focus

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

California Teachers Association

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.

FEBRUARY 2015

Volume XXIII, Number 6

In this Issue

- Conferences/Scholarships

- Presentation Workshop Pictures

- CTA News

- Grievance Update

Dear Colleagues,

By the time you receive this

newsletter, Im hoping that well

have a mediated settlement

agreement! If not, well be in

mediation for another day, Tuesday,

February 24. We will send out a

message to your personal email as

soon as we have a tentative

agreement, so stay tuned!

February is African-American

History Month. Although this month

is a time we can give special

attention to the underrepresented

stories, culture, and history of

African-Americans, I believe its

important to incorporate the history

and celebrate the culture of ALL

people in our lessons throughout the

year. Be sure to check out the

classroom resources included in this

newsletter and others that can be

found at cta.org.

Another item Ive been receiving a

lot of questions and feedback about

is Restorative Justice. PUSD has

indicated we are implementing

Restorative Justice, but that we are

in the beginning stages. Most

teachers have only been introduced,

but not nearly fully-trained, on what

it is and how to use it. Both CTA

and NEA have recognized how

Zero-Tolerance policies have

encouraged pushing kids out of the

classroom and eventually into the

juvenile justice system (the School

to Prison Pipeline). Our union is in

support of using alternatives to

suspension when they are

appropriate and help change

behavior. Positive Behavior Support

and Restorative Justice are two

examples of such interventions. Its

important to remember, however,

that teachers should not just be told,

Stop suspending. Sometimes its

necessary for teachers to remove

students who are interrupting the

learning environment for the rest of

the children in the classroom. For

that reason, teachers maintain their

right to suspend for the classroom

for the day of and the next day,

including for willful defiance or

disruption.

Check out the article about the

Social Justice workshop and

Restorative Justice if you want more

information. I encourage you to

keep an open mind as we explore

Restorative Justice and wait until we

have a clearer picture of how it will

work in PUSD before you conclude

that it doesnt work.

In solidarity,

Dawn Cova

on educators

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PEA Leadership 2014-2015

President

Dawn Cova

Rancho Medanos/PEA Office

Elementary Vice President

Tammy Carr

Highlands Elementary

Secondary Vice President

Shelly Bascomb

BTSA

Secretary

Chris Coan

Willow Cove Elementary

Treasurer

Gale Higgins

Willow Cove Elementary

Committee Chairs:

Grievance Committee

John Kleinjans Pittsburg High

Chris Coan Willow Cove Elementary

Negotiations Team

Mark Maselli - Chair

Political Action Committee

Jim Vaughan - Chair

Elections Chair

Ruth Foster

Human Rights & Womens Issues Chairs

Yvonne Burton

Michell Redfoot

O-Team Chairs

Shelly Bascomb

Bertha Ramos

CTA State Council Representatives

Mark Maselli PEA

CTA Director District C

Terri Jackson

NEA Director for California, District 3

Greg Bonaccorsi

Technical Editor

Susan Harrison PEA Site Secretary

Focus on Educators

is a publication of the

Pittsburg Education Association CTA/NEA

159 East 4th Street

Pittsburg, CA 94565

Phone: (925) 432-0199

fax: (925) 432-4854

email: info@peateachers.org

website: www.peateachers.org

Rep. Council Meeting Calendar

February 23

March 23

April 20

May 18

June 1

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

School Board Meeting Calendar

February 11 & 25

March 11 & 25

April 22

May 6 & 20

June 3 & 24

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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 last January 26th Rep Council Meeting:

Adult Ed. present Stoneman present

Foothill present Willow Cove present

Heights absent MLK Jr. present

Highlands present Hillview - present

Los Medanos present Rancho Medanos present

Marina Vista present PHS - present

Parkside present Black Diamond present

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

If we teach todays students as we taught yesterdays, we rob them of tomorrow.

-John Dewey

mailto:peatchrs@att.nethttp://www.peateachers.org/

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IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENTS

Upcoming CTA Conferences 2014-2015

Equity and Human Rights Conference March 6-8, 2015

Hyatt Regency, San Francisco Airport Burlingame, CA

PEA Scholarships are available to first-time participants! Teams of

teachers can use QEIA funds to attend as well. Email

info@peateachers.org if youre interested!

ALCOSTA Events

WHO Awards Luncheon

April 18, 2015

Scotts, Jack London Square, Oakland

2015 Political Academy

April 23-26

Fairmont, San Jose

PEA Scholarships

PEA Scholarship Applications will be available for graduating high school seniors who will be attending an institution of higher learning in the fall of 2015. Applicants must be the son or daughter of a parent who is a current member of the PEA/CTA/NEA. You may request a scholarship application form from your site rep or by calling 432-0199 or emailing Susan@peateachers.org.

Scholarship forms must be returned to the PEA Office

(159 East 4th Street) no later than Monday, April 13, 2015 at 4 p.m.

Help a Talented Student with a Disability

Win $2,500 for College

The Standard is once again partnering with Incight, a nonprofit dedicated to reducing barriers between high school and college for students with disabilities, to offer one-time scholarships in the amount of $2,500 each to eight students

nominated by California Teachers Association (CTA) members. The deadline to nominate your students is March 15, 2015, and student applications must be completed by April 1, 2015. To learn more and to submit your student nominations, visit: www.standard.com/cta/scholarship

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Read Across Pittsburg

is March 5! We are seeking PEA volunteers to read at various preschool and Head Start locations around Pittsburg! Slots are available between 3:00-4:00.

If youre interested in reading to our future students, please email Tammy Carr at clouddream9@gmail.com

by Friday, February 27. ***************************************

Weve Reduced Our Rates for

California Educators

California Casualty, a CTA endorsed vendor, is now offering LOWER RATES and BIGGER DISCOUNTS on bundled Auto and Home Insurance policies for all CTA members. You are eligible to take advantage of these unprecedented, members-only savingseven if youve quoted with us before. With our new lower rates, exclusive benefits and superior service, we are able to provide a value and peace of mind that are second to none.

For a free, no-obligation quote,

CALL 1-877-654-9316 or visit www.calcas.com/arajczyk

http://www.mmsend58.com/link.cfm?r=1348412117&sid=67537585&m=9142501&u=CTA_&j=25990829&s=http://www.standard.com/cta/scholarship

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NEA Representative Assembly Election

Alcosta Service Center Council is running the election for state delegates. An email will be sent March 2. Voting is March 2-13. Paper ballots will be available for those without personal email addresses on file.

Thank you for making our organization stronger by voting!

PHS Evening School

On February 11th the school board approved a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that PEA and PUSD were in the middle of negotiating and did not finish! How could the Board approve an MOU that did not exist??? Although PEA and PUSD were able to settle on purpose, compensation, prep time, and some other areas, we did not settle on selection. PUSD suggested that principals would choose all the teachers; PEA suggested a compromise that included some members selected by seniority along with some selected by principals. Unfortunately, we only met twice and then the MOU went to the board. Although the PEA President explained to the board members there was NO negotiated agreement yet, they approved the district managements proposal. Unfortunately, seniority is sometimes construed as a negative way to select members, but if there are 3 equally qualified candidates, it is the only objective way to select. We also suggested the positions would be rotated among eligible members so the same people wouldnt always get the assignment. If we only leave it up to principals, they are human and likely to select their favored employees, which is not a fair way to select members. We want an agreement that ensures the best candidates are selected and that it is fair process. PEA is the exclusive representative and has the right to negotiate issues that affect our members, so we are now determining whether to file an unfair labor practice.

OUR UNION SUPPORTS OUR PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE

Social Justice Issues: Black and Latino Males Workshop

AEA & PEA joined together to host a Social Justice Issues: Black and Latino Males Workshop for members on January 29, 2015. The facilitators engaged participants in a reflective process regarding current practices, and the paradigm shift that needs to take place in order to help support Black and Latino males in the classroom. The workshop was enlightening as it stressed the meaning of social justice and the work that needs to take place in order to eradicate structural and institutional forms of oppression including racism, sexism, classism linguicism, ableism, heterosexism, gender bias, religious bias, xenophobia as well as other isms and biases. As the conversations evolved, it was evident that restoration of justice entails more than simply reducing the number of times our students are suspended. It involves a commitment of providing equity, as well as opportunities for all of our students to access resources. A good place to start is by identifying our unconscious cultural biases, and realizing that we all are biased in some capacity. Awareness has the potential to lead to acceptance, and eventually progress to an appreciation of diversity and cultural competence. From there a community can develop where we can engage in healthy discourse and nurture positive relationships between families and schools. In addition to providing a wealth of other information, participants received a tip sheet that listed 100 ways to make schools more family friendly. CTAs Strategic Plan regarding social justice promotes environments that are inclusive, informative and supportive of healthy relationships, and will ultimately restore justice and lead to greater student success. I look forward teachers embracing Restorative Justice (RJ), as it is a tool that if used correctly, can assist us in achieving equity in the classroom. Respectfully submitted, Pamela Butler-Harris PEA Representative and RJ Lead Team Member

http://www.google.com/url?sa=i&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CAgQjRw&url=http://hobnobcolumbus.com/news-crime/august-5th-special-election-voters-still-have-many-opportunities-to-cast-ballots/&ei=uoPnVOG_MsrkoASR-ICgAg&psig=AFQjCNHYd9GBEDGQuhy1RjpdRS2Weza6lQ&ust=1424545082906727

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Educator Resources

Rethinking Suspension from CTAs California

Educator magazine

http://www.cta.org/en/Professional-

Development/Publications/2013/05/May-2013-

Educator/Suspension.aspx

NEA CARE Culture, Abilities, Resilience,

Effort Strategies:

http://www.nea.org/assets/docs/mf_CAREbook08

04.pdf

Positive Behavior Support and Interventions:

www.pbis.org

Teaching Tolerance: www.tolerance.org

Teachers Guide to Rerouting the Pipeline

http://www.tolerance.org/sites/default/files/general

/Rerouting_the_Pipeline.pdf

Fact Sheet: How Bad Is the School-to-Prison

Pipeline? by Carla Amurao

http://www.pbs.org/wnet/tavissmiley/tsr/education

-under-arrest/school-to-prison-pipeline-fact-sheet/

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AEA & PEA joined together to host a

Presentation Workshop for members at the

CTA office on February 10, 2015. The CTA

facilitator taught members how to use new

tools like Prezi, Powtoon, and Piktochart to

create engaging and creative presentations for

students. You can get free accounts and try it

for yourself at:

www.prezi.com

www.piktochart.com

www.powtoon.com

http://www.cta.org/en/Professional-Development/Publications/2013/05/May-2013-Educator/Suspension.aspxhttp://www.cta.org/en/Professional-Development/Publications/2013/05/May-2013-Educator/Suspension.aspxhttp://www.cta.org/en/Professional-Development/Publications/2013/05/May-2013-Educator/Suspension.aspxhttp://www.nea.org/assets/docs/mf_CAREbook0804.pdfhttp://www.nea.org/assets/docs/mf_CAREbook0804.pdfhttp://www.pbis.org/http://www.tolerance.org/http://www.tolerance.org/sites/default/files/general/Rerouting_the_Pipeline.pdfhttp://www.tolerance.org/sites/default/files/general/Rerouting_the_Pipeline.pdfhttp://www.pbs.org/wnet/tavissmiley/tsr/education-under-arrest/school-to-prison-pipeline-fact-sheet/http://www.pbs.org/wnet/tavissmiley/tsr/education-under-arrest/school-to-prison-pipeline-fact-sheet/

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What is it? Restorative Justice, originally used in the justice context and adapted for use in the school context, is a set of principles and practices centered on promoting respect, taking responsibility, and strengthening relationships. Restorative Justice invites a fundamental shift in the way we think about and do justice, from punishing individuals after wrongdoing to repairing harm and preventing its reoccurrence. It is an alternative to retributive zero-tolerance policies that mandate suspension or expulsion of students from school for a wide variety of misbehaviors that are not necessarily violent or dangerous. The term Restorative Practices is used by a number of practitioners to describe how the concepts of Restorative Justice are then utilized to create systems change in the school system. Hereinafter, Restorative Justice and Restorative Practices are used interchangeably.

What are the features of successful Restorative Practices? The core belief of Restorative Practices is that people will make positive changes when those in positions of authority do things with them rather than to them or for them. Therefore, a successful restorative system:

Acknowledges that relationships are central to building community

Builds systems that address misbehavior and harm in a way that strengthens relationships

Focuses on the harm done rather than only on rule breaking

Gives voice to the person harmed Engages in collaborative problem solving Empowers change and growth Enhances responsibility

How is it different? Restorative Justice changes the way that schools think about student discipline and school climate. Instead of the traditional student-teacher- administration hierarchy, Restorative Justice emphasizes every school members responsibility to the school community. from: fixschooldiscipline.org

How does harsh discipline harm our students? Two decades of research have clearly shown that there is no research base to support frequent suspension or expulsion in response to non-violent and mundane forms of adolescent misbehavior;... frequent suspension and expulsion are associated with negative outcomes; and better alternatives are available. Students who have been suspended have far higher dropout rates and are significantly more likely to become involved in the juvenile justice system than their peers. (read more at fixschooldiscipline.org)

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Blue (Intent to Return) Forms You may have noticed the blue forms were changed this year to include language from Education Code Section 44842. We were told:

When teachers return the form, marking that they intend to return, it means they are contracting with PUSD for the next school year. If a teacher does not turn the form in by June 30th, it means that the teacher may be deemed to have declined employment and his or her services as an employee of the district may be terminated on June 30th.

This left many of us wondering why the form had changed. Would those who forget to return the form be terminated? What if members return it in March and then move or find other employment in July? Would the district go after their credential?

The Superintendent clarified her viewpoint in an email:Sometimes life situations change and teachers may need to make a decision to leave during the summer and break their contract. Technically, we do not have to release a teacher from his/her contract until we find a replacement. This is not my philosophy or intent as Superintendent. In the rare instance that occurs, I make those decisions on an individual basis

Many people asked if they should wait until the contract is settled before returning the blue form. If its important for you to know what the Collective Bargaining Agreement is before you sign on to PUSD for another year, its fine to wait. Its up to you. They are due June 30th.

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While you were Busy Teaching An update on the political scene

Are you just plain tired of politics? Do you think its all a bad joke and wed all be better off if it just went away? Well, that is a popular attitude and its one that we, as concerned teachers, just cannot afford to harbor. Lets see what is going on right now in the political scene, and find out if there is anything we need to take notice of and voice our opinions on to the legislators in Sacramento and in Washington before they go about their business of making a huge mistake again! Currently, the most pressing items on the political agenda include the following: 1. Congress is reauthorizing education legislation - the

Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) or No Child Left Behind (NCLB). Since being adopted, No

Child Left Behind has made no real progress in closing achievement and opportunity gaps for our students. Instead, it has perpetuated a system that delivers unequal opportunities and uneven quality to America's children. NEA President Lily Esklin says, It's a HUGE deal that will dictate not only the amount of time students spend on testing, but also the resources like advanced courses, extracurriculars, and access to school counselors - they receive. Tell our representatives to shift the focus back to student learning and opportunity, and away from testing, labeling, and punishing schools.

2. Since Mark DeSaulnier won election to the US House of

Representatives, his seat in the California Senate is vacant. An election to replace him will be held with a primary on March 17th, Saint Patricks Day. CTA, who can only endorse one candidate for an elected office, has chosen to endorse Joan Buchanan. Susan Bonilla, our current representative in the Assembly, is also running for the Senate seat. Steve Glazer, who wants to go to Sacramento in order to propose legislation that strips BART employees of the right to strike, is running, too. Who should we support?

3. The Federal government is considering a trade agreement

with the Pacific Rim countries. Whats in the trade agreement is currently unknown. It may include such things as allowing corporations from overseas to sue if a community doesnt want fracking in their neighborhood or to allow a train carrying tar sands through their city, or if a community bans the sale of certain products or foods. Also, how many US jobs will be shipped to low wage and no-benefit countries when the trade agreement goes through. How will these affect the families in our communities, their children and even us?

4. Internet Service Providers are desperately trying to put in

place policy and regulations that allow them to sell faster access to some website operators at the expense of non-paying customers access speed. The Federal Communications Commission, headed by Obama appointee, Tom Wheeler, a former lobbyist for the Communications industry, has ruled that the internet is a public utility, and they may NOT stratify access speeds in order to sell faster service to some. Want to know what happens to your internet based classroom support if we dont pay close attention to this one? The Internet Service Providers, huge corporations, are licking their chops at the chance to charge fees to companies that want to drive customers to their sites and not to their competitors. It will mean an instant market of billions in revenue where previously none existed. Do you think theyll just go away if they dont get their way?

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5. Legislators in the House of Representatives are

threatening to shut down the Federal government in order to show the President that he cant just do what he wants without their approval, in this case, immigration policy. The House is refusing to fund the Department of Homeland Security, if the President doesnt immediately deport thousands of people, breaking up families and leaving children without parents in this country. Hows that for taking care of our students for you?

Well, thats a little of whats going on right now. If you still think you dont have time for politics and it doesnt impact your life anyway, think again, AND think of our community and our students who live in it. Respectfully submitted,

Jim Vaughan Political Action Chair

Questions or comments? email: siliconjim@yahoo.com

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NEWS

Know your Rights and Wrongs!

Breaking Up Fights

Use extreme caution when deciding whether to physically break up a fight. Ed. Code Sec. 44807 says you may exercise, physical control over a student that is reasonably necessary to maintain order, protect property, protect students health and safety, or maintain, conditions conducive to learning. However, breaking up a fight is still risky because you may get hurt or a student may claim that you used excessive force. If you decide its not wise to try to break up a fight, take immediate action, including: continuously shout at the students to stop; use your cell phone to call 911 or the Office; disperse spectators from the fight scene; and send student runners to get help. DO NOT LEAVE THE FIGHT SCENE IF YOU ARE THE ONLY ADULT PRESENT unless there is no other way to get help. Make sure your school site has an emergency response plan.

Know your Contract!

Protect Your Prep! 6.3 Preparation and Planning 6.3.1 Kindergarten: Bargaining unit members teaching kindergarten shall be provided with the equivalent of three (3) forty-five (45) minute preparation periods per a five-day week, for a total equivalent of one hundred and thirty-five (135) minutes per a five day week. This preparation period shall be provided at time other than when their assigned students are in attendance. 6.3.2 Elementary: Bargaining unit members teaching in grades one through five in self-contained regular and special education classrooms and prep teachers shall be provided the equivalent of three (3) 45-minute preparation periods per five-day week, for a total equivalent of 135 minutes per a five day week. 6.3.3.1 Junior High: Preparation and Planning: Full-time bargaining unit members teaching junior high school (6-8) shall have one (1) unassigned period per day set aside for preparation and planning. Exceptions may occur when the normal school day is shortened or classes are rescheduled for specific activities. 6.3.4 High School: Full-time bargaining unit members teaching high school shall have (1) unassigned period per day set aside for preparation and planning. Exceptions may occur when the normal school day is shortened or classes are re-scheduled for specific activities.

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PREP GRIEVANCE UPDATE

The Association is waiting to go to arbitration over the prep period grievance that was filed in September and went to Levels I, II, and III with no resolution. For many years our prep period has been protected planning time for teachers and it was always respected and honored by the district. When teachers were asked to give up their prep time for a district-directed activity, teachers were compensated for the time. This was fair because whatever duties we didnt get to accomplish on our prep time, would have to be completed beyond the workday. The new interpretation by the district management is unassigned prep period means no students are assigned, but they can determine what you have to do during that time. PEA contends unassigned prep period means teachers get to direct the prep however they see fit in order to fulfill their duties and responsibilities as an educator.

mailto:siliconjim@yahoo.com

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Making copies, planning lessons, grading papers, preparing assessments, etc. need to get done and administrators should not hijack the time unless teachers are compensated accordingly. We hope to get a fair resolution in arbitration. We are waiting to select an arbitrator with the district and then both sides will make their case for their interpretation of the contract language.

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Black History Month

Classroom Resources

Recommended Reading Lists

Ages 3-10

http://www.si.edu/Encyclopedia_SI/nmah/youngrd

r.htm

Ages 10 and up

http://www.si.edu/Encyclopedia_SI/nmah/youngrd

r.htm# tenandup

Posters, Bookmarks, Buttons

National African American History Month -

Honoring History and Culture

Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad

Martin Luther King, Jr. - I Have a Dream

http://www.diversitystore.com/ds/index.cfm/categ

ory/4/b lack-history.cfm

Smithsonian National Museum of African Art

Distance learning, classroom resources, & more!

http://africa.si.edu

African American history online challenge

http://www.brightmoments.com/blackhistory/

National Archives

Primary source documents, audio, photographs,

and more!

http://www.archives.gov/research/alic/reference/bl

ack-history.html

Memory Book

Read stories and contribute your own. From the

National Museum of African American History

and Culture.

http://nmaahc.si.edu/programs/memorybook

Story Corps

Preserving the voices, experiences and life stories

of African Americans.

http://nmaahc.si.edu/Programs/StoryCorps

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Education, then, beyond all other devices of

human origin, is the great equalizer of the conditions of man"

-Horace Mann

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Calendar FEBRUARY

2 Groundhog Day 6-8 Good Teaching Conference North Fairmont in San Jose

7 Creating a Peaceful School Workshop - College Park High School, Pleasant Hill 9 PEA Executive Board PEA Office 159 East 4th St. 3:45 PM

10 Prezie and Piktochart Workshop 2177 Diamond Blvd., Concord 5:00 PM 11 PUSD School Board Meeting 2000 Railroad Ave. 7:00 PM

13 Lincolns Birthday (no school) 14 Valentines Day

16 Presidents Day (No school) 18 Ash Wednesday 22 Washingtons Birthday

23 PEA Rep Council PEA Office 159 East 4th St. 3:45 PM 25 PUSD School Board Meeting 2000 Railroad Ave. 7:00 PM

MARCH

2-13 NEA-RA State Delegates Election 6-8 Equity & Human Rights Conference Hyatt Regency, S.F. Airport 8 Daylight Saving Time begins 9 PEA Executive Board PEA Office 159 East 4th St. 3:45 PM 11 PUSD School Board Meeting 2000 Railroad Ave. 7:00 PM 17 St. Patricks Day 20 Spring begins 23 PEA Rep Council PEA Office 159 East 4th St. 3:45 PM 25 PUSD School Board Meeting 2000 Railroad Ave. 7:00 PM 29 Palm Sunday

Next Deadline for Articles is Friday, March 13, 2015

STAY INFORMED @ peateachers.org and cta.org & nea.org