News

December NTA Newsletter

by Natomas Teachers’ Association December 2017

Welcome back

We would like to choose a designated day for wearing new NTA T-shirts – Thursdays are association days in our contract.  Maybe your site can decide.  More about this next month.

Scheduled upcoming lunchtime visits:

December: American Lakes, Heron

Jan: LGA, Natomas Park, Witter Ranch, H. Allen Hight, Bannon

Feb: Two Rivers, PVS, NHS, NMS, NGMS

Mar:  IHS

Several sites have already been visited so thanks to everyone that has participated and attended so far.  It’s been great to see all of you!

THIS MONTH’S  TOP STORIES

Contract Highlights

by Natomas Teachers’ Association on December 2017

Did you know….

Article HOURS – staff meeting and collaboration time have specific topics in the contract.

“The purpose of faculty meetings is to share, disseminate and discuss information that pertains to the operation of the school sites. Priority will be given to topics such as school policies, discipline issues, campus security, health and safety, schedules, calendars and other school business.” page 24

“Collaboration meeting time shall be used at all grade levels for the purposes of: • Developing Common Assessments • Curriculum Alignment Guide (CAG) Development • Unit Development • Sharing Best Practices • Analyzing Student Assessment Data • Student Placement • Interdisciplinary Planning • Student Social-Emotional Well-being” page 22

Article HOURS – your prep time is protected.  Because you are guaranteed a prep under our contract,  you are not required to sub on your prep when asked.  If you are asked, you must have admin prove that it is indeed an “emergency” situation which should be rare.

You can access the contract here:  https://natomasunified.org/departments/human-resources/nta-bargaining-unit-agreement/

Frequently Asked Questions

Visiting the sites has been great because it surfaces common questions that members have about what is happening as they are at work teaching all day.

Q: Am I required to respond to all of the many informal observations I am seeing?

A: This questions was asked at the consultation committee and district admin confirmed that no, you are not required to respond.  NTA is currently attempting to solve the issue with the portal where teachers cannot respond, and teachers cannot post an explanation in the portal.

Q: What should I do when my formal observation lesson is missed by my administrator (they are a no-show or they are late to the observation)?

A: NTA recommends that you re-teach that same lesson when the administration reschedules/returns.  After all, you spent time with the admin previewing the lesson, and time preparing for the lesson.

Q: Why are our health benefits so bad compared to other surrounding districts?  What does the health benefits committee work on?

A:   The district health benefits committee meets occasionally with NTA leadership to check in on current health benefit issues, however this committee has typically not been relevant to NTA members – it usually covers CSEA and management benefits – because the district has a broker currently they use “Keenan and Associates.”  This broker is a for-profit company that that district has used for years, and NTA and CTA have tried many times to encourage the district to change this practice.  With a broker, it’s in the broker’s interest (as well as the district leadership) to use this brokerage firm.  It is not, however, in the best interest of our membership.  Both district benefits people, CSEA and NTA confirmed this over the summer when we held interviews for a new broker and found our current broker to be lacking in substance.  Our committee recommended to change or consider no broker, in order to save our employees money.  So far, the district has not acted on our collective recommendation. Quite disappointing.

Additionally, NTA works closely with CTA health benefit experts as well as other surrounding districts to keep up to date on the latest health benefit trends.  Neighboring districts have reported they left CALPERS to save money, but then found they had been lured into the move with the promise of better rates, only to find the rates get raised later- a bait and switch.  NTA believes that our current CALPERS benefits is currently the best decision for our NTA members.  

Finally, each year, NTA negotiators have asked the district to raise the district contribution to benefits and to fully pay for the average benefit amount for a single employee, and the district has refused to consider this option to help our members (mostly because they really want us on Keenan’s plans.)  We know the district contribution to our benefits lags behind other districts and we believe the district has an obligation to better contribute to our benefits.  We will continue to make this push each and every year until our members see the relief they deserve.

Q: What are the pros and cons of a block schedule?

    • Block would increase teacher contacts without compensation.
    • 10 teachers in a department currently teach 50 classes.  In a block schedule 10 teachers would teach 60 classes.
    • Teachers who are currently teaching a 120% workload will be considered 100% in a block schedule.  That would result in overworking our teachers.  The teachers now at 120% are stretched thin.
    • There are more student contacts under a block translates to additional grading, assessments, parent contacts, 504 meetings, IEP meetings, etc…
    • Studies show that blocks reduce instructional time compared to traditional by 3.5 weeks.
    • Studies show that subjects like math and foreign language do not benefit from block because students do not receive instruction on a daily basis.  In alternating block, sometimes the math and foreign language classes only meet twice a week.  All classes for that matter.  Students taking AP tests at end of year, and Math and World Language students need extra tutoring to catch up.
    • Homework sequencing confuses students.  Monday’s homework assignment isn’t due until Wednesday, but Thursday’s homework assignment is due on Monday, etc..  Confusing.
    • Does not prepare students for college.  No college student has an 8 class schedule.

 

  • Many local high schools such as Mira Loma have kept the daily period schedule in place.  Other high schools with block, such as Woodcreek High School see problems with the block schedule.

 

  • NHS had a block schedule at one time and got rid of it because it wasn’t a right fit for our students and also block schedules are more expensive and the district could not afford it anymore.
  • Some departments benefit from a block schedule, such as lab classes like Science and Art.
  • Students can potentially take more classes, and repeat more classes – however the same can be done with the model described below without adversely affecting the teacher day:

A better way to add student periods is to have an early-late schedule – teachers work the same number of minutes, students can opt for a longer day.  Another solution to increasing student intervention is to move back to the 5 of 7 period day for teachers.  Students get more periods, teachers have a common prep (house) for interventions and meetings.  (In this model, you would not need a late start Wed, as the daily collaboration period would take the place of that.)

 

Q: Why do different schools have different schedules?

A: The California Dept of Education publishes research based documents on their recommendations from effective schools, such as “Caught in the Middle,” regarding middle schools.  Middle schools function best using the House concept, which is where students are grouped into “houses” or cohorts where they all have the same Math, English, Social Studies, Science and PE teachers, and electives if possible.  That’s why our middle schools have a house period, where it is designed to have teachers in a house meet together on their cohort of students to hold parent-teacher meetings, SSTs, and student incentives and intervention.  Because of our huge turnover of administrators in NUSD, it has been a while since our houses have been constructed and functioning properly.  Right now, admin has been making the common prep a dept rather than a house prep.  Our hope is that we will return all secondary schools, including high schools, to the house/small school/transition academy type of model that the Dept of Educ and distinguished schools recommend and practice.

Q: Please explain the implications of the Janus court case.

For the answer to this, please visit our facebook and website where more information will be posted.

CTA/NEA Member Benefits:

Did you know you had access to these exciting benefits of membership?

Disaster Relief Fund (up to $3000)

NEA ID Theft protection (free)

GLS Attorney CTA Legal Service (up to 5 hours)

$1,000,000 liability insurance

CTA and NEA ADD Insurance (both free)

Pet Insurance

15% AT&T discount on wireless plan

Another fun fact – we are proud to promote CTA endorsed companies that have been vetted with our members best interests in mind.  For example, we recommend that you choose The Standard for your disability insurance.  When you have to be out of your job – for an accident or pregnancy, for example – The Standard pays you more of your salary than the district company, American Fidelity.  In fact, we have found many problems with American Fidelity, so buyer beware.  If you have any other questions about the differences, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Did you know you have access to savings being at CTA member?

For these great back-to-school savings, log in to www.CTAMemberBenefits.org/Access with your username and password and click “Enter”.  If you do not have a log in yet, sign up today.  If you are having difficulty, contact the Member Benefits Department at 650-552-5200.  

To download the mobile app, search for the “My Deals” mobile app at the App Store or Google Play (for Android devices).  If you already have an account, enter your Access email and password to log in.   If you are a new user, click on Setup Account and enter Program ID 200449.  Provide your email address and if prompted, your 10-digit CTA ID Number.  For additional assistance, you can call CTA Access to Savings customer service at 1-888-818-5217.

Save the Date: March for the Dream, Honoring Martin Luther King, Jr.  – January 15, 2018

You are encouraged to come out and join teachers around our region for the March for Dream. Please wear your CTA Blue colored shirt and wear you walking shoes! More details will be given in January of the location meet up points, and also we will be tabling in the Convention Center from 10am-2pm  if you would like to help work the CTA boot at the Diversity Expo or want to just stop by and say hello! The March is a great opportunity to meet teachers in the different school districts and learn of what each school district is providing for students and teachers in their area that support equity, justice and fairness.

If you would like more information about the March or would like direct email sent to you with updates, please email Lydiana at: lydiana.alfaro@gmail.com

“Human progress is neither automatic nor inevitable. Every step toward the goal of justice requires sacrifice, suffering, and struggle;the tireless exertions and passionate concern of dedicated individuals.” -Martin Luther King Jr.

School Board Meetings…by Lydiana Alfaro on December 2017

New Years Resolution…

We hope you make it a New Years Resolution to attend one to two school board meetings this year! It is great experience to come out and hear the public comments and see what proposals are being addressed at the school board meetings. Teacher presence demonstrates another aspect of teacher investment in our students and you can give your input or suggestions at public comments or sit in the audience and observe the process. It is fun to get two to three teachers to attend with you, meet for dinner, and head over to the meeting. If you are interested in attending, please let your site representative know and you can schedule a day to go together. If you would like to speak at a school board meeting, you fill out a card with your name and submit to the members at the table.  Good luck in the New Year and we appreciate your hard work, time, and dedication to your students!

School Board Meetings – upcoming meeting dates, Wed. Dec 13, Wed. Jan 17…

Member Highlight of the Month…by NTA on December 2017

Name: Lydiana Alfaro

Position:  First Grade Teacher

Years Taught: 12 years

Schools Taught at: Heron, H. Allen Hight, American Lakes, Star Academy, Natomas Park

Quote I live by: “Si se puede!”  You can do it!

Hero: My parents are by role models and the people I think of most that has shaped the person I am.

Favorite color: Pink

Advice to Teachers: Build your support network and talk to new and veteran teachers. I have learned the importance of sharing ideas and pose problems to your colleagues. I want to thank all the veteran teachers that have helped me become the teacher I am become over the last 12 years, including my grade level teams, and BTSA support providers!

Negotiations News  by Kristen Rocha on December 2017

Natomas Teachers’ Association (CTA/NEA) – Initial Bargaining Proposal for Sunshine December 2017 NTA exists as a body of members working to promote our students’ rights to a quality public education in Natomas. It is our goal to provide the best conditions and environments for both students and teachers. Through our negotiations we will address the student experience by focusing on the resources needed for student success through the District LCAP goals and the Collective Bargaining Agreement articles.

NUSD has approximately 600 teachers and 43% of these teachers have only been here less than 2 years. There are currently still a number of midyear open unfilled teaching positions across the district. Additionally, multiple resignations have occurred since the start of the year. NTA recognizes there is an expanding teacher shortage. We need to prioritize the goal of making our district a destination for students by recruiting and retaining teachers, which is LCAP goal five.

The prospective supports for SPED staff have changed the working conditions which has impacted our ability to retain and attract fully credentialed, experienced, and skilled special education staff. Great teachers are attracted to and stay in districts where they are appreciated and supported.

The Natomas Teachers’ Association hereby submits the following initial proposal for an upcoming 2018-2019 collective bargaining agreement with the Natomas Unified School District.

All agreements reached on individual items shall be tentative, subject to a final tentative agreement on the contract. Absent a final agreement modifying the contract, the existing contract language shall remain in full effect.

The Natomas Education Association reserves the right to create, add to, delete from, amend, and modify its proposals and/or open articles of the contract during the negotiations process. Unless otherwise indicated, proposals are in conceptual format, and they are not comprehensive in content.

Article IV Salaries (and all relevant appendixes, including LGA schedule)

  • Increase wages to compete with other districts so NUSD will attract and retain the highest quality educators. Trainings, extra duty pay and professional development are also applicable to support LCAP goals.

Article V Hours of Employment

  • Focus on students/classrooms by providing adequate instructional planning and preparation time.
  • Equitable planning and preparation time for all unit members, including special educators, nurses, counselors, speech and language pathologists, itinerant teachers, early childhood education teachers, and psychologists
  • Modify language regarding duty and meeting requirements in order to place more focus student/classroom instructional duties

Article VI Health and Welfare Benefits

  • Improvements in current medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees, dependents, and retirees, with no additional costs to compete with other districts so NUSD will attract and retain the highest quality educators.

Article VIII Safety and Well-Being

  • Support and resources to maintain orderly and well-disciplined sites and programs for the support of goal 4, to create safe and welcoming learning environments where students attend and are connected to their schools

Article X Class Size

  • Establish class sizes and caseloads achieving optimal educator-to-student ratios to increase student success in ELA, Math, Science, Literacy and Civics and to prepare students to be college and career ready. All five LCAP goals will be supported

Article XIII Special Education and Special Subjects Specialist

  • Provide the necessary support and resources to educate all students in general and special education settings. The central focus is on the NUSD inclusion program of clustering students with IEPs into mainstream classrooms but all specialists will be addressed in the proposals. All five LCAP goals will be supported with this article improvement.

NTA proposes to review language in contract articles and memorandums of understandings that may have become obsolete, need updating, be eliminated, or incorporated into the collective bargaining agreement.

 

READ MORE ON OUR FACEBOOK PAGE AND OUR WEBSITE WWW.NATOMASTEACHERS.ORG

 

Natomas Teachers’ Association

2121 Natomas Crossing Drive

Sacramento, CA 95834

Natomas Teachers’ Association

The Real Scoop

NTA Newsletter – November 2017

by Natomas Teachers’ Association November 2017
Welcome back
Welcome back to all of our teachers, counselors, psychologists, nurses, and speech pathologists, veteran and new, over 600 strong. We hope that you are having a great school year so far.
We want to sincerely thank past president Phil Cox for his dedication and service to the association. He is a great example of the strength and professionalism exhibited by the members in our association.
We have a new logo thanks to our terrific teacher, Phi Mai, and NTA has ordered shirts for every member to wear. Contact your site rep if you still have not received a shirt.
We will be designating a day for shirts to be worn, so stay tuned for that information.
By the way, we also have a new chapter started with our NUSD retirees – NTA Retired Teachers’ Association – so any retired teachers can join. Please contact Cynthia Connell at cynthiaconnell1@gmail.com for more information.
Your association president, Brenda Borge, has scheduled dates to visit all school sites this year – mostly during lunchtime. Dates will be published and communicated through site reps throughout the year. Several sites have already been visited so thanks to everyone that has participated and attended so far. It’s been great to see all of you!

THIS MONTH’S TOP STORIES

Contract Highlights
by Natomas Teachers’ Association on November 2017

Did you know….
Article HOURS – your prep time is protected. No meetings can be scheduled during your prep without your permission.
New Discipline article – there are a series of steps that need to be followed when admin begins to discipline a teacher.
Evaluation article – there are certain timeline dates that must be met when you are being evaluated. Brenda previously sent out useful information in previous email. Please see article for more details, or contact Kristen Rocha or your site rep for more suggestions.
You can access the contract here: https://natomasunified.org/departments/human-resources/nta-bargaining-unit-agreement/
Meet your NTA Officers by Brenda Borge on November 2017
We recommend that you only use private (non-district) email for communications to us please. Please read and send any emails during your duty free lunch, after or before school only, Thank you.
Please forward your private emails to us, or to your site reps so that you can get informed.
Here are your 2017-2018 NTA Officers, Chairs and their contact information:
Brenda Borge, President Heron K-8 bborgeca@gmail.com
Justin Vorhauer, Vice President Natomas MS ntajmv@gmail.com
Kristin Cunningham, Secretary Two Rivers Elem lgallyblonde13@gmail.com
Kristen Rocha, Treasurer, Barg. Chair Natomas MS krochanta@gmail.com
Farel Brosio, At-Large Witter Ranch farelmb@surewest.net
Steve Chiginsky, At-Large Natomas Park Elem uuguy2001@yahoo.com
Emilio Moran, At-Large Natomas MS emoran1972@gmail.com
Phi Mai, Elections Chair Two Rivers Elem phimai@gmail.com
Alexis Inglemon, Membership Chair Natomas Gateways educatoralexis@yahoo.com
Fred Lavell, Grievance Chair American Lakes El dosfredos@gmail.com
Kenya Spearman, CTA staff person CTA Region 2 office kspearman@cta.org
Sarah Shaw, Bargaining Team Two Rivers Elem sshawsome@gmail.com
Lydiana Alfaro, Bargaining Team H. Allen Hight El lydiana.alfaro@gmail.com
Cynthia Connell, NTA Retired Chair Natomas cynthiaconnell1@gmail.com
Upcoming Events by Lydiana Alfaro on November 2017
CTA Conferences: All conferences are available to register on your own. The association has available 15 spots funded for the good teaching conference, and 5 spots funded for the New Educator conference. Due to outstanding interest, these will be picked by lottery. Submit your name, number and non-school email to be part of the lottery by NOVEMBER 20, 2017 to Brenda Borge or Kristen Rocha. We will let everyone know if you have been chosen shortly thereafter. The conference attendees are asked to submit, after attending the conference, some information to an NTA newsletter of PD tips that will be sent out by March 2018.
CTA New Educator Weekend- Friday, February 23rd – 25th -, San Francisco Airport Marriott Waterfront (CTA Member Benefits will reimburse your employer for your sub on Friday, Feb 23, 2018)
Good Teaching Conference North – Feb. 2-4, 2018, Fairmont Hotel, San Jose
GLBT Issues Conference – Dec. 8-10, 2017, Fairmont Hotel, San Jose
NTA Events:
Socials – to be announced- Check upcoming notifications.
(Recently held) General Membership Meeting – Thurs. Nov 2nd, 3:00-4:00 pm
Community Meetings – to be announced- Check upcoming notifications.
School Board Meetings – upcoming: Wed. Nov 8th, Wed. Dec 13, Wed. Jan 17…
Negotiations News by Kristen Rocha on November 2017
Our Negotiation Team has met to review the data from the Association member survey about your current priorities. We will be visiting more sites to gather face to face input as well. Dates to be announced. Check upcoming notifications.
There was a general membership meeting November 2, around these priority topics to communicate the summary of survey input. More input was gathered; thank you to all who made time in your busy schedule to attend. Your voice is so important. Each one of you represents an important part of the Association and we value your input. The current plan is for a sunshine proposal to be submitted to the School Board at the December meeting and then negotiations are expected to commence for the 2018-2019 year. NTA closely monitors the state (governor’s) budget as well as the NUSD annual budget. (This information was presented at Nov. 2nd Gen Memb. meeting.)
Trending Issues by Natomas Teachers’ Association on November 2017
The following grievances are currently being processed or have been processed:
Grievance on denying a transfer and reassignment of a member to be able to move.
Multiple grievances are filed for not following the proper process of our discipline article XX, for progressive discipline by skipping steps. Also, because discipline applies to the CSTP 6 , the Evaluation article IX section F, outlines the proper format for an investigation. The NUSD HR dept. states that evaluations and discipline are not interdependent so they do not have to follow the investigation process. The association does not agree on this.
Grievance on not following the process for association release.
Complaint on a hostile work environment.
Report on step zeros that have been filed and resolved in our next issue.
READ MORE ON OUR FACEBOOK PAGE and WEBSITE

 

Natomas Teachers’ Association
2121 Natomas Crossing Drive
Sacramento, CA 95834