract with an escalator clause, providing for wage increases based on the Consumer Price Index. Federal employees unions given the right to bargain collectively with government agencies as a result of President Kennedys executive order. The Equal Pay Act prohibited wage differences for workers based on sex.

1948

1962

1963

6 1964

FIRST AID AND MEDICAL SERVICES

The Civil Rights Act prohibits discrimination in employment based on race, color, religion, sex or national origin. Washington became the first state to allow the union shop for civil service employees ************************************ Employees must clear through their supervisor and/or manager: 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 nonoccupational illness of three days or more. A release from the treating physician may be required. 4. When wearing a bandage or dressing which obscures 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 to maintain necessary contact with you and your family. In case of accident, sickness or inability to report to work, phone your supervisor ASAP. *******************************

1973

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 through the development of a comprehensive and effective environmental health and safety plan known as the Injury and Illness Prevention Program (IIPP) that endeavors to eliminate unsafe conditions and minimize the impact of hazardous situations. Such a program can benefit the District and community by reducing illness and injury to students and personnel, preventing property damage, and preserving the environment. The District will make every reasonable effort to promote, create, and maintain a safe and healthful environment. This can only be realized by adherence to basic safety principles, sound management practices, and compliance with applicable federal, state, and local codes, laws, and standards.

PENSIONOMICS:
Pension benefits received by retirees are spent in the local community. This spending ripples through the economy, as one persons spending becomes another persons 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 state and local pension plans equates to a return of $7.91 in totoal output to the state. This reflects the fact that taxpayer contributions are a minor source of financing for retirement benefits investment earnings 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 in total output in the state. This multiplier incorporates the diret, indirect, and induced impacts of retiree spending, as it ripples through the state economy. (2006 NIRS data)

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 have been identified and the action taken to correct the identified unsafe conditions and work practices, are recorded on the Employee Health and/or Safety Concern AND/OR the Employee Accident Investigation forms. 2. Documentation of safety and health training for each employee, including the employees name or other identifier, training dates, type(s) of training, and training providers are recorded on an employee training and instruction form or sign-in sheet. Inspection records and training documentation will be maintained according to the Districts Human Resources Department.

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 they must let everyone know that their 403(b) plan must be offered to everyone who is eligible, not just selected individuals. They also need to communicate when members can enter into a salary reduction agreement and how many times and when during the year they can alter their salary reduction agreement. Please forward this information to your members: 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. 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 affiliated with the TPA. This does not mean the district has vetted or done any due diligence on the 403(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 on 403bCompare.com. You can go to this website to compare the fees and performance of the various vendors available to you. Encourage your members to use the resources at CTAinvest.org to learn more about their 403(b) and 457 plans.

Change is a journey, not a blueprint ...provide a map, not a route.

Michael Fullan

PEA

Calendar
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 4th St. 3:45 PM 18-30 State Council & Minority-at-Large Election 23 PUSD School Board Meeting 2000 Railroad Ave. 7:00 PM 28 Memorial Day

JUNE 2012
6 6 7 13 14 17 20 20 PEA Executive Board PEA Office 159 East 4th St. 3:45 PM PUSD School Board Meeting 2000 Railroad Ave. 7:00 PM PEA Rep Council PEA Office 159 East 4th St. 3:45 PM (Thursday) Last Day of Instruction Last Day @ Work Fathers Day PUSD School Board Meeting 2000 Railroad Ave. 7:00 PM Summer Begins

STAY INFORMED @

Peateachers.org
WWW.CTA.ORG & WWW.NEA.ORG

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