Conversation Thinking Best Practice Spring Line-Up: With New Ed. Of Retiring? Sharing For New, Updated Panel Chair Prepare Now School Leaders ELI Seminars 3 4 4 6

Feb. 2019 Volume 52, Number 6 American Federation NEWS of School Administrators, COUNCIL OF SCHOOL SUPERVISORS AND ADMINISTRATORS AFL-CIO Local 1 Staten Island: Collaborative Despite APPR Bill, Communities Partnership High-Stakes Test many extracurricular activities ‘Students learn how we’re all alike more in which students from the Woes To Continue two Staten Island schools par- than different. They become supportive, ticipate, but the partnership BY CHUCK WILBANKS is much more than a list of compassionate and will tell you nothing shared activities and classes. Will efforts to curtail standardized testing end up actually Their communities continually end up creating more of the same? has impacted their lives more.’ work together to create a culture That’s the worry after the New York State legislature voted on of inclusion, mutual respect, Jan. 23 to stop linking state math and English tests to teacher understanding and collabora- evaluations for grades 3-8. Despite the delinkage, schools will BY CRAIG DIFOLCO Deirdre DeAngelis and tion. still have to administer the math and English tests, and the new Hungerford Principal Kristin “As a longtime special educa- law leaves in place the rule that half of a teacher’s evaluation Just before the new year, NY McHugh supervised a discussion tor, I’ve always seen how inclu- will be determined by measurement of students. State Education Commissioner panel featuring teachers and sion programs for students with The Annual Professional Performance Review, or APPR, has MaryEllen Elia visited New students who have participated IEPs impact them academically, been widely reviled by educators and ultimately the citizenry Dorp High School to learn more in the inclusion program, and socially, and emotionally,” said as well. The burdens placed on students, teachers and adminis- about the school’s Collaborative the commissioner then sat in Ms. DeAngelis. “And for our trators, as well as unfair results in judging teachers and schools School Communities part- on a choir rehearsal as they students at New Dorp, they get this way, led to the rise of the opt-out movement. Widespread nership with The Richard prepared for their holiday show one of the best lessons possible protests around the state followed, mainly in the form of simple Hungerford School, a District later that week. in how we’re all more alike than refusals to take the exams. In 2015, for example, 20 percent of 75 school. New Dorp Principal The choir is only one of the Continued on Page 5 Continued on Page 9

TRANSITION CENTERS Election Results Are In Crucial New Resource CSA would like to congratulate the 2019-2022 slate of officers on their election. They will be sworn in at the next Executive Board meet- ing on February 13, 2019. They ran unopposed. For Public School CSA would also like to congratulate the new Executive Board who will likewise serve from 2019 through 2022, starting February 1. Thank you to all those who participated in the election process. We also extend our deepest thanks to everyone who served on the Executive Board for Students With IEPs the last three years. They have represented our union with commit- ment and integrity, and their leadership was fundamental to our recent BY CRAIG DIFOLCO for college, entering the workforce or growth and success. attempting to live independently. In November, the DOE opened their “These centers were essentially cre- President Vice Presidents Secretary newest Transition and College Access ated to give students with IEPs a sense Mark Cannizzaro Sam Akel Steffani Fanizzi Center (TCAC) in Queens, the fourth of transition and allow them to con- Jose Garcia such center to open since the initia- sider a number of avenues in terms Executive Vice President Ramon Gonzalez Treasurer tive was launched at the end of 2017 of that transition,” said Education Henry Rubio Lois Lee Christopher Ogno in partnership with the mayor’s office. Administrator Akile Stuart who serves Katiana Louissaint Each center serves as a central resource as an instructional lead of the Bronx First Vice President hub to support students with IEPs as center embedded at Dewitt Clinton Rosemarie Sinclair they and their families craft a plan to High School. “We’re providing a path- See List Of Executive Board Members On move from school to post-school activ- way for them to understand some of P.7 ities, whether that means preparing Continued on Page 5

Raises And Lump Sum News In February, CSA members working for the DOE will receive 25 percent of the retroactive lump-sum payment. This is in addition to the higher pay- checks you are receiving this year, courtesy of our union contract. We are also happy to remind you that a 2 percent salary increase took effect on Sept. 6, and another 4% salary increase took effect on Oct. 6, 2018. 2 CSA NEWS February 2019

PRESIDENT’S PAGE You’re Still Accountable

Council of School For Decisions You Share Supervisors & Administrators American Federation of School Administrators, AFL-CIO, Local 1 Shared Decision Making For A Stronger Team By Mark Cannizzaro 40 Rector St., NY, NY 10006 Phone: (212) 823-2020 Fax: (212) 962-6130 trong school leaders know that the mid-1990s.) In this model a team www.csa-nyc.org any new program, policy or of staff members meets regularly to major organizational change is identify needs and develop solutions. President more likely to succeed when there Usually, there are protocols to ensure Mark Cannizzaro Executive Vice President is buy-in from key stakeholders. respectful dialogue, input of all mem- Henry Rubio SAlthough complete buy-ins are not always bers and to avoid personal agendas. First Vice President easy or even possible to achieve, out- Procedures are in place for the occasions Rosemarie Sinclair comes are always more appealing when when impasse is reached. Most models Treasurer Christopher Ogno those around us have been heard and call for the principal to settle an impasse Secretary kept informed of the reasons for major while others call for outside interven- Steffani Fanizzi decisions. Stakeholders want open, honest tion. In the spring 2014 issue of Principal Vice Presidents communication and the sense that a prin- Matters, Dr. David DeMatthews shares Sam Akel Jose Garcia cipal is willing to change course if some- some practical tips for principals consid- Ramon Gonzalez one comes up with a better idea. ering an SDM approach: Lois Lee Katiana Louissaint As principals, we can successfully Nancy Russo, Retiree Chapter collaborate in a variety of ways, based SDM models...have the potential Executive Director Operations on our style, preference and experience. to increase the quality of decisions Erminia Claudio Many of us use an informal process for collaboration, and create a more ethical school. However, General Counsel calling together trusted staff members based on their shared leadership and decision-making can be David Grandwetter expertise or how a particular decision might affect them. treacherous territory to navigate with numer- Other decisions might be better discussed with the entire ous pitfalls, especially for inexperienced prin- Executive Director Field Services Sana Q. Nasser staff, the School Leadership Team, or the UFT consulta- cipals. Field Directors tive committee. The informal nature of this leadership Teachers and staff must feel included but Juanita Bass, James Harrigan, style allows for the principal to decide when and with must also recognize that not all decisions Christine Martin, Frank Patterson, Mercedes Qualls whom to collaborate and, after receiving input, arrive at can or will be made through a democratic or Assistant Field Directors the most informed decision. shared process. Beshir Abdellatif, Eleanor Andrew, I remember a chaotic situation developing in the con- When teachers and staff have influence Mildred Boyce, Laverne Burrowes, gested hallways between periods when I was principal at over decisions, they are more likely to accept Dominic Cipollone, Peter Devlin, Kenneth Llinas, Nancy Esposito, Roberto Flores, I.S. 75. To improve student behavior, a team of us collab- decisions and work diligently to implement Ellie Greenberg, Ray Gregory, orated and came up with a system of scheduling students those decisions. Joseph LaCascia, Monica McDonald, in teams with subject classes in close proximity to each A Shared decision-making process may Dorothy Morris, Beverly Pascal-Miller, Wanda Soto, Yvonne Williams other to reduce their movement and anonymity in our not be appropriate if a principal feels that a overcrowded building. This common-sense solution pro- certain decision is important and cannot be Grievance Director voked some rebellion – “You can’t move me out of my altered. Dale Kelly classroom!” Several teachers had had the same classroom Prior to engaging in shared decision-mak- Assistant Directors for over twenty years. But we went forward, the chaos ing, a principal must have an awareness of Carol Atkins, Robert Colon, Jermaine Garden- ended, and everyone was pretty happy, even in their teachers’ values, commitments, areas of exper- Director of Communications new classrooms. tise and desired outcomes. Craig DiFolco Shared decision-making can deal with everything The moral of the story is to start slowly Director of Political Affairs from traffic flow to student assessment to the uses of with SDM and build capacity rather than Gabe Gallucci technology. As a rookie principal, I collaborated daily Assistant Director, Political Affairs diving into an important decision through a Herman Merritt with my seasoned and well- respected literacy coach on shared process with limited knowledge about Assistant Director curriculum, testing and staff morale. Her input and rela- what will happen. John Khani tionship with the staff helped me gain trust and navigate Special Assistant to President Gary Goldstein some potentially dangerous waters. She became my first In any kind of collaboration, including any type of for- CSA Conference Chair gauge on school culture. mal SDM model, make sure you’re comfortable with the Pierre Lehmuller team. You do not need to find only individuals who think CSA Historian • • • the way you do. In fact, a diversity of opinion that comes Manfred Korman remember several group collaborations. The special from a good place, is especially valuable. What is import- CSA Retiree Chapter Gayle Lockett, Chair education department was one. We shared ideas ant, though, is that you know everyone well, their experi- Mark Brodsky, Director Iaround programming, professional development ence, expertise and commitment. You should also be very and student services, all of which contributed to the clear and comfortable with the types of decisions that will significant growth of the department. And the School and will not go before the committee and what your role CSA NEWS will be as far as being the final decision maker. Editor Leadership Team was instrumental in establishing a Chuck Wilbanks homework and grading policy, a student dress code and • • • Design Consultant a no-limousine policy for our “senior” dance. A vari- Michele Pacheco ety of experiences like this helped me arrive at better e each have a different leadership style and Production Assistant Christine Altman decisions and forge strong relationships with the school comfort level. The key is to know exactly community. My comfort level grew and over time, I was Wwhat you are getting into and to be comfort- able to turn some decisions over completely, but always able that it’s the best path forward for your school and CSA News (004-532) is published reserving the right of approval on others. I made a few its students. monthly except July and August for $35 per year per member by CSA, 40 Rector decisions myself, but generally after at least some consul- Remember, while decisions may be shared, account- St., NY, NY 10006. Periodical postage paid at Manhattan, NY, and additional tation. ability is not. mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send A more formal model of collaboration, Shared address changes to CSA News, 40 Rector St., NY, NY 10006. Decision Making (SDM), is popular again (Some of you Mark Cannizzaro is president of the Council of School will remember that it was mandated in NYC schools in Supervisors and Administrators. February 2019 CSA NEWS 3

Q AND A NATION Education

Albany Panorama FLORIDA: Report Card Timing Researchers for JAMA Pediatrics, A Conversation With Assemblyman Michael Benedetto who studied the timing of report quiet because he wants to gauge the card releases and calls to child sense of the conference. There is discus- abuse hotlines in 64 counties sion going on, and opinions are strong across Florida, recorded a nearly on this issue. It came up last year; this fourfold jump in verified physical abuse cases on Saturdays after year we will have more time to discuss report cards were sent home. it and get the sense of the conference. Some suggested that educators be What’s on the horizon for charter reminded that report cards may schools? not be well-received; reflect on the Charters are always an issue and way in which grade summaries are they will be in the future. Whether we presented; and promote positive permit more to go forward will be on discipline. (Education Week) the table. So will teacher evaluations. NEW JERSEY: One issue on the minds of our mem- bers is school discipline policies that PARCC No More can deprive school leaders of the In a unanimous decision, a New autonomy needed to make sensible Jersey court threw out the state’s decisions. requirement for students to pass the I’ve always thought that matters PARCC exam to graduate. Students still have to take the exam, but it will like this should be decided locally. I’ve n New York State Assembly Education Committee Chairman Michael Benedetto from not be a graduation requirement. also always thought that individual the Bronx: ‘I always consider myself a teacher.’ A case had been brought by civil administrators know what they’re rights groups against New Jersey doing in their schools. One of the bills to stop the requirement which was BY CHUCK WILBANKS with my staff to look at numbers. I I’ve had over the years is that charter adopted in 2016. The court con- have appointments with the state schools should follow the same process cluded the testing conflicted with Michael Benedetto is the new chair- Education Department and I’ll be con- as public schools. We want the process state law. (Education Week) man of the New York State Assembly’s ferring with them and my staff. to be fair from school to school, but we Education Committee, taking over for What did you think about Gov. don’t want the principals to be hand- DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA: Cathy Nolan of Queens, who has moved Cuomo’s recent remarks that school cuffed. There might be oversight, since Discipline Guidance into the role of deputy speaker. Born in the funding is the primary responsibility of we don’t want any abuses. But admin- Bronx, Mr. Benedetto has lived his entire Guidance to protect students localities? istrators have to have the power to put life there as well. In 1974, he became a of color from being disciplined The governor says things, and I’m sensible discipline in the school. teacher for children with special needs, more harshly than their peers, not really too sure what he means. His What does the future hold for mayoral and in 1977 began working at PS 160 in was rescinded by US Secretary of stand on these things tends to be fluid. control of the city’s schools? the Bronx’s Co-op City, eventually becom- Education Betsy DeVos. The 2014 I don’t know why he said it, and I don’t There has been some sentiment ing the coordinator of special education Obama-era guidance, which was know specifically what he means. I’ll in my conference that we should do at the school in 1988. He served at the non-binding, is the latest in a series wait and see what he says later. away with mayoral control and go of Obama-era revocations by DeVos school until his election to Assembly in Over and above that, there will be back to some version of community including documents pertaining to 2004. He spoke recently with CSA News a lot of issues. We’ll be looking at the transgender students, school diver- editor Chuck Wilbanks about his new school boards having more power. It’s quality of education that non-public sity and sexual assault. chairmanship and the educational issues a major issue and we’ll need to look for schools are providing. Legislators and likely to be hashed out in the state legisla- guidance through hearings. This might outside organizations have great con- COLORADO: ture during the coming months. be an area where we hold hearings cerns about non-public schools giving throughout the city. Congratulations on taking over the their students a sub-standard education. Lowering Stress For It’s been a big year for the Bronx, committee. You’re speaking about yeshivas? Immigrant Students Thank you. It is exciting. During politically speaking anyway. You’re I don’t want to single out yeshivas Some students live with stress of the the 14 years I’ve served in the the chair of the Education Committee, but they are part of that question. possibility of deportation, arrest, or Assembly, I have told people I’m a Marcos Crespo takes over at the Labor There are other schools as well and being separated from their families. teacher, that I always consider myself Committee, Carl Heastie is the speaker, One Colorado history teacher, Kelly we’ll take a look at them. a teacher. This is the culmination of a Rueben Diaz is planning a run for Cvanciger, said, “Trying to convince long and satisfying career. What are your feelings about the Mayor… kids to actively participate in their de Blasio Administration’s efforts to It’s always a good year for the education and learn geography What should we expect in Albany this change the admission requirements to Bronx. I’m prejudiced. But yes, things when they face an uncertain future year? the city’s specialized high schools? like this change over the years. It just cripples our education system.” As you know, the Education My feelings are my feelings and I happens that way, the unique things Building relationships with students Committee can be a hotbed of con- won’t let them interfere with the work that happen in politics. While it might goes a long way toward making tentious issues. I expect there to be a of the committee. We all have personal be looked at as a good thing for the them feel safe. Cvanciger seeks number of them this session. First and feelings but we also have to consider Bronx, it’s a good thing for the city to make herself approachable. A foremost – I want funding levels to be change she’s made over the years to the sentiments of our delegation, and state in general. Marcos and I will maintained and or increased. signal this is to move her desk to the the Democratic Conference. Just like take our cues from Speaker Heastie. back of the room to remove a psy- Any particular numbers? He’s been a good and fair speaker for Speaker Heastie will speak out on cer- chological barrier between student No numbers. I am having meetings tain issues, but on others he will stay the city and the state. and teacher. (Chalkbeat)

WASHINGTON: Practicing Life Skills Developmentally disabled stu- dents at Sacajawea Middle School Change of Leadership at CSA’s Black Caucus are learning life skills by running “Thunderbean Coffee” at their BY YVROSE PIERRE Principal Landeau’s MS 216 George J. Ryan School was named school. Two days a week, they make a National Blue Ribbon School in 2018, and he is a recent recipi- coffee and deliveries around the he Black Caucus of CSA held its first general meeting of ent of the US Department of Education’s Terrel H. Bell award. Dr. school. A local business donated the the year at CSA headquarters on Nov. 14. The room was Landeau is the first African-American man to receive this presti- coffee shop machinery and supplies. Tpacked with existing and new members. CSA President gious honor. The caucus seeks to share knowledge and informa- The students are learning both work Mark Cannizzaro, Grievance Director Dale Kelly, CSA Executive tion, to supporting our members and build great leaders. An edu- and social skills through the bur- Vice President Henry Rubio and First Vice President Rosemarie cational conference will be held Feb. 26 at Medgar Evers College geoning business. (kxly news) Sinclair all spoke. Mr. Kelly swore in the new executive board in Brooklyn, and a Legendary Leaders gala will be on June 8 at — Compiled by members and his successor Dr. Reginald Landeau Jr. Russo’s on the Bay in Queens. Christine Altman 4 CSA NEWS February 2019

Mark An Insider’s Perpective Brodsky Thinking Of Retiring? Start Preparing Now

f you are planning on retiring soon, this ter your pension tier, you have several payment Get retirement payments electronically is the time to start thinking about what options when it comes to how you receive your (EFT). If you are a DOE employee, your retire- you need to do. Members of the Teachers’ retirement allowance. All the options provide ment payments are deposited in the same Retirement System (TRS) and the Board of you with monthly lifetime payments, but each account in which you receive your paychecks IEducation Retirement System (BERS) often, but provides a different death benefit, payable to — unless you instruct TRS/BERS otherwise. not always, retire immediately after the school one or more beneficiaries. The maximum pay- File your retirement papers in person. year ends. If you are considering this major ment option pays you the most but does not We strongly urge CSA members to file their step, you should begin preparing. Here are our provide for any beneficiaries. retirement applications in person at TRS or suggestions on how to proceed. Keep in mind that you will have other death BERS — and start the process well in advance benefits to assign when you complete your of retirement. The earliest you can apply is • • • retirement application. These include a lump- 90 days before your planned retirement date, Buy outstanding service credit. When you sum benefit under Death Benefit Choice #2 for and you may apply as late as one day before. buy additional service credit, it generally means members in Tiers 3, 4 and 6 and a fractional Submitting your papers should not take more an increase in your pension calculation. If you benefit for the month of your death. than two hours. Note that the DOE does not The Next have credit outstanding for purchase, you need Decide how to handle your TDA funds. If give you this day. to start that process before you retire. Refer to you have money invested in a Tax-Deferred Chapter your most recent Annual Benefits Statement or Annuity Program with TRS or BERS, you will • • • a recent Total Service Letter from TRS or BERS need to make a distribution choice when you hen you handle this process in Of Your to learn if you have service credit available for retire. You may want to withdraw or roll over person at the appropriate system purchase. This also pertains to our members your TDA funds. You may want to maintain office, TRS or BERS representatives Life Is In who have accrued time as a CUNY instructor. your TDA account at TRS or BERS by elect- can examine the documents, make Front Of Once you retire, you can no longer claim this ing TDA deferral status at retirement. In that Wsure they are filled out correctly, review your service. case, no distributions are required until you choices and answer questions. It’s important You. Be Book a pension consultation. When you reach age 70½ as a retiree. While your money that you have your documents completed and think you know when you would like to retire, is still invested in the TDA, you continue to notarized before you visit. Sure To you should contact Pat Agard here at CSA to accrue the same interest rate as when you were You should start at TRS – 55 Water Street. request a pension voucher. At the same time, working. Or you may choose to annuitize the Then come here to CSA to get your health Take Care set up an appointment with a pension con- account and receive a second monthly pay- form reviewed, join the CSA Retiree Welfare sultant. During this meeting, your consultant ment in addition to your pension check. Fund and rejoin your union, CSA. From CSA, Of This will help you complete necessary paperwork You can learn more about these choices go to the DOE at 65 Court Street in Brooklyn, and provide you with detailed instructions on by going to the TRS website or calling BERS at where you will submit a copy of the receipt Business the procedure for submitting your retirement (929) 305-3800. you received from TRS along with your health papers. Keep in mind CSA will reimburse you Consider any pension loans. Retirement is form. The DOE then gives you a receipt and for up to three consultations – one a year. the last opportunity to pay off a loan balance you walk out with the next chapter of your life Set up your health insurance. You will under the Qualified Pension Plan, and it’s also in front of you. need to apply for health benefits (if applicable) the last chance to take a new pension loan if by filling out an ERB form and submitting it to you have an immediate financial need. Just Special thanks to Debra Penny, member of the the DOE. Your pension consultant will assist keep in mind that the amount of your monthly NYC Teachers’ Retirement Board, for her assistance you with this process at the final pension con- retirement allowance payments will be per- on this article. sultation. manently reduced as a result of any Qualified Mark Brodsky is Director of the CSA Retiree Choose the right payment option. No mat- Pension Plan loan balance at retirement. Chapter. NYC Elementary School Sharing New Teaching Tools BY CRAIG DIFOLCO hope that their school’s story will has been thoroughly prepared, help deepen connections with and you see practices in their exist- Yorkville Community School visitors and provide richer con- ing environment and culture, so opened its doors to over thirty text for the practices they witness. you know you’re seeing authentic visitors in mid-January for a day Assistant Principal Stacie Lorraine learning.” of professional development in then detailed how Yorkville has The goal of each Showcase curriculum design as a part of evolved since its opening and visit is to not only expose partic- the Department of Education’s provided more background on ipants to inspiring practices but to Showcase Schools program. the school community. provide them the means to adapt Select members of the Yorkville During the guided class- those practices to meet their own staff led guided classroom visits room visits that followed, visi- needs. In the afternoon, breakout and panel discussions to provide tors engaged with students and sessions enabled visitors to focus fellow educators with an over- teachers during lessons and on their “Bridge to Action,” a view of how their curriculum is explored instructional materials practical plan to bridge what they organized around thematic units, that existed in every classroom: had learned to what they hoped to how they integrate disciplines boards to help students visual- incorporate at their own schools. within the exploration of a com- ize the writing process, thematic “Ultimately the goal of a prehensive subject and how their word walls, interactive bulletin Showcase visit is to expand a students take an active role in boards for students to chroni- sense of what is possible and get the learning process. CRAIG DIFOLCO cle their research and learning participants to recommit to their Since its launch in 2014, the n Manhattan’s Yorkville Community School hosted visitors in January. process, as well as thematic unit responsibility to make it possi- Showcase Schools program has libraries. Afterwards, participants ble,” said Milo Novelo, a senior featured close to 400 such vis- dren, but she has seen benefits for while administrators and staff sat with teachers in small groups director of the Showcase Schools its, providing more than 10,000 Yorkville as well. communicate the school vision. to discuss the larger context and program and a former principal. educators the opportunity to “It holds us accountable,” she Ms. Kaplan welcomed visitors impact of the practices they wit- “It’s about seeing practices with learn about promising practices. said. “When we present our prac- with the story of how she came nessed and learn how Yorkville’s a sense of your own expectation Schools apply to be part of the tices to others it forces us to own to be the founding principal of cross-curricular approach empha- and agency.” program, and with the support those practices and allows us to Yorkville, her experience learn- sizes research and includes first- Yorkville Community School of the Showcase team, educators celebrate the work being done in ing to integrate students’ inter- hand experiences in the sur- will host another visit on April learn how to design and facilitate our classrooms. It has also enabled ests into their writing as a teacher rounding neighborhood. 12. Upcoming visits at other activities and share what they’ve the team facilitating visits to build and designing curriculum as “It’s wonderful to learn from schools will include topics learned with their colleagues. their own capacity.” an AP, and her thinking as she someone in my district that shares such as Culturally Responsive Yorkville Principal Samantha Showcase visits all follow crafted her proposal for Yorkville. a common philosophy,” said Education, Redefining Discipline, Kaplan applied to the program the same structure and flow. Administrators that participate in Principal May Lee of PS 42, who and Social-Emotional Learning. because she believed her school’s The morning starts with partic- the Showcase program work with brought along staff and her AP Visit showcaseschools.org for practices might help other chil- ipants sharing their intentions a professional storyteller with the Olga Lipsky. “You know the visit more information. February 2019 CSA NEWS 5 COLLABORATION Your Union’s Joint Performances, NASA Workshops, Scholarships: Time Is Now

And Design Events In Staten Island CSA is proud to announce the creation of a new annual scholar- Continued from Page 1 schools chose to expand their layers of the atmosphere. New Dorp High School ship for the child of an active CSA we’re different. They learn to lunch time “buddy” program After construction, students and the Hungerford School member. The scholarship prize will become more compassionate as a result of the initiative, gathered together to host a plan to continue and enhance be $10,000, awarded to one gradu- and supportive, and they and their collaborative video livestream for the launch and their partnership in the com- ating high school senior per year, will tell you that nothing has was so impressive and mov- celebrated as their balloon ing year. Their goals include regardless of whether they attend a impacted their life more.” ing that the Commissioner traveled over 100,000 feet increased opportunities for NYC public school, a public school On her Dec. 17 visit, decided to pay the school a into the stratosphere. parents to collaborate on a outside of New York City, or a pri- Commissioner Elia was visit. The strongest component more formal basis, shared vate school. accompanied by Regent Another prominent exam- of the collaboration between professional development If you are an active member in Christine Cea, who had pre- ple of the schools’ collabora- Hungerford and New Dorp between staff, and increased good standing and have a child viously presented the schools’ tion occurred earlier this year students are their joint communication about the who is interested in applying, visit “Just Say Hi” video at a meet- when staff and students from performances and presenta- many opportunities available csa-nyc.org/member_scholarship to ing with the commissioner. both schools attended work- tions. In the past year alone, to students. request an application. The applica- The “Just Say Hi” campaign, shops led by NASA. They col- students from both schools “This partnership provides tion form and essay question will be launched by the Cerebral laboratively built and tested have performed side by side our kids with a community mailed to you and must be returned Palsy Foundation and the components for an Arduino at The International Festival, high school experience and to CSA by April 1, 2019. The essay DOE, focuses on furthering board that was launched on their spring production of affords them opportunities question will include corresponding the inclusion of students a weather balloon in upstate Rent, their annual holiday they otherwise wouldn’t guidelines, and a selected committee with disabilities in schools. New York. Arduino is an show, and the Staten Island have,” said Principal will judge each essay blindly. New Dorp High School and open source computing plat- Borough Arts Festival. For McHugh. “It allows students Meanwhile, CSA is continuing Hungerford students worked form that allowed users to their annual fashion show, from New Dorp the chance its tradition of offering one scholar- closely together on the cam- record and track temperature, New Dorp students designed to learn more about students ship per borough to any child grad- paign, producing the video altitude and pressure as the clothing that was modeled by with disabilities and helps our uating from a NYC public school and hanging posters. The balloon traveled through the the Hungerford students. students feel more accepted.” who will be attending college in the fall, including community college. The scholarship is intended for a student who shows leadership in Initiative: Transition school and or outside of school or “A Dream might have overcome hardships to reach graduation. The award is not Deferred” based on the GPA or SAT scores of Centers For Public the student. In fact, the student is not asked to list them or provide a Conference To transcript. CSA Scholarship guide- School Pupils With IEPs lines ask you to choose a student Be Held In L.A. who you believe shows potential and academic promise. Continued from Page 1 schools craft better and more meaningful As it does each year, the College Each school may submit up to the resources and opportunities available IEPs,” said Ms. Barnes-Holden, “which Board will be hosting a national con- three student applications. One per to them, and we try to touch on every- of course leads to the broader goal of ference this March – called A Dream thing that will support them with their achieving better outcomes for students Deferred -- examining the future of goals and plans after high school.” with IEPS.” education for African Americans, New, annual prize to Mr. Stuart is one of four EAs who One of the most notable programs from K-12 through higher ed. CSA currently serve these various transition run out of the centers is the Training member Camille Jacobs, the AP for be awarded to active centers. The Bronx center opened last Opportunities Program (TOP), a year- administration, safety, budgeting fall, along with another located at Boys round work-based learning program and personnel at Queens Collegiate, CSA member’s child and Girls High School in Brooklyn where that connects students with local busi- has been the event’s co-chair for the Victoria Richard serves as the instruc- nesses. They accept students on a rolling last three years. Seminars, speakers tional lead. Donny Swanson works out basis and help provide students secure and events are planned. borough will be awarded and pre- of the Staten Island center which opened paid working opportunities so they can “The conference is about educa- sented at a dinner at the LaGuardia at the Michael J Petrides School in June, learn on the job. The TCACs often must tional professionals looking to make Marriott, held during the first week of while Laurie Barnes-Holden is based at educate businesses on exactly how they a difference for African American June. Each award is $3,000. the Queens Family Welcome Center in might work with students with disabili- students and their families,” said There are three parts to the appli- Jamaica. At each center, these EAs are ties and support them during the transi- Ms. Jacobs. cation that must be fully filled out: part of a team of six which also includes tion process. She also noted that in recent years, Application, Personal Statements and two teacher trainers, an office manager “Developing relationships within the the city where the conference has Supervisor Verification. Incomplete and director, as well as staff member community has been one of most import- been held had just underwent a sig- applications will not be accepted. focused on community engagement. ant aspects of our work so far,” said nificant event. “Last year it was held The one-page application and Schools are legally required to help Donny Swanson. “As students come in, in Houston after Hurricane Harvey,” requirements for personal state- special-needs students craft transition their transition plans will look very differ- she said. “The year before that was in ments are to be given to the students plans as they graduate high school and ent from one to the next. So it’s our duty Washington, D.C., after the election. and must be filled out completely. must designate a transition coordinator. to know what different opportunities are Every time we come to do a confer- Completed applications and personal The TCACs are walk-in centers that pro- available to them so we can support these ence, something has happened right statements must be returned to the vide necessary resources and guidance children in the best way possible.” before. It’s almost a premonition.” assistant principal or principal no for students and their families, and their The centers also support students This year, Los Angeles teachers later than Thursday, Feb. 28, 2019, professional learning catalogue includes with IEPs as they apply for the Summer went on strike, demanding a pay raise, and the completed forms and doc- opportunities for school administrators Youth Employment Program to increase higher school funding, smaller class umentation are due to CSA no later and staff, so that relevant personnel can their chance at acceptance into the city- size, limits on charter schools, more than Tuesday, March 12, 2019. aid students in the process. The learning wide initiative. nurses, librarians and other supports, Do not have the student contact opportunities are CTLE-approved and “This is a group of humble, incred- and less standardized testing. Ms. CSA. For more information, student range in topics from career planning to ibly passionate experts,” said Jose Rios Jacobs said she had invited educators applications and supervisor verifica- effective communication strategies that Lua, Communications Director of the from the Los Angeles Unified School tion forms, please visit our website. enhance self-advocacy skills. There are Division of Specialized Instruction and District to discuss the strike with the Applications and student essays opportunities for paraprofessionals, par- Student Support. “We hope their col- attendees. can be scanned and sent via email ent coordinators, and even for middle leagues will consider them as a valuable The conference will be held at the to [email protected] or school staff related to high school plan- resource to lean on, engage with, and Westin Bonaventure, March 13 – 15. mailed to CSA, Attention Erminia ning. If a school has the need for specific partner with, whenever they’re needed.” Those interested in attending should Claudio, 40 Rector Street, 12th professional development but the neces- visit dreamdeferred.collegeboard.org Floor, NY, NY 10006. sary personnel can’t visit the center on For more information, email the appro- for details. Questions? Feel free to email the date it’s scheduled, the center can priate TCAC: [email protected], – CW [email protected] or call (212) also bring PD directly to schools. [email protected], QNStcac@schools. 823-2025 “Our ultimate goal is simply to help nyc.gov, or [email protected]. – CW 6 CSA NEWS February 2019

EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP Moving Leaders Forward INSTITUTE For Spring, New And Updated ELI Seminars BY ELOISE MESSINEO where students can learn and flourish in an accepting milieu regardless of pring is a reawakening in many race, gender, sexual orientation, learn- ways, and here at ELI we look ing disability or any acknowledged or forward to introducing new and perceived differences. updated seminars emphasizing ELI offers leaders the following current educational trends to professional learning opportunities per- Shelp leaders of our school communi- taining to the development of an opti- ties develop their skills. We roll out mal learning atmosphere in schools: these ground-breaking workshops in Creating An LGBTQ+ Inclusive the coming months. Sign up early. School, A Guide For Leaders: This Remember, ELI is an approved CTLE seminar is designed to offer resources Sponsor. to develop effective strategies to create The Inclusive School inclusive school settings from grades Leadership Challenge: The caring, Pre-K to 12. empathetic and responsible leader Promoting Racial And Ethnic must establish a school environment Equity For School Leaders: Frames the issues and explores strategies to promote equity. Dignity For All Students Act Upcoming (DASA): This course meets the require- n At CSA’s Executive Leadershp Conference on Nov. 3, ELI Executive Director Eloise ments for harassment, bullying and Workshops Messineo, Consultants Steve Duch and Cathy Paparelli and City Councilman Daniel Dromm. discrimination prevention and inter- vention training. 2/13 | Brooklyn: Addressing Bullying and Documenting for the Personnel File Cyberbullying in the School 2/14 | Manhattan: Community: Designed to help leaders Multidimensional Principal understand the nature/impact of bully- Performance Rubric – MPPR ing in all forms. Instructional Leadership 2/20 | Manhattan: Through The Lens Of Diversity: Dignity for All Students (DASA) Changing school dynamics make it 2/27 | Queens: necessary for school leaders to expand Emotions Matter – Practicing their perspectives in learning and man- Social Emotional Intelligence aging instructional best practices set to 2/27 | Manhattan: high expectations. Encouraging Students to Become Supporting Educators Of Twice Self Directed Learners Exceptional Learners: Raises school leaders’ awareness of students who are For a complete list of workshops, go intellectually gifted and how to adapt to http://csa-nyc.org/eli/upcoming. programs to accommodate them. On social media, follow @ELI40NYC Sign up early for these ground-break- n South Korean science educators enjoyed a symposium on STEM education at CSA ing workshops. Remember, ELI is an Headquarters Jan. 9 - 18. APPROVED CTLE Sponsor.

RIBBON-CUTTING Community Partnership, New Technology Center

On Jan. 18, Benjamin ceremony, which was preceded Cardozo High School in Bayside by a special performance by hosted a ribbon-cutting cere- apprentice dance students and mony to unveil their new tech- followed by a robotics presen- nology center. The lab features tation by freshmen and sopho- 35 new computers, printers and mores. a Promethean board, and was Attending the ceremony were made possible by an endow- Sens. Toby Ann Stavitsky and John ment from the George Subraj Liu, Assembly Members Edward Foundation. George Subraj, who Braunstein and David Weprin, and passed away in 2016, emigrated Councilmember Barry Grodenchik. to the US from Guyana in the The Subraj family took the oppor- 1970’s and founded Zara Realty tunity to announce that their with his brothers in Queens. foundation will be donating an The foundation, established in additional $10,000 worth of iPads. 1992 and now led by his son, “Without these community part- Tony, has donated to several nerships and the partnerships with computer labs throughout the our elected officials, we wouldn’t borough, but this is its first part- be able to provide the kind of aca- nership with a New York City demic experience that we are able public school. The donation was to,” said Principal Meagan Colby. made to the English department, “Getting these devices into kids’ under the leadership of AP Beth hands matters, and our students Kierez. Tony Subraj’s wife, Vibha thrive when they have state of the Lakhani, has been a teacher for art technology to use in the class- n Last month, Queens lawmakers joined Benjamin Cardozo High School adminstration, staff and students to fifteen years. Several members of room.” celebrate the unveiling of a new technology center. the Subraj family attended the –CW February 2019 CSA NEWS 7

Election Union’s New Executive Board Members Will Serve From 2019 Though 2022

Membership Classification Assistant Principal – Supervisors of Speech/ Staten Island Borough High School District 18: Carolyn James Principal – Elementary School High School Administration Psychology/ Hearing/Vision Susan Barone District 19: Stephaun Hill Anthony Cosentino Tammy Nin Aminah Lucio District 1: Darlene Cameron Elisa Brown Melody Crooks CBO Early Childhood Directors District 20: Jaynemarie Paulette Foglio John Moschetti and Assistant Directors District 2: Gary Shevell Capetanakis Javier Muniz Sheila Willard District 3: Marlon Lowe District 21: Dominick Assistant Principal – District 4: Lisette Caesar D’Angelo Principal – Middle and K-8 High School Supervision District Executive Board District 22: Sal Paingankar Dr. Reginald Landeau Jr. Rhonda Pekow Brooklyn Borough High School District 5: Deborah Payne Kenneth Zapata Jeff Engel Richard Forman District 6: Christopher Anest District 23: Ronda Phillips Lourdes Cuesta District 7: Amy Andino District 24: Robert Quintana Principal – High School/ Assistant Principal – Gill Cornell District 25: Theresa Mshar Alternative/Adult Education High School Special Education David Newman District 8: Sheila Durant Michael Athy Halley Tache-Hahn District 9: Luis Torres District 26: Michael Ranieri Edward Tom Bronx Borough High School District 10: Marybelle Ferreira District 27: Frank DeSario Assistant Principal – Marie Guillaume and Emmanuel Polanco District 28: Latina Tention Principal - Special Schools Special Schools and Citywide Esther Fragosa Desmond Park Marcia Pitt Ramon Namnun District 11: Christopher District 29: Estelle Moore Warnock and Denise District 30: Clemente Lopes Assistant Principal – Education Administrators /CSE Manhattan Borough High Williams District 31: Lisa Arcuri and Elementary and Middle Chairs /DOE Early Childhood School District 12: Raymond Granda Paul Giordano Joseph Napolitano Directors Eric Contreras District 13: Marian Burnbaum Joseph Simione Winnie Bracco Yecenia Cardoza-Delarosa District 32: Gail Irizarry Vincent Verdiglione Denise Schira Juan Villar District 14: Liza Caraballo- District 75: Kuvana Jones, Patricia Gil Jay Findling Suarez Heather Leykam and Roderick Diana Rodriguez Steven Birkeland Queens Borough High School District 15: Denise Watson Palton JoAnn Bramante Nickelos Grant William Bassell District 16: Karen Hambright- District 79: Horacio Burrowes Joann Nurdjaja-Acuna Moses Ojeda Glover Alejandro Fernandez Saida Rodriguez Tabone Edward Alverez District 17: Rose Graham

LITIGATION Latino Caucus Membership Complaint Alleges Success Academy And Scholarship Events Upcoming Tramples Special Education Students The Spring General Membership Dinner Meeting will be held on March 15 from 5:30 – BY CHUCK WILBANKS ized education programs, or IEPs. Such and are therefore moved back a grade, 8:30 pm at Giando’s on the Water rules are covered by the Individuals with said Rebecca Shore, director of litigation in Brooklyn. re charter schools truly public Disabilities Education Act, or IDEA, as for Advocates for Children. The Scholarship Gala will be schools, as they claim? They take well as New York State education law. “We are talking about students who held on May 17 from 6 – 11pm public funding and share space “The IDEA and New York Education had their placements changed in the at Terrace on the Park in Queens. in public school buildings, but Law provide that parents of students middle of the year, from fourth grade (Members nominate students for Ado they accept and attempt to nurture all with disabilities attending charter to third and seventh grade to sixth,” scholarships; members are eligible students? Do they conform to rules and schools have the same procedural pro- said Ms. Shore. “They are students with for honor; tickets are sold.) laws meant to afford students and their tections as parents of students with disabilities who had rights to discuss families a measure of protection from disabilities at traditional public schools,” changes of placement and rights to pen- arbitrary decisions? the complaint notes. “But that is not dency [the right to stay in their current A complaint filed in late November the current reality. Parents of students classes until a formal process has run its with the New York State Education with disabilities at schools managed by course]. They were placed in classes with Department suggests that, in the case Success Academy… must now exhaust younger peers studying material they Teachers’ of Success Academy, the answer is no. their administrative remedies by filing had already studied. One student was so a due process request against the DOE impacted, he felt like he was being pun- Retirement to obtain a pendency order and, once ished. He no longer asks questions.” obtained, file a federal complaint for a System Has a Harlem Charter preliminary injunction.” • • • dvocates for Children also January 2019 School refused parents • • • alleges that in the case of Success Unit Values and students the right to he complaint portrays a culture AAcademy, New York City’s participate in decisions of impunity in which Success Department of Education does not Diversified Equity TAcademy bosses and lawyers make enforce the law governing IEPs, essen- Fund: 85.504 about their IEPs? educational decisions about children tially forcing parents to litigate so their with special needs without consulting children can receive protections they Bond Fund: 15.494 parents, relaying those decisions to are due under law. International Equity school administrators. They ignore “Technically they are public schools,” Fund: 9.587 Filed in late November by the non- the rights of the students to remain in said Ms. Schor. “What that means is profit group Advocates for Children of classes and grade levels until meetings that they need to follow state and fed- Inflation Protection New York, the complaint alleges that have been held to sort out the students’ eral education laws, particularly those Fund: 9.582 SA schools in Fort Greene, Harlem, the Individual Educational Plans, or IEPs, regarding special education, which is a Socially Responsive Bronx and the Upper West Side have the complaint said. fundamental right. That’s what they’re Equity Fund: 15.786 refused to comply with laws governing Typically, the students running afoul not doing for these students.” the rights of parents and students to of Success Academy are struggling with A decision is expected in the com- www.trsnyc.org participate in decisions about individual- practice exams for standardized tests, ing weeks. 8 CSA NEWS February 2019

NATION Labor Annual CSA Night At Yankee Stadium SA and the Retiree Chapter once again invite all members located in left field on the suite level. The Audi Club features TEXAS: to attend CSA night at Yankee Stadium. The game will be a dining lounge and offers sweeping views of Yankee Stadium. Citizenship Clinic CFriday evening June 21 against the Houston Astros. The This package offers all-inclusive gourmet food during the game, game starts at 7:05 pm. a dessert station and nonalcoholic beverages. The price of the The local division of the Corpus We have two Tiers of tickets. The first Tier is the All You Audi Yankee Club is $182 per ticket. Christi American Federation of Care to Eat package featuring an all-inclusive food and nonal- All profits go to the CSA Scholarship Fund. The Scholarship Labor, along with other union coholic package with a main level ticket in section 234. Food is Fund is now a recognized 501 C-3 charity. Bring the kids, nieces, groups, is providing a citizenship served when the gates open through the fifth inning. The menu nephews, parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and friends. clinic for permanent residents seeking citizenship. There are some includes: hot dogs, pretzels, sausages and Pepsi products. The To order, call the Retiree Chapter at (212) 823-2020. Note: 8,000 permanent residents eligible; price of this ticket is $101. Monument Park is open until 45 minutes before game time and the 1.1 million throughout the state The other Tier is the Audi Yankees Club. These seats are Yankees’ Museum is available until the end of the eighth inning. of Texas. Though the process can be costly and time-consuming, the clinic provides professionals who help guide applicants through the various steps, free of charge. (KIIITV) GARY GOLDSTEIN

INDIANA: Brakes On Increases Travel Desk The Governor proposed that teacher pay be studied in 2019, including how much is needed and how the Explore On Land Or By Sea state can ensure districts direct funds to salaries, with actual raises Caribbean Sailaway includes 12 meals. Enjoy stunning land/air from New York (call re not coming for some time. Some alpine views including the Bernina other departure cities.) We begin in legislators already advocated for February 16 - 23, 2019 Pass. Tour Lucerne and Zermat. Scottsdale and journey to Sedona, raising teacher pay and do not see Sail from Ft. Lauderdale to Grand RATES: $4,899 - Insurance and Grand Canyon, Lake Powell, Bryce the need for the issue to be studied. Cayman, Roatan, Belize and Cozumel. upgraded coach air not included. Canyon, Zion National Park and The Governor also proposed elimi- This is a seven day cruise aboard the unwind in Las Vegas. Includes rt nating $30 million in annual perfor- elegant Caribbean Princess. mance bonuses for teachers and is Back to Alaska air, transfers, lodging, sightseeing, 6 RATES: Begin at $1,024 pp includ- breakfasts, 4 dinners. not supporting an increase of state ing port and government charges. Air July 12 - 19, 2019 funds for pre-K. (chalkbeat.org) Board the Celebrity Solstice in RATES: $3,349 double; $4,249 sin- is not included. Reserve now for addi- gle; $3,299 triple. tional perks on this sailing. Seattle and sail to Ketchikan, Tracy NEW YORK: Arm Glacier, Juneau, Skagway and The Plains of Africa Amazon Ire Northern Lights Victoria, British Columbia arriving Seattle July 19. January 30 - February 12, 2020 Retail, Wholesale and Department February 18 - March 2, 2019 RATES: Inside $1,482.03 pp dbl; Journey to a Continent never Store Union (RWDSU) President Depart Bergen, Norway aboard Stuart Appelbaum discussed Verandah $2,287.03. Ask for dis- easily forgotten! Explore Kenya and the elegant Viking Sky cruise ship. counted air, pre and post trips and sin- its wildlife against a background of Amazon recently on the steps of City Experience a land where dawn and twi- Hall, saying “Nobody can call them- gle, triple and optional insurance rates. stunning vistas. Program includes rt light merge (Aurora Borealis), the Sami air from JFK, 11 game drives, most selves ‘progressive’ or ‘pro-worker’ legends and dog sledding. Visit Bodo, or ‘pro-union’ if they accept or ignore Galapagos Islands meals, Karen Blixen House, visit to just north of the Arctic Circle and much Amazon’s behavior.” Applebaum the Samburu Tribe, Masai Village and more (see video at Vikingcruises.com). August 8 - 18, 2019 added that “it’s incumbent upon our Cruise approximately 12 islands Game Reserve and much more. This elected officials to say, if you want RATES: All verandah vessel begins is a Collette small group Explorations at $5,574pp dbl plus air. (Viking has aboard the Celebrity Expedition. to be here, you must do better. If Depart US - Quito (air not included); program with 18 seats available. you want to be welcomed in New promo air of $995.) Rates are subject RATES: $6,449 dbl; $7,649 single; to availability at time of booking. stay two nights at the JW Marriott; York you have to change your ways. Aug. 10 fly Quito-Baltra (included). Add optional insurance; Pre (Tsavo Amazon, respect workers, respect Board the ship for 7 nights; return National Park) and Post (Tanzania) communities.” (laborpress) Iceland - Fire And Ice to Quito for a night at the Marriott; available. Request the brochure. April 18 - 26, 2019 return to US Aug. 18. Tour Reykjavic, the Golden Circle VIRGINIA: RATES: Begin at $7,139 pp dbl; Spring Break natural wonder, Thingvellir National call for suite rates. February 15 - 22, 2020 PTA Backs Walkout Park, Gulfs Waterfall, Snaefellsnes Sail with us on the brand new SKY Virginia teachers, who make Peninsula and more, whale watching Paris and Normandy Princess sailing from Ft. Lauderdale, $9,000 less than the national aver- (if available). We have been given 42 to Grand Cayman, Roatan, Belize City age, are poised for a one-day strike seats. These will go quickly! August 18 - 25, 2019 and Cozumel. Go on the web to SKY in January to call attention to the RATES: $4,049-dbl; $4,699-sin- Sail the beautiful Viking Rolf Princess and watch the video of this conditions under which they work. gle; $3,999 triple guaranteed (space (Viking River Cruises). Embark the spectacular new vessel. The Virginia Education Association available) until 10/19/2018 - Includes vessel in Paris and sail the Seine visit- has not endorsed the strike but RATES: Begin at $989 pp. These sightseeing, lodging, baggage han- ing Vernon, Rouen, Les Andelys, and the Virginia Educators United, a are introductory rates and will not dling, 6 dinners, 7 breakfasts, rt air the Normandy Beaches bearing wit- collection of educators modeled on ness to our heroic troops who landed last! groups in Arizona and Oklahoma, from NY JFK (inquire about other departure cities). Insurance available. during WWII. is organizing it. The Virginia Parent RATES: Deep discount rates begin Dubai to Rome Teacher Association has voiced its at $2,774 double. Additional dis- May 19 - June 8, 2020 support. (Payday Report) Escape To Bermuda April 21 - 28, 2019 (Spring Break) counts may apply including current Why 2020? This is Oceania air promo of $395 (may expire any- Nautica’s most popular itinerary and Sail from New York to Bermuda on COLORADO: time) roundtrip from NY/NJ. Paris will sell fast. Depart for Dubai May Norweigan Cruise Line’s newest ves- extension is available. Call or email 19, 2020; overnight onboard the Shutdown Ripples sel. Gratuities and beverage package for application. vessel; sail to Salalah, Oman; cruise As tens of thousands of federal included! the Red Sea, Aqaba, Jordan; Luxor, workers were furloughed, the RATES: Inside- $1,411.85 pp Egypt; Suez Canal; Jerusalem, Israel effect of the shutdown rippled to dbl; Window - $1,651.85 pp dbl; Sail Norway, Iceland for two days; Crete, Amalfi/Positano, businesses that count on those Verandah- $1,801.85 pp dbl; Mini August 25 - September 9, 2019 Italy and disembark in Rome. Pre and workers. Twenty-eight govern- suites - $1951.85. We were given lim- London to London. Board the post trips available; perks subject to ment agencies are housed in 44 ited space as this is a holiday sailing. Pacific Princess for 15 days, visiting buildings in the Denver Federal 9 ports. The Pacific, a deluxe vessel, availability. Center. Restaurants frequented Alpine Lakes, Trains accommodates only 700 passengers. RATES: Begin at $3,799 pp dbl; by federal workers experienced a RATES: Begin at $4,744 pp dbl. add air and insurance. Call for rates slowdown. They are not likely to July 8 - July 17, 2019 for verandah and higher. make up the revenues they lost This inclusive land tour (air during the shutdown. (Colorado included) features cruises on Lakes Canyon Country Public Radio) Como and Maggiore and scenic October 22-29, 2019 For more information, contact Gary trains in Switzerland and Italy. It also Arizona and Utah. All inclusive Goldstein at [email protected] — Compiled by Christine Altman February 2019 CSA NEWS 9

Dr. Doug V. The Welfare Fund Hathaway New APPR Law Prescription Reimbursements, ‘Like A Bandage Catastrophic Stop-Loss Benefits On A Broken Leg’ uestion: I am a process through our Catastrophic Stop-Loss med- Continued from Page 1 retiree who just ical benefit. Under this benefit, the first $1,500 of the state’s students opting out of the tests. became Medicare unreimbursed expenses is taken as a deductible. The Gov. Andrew Cuomo, a charter school backer eligible in next $1,250 in allowable charges is reimbursed at 80 and a longtime fan of high-stakes testing, recently QSeptember. Will I get my percent. (You absorb another $250 in unreimbursed acknowledged the depth and breadth of public $40 per month reimburse- costs and the welfare fund reimburses you $1,000.) opposition to the testing regime. ment for the drug rider for We then reimburse 100 percent of allowable charges Now, the new law will return a measure of con- the entire year? to a maximum of $50,000 per year, $250,000 life- trol to localities, but with the 50 percent require- ANSWER: No. You time. Assuming the doctor’s fees are reasonable for ment still in place, high stakes testing looks des- will get a check in early this part of the country, you will only have $1,750 tined to continue. February for the four in unreimbursed expenses to incorporate within “The statewide APPR was problematic from the months of 2018 that you your household expenses. Please remember that, beginning, and CSA has repeatedly advocated for were Medicare eligible. The ultimately, you are responsible for the doctor’s bill, changes to the evaluation law,” said CSA President CSA Retiree Welfare Fund so I recommend you let them know that you will be Mark Cannizzaro. “We had hoped for a full repeal, will reimburse 80 percent reimbursed most of the costs, ask for their patience, as we still have concerns that this legislation could After of your prescription drug and arrange to pay them the $1,750 that will not be actually lead to an increase in student testing. As co-payments, after the $100 reimbursed. is, this bill feels like a bandage on a broken leg, Insurance deductible, for all prescrip- • • • and I fear we’re going to be talking about this year tions you obtained from after year.” Coverage, January through August. uestion: I am a retired AP who is not yet Mr. Cannizzaro’s concerns were shared by law- Medicare eligible and enrolled in the GHI- • • • makers and other educators. Sen. Robert Jackson, Helping To CBP health plan. A friend told me I could for example, a newly elected Democrat from New uestion: I am an get my prescription drug co-payments reim- York City, voted for the bill argued that it does not Pay Costs active CSA member. Qbursed. How do I do this? go far enough, and urged further work on the issue. My husband just ANSWER: Your friend is correct. Simply make He said he would introduce a bill to do away with Associated had major back a copy of each of the four quarterly reports you the 50-percent requirement. Republicans as well Qsurgery, and I have received received from Express Scripts/GHI showing your With A criticized the legislation, including Sen. Andrew over $20,000 of bills for co-payments for 2018 and send them to the CSA Lanza from Staten Island and Assembly Member Spouse’s anesthesia, surgeons, and Retiree Welfare Fund. We have an arrangement with Edward Ra from Franklin Square. other costs where GHI only New York City and GHI that allows us to receive The new measure was pushed by the New York Surgery paid a very small amount. prescription history electronically. Once we receive State United Teachers, and had the support of the How can I get GHI to pay it, and verify that it is complete, we process the UFT. It passed the Assembly by a vote of 125-6, and the rest of these bills? reimbursements in the order they were received. We the Senate 60-0. ANSWER: You prob- are scheduled to receive the file by mid-February, so The state legislature also passed the so-called ably will not get more from GHI, but we can help our reimbursement checks should be out by the end Dream Act, which allows state-aid for college to with that $20,000 amount. Please send us a copy of March. flow to children of illegal immigrants. of the doctors’ bills and the explanation of benefits statements received from GHI. We will review what Dr. Douglas V. Hathaway is CSA Welfare Fund GHI paid and see if we can get them to pay more. Administrator.You can email him at dhathaway@csa- HONOR Once we have received all we can from GHI, we will nyc.org.

Marguerite Mullee Lampman said Three Kings And In Memoriam that after her father’s death, their family received messages from stu- Godmother Too n DOLORES VANISON BLAKELY, students wouldn’t have gone to dents he had taught more than sixty 80, died on Aug. 10, 2018. Dolores school.” Mr. Freeman, a resident of years ago. “He was a beloved educa- was a resident of Morningside Douglaston, NY, is survived by his tor who kept in touch with his stu- Heights at the time of passing. As wife, Maria; daughter and son-in- dents for many years,” she said. After a supervisor, she last served as law, Heather and Brian. his retirement, he continued his pas- sion for education by teaching class- Assistant Principal at Francis Lewis n MICHAEL A. MULLEE, 97, died on es in English as a Second Language High School in Queens. She is sur- July 30. Born in the Bronx, he attend- in White Plains, NY. He also founded vived by her stepdaughter, Lenore ed Stuyvesant High School, received and led sing-along groups at the Domond, of Fort Worth, Texas; his undergraduate degree from her aunt, Mrs. Carlyle P. Keller, of Grinton Will Library in Yonkers, the Cambria Heights, New York; and Crestwood Library and the Fountains numerous cousins and a host of Senior Residence in Millbrook, NY. other relatives and close friends. In addition to his daughter, he is survived by his wife of 65 years, n DONALD FREEMAN, 73, died on Theresa, his other daughter Joan, Sept. 4, 2018. He was a teacher at grandchildren Nicole, Laura and two Bronx High Schools, followed by Michael and great-grandchildren Middle College High School in Long Luna, Eli and Eva. Island City. He went on to serve as n a Guidance Counselor at Newtown FLORENCE NIZIN STARKMAN, 93, High School, in Queens, before of Aventura, FL, died on July 24, 2018. On Sunday, Jan. 6, Maria Ortega, principal returning to Middle College High Florence was an AP, Supervision, at of John Ericsson Middle School 126, was hon- School as a Guidance Counselor, and Seward Park HS. She married Bernard ored as La Madrina Internacional (International then as Assistant Principal. Finally, Starkman after her retirement and the Godmother) at the 22nd Annual Parade for Los Tres Reyes Magos (Three Kings Day). She was he served as Principal at Fannie Lou two moved to Florida in 2015. Her nominated by her District 14 colleagues Tommy Hamer Freedom High School in the husband said she was well-regarded Torres, Brian De Vale, Los Tres Reyes Committee Bronx. His daughter Heather said from the top down and numerous Michael Mullee president Radames Millan, and Angie Filomeno he loved what he did and was ded- teachers were still in contact with her. She is survived by husband Bernard, of the Filomeno Foundation in recognition of icated to his students throughout Syracuse University and MA degrees her work with the community and her contribu- his career. He was also a winning from Hunter College and Teachers as well as two sons from her first marriage, two grandchildren and five tions to public education. Ms. Ortega was joined softball coach, taking his Middle College, Columbia University. He at event by District 14 Superintendent Alicja great grandchildren. College High School PSAL team to served in the Army during World Winnicki, district staff, fellow principals, stu- the championship. His daughter said War II. Mr. Mullee was a teacher at Send obituary notices to CSA dents and their families, as they celebrated the his principal at the time joked that, P.S. 114 and principal at P. S. 88, News Editor Chuck Wilbanks at holiday and displayed their Brooklyn pride. “If it weren’t for the softball team, both in the Bronx. His daughter [email protected]. – Craig DiFolco 10 CSA NEWS February 2019 RETIREE Chapter CHAIR’S MESSAGE Gayle Lockett Legislation Forum For Go Forward With Manhattan Lawmakers Trust, Dedication

our Retiree Chapter (RC) officers and I would like to thank you for showing your continued support for our work on your behalf. YIn January, our slate was unopposed and we were re-elected to serve as RC officers for another three years. You can rest assured that your faith in us will not be misplaced as we continue our mission to further improve what our union can provide. Our lobbying efforts in the state legislature and City Council are always aimed at the protection of Your Faith your existing benefits which can In Us Will be diminished when laws change. Playing the role of “watchdog” is a serious matter. Not Be MICHELLE DEAL WINFIELD We also periodically evaluate n RC Director Mark Brodsky, RC Chair Gayle Lockett, Manhattan Unit Chair Stanley Wilson, RC Vice President Misplaced what supplemental benefits the RC Nancy Russo, and Executive Board Member Dee Dee Goidel discussed many topics with legislators. can provide in an effort to offset As We some of the rising costs of some of BY MICHELLE DEAL WINFIELD Linda Rosenthal agreed to resubmit housing Continue your medical needs. bills to help correct the rising cost of rent sta- • • • The political dedication of CSA’s retirees bilized apartments. “At present, every year the was on full view in mid-November when the rent is increased 7.5 % a year. That’s outra- With Our s you may have heard, we Manhattan RC Unit held a legislative Forum geous,” she said. “Social Security doesn’t go up Mission have been working diligently for area lawmakers. Senator Brad Hoylman, that high.” Aon establishing a new unit in Assemblymembers Linda Rosenthal, Dan Sen. Hoylman noted that he has joined Virginia, Maryland and Washington, Quart, Inez Dickens and City Council mem- forces with Assemblyman Harvey Epstein on D.C. We were very fortunate that bers Carlina Rivera and Keith Powers gathered legislation to regulate air quality during MTA several of our retirees joined. Rajinder Kaur, a former Retiree to discuss the recent elections. Mitra Lutchman construction. Assemblywoman Dickens, who Chapter Executive Board member, volunteered to be the unit – CSARC Legislative Liaison was the modera- had just recovered from shingles, urged all leader and Monette Russell, will serve as the treasurer. Other tor. An AP English and Government class from members over 50 years of age to get a Zoster members on the steering committee are Carol Ilderbrando, the Manhattan Comprehensive Day and Night vaccination. Carlina Rivera provided an expla- Virginia Berrios, and Barbara Neis. Second Vice Chair John School were pleased to hear the discussion. nation of which bikes were legal and needed to Manhattan Unit Chair Stanley Wilson organized be registered. She insisted, “E-bikes are illegal the event. and should not be on the streets. Bikes called Several retirees have joined and we’ve The topics focused on the security of our pedal-assist are legal. The bike gives the rider a retiree benefits and the continuation of rent boost while pedaling.” found a leader for a unit in Virginia, stabilization laws and the fairness in property The group was joined by CSA Director of taxes for co-ops. Bicycle safety was a concern Political Affairs Gabe Gallucci, CSA First Vice Maryland and Washington, D.C. for senior pedestrians. All invited guests collec- President Rosemarie Sinclair, CSARC Director tively pledged to support CSA in maintaining Mark Brodsky, CSARC Chair Gayle Lockett the benefits we all earned. and others. Kudos to the Chairperson Stanley Oricchio, and Retirement Chapter Director Mark Brodsky, RC Assemblymember Quart was adamant that Wilson and the committee for their time plan- Director, attended their first steering meeting and provided New York City schools receive full funding. ning this forum. information on setting up a new unit. • • • eanwhile, we continue to look closely at what we can offer to enhance your cultural interests through vari- Your Officers, Board Members Mous trips, workshops and hobbies. Even though we are retired, always remember we are still Retiree Executive Vincent Navarro Executive part of a powerful union and labor force! May 2019 bring us Chapter Board / Allen Nilsen Board all good health and happiness to enjoy our well-earned retire- Officers Advisory Richard Oppenheimer Alternates ment. Dee Dee Goidel Gayle Lockett Committee Angela Carey Adams Leonard Sterman In Unity, Retiree Chapter Chair Eathelle Clay Arlene Becker Constance Testa Gayle Lockett Joseph Rosenberg Mary Covington Jennifer Boone Lucille Vecchiarelli Executive Vice Chair Eugenia Ellsworth Miriam Martinez Diaz Patricia Weston- John Oricchio Marvin Goodman Debra Handler McNabb Second Vice Chair Juanita Johnson Sharon Thompson Rosa Smith-Norman Stanley Wilson Manfred Korman Treasurer Candice Scott Roz Manning-Allman Janice Imundi Renee Shulman Jim Mehlman Secretary George Young February 2019 CSA NEWS 11 Solidarity RC Regional Units

BROOKLYN SOUTHEAST FLORIDA We returned to the Callahan Center at I want to thank all of our members St. Francis College for our November 2018 who attended the Health and Welfare unit meeting where Dr. Douglas Hathaway Meeting. CSA First Vice President was our presenter. The movie club outing Rosemarie Sinclair brought greetings to the Alamo Draft House to view A Star and informational updates from the is Born was well-attended. Members and New York office and Welfare Fund their guests enjoyed the food, ambiance Administrator Dr. Douglas Hathaway and dancing at our December holiday lun- provided the latest information on our cheon at Garguilo’s on Dec. 19. Members’ health care plans and benefits. Please generous donations of educational books be reminded that our annual luncheon and toys were delivered to Kianga House, will take place at Benvenuto’s on Feb. a 22 year-old transitional family shelter 13, 2019 from 10 am to 3 pm. The day located in the Crown Heights commu- starts with a continental breakfast and nity of Brooklyn, on Friday, December meeting, a cocktail hour and luncheon 21. Our next Unit meeting is sched- with live music for your dancing and lis- uled for Tuesday, March 19, at 10 am at tening pleasure. For information regard- St Francis College. Our annual Barclay ing any event, feel free to contact me Center Brooklyn NETS game is scheduled at [email protected] or (561) 964-8865. for Monday, April 1. Member cost: $95; — Lois Turetzky Support For Striking Actors Guests: $105. Be on the lookout for the n CSA members joined SAG/AFTRA striking actors protesting Bartle Bogle Hegarty LLC flyer and respond ASAP as seats are limited. (BBH), a global advertising agency owned by Publicis Groupe. SAG/AFTRA has been — Rosalyn Allman-Manning SUNCOAST picketing BBH offices in New York and Los Angeles for several months in an effort to If you haven’t marked your calen- force the company to uphold their contract obligations. The protests have, not sur- dars --- here are our next two important prisingly, had a theatrical quality, including mock bake sales, like the one shown here NEW JERSEY dates: On Friday, March 29, we will hold in October. Lt. Gov Kathy Hochul and Sen. Brad Hoylman joined the picketers as well. We held our holiday luncheon our CSA Retirees Brunch 10:30 am at the A SAG band played while union members handed out t-shirts, cupcakes and cookies, on Dec. 12 at the Brioso Ristorante in Heritage Oaks Country Club, the same many remarked, “We are having a bake sale to ask BBH, where’s the dough?” Shown Marlboro, NJ. The restaurant was recently venue as our luncheon. At 10:15 am on here with protesting actors are CSA retirees Steven Porter and Suzanne Muller. -- MDW renovated, but it still has charm and Friday, April 26, we will enjoy a historic ambiance. Although there were other tour and luncheon at the Vinoy Hotel in parties there, the dining room is large St. Pete. To reach me, call 646-387-2652 enough that it felt like it was a private or email [email protected]. Island Paradise space just for the twenty of us to sit, eat — Cindy Salomone and talk. The food was excellent – from bruschetta, eggplant salad and homemade pasta to double-cut pork chops and grilled GEORGIA Retirees Visit Grenada salmon. We each brought a toy to donate We ended our year with our annual to Tuesday’s Children, a nonprofit organi- holiday luncheon, held at the Cherokee zation dedicated to helping kids affected Run Golf Club in Conyers, Georgia. by terrorism and traumatic loss. I hope Members, their families and friends everyone has a healthy New Year! enjoyed themselves playing holiday — Margo Levy games and dancing. Gail Jenkins and Melba Parks planned the event. We are looking forward to kicking off 2019 with MANHATTAN our Book Club meeting on Feb. 1. We You should have received your trip will be discussing Becoming by Michelle information about our Spring 2019 trips. Obama. Our annual spring meeting will Please make out a separate check for each be on April 24, 2019. More information trip to Manhattan Unit-CSARC and mail will be forthcoming. For information to: Suzanne Muller, 4 Stuyvesant Oval-12 about the Georgia Unit contact Georgia A, New York NY 10009 Harrison at [email protected]. — Stanley Wilson — Georgia Harrison

Staten Island

n During a recent CSA Caribbean cruise onboard the Celebrity Summit some First Wednesdays Group CSA members visited the world famous De La Grenade Factory in St. Paul, Grenada. We were privileged to observe the factory which manufactures exotic jams, jellies, spices and nutmeg. Our host was our own Glenda Harry, Assistant Director of the CSA Welfare Fund. We sampled first hand a variety of these delicious products. Grenada, located in the Central Eastern Caribbean, is a true island paradise with some of the most beautiful vistas and people. – Gary Goldstein

Welcome New Members

Brenda Acevedo Rachel Dahill-Fuchel Thelma Kramer Linda Pough John Agnello Glenn Devino Helen McConnell Yolanda Ramirez Felix Batista Anna Giudice Joan Mitchell Cornell Reece Stacey Berger Florence Gorsky Jorge Moore Myrna Shackler Sharon Cahr Barbara Hecht Irene H. Nash Carol Silverman n The Staten Island Retiree Unit of the CSA holds a luncheon on the first Alba Carlucci Barry Kevorkian Helene Nieman Michelle Swann Wednesday of the month at the Staaten Restaurant in Staten Island. Ten members John Curry Nilda Kraft Robert O’Brien Diana Tancer participated on a cold and nasty January day. Student Leaders in Jamaica to donate 456 toys to chil students visitedSCOFamilyofServices their community.OnDec.19,twenty ership groupcommittedtoimproving House ofRepresentatives,astudentlead- College HighSchoolformedthe community.” citizens ofthe global becoming productive well ontheirwayto of Representativesare Ortiz Jr.“TheHouse said PrincipalSocrates our expectations,” has already exceeded “This newinitiative ness ofothersinneed. care andtoraiseaware- children livinginfoster order tobringjoy and wrappinggiftsin to end,collectingtoys tiative frombeginning ledthisini- Students dren livingintheresidentialprogram. O Queens Earlier thisschoolyear,Middle “At Twain we are very passionate “At Twainweareverypassionate tion andschoolcommunitymeetings. as wellmocktrials,conflictresolu- class thatallstudentscyclethrough, will beuseddailyforaLawandDebate argumentative skills.Thecourtroom of thedebateteamshowcasedtheir other notableguests,andmembers funding fortheproject,attendedwith Mark Treyger,whohelpedsecure student courtroom.Councilmember to marktheopeningoftheirnew Gifted Kids Courtroom For New Student

Borough FEBRUARY 2019 ribbon cutting ceremony ribbon cuttingceremony and Talentedhosteda School fortheGifted Twain Intermediate n Dec14,theMark Printed onFSCcertifiedpaper (DIST. 24-30) in alocalfostercare program. collected, wrapped andpresentedhundredsofgifts tochildren n MiddleCollegeHighSchoolstudents formedagroupwhich - 40 RectorSt.,NY,NY10006 Local 1AFSA,AFL-CIO New YorkStateFederationofSchoolAdministrators Council ofSchoolSupervisors&Administrators,NYC

Briefs presented video projects at the Belmont presented videoprojectsattheBelmont their community, and on Dec. 13, they investigated variousissuesaffecting International HighSchoolhave Then Presentations Investigation And for theGiftedandTalentedjoinstudentstocelebrateopeningofanewfacility. n CouncilmemberMarkTreygerandKarenDitolla,PrincipaloftheTwainSchool “Students must be able to articulate “Students mustbeabletoarticulate Century,” saidPrincipalKarenDitolla. to facethechallengesof21st about preparingouryoungpeople Crotona All semester,seniorsfromCrotona Bronx (DIST. / Brooklyn

7-12) In The very relevantway.” the developmentoftheseskillsina this courtroomwillcertainlyfoster their thoughtsandideasclearly, (DIST. Shweta Ratra. and theircommunities,”saidPrincipal that relatedirectlytoourstudents’lives in authentic,interdisciplinaryprojects findings. “There’ssuchincrediblevalue weeks craftingvideostoshowcasetheir segregation, orsanitation, and spent with reportingonthetopicsofcrime, duction classes, students were tasked Library. Insocialstudiesandvideopro- 13-23,32) Schools Craig DiFolco Compiled by Holiday Cheer Giving IsThe Gift Assistant Principal Donna Maguire. Assistant PrincipalDonnaMaguire. opportunity tobesuccessful,”said them into learning, and provide another a child’seducationalexperience,hook having asolidartsprogramcanstrengthen conducted voice lessons. “We believe that Yamin andoperasingerDivaJones,who formed forstudentswithjazzpianistEli America, wasPrincipalfortheDayandper- Franklin, 2018 Miss NY and 2019 Miss tradition towelcomethenewyear.Nia celebrations withaMexicanParanda, School, PS/IS18kickedoffholiday our studentsinthejoyofgiving.” Nora DeRosa,“itwasalsoatruelessonfor dents whoreceivedgifts,”saidPrincipal was itawonderfuloccasionforthestu- dents andsangholidaysongs.“Notonly the presents,theyreadtoyoungerstu- 19, andPS21.Astheyhand-delivered mentary schoolstudents from and stafffromIS 7 Staten Island at [email protected]. Manhattan On Dec.21,The Park Terrace Throughout the holidays, students Throughout theholidays,students Send Borough Briefs to Craig DiFolco Send BoroughBriefstoCraigDiFolco and AdditionalMailingOffice Brooklyn, NY11201 US POSTAGEPAIDAT Periodicals providedgiftstoele- third fromright. Donna Maguireis Assistant Principal left, isPrincipal. Mejia, secondfrom students. Connie other musiciansfor performed alongside Miss America,who York andnow2019 red) 2018MissNew from NiaFranklin,(in was gracedbyavisit a music.Theschool as wellaloveof different cultures an appreciationfor the yearbyfostering n PS/IS18closed

(DIST. PS 3, (D-31) 1-6) PS PS