PEA

focus
on educators
California Teachers Association

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

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. will have from mid-February to seems that each site has a different March 20th to complete this survey. plan. Some parents must give 24 Just give it to your site rep to return hour notice, some 15 minutes, and to PEA. As a teacher at Willow some need no notice at all. This has Cove, I have felt the tremendous caused a few problems with effect of having a very effective teachers being overly viewed by principal versus not having an parents to the point of discomfort. I effective principal. We are in the discussed this with Superintendent process of a change right now. This Rondeau, and we agreed that at the survey is by no means a tool for beginning of EVERY school year attack, but simply a way to each site will make the decision on Volume XXII, Number 6 communicate problems or successes what observation format for parent we might be having at our site. We visitation they would like to have. In this Issue are hoping that this information will This way it is a site specific Presidents Message & be a driving tool for a positive decision not a district decision. Informational Items ..pgs. 1-2 change. Just like we use childrens Announcements..p.3 Thank You Corner.p.3 assessment data to drive a Finally, it was agreed by the district Community Outreach.......p.3 progressive change, this evaluation that at the BEGINNING of each Conferences...p.3 can be viewed as the same kind of school year every site will be given CTA News....pgs. 4-7 tool. Many of us have wonderful access to the School Site Safety PEA Calendar.... .The Last Page leaders and a supportive, respectful Plan. This will either be in digital atmosphere and some sites may not. format access or hard copy, if The information from this requested. Also key safety points evaluation will be given to will be discussed for review at the PEA Presidents Message Superintendent and School Board, beginning of the school year as well as to you. A copy of the EVERY year with the staff. Spring is just around the corner and evaluation was given to the I can hardly wait for warm days and Superintendent to share with Enjoy Winter while she slowly sunny skies. In mid-February you Principals way back in September exits, and yeah for Spring. were given another survey to so they would have a heads up as to complete. This would be the what we are expecting. Please Wag More and Bark Less! Principals Survey. It has taken complete the survey. several years to get this down to a Chris Coan very simple but effective form. We Next, a site concern coming up PEA President have taken the questions from the quite a bit has been about parents National Principal Standards. You making classroom observations. It

FEBRUARY 2013

PEA Leadership 2012-2013 President Chris Coan

Willow Cove Elementary/ PEA Office

Rep. Council Meeting Calendar

September 19 October 17 November 14 December 19 January 23 February 20 March 20 April 24 May 15 June 5 ***********************************

Elementary Vice President Cindy Joy

Parkside Elementary

Secondary Vice President Shelly Bascomb

Rancho Medanos

Secretary Tammy Carr

Highlands Elementary

Treasurer Gale Higgins

Stoneman Elementary

School Board Meeting Calendar

August 22 September 12 & 26 October 10 & 24 November 14 December 12 January 9 & 23 February 13 & 27 March 13 & 27 April 17 May 8 & 22 June 5 & 26 ***********************************

Committee Chairs Grievance Committee Richard Higgins Pittsburg High Negotiations Team Dawn Cova - Chair Political Action Committee Iris Contreras - Chair Elections Chair Ruth Foster Human Rights Committee Vacant Womens Issues Committee Allison Azevedo - Chair O-Team Vacant CTA State Council Representatives Iris Contreras PEA Denise James, Sara Savacool, Robert Strickler - AEA Alternate Pandora Bethea - AEA CTA Director District C Terri Jackson NEA Director for California, District 3 Greg Bonaccorsi Technical Editor Susan Harrison PEA Site Secretary

Are you Getting your PEA Information???

Having the site reps attend their monthly meeting and then reporting back to you is vital in the communication chain of our Association. Roll call at last January 23rd Rep Council Meeting: Adult Ed. absent Stoneman absent Foothill present Willow Cove absent Heights present MLK Jr. present Highlands present Hillview - absent Los Medanos present Rancho Medanos present Marina Vista present PHS - present Parkside present Black Diamond present ************************************

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

E-MAIL:peatchrs@att.net WEBSITE: www.peateachers.org 2

THANK YOU Corner

PEA would like to thank the following people for helping and supporting their local association for the month of February. Thank you to Chris Rohde, Cesar Ramos, John Kleinjans, Cookie Freeman, Jamie Keith and Arthur Pruyn for their work on creating the PHS School Climate Survey.

PEA VIDEOS TO BORROW Great Public Schools Ancestors in the Americas- Asian American History There and Back Surviving Breast Cancer Journey to Respect The History of CTA No Grapes United Farm Workers CTA California Civil Rights Initiative Respect Equality Hope The Journey of a People American Teachers Association TEACH Inspiration is the Greatest Teacher Wanna borrow? Just ask and we will pony it over to you. peatchrs@att.net or (925) 432-0199

ANNOUNCEMENTS
PEA /CTA/PUSD PRESENTATIONS CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT TRAINING March 19, 2013 from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. at the PEA office, 159 E 4th Street Please join us to get informed and updated on current Child Abuse and Neglect reporting information. Since we are in the child business it is imperative that we be the first responders to ANY form of abuse. RSVP peatchrs@att.net by March 15, 2013 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------CTA/PEA SCHOOL SITE COUNCIL TRAINING March 27, 2013 from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. in the Conference Room at the district office This is an open invitation to current SSC members, future SSC members, Principals and parents. The district is supportive of this training and Principals will be inviting their parents to this, as well. SSC makes some very BIG decisions for a school site, so the more information they have to make informative decisions, the better. RSVP peatchrs@att.net by March 22, 2013 UPCOMING 2013 CTA CONFERENCES Equity and Human Rights Conference March 1-3, 2013 Hyatt Regency Burlingame, CA Good Teaching Conference South March 22-24, 2013 Los Angeles Airport Marriott Los Angeles, CA PEA will contribute $50.00 towards conference expenses.

COMMUNITY OUTREACH
READ ACROSS AMERICA MARCH 5, 2013
Pittsburg is joining schools across America to read to our students on March 5. The STS Academy, Railroad Book Depot, First Baptist Head Start and Railroad Junction are hosting PEAs teachers. These teachers will be reading Our California to our afterschool programs where PEA will donate the book to the site. The event will start at 3:30 p.m. and end at 4:00 p.m.

___________________________________ BEAUTIFY 4TH STREET PARK

The city of Pittsburg has joined PEA in sponsoring a campaign to clean-up our little park across from the PEA office. The city has donated rubber gloves and trash bags for our members. Before the Executive Board meets every month, they will get out there and pick up trash and rake leaves. Just before every Rep Council meeting, Reps will help clean the park between 3:15 p.m.-3:40 p.m. Parkside has volunteered to clean it in February. A sign-up sheet will be at Rep Council on February 20. Here are the dates for the next Rep Council meetings: March 20, April 24, May 15 & June 5. With only four more meetings, 2-3 sites might want to volunteer together, for a faster and more efficient time for everyone.
Respectfully submitted, Cindy Joy, PEA Vice-President, Elementary

NEWS
Unions 2.0 A Look at Unions and the Education Profession
Background Information for Open Conversations Factors teachers around the world value over standards based content knowledge. We know these to be of critical importance in LIFE, but are rarely, if ever measured on standardized tests in the U.S. The following list is from Linda-Darling Hammonds presentation to the Forum for Education and Democracy in the Winter of 2008: New Context Means New Expectations Most studies include: Ability to communicate Adaptability to change Ability to work in teams Preparedness to solve problems Ability to analyze and conceptualize Ability to reflect on and improve performance Ability to manage oneself Ability to create, innovate, and criticize Ability to engage in learning new things at all times Ability to cross specialist borders ********************************

Students may not be tested for behavioral, mental, or emotional evaluation without the informed written consent of parent. This is in addition to IDEA requirements. Ed Code 49091.10, et. Seq. B. Parent-Teacher Meetings If you believe there is potential for confrontation, ask that your union representative be present, especially if the purpose of the meeting concerns a complaint about you. Misdemeanor to threaten injury to a school employee or their property. Pen. Code 71. C. Liability of Parents for Students Misbehavior A parent or guardian may be liable for up to $10,000 for the willful misconduct of their minor when that misconduct results in injury or death to any employee or to employees property. Ed Code 48904 The District may withhold grades and diplomas until the debt is paid or if the family is unable to afford the debt, the student may be forced to work it off. You may ask the District to sue the parents on your behalf. Ed Code 44811. D. Disruption of School Activities by Parents or Students Any parent or other person whose conduct materially disrupts class work or extracurricular activities or involves substantial disorder, is guilty of a misdemeanor. This will include conduct at parentteacher conferences. Ed Code 44811 Any person over 16 years of age who comes onto school property and willfully interferes with the discipline, good order, lawful conduct, or administration of any class or activity of the school is guilty of a misdemeanor. Ed Code 44810 *********************************

Teachers Legal Rights and Duties

V. DEALINGWITH PARENTS AND THIRD PARTIES A. Parent Rights Parents have the right to inspect all instructional material used by the classroom teacher. Teachers must compile all textbooks, supplemental instructional material, films, tapes, software, and teachers manuals and have it available in the classroom to be made available for prompt parental inspection. Schools must compile and make available the curriculum of every course offered. Parents have the right to observe instruction and other school activities that involve his/her child, but parent must request this in writing. This is subject to district procedures. Students cannot be compelled to affirm or disavow any privately held world view, political or religious doctrine.

The Bad Teacher Narrative Countering the Message

Public schools are not correctional institutions; they are not equipped to handle all the social, political and personal issues between students. They cant. Schools are formed to teach core subjects and some electives. Schools educate all corners of our societys children. The times are complex. The issues are complex. The laws are complex. Why must the educational system be on the defensive?

Reducing the Risk: Teen Suicide

SOME CONTRIBUTING FACTORS TO TEEN SUICIDE (Cont.) 10. Peer Pressure Another important adolescent stress factor is peer pressure. When children enter into the adolescent years at around age 12, they are basically influenced by their parents to a greater degree than anyone else. However, over the next two-year period, peer groups affect adolescent decision-making more than any other group does. Adolescents frequently get into a variety of difficulties because of their inability to make healthy decisions due to the stresses placed upon them through peer pressure: e.g. drug habituation and abuse, gang involvement, truancy, etc. 11. Poor Self Esteem Feelings of self-worth may be severely damaged by: Physical awkwardness Failure in academics or athletics Lack of praise Other incidents that hurt a young persons pride. [Some possible Reasons for Suicide] How can adolescents develop self-esteem and maturity when all we expect from them is trouble? Expectations of children are too low, thus adolescents have no motivation to grow up and it becomes harder to close the gap between childhood and maturity. We produce immature adults who suffer from low self-esteem. [Gordon, Beth as cited in NPR] *********************************

UNION CODE OF CONDUCT

I will not criticize any union colleague except to the individual directly. If any union colleague is being criticized in my presence, I will confront the criticism and ask that it stop. I will not participate in any conversations with management that criticize, or negatively speculate about any union colleague. I will settle my differences with colleagues within my union. I will engage in debate, offer others every opportunity for debate and respect minority viewpoints, but I will observe and support the majority mandate of my union. *********************************

Welcometo the California Teachers Association

10 MEMBERSHIP PERKS 1. I CAN DO IT! Classroom management training and other professional development to help you be successful. 2. Grants and Scholarships from CTAs Institute for Teaching to help fund education-related projects. 3. Access to a variety of CTA staff to provide personal assistance a phone call or mouse click away. 4. Assistance at your school site to help you deal with issues related to your evaluation, discipline or relationships with supervisors. 5. Assistance with maintaining your collective bargaining agreement to secure your working conditions, salaries and benefits. 6. A no-cost death and dismemberment benefit for eligible members. 7. Member benefit savings travel, car rentals, purchases to recoup some or all of your dues. 8. Advocacy opportunities to let your voice be heard on issues that impact students and your profession. 9. Political action to elect local, state and national propublic school candidates. Paid media campaigns to promote the success of teaching and learning. 10. Advocacy on your behalf to make sure state and national policies are beneficial to students and educators.

Maslows Hierarchy of Needs

The levels in Maslows Hierarchy of Needs Values: Wholeness/Unity/Oneness Perfection/Just-so-ness Completion/Finality/Ending Justice/Fairness Aliveness/Full-Functioning Richness/Intricacy Simplicity/Essential/Honesty Beauty/Form/Richness Goodness/Oughtness Uniqueness/Idiosyncrasy/Novelty Effortlessness/Ease/Perfect Playfulness/Joy/Humor

SPOTLIGHTING MEMBER BENEFITS

Help a talented, disabled student win $2,500 for college

The Standard has partnered with Incight, a nonprofit dedicated to reducing barriers between high school and college for students with disabilities, to offer four one-time scholarships in the amount of $2,500 each to four students nominated by California Teachers Association (CTA) members. Any active CTA member in good standing may nominate up to three students for the 2013-2014 Incight Scholarships sponsored by The Standard. To be eligible, the student must have a documented physical, learning or cognitive disability, be at least a senior in high school and plan to enroll full-time in a vocational school, two-or four-year college or university for the 2013-2014 school year. The deadline to nominate your students is March 15, 2013, and student applications must be completed by April 1, 2013. To learn more and to submit your student nominations, visit www.standard.com/cta/scholarship. The Standard is the only Disability and Life Insurance provider endorsed by CTA. To learn more about the CTA endorsed Life and Disability Insurance plans, visit www.CTAMemberBenefits.org or call the Standards dedicated CTA Customer Service Department at 800-522-0406. *********************************

A variety of resources including posters, flyers, customizable resolutions, covers for Facebook pages & sample posts, logos and more are currently available, with more to come. Youll find them at the CTAs 150th Anniversary link: www.cta.org/150.

We Did It!...Sweet Election Victories for our Students, Schools, and Profession
There are no sweeter words than We did it! The November 6 election was a tremendous victory for our students, for public schools and colleges, and for all working families as voters approved Proposition 30 and rejected Proposition 32. Your hard work in your schools and in your communities achieved these monumental victories. It was a good election for local school board members, state legislators and members of Congress who support public education and working families. More than 200 CTArecommended candidates won on November 6, including a few classroom teachers who were elected to Congress. CTA also provided funding to pass 25 out of 28 local school parcel taxes and bond measures. We organized and used our collective voice to make a difference for the future of California. You made phone calls lots of phone calls. You rang doorbells, carried signs and attended rallies. You talked to your friends and family and got them all out to vote. Thank you, thank you, thank you. *********************************

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MEMBERSHIP MATTERS

Help Celebrate CTAs Sesquicentennial

What a difference 150 years makes! The California Education Society that State Superintendent John Swett founded in 1863 with fewer than 1,000 members all of them male is now the 325,000 member California Teachers Association, the most inclusive, powerful voice of educators in the state. Over the course of this year, CTA members will explore and celebrate the associations past via social media, CTAs website and publications, and at conferences. At the same time, members will set the course for CTAs future through a new strategic planning process already under way.

California Professional Standards for Educational Leaders

STANDARD 1 A school administrator is an educational leader who promotes the success of all students by facilitating the development, articulation, implementation, and stewardship of a vision of learning that is shared and supported by the school community. Facilitate the development of a shared vision for the achievement of all students based upon data from

multiple measures of student learning and relevant qualitative indicators. Communicate the shared vision so the entire school community understands and acts on the schools mission to become a standards-based education system. Use the influence of diversity to improve teaching and learning. Identify and address any barriers to accomplishing the vision. Shape school programs, plans, and activities to ensure that they are integrated, articulated through the grades, and consistent with the vision. Leverage and marshal sufficient resources, including technology, to implement and attain the vision for all students and all subgroups of students.

HOW TO LISTEN

STOP TALKINGtalking and listening cannot occur simultaneously. EMPATHIZE WITH THE OTHER PERSON...try to put yourself in the others place so you can see what she/he is trying to get at. CONTROL YOUR ANGERtry not to get angry at what is being said; your anger may prevent you from understanding his/her words meaning. ASK QUESTIONSwhen you dont understand, when you need more explanation, to clarify, not to establish the facts. Dont ask questions to show up or embarrass the other person. DONT GIVE UP TOO SOONdont interrupt other people; give them time to say what they have to say. CONCENTRATE ON WHAT SHE/HE IS SAYINGfocus your attention on their words, ideas, and feelings. LOOK AT THE OTHER PERSONtheir face, mouth, eyes, hands will help communicate with you. Watch their body language. LEAVE YOUR EMOTIONS BEHIND(if you can) try to push your worries, your fears, your problems, outside the meeting room. SMILE AND NOD APPROPRIATELYbut dont overdo it. DONT ARGUE MENTALLYwhen you are trying to understand the other person, it is a handicap to argue with them mentally as they are speaking. This sets up a barrier between you and them. GET THE MAIN POINTSconcentrate on the main ideas, not the examples. Stories, statistics, etc., are important, but are usually not the main points. Examine them only to see if they support or clarify the main idea.

STANDARD 2 A school administrator is an educational leader who promotes the success of all students by advocating, nurturing, and sustaining a school culture and instructional program conducive to student learning and staff professional growth. Shape a culture in which high expectations are the norm for each student as evident in rigorous academic work. Promote equity, fairness, and respect among all members of the school community. Facilitate the use of a variety of appropriate contentbased learning materials and learning strategies that recognize students as active learners, value reflection and inquiry, emphasize the quality versus the amount of student application and performance, and utilize appropriate and effective technology. Guide and support the long-term professional development of all staff consistent with the ongoing effort to improve the learning of all students relative to the content standards. Provide opportunities for all members of the school community to develop and use skills in collaboration, distributed leadership, and shared responsibility. Create an accountability system grounded in standards-based teaching and learning. Utilize multiple assessments to evaluate student learning in an ongoing process focused on improving the academic performance of each student. *********************************

Every ceiling when reached, becomes a floor

Aldous Huxley 7

PEA
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Calendar
FEBRUARY 2013

Groundhog Day PEA Executive Board PEA Office 159 East 4th St. 3:45 PM PUSD School Board Meeting 2000 Railroad Ave. 7:00 PM Ash Wednesday Valentines Day Lincolns Birthday/Holiday no school Presidents Day/ Holiday no school PEA Rep Council PEA Office 159 East 4th St. 3:45 PM PUSD School Board Meeting 2000 Railroad Ave. 7:00 PM

MARCH 2013
6 10 13 17 20 20 24 25 27 28 29 31 PEA Executive Board PEA Office 159 East 4th St. 3:45 PM Daylight Saving Time Begins PUSD School Board Meeting 2000 Railroad Ave. 7:00 PM St. Patricks Day Spring Begins PEA Rep Council PEA Office 159 East 4th St. 3:45 PM Palm Sunday Passover Begins at Sundown PUSD School Board Meeting 2000 Railroad Ave. 7:00 PM Cesar Chavez Day/Holiday no school Good Friday/Holiday no school Easter Next Deadline for Articles is March 11, 2013
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