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.

APRIL 2013

site reps or even email me at any time and I will get right back to you. It is always best to try and work through issues at the site level first before going upwards. When I was on vacation, I visited the Manzanar Relocation Center National Monument. It is one of the sites where Japanese Americans were sent during WWII. It has a museum full of detailed history about the forced relocation of citizens of the United States who were of Japanese ancestry. There was one display that struck me quite well. This display had a quote from one of the internees.....the United States Constitution is only a piece of paper if its laws are not enforced. How true that statement was for the many displaced families that had to leave their property and be put in a concentration camp. I can, in some ways, relate this to the Collective Bargained Agreement between PEA and the Pittsburg Unified School District. Each article of the contract was negotiated and agreed upon to be followed to the letter. If either of

Volume XXII, Number 8

In this Issue
Presidents Message Informational Items ..pgs. 1-3 Community Outreach.......p.3 Bargaining ....p.4-5 2012-2013 Retireesp.4 V.P. Secondary Info.p. 7 CTA News....pgs. 7-9 PEA Calendar.... .The Last Page

PEA Presidents Message

New updated contracts were given out a few months ago. They have a golden rod cover on them. If you didnt get a copy, please let PEA know and we will make sure you get a copy. I suggest you keep your contract with you at your work site. When a concern arises, first check out what the contract says. You can discuss issues with your

the sides doesnt follow the contract, then it is only a piece of paper. Since we have more at stake in following the contract, let us all adhere to it, support it for ourselves and others, and continually improve it over the years. Please do not make your own side contract deals. That is not fair to the collective whole. I hope in the future you will consider being a site rep, or running for the Executive Board, or perhaps chairing a position such as Grievance, Organizing, Political Action, Womens Issues, or the Equity and Human Rights Chair. The chain of our local association is only as strong as our membership which is you. Stay involved, stay informed, and please consider giving a little time to volunteer for a service position. We will soon begin considering the next contract opening session in June of 2014, so we need to get stronger, better and ready to negotiate....all of us need to do so and be IN.

Wag More and Bark Less!

Chris Coan, PEA President

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 March 20th Rep Council Meeting: Adult Ed. absent Stoneman absent Foothill present Willow Cove present Heights absent MLK Jr. present Highlands present Hillview - present Los Medanos present Rancho Medanos present Marina Vista present PHS - present Parkside present Black Diamond absent ************************************

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

DAY OF THE TEACHER CELEBRATION All are invited to dine, have a drink and visit with old and new teacher friends. Every year our party gets bigger and bigger, so lets keep the ball rolling. When? Wednesday, May 8th from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Where? La Pinata on Bliss Avenue in Pittsburg Why? To have a Mexican dinner and either a glass of wine or a cold beer, and to celebrate Please RSVP at peatchrs@att.net or call 925-432-0199 and leave a message. RSVPs are due by May 6th......enjoy! OPPORTUNITIES The Executive Board agreed that for next school year we would be offering full grants (up to $500.00 each) for three PEA members to attend the following conferences: CTA Leadership Conference, Good Teaching North and Equity and Human Rights Conference North. These will be available to members who have not participated in any CTA conferences before. Our hope is to encourage more CTA knowledge and involvement. PEA will be requiring a follow up article in the FOCUS covering the experience. More details will be given when the next school year begins and dates are established for the conference season. ATTENTION: REGARDING AUGUST STAFF DEVELOPMENT DAY This specific day will be spent on Common Core Standards Training for all teachers. A team of four administrators and four teachers will be collaborating on the agenda for that day. You will be receiving this agenda before the school year ends. District Team: Shannon Ortland, Jennifer Sachs, Karen Clark and Anthony Molina PEA Teacher Team: Richard Chiado (Willow Cove), Geannine Fernandez (Los Medanos), Mark Maselli (HIillview) and Rajnesh Naicker (PHS).

PEA SCHOLARSHIPS PEA Scholarship Achievement Applications are available for graduating high school seniors who will be attending an institution of higher learning in the fall of 2013. You must be the son or daughter of a parent who is a current member of the PEA/CTA/NEA. You may request a scholarship application form from your site rep. Scholarship forms must be returned to the PEA Office (159 East 4th Street) no later than Wednesday, May 1, 2013. 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

Community Outreach
PEA's current Community Outreach program is Adopt-aSpot. On 4th St., across from the PEA office is a small park or clearing that PEA has pledged to maintain this plot, free from debris and weeds. Reps and Teachers from specific sites have been assigned to pick-up this area before said rep-council, from 3:20-3:40 p.m. Below is the current schedule: April= Willow Cove and Marina Vista May= Rancho Medanos, Los Medanos and Foothill June= Heights, Stoneman and Black Diamond Thank you for beautifying Pittsburg! Respectfully submitted, Cindy Joy, PEA Vice-President, Elementary

PUSD Retirees June 2013

Last Name Barnes Bywater Canepa Coll Colvin Corbett Green Hopkins Knight Lozoya Melendrez Merrett Molta First Name William Ann Cheryl Colleen Maria Esther Jack Audrey James Louis Gloria Cherita Carol Years of Service 10 15 5 10 11 39 23 12 11 16 31 11 17 23 14 35 25 28 10 19 38 31 32

Bargaining Update
PEA signed two MOUs with the District last month; one regarding intervention during the school day at Hillview & Rancho; another regarding evaluation of non-classroom unit members. The agreements are outlined below. Tutorial at Junior High Schools Both PEA and PUSD recognize the need to offer intervention to struggling students during the regular school day. Tutorial may take place up to two (2) times per week for up to thirty (30) minutes per session in lieu of regular instruction. Tutorial is not intended to be a seven (7) period day, nor is it a precursor for establishing a seven (7) period day. Tutorial is not a program that requires teachers to complete additional planning beyond their customary instructional planning. Teachers who must create lesson plans for tutorial outside of the contracted day shall be compensated at the certificated hourly rate of pay with prior administrator approval. Teachers who are directed to teach a tutorial session outside of their regular subject matter shall be compensated for planning for each tutorial session. Teachers will use school and district assessment data and their knowledge of their students to determine tutorial topics and materials that address student needs. Teachers are not required to submit grades, attendance, or contact parents based on performance in tutorial. Teachers shall have the right to remove students who misbehave from their tutorial session. Teachers shall have the right to limit the number of students attending their tutorial session and no tutorial shall go over contracted school wide class size averages. The outcomes of tutorial shall be reviewed at the end of the school year; the decision shall be made collaboratively by teachers and administrators to determine whether to continue tutorial and/or make adjustments for the next school year. Should the

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District choose to continue Tutorial, input from staff shall be incorporated. Evaluation Process for Non-Classroom Unit Members 1. Non-classroom unit members including Resource Specialists, Psychologists, Speech Therapists, Librarians, Counselors and Teachers on Special Assignment shall be evaluated using Evaluation Article 10 of the Collective Bargaining Agreement as it applies and relates to their work. 2. Not all of the objectives under the selected standards may apply, but in order to meet each of the selected standards, the Evaluatee must meet the majority of applicable objectives. 3. Beginning Teacher Support and Assessment (BTSA) Mentors deserve high-quality feedback in order for them to refine their practice of supporting teachers. 4. BTSA Mentors shall be evaluated using the Evaluation Article 10 of the Collective Bargaining Agreement as it relates to their work with participating teachers. Academic Coaches and BTSA Support Providers guide teachers in shall be added to the beginning of the applicable objectives under their selected standards since support providers are assisting teachers in meeting those objectives. 5. BTSA Mentors may be observed while working with a volunteer permanent teacher who has a satisfactory evaluation and is not in PAR. The teacher shall be selected by the Evaluatee and must be willing to participate in the meeting. 6. The participating teachers comments and actions shall not be part of the BTSA Mentors evaluations. There shall not be any identifying information in the Evaluators observation form. 7. The Evaluatee shall select the topic of the meeting. 8. Other evidence that may be part of the BTSA Mentors evaluation includes but is not limited to BTSA portfolios, Formative Assessment Tools, meeting logs, or other items selected by the Evaluatee. 9. A committee comprising non-classroom unit members, PEA Representatives, and District Administrators shall be created by May 31, 2013 to confer about using Evaluation Article 10 of the Collective Bargaining Agreement in the most

appropriate and effective way for non-classroom unit members. If any new evaluation tool is created, a recommendation shall be submitted to the PEA and District Negotiations Teams. The committee will be comprised of four (4) members from PEA and four (4) from the District, each Party selecting their own committee members. Respectfully submitted, Dawn Cova, PEA Bargaining Chair ************************************

NEA/RA PEA Delegates Election Results

The following PEA member was elected to be the PEA delegate to the National Education Association Representative Assembly, which will be held in Atlanta, Georgia, June 30-July 7, 2013:

Eric Heins

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You cannot solve a problem with the same mind that created it.

Albert Einstein

Chairs Needed for the Following PEA Positions:

Womens Issues Chair and the Equity and Human Rights Chair. The PEA Executive Board also agreed to fund grants for attendance to next years Equity and Human Rights Conference North for the chairs of these two positions. The job descriptions are as follows:

Provide ongoing and continuous multicultural training for staff, Association leaders, and members that address womens issues. Work to include language in the local contract protecting civil and professional rights as they pertain to womens issues.

Womens Issues Chair

Attend monthly ALCOSTA Equity Team Meeting from 4:30-6:30 p.m. Report back to Rep Council. Forward resources/info to all PEA members via email/FOCUS. Organize one (1) CTA workshop every year about womens issues. Survey members with possible options. Attend yearly womens reception sponsored by ALCOSTA Equity Team and any other major womens events in the area. Spread the word about events to all PEA members via email/FOCUS. Attend yearly Human Rights Conference. Report back to Rep Council. Forward important resources to all PEA members via email/FOCUS. Participate on the Chapter Representative/Executive Council. Monitor implementation of Chapter womens affairs, goals, and objectives. Participate in Association training programs in areas of womens issues. Encourage members to participate in the CTA Scholarship Program, Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Scholarship Fund, and the Cesar Chavez Memorial Education Awards Program. Raise the awareness of the Association in respect to womens issues. Offer leadership in the development of womens issues programs in the Association and in the educational profession. Monitor the involvement and participation of a broad segment of the membership (including minorities) in the policy-making process and in all practical operations at all levels of the Association. Identify, analyze, and provide resources as they relate to womens issues within the schools, chapter, and community.

Equity and Human Rights Chair

Participate on the Chapter Representative/Executive Council. Monitor implementation of Chapter human rights goals and objectives. Participate in Association training programs in human rights areas. Encourage members to participate in the CTA Scholarship Program, Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Scholarship Fund and the Cesar Chavez Memorial Education Awards Program. Raise the awareness of the Association to human and civil rights issues. Offer leadership in the development of human rights programs in the Association and in the educational profession. Monitor the involvement and participation of a broad segment of the membership (including minorities) in the policy-making process and in all practical operations at all levels of the Association. Identify and analyze human rights problem areas within the schools and community. Provide ongoing and continuous multicultural training for staff, Association leaders and members. Work to include language in the local contract protecting civil and professional rights.

Memorandum of Understanding on Class Sizes at PHS

Dear PHS Members, By now you should have received a copy of the Memorandum of Understanding between the District and PEA regarding class sizes at PHS. If you havent received one yet, contact your department rep. Dealing with this issue has been a long process. In the fall, PEA brought the class size issue to the attention of the District and was told by the District that they would be adding sections. However, after giving the District sufficient time to address the issue, PEA found that the additional sections were not enough to bring the class size average down to what is allowed by the contract. By this time, though, it was too late in the school year to add more sections and move students around, so we were faced with a choice: bring in subs to co-teach with teachers whose class sizes were high and thereby bring down the ratio of students to teacher, or compensate teachers whose class sizes were high. After discussion with PHS reps, PEA decided to seek monetary compensation. After several rounds of negotiation, we agreed on the amounts found in the Memorandum of Understanding. PEA recognizes that this isnt an ideal resolution to the issue. While it compensates teachers for the extra time they put into planning for, grading, and managing high numbers of students, it doesnt address the fundamental problems that high class sizes pose for teachers and students. Our goal in moving forward is to ensure that next school year starts with the appropriate class sizes and maintains them throughout the year. To do that, we will be monitoring class sizes every month, starting in August. We welcome any questions, comments, or concerns you have on this subject. Please e-mail them to peatchrs@att.net. Respectfully submitted, Shelly Bascomb, PEA Vice-President, Secondary

NEWS
Teachers Legal Rights and Duties
VI. SCHOOL SAFETY ISSUES (Continued) D. Teachers Right to Be Notified of New Student Who Has Been Suspended District must inform a teacher of each pupil who has engaged in, or is reasonably suspected to have engaged in any of the conduct described in 48900. Penalty for knowingly withholding this information is up to six months in jail or $1,500 fine, or both. Information shall be from the previous three school years. Teacher must keep the information in confidence for the limited purpose for which it was provided. Ed Code 49079. Courts must notify school superintendents when a student is found to have committed a felony or a misdemeanor involving curfew, gambling, drugs, assault, battery, vandalism, weapons or certain sex offenses. Superintendent shall transmit this information to counselors and teachers who are reporting on the behavior of the minor and whom the superintendent believes need the information to work with the student, to avoid being needlessly vulnerable. Welfare & Institutions Code 827 (b) (2) *********************************

Reducing the Risk: Teen Suicide

SOME CONTRIBUTING FACTORS TO TEEN SUICIDE (Cont.) 13. Age 15-24 The suicide rate for women ages 15-24 has doubled since 1950, while the rate for younger girls ages 10-14 has nearly tripled since 1980. [American Foundation for Suicide Prevention]. The reason why suicide is so rare before puberty is not known. This is a universal phenomenon found in all countries. A likely explanation is that critical risk factors such as depression or exposure to drugs and alcohol

are rare in very young children. [American Foundation for Suicide Prevention]. 14. Male and Caucasian Most of those who either attempt or complete suicide are white males from middle class to upper class homes. The number of whites to non-whites who complete suicide is 2 to 1. [Ayer, Elenor as cited in NPR] Although women attempt suicide more often, men complete suicide at a rate four times that of women. [American Foundation for Suicide Prevention]. In the U.S., nearly 3.6 times as many teen boys complete suicide as girls. [American Foundation for Suicide Prevention]. 15. History of Attempted Suicide There are an estimated 8-25 attempted suicides to one completion; the ratio is higher in women and youth and lower in men and the elderly. [National Institute of Mental Health]. *********************************

Presenting the Grievance

MAINTAIN A UNITED POSITION: Dont go it

alone. Take the Grievant along with you. Its his/her grievance not yours. It prevents mistrust and establishes confidence in the Association Representative. It prevents getting caught holding the bag.
KNOW YOUR FACTS BE CONFIDENT: Dont try

to outsmart the immediate supervisor and dont anticipate being outsmarted or outwitted. Dont carry a chip on your shoulder. Know your contract, the rights under it and stick to them. State the facts plainly. Avoid opinions or hearsay evidence. Grievances are lost without facts to support it. Rarely does the actual presentation of the grievance win. IT TAKES FACTS.
STICK TO THE POINT BE BUSINESSLIKE:

California Professional Standards for Educational Leaders

As discussion progresses on a grievance, the immediate supervisor may try to sidetrack the real issue and lead you into a discussion of irrelevant issues, or inject additional complaints against the employee. Insist on discussing the issue raised by the grievance ONLY Nothing else.
SETTLE THE GRIEVANCE AT THE FIRST STEP:

STANDARD 3 A school administrator is an educational leader who promotes the success of all students by collaborating with families and community members, responding to diverse community interests and needs, and mobilizing community resources. Recognize and respect the goals and aspirations of diverse family and community groups. Treat diverse community stakeholder groups with fairness and respect. Incorporate information about family and community expectations into school decision-making activities. Strengthen the school through the establishment of community, business, institutional, and civic partnerships. Communicate information about the school on a regular and predictable basis through a variety of media. Support the equitable success of all students and all subgroups of students by mobilizing and leveraging community support services.

It is most desirable to have the grievance settled at the first step. This prevents the bogging down of grievance machinery. The grievance committee may then devote more time and effort to problems of general concern to all the members. Listen to what the administration is saying and offering. Do not talk your way out of a good settlement. Do not try to prove your case once it is won.
TAKE A POSITIVE NOT DEFENSIVE: Dont be

timid or convey the feeling to the immediate supervisor that you are presenting the grievance solely because it is an obligation on your part. Avoid being apologetic. Impress on the supervisor that the grievance has merit and should receive equable treatment. You have the right to be there. The law and custom place you at an equal footing with the supervisor.
BURDEN OF PROOF IS ON THE IMMEDIATE SUPERVISOR: Let the immediate supervisor try to justify

and prove that the action they have taken is correct. You dont have to try to show the supervisor where he/she is wrong! Let the supervisor, instead, carry the burden of shown why they are right. Try not to place the immediate supervisor in a position whereby he/she cant retreat without a great deal of embarrassment. If possible, leave the door open for an easy way out. Permit him/her to save face. Let

the immediate supervisor do most of the talking. A good rule of thumb is that he/she should do 75% and you 25%. Dont respond immediately to every statement. If you have doubts on how to continue, call a caucus and talk it over with the grievant.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Being a Human and Civil Rights Activist
Q. A. Why become an activist in the first place? I already work very hard. Because you care deeply about children and young people, and as hard as you work in your classroom or at your work site, its never enough to ensure that every child or young person receives the quality education he or she needs to succeed in life. How do I find the time to be an activist? I am already so busy. If youre concerned about time, start small. Everyone has time to talk, for a minute or two, one-on-one, with a colleague about an issue of mutual concern or to e-mail your elected representative about an important piece of legislation affecting children and our profession. Do what you can. Am I doing all that I can? is the question to ask. I dont feel comfortable speaking in public. Can I still be an activist? You bet. Public speaking isnt for everyone. But you can write a letter, make a phone call, and speak one-on-one with a friend or neighbor. Whats more, the Internet now provides people who are uncomfortable with the public spotlight with a wonderful opportunity to be cyber activists. Besides, a lot of people who once dreaded public speaking actually get good at it, with a little training and encouragement.

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I have read about the civil rights movement of the 1950s and 60s, and have seen the documentaries, but as much as I admire the heroes of that era, I just dont see myself doing the stuff they did. Is that wrong? We revere the memories of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Rosa Parks, the Greensboro Four, and the other civil rights warriors of that era. Their stories inspire us to this day. But their heroism can also be intimidating, if we let it. There are many actions you can take right now to make a difference, and, yes, those actions will probably be less dramatic, but no less important than the heroic deeds of yesterdays civil rights warriors. That was then, this is now. We do what we can with what we have. But havent all the great human and civil rights battles already been fought and won? Absolutely not. Thats a common misconception. Its true that racism has changed. Its been beaten back, and in the process, like a virus, racism has mutated into new forms. It comes out, however, when a well-known radio personality insults the young women who played for the NCAA Womens Basketball Championship or when a noose is hung from a tree in a school yard. And racism is cropping up frequently in the current debate over immigration. Racism lives. But isnt institutionalized racism a thing of the past? No, it is not. Take the chronic underfunding of schools that serve poor and minority children, for example. Its true that the decision makers who perpetuate this injustice dont espouse racist views. They dont say: These children are less capable of learning; therefore, we will invest less time in them. But they still go ahead, year after year, and invest less in some children than others. Isnt being an activist really a drag endless meetings, long hours, and mindless chores? Heck, no. People get involved in their Association to meet people, have fun, learn new skills, pursue an interest, and link their lives to some higher purpose. Activism adds breadth and depth to your life.

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PEA
APRIL 2013
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Calendar

Earth Day Administrative Professionals Day PEA Rep Council PEA Office 159 East 4th St. 3:45 PM PEA General Membership Mtg. PEA Office 159 East 4th St. 3:45 PM (Executive Board Elections Candidates Nominations)

MAY 2013
1 8 8 8-15 11 12 15 22 27 PEA Executive Board PEA Office 159 East 4th St. 3:45 PM Day of the Teacher La Pinata 95 Bliss Ave. 3:30 PM PUSD School Board Meeting 2000 Railroad Ave. 7:00 PM PEA Executive Board Elections WHO Award Ceremony - Hs Lordships Berkeley 11:00 AM Mothers Day PEA Rep Council PEA Office 159 East 4th St. 3:45 PM PUSD School Board Meeting 2000 Railroad Ave. 7:00 PM Memorial Day (No school)
Next Deadline for Articles is Friday, May 3, 2013
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Peateachers.org
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