Member Organizing Drives Historic Agreement Deal, Which Follows Health Benefits Victory, Includes 10% Salary Increase and First-Time Contract Language in Key Areas

Award-Winning Newspaper of United Teachers Los Angeles • www.utla.net Volume XLIV, Number 8, April 20, 2015 Member organizing drives historic agreement Deal, which follows health benefits victory, includes 10% salary increase and first-time contract language in key areas.

Capping months of escalating areas (detailed summary and text start AUGUST: First School Site Visit Blitz MAJOR ACTION TIMELINE member actions, from rallies and on page 17): picketing to faculty meeting boycotts, SEPTEMBER: First Big Red Tuesday UTLA reached a contract agreement Salaries: The 10% ongoing salary in- with LAUSD on April 17. UTLA’s ag- crease will be phased in over the next gressive organizing gave us strength eight months with: at the bargaining table, and the result- • an immediate 6% increase (4% retro- ing agreement includes a 10% salary active to July 1, 2014, and 2% retroactive increase as well as first-time, ground- to January 1, 2015). breaking contract language on class • 2% increase, effective July 1, 2015. size, counselor-student ratios, and • 2% increase, effective January 1, other priorities of the Schools L.A. 2016. Students Deserve campaign. Retroactive checks for the July 2014 NOVEMBER: Regional Rallies The agreement comes on the heels of and January 2015 increases will be pro- a major victory in health care the same cessed upon ratification by our members week, after the School Board approved and the LAUSD School Board. There will FEBRUARY: School Site Picketing a new agreement that would cover be an automatic reopener for additional & Sticker Up for Health Care current benefits for another two years, salary bargaining in 2016-2017. with the option for a third-year extension. At a time of rising health care costs, Class sizes: The tentative agree- LAUSD employees continue to be one ment establishes, for the first time in of the few groups the contract, statewide with definitive lifetime benefits class-size and no monthly Read the tentative agreement caps (with FEBRUARY: Stand at Grand Rally premium pay- A summary and the full text of the the ability to ments. grieve vio- “The tentative tentative agreement begin on page lations) and agreements are 17 and are online at utla.net. The includes not just victories health benefits agreement is on contrac- MARCH & APRIL: Faculty in the content page 9. UTLA members will be vot- tual class- Meeting Boycotts that they en- ing on the agreements at school size aver- compass,” UTLA ages across President Alex sites in early May. all grade Caputo-Pearl levels, along said. “They are with $13 victories for organizing and demonstrate million to go toward targeted class-size powerfully that we are headed in the reduction in grades 8-9. There is new right direction in continuing to form language that ensures that LAUSD can an organizing union and continuing to no longer unilaterally change class sizes build the Schools L.A. Students Deserve without UTLA having an opportunity APRIL: Silent Gauntlet During Mediation campaign.” to meet with the District and organize The contract agreement covers three against such moves. Read more details years, from July 1, 2014, to June 30, on the impact of the new class-size lan- APRIL: Class Size and Student 2017, with reopeners on evaluation and guage in the summary on page 17. Services Bus Tour class size in 2015-16 and reopeners on salary, class size, and three additional Staffing ratios:$13 million will go articles each for UTLA and LAUSD in toward increasing secondary school 2016-17. counseling services to attain the newly The tentative agreement, which established 500-to-1 student-to-counsel- will be voted on by members in May or ratio—the first time counselor-student in tandem with the health benefits ratios have been spelled out in the con- agreement, includes improvements to tract. In addition, there will be a new teaching and learning in these critical (continued on page 4)

Kayser • Schmerelson • Vladovic Three educators for LAUSD School Board

See page 7 for more on May 19 election United Teacher • for the latest news: www.utla.net April 20, 2015 United Teacher President’s perspective

PRESIDENT Alex Caputo-Pearl NEA AFFILIATE VP Cecily Myart-Cruz AFT AFFILIATE VP Betty Forrester Celebrate the agreements that you’ve won and ELEMENTARY VP Juan Ramirez SECONDARY VP Colleen Schwab TREASURER Arlene Inouye let’s move on to the next battles SECRETARY Daniel Barnhart By Alex Caputo-Pearl are the lifeblood of organizing. Discuss with an immediate 6% increase (4% retro- EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Jeff Good UTLA President the tentative agreements, encourage each active to July 1, 2014, and 2% retroactive to other to vote, get more people involved, January 1, 2015). There are automatic re- BOARD OF DIRECTORS My daughter plays softball at the same help everyone understand that these votes opener negotiations on salary in 2016-2017, fields where Mayra Gomez’s daughter consolidate 10 months of organizing and which we must start preparing for now. NORTH AREA: Interim: Kirk Thomas, Chair (Eagle Rock ES), Rebecca Solomon (RFK UCLA Comm. plays—Mayra is the UTLA co-chair at that they show us the pathway to more • For the first time, a TK-3 class-size School), Julie Van Winkle (Logan Span School) Grand View Elementary, and she has been victories in the future. average established contractually at 24, SOUTH AREA: Ingrid Villeda, Chair (93rd Street ES), doing great organizing at her school. Mayra Second, driving toward as high a par- in writing. This is very unusual across the Ayde Bravo (Maywood ES), Ayesha Brooks (Markham MS), Maria Miranda (Miramonte ES) thanked me on Sunday for the work we’ve ticipation rate and as high a “yes” vote state and allows us to move forward with EAST AREA: Gillian Russom, Chair (ESP Academy), done to attain the health benefits and col- as possible demonstrates more power to assurance on that number, rather than at Ingrid Gunnell (Lane ES), Gloria Martinez (Rowan ES), lective bargaining tentative agreements. I LAUSD and to those who would privatize the whim of the District. Adrian Tamayo (Lorena ES) responded with a fundamental truth I’ve public education. Voting in these ways • Contractual class-size averages across WEST AREA: Erika Jones Crawford, Chair (Angeles Mesa), Noah Lippe-Klein (Dorsey HS), Rodney Lusain gotten used to saying: These tentative shows that we are organized, we are all grade levels. (Los Angeles HS), Jennifer Villaryo (Grand View ES) agreement victories have come out of a united, we affirm the direction of UTLA • For the first time, definitive class-size CENTRAL AREA: José Lara, Chair (Santee EC), tremendous team effort, and it is leaders becoming an organizing union, and we caps have been established in the contract. Kelly Flores (Maya Angelou), Paul Ngwoke (Bethune MS), Zulma Tobar (Harmony ES) like her at work sites who have been the are ready for the next battles. A cap does not mean that classes should be backbone, and will continue to be at that level. In fact, it means the op- VALLEY EAST AREA: Scott Mandel, Chair (Pacoima Magnet), Victoria (Martha) Casas (Beachy ES), the backbone, to what we achieve posite of that—it means that very few Alex (David) Orozco (Madison MS) in the future. classes can be at that cap level, because VALLEY WEST AREA: Bruce Newborn, Chair, The UTLA membership collec- schools need to maintain the averages Melodie Bitter (Lorne ES), Wendi Davis (Henry MS), Javier Romo (Mulholland MS) tively—you, working with your that are in the contract and are substan- HARBOR AREA: Aaron Bruhnke, Chair (San Pedro chapter chairs, co-chairs, and vice tially lower than the caps. For example, HS), Elgin Scott (Avalon Gardens ES), Steve Seal chairs—has been the main protago- while a few hundred TK-3 classes this (Eshelman ES), Mary Tello (De La Torre Jr. ES) nist in this struggle. Everyone who school year (2014-2015) have contained ADULT & OCCUP ED: Ernest Kettenring (Roosevelt CAS) walked for George McKenna in from 25 to 27 students, the District has BILINGUAL EDUCATION: Cheryl L. Ortega (Sub Unit) August, who wore red on that first done well at keeping the average at HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES: Linda Gordon Big Red Tuesday in September, who schools to 24 students per class. With came to a school site blitz meeting, the cap of 27 in TK-3 now in the con- SPECIAL ED: Darrell Jones (Byrd MS) Alex Caputo-Pearl rallies with educators, parents, and community who stickered up for class size and SUBSTITUTES: Fredrick Bertz members at Alta Loma Elementary, the first stop on UTLA’s community tract, we can expect the same—some caseloads in October, who made classes that exceed 24 so that schools PACE CHAIR: Marco Flores bus tour on April 14 highlighting class-size and student services issues. phone calls for Tom Torlakson in The tour ended at LAUSD, where parents addressed the School Board. can have the flexibility, for example, to UTLA RETIRED: John Perez October, who came to the regional avoid split-grade-level classes, but no rallies in November, who got involved in The tentative agreements: classes higher than 27, the vast majority of AFFILIATIONS the School Board races in December and a brief summary classes at 24, and the ability to grieve if the American Federation of Teachers January, who stepped up to be a chapter In a national context where attacking cap of 27 is exceeded. National Education Association parent action liaison (CPAL) or chapter public sector workers’ health benefits is • For the first time, a student-to-coun- STATE & NATIONAL OFFICERS political coordinator (CPC), who stickered the norm, winning an extension of full selor ratio of 500 to 1 in middle and high NEA DIRECTOR: Sue Cirillo up for health care with all of the other funding for our health benefits for the schools, with $13 million in additional CFT PRESIDENT: Joshua Pechthalt unions in February, who picketed and next two years—with an option to extend funding to go to counseling services to CTA PRESIDENT: Dean Vogel CTA DIRECTOR: David Goldberg leafleted in front of their school in Febru- for a third year—is a huge collaborative meet that new ratio. CFT VICE PRESIDENT: Betty Forrester ary, who were part of the massive Stand victory for UTLA and the other LAUSD • A change to Section 1.5 of the class- NEA PRESDIENT: Lily Eskelsen Garcia at Grand rally in February, who got even labor unions. The Health Benefits Com- size article so that LAUSD can no longer AFT PRESIDENT: Randi Weingarten more involved in the School Board races mittee, which includes representatives unilaterally change class sizes without us in March and April, who boycotted faculty from all unions within LAUSD, has done having an opportunity to meet with the UTLA COMMUNICATIONS meetings in March and April, who formed tremendous work, and UTLA/AFT Vice District and organize against such moves. EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: Alex Caputo-Pearl the Silent Gauntlet at mediation in April, DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS: Suzanne Spurgeon President Betty Forrester has been in the • A Class Size Task Force to monitor COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALISTS: who participated in the Class Size and lead for us. LAUSD continues to be one class sizes and push for more improve- Kim Turner, Carolina Barreiro, Tammy Lynn Gann Student Services Bus Tour in April, and of the few districts to provide health care ments. ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT: Laura Aldana did so many other things to organize your benefits without any employee or retiree • $13 million in additional funding to work sites—everyone who participated in contribution to premiums. reduce class size in 8th- and 9th-grade EDITORIAL INFORMATION these actions contributed mightily to these That said, we need to begin organizing English and math classes. UNITED TEACHER tentative agreements. now for what we know is a likely attack • Establishment of a Health Services 3303 Wilshire Blvd., 10th Fl., LA, CA 90010 Email: [email protected] The tentative agreements—which on our health benefits in 2017. Task Force to explore expanding staffing UTLA main line: (213) 487-5560 contain first-time, ground-breaking lan- The collective bargaining tentative and supports in the areas of student physi- ADVERTISING guage in critical areas—are not just victories agreement includes movement in many cal, social, and emotional health. Senders Communications Group in the content that they encompass; they are Bruce Loria: (818) 884-8966, ext. 1107 key areas that were identified as top pri- • A Memorandum of Understanding victories for organizing and demonstrate orities for our membership in the August- (MOU) for 2015-2016 that comes out of powerfully that we are headed in the right September bargaining survey. The victo- UNITED TEACHER accepts paid advertisements from the District claiming fiscal emergency outside companies and organizations, including UTLA direction in continuing to form an orga- ries we have won in the agreement are and triggering the “Section 1.5 process” sponsors and vendors with no relationship with UTLA. Only nizing union and continuing to build the significant in and of themselves, but they (see above) to adjust class sizes. Thus, for approved vendors can use the UTLA logo in their ads. The content of an advertisement is the responsibility of the Schools L.A. Students Deserve campaign. are also platforms to continue the struggle 2015-2016, class-size averages and caps advertiser alone, and UTLA cannot be held responsible in the future—even with this tentative will be higher, but violations of caps will for its accuracy, veracity, or reliability. Appearance of an advertisement should not be viewed as an endorsement The next steps in building and agreement, we know we are not where be grievable, a right we have for the first or recommendation by United Teachers Los Angeles. demonstrating power: voting “yes” we need to be in class size, services and time. Establishing the MOU and clarifying on the tentative agreements staffing for our students, salary, and so the Section 1.5 process allows us to push United Teacher (ISSN # 0745-4163) is published In the first week of May, you will be many other things. But, these are steps in for adherence to the lower contractual monthly (except for a combined June/July issue) by voting on the tentative agreements. It is the right direction, and platforms upon averages and caps in 2016-2017. United Teachers Los Angeles, 3303 Wilshire Blvd., critical that we have as close to 100% par- which to continue the struggle. • Reopener negotiations on class size 10th Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90010. Subscriptions: ticipation in the voting, and as close to The tentative collective bargain- and ratios in both 2015-2016 and 2016-2017. $20.00 per year. (Price included in dues/agency fe of UTLA bargaining unit members.) Periodical 100% “yes” votes, as possible. ing agreement contains many elements • A process to place all displaced educa- postage paid at Los Angeles, California. POSTMASTER: First, driving toward that level of par- (summary and full text begins on page tors in the next months, with respect for Please send address changes to United Teachers Los ticipation strengthens our union because it 17) but these are some of the highlights: educator preferences. Angeles, 3303 Wilshire Blvd., 10th Floor, Los Angeles, requires continuing the one-on-one, small • A 10% ongoing, on-the-scale salary • In response to the crisis created by CA 90010. Telephone (213) 487-5560. group, and whole faculty discussions that increase over 2014-2015 and 2015-2016, (continued on next page) 2 United Teacher • for the latest news: www.utla.net April 20, 2015

PRESIDENT’S PERSPECTIVE merelson, and Richard Vladovic to the (continued from previous page) LAUSD School Board on May 19. Having educators on the School Board who un- Letters to the editor John Deasy’s “teacher jail,” a new contract derstand the classroom will be critical to article has been established that defines the future success of our demands in the the conditions under which an employee Schools L.A. Students Deserve campaign. UTLA fights for our profession to my district. may be removed from campus pending We cannot let billionaire contributors and UTLA member Cathy Scott-Skubik authored As I fight for a fair and just contract, I an investigation, the timelines for such those who don’t understand education this letter to the L.A. Times in response to an hold closely my fervent desire for public an investigation, and the rights of the em- run the School Board. We are in the criti- op-ed, “The Teaching Crisis That Unions and schools that continue to serve every child ployee after the investigation. The tenta- cal weeks right before the election, and School Districts Won’t Address,” by Stephen in Los Angeles by providing them with the tive agreement also establishes monthly, we need you involved! Please see page 7 Mucher. The piece looks at the factors—such as education they deserve. That begins with top-level meetings between LAUSD and for more details on how to get involved. overwhelming workload and an overemphasis teachers who are respected, supported, UTLA to review cases. We must continue our support of the on testing—that have led to a steep drop in and fairly compensated. • A new committee has been formed to courageous educators at the Alliance college graduates pursuing careers in teaching. —Cathy Scott-Skubik jointly create—LAUSD and UTLA working charter school network. Since 67 educa- While I agree with Mucher’s main point, Park Western Elementary together—a new Educator Support, De- tors went public on March 13 with their I disagree with his assertion that the teach- velopment, and Evaluation system to organizing for the union, the Alliance ers’ union is not fighting back against No consequences for take effect in 2016-2017. TGDC will not management has opened a distressing, working conditions that cause aspiring Deasy’s spending exist anymore at that point. During the coercive, and illegal anti-union campaign. teachers to rethink their career choice. I just bought my second and third box of 2015-2016 interim year, while the new Management has hired the same consult- United Teachers Los Angeles’ Schools kinetic sand that I know my kindergarten- evaluation system is being developed, the ing firm that Walmart used to attack union L.A. Students Deserve campaign is focused ers will just love. My husband questions workload for those being evaluated has organizing efforts, is attempting to intimi- on making sure schools are clean, ade- my continual purchases. His most popular been dramatically reduced: only 1 formal date educators, and has illegally barred quately staffed, and full of teachers who query: “Why do we have to underwrite observation cycle is required (instead of union representatives from campuses and are fairly compensated and respected. LAUSD?” This time he added, “Why are 2), only 1 informal growth visit is required educators from using their emails to dis- When I hand out leaflets to parents or you still buying things when you are retir- (instead of 2), and all reflections are op- tribute information. Yet, these 67 educators stand with my colleagues at Grand Park ing soon?” tional. In the interim year, 2015-2016 (while have now organized a much larger group and demand to be heard, I am well aware Ask most teachers why they purchase a new system is being developed), there of their colleagues to sign with the union, of the danger that my lifelong and beloved materials for the classroom and the re- will be three levels in the final evaluation: and have built a powerful community- career is under. sponse will be the same: We buy educa- exceeds standards, meets standards, and labor-clergy-elected official coalition—this I teach in a district that imposes policies tional, creative materials to enhance, spark, below standard. There will be no negative is incredibly powerful leadership. Read and technologies that do not work at best and motivate our curriculum. consequences for the “meets standards” more about their story on page 4, and be and are meant to demoralize me at worst. I do have to consider the cost of my pur- evaluation, and below standard evalua- ready to stand with the Alliance educators. Our current evaluation system is sucking chases, as I am not earning the $440,000 that tions remain grievable. Through your organizing work at sites excessive and valuable time out of every my former superintendent, John Deasy, • New language has been added that across the city, and your involvement in participant’s life and classroom. And, I am made. It didn’t seem to occur to him to be helps ensure that when substitute educa- intense escalating actions over the last 10 required to serve breakfast to my students, more prudent when he decided to purchase tors receive inadequate service reports, they months, we have two very good tenta- in my classroom, during instructional time, iPads and the record-keeping system MiSiS. are accompanied by UTLA representation. tive agreements to vote on. Encourage on carpet, while experiencing cuts in custo- I suppose when you are spending taxpay- • There have been changes to the article everyone to vote at your sites in the first dial time. My Shop-Vac and I make regular ers’ money and not your own, there are no in the contract on grievances that expedite week of May. And, build that “yes” vote appearances at my classroom on Saturdays. consequences for your actions. problem-solving, allow more opportunity to demonstrate our power and unity, and I have worked without a raise for eight —Pamela Goldstein for us to organize at school sites to get our resolve to continue fighting for the years, even after the passage of Proposition Kindergarten Teacher grievances resolved, and that hold admin- Schools L.A. Students Deserve. 30, which brought an increase in revenue Enadia TEC Elementary istrators accountable for actions that lead to grievances. • This is a three-year contract, typical for UTLA and other teacher union con- In this issue tracts, covering July 1, 2014, to June 30, 2017. There are 2015-2016 reopeners on evaluation and class size. There are 2016- 4 Alliance charter educators form union 5 Faculty meeting boycott 2017 reopeners on salary, class size, and three additional articles each for UTLA Teachers at the largest charter school organization in L.A. photos and LAUSD, respectively. want more say in their school programs. • UTLA brought issues to the table that 9 Text of health benefits weren’t able to be resolved this negotia- 6 Community pushes for Wellness Center at Roosevelt High agreement tions cycle, including school cleanliness, Students, parents, and teachers work together to bring resources arts and music education, special educa- to the neighborhood. tion, and school safety, but we have con- 10 Milestones tract reopeners in 2016-17 and full contract renewal in June 2017. In order to begin 7 Three educators for School Board 16 Stull Q&A bargaining in a timely way for our full con- UTLA is backing Kayser, Schmerelson, and Vladovic in the tract renewal and in order for that bargain- May 19 elections. 26 Practical matters: Filing for ing to be driven by input from members, parents, and the community, we will need retirement to begin a dialogue about the full contract renewal in the coming months. 30 Chapter chair election rules

Crucial next steps in organizing: 34 Openings on the UTLA Board RIFs, School Board, and Supporting Alliance Educators of Directors Our organizing, building power, and push for victories for educational justice 36 Retirees’ corner must continue. We must press LAUSD to rescind the 609 RIF layoff notices and stand up for SRLDP Get connected to UTLA and our youngest students, for adult edu- Facebook: facebook.com/UTLAnow cation and preparing Angelenos for living Twitter: @utlanow wage jobs, and for the vital services that at- YouTube: youtube.com/UTLAnow tendance counselors, school psychologists, and psychiatric social workers provide. Get ready to come to the School Board, Belvedere Middle School faculty stand strong in boycotting faculty meetings to put be involved in rallies, and reach out for pressure on LAUSD to settle the contract. See more shots on page 5 and UTLA’s more support. Facebook page. We must elect Bennett Kayser, Scott Sch- 3 United Teacher • for the latest news: www.utla.net April 20, 2015

HISTORIC AGREEMENT been outlined to assign all displaced quiring administration to inform them of L.A. Students Deserve. Our immediate (continued from cover) educators to positions, with respect for their right to UTLA representation prior priorities are fighting to rescind the layoff educator preferences. to issuing an inadequate service report. notices for 609 colleagues and standing up Health Services Task Force to develop for the SRLDP program, adult education, and for the critical services that attendance strategies for increasing nursing, coun- Housed teachers: A new contract Grievances: The agreement establishes counselors, school psychologists, and psy- seling, social work, and social/emotion- article has been created to end abuses of a longer period to file grievances, which al health services for students. the “teacher jail” system. The District can chiatric social workers provide. We will allows for more time for organizing at also be on the campaign front lines to elect no longer house educators if the allega- the work site to resolve the issue. An Teacher evaluation: The teacher evalu- tions do not pose a threat to student or the UTLA-endorsed candidates for School informal conference between the griev- Board: Bennett Kayser, Scott Schmerelson, ation memorandum of understanding staff safety, employees must be notified ant and the administrator will now be and Richard Vladovic. Having educators substantially reduces work load related of the reasons for reassignment within mandatory, within 20 days of an incident, on the School Board who understand the to evaluations, includes a three-level three days, and investigations shall be and a written administrative response classroom will be critical to the future evaluation tool, and sets down a process completed as quickly as possible, with a must be provided within five days after success of our demands in the Schools for replacing the Teacher Growth and 90-day goal. The agreement also establish- the informal conference. L.A. Students Deserve campaign. Development Cycle (TGDC) with a new, es monthly, top-level meetings between This agreement would not have hap- jointly developed educator support LAUSD and UTLA to review cases. pened without member activism. UTLA UTLA officers and staff will be conducting program by 2016-2017. will keep organizing, deepening our con- a new round of school site visits to discuss Substitute teachers: New language nections with parents and the community, the contract agreement and the School Board Displaced educators: A process has improves substitute teachers’ rights by re- and building the movement for the Schools campaigns.

Alliance charter educators begin organizing a union Teachers and counselors seek a voice to advocate for students.

Educators in L.A.’s largest charter school chain are embracing unionizing as a way to have a stronger voice to advocate on behalf of their students. In March, teachers and counselors at Alliance College-Ready Public Schools announced that they are organizing a union with UTLA. Initially, close to 70 Alliance educators signed a public letter endorsing their organizing effort; that support more than doubled in just a few weeks. Above all, the educators are seeking a voice in all decisions impacting teaching and learning so they can address the needs they see every day in the classroom. They are committed to the vision of the Alliance schools—a college-ready education for all students—and feel that forming a union is the best way to make sure the educational values that guide teachers’ work remain at the center of that mission. “I believe that using the teacher’s voice in policymaking for our schools is the surest way to develop the best environment for our students and to create a legacy of greatness for the Alliance,” Alliance educators—including the teachers above—are organizing a union with UTLA to have a voice in decisions impacting teaching said Elana Goldbaum, a World History and learning. and AP European History teacher at Alliance Gertz-Ressler High School. Some of the educators’ main pri- LAUSD schools. used for student education to hire outside that actual, not theoretical, needs are orities include securing full just cause Alliance management initially respond- PR consultants to create an anti-union being addressed.” and due process rights so that they ed to the organizing effort by claiming that website, and it is sending a steady stream In pursuing this process, Alliance can advocate for students without it would not interfere with the process. That of anti-union letters and emails to educa- educators join recently unionized fear, teacher retention and recruitment, commitment was short-lived, however, tors, parents, and alumni. Even students charter educators at Ivy Academia, small class sizes, a voice in budget deci- and last week UTLA filed an unfair labor have been exposed to the anti-union Apple Academy, Port of Los Angeles sions, and compensation and benefits practice charge with the Public Employ- campaign through Alliance’s website. High School, and Student Empower- no less than what 90 percent of L.A. ment Relations Board against the charter Alliance is also using its supervisors, ment Academy, who similarly saw the educators already receive. management organization for engaging in school email accounts, and professional potential in being able to advocate for “By giving teachers a voice in the unlawful actions to try to prevent employ- development time and meetings attached themselves and their students. decision making at Alliance, we can ees from unionizing. Alliance educators are to professional development to run anti- “If you are passionate about giving ensure that we are allocating resources demanding that management stop interfer- union sessions while restricting the use kids the best education possible, the appropriately and serving our kids in ing with their fundamental right to form a of facilities and school email accounts for best way to do that is to have a voice,” the best way possible,” Xochil Johansen union and come to an agreement with the pro-union activists. said Ivy Academia teacher Charlene of Stern Math and Science School said. teachers for a fair and neutral process to None of this, however, is deterring Guss. Alliance College-Ready Public organize the union. the Alliance educators from talking with Schools is a fast-growing chain—it has “When teachers announced we were their colleagues about the union and how Alliance Charter educators need expanded to 26 schools, with more than organizing a union, Alliance publicly having a collective voice would improve our support: You can show your 500 teachers serving more than 11,000 stated that we, the teachers, would be their professional life and strengthen their support for fellow educators at Alli- students, with plans for continued able to decide for ourselves free of co- students’ educational environment. ance by signing the MoveOn.org pe- growth each year. By organizing, the ercion,” Goldbaum said. “But since that “Teachers are the ones with actual tition through this link: http://bit. Alliance educators join more than 1,000 time they are trying to persuade teachers day-to-day experience with the stu- ly/1BTsC0t. For more information on teachers and other certificated staff at against unionization.” dents,” said Sam Taylor, World History the UTLA Charter Organizing Project, independent charter schools as well Among other tactics, Alliance man- teacher at Alliance College-Ready Middle call (213) 487-5560, ext. 152, and as the 34,000 members at traditional agement is using funds that could be Academy #7. “Our advocacy makes sure visit utla.net/chartereducators.

4 United Teacher • for the latest news: www.utla.net April 20, 2015 UTLA members stand strong with faculty meeting boycotts

Windsor Hills Magnet Broadacres Avenue Roscomare Road

Faculty Meeting

Hobart Boulevard Roscoe School

Taper Avenue Mt. Gleason Middle

Fremont High Kennedy High

Main Street Bravo Medical Magnet High

Middleton Street Budlong Avenue 5 United Teacher • for the latest news: www.utla.net April 20, 2015 Community campaign pushes for Wellness Center at Roosevelt High Students, parents, alumni, and educators work together to fulfill their vision for a true community school.

After years of overcrowding, Roosevelt of United Students, says that Roosevelt High School now has the space to house is headed in a positive direction—gradu- new services for students, and the Boyle ation rates are up by almost 20 percent and Heights community is pushing to bring suspensions have decreased by 66 percent expanded resources and support to the in four years—and the community wants campus. Where LAUSD sees vacant bunga- to build on that. lows, the community sees the opportunity “The restorative justice program has to provide wraparound services to address lowered dropout rates and increased the academic, health, and emotional needs campus unity,” Galindo says. “We want to of students and the community. build on our momentum and shine the light To push their vision forward, students, on our needs by beginning to implement parents, alumni, educators, and community our vision for a community school, which groups are engaging in grassroots orga- includes the Wellness Center to help make nizing behind their Community Schools sure that students and families thrive. The plan, which includes housing a Wellness Wellness Center is a pathway for students Center on campus. By providing easy access and parents to get the services they need.” to physical and mental health services, Roosevelt teacher Jorge Lopez says that Wellness Centers help remove barriers to the fight for the Wellness Center aligns learning for students and can improve at- with UTLA’s campaign for the Schools tendance, boost academic performance, L.A. Students Deserve, which advocates and ameliorate behavior problems. Well- for addressing issues at high-need schools ness Centers, which also serve families and and fighting for all schools to have the At a news conference at Roosevelt High, teacher Marianna Ramirez praised student activists the surrounding community, fill a need in resources they need. for demanding resources and support for their school. underserved areas that suffer from poor “Teachers have been talking about the “This school is a gem,” Ramirez says. “Students are standing up like they did in the ’60s health outcomes and disparities in access to Schools L.A. Students Deserve campaign and ’70s and using grassroots organizing in the fight to preserve our rights, our culture. We health care. There are 12 Wellness Centers and asking our students, What are your will continue with the struggle to get our school the resources we need.” currently operating in the LAUSD. needs? How can we better provide re- In addition to the Wellness Center, the sources for you?” Lopez says. “Through that space. The community held informa- are supposed to be benefiting from this community also wants space on campus the Wellness Center, our community can tional meetings with parents, passed out increased funding—low-income students, for student clubs, an expanded parent begin to creatively and holistically address flyers to local businesses with an inherent English learners, youth in foster care,” center, community organizations, and our students’ needs and counter the effects interest in a strong community school, at- says Manuel Criollo, an organizer with the the school’s restorative justice program. of poverty and violence. What better place tended School Board meetings, and reached Labor/Community Strategy Center. “The Roosevelt High is one of three LAUSD than a school, where we are constantly out to other organizations for support. In Roosevelt community is one of the major schools that were early adopters of the interacting with students, to connect them the end, the charter management organiza- areas where poverty and race play out and restorative justice model, which focuses and their families to resources?” tion chose not to co-locate on the campus. impact our students. The fight this year on positive alternatives to harsh “zero The Roosevelt organizing took on a new The community’s organizing work now is to make sure this funding goes where tolerance” discipline policies like suspen- immediacy in recent months after LAUSD turns toward getting the LAUSD School it will do the most good. The community sion and expulsion that disproportionately labeled the vacant bungalows that the Board to endorse—and fund—their vision wants it. Let’s make it happen.” affect minority students. community identified as the ideal location for Roosevelt. Under the new Local Control The Roosevelt community’s work is a Key drivers of the Roosevelt organizing for the Wellness Center and other services Funding Formula (and its accountability model for grassroots organizing that gets effort are students from two campus clubs, as “free space” that could be offered to an counterpart, the Local Control and Account- students, educators, parents, and the com- United Students and Taking Action, which outside charter management organization ability Plan), school districts are receiving munity talking about what they want for are supported by local community-based under Prop. 39. extra funding for high-needs students, and their school and then developing a strategy organizations: United Students is sup- With just a few months’ notice about districts must determine how to most ef- together to make it happen. UTLA is commit- ported by InnerCity Struggle and Taking the possible co-location, the community fectively direct that money to students who ted to the same sustained, ongoing work— Action is supported by the Labor/Com- began an educational campaign to let Boyle face increased educational challenges. beyond any one contract campaign—to build munity Strategy Center. Heights and the School Board know that “We have an opportunity with the LCAP the movement necessary to win all the ele- Student Michelle Galindo, a member Roosevelt already had positive plans for to expand resources for the people who ments of the Schools L.A. Students Deserve. Unity in red Thanks to the 300-plus schools that have sent in their red T-shirt pics since the first Big Red Tuesday on September 30. The input has been amazing. We will keep using as many as we can in the RED coming months. When we wear red on Tuesdays, we tell the District that we are united behind our bargaining demands and the Schools L.A. Students Deserve. Keep the red growing! King Middle School

Cantara Elementary Tweedy Elementary Paseo del Rey Elementary 6 United Teacher • for the latest news: www.utla.net April 20, 2015 May 19 elections: Three educators for School Board Harnessing our collective strength will make all the difference for our endorsed candidates.

Bennett Kayser Scott Schmerelson Dr. Richard Vladovic By Oraiu Amoni hand-addressed more than 6,000 letters Schmerelson’s history and commitment principal, and local District superinten- UTLA Political Director to high-propensity voters in the May have earned him the support of educators dent—and knows firsthand what our 19 School Board elections. This is only throughout the District. schools need to succeed, which is why The fight is at our doorstep. Shall we the beginning; over the next six weeks, Bennett Kayser is a devoted teacher he supports many of the priorities of the let the folks who think collective bargain- members from the Valley to the Harbor, who, after decades in the classroom, Schools L.A. Students Deserve. He has ing equates to a special interest take over from the East to the West, will engage in brought his skills and experience to the been a key voice in the fight against em- the School Board? These are the same in- precinct walks and phone banks, talking School Board. He is a strong advocate for ployee layoffs and to protect our health dividuals who want to privatize public to voters about our endorsed candidates: the Schools L.A. Students Deserve and care. We need Dr. Vladovic’s expertise education for their own personal profit Scott Schmerelson, Bennett Kayser, and has fought for early education and ethnic on the School Board. and who don’t want to give students the Richard Vladovic. studies programs while opposing educa- How can you help? Adopt a phone lower class sizes and school resources they Scott Schmerelson is a lifelong edu- tor layoffs. Kayser faces a runoff against banking night. You can invite your col- need to succeed. They may outspend us, cator running against incumbent Tamar a charter school executive supported by leagues to one of our field offices or host they may say that giving us a contract will Galatzan—a chief proponent of the iPad business interests who do not share our a phone bank in a box (PBIB) at your local be bad for our students, and they may fiasco currently being investigated by the priorities. The simple truth is that Bennett restaurant. Walk your areas and talk to tell parents that we are against them. We Department of Justice. Formerly, Schmer- Kayser has the knowledge, record, and your neighbors about the importance of know their playbook. However, we have elson was a teacher, counselor, assistant commitment we need to win this race and the upcoming elections. See the box on this something better, and it will give us the principal, and site administrator. Schmer- has earned our support. page for how to sign up. Get involved and strength to beat them . . . “ YOU.” elson supports key elements of the School Dr. Richard Vladovic is a lifelong ed- let’s show the other side that our school Our collective strength stands as a true L.A. Students Deserve campaign and is a ucator who has dedicated his career to boards are not for sale. Harnessing our weapon against the forces of privatiza- strong advocate for small class sizes and student progress and ensuring the health collective strength will make all the differ- tion. At our last UTLA Area meeting, fully funded schools with counselors, li- and safety of our children. He’s served our ence in this tough challenge, and “YOU” members across LAUSD signed and brarians, and a nurse at every site. Scott community in many roles—as a teacher, are all we need. Let’s get a teacher-friendly School Board UTLA endorsements We need everyone’s help across UTLA to get our endorsed candidates elected: Bennett Kayser, Scott Schmerelson, and Richard Vladovic. for May 19 election LAUSD SCHOOL BOARD PHONE BANK IN A BOX LETTER-WRITING CAMPAIGN District 3 Scott Schmerelson We will supply you with cell phones, lists, We are sending District 5 and scripts to use. You need to find an off- personal letters to campus location—someone’s house or a local “highly likely voters.” Bennett Kayser restaurant. We will pay for the food at either We will provide you place ($10 per member limit)! If interested in with envelopes, District 7 this choice, contact Susan Douglas at (213) addresses, and “form” Dr. Richard Vladovic 368-6230 to set up the arrangements. letters, which you will sign. If interested in Vote by mail: Applying this choice, contact your Area Chair to set is quick and easy Voting by mail is the easiest way up the arrangements. to cast your ballot on May 19: Af- ter your application is received, a vote by mail ballot will be mailed to you, and you can either mail CAMPAIGN OFFICES – Precinct Walking back the ballot or drop it off at any polling place on Election Day. UTLA members will be walking neighborhoods in targeted areas to talk one-on-one Applying is quick and easy and with voters about our endorsed candidates. Come out and join us! can be competed online. DISTRICT 3: Schmerelson DISTRICT 5: Kayser DISTRICT 7: 18341 Sherman Way, #201A, 91335 Eagle Rock: 1577 Colorado Blvd., 90041 Vladovic Register to vote: http://registertovote.ca.gov Monday-Friday: 4-9 p.m. Cudahy: 7719 Otis Ave., 90201 To get engaged Deadline to register is May 4 Saturday-Sunday: 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Friday: 2-9 p.m. with this campaign, Contact: Shaun Henson Saturday-Sunday: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. contact Susan Douglas, Apply to vote by mail: (703) 216-1252 Contact: Javier Gonzalez UTLA Political Department, http://bit.ly/1x6E9VB [email protected] (213) 598-8907 • [email protected] (213) 368-6230. Deadline to apply is May 12

Paid for by Political Action Council of Educators, sponsored by Teachers Unions, including United Teachers Los Angeles. Not authorized 7 by a candidate or committee controlled by a candidate. BETTERsteps

Take control of your allergies Get an action plan Arm yourself with ways to People with common allergies often experience sneezing, manage your allergies: runny nose, and watery eyes for weeks and months at a time.

These symptoms can lead to asthma, which may present more Go with H2O. If you’re stuffed up serious problems. from seasonal allergies, drinking more water can thin mucus and help flush your system. Stay ahead of your allergy symptoms with prevention. Talk to your doctor about allergy testing to find out what your specific triggers Be flexible. Exercises like yoga can are. These can include tree or grass pollens, pet fur or dander, teach you breathing techniques to help control allergies and asthma. feathers, dust, and certain foods. Watch for signs. Don’t confuse cold Once you know what sets you off, take steps to adjust your lifestyle symptoms with allergies. Colds to avoid triggers. If you’re still feeling uncomfortable, there are usually last 7 to 10 days and can cause a fever. many over-the-counter medications that can relieve allergy and asthma symptoms. Ask your doctor for a recommendation.

Visit kp.org/bettersteps for some fresh perspective.

60197309 United Teacher • for the latest news: www.utla.net April 20, 2015

Health benefits tentative agreement

Big victory for health benefits New agreement secures coverage for two more years.

As a result of UTLA’s work with the at the table. other LAUSD employee unions and our LAUSD employees continue to be consistent organizing, the Health Bene- covered by a strong and reliable plan, fits Committee has reached an agreement and we have bucked the national trend with the District for a two-year extension to slash coverage and/or shift a greater of full funding for employee health care share of costs for premiums and co-pays benefits, with an option to extend ben- to employees. UTLA is one of the few efits for a third year. The School Board teacher unions in the state where members approved the agreement, which covers pay no monthly premium for individual or 2016 and 2017, at its April 14 meeting, family coverage and are eligible for life- and UTLA members will be voting on it time health care upon retirement, depend- at school sites in May (read the full text ing on length of service. Tens of thousands of the agreement on this page or online at of active and retired members rely on utla.net). Preserving our health care is a our health care package, and it serves big victory for UTLA and it clearly dem- as an effective employee retention and onstrates our organizing power. Thanks recruitment tool. go to School Board President Richard Vladovic for his passionate leadership on this issue. Negotiations for health benefits are separate from UTLA’s contract talks with LAUSD and are conducted jointly with all eight LAUSD employee unions through the Health Benefits Committee (HBC). The HBC, which was negoti- ated and established in 1993, is based on the idea that union representatives, working together, could make better decisions about benefits for employees than the previous District-led committee with token union representation. Having all the unions bargain together 2 for health care gives us added strength

1 3

9 United Teacher • for the latest news: www.utla.net April 20, 2015

and began her teaching career at a parochial also visited Mexico, Denmark, Germany, and Blanchette Middle School and gradu- elementary school the same year. By the Ireland, and England. She loved meeting ated from Hebert High School in 1959. Milestones time she transferred to teaching at LAUSD, people and sharing ideas, especially her While in high school she participated on she had obtained a bachelor’s degree from arts and crafts and ways to get children the cheerleading squad and was active in Passings CSUN in Spanish, a master’s degree in to participate in school. She showed us many other activities. She grew up attend- education from Mount St. Mary’s, and her not only by her actions but by her words ing Antioch Missionary Baptist Church elementary teaching credential. During her how to rise above any problem and to with her family and accepted Christ at an Gail Tazawa passed away on March 4 teaching career she continued her educa- persevere and that we could do anything early age. Theressa had big dreams and at the age of 67. In 2007, Gail retired after tion and received her specialist instruction and accomplish anything. she moved at a pace determined to get the more than 30 years of teaching at Dorris credential in Bilingual Crosscultural Educa- Lupe’s family was at her bedside when most out of life. She took pride in the fact Place Elementary School. Gail was pre- tion, resource specialist added authoriza- she passed away. As a single parent she that she was blessed to attend Tuskegee deceased by her parents, Roy Tsutomu tion, administrative services, and specialist raised six children. She is survived by her Institute in Alabama, which was one of the and Mary Tazawa. She is survived by instruction credential in special education. children, 16 grandchildren, and five great- historically black colleges. After graduating her sisters, Jeanne and Faye Tazawa, and She taught at many schools, among them grandchildren. She will be missed by all from Tuskegee, Theressa even taught there her nephew, James Tsutomu Matsuoka. A O’Melveny Elementary, Fenton Avenue, who knew and loved her. a few years. She left Alabama and returned private burial service was held on Monday, and San Fernando Middle School. Lupe back to Beaumont to teach at Hebert High March 16, at Rose Hills Memorial Park. retired in 1981, but she continued to volun- School for approximately a one-year span. teer, sharing her arts and crafts skills with Theressa then moved to Los Angeles, children and adults. California, to begin a long and satisfy- Over the past 29 years of her life, ing career as an educator. She invested in Lupe was a major supporter of the UTLA the lives of many children while in Los Christa McAuliffe Scholarship Fund, an Angeles by dedicating 51 years of her life all-volunteer organization that provides to her teaching career. She joined LAUSD scholarships to thousands of deserving in 1983 and over the years taught at Palms LAUSD students to help them continue Middle School, Audubon Middle School, their studies, increase their knowledge, Mann Middle School, Clay Middle School, and expand their abilities. Besides do- and Wilmington Middle School. nating to the Christa McAuliffe fund, As a UTLA member, Theressa was a she handmade table decorations for the tireless activist who participated in count- annual scholarship dinner. Lupe enjoyed less campaigns and volunteered in too that these students and their parents ap- many ways to list. She was the chapter preciated her efforts and they were able In memoriam: Theressa Sams chair at more than one school, while also to take them home as mementos of this serving on the House of Representatives, In memoriam: Lupe Callero prestigious event. Lupe will be honored Theressa Sams passed away on January the UTLA Election Committee, the PACE for her lifetime participation and commit- 23, leaving behind a deeply loved family, Committee, and the Harbor Area Steering Lupe Callero passed away on February 13. ment this May at the Christa McAuliffe colleagues, countless friends, and hun- Committee. Her colleagues knew her as Lupe graduated from Woodbury Scholarship Fund dinner. dreds of students. an extremely helpful and caring person, College, earning a secretarial degree, and Lupe was proud of her Mexican heritage Theressa Ann Sams was born November willing to fight for teachers’ rights and she worked as a legal secretary before she and encouraged others to be proud of their 15, 1941, in Prairie View, Texas, to Ezetter defend the contract. She always made time began teaching. She earned an AA degree heritage. She loved to travel and was able Tatman Sams and Earnell Sams Sr. Ther- for any coworker in need of UTLA help in psychology from Pierce College in 1964 to visit most of the states in the U.S. She essa attended Adams Elementary School (continued on page 26)

UTLA bulletin board

Upcoming meetings MAY 12 Unjustly Housed Teachers Committee: APRIL 29 3:05 p.m., UTLA building. UTLA House of Representatives: 6 p.m., UTLA building. The following committees also meet MAY 13 UTLA Area Meetings: See times and on the same day as the House of Rep- locations at utla.net. resentatives from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. (unless noted) in the UTLA building: Early Childhood Education Committee: Arts Education Committee, Asian-Pa- 7 p.m., UTLA building. cific Education, Bilingual Education Committee, Chicano/Latino Education, Gay & Lesbian Issues, Health & Human MAY 15 Services, Human Rights, Inner City, Adult and Occupational Education: Instructional Coaches, Kindergarten 5:30 p.m., UTLA building. Teachers, Library Professionals (4:45-6 p.m.), Middle Schools, Multi-Track/ Year-Round Schools, Non-Classroom/ MAY 20 Non-School Site, Options Committee, Elementary Committee: 4 p.m., UTLA Physical Education Action and Dance, building. Professional Rights & Responsibili- Secondary Committee: 4 p.m., UTLA ties, Pre-Retirement Issues, Salary & building. Finance, School/ Community Rela- tions, School Readiness Language De- African-American Education Commit- velopment Program, Secondary School tee: 4 p.m., UTLA building. Counselors, Special Education, Violence Prevention & School Safety, Women’s Capably Disabled Teachers Commit- Education. tee: 4 p.m., UTLA building. Substitute Committee General Meeting: UTLA building. PACE Committee: 6:30 p.m., UTLA building. MAY 11 The National Board Certified Teachers UTLA/NEA Service Center Council Standing Committee: For meeting dates Membership Meeting: UTLA building. please check calendar at www.utla.net.

10 United Teacher • for the latest news: www.utla.net April 20, 2015

Keeping track Chapter chair elections: How member democracy moves the union Plan for the future and nurture leadership by electing a three-member team.

column, I’ll share with you a few important changes in rules and procedures for the coming school year.

Building a deeper bench: All schools can elect three “chairs” One thing that I noticed in my many years as an Area chair, as well as a cluster leader assigned to help get chapter chairs, was that chapters that elected three people (a chapter chair, co-chair, and vice chair) usually didn’t have a problem finding a chapter chair. Members at schools that elected only one hardworking, committed person, year after year, were often left adrift when that one person retired, left By Daniel Barnhart the school, or got burned out trying to UTLA Secretary do everything for everybody else. Roles change, life happens, but the need for an Every spring, a time-honored tradi- organized leadership team at every school tion spreads throughout L.A., bringing won’t go away anytime soon. the promise of both new beginnings and When more people are involved in the These smiling faces belong to chapter chairs and UTLA leaders at the 2014 Leadership Confer- the renewal of time-honored customs union in a public and accountable way ence. The conference is where UTLA prepares newly elected chapter chairs, reconnects current and practices . . . . Just as the arrival of and have worked with a chapter chair to site leadership, and reinvigorates our veteran leaders. To have your school represented at the spring brings with it Dodgers’ opening share some of the work of building and 2015 conference in La Quinta, make sure to hold your chapter chair elections ASAP. day at Chavez Ravine, it also brings maintaining a strong chapter organization, chapter chair election season. Each year, there usually isn’t a “leadership crisis” every UTLA chapter renews our belief in when the chapter chair needs to step down in being prepared for unexpected changes Online PDF: Making reporting member democracy and local empower- or step back for a little while. Electing a or challenges down the road. election results easier ment by electing a chapter leadership three-part leadership team, with a chapter To facilitate this, the UTLA Constitu- One of the most time-intensive tasks team, headed by the chapter chair. In this chair leading the way, is a good investment tion Committee decided to allow schools I found as a cluster leader was tracking that don’t qualify for a co-chair (having down the actual paper “Notice of Chapter more than 80 members or being a year- Chair Election” forms for each chapter round school) to elect a second vice chair, in my cluster. Faxes get lost, papers get along with the existing vice chair posi- misplaced, and by the end of the school tion. Chapters can plan for the future year, it can be a real pain finding the form and nurture union leadership by filling and faxing it in to UTLA. But without that out all three positions and deciding how form (signed off by the Election Commit- to divvy up the work with the guidance tee chair—NOT the chapter chair), UTLA of the chapter chair. has no idea who was elected or whom to communicate with over the summer. Only members vote for chapter This year, in addition to making the form chair—joining on the spot is okay available online at utla.net/1516nocce, The privilege of voting for chapter chair the PDF form is now able to be submit- (or in any UTLA election) is reserved for ted electronically. Clicking “submit” (or those who are currently active members: emailing it to [email protected]) will eligible employees who have paid their transmit an electronic copy directly to the dues and signed a membership card. A UTLA Membership Department, which large number of your colleagues may be will then call the Election Committee paying full dues, but for one reason or chair to verify the details. Until UTLA another, don’t have a current member- can get a solid digital signature procedure ship card on file with UTLA. These folks in place, you can tell your election chair are listed as “02s” on the membership to expect a call from UTLA to confirm rosters that were handed out to all chapter the results. chairs at the April 8 Area meeting. All of the 02s have a little red dot next to their Leadership Conference 2015: names, meaning they have to join UTLA All chapter chairs invited by signing a membership card if they’d (if we know who you are!) like to help elect their chapter chair. One of the best ways to prepare newly elected chapter chairs, reconnect current site leadership, and reinvigorate our veteran leaders is to make sure we can all make it to the annual Leadership Con- Show Your Best Self ference. This year, the conference will be • College & Scholarship Application Consulting held in La Quinta, during the last weekend in July. To make sure every chapter chair • Essay Preparation • Interview Preparation gets invited in time to reserve a room, it’s Dr. Shirag Shemmassian crucial that we get the Notice of Chapter Chair Election form in as soon as possible. ♦ Ivy League Graduate ♦ NSF & Soros Fellow (323) 825-9374 Questions? Feel free to contact Dan for [email protected] questions or guidance on chapter chair www.shemmassianconsulting.com election and reporting issues at secre- [email protected]. 11 United Teacher • for the latest news: www.utla.net April 20, 2015

NEA & AFT affiliate actions Our voice at the state level Members represent UTLA in conventions, in Sacramento, and in the media.

A louder, stronger voice for ourselves.” The collective voice is powerful, and I am proud of the Alliance Educators uniting and I am proud of UTLA members who also unite to bring our voice for the Schools L.A. Students Deserve to the state level. In March, 31 UTLA-elected delegates con- vened with more than 500 teachers and school support staff in Manhattan Beach for the 73rd annual California Federation of Teachers (CFT) convention. This year’s theme of “Organize, Fight Back, Win the Future” laid out the challenges facing public education and how the CFT plans to respond to the anti-teacher, anti-union education reform agenda driven by corporate interests. UTLA delegates’ voices were heard in By Betty Forrester convention workshops and also as com- UTLA/AFT Vice President mittees worked on resolutions that were amended and taken to the floor of the Teachers, counselors, and education convention (see cft.org/governance/res- professionals from the Alliance College- olutions-and-policy for those that passed). Ready Public Schools united publicly Your voice will also be heard in another this month to begin forming a union to way: Many UTLA members were elected have a collective and effective voice in to two-year terms in representational posi- UTLA Elementary VP Juan Ramirez and UTLA member Matthew Kogan were honored at the decision-making process. As they put tions within the CFT state affiliate. They the CFT Convention with “Pride of the Union” awards for their outstanding work on union it in their community flyers, they believe will meet regularly with elected leaders issues. Jennie Duggan was also honored. “that this is the best way to achieve the from around the state to move issues and highest-quality learning environment for items important to you: president of the CFT. • Jennie Duggan as a dedicated unionist our students and working environment • Joshua Pechthalt was reelected as • I was reelected as a CFT vice president. for her work as UTLA/ AFT director and • Alex Caputo-Pearl was reelected as a as a delegate to the County Federation of CFT vice president. Labor and on the Asian Pacific American • Ingrid Gunnell was elected as EC Labor Alliance (APALA) Board. TK-12 Division southern vice president. • Juan Ramirez for his work as the CFT • John Perez was elected president of EC K-12 vice president focusing on bilin- the new Retired Council. gual and elementary issues and expand- PREPARE FOR DUAL When hard work has been done, some- ing UTLA influence in the Spanish media times recognition in the form of awards market. LANGUAGE INSTRUCTION is bestowed on members. The UTLA I am also very proud of the UTLA Com- Or Preliminary Administrative Services Credential (PASC) ur MA in Collaborative Educational Leadership members who were acknowledged this munications Department, which won While Earning Yo year with CFT “Pride of the Union” several CFT Communications Awards: awards were: • The UNITED TEACHER won first • Matthew Kogan for his outstanding place for best tabloid newspaper, and WHY FIELDING? work this year in political involvement, editor Kim Turner won first place for best ¡ Blend in-person and online learning from the “Repairs not iPads” to “Galatzan use of graphics (“Stages of Bargaining,” Be Gone” campaigns. with UTLA Secretary Dan Barnhart) and ¡ Join a cohort of like-minded students ¡ Customize your degree ESTATE PLANNING LEARN MORE TODAY Want to avoid probate? Don’t do it yourself. Let a fellow teacher be ¡ Register for an info session: your lawyer. Sheila Bayne is a full time www.fielding.edu/infosess teacher with LAUSD and has been an active member of the California Bar for over 25 years. ¡ Contact an admission advisor: Complete Estate Planning Package: 805.898.4026 n Living Trust [email protected] n Living Will/Advance Health Care Directives www.fielding.edu/UTLA n Power of Attorney n Trust Transfer Deeds n Pour-over Will and supporting documents APPLY NOW TO n Personal consultation START IN JUNE Discount for UTLA Members: $695 (A-B trust for spouses: $ 995) Also: n Bankruptcies n Evictions CONTACT THE LAW OFFICES OF SHEILA BAYNE at 310-435-8710 or e-mail: [email protected] Fielding is a nonprofit global leader in blended and online education and A debt relief agency is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). 12 United Teacher • for the latest news: www.utla.net April 20, 2015 second place for best news writing (“UTLA that voice. UTLA activists speak with and Kicks Organizing Into High Gear”). for you. We need to be loud and clear for • Webmaster Tammy Gann won first the Schools that L.A. Students Deserve. place for best website and best flyer (“Deasy Gang Wanted”) and second place for the best single effort (UTLA organiz- Taking our local issues ing video). to the state level This last list is of UTLA members who carry your opinions, policy, and concerns to the state level with other educators’ voices to develop CFT policy and legislation. Many UTLA members serve on CFT standing committees. Their work is reported out at UTLA/AFT 1021 meetings. • Julie Carson, Michelle Cohen, and Ernest Kettenring serve on the Adult Edu- cation Commission. • Megan Boyd and Robert Yorgason serve on the Career and Technical Educa- tion Committee. • Rosemary Lee serves on the Civil, UTLA/NEA Vice President Cecily Myart-Cruz testifies in Sacramento in support of Ethnic Human, and Woman’s Rights Committee. Studies Bill AB 101 at the Assembly Education Committee. The bill passed out of committee • Janet Davis, Brad Jones, Gregg Solko- on a 6-1 vote. vits, and Jennifer Villaryo serve on the Educational Issues Committee. By Cecily Myart-Cruz • Juan Ramirez serves on the English UTLA/NEA Vice President students and educators. We assert that every charter school educator Language Learners Committee. On March 25, UTLA Elementary Vice has the right to join the union without being • Jose Lara and Gloria Martinez serve I have often wondered what it meant President Juan Ramirez, UTLA Political intimidated or living in fear of retaliation on the Ethnic Minority Participation Lead- when I would read that union officials Director Oraiu Amoni, and I traveled to from charter school management. ership Committee. were visiting lawmakers in Sacramento Sacramento to truly discuss the needs of After the CTA news conference, I testi- • Sheri Pavelka and Yim Tam serve on while I was teaching in the classroom. I educators and students. We had three fied in front of the Education Committee the Labor in the Schools committee. always hoped that they were there talking key tasks for our day on the hill: meet for Assemblymember Luis Alejo’s bill, AB • John Perez serves on the Retirement about solutions to the problems I was with legislators, speak up at a CTA news 101, which would require all high schools Committee facing in my school: student discipline, conference on four charter school bills, to offer ethnic studies classes. • Ayesha Brooks and Mel House serve on obscene testing mandates, bully admin- and testify on AB 101 (Alejo), the ethnic In November, the LAUSD School Board the Safe and Non-Violent Schools Committee. istrators, cleanliness issues, cuts to key studies legislation. passed a motion making ethnic studies • Lucia Arias and Darrell Jones serve on programs, and the loss of educators. Leg- During our time in Sacramento, we a high school graduation requirement. the Special Education Committee. islators and School Board members alike met with Assemblymember Mike Gipson, That effort has been a labor of love for the Voices joined together and voices that should be concerned about these issues State Senator Ricardo Lara, and Assembly- Ethnic Studies Now Coalition of students, represent are what bring power. Non- and keep a fixed eye on the prize: improv- member Anthony Rendon. We discussed parents, community members, and UTLA union workers know this and fight for ing learning and teaching conditions for UTLA’s Schools Los Angeles Students members. Many people have helped push Deserve demands, and we asked each one this instrumental work forward and now to sign on to them. We then spoke in length it’s at the next level—the state. about the courageous efforts by the Alli- As the primary witness for this bill, ance College-Ready Public Schools charter I talked about why UTLA, CTA, and teachers to unionize, and we asked them LAUSD support ethnic studies in our to send a letter of support for them (read schools. Given California’s annual in- more about Alliance on page 4). crease in diversity, it is especially impor- We were invited by CTA to attend a tant that students build knowledge of the student-focused news conference to an- various racial and ethnic groups in our nounce four new bills—SB 322, SB 329, AB state. Incorporating ethnic studies courses Rate cuts, not cut-rate. 709, AB 787—that seek to increase charter into standard high school curriculum is school accountability and transparency a means to accomplish this. In doing so, and ensure unbiased access to all students. students gain a broader outlook on other In my remarks to the media, I ad- cultures while learning respect and toler- dressed the charter school movement in ance. Additionally, it provides students Los Angeles (there are 220 independent with the opportunity to learn about their charter schools in LAUSD, serving about respective culture in the context of Cali- We’ve Reduced Our Rates for California Educators. 100,000 students a year, and this number fornia’s history. increases 10 percent every year). I spoke I felt so proud that more than 30 stu- about why these bills are so important dents traveled to Sacramento to support to us and how they are common-sense AB 101 and to have their voices heard California Casualty is now offering LOWER RATES and BIGGER DISCOUNTS remedies that would address the impact about why they feel ethnic studies is an im- of new charter schools on neighborhood portant and needed aspect in high school. on bundled Auto & Home Insurance policies. You are eligible to take advantage of schools, insist that charter school govern- They brought up culture, diversity, toler- these unprecedented, members-only savings... even if you’ve quoted with us before. ing boards answer to the community, and ance, and how empowering it is to speak With our new lower rates, exclusive benefits and superior service, we are able ensure that the public has access to these up. The bill passed the Assembly Educa- to provide a value and peace of mind that are second to none. tax-funded schools. (Read more about the tion Committee on a 6-1 vote. bill specifics at cta.org under legislation.) As I flew back to Los Angeles that night, I also made it clear in my remarks that I reflected on the great work we were able teachers’ unions are in no way against to accomplish in Sacramento. UTLA has charter school educators. UTLA currently established itself as a political force and is represents more than 1,000 teachers in in- starting to build the critical bridges neces- Exclusive Member Benefits | Payment Skip Options | Vehicle Vandalism Deductible Waived* dependent charter schools. We value them sary to fulfill the promise of the Schools as educators and as proud union members. Los Angeles Students Deserve.

For a free coverage comparison, SPONSORED call 1-866-680-5139 Share your school’s good news! or visit www.CalCas.com/UTLA Send details on awards, honors, special ® events, and great schoolwide programs CA Lic#0041343 *Coverages described are subject to availability and eligibility. ©2014 California Casualty to [email protected]. 13 United Teacher • for the latest news: www.utla.net April 20, 2015

From the elementary VP Unions fight for immigrant rights UTLA is part of effort to bring the undocumented out of the shadows.

AFL-CIO has been a strong advocate sions, cut our health care, or undermine and firm supporter of immigration our right to organize. Workers are the reform that would bring immigrants victims of an economic system designed to cover DAPA. At these workshops we out of the shadows and protect workers’ to keep wages low so corporate profits help fill out forms, give information, and rights. Last November President Barack can grow higher. Just as labor unions did refer to attorneys when necessary. If you Obama used his authority to change a century ago, we will end this race to the are a teacher who feels that this is some- how immigration policy is implement- bottom by linking arms and standing up thing in which you want to participate, ed. He created a new Deferred Action together to demand something better for please see the box on this page or feel for Parents of Americans and Lawful all workers. free to contact me at [email protected]. Permanent Residents (DAPA) program As UTLA moves forward with our that would grant relief to approximately Schools L.A. Students Deserve cam- 5 million people, 1.5 million of which paign, we cannot forget that many of live in California. DAPA is in addition the people who could be eligible for Become an immigrant to a relief program announced earlier, immigration relief are parents of our justice ally the Deferred Action for Childhood Ar- students. These are the people with rivals (DACA) program, aimed at un- whom you have parent conferences, UTLA members can help stu- By Juan Ramirez documented students. these are the people who come to you dents, parents, and community UTLA Elementary Vice President The “We Rise!” organizing initiative and ask how to help their children do members to obtain benefits from will help labor unions to be prepared for better in school. As teachers, we want DACA (Deferred Action for Child- Last month, the AFL-CIO launched the next round in the struggle to ensure what’s good for our students, yet we hood Arrivals) and DAPA (Deferred a national immigration training plan, that all those who work for a living are know that many of the most pressing Action for Parents of Americans) “We Rise!” It is designed to reach, mo- afforded full rights and protections. issues are out of our hands. We know programs. We know there are a high bilize, and organize immigrant workers AFL-CIO President Richard L. Trumka that family issues affect our students’ number of undocumented students in their workplaces and in their commu- urged participants at the D.C. training learning conditions, and therefore, we in our classrooms who need ser- nities. More than 25 states were repre- not to forget unions’ complicated history need to be part of this immigration vices (one estimate is that one out sented at a kickoff event in Washington, when it comes to immigrant rights, with campaign. of every six students in LAUSD is D.C., and the American Federation of much of the negative focus in the past One of UTLA’s organizing goals undocumented). We are looking Teachers, which sent one of the biggest being on “immigrants are taking our is to build deeper relationships with for educators who want to support contingencies, invited me and UTLA jobs.” Now we know better, Trumka said. community and parents. There has undocumented students in the fol- Treasurer Arlene Inouye to attend. We know that immigrants did not move been so much bad press and so much lowing ways: As you may already know, the our plants overseas, take away our pen- misinformation that at times parents 1. Attend no-cost trainings to have been at odds with teachers. But learn how to refer youth and fami- it is time to change that culture. We lies for free legal services for DACA know that parents are an integral part and DAPA. of the Schools L.A. Students Deserve 2. Offer to host a free classroom DON’T JUST WORK campaign. presentation (flexible time frame) UTLA is working with other labor or parent center presentation from IN EDUCATION. unions and community-based organiza- one of our partners. tions to support parents and students to 3. Host an undocumented stu- realize the promise of the recent actions dents’ club or engage in other im- on immigration and to strengthen com- migrant justice activities. LEAD IT. munities where our members work and live. UTLA has been involved with Contact Arlene Inouye at ain- workshops at several sites to help eli- [email protected] or (213) 368-6218 gible students apply for DACA, and we if you are interested in the above. are working to expand these workshops

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From the treasurer Undocumented and unafraid: Henry’s story Immigration reform offers relief from deportations and fear.

rights organization. Through hardships, discrimination, and struggle, including forced incarceration during World War II, my family preserved. They taught me to be resilient and strong—like bamboo—and to “pay it forward” so that others could access the same opportunities in America. My family history was on my mind when I met Fremont High students Henry and Katherine at a training led by Asian Americans Advancing Justice, a large civil rights organization that provides services in multiple languages, including Spanish and seven Asian languages. The training was part of our collaborative Dream Allies project that prepares By Arlene Inouye youth to make classroom presentations UTLA Treasurer about DACA (Deferred Action for Child- hood Arrivals), DAPA (Deferred Action My grandparents emigrated from Japan for Parents of Americans), and AB 60 (a nearly a century ago for a better life. My California law passed in 2013 that allows great uncle, Kinji Ushijima (known as undocumented to obtain special non-com- George Shima), was the first to emigrate. mercial driver’s licenses). Included with Fremont High students Henry and Katherine are active in the effort to help youth like themselves He became a farmer and later an activ- the 30 youth were educators, college stu- take advantage of new policies designed to provide relief to the undocumented. ist who appealed to Congress in 1920 for dents, and the staff of Advancing Justice. justice regarding a proposed initiative This all-day training session included that discriminated against the Japanese. sharing stories, an immigration overview sister, just a year apart, a junior and senior another older sister for two years because He generously gave out potatoes during and history, content about the issues, and at Fremont High School, who are undocu- they came to America to get a job and save the 1916 San Francisco earthquake and strategies to bring the information into mented students from El Salvador. I first money ($28,000 for four people) to bring became known as the “potato king” and our schools. heard Henry’s story in a small group over the rest of the family. Two years later, was the founder of the first Japanese civil Henry and Katherine are brother and sharing session. His experiences are similar 10-year-old Henry, with his father and to those of many of the youth who came two teenage brothers, made the danger- to the United States when they were in ous trek across the border. His journey elementary school. His story is probably included being separated at one point Earn Salary Points similar to that of students you have in from his father and two brothers when your classroom. he got on a bus with an unknown family, From the Comfort of Your Home Henry described what it was like to be while his siblings crossed by land and Convenient Online Professional Development Courses separated from his mother, Katherine, and (continued on page 36) Summer 2015 Spotlight on PSWs: One of many • 100% Online Courses HHS professionals in UTLA • Optional Blended Courses By Rosalayn Williams, PSW and Our desire is to foster students who are • Easy Online Payment is a service of the Chapter Chair, with contributions resilient, have a healthy sense of self, Center for Distance and Online Learning • Common Core ELA and from Cheryl Kono, PSW are able to develop positive relation- Mathematics Courses Classes Begin: June 12, 2015 ships with peers and adults, and can • Gain new strategies to teach An article in last month’s UNITED view themselves as capable of handling Registration Deadline: June 5, 2015 literacy to K-8 English Learners TEACHER looked at the many categories life’s stressors. • Improve student learning with new of health and human services professionals Research has shown that students strategies for middle school and high school mathematics in LAUSD, from school psychologists and who receive school-based mental health nurses to pupil services and attendance services have higher grade-point aver- • Grades K-6 and 6-12 Academic counselors. These UTLA members are part ages, lower school absenteeism, de- Language courses of the school team to support student learn- creased incidences of suspension and ing and success. expulsion, increased graduation rates, All TeachStar Online Academy increased standardized test/proficiency courses are UTLA/LAUSD Who are psychiatric social scores, increased involvement in school, approved by the workers (PSWs)? and decreased involvement with the Salary Point Committee PSWs are masters-level trained thera- juvenile justice system. Register Today! pists who work for the school district through the School Mental Health What do we do and how do http://teachstar.lacoe.edu Program. Our purpose is to provide a we support our schools? For questions: 562-922-8852 $20 o positive connection between students, PSWs work in various programs, in- Each Summer 2015 Course their peers, family, school, and com- cluding school-based programs, where munity. We strive to support students services such as social skills groups, anger Coupon Expiration: June 12, 2015 Online Promo Code # 06122015 in developing strategies to successfully management groups, trauma-focused deal with problems, crises, and trau- cognitive behavior therapy groups, and Attach this coupon matic experiences that may be negative- school-wide positive behavior support with your registration ly influencing their ability to succeed in programs can be implemented. More school, home, and their communities. (continued on page 36)

15 United Teacher • for the latest news: www.utla.net April 20, 2015 Stull evaluation Q&A What to know before you go in for your final evaluation conference.

This is the time of the year when many to provide an evaluation may jeopardize meeting the objectives and how you are date received and you may also appeal teachers receive Stull evaluations from their status). Permanent employees are following your administrator’s guidance. the matter to the cluster leader. their administrators. Before you go in for evaluated at least once every other year, your final evaluation conference, take a although legislation allows for teachers When should the administrator When should I receive my copy? look at this Q&A so you can be aware of with 10 years in a district to be evaluated issue the final evaluation report? You will be given a copy of the final your rights under the contract. The evalu- every five years if they have received a Your administrator must issue your evaluation at the conference. ation process has seen some changes re- “meets or exceeds standards” evaluation. final evaluation report not less than 30 cently because of the Supplemental Agree- The Supplemental Agreement reached days before the last regularly sched- I don’t agree with my evaluation. ment reached in 2012 between LAUSD and with LAUSD contains a provision that uled school day of your scheduled Can I file a grievance? UTLA, but the Stull process and Article X calls for LAUSD to take advantage of work year. If you are issued a “below You have the right to grieve within (Evaluation and Discipline) of our contract this law and grant extensions of the time standard” evaluation, your admin- 15 working days if you receive a “below have not changed and will be enforced. between evaluations. This longer evalu- istrator shall specifically describe in standard” evaluation or if your evalua- Note on TGDC: The new contract agree- ation period requires the consent of both writing the area of “below standard” tion is “meets standards” but there is a ment, if approved by UTLA members and the evaluator and the employee. performance with recommendations significant disparity between the rating the School Board, would make changes to for improvement and the assistance and the negative comments on the form. TGDC for 2015-16, and the program would Is the administrator required to given and to be given. You should talk to your UTLA Area repre- eventually be replaced by a new jointly have a conference with me? sentative if you believe such a “significant developed educator support program by If you are being evaluated this year, Should I take my UTLA disparity” exists on your evaluation. 2016-2017. Read more on pages 2 and 17. your administrator should have worked representative to the final with you early in the school year to estab- evaluation conference? I don’t agree with my evaluation Who receives Stull evaluations lish your objectives for the year. During If your administrator intends to issue and I’m filing a grievance. Should I and how often? the year, your administrator should have a “below standard” evaluation, you attach a response within ten days? Probationary and permanent teachers been observing your teaching and confer- must be informed of that intent and If you are filing a grievance, don’t receive Stull evaluations. Limited-term ring with you. If problems were identified, given the opportunity to be accompa- attach a response. Talk to your Area rep- personnel (such as provisional contract, within four working days of the confer- nied by your chapter chair (or by any resentative first. substitute of more than 20 days, or a ence you should have been given a copy other person as long as that person is probationary, conditional, or temporary of written records relating to observations, not a representative of another employ- Where can I find contract employee assigned on March advisory conferences, and assistance ee organization). more information? 1 or thereafter) and nontenured adult offered or given. These are warnings that This is a summary of the contract lan- education teachers are evaluated on the you must improve your performance. Should I sign a Stull evaluation guage plus some tips on how to protect District’s Form 1022. This article covers when I don’t agree? yourself. For complete information regard- only Stull evaluations. Probationary em- Should I answer written warnings? Your signature is required and does not ing the Stull process, see Article X of the ployees are required by state ed code to be Answer conference summaries. Be mean you agree. You may attach a written contract (posted at utla.net; look under evaluated at least once each year (failure brief and to the point. Show how you are response within ten working days from “Contracts/Negotiations”).

16 United Teacher • for the latest news: www.utla.net April 20, 2015

Tentative agreement Summary of UTLA-LAUSD tentative agreements

TENTATIVE HEALTH than the caps. For example, while a few approved local waivers mentioned (37); Desegregated/Receiver BENEFITS AGREEMENT hundred TK-3 classes this school year above. It will also explore how to Academic (43) For the full text of the agreement, see page 9. (2014-2015) have contained between address issues such as split-grade »» Grades 6-8: PHBAO & Desegre- 25-27 students, the District has kept level rosters at the elementary levels. gated/Receiver Non-Academic The Health Benefits Committee, com- the average at schools to 24 students • Section 1.5 of the class-size article (46) prised of representatives from all unions per class. With the TK-3 average of 24 has been changed. Over the years, »» Grades 9-10: PHBAO Academic within LAUSD, and District representa- and the cap of 27 now in the contract, Section 1.5 has given LAUSD author- (37); Desegregated/Receiver tives reached an agreement to extend fully we can expect the same—some classes ity to completely ignore the class-size Academic (43) funded health care benefits for UTLA that exceed 24 so that schools can have article when the District unilaterally »» Grades 9-10: PHBAO & Desegre- members and all our LAUSD labor part- the flexibility, for example, to avoid declares a fiscal emergency. With the gated/Receiver Non-Academic ners. The LAUSD School Board approved split-grade-level classes, but no classes new rewritten language, the District (46) this on April 14. Benefits have been extend- higher than 27, the vast majority of retains this ultimate authority, but »» Grades 11-12: PHBAO and ed for the period 2016-2017 (full calendar classes at 24, and the ability to grieve it must now go through a process Desegregated/Receiver(46) years), with a possibility of an extension if the cap of 27 is exceeded. The District of meeting with UTLA to provide a to a third calendar year (through 2018). has done far worse on maintaining rationale and summarize applicable • The problem-solving process estab- LAUSD continues to be one of the few averages and caps at many other grade budget issues, etc., which will give us lished in the contract (see above) districts to provide health care benefits levels this year, and in years previ- the opportunity to organize publicly also applies in 2015-2016. It allows without any employee or retiree contribu- ous—these contractual class-size caps against any District moves toward schools, through stakeholder meet- tion to premiums. are a big step. Overall, while we must class-size increases. This process was ings and a possible school-based continue our struggle to lower aver- used to reach agreement for the 2015- waiver, to exceed class-size averages TENTATIVE COLLECTIVE ages and caps over the next years, we 2016 Memorandum of Understanding if they find it necessary (see above for BARGAINING AGREEMENT have achieved a critical first step in on Class Size, Ratios, and Displaced examples). Members also maintain The full text of the agreement begins on page 18. getting the following class-size caps Educators that is described in the next their right to utilize the grievance in the contract: section. procedures. Salary »» Grades TK-3: PHBAO & Deseg- • The class-size article will be reopened • A process has been outlined to assign regated/Receiver (27) for negotiations in both 2015-2016 and all displaced educators to positions. • 10% ongoing salary increase for the »» Grades 4-5: PHBAO (30); Deseg- 2016-2017. It includes efforts to accommodate 2014-2015 and 2015-2016 school years. regated/Receiver (36) employee requests, and includes • The 10% ongoing increase will be »» Grades 6-8: PHBAO Academic 2015-2016 Memorandum of Understanding the primary objective of placing phased in with: (30); Desegregated/Receiver on Class Size, Ratios, and Displaced Educators educators in geographic proximity »» 4% retroactive increase, effective Academic (36) to where they had been previously July 1, 2014. »» Grades 6-8: PHBAO & Desegre- • An additional $13 million has been assigned. There will be an extended »» 2% retroactive increase, effective gated/Receiver Non-Academic directed to 8th- and 9th-grade English time period for interviews, followed January 1, 2015. (39) and math classes to reduce class size by a mandatory placement period »» 2% increase, effective July 1, »» Grades 9-10: PHBAO Academic by 2 students per class. for those not finding an assignment 2015. (30); Desegregated/Receiver • An additional $13 million will go through the interview process. Cur- »» 2% increase, effective January Academic (36) toward increasing secondary school rently displaced teachers will have 1, 2016. »» Grades 9-10: PHBAO & Desegre- counseling services, in order to attain the right to one refusal of an assign- »» These increases will compound gated/Receiver Non-Academic the newly established 500-to-1 stu- ment. Members may grieve viola- upon one another, so the in- (39) dent-to-counselor ratio in the contract. tions of the process. pocket increases over 2014-2015 »» Grades 11-12: PHBAO and De- • A Health Services Task Force has been and 2015-2016 will be over 10%. segregated/Receiver(39) established, including LAUSD, UTLA, Temporary Reassignments Pending In- »» Retroactive checks for the July • A problem-solving process is out- parent, and community representa- vestigation (Addressing “Teacher Jail” 2014 and January 2015 increases lined that allows members to grieve tives, to explore increasing health ser- and “Housed Employees”) will be processed upon ratifica- violations of the class-size caps, vices to students, including social, tion by our members and the which is unprecedented. The process emotional, and physical health. • A new contractual article has been LAUSD School Board also outlines how members can work • Under Section 1.5 of the class size established, entitled “Temporary Re- • Automatic reopener for additional collaboratively with administrators article, the District declared a assignments Pending Investigation.” salary bargaining in 2016-2017. at the site, with educators at the core fiscal emergency for 2015-2016. In • A top-level meeting will be held of the decision-making, to attain this year’s cycle of bargaining that at least once per month including Class Size, Ratios, Health and Human local waivers to voluntarily violate just concluded, we engaged in the a UTLA Officer or the Executive Services, and Displaced Educators the class-size caps if the school finds “1.5 process” now required by the Director, and the LAUSD Chief it necessary to do so (if, for example, contract (see above). Through that Human Resources Officer, to report Article XVIII on Class Size an elementary school finds that kind process, we established averages on and discuss the status and dura- • For the first time, a TK-3 class size of move necessary to avoid a split and caps for 2015-2016 that are dif- tion of investigations of reassigned average has been established contrac- grade-level class, or a high school ferent from those in the contract. employees. tually at 24. We are among very few finds it must do this in order to These levels for 2015-2016 are not • Definitions have been clarified. Tem- unions across the state that have won adjust to include another elective permanent. Caps and averages will porary reassignments will be con- this firm contract language. or AP class). return to the new levels in our considered only when “allegations give • Other class-size averages across all • For the first time, a 500-to-1 student- tract unless the District opts to utilize rise to concerns about student, staff grade levels have been established to-secondary counselor ratio goal has Section 1.5 for 2016-2017, at which or workplace safety and security.” and clarified in an easy-to-use chart been established in the contract, affect- point they’ll be required to meet and Further, the new contract article states (see agreement). ing middle and high schools. discuss the caps and averages for that that “if the alleged misconduct, even • For the first time, definitive class-size • A Class Size Task Force, previous- year with UTLA. UTLA will be able to if true, would not give rise to such caps have been established in the ly established in the contract but get input from members and parents concerns, the employee under inves- contract. Caps have been established dormant for many years, has been before those discussions occur, and tigation is to remain assigned at the using a formula where the cap is 3 rejuvenated and strengthened. It will we will have the opportunity to or- site during the investigation.” students above the average for each include UTLA and LAUSD repre- ganize against any negative changes. • Timelines have been clarified. In the school type/grade level category. A sentatives, and will meet monthly The following caps are for 2015-2016, event of a reassignment, “the em- cap does not mean that classes should to monitor class sizes, health and again with averages being 3 students ployee shall within 3 work days be be at the numerical level of the cap. In human services ratios, and special below the cap in each case: notified in writing of the reasons for fact, it means the opposite of that—it education caseloads. The Task »» Grades TK-3: PHBAO & Deseg- the reassignment.” LAUSD and UTLA means that very few classes can be at Force will explore further reduc- regated/Receiver (27) agree that investigations of reassigned that cap level, because schools need to tions in class sizes and ratios, and »» Grades 4-5: PHBAO (34); Deseg- employees “should be completed as maintain the averages that are in the will report regularly to the LAUSD regated/Receiver (39) quickly as practicable, with a goal of contract and are substantially lower superintendent. It will review all »» Grades 6-8: PHBAO Academic (continued on page 18) 17 United Teacher • for the latest news: www.utla.net April 20, 2015 Tentative agreement

90 work days.” Further, “within 15 cycle and informal growth plan service reports, they are accompanied the issue before it goes into a griev- work days following the completion visit. Educators will have the by UTLA representation. ance processing timeline that has his- of the investigation, the District will option of having two formal torically taken a long time. This also, determine next steps, and notify the observation cycles and growth Grievances again, focuses accountability on the employee of the results of the investi- plan visits if mutually agreed to responsible administrator. gation and of any impacts upon their with the evaluator, but it will be • Provisions have been included in the reassigned status.” strictly voluntary. contract to expedite problem-solving Term of Agreement • For those temporarily reassigned and »» Lesson, mid-year, and year-end around potential grievances and to then returned to work, the employee reflections will be optional. allow for our own on-the-ground or- • This is a three-year contract, typical will be assigned to their previous posi- »» There will be three levels in the ganizing to push for resolutions to for UTLA and other teacher union tion, or to a comparable position in the final evaluation: exceeds stan- potential grievances. contracts, covering July 1, 2014, to same education service area. dards, meets standards, and • An informal conference between the June 30, 2017. below standard. “Meets stan- grievant and the administrator will • There are 2015-2016 reopeners on 2015-2016 Memorandum of Understand- dard” will not be treated the now be mandatory, within 20 days of Evaluation and Class Size. ing on TGDC and Educator Develop- same as “below standard” for an incident, and a written administra- • There are 2016-2017 reopeners on ment, Support, and Evaluation Matters the purposes of anything in the tive response must be provided within Salary, Class Size, and three additional contract, including discipline or 5 days after the informal conference. articles each for UTLA and LAUSD. • LAUSD and UTLA will jointly create skipping criteria in a Reduction Through this, administrators who are • In order to begin bargaining in a a new support, development, and in Force. immediately responsible for the issue timely way for our full contract evaluation system to replace TGDC »» There will be three levels in ob- will now be held accountable. renewal in June 2017 and in order at the beginning of the 2016-2017 servations: effective, developing, • Formal grievances must now be filed for that bargaining to be driven by school year. and ineffective. within 30 days of the act or omission genuine input from members, parents, • 2015-2016 will be a transition year, »» We will continue to have the that led to the grievance, instead of and the community, we will need to during which negotiations (contract ability to grieve final evalu- 15 days. This allows more time for begin a dialogue about the full con- reopener) will take place on the cre- ations, and ability to grieve organizing at the work site to resolve tract renewal in the coming months. ation of the new system for 2016-2017 significant disparities between and beyond. observation ratings and final • For the 2015-2016 transition year, evaluations. there will be a dramatic reduction in MEMBER VOTING workload, which was our members’ Substitute’s Right to Representation number one concern about TGDC. The • Voting at school sites May 1 to 7 (any three consecutive days) 2015-2016 transition year will include • New language has been included in the following (only for that year): Article X, Section 7.0, which assists in • Ballots counted and results announced May 8. »» There will be only one, rather assuring that, in situations where sub- than two, formal observation stitute educators receive inadequate

– TEXT OF THE TENTATIVE AGREEMENT –

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1 Salary Point 2 Salary Points 1 Salary Point 3 Salary Points United Teacher • for the latest news: www.utla.net April 20, 2015 Practical matters: Filing for retirement Steps to take for a smooth transition.

By Judith Bruner tion due to a reduction in school funds. by December 31, 2010, will not be eligible retirement contribution withheld from UTLA Compensation Upon certification from your employer, for the bonus. The bill that authorized the your paycheck or in your retirement al- and Benefits Specialist CalSTRS will use any three nonconsecu- bonus expired on that date. lowance. That one-quarter contribution, tive school years to determine final com- For those with 25 or more years of which was designed to help build up the Planning to retire? It is important to pensation. CalSTRS will automatically service credit, final compensation (part account, ceased as of January 1, 2010, understand the steps you need to take for determine your final compensation by of the formula used to calculate the re- but contributions from your expanded a smooth transition. searching your past 15 years of records. If tirement allowance) will be based on the creditable compensation and service will you are retiring with 25 or more years of single highest period of 12 consecutive continue to be deposited in the supple- Step 1: Meet with STRS service credit, the three-year average will months of compensation. For those with ment account. A CalSTRS member may Essential to beginning this process is a not apply to you. Your highest single-year fewer than 25 years of service credit, not earn more than one year of service phone call to the STRS Regional Counsel- average will be used in determining your final compensation will be based on the credit in the Defined Benefit Plan even ing Center to make an appointment for an annual pension compensation. highest average earnable compensation with the new expanded contributions. interview. CalSTRS has a member service You may also wish to download the during any period of 36 consecutive Contributions from service in excess of center in Glendale at 505 N. Brand Blvd., entire 2014 CalSTRS Member Handbook months of paid employment covered one year are credited to the Supplement Suite 200, Glendale, CA 91203. Call the main by logging onto the above website and by CalSTRS. Account. CalSTRS number at (800) 228-5453, ext. 3, clicking on “Site Map” listing under the With the expansion of creditable The California Public Employees’ to set up a counseling session. You can also red banner. Scroll down to “Member compensation in July 2002, members of Pension Reform Act of 2013 made changes log onto the newly redesigned CalSTRS Benefit Information” and click on 2014 CalSTRS earn service credit on extra as- that primarily affect CalSTRS members website at www.calstrs.com. You may also “Member Handbook.” You can also down- signments. Participants and the school who were hired on or after January 1, 2013. wish to contact a local office of the Social load individual sections from this site. district pay contributions on compensa- A breakdown of the changes is included Security Administration (800-772-1213) to tion from that service. AB 2700 expanded in the 2014 Member Handbook available determine if you might be eligible for ben- Step 2: Learn about legislative the definition of what can be counted as on the CalSTRS website. efits as a result of non-teacher employment improvements to benefits creditable compensation and service to for you or your spouse. Make sure that you Benefit enhancements that began in 2000 include income from working summer Step 3: Follow the mention you will be receiving a California include a monthly longevity bonus for school and intersession, department retirement checklist State Teachers Retirement pension, as there those who retired after January 1, 2001, chair stipends, allowances, and pay-for- Assuming June 30 resignation and July is still a government pension offset against and earned 30 or more years of service performance bonuses. Service in and 1 retirement, here is your checklist: any Social Security benefits for which you credit by December 31, 2010. For those with compensation from these activities are • Contact LAUSD Certificated Place- may be eligible. no beneficiary option 30 years of service credited to your Defined Benefit Supple- ment Unit at (213) 241-5100 to request a Be aware that the past years’ furlough credit adds an additional $200 a month, 31 ment Account created by AB 1509. The retirement packet. This is very important, days could affect your retirement. For years adds $300, and 32 years adds $400 Defined Benefit Supplement Account because the LAUSD packet contains both STRS retirement calculations, nonconsecu- (which is the maximum). For those with became effective January 1, 2001. To district resignation to retire and health tive final compensation (instead of highest a beneficiary option, the bonus is reduced begin with, one-quarter of your monthly benefits continuation forms. one-year or three-year final compensation) based on the option elected. Those partici- CalSTRS contribution was deposited into • Follow the directions in the packet to is available if you received a salary reduc- pants who do not have 30 years of service this account without any change in the mail completed forms no earlier than six

MILESTONES (continued from page 10) Achievements and advice. Theressa always fought for MICHAEL what was right and often was able to get Kids of the Earth Songs for the Green Generation RYTHER things done by thinking out of the box. She was a very passionate traveler and traveled to many different places around the world. Her desire was to dedicate her life to making a difference in the education system and to explore this beautiful world. Therefore, Theressa never married or had children, but loved all of her nieces and nephews dearly. Theressa leaves to cherish her precious memories four brothers and four sisters, Burnett Hughes of Chattanooga, Tennessee, Ex Kano Sams of Los Angeles, California, Margie LeBlanc of Beaumont, The new album Kids of the Earth: Songs Texas, Delores Marie Williams (Harold) of for the Green Generation was inspired by Beaumont, Texas, Henry Don Harper (Mae) teacher Michael Ryther’s students. of Austin, Texas, Curtis Wayne Harper of Beaumont, Texas, Judy Yvonne Merlin Bibbins (Curtis) of Beaumont, Texas, and LAUSD elementary teacher and singer/ Billy Ray Harper (Karen) of Beaumont, songwriter Michael Ryther has released a Texas. Theressa also leaves to cherish her new album, Kids of the Earth: Songs for the memories a host of nieces and nephews, Green Generation, that was inspired by his Venice High juniors Bellen Teferi (left) and Danielle Asenas (right) took silver and gold in the Skills- family members, and friends. students. An elementary teacher as well USA Graphic Communications Regional Competition held at L.A. Trade Tech College in January. as a musician, Ryther wrote the songs to Open Your Own Learning enhance his students’ ecology unit. His Center or Reading Clinic! first graders were learning about ecosys- about the album, Earth Day lessons, and competition consisted of a written exam Teach at home or open an office. You’ll become a tems, life cycles, conservation, and explor- to hear two songs from the album visit in graphic communications, a resume, an Reading Instruction Specialist and teach EVERY ing what it means to be caretakers of the www.michaelrythermusic.com. interview, and a project demonstration. student to read. World’s first and only actual planet. When he saw how much the songs step-by-step protocol. Fastest, easiest, most effective methodology. Teach all subjects or just excited and motivated them, he wrote more. Two graphics students from Art Lindau- To submit an item: Send details to Mile- reading. P/T after school or F/T. Michael and his band will be perform- er’s SuperShop at Venice High, juniors Dan- stones, UNITED TEACHER, 3303 Wilshire • Earn $60-$300+ per hour ing the songs from Kids of the Earth at a ielle Asenas and Bellen Teferi, took gold Blvd., 10th Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90010 • Huge demand-easy to learn community Earth Day event at Center for and silver in the SkillsUSA Graphic Com- or [email protected]. Material must ar- • Low cost, why pay $100k+? the Arts Eagle Rock, April 26, 3 p.m. For munications Regional Competition held at rive at least three weeks before publication • 250+ centers worldwide Check our website then call for a free packet more information about the Earth Day L.A. Trade Tech College in January. Asenas date, and please include a daytime phone www.AcademicAssociates.org event, visit Center for the Arts Eagle Rock and possibly Teferi will move on to the state number. Photos welcomed. We reserve the 800.550.9194 (http://cfaer.org). For more information competition in San Diego this spring. The right to edit text for length and clarity. 26 United Teacher • for the latest news: www.utla.net April 20, 2015

months prior to retirement and no later Benefit Report). than the last day of the month in which Think twice about midyear retirement; I your retirement is to become effective. It do not recommend it. If employees do not All LAUSD teachers are invited to take ANY of the is best to mail the application by certified serve the entire contract year, they will not mail; that way you know it has been re- have earned their annualized salary and 6-hour workshops that cover a variety of topics: ceived. will find that they have been overpaid as ABCs of Student Engagement June 11 • If you wish direct deposit of your STRS a result and owe money back to LAUSD. allowance, fill out the form that comes with • For information about continued Building Strong Connections June 23 the packet and include it with your ap- medical/dental/vision coverage, contact plication. LAUSD Benefits Administration at (213) Classroom Management June 16 • Complete the beneficiary designation 241-4262. Be aware that certificated em- (always keep current on this item) with the ployees must meet service requirements Classroom Management Plus June 25 application. for lifetime healthcare benefits through • Obtain necessary documents such as LAUSD. You may wish to read Article XVI, Common Core Standards-Based Lesson Design NEW June 8, 16 verification of Option Beneficiary’s birth Health and Welfare, Section 4.0, of the Col- Designing Instruction for the English Learner June 15 date. lective Bargaining Agreement for informa- • The Express Benefit Report (to get tion on service requirements. Enrollment Interactive Student Notebooks Grades 4-12 June 17 service credit for unused full-pay illness) in Medicare Part A (hospitalization) and is sent to LAUSD Payroll Services Branch, Part B (physician benefit) is mandatory Literacy Strategies in the Common Core May 16 STRS Unit, 27th Floor, P.O. Box 513307— when a retiree or covered spouse reaches Terminal Annex, Los Angeles, CA 90051- age 65. Procedures are outlined in the open The Power of Presence June 26 1307. Please be aware that it is the respon- enrollment booklet that is issued each fall. Writing Instructional Objectives June 24 sibility of LAUSD to send this form on to I strongly recommend that you keep this 1 CalSTRS. booklet whether or not you plan to make After submitting completed paperwork, enrollment changes. It is an excellent All workshops can be applied STRS will mail an award letter detailing source of information. the monthly estimated allowance and toward Salary Point Credit! issue your first allowance check no later Step 4: Join UTLA-Retired Beaudry Building 333 S Beaudry Ave, LA, CA 90017 than 45 days after retirement, and often Retiring UTLA members are encour- sooner. STRS will send you adjustment aged to join UTLA-Retired to keep abreast Sign Up Through Learning Zone @ lz.lausd.net letter(s) over a period of months if it re- of developments in areas of interest to 1. Enter your Single Sign-On ceives additional information affecting you. Contact the UTLA Membership 2. Click on the “Courses Tab” your allowance, such as additional service Department at (213) 637-5142 or (213) 3. Click on the “Class Offerings” link credit due to accumulated unused full-pay 637-5158 to request information and an sick leave (see bullet above on Express 4. Choose “Peer Assistance and Review” in the Programs box application.

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16456.indd 1 2/20/15 1:33 27PM United Teacher • for the latest news: www.utla.net April 20, 2015 Conference focuses on educating African-American students 42nd annual community event is held by UTLA’s African-American Education Committee.

For more than four decades, the UTLA Core—and a panel discussion on “Ad- African-American Education Committee dressing Systems That Support or Hinder has held an annual conference so that Our Students.” Representatives from L.A. educators can discuss new solutions, school police, restorative justice programs, share best practices, and collaborate and community organizations Freedom with colleagues to make a difference School program, My Brother’s Keeper, and for African-American students. UpFest, along with LAUSD students, held This year’s conference—held at UTLA an engaging discussion with each other headquarters on February 6 and 7—kicked and the audience. off on Friday night with remarks from The AAEC Conference Committee is led School Board member George McKenna. by Janice M. Lee (chair) and C. Jerome Woods Saturday was devoted to workshops— (co-chair). The AAEC Committee chairperson including two sessions on Common is Dr. Frances Copeland.

UTLA support for housed teachers Many teachers continue to be the 6237, [email protected]) or UTLA victims of former superintendent John Treasurer Arlene Inouye (213-368-6218, School Board member Dr. George McKenna (above) Above: Music was provided by Deasy’s “teacher jail” system. Caught [email protected]). addressed participants (below) on the opening Friday Forbidden Fruit, with bandleader off guard and often falsely accused, Unjustly Housed Teachers Commit- night session of the two-day conference. Tony Lee. they languish and suffer alone, under tee: UTLA provides support, guid- house arrest and unsure of what to do. ance, and assistance to all rehoused Don’t be a victim of unfair job teachers through the Unjustly Housed actions and false charges. UTLA wants Teachers Committee. The committee you to know: You are not alone. We are meets monthly at the UTLA building. here for you. The next meeting is Tuesday, May 12, Call or email the UTLA officers listed from 3 to 5 p.m. in Room 904. The below and attend the Unjustly Housed UTLA building is located at 3303 Teachers Committee Meeting to get the Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90010 assistance and support you deserve. (213-487-5560). UTLA officer contacts: If you’ve been UTLA is ready, willing, and able to recently removed from the classroom, help its falsely accused and unfairly please contact UTLA Secondary Vice treated members. Make the call, attend President Colleen Schwab (213-368- the meeting, and let UTLA help you.

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Chapter chair elections Time to choose your site’s chapter chair Members will vote to fill positions for the 2015-16 school year.

By Daniel Barnhart In accordance with the UTLA Con- 1. Qualifications for Office, Voting policy “one principal, one chapter chair, UTLA Secretary stitution, each UTLA chapter shall hold and Challenged Ballots one chapter.” an election of chapter officers, including To be eligible to run for office, a person Any person who requests a ballot The annual election of a Chapter Chair Chapter Chair, each spring, and shall shall have to have been a member of UTLA but whose name does not appear on is a vitally important piece of ensuring that notify UTLA of the results no later than and at the same school site for at least two the UTLA-provided list, or whose code UTLA is a member-driven union, with May 16. If a chapter has a local consti- calendar months prior to balloting. indicates that that person is not a full democratically elected representatives in tution, which lists term of office as two To be eligible to vote a person shall have dues paying member of UTLA, or whose every chapter. Besides helping organize years, the chapter must still submit the to have been a member of UTLA, at the eligibility is challenged for any other their chapter, Chapter Chairs also defend name of the Chapter Chair to UTLA each same school site, and spend the majority of reason, shall vote a Challenged Ballot. professional rights, resolve conflicts with spring, indicating that the Chapter Chair his/her work time at that site, for at least Said ballot shall be placed in a sealed administration, and keep their members is serving in the first or second year of two calendar months prior to balloting, envelope with the person’s name and connected with UTLA. the term. A member who spends an equal amount employee number on the outside of the In the next few issues, UNITED Multi-track year-round chapters are to of time at two schools shall choose one envelope. The election committee shall TEACHER is publishing the rules for elect, on separate ballots, a Chapter Chair of the schools and will be entitled to one call the UTLA Membership Department Chapter Chair elections to help clarify and Co-Chair from a different track, so full vote. to verify the status of any individual who and guide this important election process. that all tracks are serviced by one of the Local Chapter Constitutions may in- votes a challenged ballot. Only those UTLA requests that each site make every chairs at all times. Single-track chap- crease the qualifications for office after a ballots cast by members who are verified effort to complete the election process no ters with more than 80 UTLA members secret ballot vote of all site members and as eligible to vote shall be counted. No later than May 12, 2015, so that incoming are also entitled to elect a Co-Chair. All approval by the Board of Directors. ballot shall be counted until all ballots Chapter Chairs can attend the May 13 schools may elect up to two Vice Chairs Magnet Schools, which share a site and have been verified. Area Meetings. who serve as assistants to the Chair and/ a principal, and wish to have a separate Invitations to the newly elected Chairs or Co-Chair without regard to track as- UTLA chapter, must hold a secret ballot 2. Election Responsibilities and Co-Chairs for the UTLA Leadership signment. vote to do so before the beginning of the of Current Chapter Chair Conference can only be extended if the Multi-track schools are mandated by nomination process for the election of the The Chapter Chair shall appoint a three- election is held and the form provided to the House of Representatives to conduct Chapter Chair at the regular site begins. member election committee, the members the current Chair is returned to UTLA no the election of the Chair & Co-Chair over The secret ballot election shall include all of which must be UTLA members (not fee later than May 14, 2015. a track change, if possible. (There may be UTLA members of the proposed chapter. payers) and must not be candidates for office. a run-off for the Chapter Chair running Chapters that have been separated through If there is no current Chapter Chair UTLA chapter chair election beyond the track change.) Please prepare a vote shall annually notify UTLA, through at the site, the election committee shall rules and duties well in advance to complete the entire their Chapter Chair, of their desire to consist of three volunteers who are UTLA The following are the rules for the elec- election at that time! Rule 3 letter (i) still remain a separate chapter. In general, members (not fee payers) and not candi- tion of UTLA Chapter Chair and Co-Chair. applies to year round schools. UTLA recognizes chapters based on the dates for office.

Officer and board travel expenses LIMITED SEATING AVAILABLE You are cordially invited A motion passed by the UTLA House of Rep- Arlene Inouye ($1,187). Figure includes ex- resentatives calls for a report to be published in penses for additional UTLA members. the UNITED TEACHER that lists all union-paid Purpose: The Network for Public Education is travel by UTLA officers and directors outside an advocacy group whose goal is to fight to protect of Los Angeles County. Below are the travel and strengthen the public school system by bringing expenses incurred from July 2014 to November together groups and organizations focused on similar 2014, with an explanation as to how the travel goals in states and districts throughout the nation. relates to UTLA business. CTA Summer Institute NEA RA 2014 Convention in Denver Attended by Cecily Myart-Cruz ($560) and to the The following officers and Board attend- Arlene Inouye ($395). th ees were reimbursed the maximum amount Purpose: The institute offers sessions in areas 16 Annual of $1,850 or less: that assist leaders in the day-to-day representation Federick Bertz, Ayde Bravo, Wendi Davis, and support of members. UTLA Platinum Apple Kelly Flores, Betty Forrester, Juanita Garcia, Awards Dinner Ingrid Gunnell, Arlene Inouye, Erika Jones, Conference on the Rights Blanca Mejia, Maria Miranda, Cecily Myart- Cruz, Alex Caputo-Pearl, Juan Ramirez, Elgin of Linguistic Minorities in Friday, May 15, 2015 San Francisco Scott, Steve Seal, and Mary Tello. 5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Purpose: At the RA, UTLA representatives join Attended by Juan Ramirez ($1,009). Figure in- delegates from across the country in debating on cludes expenses for additional UTLA members. motions and setting policy for the NEA, one of Purpose: The conference covered the ongoing Taix Restaurant UTLA’s national affiliates. impact of the Lau v. Nichols decision on bilingual 1911 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles (213) 484-1265 education rights. CTA Presidents’ Conference in San Jose ------Tear-off------Winner and one guest compliments of UTLA, all others $40 each. Please RSVP by mailing this form and a Attended by Alex Caputo-Pearl ($473) and Joint Ethnic Caucus Issues th check payable to UTLA Platinum Apple Awards to United Teachers Los Angeles, 3303 Wilshire Blvd., 10 Cecily Myart-Cruz ($1,596). Figure includes Conference in Sacramento Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90010, Attn: Princess Sykes by May 1, 2015. expenses for additional UTLA members. Attended by Arlene Inouye ($902) Purpose: The conference brings together chapter Purpose: To gain a greater understanding of what Name: ______Phone # (______) ______presidents from across the state for meetings and is happening within ethnic minority communities School Site/Company: ______Number of tickets: ______workshops. across the state and how to engage communities of Meal selection (specify how many): _____ Pot Roast of Beef _____ Salmon _____Penne Pasta (Veg.) color in united actions. List all guests’ names (including yourself) and meal selection. National Network for Public Education Name (First and last) Meal selection NOTE: Officers may travel to additional events Conference in Chicago 1. ______Attended by Alex Caputo-Pearl ($895) and at their own expense. Those trips are not listed here. 2. ______3. ______School Board elections May 19 4. ______Continue on the back, if necessary Amount enclosed $______Vote & Volunteer 30 United Teacher • for the latest news: www.utla.net April 20, 2015

The Chapter Chair shall request of {See (i)} etc.). Those members who are absent 4. Election Challenge UTLA the most current list of UTLA (d) Make the polling site accessible to all due to extended illness, must request Any active UTLA member at the site members at the site. If there is no Chapter eligible voters, and ensure that there is no an absentee ballot in sufficient time to who believes that any of these election Chair, a member of the election committee attempt to solicit votes in any form in the be voted and received back at the site procedures has been violated, shall have shall make the request. immediate vicinity of the balloting area. by the last day of balloting. 15 working days after the election results The Chapter Chair shall give this list (e) Verify membership status (03) of all Adult schools, with multiple sites, may are known to send a written challenge of members to the election committee for nominated candidates. conduct the voting by mail using the secret by US mail to the Chair of the UTLA their use. (f) Prepare a written ballot for contested ballot double-envelope return procedure. Constitution Committee, c/o UTLA If a site has six or fewer UTLA members, elections, with the names of the self-nomi- (k) Count the ballots at the time and Headquarters. Challenges may also the Chapter Chair shall appoint an elec- nated candidates. A candidate must win by a place indicated in the election timeline. instead be submitted via email if done tion committee of at least one member. In majority of the votes cast. (This may require a Any active UTLA member may witness so within 15 working days after the elec- the absence of a Chapter Chair, the entire runoff between the top two vote getters). If the the count. In case of a tie vote there shall tion results are known. However, the membership shall meet and decide who election is not contested, the self-nominated be a flip of a coin. member must first present the challenge shall conduct the election (preferably at candidate shall be declared elected. (l) Publish the results of the election and to the site election committee within five least two teachers). (g) Prepare a sealed secret ballot box to notify UTLA immediately on the official calendar days. If the rules were violated, The Chapter Chair shall give a copy of receive voted ballots. form provided by UTLA of those results the election committee should correct these rules to the election committee and (h) Indicate, on the UTLA-provided list (no later than May 16). the errors, even if that requires starting review all parts of it with them to make of members, those members who received (m) At this point, the election committee the election process over from the begin- certain they understand their responsi- a ballot, to insure that only one ballot is repeats steps a - j to elect a Co-Chair (multi- ning. Only those challenges that are not bilities. That ends the Chapter Chair’s given per member and only eligible active track year round schools and chapters with satisfactorily handled at the work site involvement in the process. UTLA members receive a ballot. more than 80 members) or vice chair at any should be forwarded to the Constitution (i) Permit voting for at least three school. If the candidates for co-chair or vice Committee. 3. Duties of the Election Committee school days to insure ample opportu- chair are not also candidates for Chapter As a result of any challenge to the elec- The election committee shall do the fol- nity for all members to vote. Year-round Chair both elections may be conducted at tion of a Chapter Chair, the UTLA Con- lowing: schools vote over a track change. This can the same time. stitution Committee may authorize the (a) Select a chairperson be done during “Buy-back” and Pupil (n) Secure all election materials for six election committee at the school site or the (b) Prepare a self-nominating form to Free days. Ballots shall be kept in the months to insure their availability in case Board of Directors’ members representing be distributed to all eligible active UTLA sealed secret ballot box, which shall be of a challenge to the election. the area in which the chapter is located, to members assigned to that site. (Mail to secured each day by the chair of the elec- (o) In secondary schools - within ten conduct a new election at the site. those off track). Nominations by a second tion committee. If all eligible members working days following the completion party in writing or orally are not to be ac- vote in fewer days than the number of of the Chapter Chair election, the chapter 5. Special Categories cepted. All nominations or withdrawals of days set aside for voting, the commit- shall vote on the Chapter Chair release Election of Chapter Chairs for special a submitted nomination must be in writing tee may declare the election completed time as described in Article IV, section 8.1 b categories pursuant to Article IV, Sec. 8.3 by the nominee. and count the ballots, after notifying & c of the current contract, in order to give of the UTLA/LAUSD contract, and the list (c) Publicize, in writing, to all members members of the time and location where the site an opportunity to adjust the master of itinerant groups entitled to their own the election timeline. The timeline shall the count will take place. schedule for the following school year. Shared Decision Making councils, shall be include the date and time upon which the (j) Mail a ballot to the address of In elementary schools - the release time overseen by the UTLA Constitution Com- self-nominating forms must be returned, record of any person who maintains election, pursuant to Article IV, section 8.1 mittee. Said Committee shall notice the the date, time, location of the election and active UTLA membership and is regu- a, b & c, shall take place within ten working election and its timeline in an article in the the procedures for counting the ballots. larly assigned to the site in question, days after it is known which specific teach- UNITED TEACHER. A self-nominating The timeline shall be sufficient to allow but who is absent from the site during ers’ work load will be directly affected by coupon shall be included with the article. for mailed ballots. the balloting period. (maternity leave, the operation of the plan. (continued on page 32)

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31 United Teacher • for the latest news: www.utla.net April 20, 2015

CHAPTER CHAIR ELECTIONS Speech and Language 7. Recall and any site-based management plans. (continued from page 31) Substitutes The local chapter shall have the right The UTLA Co-Chair (multi-track schools -Central Calling Area (1, 2, 3) to conduct a recall election of the elected or large schools) takes over all Chapter The election shall be conducted by mailed -North Calling Area (1, 2, 3, 4) Chapter Chair after a petition for cause by Chair duties only when the elected Chapter ballot. All categories with more than 80 -South Calling Area (1, 2, 3) 40% of the chapter members (see #1 Quali- Chair is off track and unavailable, absent, or UTLA members are entitled to elect a Traveling Art, Dance, Music Teachers fications for Office, Voting and Challenged at the request of the Chapter Chair. UTLA Co-Chair to assist the Chair in his or her Visually Handicapped Ballots) has been sent to the Constitution encourages all schools to elect a Vice Chair duties. The self-nominating coupon for Vocational Education Committee and verified. The petition to help the Chapter Chair and/or Co-Chair Chair shall include Co-Chair. Members of these special categories needs to include: Members’ printed names, to carry out the numerous responsibilities The categories are: Article IV 8.3 who are assigned the majority of their employee numbers and signatures. The assigned to them. This is an elected office. Adapted PE workweek to one site are also eligible to petition must state the reason for the recall. We also encourage each chapter to elect Audiometrists be voters at that site. If they are assigned The recall election itself will require an other chapter officers to assist the Chair Deaf and Hard of Hearing fulltime they are also eligible to be candi- affirmative vote of 50% plus one of the and/or Co-Chair such as Secretary, Trea- Educational Audiologists dates for office at that site. (See #1 line 3 members voting. If the Chapter Chair is surer, Social Chair, PACE Chair, etc. Elementary Counselors for members who spend an equal amount recalled, a new election would then be con- Elementary Literacy Coaches of time at two schools.) ducted. Both elections will follow UTLA’s 9. Reserved UTLA Rights Non-Public Schools election rules. The recall vote and the vote Inasmuch as the Chapter Chair is the Occupational and Physical Therapy 6. Term of Office for a new Chapter Chair may be conducted local legal representative of the union, the PH/PHH/LRE Counselors Unless otherwise indicated in the chap- at the same time. UTLA Board of Directors retains the right Psychiatric Social Workers ter’s own constitution and by-laws, the The Chapter Chair who is the subject of to remove Chapter Chairs for cause or Pupil Service & Attendance Counselors term of office of Chapter Chairs shall be the proposed recall shall have the right to malfeasance in office (i.e., failure to carry School Nurses one school year and shall begin on July challenge the sufficiency of the recall peti- out their legal duties and responsibilities School Psychologists 1 or when the election is completed, if tion prior to the conducting of any recall as outlined in the contract, the UTLA Con- Secondary Counselors after July 1. vote. The Chapter Chair must exercise this stitution, or any site-based management right within five (5) school days of his/her plans). If UTLA removes a Chapter Chair receipt of the petition. as outlined above, the UTLA Board of Di- rectors’ members representing the area in 8. Duties & Responsibilities of which the chapter is located, shall assist = SAVE THE DATE = Elected Chair and Co-Chair the chapter in the process of conducting As the local legal representative of a new election. Any chair removed from UTLA, the Chapter Chair shall be respon- office for cause, may appeal the decision 2015 UTLA sible for seeing to it that all UTLA business to the UTLA House of Representatives Leadership Conference at the local site is properly conducted ac- subsequent to an investigation and recom- cording to the contract, the UTLA Consti- mendation by the Constitution Committee. “Organizing for Power” tution, official UTLA policy as determined by the UTLA House of Representatives, Revised March 2015. La Quinta, July 31 to August 2 All chapter chairs, co-chairs, and vice chairs are strongly encouraged to attend. Special category chapter chair election Article IV, Section 8.3 of the UTLA/LAUSD Agreement provides for a chapter chair Districtwide for each major employment category that is not school-site based (one each except Substitutes, which may elect a total of 10: three each for Central and South Calling Areas and four for North Calling Area). These chapter chair categories are as listed: Adapted P.E., Audiometrists, Deaf and Hard of Hearing, Educational Audiologists, Elementary Counselors, Non-Public Schools, Elementary Literacy Coaches, Occupational and Physical Therapy, PH/PHH/LRE Counselors, Psychiatric Social Workers, Pupil Service and Attendance Counselors, School Nurses, School Psychologists, Secondary Counselors, Speech and Language, Substitutes Central Calling Area, Substitutes North Calling Area, Substitutes South Calling Area, Traveling Elementary Arts Teachers, Visually Handicapped, Vocational Education. Become a College Counselor Candidates for these chapter chair positions must be a current member of the non-school-based employment category listed and must self-nominate with this form; otherwise the positions will go unfilled. With our 7-course certificate—offered entirely online! Self-nomination forms must be returned to Daniel Barnhart @ UTLA, 3303 Wilshire Blvd., 10th Floor, Get the skills you need to counsel students and help them identify their Los Angeles, CA 90010, Attention: Constitution Committee, no later than April 24, 2015, at 5 p.m. If post-high school options. more than one person is nominated for a category, the election then will be carried out by ballot, mailed to the homes of all members of that category. The ballots shall be mailed on May 8, 2015, and must be received no later than 5 p.m., May 22, 2015. Anyone who is eligible to vote (i.e., a UTLA member of that category) but has not received a ballot must call Daniel Barnhart at UTLA at (213) 368-6244 by May 15, 2015, to request one. Please see UTLA Chapter Chair Elections and Duties in this UNITED TEACHER for further information regarding qualifications for this office, duties of the chapter chair, term of office, etc. Groups of 80 or more members may elect a co-chair to assist the chair as needed.

Name Employee Number

Address

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(Circle One) Candidate For: Chair Co-Chair

Ideal for: • Teachers & administrators working with secondary students Special category you would represent • High school & junior/middle school guidance counselors • Private & independent college counselors Substitutes Only: Calling Area Learn more. Visit uclaextension.edu/Counselor or call (310) 983-1181

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Office of Graduate Admission 10 Chester Place, Los Angeles, CA 90007 Tel 213.477.2800 • [email protected] www.msmu.edu/utla United Teacher • for the latest news: www.utla.net April 20, 2015 Two seats open on UTLA Board Elections to fill North Area and Valley East Area vacancies will be held at May 13 Area meeting.

UTLA has two vacancies on the Board of Directors implements UTLA policy and of Directors: One seat in the North Area oversees the operation of the union. (NEA) and one seat in Valley East (AFT). Interested members must fill out the Special North Area Board election To be eligible to run, you must be an declaration of intent form on this page and There is one vacancy on the North Area Board of Directors for an NEA seat. active member in good standing for two submit it to Tara Thomas, UTLA Election years and must work in the UTLA Area Committee, 3303 Wilshire Blvd., 10th Floor, Qualifications of candidates: Any person who has been an active member in you would represent. For the North Area Los Angeles, CA 90010. Voting will be held good standing for the past two years and who presents a Declaration of Intent seat, you must be affiliated with the NEA. at the May 13 North and Valley East Area to Run form to the Election Committee shall be eligible to run for any office for For the Valley East seat, you must be af- meetings and at the UTLA building and which he/she is qualified by affiliation or by category, provided that Area Board filiated with the AFT. The UTLA Board Valley East meeting from 7 to 8:30 p.m. of Directors candidates shall be principally employed at any site in the Area in which they are seeking election. Timeline for North and Valley East Should you wish to run for the seat, please fill out the coupon below and return it by Monday, May 4, 2015, at 5 p.m. to Tara Thomas, UTLA Elections Board of Directors special election Committee, 3303 Wilshire Blvd., 12th floor, Los Angeles, CA 90010. The current UTLA Election Rules apply to this election. April 20: Declaration of candidacy forms published in the April 20 Declaration of Intent UNITED TEACHER. I, May 4: Deadline to file Declaration of Intent to Run form; due by 5 p.m. (print name as you would like it to appear on ballot) Candidates choose ballot order and candidate orientation at 5:30 p.m. do hereby declare my intention to run for the office of North Area NEA Board of May 13: Voting takes place at the North Area and Valley East Area Directors meetings. There will also be voting at UTLA and the Valley East meet- Employee number: ing site from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Home address: May 14: Ballots counted at 4:30 p.m. Results will be posted at utla.net Email: as soon as possible. Financial disclosure forms due to Tara Thomas by 5 p.m. School: July 17: Results and financial disclosure forms printed in the UNITED School phone: TEACHER. To the best of my knowledge, all of the above statements are true. I am an NEA member. Note: There will be an election to fill a vacancy on the Board of Directors for Early Childhood Education Center members. Details and declaration of candidacy forms will be in the May 15 UT. Signature date The Declaration of Intent to Run form must be filed by 5 p.m., Monday, May 4, 2015.

PHONICS FOR LATINOS

ABCs IN COMMON Special Valley East Area Board election Sounds they know There is one vacancy on the Valley East Area Board of Directors for an AFT seat. — FREE POSTER! — Qualifications of candidates: Any person who has been an active member in good standing for the past two years and who presents a Declaration of Intent ENG/SPAN COGNATES BICYCLE (bicicleta) BOAT (barco) TIGER (tigre) to Run form to the Election Committee shall be eligible to run for any office for which he/she is qualified by affiliation or by category, provided that Area Board AVOID ABC MIX-UPS of Directors candidates shall be principally employed at any site in the Area in BEAR (oso) BIRD (pajaro) MONEY (dinero) which they are seeking election.

ABC CAUTION Should you wish to run for the seat, please fill out the coupon below and www.phonicsforlatinos -abcsincommon.com return it by Monday, May 4, 2015, at 5 p.m. to Tara Thomas, UTLA Elections

(310) 836 -6730 Committee, 3303 Wilshire Blvd., 12th floor, Los Angeles, CA 90010. The current UTLA Election Rules apply to this election.

Declaration of Intent Are you a public school teacher seeking an ESL assignment? Do you want to teach English internationally? I, (print name as you would like it to appear on ballot) Charter College of Education do hereby declare my intention to run for the office of Valley East Area AFT Board www.calstatela.edu/academic/ccoe of Directors Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) Employee number: Master of Arts Program Home address:

 Geared toward K-12 and adult school educators Email:  Ideal balance of theory and practice in second School: language teaching  Rich mix of local and international students School phone:  Approximately 2 years to complete To the best of my knowledge, all of the above statements are true. I am an AFT member.

Visit: www.calstatela.edu/dept/tesol or call (323) 343-4330 Signature date CSU Application: 2015 Fall Quarter Application Deadline: www.csumentor.edu June 1, 2015 The Declaration of Intent to Run form must be filed by 5 p.m., Monday, May 4, 2015. 34

United Teacher • for the latest news: www.utla.net April 20, 2015 Bilingual education issues Latino children and early literacy skills.

“Latino toddlers face literacy gap early ground. Dr. Stephen Krashen, professor LAUSD. Would that it were true. Bilingual Education Committee: We are on”: That was the headline of a piece emeritus from USC, regularly reminds us The school system can’t solve the poverty looking for all teachers interested in EL written by Teresa Watanabe in the Los that poverty is the single most significant issue, but it can help with closing the gaps issues, but particularly those who teach, Angeles Times on April 3 (www.latimes. factor in predicting academic success, or caused by poverty. That way a future study or who would like to teach, in transi- com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-latino-litera- rather lack of success. An overwhelm- could find that all kids, regardless of eth- tional, maintenance, and dual language cy-20150401-story.html). According to the ingly large number of Latino students in nicity, are thriving in school because they programs. Anticipating more interest in article, a UC Berkeley study found that California are children of poverty. Lack received an excellent preschool experience these programs statewide, your expertise Latino children are significantly behind of access to books, a result of both limited and their parents were welcomed into good is highly valued. Please join us at our next white children by age 2 in the categories family income and limited educational parenting programs, all found in SRLDP. meeting, on April 29 at 4:30 p.m. in Room of preliteracy skills, oral language, and background of parents, represents the Dual Language Institute: This annual 828 at UTLA (3303 Wilshire Blvd.). familiarity with print. Earlier studies principal reason why Latino kids do LAUSD event will take place on Satur- have found that in the areas of social and not arrive at kindergarten with good day, April 25, at Charles Kim Elemen- —Cheryl Ortega emotional development, Latino kids and early literacy skills. The Latino parents’ tary School. For more information, go Director of Bilingual Education white kids are on a par. The article goes utmost respect for educators reassures to lausd.net. [email protected] on to read that “mothers of toddlers who them that their children will be fine once fell behind were more likely to be foreign they start learning at school. born, low income, and less educated. They While I agree with the study that there also were less likely to read to their chil- should be increased funding for teaching dren daily or give them as much praise parenting skills, LAUSD has—that is, and encouragement as well as those who had—a program that did just that. It was kept pace with white children.” called the School Readiness Language Additionally, says the article, many Development Program (SRLDP), and, Latino parents believe that children in spite of the “literacy gap” of Latino should wait for school to learn to read preschoolers, LAUSD plans to close the whereas white parents tend to believe that SRLDP program. SRLDP is the preschool age 2 is a good time to start learning. The program with parent education built into study recommends further funding for the curriculum, and parent sign-on is a parent education and renewal of federal requirement. SRLDP, which gently brings funding for home visits and parenting parents into the formal education of their programs because ”most funding is children, is how to close that gap between focused on preschool.” the have and have-not kids, regardless I find it hard to believe that the Berke- of ethnicity. So the statement from the ley study focused on ethnicity more than study that “most funding is focused on economic status and educational back- preschool” is somewhat of a myth in

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35 United Teacher • for the latest news: www.utla.net April 20, 2015 Retirees’ corner Report of the March 20, 2015, General Assembly Meeting.

By Mignon Jackson 4,010 members. Please invite other retirees or trust company for custodial-related The following people were elected to the UTLA-R Secretary you know to join UTLA-R. services in accordance with its fiduciary UTLA-R Steering Committee: Mary Rose Legislative report: Mary Rose Ortega, duties. Ortega, Darlene Arcadi, Hattie McFrazier, President’s report: UTLA-R President our legislative reporter, reported that there CTA is sponsoring AB 996 (Medina), and Don Tarquin. John Perez announced that he had to leave are six bills that have been introduced in which would require additional financial Guest speakers: Our guest speakers the meeting to attend the CFT convention. Sacramento that impact CalSTRS: information to be provided on the CalSTRS were members of the Los Angeles Fire UTLA-R Vice President Cecelia Boskin • AB 736 (Cooley) would allow the 403(b) Compare website and require school Department, including Inspector Michael took over. State Teachers’ Retirement Board to set and community college districts to adopt Webb. Some important points that the Treasurer’s report: UTLA-R Treasurer the compensation for the chief operating a policy regarding 403(b) vendors coming fire inspector and his team relayed to Mike Dreebin reported that as of March officer and chief financial officer. onto campus. CTA is also cosponsoring SJR us: Always have a bag prepared in your 20, the balance in the budget is $46,414. • AB 963 (Bonilla) would specify the 1 (Beall), which requests that the President home and one in your car with the follow- Health benefits report:Loretta Toggen- definition of creditable service for the and the Congress enact the Social Security ing items to use in case of an earthquake burger shared a health benefits FAQ on the Defined Benefit and Cash Balance pro- Fairness Act of 2013, which would repeal or other disaster: first-aid kit, flashlight, topic “2015: A Crucial Year.” The bottom grams in CalSTRS for activities that do not the Government Pension Offset and the pliers, whistle, googles, water, gloves, line is that our benefits will remain the meet the definition of creditable service Windfall Elimination Provisions from the mask, Swiss army knife, and a three-day same for 2015. prior to 2016 that were previously reported Social Security Act that can unfairly reduce supply of food. Check your smoke alarms; PACE Report: Cecelia Boskin reported to CalSTRS and allow individuals who a teacher’s retirement income. if they are more than 10 years old, they on the importance of contributions for were improperly included in CalSTRS New business: Congratulations to need to be replaced. You should also have political campaigns, which are very ex- to elect into the appropriate retirement Miriam Schneider, Susan Carroll, Grete a fully charged fire extinguisher in the pensive. All members are urged to make a system. Brinck, and Lorraine Butler, who were kitchen. Everyone in your home should contribution to PACE, our political action • AB 991 (Assembly PERS Committee) chosen to attend the CARA Convention have a “GO” kit with essentials. This kit fund, by mailing your check made out to is an annual CalSTRS technical housekeep- in Ontario, California, in October. should be kept near your sleeping area, PACE to Cecelia Boskin, 3547 Federal Ave., ing measure. Docents are still needed for Las Ange- and it should be easily accessible in the Los Angeles, CA 90066. • AB 1052 (Cooley) would allow the lenas (the mayor’s volunteer corps to city event of an emergency. Check with your Membership report: UTLA-Retired State Teachers’ Retirement Board to enter government). If you are interested, please local fire department if you need help so membership is growing. We now have into investment agreements with a bank call Mary Louise Williams at (213) 978-1995. that you are always prepared.

FROM THE TREASURER things in different ways. What they want (continued from page 15) to say to their fellow students: Don’t take for granted the sacrifices of your parents were assaulted and robbed. His journey for you to have a better future. Keep going. also included being led by “coyotes” as It may not be easy but it was hard for us his family crossed the Rio Grande in rafts. too. You can do it, and you will be amazed When he was near the border, in a truck, at your accomplishments. immigration authorities found them and There are thousands of undocumented took his father, brothers, and himself to a students and families in our schools. As detention center, where they were behind educators we have the privilege and respon- bars for several months. Henry stated that sibility for the students and their families, he felt like a criminal, and he felt sad that and we can be their pathway for relief from the American officials didn’t want him to deportations and fear. And we are fortunate be there. His mother was able to pay for to know students like Henry and Katherine, their release, and they settled in South who inspire us and remind us of how special Central Los Angeles, where his grandpar- it is to be educators in Los Angeles. ents also lived. I asked Henry what it was like in San UTLA members can support students Salvador, the rural area he lived in, and like Henry and Katherine and their fami- how he feels about living in the U.S. Henry lies. For more information, see the Dream Ana Ramos-Sanavio, Jeffrey King, and Cheryl Sampson are some of the dedicated psychiatric said that it was very hard to go to school Allies project box on page 14. Students social workers providing vital mental health services for our students. in San Salvador because the tuition cost can receive information from www.weown- $8 a month, which was money that they thedream.org and educators can secure hear the question, “What do you do?” Well, or even just meeting with a student who did not have. He said that he is glad that NEA-supported resources at info@weown- our day is often filled with scheduled and is in need of extra support on that day. the family is living in America. The most thedream.org. The AFT also has resources unscheduled activities. For example, on Our job is also most satisfying—there is difficult part was not knowing English at go.aft.org/immigration and www.united- Monday I went in with all intents to com- nothing like knowing you have provided a when he first arrived and not being able to wedream.org/deep. plete a classroom-based FOCUS group, teacher with strategies that have successfully understand or speak to his teacher. It took two social skills group, schedule a parents’ supported a student in their class, or seeing about six months before Spanish language SPOTLIGHT ON PSWs workshop, and support several teachers who the student who in the beginning of the year support was provided. were implementing behavior plans with their couldn’t sit still make it through a lesson. (continued from page 15) I was amazed at the resilience, strong students. Following my first group session, I feelings against discrimination, and desire intensive services, including clinical therapy, met with two students who are on behavior You can find out more about PSWs by visit- to give back to others shared by Henry and are provided by PSWs through clinics and contracts to review their goals for the week ing our home page on www.lausd.net (search his sister, who both want to go to college wellness centers located throughout the and discuss strategies for problem solving for “School Mental Health”) to learn more and have a medical career. They are both District. PSWs also support students and on the yard. During our session I received a about how we can support you and your stu- student health leaders of the UMMA Com- families as they deal with crises that occur call from the principal to make myself avail- dents in the work you do. PSWs can be an munity Clinic, which is one of the sponsors throughout the year, such as the recent able to meet with a parent who was newly integral part of the school team and foster a of an Earth Day Health Fair on April 18. I events at Griffith Middle School and Venice enrolling their child and needed access to positive home-school connection for students was also struck by how these young people High School. PSWs also provide support community services in assisting the family and their families. We want to be included as an had moved beyond the past to embrace the to special education students in collabo- with their transition. I also got a call from the integral part of the school community and work present, something that many adults who go ration with school psychologists through school psychologist to consult regarding a alongside teachers to further promote student through difficult experiences find hard to do. designated instructional counseling services. student who had a history of cutting behavior success. Budget cuts from 2007-2013 severely Henry, Katherine, and another student Other programs that integrate the services and was making suicidal statements. Well, impacted health and human services staffing, in the training who came to the U.S. from offered by PSWs include the preschool and my schedule went out the window. but the improved funding picture means that Zacatecas, Mexico, had these reflections early education programs. It is not uncommon to be pulled away schools can begin to restore vital services for to share about what educators can do to from daily tasks to address crises. These all of our students. Please consider talking to support undocumented students: Under- What’s a day like in the life of crises often include managing students your school site council about purchasing PSW stand what we go through, provide emo- a school-based social worker? who are suicidal, supporting staff and time as your school completes its budget. LCFF tional support, give extra help, and explain As school-based social workers, we often administration during a threat assessment, funds can be utilized to fund our services. 36 United Teacher • for the latest news: www.utla.net April 20, 2015 Note from UTLA-R President

By John Perez to 3,000, if not 4,000. At LAX, Helen UTLA-Retired President got on a plane and flew to Sacramento. My job that day was to be in the capitol Another trip down memory lane: Last along with UTLA lobbyist Bill Lambert The Support Network Free Orientations month when I wrote about some memo- and contingents of teachers from the Are you interested in National Board Certification for 2015-16? rable UTLA demonstrations, I left out one Sacramento Teachers Association and of the most memorable because of space the San Juan Teachers Association to Monday, April 20, 2015, 3:30 pm – 8:00 pm limitations. How many of us remember meet Helen and the coffin. The casket Tuesday, April 21, 2015, 3:30 pm – 8:00 pm the UTLA Funeral for Public Education? was stored at the headquarters of the Thursday, April 23, 2015, 3:30 pm – 8:00 pm It was part of our fight against the 17.5% San Juan TA, and Bill Lambert and Saturday, April 25, 2015, 7:30 am – 12:00 noon pay cut and Governor Pete Wilson’s cuts Helen delivered it to the governor’s Monday, May 11, 2015, 3:30 pm – 8:00 pm to funding for our schools. The day was office on Tuesday, September 8. Helen Tuesday, May 12, 2015, 3:30 pm – 8:00 pm Monday, September 7, 1992—Labor Day! was quoted in the Times as saying, “We Thursday, May 14, 2015, 3:30 pm – 8:00 pm Prior to the “funeral” our members had want people to know that it is not busi- Saturday, May 16, 2015, 7:30 am – 12:00 noon their students write letters to Governor ness as usual. We will do anything to Pete Wilson protesting his cuts to public stop these cuts and to get kids the kind United Teachers Los Angeles education. UTLA collected the letters and of education they deserve”—words 3303 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90010 similar to what current UTLA Presi- they were placed in a child-sized coffin. (Validated parking in rear of building, off Berendo Street) The coffin was placed in a hearse, and dent Alex President Caputo-Pearl has UTLA President Helen Bernstein, dressed been saying during UTLA’s campaign Please sign up by going to www.thesupportnetwork.net and filling out the online survey. You in mourning clothes, including a black for the Schools L.A. Students Deserve. will receive a confirmation by email from Michael de la Torre, NBCT, program coordinator. veil, sat in the front seat. We had prepared What’s that old French saying? “The Please remove filters or add to your address book to accept emails. Signing up by phone will for this event for months and had asked more things change the more they stay not be accepted. Walk-ins and late comers will not be admitted. RSVP will only be accepted our members to show up at Hamilton the same!” up to 48 hours prior to an orientation. 75 participants is the maximum for each orientation. High to be part of the funeral procession NCLB and testing—not working: People Please encourage your colleagues to attend a meeting. or at LAX to pass out leaflets. We had were sold the testing regime that was told the Highway Patrol to expect 200 ushered in by No Child Left Behind on TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR THE SUPPORT NETWORK, CANDIDATES the grounds that holding schools and cars—a number we thought was undo- MUST ATTEND AN ENTIRE ORIENTATION MEETING. able. UTLA staff was at LAX, where even- teachers “accountable” through high- tually as many as 500 members showed stakes testing would improve student All information is tentative and subject to change. up for the leafleting and at Hamilton to achievement. The National Assessment You do not need to join TSN to pursue NBPTS certification. help shepherd the cars that wanted to be of Educational Progress (NAEP) is gener- Salary points can be earned for The Support Network program.. part of the procession behind the hearse. ally considered the only reliable national NBPTS info: www.nbpts.org or call 1-800-22-TEACH When we reached 500 cars, we stopped standardized test. It is an achievement TSN info: www.thesupportnetwork.net or call 213-251-1444 counting, as they just kept on coming. test given by the Department of Educa- When the “funeral” started, the Highway tion, but it is NOT a high-stakes test. No Patrol monitored the on-ramps, and the schools or teachers are graded in any hearse arrived at LAX before the last car way by the NAEP. Since the first test in left Hamilton. 1969, the national trend has been ever We tied up the Santa Monica and 405 upward, BUT the NAEP scores increased freeways and LAX for more than two more before NCLB than since NCLB. hours. Our members were waving black UTLA-R wants your email address: pirate flags that then-AFT VP and later We want to develop an email list of our We’re with you UTLA President Day Higuchi had de- members so we can send you updates signed. The flags had an upside-down on important issues and events. Please schoolhouse with cross-bones that said, send your email address to Bruce Lee at all the way “Pete Wilson Commitment to Ignorance.” [email protected]. The L.A. Times reported that we had 2,000 cars, but UTLA always felt it was closer Perez can be reached at [email protected].

UTLA online voter registration form

To sign up to vote online for UTLA balloting, please fill out and submit the below information.

Name

Employee number Supporting communities with union expertise and long-term alliances. Non-LAUSD email (required) At UnitedHealthcare, we’re dedicated to those we serve — providing affordable, innovative Cell phone (required) health care programs that honor hard work and commitment with comprehensive solutions. I wish to register for online voting for UTLA elections. We provide a broad portfolio of customizable health care plans as well as dental, vision, life and disability offerings to help you get the right coverage at the right price. Signature and date For more information, call To submit: Mail it to UTLA Membership Dept., 3303 Wilshire Blvd., 10th Anthony Campbell at 415-778-3845. Floor, L.A., CA 90010; fax it to (213) 368-6231; or send a high-resolution ©2015 United HealthCare Services, Inc. Health plan coverage provided by or through cell phone picture of the completed form to [email protected]. UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company and UnitedHealthcare of California. Administrative services provided by United HealthCare Services, Inc., OptumRx or OptumHealth Care Solutions, Inc. Behavioral health products are provided by U.S. Behavioral Health Plan, California (USBHPC) or United Behavioral Health (UBH). UHCCA732195-000 37 United Teacher • for the latest news: www.utla.net April 20, 2015 UTLA Classifieds

CLASSIFIED AND DISPLAY AD POLICY: UNITED TEACHER will not accept ads for legal services in the areas of worker’s compensation or personal injury; nor advertising for tobacco or alcoholic beverages; nor advertising deemed misleading or offensive to members; nor advertising inconsistent with the programs and purposes of United Teachers Los Angeles.

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Pre-qualification available after Job share partner needed for the 2015-2016 school South Shores Elementary Magnet School for the ing and I’m very flexible, responsible, and open to class. Refreshments will be served. “The way they year for a wonderful elementary school in the Tu- Visual and Performing Arts (located in San Pedro, learning new things. Please call or text for more in- explained the purchasing process and protections junga area. I am an experienced teacher working ESC S) is seeking highly qualified applicants for formation. Thanks. Adrienne (310) 494-8422. at a California Distinguished School with an API of for buyers made a significant impact in educating teaching positions for the 2015/2016 school year. 900+. Supportive principal and great staff. Please me about real estate.” Jacky Flores, February at- Candidates must be knowledgeable in teaching Enthusiastic and experienced elementary school contact Laura at (818) 400-6069. tendee. Saturday, April 25, 2015, 12:30-2:30, Cen- Common Core curriculum, as well as demonstrate job share partner wanted for the 2015-2016 school tury21 My Real Estate Company, 7825 E. Florence year. Location must be at their school. Preferred lo- initiative in applying the new standards in creative Job share partner wanted for 2015-2016 school Avenue, Downey. Call (213) 909-1349 with ques- cations include West L.A./Mid-City. Please contact and engaging ways in the classroom to reach all year. I teach upper elementary at a wonderful school tions or to RSVP. me at [email protected]. learning abilities and modalities. Extensive experi- in North Hollywood, near the 101 and Universal ence working with children in the visual and per- Studios. This elementary school is rated 9 out of 10 Job share partner wanted for 2015-2016 for a RSP K-4 forming arts, with a strong emphasis in dramatic on greatschools.org. Split day partner wanted, but program at a traditional school in Local District 4. My TRAVEL performance, directing, or vocal music instruction, would consider split year. Please contact Jude at partner teacher went back to full time. Position is for is required. Experience in integrating technology (818) 941-0223 or email me at [email protected]. BLACK PARIS—TEACHERS & OTHERS—See How into the classroom is favored. Please email a cover the afternoons, split days. Great program, assistant, and school! Must have a special education credential. Dear colleagues, I am looking for an elementary Thanks! Contact M. Abraham at [email protected]. school teacher to job share with for the 2015-2016 school year, and hopefully for longer if possible. I Job share partner needed for the 2014-2015 school 2015 Fall Quarter have taught first, second and fifth grade. I would Enhance your professional development in education year to share my RSP position. I am at a wonder- Application Deadline: have to job share at your school. I have job shared with a high-quality, academic experience. ful school in Highland Park (East Area). I would like June 1, 2015 before. I am looking to job share in the West Valley to split days. Must have experience with Special area if possible. Please call or text me. Thank you Education, have a clear Special Education Creden- for your consideration. Natalie at (818) 309-3993. tial and knowledge of Welligent to complete IEP’s. Forms must be submitted by April of 2015. Please Ed.D. in Educational Leadership Reduced workload special ed position at Carlson contact Leandra at (323) 304-8045. Hospital School: wonderful position at UCLA—it’s  heaven! Work on the campus in lovely setting with 3-year cohort model Job share partner needed. I teach Social Studies outpatient middle and high schoolers. Have all the  Rigorous, inclusive, research-based at a Southside high school. Looking for a partner perks of being at UCLA and working alongside their  Dedicated and supportive faculty and staff to teach in the spring of 2015 and possibly longer. faculty. It’s truly a “dream job” with much staff sup-  Ideal for Pre K-16 educational leaders Please contact Sarah at [email protected]. port, rarely any discipline problems, high-functioning,

Visit: www.calstatela.edu/edd polite, academic kids. Never do an IEP—really! Only The mathematics department at Downtown Magnets for one year with me as next year will be my final year High school is seeking a job-share candidate for the Instructional Technology to do the reduced workload (my partner retired). But 2015-16 school year. We are a high-functioning, estab- this could get your foot in the door for Carlson (best lished, collaborative department and we are looking for

special ed school around!). Looking to do semester  M.A. in Education a candidate who loves to be in the classroom and is on, off for 2015-16 year. Email or call Patrick Mc- primarily focused on student learning! If you’re interest-  Educational Technology Leadership Guire, [email protected], or (310) 581-1973. ed, please email your resume to: [email protected].  New Media Design and Production  Graduate Certificates  Online Teaching and Learning  Computer Applications in the Schools How To Place Your UT Classified Ad  Supplementary Authorization Coursework Print your ad from your computer or use a typewriter. Count the number of words in your ad. APPLY TODAY!  Computer Applications in the Schools Area code and telephone number count as one word. Email and web address count as one CSU Application: (for multiple & single-subject credentials) word. Street address counts as one word. City and state, including zip code, count as one word. Abbreviations and numbers are considered words and are charged individually. The www.csumentor.edu Visit: www.calstatela.edu/academic/ccoe/programs/it classified ad rate is $1.50 per word for each time your ad runs (there is no charge for LAUSD job share/employment available ads). Multiply the number of words in your ad by $1.50. This is the cost for running your ad one time in UNITED TEACHER. If you’re running your ad in more than one issue, multiply the one-time total by the number of issues you wish the ad to appear. We have a ten word minimum ($15.00). All ads are payable in advance by check or Charter College of Education money order. Please make check payable to UTLA. The deadline to receive your classified www.calstatela.edu/academic/ccoe ad at the UTLA Communications Dept. is noon on the Monday that falls two weeks prior to the publication date. Any questions? Call (213) 637-5173. Mail ad and payment to Clas- sifieds, UNITED TEACHER, 3303 Wilshire Blvd., 10th Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90010. 38

United Teacher • for the latest news: www.utla.net April 20, 2015 UNITED TEACHER GRAPEVINE Free salary point class on Korean vided. Email [email protected] history of papel picado will also be dis- teaching, both at MOCA and in the class- history and culture and the Korean or [email protected]. cussed, from its pre-Columbian origins room; multiple class visits to MOCA led by American experience to its contemporary uses in Day of the MOCA’s staff educators; a discussion-based The National Korean Studies Seminar for Online salary point classes Dead altars. The workshop is facilitated classroom curriculum; and family involve- K-12 educators will be held at the Korean QuikiTech.com is offering nine online by master papel picado artist Margaret ment opportunities throughout the year. Cultural Center L.A. (Wilshire near La Brea) courses/workshops that are salary point Sosa at the Avenue 50 Studio in Highland The cost is $110 per teacher; schools pay for from June 22 to 26. The program is free approved. These include Microsoft Word Park, on May 3, from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. fall buses; MOCA pays for transportation in and offers one or two salary points or three (1 salary point), Microsoft Excel (2 salary Registration fee: $45. All supplies will be the spring. Apply by May 29. Applications units USC Continuing Education credit. The points), Microsoft PowerPoint (1 salary provided and no previous art experience and more info at moca.org/teachers. organizers have many years of classroom point), the iPad-Enabled Classroom (1 is necessary. Approved for four profes- experience and have spent a decade de- salary point), Gmail and Google Tools (1 sional development hours. Open to all Yoga Tools for Teachers workshop veloping PowerPoint lectures and lessons salary point), Equipping Students with K-12 educators; most suitable for elemen- YogaEd is holding a Tools for Teachers that relate to required instruction. Partici- 21st-Century Technology Skills (2 salary tary and middle school teachers. More workshop (focus on grades PreK to fifth). pants will receive lessons and resources on points), Technology for Math Enrichment info and online registration at www. This eight-hour workshop will cover basic Korean history, culture, art, literature, and (3 salary points), Apple Keynote (1 salary avenue50studio.org/teacher-training- principles, tools, and practice teaching music, together with resources that relate point), and Equipping Students With the workshops or call (323) 258-1435. experiences to integrate short yoga breaks to math and science for their classrooms. Mindset of an Achiever (1 salary point). in your classroom. Participants will learn The seminar will provide participants with To register for a class go to http://quiki- Contemporary Art Start yoga tools to promote student health, Korean cultural hands-on activities and tech.com. For any questions, contact the 2015-16 at MOCA learning, and achievement. Through in- information about the Korean language instructor at QuikiTech at (424) 256-9789. Contemporary Art Start (CAS) is a year- teractive practice teaching and feedback course to be implemented in LAUSD in long visual art and thinking skills program activities, they will gain confidence in 2015. The seminar will respond to the Workshop on traditional for third- to 12th-grade classrooms across identifying challenging times during the Common Core state standards and all lec- Mexican folk art Los Angeles County, with specialized tracks school day and successfully utilizing yoga tures will be tied to required classroom Papel picado is the Mexican folk art of of instruction for third- to fifth-grade teach- tools to shift your students into learning- instruction and content related to Korea in cutting tissue paper to create banners that ers and sixth- to 12th-grade interdisciplin- ready states. Eight professional develop- the 2010 History-Social Science Framework are traditionally used for festive events ary teams. Aligned with the Common Core ment hours available. The class will be in grades 2, 4, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 12 (Govern- or to adorn altars. In this workshop, standards, CAS consists of four, intercon- led by Halli Bayer on May 2, from 8 a.m. ment) and the Appendix (Economics). For participants will learn how to fold and nected program elements that make a to 5 p.m. at UCLA (308 Westwood Plaza, information and registration, go to www. cut tissue paper with scissors to create sustained impact during program enroll- Los Angeles, CA 90026). Cost is $125. For nationalkoreanstudies.com. Free parking, distinctive banners and use printed pat- ment and beyond: extensive professional inquiry, email [email protected] or visit breakfast, snacks, and lunch each day pro- terns to cut more intricate designs. A brief development emphasizing inquiry-based www.yogaed.com/schedule to register.

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