If you are in the vicinity of New York City next weekend, I encourage you to attend a large rally planned on Saturday, March 28th at noon-outside the governor's Midtown District Office, located on 633 3rd Avenue at East 41st Street.
NYSUT will be joining our Brothers and Sisters from UFT; AFSCME DC37; Local 372; AQE; Class Size Matters; Citizens Action; Council of School Supervisors & Administrators; Education Council Consortium; NY Communities for Change; and Strong Economy for All Coalition at this #ProtectOurSchools Rally. If you are available to participate, please take pictures and utilize social media "tweeting" to me @AndyPallotta, using the following hashtags: #AllKidsNeed, #InviteCuomo, #ProtectOurSchools. Please share the attached flier with other NYSUT members. Thank you! Protect Our Schools Rally Flier Thousands of Parents Stand Together to Reject Governor Cuomo’s
Education Reform Debacle "If we are silent when we ought to speak, and are able to speak, we appear to give consent...we do not consent" -Joseph Rella New Yorkers from all across the state are rising up and striking back against the Cuomo/Tisch/King Education Reforms. The past few weeks thousands of New Yorkers rallied for public education, attending forums stretching from Plattsburgh to Brooklyn, West Seneca to Brookville. ‘Refuse the Common Core Tests & Reclaim Public Education’ messages are going up on billboards and in all media outlets across the state. And the powerful voice of the people is taking on new life in the Legislature, with the unprecedented removal of a former Chancellor from the Board of Regents. In January, on the morning of Andrew Cuomo's State of the State Address, New York State Allies for Public Education (NYSAPE) cited Governor Cuomo for violating state ethics laws and his oath of office through his cozy relationships with donors and an unconstitutional attempt to declare himself King of education policy in our state. Now, with many questions surrounding lobbying and a shady, but lucrative book deal as well budget bill from the Assembly ignoring all components of Cuomo's education reform debacle, all indications are that the Allies' assertions were unfortunately on target. On top of New Yorkers being outraged about any proposed increase to charter schools and threats of receivership takeovers, perhaps the most egregious proposal that has support in the Senate is the education tax credit. As proposed, the education tax credit would give a dollar for dollar tax credit for private and religious school spending, among others. “While NYSAPE supports a parent's choice of private education, one of the core values of our nation is separation of church and state. Enabling public dollars to pay for private and religious education is an affront to New Yorkers and Americans. The education tax credit creates a back door for Cuomo's wealthy backers to drive their privatization agenda, attempting to sneak a voucher system past a public that rejects their attempts to destabilize our public schools. This scheme is an outrage and simply unacceptable,” said Lisa Rudley, Westchester County public school parent and founding member of NYSAPE. “Governor Cuomo and his controversial education agenda vows to bust public education. However, we remain in control because Cuomo and his agenda place extreme weight on Common Core tests. Seven of the eleven flawed education points in Cuomo’s State of the State address rely almost entirely on Common Core tests. When parents refuse the tests in large numbers, we will stop Cuomo,” said Eric Mihelbergel, Erie County public school parent, founding member of NYSAPE. "There is a new surge in advocacy here on Long Island. Parent led forums, which began last month, are seeing crowds like never before. Community members, parents, and educators are packing into community centers, local churches, school auditoriums, PTA meetings, and local libraries. Attendees are being educated on the damage that high-stakes testing is doing to our education system, the harm Governor Cuomo's agenda will have on our public school children, and what they can do about it. Parents leave feeling angry, yet empowered that through the act of refusing the NYS 3-8 grade Common Core state tests, they can help put an end to the dismantling of our public schools," said Jeanette Deutermann, Nassau County public school parent and Long Island Opt Out founder. Now, as the next round of excessive state testing approaches, it is time to stand together. NYSAPE has several events and resources for parents to learn more about the flaws in Governor Cuomo's Agenda and how they can fight back and reclaim classrooms of learning and inquiry for their children. Now is the time to stand as one and reject, once and for all, classrooms that have become Governor Cuomo's politically motivated compliance factories for testing. Parents and educators are coming out in droves to make their voices heard against reforms that harm children and denigrate our public schools. The refusal movement is on fire and has been set ablaze throughout the state. Here is how you can do your part. Attend a Forum: Learn More and Take Action! Get more details here: http://www.nysape.org/eventspressletters.html NYSAPE Testing and Test Refusal Information: www.NYSAPE.org NYSAPE is a statewide sponsor and organizer of many of these events along with advocacy organizations statewide. NYSAPE is comprised of over 50 grassroots parent and educator groups from around the state bring awareness of the excess use of high-stakes testing and protection student data. NYSUT Alert from Executive Vice President Pallotta - 2015-15 NYS Budget One-House Budget Bills3/13/2015
Memorandum
From: Andy Pallotta Date: March 13, 2015 Re: 2015-16 NYS Budget One-House Budget Bills The Assembly and the Senate adopted one-house budget resolutions Thursday, an important milestone in the Executive Budget process. The attachment details in chart form the Executive, Senate, and Assembly budget proposals. The school aid finance proposals were both strong, but SUNY and CUNY state operated budget and community college funding levels were wholly inadequate. The Assembly resolutely rejected all anti-teacher/public school proposals contained in the governor’s budget as well as the punitive “performance” budget provisions for SUNY and CUNY. The Senate decoupled the governor’s toxic K-16 proposals from the budget bills, but did introduce them in their entirety in a standalone bill, separate from the budget bills. Moreover, the Senate makes the governor’s charter school proposal worse by further increasing tuition payments, providing building aid, and removing accountability to the chancellor of the NYC school system. The Senate’s budget resolution only states that they intend to “modify” the executive proposals on tenure, school receivership, and APPR without specifying how. We have only 18 days left until the budget adoption deadline. We must continue our unprecedented advocacy and member engagement right to the end and finish strong. Thank you for all that you have done to support NYSUT’s agenda and all that you will continue to do. Final One House Budget Bill I am very confident that each of you will get a great deal of helpful information by attending one of these workshops (see the attached listing of upcoming events and workshops). Additionally, your attendance is approved as acceptable toward the 175 Professional Development Hours and your Domain 4. At the registration table during the event, a “My Learning Plan” sign in sheet will be available to assist you.
There will be four workshops with a variety of subjects including CDOS, Special Needs Trusts, OPWDD Services Front Door Training, Behavior Services & Interventions, Voucher Reimbursement, Recreation Services and Self-Determination. Each workshop will be led by experts in the field of Disabilities Rights and Services. Please RSVP if you plan to attend. If you have any questions please contact Cheryl Gitlitz, Transition Coordinator at cgitlitz@bellmore-merrick.k12.ny.us or 516-992-1349. Cheryl Gitlitz, LCSW BMCHSD SEPTA Workshops SEPTA Presents CDOCS I am very pleased to announce the recipients of this years' BMUST awards, chosen by their peers in the buildings and by members of the Board of Trustees:
BMUST AWARD WINNERS – 2015 OUTSTANDING PROFESSIONALS Anthony DeMartinis - Kennedy High School Barbara Farchione - Merrick Avenue Middle School Heather Glick - Calhoun High School William Leacock - Mepham High School Arthur Schnee - Grand Avenue Middle School Jennifer Weinstein - Meadowbrook Alternative Program LOU DeFILIPPO OUTSTANDING UNION SERVICE AWARD Carolyn Condenzio PARA SPECIAL SERVICE AWARD Maria Vogelsang PTA AWARD Marcia Eisenmesser PRESIDENT’S CHOICE AWARD Kim Black PATRICIA CHRISTY OUTSTANDING RETIREE AWARD Jane Kline COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD Kerry Dennis Chris Patten FRIEND OF EDUCATION AWARD Scott Brinton Attached please find the SEPTA T shirt order form. If you would like to order a Tshirt, please complete the form and send your check to BM Septa, c/o Calhoun HS, 1786 State St, Merrick NY 11566
or send it to the SEPTA Mailboxes at any of our 5 schools. I will be placing a special order for size 2X, so if your are interested, Please contact me @ BellmoremerrickSepta@gmail.com. The cost for the size 2X will be $15. All other sizes cost $12. Thank you for your support of Septa. Order Form Please read the following information that I received from Tomia Smith, ED 17 Director:
Good Afternoon ED 17 Presidents and Delegates, As you can see on the attached video, there are forums, rallies, and protests being held throughout New York State to call out Governor Cuomo and his dangerous agenda to tear down our public schools. NOW it is our turn! This Thursday, March 12 at 7:00 p.m. at Westbury High School, public education advocates are joining together to Stand up, Speak out for Public Education! We have planned an evening to celebrate the excellent schools for which Long Island is known. Students, parents, religious leaders, educators, and community members will be rapidly coming to the microphone to shout out for our public schools. I want to thank all of you who have secured speakers, slideshows, information, and those who have served on the planning committee. This couldn't have been pulled together without your help. More on our helpers in the future. Here are some highlights of the event:
If you are driving, the following is recommended: · South parking lot must fill first · North lot will open once the south lot is full · Parking on side streets on the south side of Jericho Turnpike is acceptable · NO PARKING on the North side of Jericho Turnpike · Please carpool Many of our representatives and media outlets will be in the crowd Thursday. So let's show them just how many of us want Cuomo to stop bashing our schools and us! Hope to see you there! In Unity, Tomia PS...Please remember that the Suffolk Forum was changed to Tuesday, March 10. I have attached the updated flyer for the event. The Governor's Opportunity Agenda does not support our public schools. We need a budget that helps teachers do their jobs. We are calling on legislators to approve a $2.2 billion state aid increase, end the GAP Elimination Adjustment; make good on districts’ prior-year claims; invest in statewide universal pre-kindergarten; embrace community schools; reduce class sizes; and reject any attempt to increase the impact of state standardized testing.
Stand Up, Speak Out for Public Education created a petition to be sent to email addresses for Andrew Cuomo, Governor, and the eight New York State Senators representing Long Island. Will you sign this petition? Click here: http://petitions.moveon.org/sign/governor-cuomo-respect?source=c.em.cp&r_by=12625268 Please share with your families, friends and colleagues. Thanks! Attached please find information in regards to the Anthem Breach. Please note all Anthem Breach Updates are posted on the District website.
Anthem Breach Information Anthem Data Breach Update Thanks, Renee T. Jones Bellmore-Merrick CHSD Personnel Office 516-992-1013 Hi All,
Paul Pecorale, NYSUT Vice President, was interviewed by Jay Oliver on Long Island News Radio this past week. Below is the link to hear the entire interview. He did an amazing job speaking to the issues, live no less! It is about 14 minutes long but well worth the listen. https://m.soundcloud.com/jvcbroadcasting/paul-pecorale-past-pres-of-patchague-medford-congress-of-teachers-3-4-15 Just got sent this clip In Unity, Tomia NYSUT, Director ED 17 |
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