Date: Wednesday, March 18, 2015
Time: 4 to 5 p.m.
Location:400 1st Avenue, 5th floor

In attendance: Assistant Superintendent Helen Kaufman; UFT Hearing Education Services Chapter Leader Cecilia Cortez; Danna Kafko, Brooklyn West HES related services teacher; Judy Cohen, audiologist.

SESIS

Ms. Cortez asked Ms. Kaufman whether HES teachers still need to record session notes in SESIS. She pointed out that teachers have the lesson written in their lesson plan books. The same lesson has to be written in their students' notebooks. Finally, the same lesson has to be written in SESIS. That means the same work is being done three times for every student. She noted that HES teachers have to write a lesson plan for every student they serve. If they see five students in a day, that means they write 15 lessons written a day, 75 lessons a week. That is excessive paperwork, Ms. Cortez said. Chancellor Fariña has spoken about the need to eliminate unnecessary paperwork.

Ms. Kaufman replied that HES teachers are required to write notes in SESIS. It is part of their job.

Ms. Cortez then mentioned that occupational and physical therapists have received computers to enable them to fulfill this requirement for notes. Ms. Kaufman said OTs and PTs have Medicaire requirements they must document. They get reimbursed by Medicare. Therefore, computers enable them to meet this professional responsibility.

Ms. Cortez stated that specifically because of HES teachers don't get refunds from Medicare, they should not need to write the same lesson three times.

Ms. Kaufman repeated that HES teachers are required to write notes in SESIS; it is part of their jobs. 

Sick and personal days

Ms. Cortez stated that we are allowed 10 sick days per year, which accrue. The question is whether taking time off to have medical tests constitutes a sick day or personal day. Ms. Kaufman said that we are allowed to take a fraction of a personal day for medical tests. When we take more than 3 hours and 20 minutes, it counts as a full day off. When we take a portion or fraction of a day, it doesn’t show up immediately in CAR. This is systemwide. Fractions of a day are reflected in CAR once time off adds up to one work day. These days are not sick days. Personal days are for business which can't be conducted after school or on the weekends. Medical tests often fall into this category.

Audiology

Ms. Cortez asked if Ms. Kaufman has followed up about getting an audiologist at one the CSEs in Manhattan that have no audiologists..

Ms. Kaufman said she has contacted people at the DOE regarding the number of children with hearing loss in Manhattan. The numbers have dropped, and she is trying to bring this to the attention of those who do testing. Additionally, more CSE audiologists are still needed in Manhattan. Ms. Kaufman said she is working to resolve this issue.

Policy for inclement weather

Ms. Cortez asked what the protocol is for inclement weather.

Ms. Kaufman said that there are no Chancellor's regulations on this. The most recent snowy day did not lead to any early closures and most afterschool programs were held. If you need to stay at a site because of the weather or are having difficulty traveling, you should contact your HES supervisor.

Ms. Cortez stated it would be too hard for everyone to call the HES supervisor. It would be impossible and impractical, she said. It would be better to have a policy for inclement weather.

Ms. Kaufman said that if that is the case she will go to the DOE to get that policy. She reiterated that there are no Chancellor's regulations on this issue.  

The next consultation meeting will be April 25.