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Meeting Minutes for Jan. 10, 2012

Attendance: Barr, Bayor, Blackwell, Brandle, Callahan, Curcio, Dehler, Einbinder, Feingold, Franzese, Friedman, Gaglione, Garcia, Gloskin, Gottlieb, Greenberg, Gross, Hoffman, Jance, Johnson, Karwowski, Kellerman, Leventon, Lowenfels, Martin, Millstein, Minnick, Nobles, Pagnozzi, Ristorucci, Rosenblum, Rosenstein, Schkrutz, Shulman, Silberman, Silvera, Singletary, Smith, Spielvogel, Stulberg, Tokar, Weinstein

Agenda: Technology: The IZONE - Evelyn DeJesus, Manhattan Borough Representative; Organizing Committee Website - Deirdre Mc Fadyen, Director of Communications; Education Issues - Catalina Fortino, VP for Education; Good and Welfare

Evelyn DeJesus - Evelyn made a comprehensive presentation on the IZONE program. The focus of the program is incorporating technology in the classroom. While the UFT supports the program it is very important that it be monitored. It is important that chapter leaders understand how to read the budget and are aware of what questions have to be asked of the administration. Many programs are not being funded properly. Some schools have hardware but no bandwidth or software. Zina Burton-Myrick, Special Representative from the Manhattan office, also presented. She said it is imperative that DRs are informed if there are problems with IZONE in any schools. The UFT needs to know where the problems are and this committee can be very helpful in gathering the data. Zina provided the committee with a list of schools that are part of the IZONE program. Any questions, contact Zina Myrick at zmyrick@uft.org.

Catalina Fortino - Catalina discussed two important issues

  • Common Core Standards
  • Professional Development/Teacher Evaluation

The committee was given copies of "City Wide Instructional Imitative." She explained that the UFT embraces Common Core Standards, which is now in 48 states. This past year has been one of awareness but many principals are having teachers write curriculum bundles. This has become an issue with PERB. Please let your schools know this. Curriculum writing has become huge and Catalina said that it was “supposed to be a small task.” The problem stems from the networks. The DOE is addressing this issue and is drafting a letter. Remind your schools that documentation is extremely important.

Teacher Evaluation - At this point teachers are rated either S or U. Nothing has changed. PLA and Pilot schools are working with the Danielson’s model but until there is a new contract, the rating system of S or U stands. Two letters were published in regard to this in September 2011, signed by President Mulgrew and Chancellor Walcott.

Another letter by the three deputy chancellors went out in December 2011. There are only 33 schools working on the Danielson Framework for Teaching.

Excessive Paperwork - Ten teachers met with the DOE during the winter break in regard to excessive paperwork. They came with binders and met with the chancellor and his deputies. More to follow.

Catalina said that she would email Common Core Standards and the Danielson Framework for Teaching to all on the committee.

Organizing Committee Website - Deidre gave a PowerPoint presentation. The UFT has included the Organizing Committee on its list of committees. The site will include:

  • Minutes of the Organizing Committee
  • What is new in political action
  • Chapter Leader Update
  • A resource page will be added, which will include lists of borough specialists. This page will have an annual update.
  • Send any additional suggestions to Michael Shulman at Mshulman@auft.org.
  • Contact Yasmin Colon at 212-777-7500 for help in signing up. She is part of the Membership Department,

Good and Welfare - There is change in our schedule for the May meeting. It will now be on May 8 to coincide with the RTC meeting. June 12 is an added date and will be our final meeting for the school year.

At 3:30 today at Bronxdale H S there will be a rally to protest the actions of a principal who was found guilty of sexual abuse charges. The DOE sent him for sensitivity training. The union, politicians and community leaders will be there. Members were urged to attend. The next meeting will be March 13, 2012.

Handouts

  • List of IZONE Schools
  • IZONE 360
  • Talking Points for 33 PLA Schools in Transformation and Restart
  • Walcott letter December 2011
  • Introduction to the Final Draft Of The Citywide Instructional Expectations 2011-12
  • NYC Department of Education Employee Arrest Procedures
  • 25 More Schools Marked for Closure
  • Absences and leaves for paraprofessionals
  • Changes to Welfare Fund Benefits on Feb. 1
  • Beneficiary’s Guide to Death Benefits-TRS
  • Talk by Jackie Bennett

The meeting was adjourned at 1:00 p.m.

Respectfully,
Judy Rosenstein

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