Action for the Schools LA Students Deserve Demonstrating Our Resolve to Win What Educators and Students Need

Award-Winning Newspaper of United Teachers Los Angeles • www.utla.net Volume XLVII, Number 1, September 1, 2017 Action for the Schools LA Students Deserve Demonstrating our resolve to win what educators and students need.

In September, UTLA members will offer and have not had a meaningful re- be demonstrating our resolve to win the sponse to our proposals on lower class Schools LA Students Deserve with actions sizes, increased health and human ser- inside and outside of our school sites. In vices staffing, improvements to school SupportSupport OurOur EmpowerE Our school hallways on red T-shirt Tuesdays, climate and student discipline, reductions StudentsStudents CommunitiesCom on sidewalks with parent leafleting, and in testing, and other issues (see more on Safe, high-qualityhigh-qualuality public Public schoolssch are the at a news conference with community and our platform on page 4). Our current salary schools aree a right for all. anchors off ouro the Reclaim Our Schools LA coalition, we’ll demand is a 7% ongoing salary increase for communities. be showing our support for our contract 2017-18, retroactive to July 1, 2016. campaign. In the first meeting of the school year to From what we have seen from LAUSD of the new LAUSD School Board, the “bil- and the new School Board majority, it will lionaire bloc” that owes their seats to Eli take united, escalating action to achieve Broad and the California Charter Schools what educators and students deserve. Association signaled their allegiance with Despite bargaining sessions throughout two actions: First, School Board President forfor thethe SchoolsScforhools la the summer with your UTLA Bargaining Ref Rodriguez unilaterally removed the Team, LAUSD officials have not moved labor partners section of the meeting that from their 2% one-time payment salary allowed educators, students, and the STUDENTSSTUDENTS DESERVEDESERVE FundFund DefendD theth Future theth Teachingng CalifCaliforniaornia iss theth richest state ProfessionP Big Red T Day: September 26 in the nation yetet iti ranks 46th in education funding.g. InI the 6th largest Educators aree eve eryday economy in the world,ld, and in the 2nd The staff at San Fernando Institute for Applied Media is kicking off this big year heroes; wee mustm protect largest districtdistrict in the countrcoountru y, the against attacks.at of UTLA action with a show of unity by wearing red. “We’re unified to provide money is here for the schoolsschochools the best education we can for our students,” Chapter Chair Denise Noah says. our students deserve. Educators across the region are joining them every Tuesday—and especially on September 26, when we want to show LAUSD that we are united behind our bargaining team and our contract campaign for the Schools LA Students Deserve. District officials pay attention to how many people wear red on Tuesdays, and they measure our resolve by what they see at our schools. Spread the red! community to have consistent access to women and men who work directly with the board. Second, board members Nick students are not welcome.” Post your photos on social media: Use the hashtag #BigRedT and we will Melvoin, Monica Garcia, Kelly Gonez, and repost and grab for our UNITED TEACHER red T page. Rodriguez refused to oppose legislation CAT teams: Connecting colleagues to create a Broad-supported privatized The UTLA strategic plan to deepen our STEM school that would drain students organizing and go on the offense contains and resources from LAUSD schools (read a vital new component at school sites: more on page 5). Contract Action Teams. CATs are being “The evidence suggests that after the formed in all UTLA chapters to help ensure 174% raise that turned the board member that every educator, in every corner of position into a full-time job, the next step our union, is active in our contract cam- is to increase access for billionaires while paign and in defending member rights at cutting access to those in the classroom,” the school site. These teams of educators UTLA President Alex Caputo-Pearl says. will divide up the work of communicat- “This move is indicative of the increasingly ing with UTLA members in your chapter, hostile environment in which we negotiate with each member taking responsibility a new contract, where the voices of the (continued on page 4)

UTLA action calendar

Our campaign for the Schools LA Students Deserve includes bargaining, building up our strength in every chapter, and preparing for escalating actions that San Fernando Institute for Applied Media include parent, student, and community participation. Join the campaign with the following key dates and actions: Now through September 27: Parent leafleting on our contract demands. September 6: Coalition launch of the Schools LA Students Deserve contract campaign at Trinity Elementary. September 14: Chapter chair and chapter leader training on informal conferences with principals and school-related issues. September 15: Deadline to form Contract Action Teams. September 15 and 26: Contract bargaining with LAUSD. September 26: Big Red Tuesday action in support of bargaining. Everyone wears red! United Teacher • for the latest news: www.utla.net September 1, 2017 United Teacher President’s perspective

PRESIDENT Alex Caputo-Pearl NEA AFFILIATE VP Cecily Myart-Cruz AFT AFFILIATE VP Juan Ramirez Schools LA Students Deserve campaign: Unapologetic ELEMENTARY VP Gloria Martinez SECONDARY VP Daniel Barnhart TREASURER Alex Orozco about what students and educators need SECRETARY Arlene Inouye By Alex Caputo-Pearl feature broad curriculum, parent engage- faced with reassignment or threats to their EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Jeff Good UTLA President ment, positive behavior support programs credentials get thousands more dollars in that are well-staffed, and wraparound ser- legal support than they did previously. BOARD OF DIRECTORS From the State of the Union address deliv- vices for families. We did this together and we are stronger NORTH AREA: Karla Griego, Chair (Buchanan ES), ered July 28, 2017, at the UTLA Leadership We did this together and we are stron- because of it. Mark Ramos (Contreras LC), Rebecca Solomon (RFK Conference ger because of it. Last year, we organized successful UCLA Comm. School), Julie Van Winkle (LOOC Liason) Last year, the district offered far more school-site campaigns to remove bad SOUTH AREA: Maria Miranda, Chair (Miramonte ES), Ayde Bravo (Maywood ES), L. Cynthia Matthews At the core of UTLA’s strategic plan is schools to charters for co-location. Yet, we principals. We are developing more tools (McKinley ES), Karen Ticer-Leon (Tweedy ES) a very basic concept: If public education is drove the number of actual co-locations to help sites organize around this issue EAST AREA: Adrian Tamayo, Chair (Lorena ES), to survive and thrive in Los Angeles, it is down. Of the 23 school communities that when necessary this year. Ingrid Gunnell (Salary Point Advisor), Erica Huerta time for us to call the question on why our built high-profile push-back campaigns, 19 We are doing this together and we are (Garfield HS), Gillian Russom (Roosevelt HS) schools are being starved. of them—over 80%—successfully stopped stronger because of it. WEST AREA: Erika Jones Crawford, Chair (CTA Director), co-locations. Out of these struggles, new Educators at the Alliance charter chain, Georgia Flowers Lee (Saturn ES), Noah Lippe-Klein It is simply not acceptable that Califor- (Dorsey HS), Jennifer Villaryo (Grand View ES) nia, as the sixth-largest economy in the parent leaders flowed into our parent lead- who are bravely fighting to unionize, came CENTRAL AREA: José Lara, Chair (Santee EC), world, stands at 46th among the states in ership institutes. to UTLA workshops on immigrant rights Kelly Flores (Hawkins HS), Tomas Flores (West per-pupil funding. It is simply not accept- We did this together and we are stronger and successfully pressured the Alliance Vernon ES), Claudia Rodriquez (49th Street) able that the second-largest school district because of it. management to make campuses safe VALLEY EAST AREA: Scott Mandel, Chair (Pacoima in the country, a crucial civic institution, We launched rounds one and two of havens. This in the face of a legislative Magnet), Victoria Casas (Beachy ES), Mel House (Elementary P.E.), Hector Perez-Roman (Arleta HS) has the highest class sizes in the country. the “We Are Public Schools” media cam- audit that found Alliance management VALLEY WEST AREA: Bruce Newborn, Chair (Hale California is the richest state in the nation paign featuring our everyday heroes, our to have amassed a $1.7 million war chest Charter), Melodie Bitter (Lorne ES), Wendi Davis and the LA area has more millionaires and classroom educators, on billboards, digital to fight against its own teachers, against (Henry MS), Javier Romo (Mulholland MS) billionaires than any other in the country. ads, bus benches, and more. unionization. Simultaneously, our UTLA- HARBOR AREA: Steve Seal, Chair (Eshelman ES), There is an undeniable truth—the We did this together and we are stronger represented charter educators at other Karen Macias-Lutz (Del Amo ES), Jennifer McAfee (Dodson MS), Elgin Scott (Taper ES) money is here to fund our schools. The because of it. schools won contracts that cut against ADULT & OCCUP ED: Matthew Kogan (Evans CAS) billionaires and rich corporations are With local teacher unions across the state, the race to the bottom, lifting standards keeping that money from us. And politi- many of whom are in contract bargaining, in salary, health benefits, and more. BILINGUAL EDUCATION: Cheryl L. Ortega (Sub Unit) cians are helping them do this. We did this together and we EARLY CHILDHOOD ED: Corina Gomez (Pacoima EEC) It is time to call the question on are stronger because of it. HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES: that cynical arrangement. When the mayor of Huntington Mallorie Evans (Marlton Spec Ed) Last year at this conference, Park (a UTLA member) and the HP SPECIAL ED: Lucia Arias (Knollwood ES) I said that we would need to City Council voted to put a mora- SUBSTITUTES: Benny Madera be prepared to make the crisis torium on charters for common- PACE CHAIR: Marco Flores that our students face every sense urban planning reasons, they UTLA RETIRED: John Perez day into a crisis for leaders in became the target of the Califor- LA and California by February nia Charter Schools Association, AFFILIATIONS 2018—and that building to this CCSA. We supported the council in American Federation of Teachers National Education Association 2018 compression point must elections against mounds of CCSA involve us being ready to strike money, and the council members STATE & NATIONAL OFFICERS if we need to. With our con- supporting the moratorium won. CFT PRESIDENT: Joshua Pechthalt CTA PRESIDENT: Eric Heins tract having expired in June, On a parallel track, we have been CTA DIRECTOR: Erika Jones Crawford our health benefits expiring honored to have been involved CFT VICE PRESIDENT: Juan Ramirez in December, Donald Trump with the local, state, and national NEA PRESIDENT: Lily Eskelsen Garcia in the White House, and an The UTLA officer team at the Leadership Conference: United NAACP as that organization called AFT PRESIDENT: Randi Weingarten for the Schools LA Students Deserve NEA DIRECTOR: Mel House LA School Board having been for a charter moratorium, and it has, bought by billionaires, I am just this week, put out a new report UTLA COMMUNICATIONS more convinced than ever of this path. and building now with community orga- reaffirming its position. EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: Alex Caputo-Pearl And I am more inspired than ever by nizations, we formed the unprecedented We did this together and we are stronger COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR: Anna Bakalis our campaign for the Schools LA Students California Alliance for Community Schools. because of it. COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALISTS: Kim Turner, Carolina Barreiro, Tammy Lyn Gann Deserve. Our union is the strongest it has On May 12, the alliance organized actions And we are already shaping the debate ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT: Laura Aldana been in years—from the removal of John across the state in support of legislation that in the 2018 state elections. Deasy in 2014, the big contract victory in would bring common-sense regulations Antonio Villaraigosa’s long-time ally, EDITORIAL INFORMATION 2015, the Build the Future, Fund the Fight to charter schools. There is tremendous Marshall Tuck, is running again for state UNITED TEACHER initiative in 2016, and the organizing and potential for deeper statewide coordination. superintendent of public instruction. 3303 Wilshire Blvd., 10th Fl., LA, CA 90010 Email: [email protected] contract enforcement muscles we have We are doing this together and we are Assemblymember Tony Thurmond is UTLA main line: 213-487-5560 built each step of the way. stronger because of it. running against Tuck, and he is a con- ADVERTISING We have strengthened contract en- sistent and powerful voice in support of Senders Communications Group Brian Bullen: 818-884-8966, ext. 1108 We are stronger because forcement and member representation. Community Schools. We’re thrilled he is of our victories In 2014, when I came into office, there were here for our PACE reception tomorrow. UNITED TEACHER accepts paid advertisements from 3,300 unresolved grievances jamming and Antonio Villaraigosa is running for gov- outside companies and organizations, including UTLA Look at the events of last year. sponsors and vendors with no relationship with UTLA. Only We led the way in the ballot box victo- slowing the system, sucking away our ernor. We have been meeting with guber- approved vendors can use the UTLA logo in their ads. The ries of Props 55 and 58. As we did this, we staff’s time, and leading members to lose natorial candidates John Chiang and Gavin content of an advertisement is the responsibility of the advertiser alone, and UTLA cannot be held responsible increased our political action fund, PACE, faith in the union. That 3,300 is now down Newsom. Both Chiang and Newsom are for its accuracy, veracity, or reliability. Appearance of an by 44% through hundreds of new member to 1,400 after years of staff working with bringing our issues to the campaign trail. advertisement should not be viewed as an endorsement members and the district to productively Chiang said the following in March to a or recommendation by United Teachers Los Angeles. contributions. We did this together and we are stronger resolve cases, and clearing other cases charter school audience: “Charter schools because of it. because members were retired or for other cannot be a drain on the finances or the talents United Teacher (ISSN # 0745-4163) is published nine times a year (every month except February, June, and With community partners, we launched reasons. We now have a Grievance and of the school district. They must be held ac- July) by United Teachers Los Angeles, 3303 Wilshire the Reclaim Our Schools LA coalition. In Representation Coordinator to confront the countable to the same standards as all public Blvd., 10th Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90010. Subscrip- June 2017, this coalition was the driving district on trends that our grievances show schools. They must have a governance struc- tions: $20.00 per year. (Price included in dues/agency force behind a successful School Board us in principals’ behavior or unreason- ture that is transparent and answerable to fee of UTLA bargaining unit members.) Periodical postage paid at Los Angeles, California. POSTMAS- resolution that commits LAUSD to invest able district practices. We have increased local voters. They must be open to collective TER: Please send address changes to United Teach- in the Community Schools model. These organizing to address site issues. And, we bargaining . . . It is particularly painful to read ers Los Angeles, 3303 Wilshire Blvd., 10th Floor, are public schools driven by community- are now part of the Group Legal Services of the squandering of scarce education dollars Los Angeles, CA 90010. Telephone 213-487-5560. led assets and needs assessments and that program, which means members who are (continued on next page) 2 United Teacher • for the latest news: www.utla.net September 1, 2017

PRESIDENT’S PERSPECTIVE are going to respond to losses like that. In mental response to the May School Board our members will be engaged. All LAUSD (continued from previous page) 2016 and 2017, they responded in the way losses is to double down on our ultimate workers are bargaining their contracts and they know best: by using unlimited money. source of power—going deep with organiz- health benefits right now. We have built inter- on over-inflated salaries, luxurious meals, and Second, the billionaire-backed candi- ing at our schools and in our communities. nal organizational strength over the last three limousines. That must stop. Immediately.” dates for School Board, Nick Melvoin and And so we enter this school year. years. We are stronger than we have been in Newsom said the following in May at Kelly Gonez, did not win on a campaign years in the community. We are coordinating the California Democratic Party conven- message to massively expand unregu- Bringing the crisis out loudly statewide with locals and advocacy organization: “We’ll create full-service Community lated charter growth. Even the billionaires We know we are under attack. We hear tions. All eyes are on public education in the Schools, engaging entire communities in our know that we have moved that narrative the well-funded media drumbeat attacking 2018 governor and state superintendent’s children’s future, open to everyone—all day, and that people prefer fully funded neigh- health benefits, amplified by Broad and Wal- races. There is increasing skepticism of the every day. Wellness centers in schools, to deal borhood public schools over unregulated Mart’s Cal Matters partnership with the LA billionaire agenda nationally. with not only physical health needs, but ado- privatization schemes. Times. Early signs at the bargaining table are All the while, if state per-pupil funding lescent mental health needs. Arts education for And, third, the billionaires’ path to that the district is not going to move without goes unaddressed and LAUSD continues every child, in every classroom, K-12. After- victory was to vigorously suppress the serious pressure. LAUSD’s response to our to lose upwards of $600 million per year to school programs. True public-public partner- vote among working-class people and salary demand of a 7% ongoing pay increase unregulated charter growth, every round ships. An ethic of encouragement, an ethic of to directly and relentlessly appeal to the retroactive to July 1, 2016, was a 2% one- of bargaining in the future is going to be support. And, unlike Betsy DeVos, we will hyper-wealthy, many of whom do not time bonus. This is an insult. And, while tougher and tougher. attract teachers, not attack teachers.” have children in public schools. Torrents it is a good thing that teachers will now be The time is right, and the time is now, You can see from Chiang and Newsom’s of negative attacks on Zimmer depressed able to consider running for School Board, to go on offense. comments that our collective work makes the working class vote, while Nick Melvoin because those positions will be paid more Our Schools LA Students Deserve cam- an impact statewide, and we are stronger got his votes through high turnout and large than a starting teacher’s salary, it is an even paign, run jointly with parent, community, because of it. margins in the wealthiest precincts in LA bigger insult that the board received an and youth allies, is our vehicle. We must shake County—some of the wealthiest precincts in 174% ongoing pay increase in the same everything we can out of the district finan- Learning from our losses the United States. Yet another reminder that month that the district offered its educators cially to meet our priorities. This means going But, let’s be clear. Amidst steps forward, the war over public schools is a class war. a 2% one-time bonus. Moreover, LAUSD after LAUSD’s unrestricted reserve, which is we also took serious losses this year. And, the billionaires continue. After Eli has not moved an inch on our proposals one of the highest among urban districts in Donald Trump winning the presidency Broad and Reed Hastings bought the School on class size, school climate and student California. It means targeting other district was a devastating blow for all progressive Board, Broad is now jumping over the discipline, and decision-making for parents money, which our research department is movements. On top of the attacks on immi- School Board entirely in his latest scheme. and educators in site budgets. identifying, to better serve our students. grants and communities of color, the dis- He is behind Assembly Bill 1217, which Under these circumstances, we must We must do this with a recognition that respect of women, the assault on decades he has gone straight to the most powerful use our unique knowledge to bring into to make sustainable progress on the big- of environmental protections, massive people in Sacramento to move forward. This full relief the crisis that has existed for ticket items that our students and members proposed federal cuts to education and would open one state-run STEM school. It decades in our schools, often in silence, deserve, it is imperative that California move proposed federal increases to vouchers is literally a billionaire one-school carve- and bring that crisis out loudly. If we don’t, up from 46th among the states in funding. and charters, it is also certain that unions out, for a privately run but publicly funded Los Angeles will become an almost en- The demands of the Schools LA Students will lose fair share and be undermined school, with serious student equity and tirely privatized “some students, not all Deserve campaign must be unapologetic significantly nationwide. access issues. By going straight to the state, students” landscape, like New Orleans, about what our students need. We have U.S. Congresswoman Maxine Waters has it subverts local control and creates yet Washington, D.C., and Detroit, and the already put proposals across the table in been leading the fight against Trump and another unchecked path to starve our public survival of public education will be at risk. bargaining to this end, with more to come. DeVos’s agenda, and we are thrilled she will schools. We are vigorously fighting this. Sisters and brothers, it is time to go on Salaries and benefits that attract and retain be with us at our PACE reception tomorrow. The punchline is this. We can exert power offense, and the circumstances are right to excellent educators. Reduced class sizes Losing the LA School Board races in May in School Board races, and we can exert do so. Our full contract and health benefits across-the-board. Additional health and was a serious blow. We collectively poured power in Sacramento. But our most funda- are being negotiated simultaneously, and (continued on page 20) our souls into the races for Steve Zimmer and Imelda Padilla. We had more member volunteers than ever before. We raised more money than ever before. We organized support from In this issue community organizations and unions more than ever before. But, we couldn’t overcome the $13 million spent against us, more than 4 Charter members score contract victories 7 UTLA Unsung Heroes ever before in U.S. history in a School Board New agreements raise pay and protect health care. race. And, while we made reasonable stra- 16 Special section: Evaluations tegic decisions throughout the campaign, in a race in which we were severely outspent, 5 Students and teachers slam billionaire boutique school 2017-18 every resource allocation we made meant AB 1217 would create a privately run STEM school that would we couldn’t make it somewhere else, with drain funds from existing schools. 19 Practical matters: retirement all the downstream effects of that—sending bonus a mailer at one time meant we couldn’t do 6 2017 Leadership Conference: Ready to Fight it at another time, doing a run of TV ads at Powering up for the Schools LA Students Deserve. one time meant we couldn’t do it at another 20 CTA/NEA Professional growth time, etc. opportunities We are looking reflectively at every 8 Montara remembers Ramona Gedney aspect of the campaign to learn, but three New trees and a bright playground bench are dedicated in her honor. 22 UTLA/NEA Board elections things are very clear. First, the billionaires buying the School Board races was the second punch in their 28 UTLA-Retired counter-attack. The first punch was spending $27 million to win 23 out of 26 state leg- 30 Classified islative races across California in November 2016. They have counter-attacked aggres- 31 Grapevine sively because they needed to respond to a series of our victories. In 2014, we got rid of their superintendent, John Deasy, and Corrections to past issues defeated their statewide superintendent In the Accolades section of the July candidate, Marshall Tuck. In 2015, we won UNITED TEACHER, the name of one of a great contract and extension of health the LAUSD 22 educators honored as Teach- benefits, and we defeated two of their most ers of the Year was misspelled. The correct prized School Board candidates. In 2016, we name for the Bushnell Way elementary commissioned an Economic Impact Report school teacher is Paulianne Werthwein. on charter growth that had an impact across the state and nation, and we organized to Ready to knock on some doors and talk to the community: Maria Salcido (UTLA Alert us to errors: Please send cor- turn their Broad-Walmart 50% charter plan Dream Summer intern), Ilse Escobar (UTLA parent-community organizer, Jesus rections to UNITED TEACHER by email to into a sputtering mess. Torres (Trinity ES chapter chair), James Hustace (West Adams Prep chapter chair), [email protected]. This is a multi-year war—our opponents and Gumersinda Serrano (Trinity parent). Read more on page 5. 3 United Teacher • for the latest news: www.utla.net September 1, 2017

TAKING ACTION are scheduled for September 15, Septem- parent engagement, broaden the curricu- early education teachers who serve our (continued from the cover) ber 26, and October 12 and will soon be lum, and increase social services at our communities by giving them the same job followed by health benefits negotiations, highest-needs schools. protections and working conditions that for communicating with colleagues that which happen separately, with all LAUSD • Increase parent and educator decision other teachers receive. they see regularly. employee unions. Our bargaining demands making by giving local school leadership • Ensure that substitute teachers have Roosevelt High School vice chair encompass these four overriding objectives: councils control over how funds are used healthy working conditions and are treated Mariana Ramirez stepped up to be on at schools. as essential contributors to the success of her school’s CAT team because she sees Support our students • Require charter schools authorized by our students. it as a critical way to build unity and have • Reduce class sizes at all grade levels. the district to prove equal access, transpar- constructive dialogues. • Hire more special education teachers ency, and due process rights for all parents Fund the future “When we meet as a whole as a UTLA and specialists to ensure that students with and students. • Fund LA schools at $20,000 per pupil chapter, we miss opportunities for small special needs get the attention and support • Increase administrator accountability by the year 2020 = 20 by 20. group conversations,” Ramirez says. “I see they deserve. for school safety and discipline, and invest • California ranks 46th in education the CAT team structure as a way to dialogue • Recruit more bilingual educators, in positive behavior support through re- funding yet is the richest state in the nation. and collaborate on what we can do at the invest in dual language programs, and storative justice. • In the sixth-largest economy in the bargaining table and beyond to support our ensure student access to ethnic studies, • Use the district’s leverage and world, and in the second-largest district students. Public education is so important, visual & performing arts, and career & demands on civic leaders to make im- in the country, the money is here for the our profession is so important, and we need technical education. provements in affordable housing, access schools our students deserve. to be valued. Yes, our fight includes salary • Hire more nurses, counselors, social to green space, immigrant rights, and other and benefits, but we are also fighting for workers, and teacher librarians. community issues. Stay updated: Latest bargaining devel- the entire community and for creating op- • Reduce the number of standardized opments posted at www.utla.net/mem- portunities for students to thrive.” tests used in the classroom and let teachers Defend the teaching profession bers/ bargaining. If you aren’t receiving decide what works best for their students. • Attract and retain high-quality edu- our bimonthly News to Use emails, go to Our platform: The Schools cators through competitive salaries and www.utla.net/members/update-your-in- LA Students Deserve Empower our communities quality healthcare. formation to submit your current informa- The next contract bargaining sessions • Build Community Schools to expand • Invest in the adult education and tion and non-LAUSD email address.

Charter members score contract victories New agreements raise pay and protect health care.

By Hong Bui sella, David Valenzuela, Kathy Her, Kyna UTLA Charter Representative Collins, and Torben Pedersen, ECRCHS educators concluded reopener bargaining Demonstrating the power in collec- for the middle year of their three-year col- tive bargaining and united action, UTLA lective bargaining agreement. It included members at four charter schools reached a 3% salary increase, a fairer compensa- strong contract settlements last school year, tion structure for the JROTC instructors, scoring hard-fought wins on competitive additional stipends for educators who salaries, health benefits, and more. perform adjunct duties, and protection of Montague Charter Academy: Led by their excellent full-family health benefits. teachers Laura Cardilino, Pat Wilson, Educators at ECRCHS will enter reopener Emeline Mendez, Marlene Sanchez, and bargaining for the final year of their collec- Julie Muravez, after more than five years tive bargaining agreement this fall. of contract negotiations and having not Ivy Academia: Led by teachers Charlene received a salary increase for almost 10 Guss, Lori Kurtzman, Jessica Jimenez, and years, educators at MCA finally success- Jessica Booth, Ivy educators concluded re- fully negotiated a three-year agreement opener bargaining last spring for the middle Montague Charter Academy teachers stood strong during a protracted contract fight and a (2016-2019) and a 10% salary increase year of their three-year collective bargaining charter renewal scare. last spring. This increase makes their agreement. The agreement included a better salary comparable with their colleagues salary table that will allow educators with included a 3% pay increase for the 2017-18 collective bargaining agreement since con- in LAUSD. They were also able to success- higher degrees or National Board Certifica- school year and a 2% increase for 2018-19. verting to an independent charter school. fully protect their current health benefits tion to advance higher on the salary table They were also able to successfully protect UTLA represents more than 1,000 members and retiree health benefits. It was a long as well as significantly increase maximum their excellent full-family health benefits, at independent charter schools. Belonging to and tough fight that spanned the comings pay. Other highlights include an improved win generous stipends for the cheer a union allows these educators the right to and goings of multiple executive direc- bell schedule for students and educators at coaches, and maintain very competitive bargain over conditions of employment, and it tors, administrators, and board members, all grade levels and a fair and more sustain- rates for summer school compensation. gives them a voice to advocate for themselves in addition to a charter renewal process. able health benefits package that covers This will be BCCHS educators’ second full and their students. Due to poor decisions by past executive 100% of costs for directors and board members, MCA was individual em- under threat of not having its charter ployees. Educators renewed. But through it all, MCA’s edu- at Ivy will enter re- cators endured. They were the steadfast opener bargaining crew who kept the MCA ship afloat for for the final year of their students and the community they their collective bar- serve while executive directors jumped gaining agreement ship year after year. It was by coming this spring. together and demonstrating solidarity Birmingham by signing petitions, wearing stickers, Community Charter meeting with parents, participating in Red High School: Last Tuesdays, packing board meetings, and spring, led by working closely with their new executive teachers Matt director and board members that MCA Defronzo, Erica educators were able to win this victory. Urbina, Aaron They are living proof that educators are Purther, and Matt the bedrock foundation of any success- Mowry, BCCHS ful school and any effort to turn a school educators success- around must not only involve educators, fully negotiated a Birmingham Community Charter High but must be led by them. three-year collec- School’s bargaining team included Matt Bargaining team members and leaders at El Camino Real Charter High El Camino Real Charter High School: tive bargaining Mowry, Matt Defronzo, Erica Urbina, and School celebrate their contract victory, with 86% of members participat- Last school year, led by teachers Jason Kin- agreement that Aaron Purther (not pictured). ing and more than 94% of those members voting “YES” for ratification. 4 United Teacher • for the latest news: www.utla.net September 1, 2017 STEM community rallies against “boutique” school bill AB 1217 would create a state-run, privatized school, taking resources and support from existing schools.

More than 100 educators, students, access to fully funded STEM education STEM graduates, and parents rallied on the that I had as a young woman of color,” steps of the STEM Academy at Bernstein said Dr. See. “This access would be sig- High on August 28 with a straightforward nificantly limited by the passage of AB message: Invest in our existing schools, not 1217—a bill that would take funding a billionaire boutique school. away from our existing LAUSD STEM Assembly Bill 1217, co-sponsored by As- programs and put it into a school that semblymember Raul Bocanegra and State would hand-pick which students deserve Senator Anthony Portantino, would create STEM. Our existing programs need more a single new 800-student privatized state funding—not to be undercut by a pseudo- STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering private STEM school.” and Math) school in Los Angeles, bypass- Also speaking at the rally were Dr. Ruth ing the local School Board, parents, and ed- Montes, graduate of Franklin High School; ucators. If approved, the new school would STEM @ Bernstein students Mathew Gonez take away essential per-pupil funding and and Gisselle Reyes and teacher Ben Kim; resources from the 142 STEM programs Ana de Jesus, a member of Reclaim Our already in place in the Los Angeles Unified Schools LA and mother of a former Poly School District. High STEM student who is now in the Cal The backers of the bill include billionaire State Northridge Engineering program; and Eli Broad, who for years has bankrolled Poly High School educator Angie Barton, various “some kids, not all kids” schemes whose school is in Bocanegra’s district. to undermine the public education system that serves all students in favor of unregu- End-run around local control lated, unaccountable charter school opera- AB 1217 sets a dangerous precedent tors. Ironically, Broad and his cohorts, like for bypassing local control of schools the California Charter Schools Association, by establishing a new path for schools The rally brought STEM supporters together at Bernstein High to speak out against AB 1217, just spent millions of dollars to buy the to be created and authorized at the a bill to create a single new privatized state STEM school in LA. Los Angeles School Board election, and state level. now he is driving a heavy-handed attempt “The best protection to education as to circumvent the same board just a few democracy is that we allow democrati- months later. cally elected school boards to govern the Door-to-door for public education “Why does a billionaire like Eli Broad education of children under their jurisdic- want to open a privatized STEM school in tion,” Sylvia Rousseau, emeritus profes- Teachers and parents walk neighborhoods to build Los Angeles?” STEM @ Bernstein teacher sor at USC’s Rossier School of Education, deeper ties between our schools and the community. Michelle Garcia said. “If he is sincerely told Capitol & Main. “When efforts like concerned with our education system, why this have less control by local governing not invest in our existing public schools bodies, where it’s funded much more by Maximizing the time before the new lected 50 surveys on community needs. rather than cherry-pick students into one private interests—or at least it’s sponsored school year began, Central Area teach- The survey responses will be used as school and exclude many others? Our by private interests with the opportunity to ers and parents spent three days in early part of an ongoing assessment of local school has a 96% attendance rate. We know contribute heavily to it—it begins to rede- August on door-to-door outreach to needs in the broader push for Commu- that our students are showing up because fine who has access to STEM education.” build deeper ties between our schools nity Schools. The neighborhood walks teachers and staff are deeply invested in Los Angeles is already the single largest and the community. were preceded by a short training and what we do and students see that. We are charter authorizer in the country and does One of the home bases for the walks role playing in the Trinity Parent Center living proof that STEM schools in our dis- not need yet another pathway to create was Trinity Street Elementary, which to get people prepped and ready to have trict are working and making a difference new schools. A report recently released by wants to expand on the connections they constructive conversations. in our communities and students’ lives.” the NAACP finds that states with the best formed with parents last year as part of Torres said that during their door At the rally, graduates from LAUSD charter educational outcomes are those a fight against charter co-location. knocking they heard many positive STEM programs called on legislators to with fewer authorization paths. Fewer “As a school teacher, I’m interested things about Trinity from the families defeat the bill. Dr. Melissa See, a family paths create accountability and transpar- in connecting the school to the commu- who have or have had children in the medicine doctor, graduated from LAUSD’s ency that is much needed in LAUSD. nity and the community to the school,” school. People shared concerns about Bravo Medical Magnet. School management organizations, the Trinity Chapter Chair Jesus Torres says. issues in the neighborhood surrounding “All LAUSD students deserve the same (continued on page 28) “What better first step than finding out the school—including loud cars and what the community concerns are and youth smoking near the campus—and what the community is dealing with?” what they would like to see at Trinity, Over three days, the team knocked on including more community-related 158 doors, talked to 60 people, and col- activities for families to participate in. “These are things we can take back and work on as a community,” Torres says. “It begins with listening. What the community has to say may not be what you think it will be. Only by learning community concerns can you figure out a path forward together.” Taking part in the neighborhood walks were Aurora Chapter Chair Ve- ronica Martinez, Trinity teacher Herbert Guevara, West Adams Prep Chapter Chair James Hustace, Trinity parent Gumersinda Serrano, Central Area Board members Claudia Rodriguez and Tomas Flores, and Maria Salcido and Stephanie Flores Temix, Dream Summer interns at UTLA. The walks were organized by UTLA’s parent community organizers, “Public education must remain public,” Dr. See, Despite powerful testimony from teachers such Trinity Elementary Chapter Chair Jesus Ilse Escobar and Esperanza Martinez, and a graduate of LAUSD’s Bravo Medical Magnet, as Wil Page (above) from King Middle School, Torres and UTLA Dream Summer intern the Reclaim Our Schools L.A. coalition. said at the rally. “All LAUSD students deserve the “billionaires’ bloc” on the LAUSD School Maria Salcido talk with local folks about Walks also took place in the 49th Street the same access to fully funded STEM education Board voted on August 22 against opposing community needs. ES and West Vernon ES neighborhoods. that I had as a young woman of color.” AB 1217. 5 United Teacher • for the latest news: www.utla.net September 1, 2017 UTLA 2017 Leadership Conference: Ready to Fight JULY 28JULY 30 Powering up for the Schools LA Students Deserve.

More than 650 UTLA site leaders powered up for the new school year 2017 and our campaign for the Schools LA 2017 to Students Deserve at the UTLA Leader- ship Conference from July 28 to 30 at the Bonaventure Hotel. In his Friday night speech, UTLA Presi- dent Alex Caputo-Pearl blasted the dismal you fight for public education, you are level of school funding and introduced a fighting for kids to get a fair shot and bold concept—20 by 20—to fund LA schools that is worth everything.” at $20,000 per pupil by the year 2020. “If public education is to survive and For more: Read Alex’s State of the thrive in Los Angeles, it is time for us to call Union speech, beginning on page 2, and the question on why our schools are being watch speaker clips and the Year in Re- starved,” Caputo-Pearl said. “Jumping view video from the conference on UTLA’s from $11,000 to $20,000 is aggressive, but YouTube channel (UTLANow). it is far from crazy. Several other states, far poorer than California, are already in the $20,000 per student range.” Core trainings during the conference covered how to organize effective work- At the PACE reception Saturday night, Reclaim Our Schools LA, the California site structures (including Contract Action Congressmember Maxine Waters, one of Alliance for Community Schools, and the Teams) to enforce the contract, defend the leaders of the Trump resistance in D.C., Alliance to Reclaim Our Schools. members’ rights, and build a successful shared a little of her fire, and educators talked While the challenges we face are big, we contract campaign. UTLA is in bargaining with Tony Thurmond, the assemblymember have local, state, and national allies fighting with a comprehensive package of proposals taking on a billionaire-funded candidate in with us. In an energetic conference-closing for the Schools LA Students Deserve on criti- the state superintendent race in 2018. speech, Alliance to Reclaim Our Schools cal issues such as competitive pay, class size, During general sessions, site leaders Executive Director Keron Blair spoke about staffing, testing, school climate and student heard from parents, students, and critical the righteousness of our struggle. discipline, and enhanced professional rights. community partners, including CHIRLA, “They starve our schools, call them failing, and then blame teachers and say that private interests are the way Keron Blair, executive director of the Alliance forward,” Blair said. “We didn’t pick this to Reclaim Our Schools, delivered a powerful fight but we’re ready to fight, and when speech on the righteousness of our struggle.

“We are 46th in education spending but first in prison spending,” Dorsey HS student In the Core Training 1 workshops, chapter chairs talk about best practices (e.g., document ev- Tayah Hubbard says. “That tells us they don’t erything!) and get practical support for top school issues, including evaluations and class size. want to educate us—they want to lock us up.” Hubbard was part of a panel on building Community Schools, with Rudy Gonzalves How can we win contract campaigns in the age (LAANE, left), student Christabel Ukomadu of austerity? Chicago Teachers Union educator (LA Students Deserve, right), Hilda Rodri- Gervaise Clay (left) and staffer Jackson Potter guez Guzman (ACCE) and UTLA Board share great organizing strategies. member Kelly Flores (not pictured).

United Educators of San Francisco President Lita Blanc (second from left) and United Teachers of Richmond President Demetrio Gonzalez (second from right) joined a Sunday panel, with UTLA Board member Javier Romo and UTLA/NEA VP Cecily Myart-Cruz, on the power of teachers’ unions working together as part of the California Alliance for Com- munity Schools. “We must unite to win the bigger battle for funding, against privatization,” Look who joined us at our Saturday night PACE reception: Congressmember Maxine “Re- Gonzalez said. “Our alliance is the pathway.” claiming My Time” Waters. 6 United Teacher • for the latest news: www.utla.net September 1, 2017 “Unsung Heroes”: The driving force of our union Their work strengthens us and inspires us.

Every year at the UTLA Leadership the Stanford Primary Center faculty are on privatization and the Trump/DeVos locations by organizing parent meetings, Conference, we honor a select group being awarded the Unsung Hero Award agenda, bringing together dozens of parents protests, and news conferences to motivate of members as our “Unsung Heroes” for their courageous effort in dealing with on the Eastside who understand the urgent members in the South Central community —people who personify the proactive a bully principal. Zingg, with the Stan- need to defend our public schools. Through for the fight to defend public education. organizing we need to win the Schools ford faculty, began a year-long campaign this amazing work, Lucía Hernandez exem- This year he has joined the Central Area LA Students Deserve. We are stronger advocating for a change in administra- plifies the type of proactive and visionary Steering Committee. through their work and inspired by their tion, one that better served their school organizing we need to win the schools our David Feldman has been teaching dedication to organizing with parents, community. Their efforts included com- students deserve. for 13 years, beginning in the Valley, defending against co-locations, standing municating student safety and education where he was chapter chair for five years up to dysfunctional principals, and more. concerns to the community, district person- “KillBill39” Group before moving to Central Area, where Unsung Heroes are chosen each year by nel, and the LAUSD School Board. They WEST AREA he became the Central Area’s political UTLA Area leaders and members, who were victorious in their tireless efforts for West Area’s Unsung Hero award this director. He has served on the PACE com- had this to say about what makes each of better learning and working conditions at year goes to the “KillBill39” group. This mittee for the past three years and suc- them deserving. their school site and were assigned a new group of teachers, parents, and students cessfully organized phone banks for our administrator. came together when their schools were area and motivated our chapter leaders Koreen Cea attacked by charter co-location. For the to understand the work of PACE and to NORTH AREA first time, elementary and middle school encourage others to join. David is also the Koreen Cea is chapter chair at Aragon Lucía Hernandez chair of the Human Rights Committee EAST AREA communities united to support each other, Elementary. This past year Koreen rep- share resources, and fight for each other’s and is a strong member of our Central Lucía Hernandez galvanized her chapter resented the North Area on the Prop. 39 schools to remain free from having to split Area Steering Committee and vice chair and built a deep alliance with parents that co-location committee. She organized their site and their resources. Together, at Santee Education Complex, and he defeated the charter school’s plans when with parents and teachers at her school this group of people showed that when recently was elected to serve as a NEA Malabar Elementary School was threat- to fight back against co-location. She is school communities work together, we and CFT delegate as well as a CTA State ened with charter co-location in 2015 and on the North Area Steering Committee can accomplish the seemingly impossible. Council Represenative. and the UTLA House of Representatives. 2016. She and her team embarked on a Koreen also represented North Area on successful campaign to get rid of the bungalows at Malabar and create an eco-learn- Jesus Torres & David Feldman Leonard Goldberg the Reclaim Our Schools LA coalition in VALLEY EAST the fight for community schools. ing center that gives students a beautiful CENTRAL AREA place to play and engage with nature. They Jesus Torres has been a teacher for 13 Leonard Goldberg has been a chapter Joyce Jennings & worked to open up Malabar to the com- years, beginning at 28th Street Elemen- chair for more than 25 years. He has Robert Zingg munity, creating a group for fathers to get tary, and is currently the chapter chair worked on the Valley East Steering Com- SOUTH AREA more engaged in the school and hosting at Trinity Elementary School. Jesus has mittee and with many chapter chairs to Joyce Jennings is the chapter chair at workshops to educate immigrant parents demonstrated his organizational leader- resolve issues before they escalate. As a Manhattan Place Elementary School. Her about their rights. Lucía then helped East ship skills and union activism by working cluster leader, he always makes sure to school site was co-located twice with charter Area to plan a series of parent workshops with parents to fight against charter co- (continued on page 25) schools. Joyce’s goals were to keep the entire school community in- Not in attendance: Robert Zingg, Jesus Torres, and Ginger Rose Fox formed regarding the school’s academic ac- complishments and make sure the community knew of the many struggles the school faced from the charter school co-location. Man- hattan Place will now no longer be a co-located site. We salute Joyce for organizing faculty members and working alongside parents in ensuring the best learning conditions for students at Manhattan Place El- ementary School. Members of the “KillBill39” group (right) with West Area Board Joyce Jennings (right) with South Area David Feldman (right) with Central Area Robert Zingg and member Georgia Flowers Lee Chair Maria Miranda Chair Jose Lara

Koreen Cea (right) with North Leonard Goldberg (right) with Valley East Lucía Hernandez (right) with East Area Steve Kofahl (right) with Valley West Area Area Chair Karla Griego Area Chair Scott Mandel Chair Adrian Tamayo Chair Bruce Newborn 7 United Teacher • for the latest news: www.utla.net September 1, 2017 Montara remembers Ramona Gedney New trees and a bright playground bench are dedicated in her honor.

By Silvia Leon excited and ran to Montara Avenue Elementary show her dad what she had found. Her father Teachers, parents, students, and staff told her it was her at Montara Avenue School held a special lucky penny, and from ceremony in June to honor the memory then on, she collected of a beloved third-grade teacher, Ramona pennies throughout Gedney. She passed away suddenly in her life. Therefore, on February 2017 from bacterial meningitis, this special day hon- which left the school community stunned oring his daughter’s and deeply saddened. She was only 39 memory, Mr. Gedney years old. brought a gift for every At the ceremony principal Juana child in the school: a The Montara playground now has a beautiful new bench in Gedney’s Cortez, together with Ms. Gedney’s col- penny from Ramona’s favorite color. leagues, Xochilt Valdivia-Ford and Marisol collection, encased in Montara Elementary teacher and chapter Figueroa, spoke about her life as a devoted a tiny plastic sachet chair Ramona Gedney passed away un- teacher, a UTLA chapter chair, a friend, with her name on it. expectedly in February, stunning her and a leader. Her students also had the It was a very touch- family, students, and colleagues. opportunity to share, one by one, their ing and special gift for favorite memory of their beloved teacher. every student to receive in her memory. Two trees were planted in her honor, and Ramona, like her father, worked at San Antonio Elementary a bench was dedicated on the playground. School, where she taught for 10 years before moving to Montara The bench was painted in her favorite Avenue School, where she taught for six years. As a teacher, her color—green—with designs of her favorite first priority was to build a strong classroom community where character, Hello Kitty. It was custom de- her students felt safe, loved, and respected. To build genuine signed, constructed, and donated by Edgar trust and respect, she shared an abundance of personal stories, Iñiguez and Elisa Zamora, whose daughter many of them of her family life and her college years. Every Itzel was in Ms. Gedney’s classroom. A one of her students could name each of her pets, her favorite beautiful quilt, made by her third-grade food, where she shopped, and where she went to school. This students, was also displayed. is what made her personable and accessible to her students. Ramona Gedney’s father, Albert She also made sure that her classroom environment reflected Gedney, a former teacher at San Antonio each student’s individual persona. She did this by encouraging Elementary School, also spoke about his them to bring decorations from home to make the classroom daughter. He told a story about how she their second home. Ms. Gedney strived to ensure every student The school honored the memory of the beloved third-grade teacher with a found a penny on the ground when she achieved academic success by arming them with tools and strate- special ceremony in June. After the speeches and dedications were finished, was eight years old. Ramona was very (continued on page 24) her third-grade students released green balloons to the cloudy sky above.

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8 LET’S STOP SICK DAYS BEFORE THEY START

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Don’t get the flu. Get the flu shot! Load up on vitamin zzzzz. Pregnant or breastfeeding? Contact your health plan about Sleeping less than 6 hours Then a flu shot is extra important. where to get one. Remember, a night makes you 4 times Flu-fighting antibodies will be the flu virus changes every year, more likely to catch a bug than passed to your baby in the womb so get a shot annually. folks who get at least 7 hours or through your breast milk.† of shut-eye.*

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*Sleep Research Society. †Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Services covered under a Kaiser Permanente health plan are provided and/or arranged by Kaiser Permanente health plans: Kaiser Foundation Health Plan, Inc., in Northern and Southern California and Hawaii • Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of Colorado • Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of Georgia, Inc., Nine Piedmont Center, 3495 Piedmont Road NE, Atlanta, GA 30305, 404-364-7000 • Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of the Mid-Atlantic States, Inc., in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C., 2101 E. Jefferson St., Rockville, MD 20852 • Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of the Northwest, 500 NE Multnomah St., Suite 100, Portland, OR 97232. Self-insured plans are administered by Kaiser Permanente Insurance Company, One Kaiser Plaza, Oakland, CA 94612. Please recycle. January 60531109 2017 United Teacher • for the latest news: www.utla.net September 1, 2017

From the NEA VP UTLA at the RA Making our priorities heard on the national level.

By Cecily Myart-Cruz UTLA/NEA Vice President UTLA’s delegation to the annual NEA Representative Assembly was 110-strong. Every spring, UTLA members elect their on constitutional amendments, Executive schools on public education, the need to Al Gore, who was running for President representatives to attend the National Educa- Committee members, and the leadership of create a “Broadie” superintendents’ list, of the United States. I also met the then- tion Association’s Representative Assembly. NEA. This business is critically important the murder of Philando Castile (a fellow vice president of the NEA, Reg Weaver. I This year, 110 UTLA-elected delegates joined because it shapes policy at the national level union member), and much more. wrote a new business item, spoke to it, and 10,000 members at the 155th Representative for the year. In the days before the start of the RA, it passed. I was thrilled. When I returned Assembly held in Boston in July. In our UTLA Our members participated and wrote there was a pre-conference on Racial and home, I knew that I would be back again. group were more than 20 first-time delegates, New Business Items and resolutions, Social Justice. Participants selected a strand Over the years, I have learned invalu- and while they may have been overwhelmed took to the microphone, and spoke with of knowledge and stayed on that track for able information, gained lifelong friend- by the size of the Assembly, they dove right in passion about trauma-informed curricu- the two days. About 700 NEA educators ac- ships, been able to network across states, with enthusiasm. Our veteran members were lum, ending random searches of students, cepted that mission, sharing their challenges and advocated for our members on the eager to show the newbies the ropes and help Community Schools, harmful McTeach- and their effective strategies during an ener- national stage. The best part by far is being to guide them through the discussion and er’s Nights, the power of the Alliance to getic series of collaborative workshops, train- able to share my advocacy with my son, debate, votes on motions, and secret ballots Reclaim Our Schools, the impact of charter ings, and other exercises and activities at the Giovanni Cruz, who started first grade last Boston Exhibition and Convention Center. month, and who truly is growing up as As my 20th RA came to a close, I part of our big UTLA union family. thought back to my very first RA. In 1998, I was a second-year teacher in Compton Unified. The RA was scheduled to be held in Anaheim, but months before it was changed to New Orleans. I had never trav- eled without my parents before, and there was an overwhelming feeling of excitement for a new adventure. During that RA, I was chosen to sit on the dais with Vice President SCOTT ISKOWITZ UTLA West Area Chair Erika Jones Crawford at the mic, calling for a report on work that NEA has done to address racism.

In accepting the “Friend of Education” award at the RA, literacy advocate and actor LeVar Burton hammered U.S. Secretary of Educa- tion Betsy DeVos’ plans for public education. In particular, he took aim at her support for a proposal to allow $1 billion of federal funds earmarked for needy children to follow students to any public school of their choice. “I am not a fan of Betsy DeVos,” Burton said. “The last thing I believe that we should be doing is taking money from the already strapped public education sector.” With Burton is NEA President A delegate selfie captures some of the energy Lily Eskelsen Garcia. on the RA floor. 10 Adapt instruction to improve student learning!

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Secondary matters What’s behind the Schoology rollout It’s not MiSiS, but it still raises issues.

a major class action lawsuit filed more ments securely over the Internet. these problems were not addressed in than a quarter century ago. Easier said than done. This is true meaningful ways, we had a “MiSiS crisis” today, and it was even more true when on our hands. Online gradebook is meant the Modified Consent Decree was estab- District officials have taken a far more to address past harm lished more than 20 years ago, back when cautious and deliberate approach to the Chanda Smith was an LAUSD a fast Internet connection was a 33.6 kbps Schoology rollout. LAUSD chose to buy student who quite simply fell through dialup, phones were dumb and stuck to something already in existence, rather the cracks of a system that was sup- a wall, and Netscape Navigator ruled the than build it from scratch, meaning posed to meet her special needs. Her World Wide Web. there are already thousands of teach- identified needs and services from Schoology claims to be the latest ers out there in other districts who have middle school were lost with the pa- and greatest, and as far as features go, “beta-tested” features of the system. perwork when she came to high school. it’s pretty packed. A lot of teachers are They piloted the system in what became After Chanda failed 10th-grade courses excited to use it. But for many it brings hundreds of schools, starting small and for a second time, her mom hired a back feelings of MIA-MiSiS-Induced building out over two years. They have lawyer and used the landmark 1973 Anxiety. planned to use most of the “district half” Individuals with Disabilities Educa- of school-site PD this year for School- By Daniel Barnhart tion Act (IDEA) to sue the district for Schoology is not MiSiS ogy. They have incorporated some of UTLA Secondary Vice President changes. The case that bears her name MiSiS was conceived in arrogance, the demands of UTLA representatives expanded into a class-action lawsuit, and executed in ignorance, on a timeline regarding the rollout in their planning As we begin the new school year, settlement, and ultimately a Modified so aggressive and illogical that perhaps it (more training, nonpunitive approach, educators across all secondary schools Consent Decree that includes, among was meant to prove that LAUSD couldn’t soft transition from other systems). They are coming face to face with a new other things, an agreement by LAUSD make it work. MiSiS was built by people claim they are ready. reality: the districtwide implementation to implement an online grade book. hired by LAUSD to do something in- of Schoology as the online grade book The reasoning is simple, and something house, which might not be a bad way We have to be ready too for LAUSD. While Schoology, as both a we as educators and public education to go, but it also meant that all of the While there are benefits to the dis- for-profit company with more than 12 advocates should support: making painful troubleshooting would be on trict administration and probably many million users and a major LAUSD ini- sure that parents, other educators, and LAUSD and our membership alone to parents as well to have one system for tiative, has all the appearances of being even students can see where they are figure out. When it became apparent that online grade books, making the School- cutting-edge technology, its appearance meeting educational goals, and where the scope and complexity of our district ogy choice without any formal involve- in our secondary schools (and soon our they aren’t yet, by sharing progress and its processes were far greater than ment of our union is paternalistic and elementary schools as well) has roots in indicators and marks on course assign- initially understood, and the fact that insulting. LAUSD’s engagement with UTLA on the issue of Schoology as an online grade book consisted of exactly one, perfunctory, one-hour meeting that took place after the checks had been signed. But Schoology isn’t just an “online grade book”; it’s also an LMS—a Learning Management System. District officials have talked about using Scho- ology to deliver and monitor teacher professional development, track parent-teacher communications, and who knows what ideas might pop into their heads around changing grades, pushing harmful instructional conformity, or trying to convince teachers to install the app on their personal cell phones. (Pro tip: Don’t do it!) It’s almost a guarantee that in a district our size, some problem administrator will push this technology too far, and we need to be ready for when that happens. To the extent that the issues arising from the rollout of Schoology bring up issues that affect our hours, duties, conditions of employment, or even the expectations of our profession, UTLA has to be prepared to bargain these impacts. Schoology is here, but our professional rights, our good judgement, and our collective ability to take action isn’t going anywhere.

Having issues with Schoology? Please talk with your chapter chair, or possibly your CAT team member who talks regularly to your chapter chair, about issues that you see coming up with Schoology. We are asking your chapter chair or designee to send potential issues to secondaryvp@ utla.net so we can make sure to have a comprehensive discussion about 13604 Whittier Blvd. Whittier, CA 90605 these issues.

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From the AFT VP It takes a team Facing off against the privatizers calls for a teacher-parent-community coalition.

relationships—once the problems charters are not doing as well as they world, yet people claim that there were solved, everyone went their claim, and they’re learning about nu- is no money to fund public schools. separate ways. merous financial scandals because of Our politicians see our struggle, and Nowadays things are not the the unregulated nature of the charter they continue to allow it to happen. same. Here and in other cities across school sector. All of this is adding Our students need so many resources the U.S., many teachers’ unions are up to changes in public opinion: and assistance. I wonder if legislators looking for better ways to include Recent polling found that support sometimes forget that teachers are parents and communities in their nationwide for charter schools fell not making inanimate items; we are fight to save public education. Build- significantly from a year ago—from dealing with growing minds that need ing stronger relationships with 51% to 39%. exposure to a well-rounded education. parents and community groups con- Having said this, the struggle to For all these reasons, we have to tinues to be at the heart of UTLA’s defend public education continues. speak with one voice against the priva- campaign for the Schools LA Stu- As the new UTLA/AFT vice presi- tizing of public education. We must dents Deserve, and each year our dent, I will continue to engage our fight to preserve a true and free public coalitions with the families of the members and communities to work school system, with doors open to all, students we serve get stronger. together because we must maintain and we must fight for the funding we By Juan Ramirez It’s clear that public education a system that has helped so many need to deliver the kind of education needs all the allies it can get. Priva- people attain an education and better our students deserve. UTLA/AFT Vice President tizers have invested time and money opportunities in life. I believe that I was having a conversation with to destroy our public schools. They the only viable option we have is to a parent recently when she asked me have thrown millions of dollars team up with our communities and BINGO point-blank: “How can I trust that the into legislative races, school board parents and together demand what LATINO KDGN teachers’ union really wants to work races, and many community groups. is good for our students and their with us parents? We have always Los Angeles is home to the largest children. Custom ‘Tools’: worked by ourselves, and many times number of charter operators, and Our fight together must address TIGER/tigre, TURTLE/tortuga we have been on opposite sides of that didn’t happen by accident. But the dismal lack of funding in Califor-

—PAN AMERICAN POSTER FREE! issues.” I acknowledged and under- the narrative is starting to shift: nia. It is an embarrassment that the FREE! * stood this parent’s sentiment. In the People are beginning to understand state of California is the sixth-largest —WINNER’S TOOL KIT — ABC CAUTION past we would invite parents to join that the unregulated growth of char- economy in the world but we rank our protests to defend our rights and ters is hurting neighborhood schools. 46th in student funding. California www.phonicsforlatinos-abcsincommon.com benefits. Too often these were temporary They are reading studies that show is home to the richest people in the

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14 United Teacher • for the latest news: www.utla.net September 1, 2017

assessment you choose to implement should provide the needed literacy detail to guide Elementary notebook your instruction. What this looks like at your school will depend on how you and staff wish to proceed. Will this decision be an individual or a grade-level one? Ask for professional What’s new this year for elementary teachers development to explore options and staff Updates on progress reports, assessments, and Schoology. meetings to come to consensus as a school. The common question that will arise from all of this information is what happens is teacher academic freedom and discretion this is where your grade level will set criteria if my administrator pushes one assessment regarding student progress monitoring. Let for grading. Lastly, we encourage your staff over the other? If you and your staff feel me take some time to clarify a few points on to get creative to support each other. One you have done your due diligence in re- the aforementioned while also mentioning suggestion would be revisiting your calen- searching comparable assessments that that a key priority in contract talks is new dar and asking your Local School Leadership provide the data needed and feel compelled language to strengthen academic freedom Committee (LSLC) to grant a minimum day to “push back,” your staff should. If your and teacher discretion over testing. during the grade inputting window to help administration continues to impede your Standards Based Progress Report: The your staff become comfortable with the process. professional judgment, then please contact new progress report card elementary teachers Remember, all calendar decisions are under your UTLA Area leadership and your Area will be using this year was designed specifical- the purview of the LSLC, and any concerns or staff representative about such issues. I ly for our district. Districts across the country changes should be brought to the committee. encourage all members who have concerns have implemented such report cards for a Assessments: There are few but impor- about testing to read Memos 6697.0 and few years now. UTLA was represented in the tant changes made to the district’s memo on 6700.1 found on the LAUSD website. district’s Report Card Advisory group, which testing, MEM-6697.0. The major change is Schoology: You might have heard “Scho- began meeting approximately two years ago. that TK “students are no longer required to ology” a lot this summer and might have Some of the concerns raised by our members be assessed with DIBELS.” The memo also even explored it a bit on the new Chrome- By Gloria Martinez were addressed. One such example is the use states the “use of Amplify Oral Language book device you received from the district. UTLA Elementary Vice President of the Early Preschool Foundations for TK Screener (OL) is highly recommended.” The electronic grade book, in this Schoology, (Transitional Kindergarten) students, which Students with mild/moderate disabilities is not mandated for elementary teachers this Most students will enter your classroom is a much more developmentally appropriate will be assessed as stated above. Students year. The full implementation for elemen- with wonderment, excitement, and a little measure. The district has also expanded the with moderate/severe disabilities and those tary teachers of the grade book will be next bit of uneasiness about the unknown. This grade input window to three weeks. who are deaf, blind, or severely visually im- year, as the district sets to fulfill its require- year elementary teachers will probably Although you will have to begin using paired will not be required to be assessed using ments of the Modified Consent Decree. relate to their new students on the latter this new system to generate your progress DIBELS. English learners will continue to use Whether it’s grading, progress reports, more than usual. This school year brings reports, here are a few things your staff can the DIBELS data as part of their reclassification. or any issue that impacts our students, plenty of unknowns for elementary school do to facilitate implementation. The train- As a reminder, district policy remains as teachers are the classroom experts and we teachers: There is a new English Language ing, which is designed in modules, should follows: Students K-5/6 are given a literacy should embrace that role together. Many Arts program, a new English Language De- be done as a staff during banking time. Staff assessment three times a year (BOY, MOY, school issues can be solved by organizing velopment component, and a new Standards meetings should be respected for staff issues and EOY). DIBELS Next is the assessment and using existing structures to take a Based Progress report card, as well as a soft and not be used for trainings. The second of to be given across the district. Any other as- stance on academic freedoms and issues launch of Schoology. What remains intact the three modules is the calibration module; sessments, such as TRC, are optional. Any that affect us professionally.

15 United Teacher • for the latest news: www.utla.net September 1, 2017 Special section: Educator What to know about the negotiated evaluation system for 2017-18.

The contract agreement negotiated with sional growth model. On these pages are ing Framework (a relic of the John Deasy era) LAUSD by UTLA and approved by members a guide to the changes and some tips to to the California Standards for the Teaching in 2015 made improvements to the teacher ensuring a fair process. Profession and including contract language evaluation process as part of our long-term Future negotiation priorities could include on Artifacts of Evidence so that evaluations do goal to move toward a career-long profes- shifting from the use of the Teaching Learn- not rely so heavily on one formal observation.

Improvement: Institution of firm timelines Your administrator must adhere to these dates

STEPS in the Process Contract Deadline 2017-18 Calendar Dates

Notification to teacher that he or she Norm day or the last day of the fifth September 15 is being evaluated week of school

Cannot be evaluated that year (unless Employees assigned to new school probationary or received below October 6 site after the eighth week of school standard eval)

Must take place within first eight weeks Initial Planning Conference By October 6 of school

Formal Observation/Conference Must be completed by the sixth week By February 16 (only one is mandatory) of the second semester

Written summary must be within four Evaluation Post-Conference 10 days after the observation days of conference

30 calendar days prior to the last day Final Evaluation May 8 for teachers

Improvement: Initial planning Improvement: Observations

sheet objective elements Employees being evaluated shall receive one formal observation during their evaluation year (down from two mandatory observations before the 2015 contract agreement) + one “growth visit” (considered Employees will be evaluated using seven performance focus ele- informal observation) that must be completed by March 17. ments of the Teaching and Learning Framework (TLF) rather than all Employees who wish to be formally observed more than once may 15. Your initial planning sheet should be consistent with individual arrange additional evaluation with their evaluators. Per Ed Code, ad- objectives. All observations, assistance and guidance, and your final ministrators have the right to informally observe employees at any time. evaluation should be directly related to your planning sheet.

elements designated by the District each year Please see page 24 for the list of constraints that For this year: Standard 3 b2: Discussion techniques and student participation you may wish to attach to your initial planning sheet. 3 Standard 3 c1: Standards-based projects, activities, and assignments Standard 3 d3: Feedback to students 3 elements selected by the employee element cooperatively selected by the +1+1 employee and the evaluator 7 total elements If you cannot come to an agreement with your administrator on the cooperatively selected element, there is an appeal process (see Article X 4.2 of the UTLA-LAUSD contract).

16 United Teacher • for the latest news: www.utla.net September 1, 2017 Development and Support (EDS)

Tips: OBSERVATIONS Tips: Teachers are encouraged to document the observation CONFERENCES time and duration and to make a record of the classroom appearance, student activity, and student work. In & CONFERENCE subsequent administrator visits, do the same type of MEMOS documentation, paying attention to any items included in the Per Article X, Section 5.0d: “Within “assistance and guidance” portion of the observation summary. four work days of a post-observation Written reflections are optional and voluntary. conference, post-growth plan visit conference, or other types of Tips: ARTIFACTS OF EVIDENCE conferences in which problems are Artifacts can include sample student work, lesson identified, a copy of records relating plans, unit plans, sample assessments, department to observations, conferences, and meeting agendas, parent call logs, or any other type of assistance offered or given, shall be documentation that provides evidence of a teacher’s practice provided to the employee for the for a given element in the Teaching and Learning Framework. employee’s information, guidance, and as a warning to improve Formal Observation vs. Final Evaluation performance.” Multiple measures are used to determine your final performance evaluation, with observation ratings being only one part. • Be prepared prior to conferencing with Other factors that MAY be taken into account for an administrator. your final evaluation: • Take your Initial Planning Sheet with you to your pre-/post-observation conferences. Be sure to ask for a printout after your Initial Planning Conference. Formal Observation • Document every conversation/ interaction you have with your administrator. Include time, place, duration, witnesses, tone of conversation, and so on.

• Ask clear questions, request Submitting Parent Participation grades, communication in PD information/support, and make compliance suggestions. issues • Respond to conference memos in writing; don’t allow the administrator’s version to be the only voice on the matter. For example, what pertinent information was omitted from the Relationships conference memo? Correct the record, Growth plan, with Other informal visit colleagues Elements and memorialize the facts as you know them to be.

Evaluations are not grievable except when the final overall Call your Area Representative if you evaluation is “below standard” or there is significant dispar- ity between the rating and negative comment on the form. have questions.

17 United Teacher • for the latest news: www.utla.net September 1, 2017

From the Secretary Keeping the connection How to stay updated, engaged, and ultimately in charge of the direction of our union.

June, July, and August. Please 

check the UTLA website under United Teachers Los Angeles FallFall 2015 2017

“bargaining” to read the Bar- C R Membership Contact Card gaining for the Schools LA Please Print Clearly Students Deserve updates and Employee Number

see the proposals that we have EM CC CC EM

presented to the district. We 

had one of the largest and most First Name Middle Name Last Name UV:

jam-packed Leadership Confer- ences over the summer, where Home Phone Cell Phone

we launched our strategic

plan and the “Ready to Fight INTERNAL

for the Schools LA Students Street Number Street Name Deserve” timeline to support  

our students, defend the teach-

ing profession, fund the future, City and empower our communities Zip By Arlene Inouye (read more about the Leader- UTLA Secretary Personal Email ship Conference in this issue). I am pleased to welcome you back to During the Core Training, we

C P E Z 4 Z E P C  the start of the new school year as your learned how to set up Con-  Information provided may be used to contact you contact to used be may provided Information new UTLA secretary. While the summer tract Action Teams (CATs) of

VC:  Signature Date seems way too short, with some of our members at the school site, so members not having much or any break, we will have a systematic struc- I hope you feel refreshed and ready for ture that allows us to have consistent and phone numbers, and email. We’ve made All the ways we communicate United Teachers Los Angeles the 2017-18 year. effective communication as we build up a lot of progress in getting members’ One of the best waysFall to get2015 informa - Those of us in the UTLA building had a to strike readiness in the spring of 2018. basic contact informationMembership over the past Contact tion Card about UTLA is through our updated R C C R full summer as well. The bargaining team We are getting ready. years, but the challenge is keeping it up web page, www.utla.net.Please YouPrint can Clearly read the worked many days over the summer on Another way we need to get ready to date. With 33,000 E mmembers,ployee Nu therember are latest news, see videos from the Leadership contract language proposals, and we have is by updating every member’s basic constant changes. Conference (and other important events), EM CC CC EM

had bargaining sessions with LAUSD in contact information: mailing address, hear about current campaigns and UTLA First Name Middle Name Last Name How do you know if we bargaining, and buy red T-shirts from our UV:

have your current info? online UTLA store. You can also search the Home Phone Cell Phone

How do you know if you need to UTLA contract by using the new search bar

update your contact information or your and much more. Please regularly visit our

INTERNAL members’ contact information with UTLA? UTLA website, Facebook (www.facebook.

 Street Number• If you haveStreet moved Name or have a new com/UTLAnow), and Twitter pages.  email or phone number, you must report Additionally, one of the fastest and most



efficient ways that UTLA can communicate City this to UTLA. We do not get this information from LAUSD and will not know with you on a regular basisZip is by email. unless you tell us. (UTLA does not share This is why it is important to have your Personalemail Email address information with anyone, correct email address. During the school including advertisers or vendors.) year, if you haven’t received our weekly Information provided may be used to contact you contact to used be may provided Information • If you have new members at your News to Use email newsletter, it is probably C P E Z 4 Z E P C



 school site, they must sign up to be because we don’t have your correct email

members of UTLA by filling out Mem- address. Please refer to the box on this page Signature Date VC:  bership Cards. UTLA cannot automatically in providing us your correct email address. sign up new employees to the district or Communication is fundamental to ev- delete employees who leave our bargain- erything we do together as colleagues and ing unit. You must fill out a membership as union members. As we begin the school card and inform UTLA of changes in as- year, let’s be intentional in keeping con- signment (e.g., changing bargaining units, nected and in helping others to as well. such as from “active” to “substitute”). Ap- Contact Arlene at [email protected] or 213- plications are at www.utla.net/members/ 479-7379. membership-application. • Chapter chairs at school sites received a school-site roster at the August 23 Area Four ways to update your meeting (and every Area meeting after contact information that). You can review the roster and check •Go to www.utla.net, click on the phone number and email listed. If there Members, and go to Update Your In- is none listed or the info is not correct, formation. You can make changes to please provide the information to UTLA mailing address, phone number, and by the ways stated in the box on this page. email. It’s easy and fast. • For itinerant assignments and sub- •Fill out and sign a yellow Mem- stitutes who travel to different sites and bership Contact Card (see this page) who want to be listed on a roster if you and return it to your chapter chair or work at a site the majority of your time, email a photo of the completed form fill out the Itinerant Assignments Declara- to [email protected]. tion Form 2017-2018. Please note that this •Call UTLA (213-487-5560) and form must be filled out every year and request to speak to the Membership submitted to [email protected]. Forms are Department. available in the Forms Directory under •Request that Membership contact Resources on utla.net. you by emailing [email protected]. 18 United Teacher • for the latest news: www.utla.net September 1, 2017 Practical matters: Retirement bonus Retiring? There is a special payment you may be getting.

By Ed Kaz then retired July 1, 1994, and thereafter a to a prorated amount based on the number When the bonus is paid: Once the res- UTLA Compensation & lump sum bonus at retirement. The bonus of hours they were paid. ignation action is processed by HR, Benefits Specialist was designed to partially make up for How the bonus is calculated: The amount the retirement bonus check is paid the loss of salary, and thus compensation of the bonus is calculated by multiplying within 45 days of the actual resigna- UTLA members may be eligible to reported to CalSTRS, during the financial the employee’s regular daily rate for the tion date. The district runs one payroll receive a bonus when they retire. UTLA crisis faced by the District at that time. year preceding the retirement date by a month for all previous month’s retire- negotiated the retirement bonus as an in- Who is eligible: To qualify for the full 20.4. Certificated Personnel processes the ments. The payroll has a pay date of centive to continue working in the early bonus, employees must have been paid change in status from Active to Retired around the 14th of each month. As part 1990s when pay cuts were instituted to for the number of hours corresponding to and notifies Payroll Services, which then of the process, the district researches to avoid massive layoffs. This incentive guar- their full-time assignment from the 1992-93 researches to verify the retiree’s eligibility. determine if there are any outstanding anteed teachers who were employed by school year. If the employee did not work Payment is generally issued within two overpayments owed. All checks are LAUSD for the 1992-93 school year and full-time during that year, they are entitled to three months of receipt of the notice sent via U.S. Mail, to the last home from Certificated Personnel as the data address it has on record. Caveats: If is from the old payroll system in effect you move, you must inform the dis- prior to the implementation of the current trict, and don’t spend the money before UTLA support for housed teachers payroll system. you receive it.

Under former superintendent recently removed from the class- John Deasy, many educators were room, please contact Luis Vicente victims of the “teacher jail” system. Ovalles, staff rep for housed teachers, Caught off guard and often falsely at [email protected]. LAUSD HUMAN RESOURCES accused, they were left to suffer alone, Unjustly Housed Teachers Commit- under house arrest and unsure of what tee: UTLA provides support, guid- to do. LAUSD’s abuse of “teacher jail” ance, and assistance to all rehoused teach- LAUSD is hiring school nurses has lessened since the departure of ers through the Unjustly Housed Teachers Deasy, but we still need to be vigilant Committee. The committee meets about each and every case. monthly at the UTLA building. Openings available district-wide. Don’t be a victim of unfair job actions The next meeting is September 12 from and false charges. UTLA wants you to 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. in Room 904. The UTLA Position offers competitive salary, paid time off know: You are not alone. We are here for building is located at 3303 Wilshire Blvd., you. Call or email the UTLA officer listed Los Angeles, CA 90010 (213-487-5560). (including summer), and fully paid benefits. below and attend the Unjustly Housed UTLA is ready, willing, and able to help Teachers Committee Meeting to get the its falsely accused and unfairly treated To apply or for more information, visit assistance and support you deserve. members. Make the call, attend the go.teachinla.com/nurses or call (213) 202-7580. UTLA officer contact: If you’ve been meeting, and let UTLA help you.

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PRESIDENT’S PERSPECTIVE UTLA and housing groups to leverage the Moreover, Eli Broad and Reed Hastings to fund public schools. (continued from page 3) construction of more affordable housing. are engaged in education issues. They’ve We’re not going to get to 20 by 20 through Create a student deportation defense fund dropped millions into elections and charter one method. There will need to be several human services personnel. Increased in- to assist families. Require the district to schools. Yet, Broad has advocated against funding sources. We are working with com- vestment in bilingual and dual-language meet with parents and community long progressive taxation that would increase munity organizations to define these, but programs and special education supports. before a charter co-location is proposed. his taxes and put more money under public there are already promising pathways. Reduction in special education caseloads. While the district may claim these issues control, to be used for all students. Lots of bil- First, we need to reprogram as much as Investment in a Community Schools model are outside the scope of bargaining, these lionaires take the same position Broad does. we can in the LAUSD budget to go toward that can be replicated across the district. Ac- demands are righteous, winnable, would We need to force politicians to make a student needs. countability standards for all charter schools. make a difference for our students and public choice. Nick Melvoin, Kelly Gonez, Second, UTLA is already deeply in- Increases in teacher discretion over tests, and schools, and can be the foundation for new Ref Rodriguez, and Monica Garcia have all volved in the Make It Fair initiative to reductions in overall testing and paperwork coalitions. And, let’s be clear—a decade ago, received the billionaires’ money in running increase commercial property taxes on the mandates. Strengthened professional rights UTLA tried to go it alone, without coalitions for School Board. They are now responsible wealthiest commercial property owners. and stability for educators. Investment in with the community, in the fight against for all students in the district. We have a Third, we’re exploring an LA County staffing and practices to improve school RIFs, Public School Choice, and Deasy’s very common-sense demand for the four millionaires’ tax. climate and address student discipline. In- teacher evaluation. We lost. We are not doing of them: Get your billionaire patrons to Fourth, we are building national net- creased accountability for administrators that again. We are building coalitions with lead the effort to increase taxes on the rich works to demand of the federal govern- regarding student discipline. Expanded the families of the students we serve. decision-making for educators and parents over school budgets and school programs. 20 by 20: Taking on school funding This is bold and visionary, but we must Increasing school funding must be one do more. Our students, schools, the stabil- of these community demands. What is CTA/NEA professional ity of families, student attendance patterns, taking shape in discussions with com- enrollment, attraction to LAUSD schools, munity organizations is a call for “20 by growth opportunities and so much more depend on a variety of 20.” We need LA schools to be funded additional factors. We must use the unique at $20,000 per pupil by the year 2020. moment of our contract, and the public Jumping from $11,000 to $20,000 is ag- nature of our campaign, to leverage ad- gressive, but it is far from crazy. It exists Free conferences for the 2017-18 school year. ditional community demands that help in the real world. Several other states, far our students and schools. Many across the poorer than California, are already in the • Are you new to the educational profession—five years or less? country call this strategy “Bargaining for $20,000 per student range. • Are you interested in professional development? the Common Good.” We have been ap- Remember what I said earlier. The money • Are you interested in networking with other educational professionals proached by and are in discussions with is here. The billionaires and rich corpora- across the state? historic civil rights, immigrant rights, and tions are keeping the money from our • Are you interested in what CTA does for you? community organizing groups on how schools. Politicians are helping them do that. exactly we engage this exciting opportunity. I’ll say again: California is the richest If so, you are eligible to enter your name in a drawing to be held at UTLA For example, we could demand that the state in the country. It is the sixth-largest headquarters on October 16, 2017, to attend any one of the outstanding district remove all unused bungalows from economy in the world. The LA area has CTA/NEA conferences for the 2017-18 school year. campuses. Develop new green spaces on more millionaires and billionaires than every campus. That the district partner with any other in the United States. To enter, please complete and return the coupon below via U.S. mail to UTLA/NEA Vice President Cecily Myart-Cruz, UTLA, 3303 Wilshire Blvd., 10th Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90010, no later than October 6, 2017.

All UTLA members now eligible to enter thanks to Build the Future, Fund the Fight merger vote! Take our pre-approved, self-paced Salary Point courses from the convenience of your home CTA/NEA Professional Growth Opportunities Print Name Employee # Home Address City Zip Code Home Phone School/Office Name

Gender: Female Male

Ethnicity (optional): African American Asian Pacific Islander Caucasian

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I have been a UTLA member for months/years. I have been in the educational profession for months/years.

Take any of our 3 Salary Point courses Please enter my name in the October 16, 2017, drawing to be eligible to attend any one of the CTA/NEA conferences for the 2017-18 school year. for just $210 Rooms based on double occupancy.

For more information and to enroll visit Please indicate your preference(s) below. www.cecreditsonline.org/lausd Dec. 8-10 GLBT Issues Conference, San Jose Jan. 26-28 Issues Conference, Nevada March 2-4 Equity and Human Rights Conference, Torrance Promotion Code: LAUSDFall17 March 16-18 Good Teaching Conference, Garden Grove Expiration Date: October 6, 2017 Please return this coupon via U.S. mail to Cecily Myart-Cruz, UTLA/NEA Affiliate President, c/o UTLA, 3303 Wilshire Blvd., 10th Floor, Los Ange- ONLINE ● ANYTIME ● ANYWHERE les, CA 90010, no later than October 6, 2017. 20 United Teacher • for the latest news: www.utla.net September 1, 2017 ment that it deal with one of the greatest • Fund the Future: In the second-largest the first month of school, we need you, our Only a few years ago, it seemed impossible shames in national policy. IDEA became district in the nation, the richest state in the great chapter leaders, focused on three items. to win a $15 minimum wage, but “Fight federal law in the 1970s, righteously en- country, and the sixth-largest economy in • Use the checklist you will get in Core for 15” captured the imagination of the suring that special education students be the world, we should not be 46th among Training 1 to get your site ready regarding country. Only some years back, any step served by school districts. However, for states in school funding and starved for re- contract enforcement. forward in humane immigration policy four decades, IDEA has been an unfunded sources in our district schools. The money • Map your school and form a Contract seemed far away, but the “Dreamers” con- federal mandate that impacts every district is here for our students—let’s go get it. Action Team, using what is discussed in trolled the narrative and important steps across the country. One billion of LAUSD’s And let’s be clear. 20 by 20 is a struggle Core Training 2. forward were taken. Only some years back, $6.5 million budget goes to covering the for revenue and for survival for sure—but • Hold a chapter meeting on the UTLA legalizing gay marriage seemed far off, unfunded federal mandate to educate it is also a racial justice struggle. In one strategic plan. but the concept of “Love is Love is Love” our most vulnerable special education of the starkest examples of institutional The Contract Action Teams, or CATs, are captured a generation. These movements students. We need those students to be racism, California has allowed itself to fall the lifeblood of our campaign. They are the were smart and they went on offense, but supported—they deserve every cent. But from the top of per-pupil funding among teams that help us reach 33,000 members they were also based on just what is plain the federal government’s shameful un- the states to the bottom as the proportion about campaign developments and more. right, on a very human level. derfunding of its own special education of students of color in public schools has And Contract Action Teams are crucial in Sisters and brothers, we are just plain right. mandate cripples school districts and increased. This is reprehensible, and we taking on school-site issues. When I was We can capture the imagination of the puts districts in the untenable position are going to fight it. chapter chair at Crenshaw High School, city and state. When I taught in Compton of funding one group of students at the In escalating the Schools LA Students we used a CAT-like structure, organized in 1990, did my third-grade student Sergio expense of others. We are going to fight for Deserve campaign, we build on work we by building floors and sets of bungalows, deserve a high-functioning special educa- the funding our students deserve. have already done. In our 2014-15 contract to engage every educator on whether they tion program? Of course he did. When I While 20 by 20 does not align on the cal- campaign, we systematically escalated would be willing to walk out on the principal taught at Muir Middle School in 1997 in endar perfectly with our February 2018 com- pressure on the district, which led to the when he went over time at faculty meetings. LAUSD, did my student Garrett deserve pression point, using the next six months 10% raise and multiple contract victories. After some organizing, the answer, across all more than the partial attention he got from a to push 20 by 20 onto the public stage, and We need to do the same thing now—es- parts of the facility, was a resounding “yes.” teacher in a room of 47 students? Of course organize support behind it, will force elected calating pressure not only on the district, At the next meeting, we walked out at the ap- he did. When I taught at Crenshaw High officials all over the city, county, state, and but also on elected officials across the state, propriate time, and the principal never went School in the 2000s, did my student Fabiola nation to consider how to intervene in a through Red Shirt Tuesdays, parent leaflet- over time again. Doing mobilizing like that deserve a reliable green space on campus, 2018 LA public school crisis or strike if the ing, school-site picketing, regional rallies, must be preceded by doing the organizing a school that exuded calmness? Of course district forces us in that direction. faculty meeting boycotts, and huge actions of getting an effective CAT team together. she did. When I taught at Crenshaw, did like Stand at Grand. Sisters and brothers, I will end with my co-worker Meredith, a legendary math They fear our collective action Through all of this, we will attempt to this. What the billionaires, the district, and teacher beloved by generations of Crenshaw When all is said and done, the message reach an agreement at the bargaining table elected officials who want to hide from the families, deserve fair health benefits as a of the Schools LA Students Deserve cam- with LAUSD and at other tables regarding big questions of the day fear most is our col- teacher and as a retiree? Of course she did. paign is simple. broader community demands. But, we lective action. They fear a school-by-school, Does the money exist in Los Angeles and • Support Our Students: Safe, high- need to be ready to strike if we have to. tightly organized, connected-to-community in California to take care of all students, to quality schools are a right for all. Most contract campaigns end in agree- union that will do escalating actions and respect all educators, to win 20 by 20, to • Empower Our Communities: Schools ments before there is a need to strike, but that, indeed, has the capacity to strike, with win the Schools LA Students Deserve? Of are anchors of the community. the most successful contract campaigns, no community support, if forced to. course it does. Let’s organize and go get it. • Defend the Teaching Profession: matter how they end, plan for the possibil- They have a related fear: that we begin Thank you for everything you do. Let’s keep Educators are everyday heroes; we must ity of a strike from the beginning. to control the narrative by going on offense. moving forward together, and let’s win, protect against attacks. Our preparation starts this weekend. In That is what other movements have done. together, the Schools LA Students Deserve!

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$329 FOR THREE SEMESTER UNITS OF GRADUATE LEVEL EXTENSION CREDIT

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21 United Teacher • for the latest news: www.utla.net September 1, 2017 Election of UTLA/NEA at-large Board members, officers set for October 16

An election for UTLA/NEA vice presi- standing is eligible to serve. In order to dent, secretary-treasurer, and ten at-large run, the self-nomination form below must UTLA/NEA officers election timeline 2017 members of the UTLA/NEA Board of Di- be completed and returned to UTLA/ rectors will take place on Monday, October NEA Vice President Cecily Myart-Cruz September 1 and October 6, 2017: Article, nomination form, time- 16, 2017. by October 10, 2017 (only self-nomina- line, and absentee ballot request forms in UNITED TEACHER. The at-large Board members work along tion forms accepted). Forms may also be with the three NEA Board members from dropped off at the reception area on the October 10: Self-nomination forms and absentee ballot requests each UTLA area. The three-year-term of- 10th floor of the UTLA building during due to UTLA building by 5 p.m. by U.S. mail (no faxes or emails), ficers and Board members are responsible regular business hours (9 a.m. to 5 p.m.). for determining the yearly UTLA/NEA The elections for both UTLA/NEA officers attention Cecily Myart-Cruz. Forms may also be dropped off at UTLA budget, election procedures, and UTLA- and the at-large seats will be held October headquarters (see the receptionist on the 10th floor) during regular sponsored conference attendance lists. 16 at the UTLA/NEA RA Service Center business hours from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Any UTLA/NEA member in good Council meeting from 3:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. October 11: Letters sent out acknowledging receipt of nomination forms. Nomination and election for UTLA/NEA offices October 16: Election held at UTLA, 3303 Wilshire Blvd., Los Ange- les, from 3:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. in the 2nd floor auditorium. Dead- Pursuant to the bylaws of UTLA/NEA, an election shall be held to elect line for absentee ballots to be received. Ballots counted. UTLA/NEA officers and ten at-large Board of Directors members to a three- year term. The officers to be elected are UTLA/NEA vice president and October 26: Deadline to submit election challenge in writing to Cec- secretary-treasurer. UTLA members who are interested in being a candidate ily Myart-Cruz, UTLA/NEA Vice President, provided a runoff election for an at-large position and/or either officer position should complete the is not required. Please contact Vivian Vega for appropriate form at self-nomination form below and return it to UTLA by 5 p.m. Monday, October 10, 2017, attention Cecily Myart-Cruz. 213-368-6259. Voting for UTLA/NEA vice president, secretary-treasurer, and the ten at-large Board of Directors members will take place at UTLA headquarters, 3303 Wilshire Blvd., Monday, October 10, 2017, from 3:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the UTLA/NEA Service Center Council Meeting. Each candidate will receive a UTLA/NEA Officer and at-large Board complete set of election rules upon receipt of the self-nomination form. election absentee ballot request UTLA/NEA self-nomination form

I wish to be a candidate for I am requesting an absentee ballot for the UTLA/NEA officer and at-large UTLA/NEA Board of Directors Board election. My vote will correspond to CTA’s election guidelines, which allow for voting by mail for CTA members on formal leave. This request and/or must be received by 5:00 p.m., October 10, at UTLA, 3303 Wilshire Blvd., Vice President OR Secretary-Treasurer 10th Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90010, Attn: Cecily Myart-Cruz.

Name I understand that my request will be checked for accuracy by election commit- Employee # tee members. Absentee ballots will be mailed October 10, 2017, and must be received back at UTLA headquarters by 5:00 p.m., October 16, 2017. Address City/Zip Name Home Phone Employee # School Phone Address School City/Zip Home Phone Signature of Nominee School Phone Return this form by 5 p.m., October 10, 2017, to Cecily Myart-Cruz, UTLA/NEA School Vice President, 3303 Wilshire Blvd., 10th Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90010 via U.S. mail. Forms may also be dropped off at UTLA headquarters (10th floor reception area only) during regular business hours (9 a.m. to 5 p.m.). No faxes. UTLA area (Circle one) N S E W C VE VW H

School assignment (circle one) On leave CTA/NEA Board member

I hereby declare that the above information is accurate.

Signature of Member

Date

Return this form by 5 p.m., October 10, 2017, to Cecily Myart-Cruz, UTLA/NEA Vice President, 3303 Wilshire Blvd., 10th Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90010 via U.S. mail. Forms may also be dropped off at UTLA headquarters (10th floor reception area only) during regular business hours (9 a.m. to 5 p.m.). No faxes.

22 United Teacher • for the latest news: www.utla.net September 1, 2017 COMMITTEE EVENTS

Professional Development Programs

Investment Workshop Open to novice and experienced investors Investment Education Featuring and connecting to: • Educators Development and Support • Standards Based Instruction

• Use by new and veteran educators • K-12 curriculum Investment Professionals will cover topics that include: • Interactive journals • On-going support after class Retirement and Investment Basics Mutual Funds, Annuities Active vs. Passive Investments UTLA, Saturday, 9-12 noon Join the Movement for the October 7, 2017, Beyond Classroom Management LAUSD Sponsored 457(b) Plans Schools

Navigating 403(b) Compare LA Students, Parents and November 4, 2017 Success in STEM Education , And so much more . . . Educators Deserve January 27, 2018, Supporting English Language Learners Saturday, October 7, 2017 Sign up at utla.net: ) Professional Development link Sepulveda Middle School (Evans Hall 15330 Plummer Street March 3, 2018, Differentiating Instruction North Hills, CA 91343 Susie Chow, [email protected] March 31, 2018, Using Questions to Teach and Learn 8AM—1PM National Board Certified Teacher AFT National Trainer (Check in begins at 7:30AM w/ coffee and light snacks)

Sponsored by Online Registration: www.utla.net/contact/investmentworkshop100717

exact change preferred) will be collected at the door $5.00 per person ( Padilla For more information, please contact Claudia -5560 UTLA Conference Admin. 213-487

-Retirement Issues Committee Sponsored by UTLA’s Pre —5:30 All are welcome and invited to attend our Committee meetings. They are held from 4:30 on the same evening as the House of Representatives meeting

At United Teachers Los Angeles, 3303 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles 90010 www.utla.net Free, light refreshments, PD hours available

23 United Teacher • for the latest news: www.utla.net September 1, 2017 Evaluation: List of constraints Use on your initial planning sheet.

Also see the special EDS spread on pages 9. No expense account to buy needed 23. Pressure requiring secondary teachers ementary classroom. 16 & 17. teaching aids. to forgo their preparation period in 37. Split grade classes that further inhibit The following items keep teachers and 10. Frequent classroom interruptions. order to cover classes or further filling instruction and widen the achievement students from achieving according to their 11. Favoritism in rotating assignments an overcrowded elementary classroom range of pupils. potential. Circle the ones that apply in among difficult or slow classes. with more students from an absent 38. Lack of access to stockrooms, book your situation and attach to your initial 12. Closed stock rooms. teacher’s class. room, supply cabinets, and Xerox planning sheet. 13. Lack of textbooks that meet the differ- 24. No District procedure for faculty to machine. 1. Crowded classes that prevent indi- ing reading abilities of students. evaluate or have an incompetent ad- 39. Lack of collaboration between parents vidualized instruction and promote 14. Inadequate teacher workrooms, ministrator removed. and teachers. discipline problems. lounges, or lavatories. 25. Lack of a daily preparation period for 40. Nonsupportive school climate. 2. Traveling or roving, which prevents 15. Lack of separate rooms for counseling, every teacher. 41. Hostile, noncaring administrators. teachers from setting up a good learn- remedial reading, speech therapy, art, 26. Failure to provide all students with 42. District-mandated programs and ing environment. music, and the RSP program. specialists in the fields of music, art, pacing plans that are not based on 3. Improper use of common planning 16. Teacher staff development that is run and physical education. needs of students. time. by nonteachers, poorly planned, and/ 27. Not enough psychologists, counselors, 43. Lack of intervention mechanisms. 4. Burdening overtaxed teachers with the or performed outside school hours. coordinators, and mental health teams 44. Other: chores of secretaries, policemen, and 17. Frequent assignment of duties during to handle the problems of students. collection agents, e.g., cafeteria supervi- a teacher’s lunch period. 28. Lack of time for department chairs to sion, hall patrol, playground and bus 18. No adequate program to diagnose and provide services to members of de- duty, lavatory checking, money collec- treat disruptive students. Readmission partment. tion, duplication of material. to regular classes without corrective or 29. Patronage system in the appointment 5. Understocked and understaffed therapeutic action. of administrators. libraries. 19. Frequent failure of administration to 30. Assignment of teachers outside their Signature: 6. Unreliable and rigid requisition and support a teacher in a discipline case. field of competence and training. delivery system for school supplies. Not enough time to talk personally 31. Culturally insensitive school program. Disclaimer: 7. Shortages of necessities, such as au- with students. 32. Depriving students of needed work- “ Pursuant to California Education Code diovisual apparatus (including TVs, 20. Insufficient number of telephones for books for reading, math, and English. sections 44660-65, I specifically renounce VCRs, and current videos) teacher teachers and counselors to contact 33. Failure to provide economically dis- and reject any standards, objectives, tech- manuals, CDs, DVDs, legible paper, parents about their students. advantaged students with needed ser- niques, board rules, or policies which are music materials, science kits and equip- 21. Lack of academic freedom from admin- vices in schools to meet their needs. not reasonable, professional, valid or con- ment, computers and software, pencils, istrative interference in conducting class, 34. Outdated curriculum in many areas, sonant with the growth of my students and crayons, construction paper, PE equip- grading students, handling controversial controlled by nonteachers. with relevant educational principles. I also ment, staplers, tape, etc. subjects, and innovating instruction. 35. High transiency rate. incorporate by reference the UTLA lists of 8. Delays in repairing and servicing 22. Arbitrary or capricious teacher evalu- 36. Failure to provide library centers and constraints upon which the achievement of equipment, windows, and structures. ation procedure. reference books adequate for each el- all valid goals and objectives is predicated.”

RAMONA GEDNEY GRAPEVINE schools for more than 14 years. Learn Free workshop on computer (continued from page 8) (continued from page 31) movement and language to enhance science fundamentals listening, focus, and harmony within Move your students beyond tech liter- gies for success. She obtained her National Los Angeles River. On Day Two expert classrooms. The course reaches all ele- acy to creating modern knowledge. This Board Certification in just one year. docents lead a walking tour of historic mentary-aged children (modifications for one-day workshop gives you full access As a colleague she was professional and houses in the Sycamore Grove community older students). No prior yoga experience to all online and unplugged program- a team player. If she saw injustices, she where they are received by the owners required. This course also helps educa- ming and computational thinking ac- would voice her concerns and offer practical and listen to their life stories. In the after- tors begin and continue a simple yoga/ tivities that teachers can apply in their solutions. This is how Ramona was discov- noon they learn about the Ethno Botanic meditation practice for themselves. One classrooms right away. The focus is on ered as a natural leader and elected to be Gardens at the Southwest Museum and salary point available. The next session problem-solving skills instead of soft- UTLA chapter chair. When she committed sit with holders of Chumash and Tongva is September 9, 10, 16, and 17 from 8:30 ware-using skills and encourages com- herself to this position, she wanted to excel traditions for a hands-on workshop. To a.m. to 12:30 p.m. There will also be a munication and creativity. This training and ensure the job was done right, so she receive one salary point credit for the session October 7, 8, 14, and 15. Fee is is open to all teachers, administrators, attended UTLA workshops and confer- workshop, teachers are required to use $200. One salary point available. Classes TAs, technology and computer teach- ences to learn skills that would enhance her the information they acquire to create take place at VIP, 1721 Griffin Ave., 90031. ers/coordinators, and parent volunteers performance as UTLA chair. As her peers lessons for their classrooms that reflect Please email Kelly Wood for details: info@ from any school. You will learn how to came to voice their concerns, she listened in- Charles Lummis’ view of the Southwest to school-yoga.org or call 323-240-8711. View teach computer science fundamentals, tently and kept those concerns in complete support the Common Core. Registration is details on www. schoolyoga.org/about- extending many of the problem-solving confidence. She firmly advocated for her $85 per participant and closes on October teacher-training. techniques teachers already use. Attend- peers but was always tactful and respect- 14, 2017. The workshop will take place ees will also have the opportunity to ful without being accusatory or confron- on two Saturdays, October 21 and 28. To Salary point class on program multiple robots designed for tational with administrators. She worked register log on to http://www.lummisday. cultural competency the elementary school learners. Taught by adamantly to ensure that everyone was org/educational-workshops/ complete “Valuing Difference” and “Cultural Code.org facilitators who are experienced represented and treated with dignity and the information and use a credit card to Competency” are interactive seminars on computer science educators, the work- fairness. This is what made Ramona one of pay the registration fee, or send a check cultural diversity, family history, media shops will prepare you to teach the Code. the best UTLA chapter chairs at Montara made out to Lummis Day Community and societal impacts, and effective com- org curriculum. The workshop will take Avenue School by far. Foundation, Inc, and mail to Lummis munications. The salary point workshops place at Thomas Starr King Middle School At the school ceremony, after the Day Community Foundation, P.O. Box cover the important role your own culture (4201 Fountain Ave., LA, CA 90029) on speeches and dedications were finished, 50543, Los Angeles, CA 90050. Registra- plays in day-to-day interactions and in- October 7, from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Sign her third-grade students released green tion limited to 20 participants. Contact cludes interactive exercises in which par- up at https://studio.code.org/pd/work- balloons to the cloudy sky above. It was a Carmela Gomes, gomescarmela16@gmail. ticipants review various issues from a shops/2847/enroll. moment where everyone stood still to think com, or 818-429-8755. variety of viewpoints. The next session of how Ms. Gedney had touched their lives. for “Cultural Competency” is September California Subject Matter Montara Avenue School lost a great teacher SCHOOL Kids Yoga & Mindfulness 9 and 10 (Saturday and Sunday). The Project Seminars for Teachers who improved the lives of so many students Teacher Training next session for “Valuing Difference” is of World Languages and stood by her colleagues in unity. We Learn classroom-proven calming October 8 and 15 (two Sundays). The fee L.A. STARS, a regional center of the will remember Ramona Gedney every time methods of school yoga, meditation, and is $95. Location: 8339 W. Third Street, California World Language Project, has we sit on her bench, wear green, see Hello mindfulness, designed specifically for L.A., CA 90048. One multicultural salary announced its professional development Kitty, or find pennies on the ground. She public school classrooms. Kelly Wood, point available. For more information or seminars for the 2017-2018 school year. will live in our heart and in our memory experienced yoga teacher for children to register, call Kari Bower at 323-653-3332 Programs for teachers of Dual Language for many years to come. and adults, has taught weekly in LAUSD or email [email protected]. (continued on page 27) 24 United Teacher • for the latest news: www.utla.net September 1, 2017 Notice to new LAUSD employees concerning UTLA dues/agency fees

The collective bargaining agreement Paying agency fees between the Los Angeles Unified School If you choose not to join, you will pay District (“District”) and United Teachers agency fees as determined by UTLA Los Angeles (“UTLA”) provides that as a pursuant to an annual independent new, certificated bargaining unit employee audit. These fees will be deducted from of the district, you are required to do one your paycheck and will not be more of the following within your first 30 days than the combined dues, initiation fee, of employment: and general assessments that UTLA 1. Join UTLA; or members pay. If you choose not to join 2. Pay “agency fees,” unless you are UTLA and object to UTLA spending eligible for the religious exemption listed your agency fees on matters unrelated below. to collective bargaining and the admin- The agreement states at Article IV-A, istration of the UTLA/LAUSD contract, Section 4.0: “Agency Fee/Dues Obligation: your fees will not go toward political Commencing within thirty (30) days of em- contributions or certain aspects of lob- ployee’s initial employment, throughout bying, ballot measures, publications, the term of this Agreement, each employee organizing, and litigation, as deter- LOS ANGELES (as defined in Article I of this Agreement) mined by law. A copy of the current is required as a condition of continued Notice to Non-Members that explains employment either (a) to be a member in the independent audit process can be MUSEUM OF THE HOLOCAUST good standing of UTLA, or (b) to satisfy requested by calling the UTLA Member- the agency fee financial obligations set ship Department. forth in Section 4.1 below, unless quali- Now scheduling tours for the fied for religious exemption as set forth in Religious exemption Section 4.2 below. Newly hired bargaining You can be exempted if you are a 2017-18 school year members shall have deductions for dues member of a bona-fide religion that or agency fee made on the first warrant meets the legal standard for tradition- received from the District. If this warrant ally objecting to employee organizations. covers several pay periods, a deduction The exemption will apply only to an shall be made for each pay period.” employee “who is a member of a religious body whose traditional tenets or Joining UTLA teachings include objections to joining or If you join UTLA, you will be respon- financially supporting employee organi- sible for paying union dues. As a member zations. . . . ” An eligible employee will of UTLA you are entitled to the benefits pay, in lieu of an agency fee payment, of membership, including the right to an amount equal to the agency fee, to a fully participate in the internal activities nonreligious, nonlabor, charitable orga- of UTLA, such as voting on internal union nization. Should you wish to apply for elections, and eligibility for any member- this exemption, you should contact the only services and benefits. district’s payroll division.

UNSUNG HEROES (continued from page 7) keep chapter chairs informed. He has during the very difficult transition. He taken on bad principals and has gotten was instrumental in negotiating the very one removed by keeping a log of actions first UTLA contract with Birmingham that were questionable and not in line Community Charter High School. More with the school’s mission and vision. recently, because of his success with the Holocaust Survivor Speakers At his school site, he has also educated contract at Birmingham, he was elected members about their rights and how as the pro-teacher representative on the El to understand the matrix. He is on the Camino Real High School Charter School Extensive Collection of UTLA Pre-Retirement Committee and Board of Education. As a Steering Com- has served on the House of Representa- mittee member, Steve has successfully Primary-Source Artifacts tives for the past four years. He is on CTA negotiated with Birmingham to use their State Council and is on the CTA’s pre- facilities for our Area meetings for the retirement committee as well. Leonard past several years. Teacher Training Workshops walked door-to-door for Propositions 55 and 58 and did phone banking for Propo- Ginger Rose Fox sitions 30 and 32. He has been part of the HARBOR AREA Free Admission NEA/RA for the last three years and has Ginger Rose Fox, a Harbor Area itin- served as a whip for Valley East. erant arts teacher, has proven to be an indispensable part of UTLA. Not only To schedule your visit, contact Steve Kofahl is she a well-respected Dance teacher at VALLEY WEST AREA a variety of schools in the Harbor area, Steve Kofahl has been a loyal member she also has been fully involved with [email protected] | 323.651.3704 of UTLA since 1984 and became chapter union work. As an arts teacher, she has chair of Birmingham High School in 1994 been integral in creating the UTLA Arts and remained so until his retirement in Standing Committee on which she serves 2014. After retirement, he continued his as chair. She serves the citywide itiner- service to Valley West as a member of the ant arts teachers well in union matters, Steering Committee. When Birmingham including step one grievance proceed- decided to convert to an independent ings. She has been an important part of 100 The Grove Drive, Los Angeles CA 90036 charter school, Steve fought successfully political work in the Harbor and has been to bring the Birmingham Charter Board on the Harbor Steering Committee for a into compliance with members’ rights few years. www.lamoth.org 25 United Teacher • for the latest news: www.utla.net September 1, 2017

Involvement opportunity CTA State Council CTA Unexpired Term elections Unexpired Term election notice Are you interested in representing UTLA/NEA members at the state level? CTA (California Teachers Association) State Council, a policy-making body that meets By Laura Carls & for representatives are covered by CTA, quarterly, has openings for representatives to fill unexpired terms. If you wish to Deborah Schneider-Solis including hotel, mileage, and food costs. run for one of these positions, complete and return the self-nomination form by U.S. UTLA/NEA Election Committee Meetings begin at 9 a.m. Saturday, 7:15 mail to UTLA/NEA VP Cecily Myart-Cruz at UTLA. The form must be received a.m. Sunday, and usually end around 4 by 5 p.m. on September 8, 2017. The election will be held at the September 27, 2017, UTLA/NEA members will elect CTA p.m. both days. Subcommittee meetings Area meetings. For those members who cannot vote at their Area meetings, voting State Council representatives for unex- on Friday evenings and voluntary caucus will also be held at the UTLA building from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on September 27, 2017. pired terms at elections scheduled this meetings before and after the general year for the September 27 Area meetings. weekend meeting times can enrich the Self-Nomination Form These delegates will join the other UTLA representative’s knowledge of issues representatives when the council begins facing California educators. UTLA del Name for the 2017-18 school year. egates are rewarded for their time and The State Council acts as CTA’s pol- effort by getting a chance to make a state- Employee number icy-making body, meeting four times a wide difference in education. year. Each representative is expected to If you find the idea of participating Address serve on a standing committee, which on a statewide level intriguing, fill out debates business items involving aca- and mail in the self-nomination form on City Zip demic freedom, retirement, civil rights, this page to run for CTA State Council. political action, teachers’ rights, and state- Forms are due by September 8 via U.S. Home phone wide negotiation issues. State Council mail (no faxes or emails). Forms may also representatives also vote for CTA’s state- be dropped off at UTLA headquarter s on Non-LAUSD email address wide officers. In the 2017-18 school year, the 10th floor (attention: Cecily Myart- all State Council meetings will be held Cruz, UTLA/NEA VP) during regular School in Los Angeles. All necessary expenses business hours from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. School Phone

I certify that below is the signature of the candidate whose name appears above. CTA State Council Signature Date Year-Round Absentee Ballot Request (Required) I am requesting an absentee ballot for the CTA State Council Election for the Return this request to UTLA/NEA VP Cecily Myart-Cruz by 5 p.m., September unexpired term. 8, 2017, via U.S. mail to UTLA, 3303 Wilshire Blvd., 10th Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90010. Forms may also be dropped off at UTLA headquarters on the 10th floor My vote will correspond to CTA’s election guidelines, which allow for voting by during regular business hours from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (attention: Cecily Myart-Cruz). mail for CTA members on formal leave. This request must be received by 5 p.m., NO FAXES OR EMAILS. September 8, 2017, by U.S. mail to UTLA, 3303 Wilshire Blvd., 10th Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90010, Attn: Cecily Myart-Cruz, UTLA/NEA VP. I understand that Form must be received by UTLA by September 8, 2017. my request will be checked for accuracy by election committee members. Absentee ballots will be mailed September 20, 2017, and must be received via U.S. mail by 5 p.m., September 27, 2017. CTA State Council Name

Employee number Unexpired Term election timeline

Address July 21, September 1: Nomination October 9: Deadline to submit election forms, timeline, and absentee ballot challenge in writing to Cecily Myart- City Zip request forms in UNITED TEACHER. Cruz, UTLA/NEA Vice President, provided a runoff election is not required. Home phone September 8: Self-nomination forms and absentee ballot requests due to October 18: Absentee ballot for runoff Non-LAUSD email address UTLA building by 5 p.m. by U.S. mail sent. (no faxes or emails). Forms may also School be dropped off at UTLA headquarters November 1: Runoff election, if needed, (see the receptionist on the 10th floor) at Area meetings and at UTLA head- School Phone during regular business hours, from 9 quarters from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. a.m. to 5 p.m. November 1: Absentee ballots due back UTLA area (Circle one) N S E W C VE VW H September 11: Letters sent out acknowl- to UTLA by 5 p.m. by U.S. mail only Absentee ballot requested for: edging receipt of nomination forms. (no faxes or emails).

CTA State Council September 20: Absentee ballots sent out. November 3: Election Committee meets at 9 a.m. to count all ballots. Letters sent September 27 November 1 September 27: Elections at all UTLA to winners and results will be posted Check one: CTA/NEA Board member Formal LAUSD leave Area meetings and UTLA headquar- at www.utla.net by the end of the next ters from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. business day. Those who are not elected I hereby declare that the above information is accurate. delegates will become alternates. September 27: Absentee ballots due November 13: Final date for challenges Signature Date back to UTLA by 5 p.m. by U.S. mail only (no faxes or emails). to be submitted in writing to Cecily Return this request to UTLA/NEA VP Cecily Myart-Cruz by 5 p.m., September Myart-Cruz, UTLA/NEA Vice Presi- 8, 2017, via U.S. mail to UTLA, 3303 Wilshire Blvd., 10th Floor, Los Angeles, CA September 29: Area and absentee dent, provided an additional runoff 90010. Forms may also be dropped off at UTLA headquarters on the 10th floor ballots counted, 9 a.m. Letters sent to election is not required. Please contact (attention: Cecily Myart-Cruz, UTLA/NEA VP) during regular business hours winners and results will be posted at Vivian Vega for appropriate form at from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. NO FAXES OR EMAILS. www.utla.net by the end of the next 213-368-6259. Form must be received by UTLA by September 8, 2017. business day. 26 United Teacher • for the latest news: www.utla.net September 1, 2017 GRAPEVINE (continued from page 24)

Immersion, foreign languages, Spanish ukulele, taught by an LAUSD Teacher for Spanish speakers, ELD, and AP of the Year and ukulele virtuoso. You’ll Language, Literature, and Culture will learn a few songs within minutes and take place on the campus of Occidental learn to use ukulele in your lessons, College on Saturdays. All programs will for every grade level and every content Would you like to lead Professional Development for your colleagues? highlight the Common Core Standards area. The class meets on three Satur- and 21st-century skills. For additional days, September 9, 16, and 30, from Do you need more salary points? information, please call 323-259-2949, 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. The fee is $149 and email [email protected], or visit http:// you can earn one salary point. The in- Are you an NBC teacher who would like to share your expertise and earn www.la-stars.net, where you can down- structor will provide lessons, beginner hours? load information and applications. chord/song charts, booklets, instru- Come Join Us ments (with prior arrangements), video and Salary point class on ukulele lessons, a webpage to share ideas, and Musicians and non-musicians are lots of support. Register online at Bartt. Learn How to Write a welcome at “Ukulele for Teachers,” Bartt net, where you’ll also find a lot more Warburton’s workshop taught at the info about this class. Email Bartt with Salary Point Course Coffee Gallery Backstage in Altadena. questions at [email protected]. You can The class is a fun, basic introduction to also call or text Bartt at 818-568-3595. Proposal

Dates for the 2017/2018 school year: *All workshops are held from A Free, Educational “Board” Game 4:00-6:00 PM Thurs. Sept. 14th Addresses racism and white privilege through critical thinking, social analysis, @ the Mon. Oct. 23rd and team-based discussion. UTLA Building Thurs. Nov. 30th 3303 Wilshire Blvd. Thurs. Jan. 18th Los Angeles, CA 90010 Mon. Feb. 12th Thurs. Apr. 12th

*Tues. June 12th (9:30-11:30 AM)

Ages 13+ • CCSS-Aligned • Curriculum Included (Worksheets, Glossary, PowerPoint) Please register on The Learning Zone under the Course Tab- type in the title For Classrooms, After-School Groups, Staff Trainings For more info. go to the “Salary Point Credit” link on lausd.net

Players will: If you have questions contact us: • Become more aware that racism exists in many everyday situations (both interpersonal and institutional) Ingrid Gunnell at: 213-241-5486 Esmerelda Khoury at: 213-241-5485 • Learn why the situations are racist (stereotyping, tokenism, cultural appropriation, etc.) or by email: [email protected] or by email: [email protected] • Acquire tools to interrupt these kinds of situations in order to help create a more loving and just world DOWNLOAD at www.roadtoracialjustice.org • Created by Kesa Kivel *June is the only morning session

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United Teacher • for the latest news: www.utla.net September 1, 2017

the premiums are 100% paid for by their people on the School Board, people like Note from UTLA-R President former employer. The vast majority of past members Julie Korenstein, David former California education employees Tokofsky, Marguerite La Motte, Jon Lau- It’s all connected. who are 65 and older make monthly ritzen, Bennett Kayser, and Valerie Fields, payments to their former employer or to who will make the right decisions on our By John Perez retirees who are not yet on Medicare. All CalPERS to keep themselves insured. medical plans. The only way to do that is UTLA-Retired President three plans charge anywhere from 117% Rejoin PACE: UTLA-R will be sending build up our political power through our of the cost to insure an active member to you a PACE membership form. Every PACE account. All your officers have told John Donne said, “No man is an island; as much as 150% to insure retirees under dollar cut from the federal safety net is CalSTRS to send UTLA PACE a monthly entire of itself. . . .” The budgets—federal, age 65. Kaiser and Health Net have their either lost or has to be made up by adding donation; please join us. state, and local—that control our lives own prescription plans, but CVS, the plan to state or local budgets. We need good John can be reached at [email protected]. connect us all to each other. that our Anthem members have, costs one We temporarily dodged a bullet when and a half times as much for us as the the Senate Republicans could not at this prescription plan for our active colleagues. “BOUTIQUE” SCHOOL BILL Charter Schools Association—voted the time repeal the Affordable Care Act. But Half a million Americans are homeless (continued from page 5) resolution down. important parts of Obamacare are still under and another 19 million are housing inse- “The school board members had a criti- attacks that could negatively affect our health cure, and the Trump administration wants state department of finance, and State Su- cal chance to stand up for the schools they plan. Trump wants to cut the subsidies that to cut $7 billion from the Department of perintendent of Public Instruction Tom were elected to serve, but they chose to allow the insurance exchanges to work. If Housing and Urban Affairs. This will put Torlakson, who’d be charged with oversee- side with their benefactors,” UTLA Presi- that happens and millions of people lose more people on the streets. People without ing the school, are all opposed to the bill. dent Alex Caputo-Pearl said. “At the same health care, the cost of our premiums will go permanent addresses usually don’t have The rushed push for the bill is raising red meeting, Board President Ref Rodriguez up. But that is not the only threat. Working its insurance and often use emergency rooms flags. In its original form, AB 1217 would unilaterally eliminated the longstanding way through the Congress is the President’s for medical care. The more people who use have created a teacher residency program. Labor Partners section of the meeting budget, which contains cuts to the nation’s emergency rooms, the greater the pressure In July, Bocanegra reintroduced a completely agenda without warning, ending the op- frayed safety net of hundreds of billions of on the insurance companies to raise pre- overhauled bill—a process called “gut and portunity for educators, students, and dollars. The safety net includes Medicare. miums. The proposed cuts to programs to amend,” which overrides standard deadlines parents to have direct access to the board. Every dollar cut from Medicare will put alleviate hunger and poverty would require, for proposing nonemergency legislation. Bottom line with this board: More access increased pressure on our health benefits. according to Bread for the World, every re- for billionaires, less for the community.” As retirees, we have lifetime benefits ligious congregation in America to collect “Billionaire bloc” on School Board As this UNITED TEACHER goes to press, because Medicare helps pay our doctors’ an additional $714,000 a year for 10 years to In the first test of the new pro-priva- the Senate Appropriations Committee will bills. Our health plans come in at three dif- make up for this loss of support. People who tization majority on the LAUSD School be voting on AB 1217 and we anticipate its ferent costs. The lowest cost is for those of have to choose between eating and medical Board, on August 22 Board member passage by that body. Shortly thereafter, the us who are 65 or older. The cost to insure care usually choose eating, and this means George McKenna introduced a motion entire Senate will take up the vote. CTA, those of us on the Anthem Medicare plan that the number of people who can afford opposing AB 1217, citing the detrimental CFT, and the State Federation of Labor are is 51% of what it costs the district to insure medical plans goes down. The fewer people effect it would have on existing schools, currently lobbying senators in Sacramento. an active Anthem member. On Health Net with medical plans, the higher the cost for among other concerns. UTLA will continue to lobby the Assembly Medicare the cost is 31% of what it costs to the rest of us. As I said, we are all connected. Despite powerful testimony by class- Education Committee, where we anticipate insure an active, and the Kaiser plan only The Last of the Mohicans: We may not room teachers, the “billionaire bloc”—Nick an important vote in the next two weeks. costs 29% as much. Next most expensive yet be the Last of the Mohicans, but there Melvoin, Ref Rodriguez, Monica Garcia, Please see the “Your Opinion Matters” is the cost to insure active members. The are very few people our age who have and Kelly Gonez, who were elected with graphic below to sign up for text alerts to most expensive is the cost to insure our medical, dental, and vision plans where the support of Eli Broad and the California contact your legislators on AB 1217.

We’re with you all the way. YOUR OPINION MATTERS! JOIN CTA’S TEXT TO CONNECT PROGRAM. BE A PART OF CTA’S sKz&&KZd^^hWWKZd/E' ,ZdZ^,KK>Z&KZD>'/^>d/KEW<'EKd,Z>'/^>d/s WZ/KZ/d/^͊ JOIN TODAY BY TEXTING “UTLA” TO 69866 zKht/>>'ddyd^hZ/E'd,>'/^>d/s^^^/KEt,/,t/>> KEEdzKhzW,KEdKzKhZ>'/^>dKZ͘

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On July 12, Tom Torlakson, the state ers of beginning CELDT levels in SEI Protect superintendent of public education, programs; BCC/BCLAD intervention said at a State Board of Education teachers, coordinators, coaches, or meeting: “I hereby declare Proposi- equivalent who service ELs; teachers your tion 227 null and void. It is gone. It is of Deaf and Hard of Hearing stu- dead…. It has been replaced by a new dents; BCC/BCLAD HHS provid- assets enlightened legislation called Educa- ers who service sites with more than tion for a Global Economy [Prop. 58], 50% ELs; BCC/BCLAD substitute which gives all of our children a better teachers who complete a certain per- chance in life.” The entire state board centage of days in any of the above broke into applause. Members of Cali- categories. fornians Together, of which UTLA is • Monolingual teachers who teach in a member, were in the audience. We Master Plan programs with beginning clapped and cried. We had just finished CELDT levels shall be provided with a hours of testimony on how English bilingual paraprofessional. learners could succeed through the Information on starting a dual-language English Learners’ Road Map. A historic program at your school site: The Bilingual day had come after almost 20 years Education Committee will be presenting of language repression. Prop. 227, for a Power Point in each of our UTLA areas those who don’t know, was the 1998 in the near future. If your specific school “English in Schools” initiative that tried would like to see this, please contact us. to wipe out bilingual education. The deadline to start a program for next Bilingual Ed Committee goes to UTLA year is November 15. negotiations: On July 19, Tomas Flores Is your school following Master Plan (incoming chair), Marina Salas (outgo- guidelines? If you believe your school ing chair) and myself joined our UTLA is remiss in notifying parents of lan- bargaining team and engaged in ne- guage rights or class offerings, please gotiations with the district. This is an contact us. outline of our demands. We would love to see you at our next • Differential stipends, of differing Bilingual Ed Committee meeting at 4:30 amounts, for: BCC/BCLAD teachers p.m. on September 13 at the UTLA build- in Dual, Maintenance, Transitional ing, Room 828. Bilingual programs, regardless of CELDT level; ELA teachers in Dual —Cheryl Ortega Language Programs, regardless of UTLA Director of Bilingual Education CELDT level ; BCC/BCLAD teach- [email protected]

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BOOKS PLEASE STOP PAYING RENT!!! Your landlord is us- JOB SHARE ing the counselor/dean at Fairfax Magnet Center ing your rent money to pay off his mortgage. You for Visual Arts California Missions, Secondary Teaching Techniques, should be paying off your own mortgage, you de- I’m a loyal, dedicated, hardworking second-grade Please send these items as soon as possible to: Stories, Computers, Quit Smoking: PaulRallion.com. serve it! Call me today to find out more about the teacher. I would like to work the morning shift for Kelly Cohen, Coordinator, Fairfax Magnet Center “Extra Credit Teacher Home Purchase Program.” any grade K-5. I will come to your school. Please for Visual Arts, 7850 Melrose Avenue, Los Ange- Kym Hooper (310) 628-7393. contact me (818) 939-8498 ASAP to job share this les, California, 90046. Phone (323) 370-1230, fax HOME BUYING Spring (2018) and beyond. (323) 370-1273, email [email protected].

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30 United Teacher • for the latest news: www.utla.net September 1, 2017 UNITED TEACHER GRAPEVINE CCU grants for teachers p.m. For more info, visit www.lacma.org/ classroom by mail. Winning students will program emphasizes joyful learning and Have a great class project idea? Each programs/education/evenings-educators receive an autographed book, attend the teachers leave feeling inspired, having year the California Credit Union awards or call 323-857-6093. award luncheon on December 9 with their experienced many ways to deepen 10 teacher grants of $500 each to assist edu- parent and teacher, read their essay, and student engagement, strengthen school cators by funding innovative learning op- “Chasing Secrets”: Essay meet the author. Find out more about communities, and expand their repertoire portunities for their students. See page 32 contest for grades 4-8 the contest and award luncheon at this of activities for the classroom. Hands-on for more info or find the application online FOCAL (Friends of Children and Lit- link: http://focalcentral.org. Questions workshops include drawing, painting, at www.ccu.com/teachergrant. Deadline erature) of the Children’s Literature De- about the contest may be directed to the ceramics, dance, music, drama, poetry to apply: Friday, October 20. partment, Central, Los Angeles Public Children’s Literature Department, LAPL and playmaking. Five Saturdays: 9/16, Library (LAPL), is sponsoring their annual Central Library at 213-228-7250. 10/14, 10/21, 11/4, 12/2, each day from LACMA Evenings for Educators writing contest for the 2017 FOCAL Award 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Fee is $225. Dis- For more than 30 years LACMA’s Eve- book, Chasing Secrets, by Newbery Honor New salary point class counted tuition through work-study is nings for Educators series has provided author Gennifer Choldenko. This engag- on stress relief available. Participants may earn two K-12 teachers with opportunities to talk ing historical fiction book is set in 1900 The new three-salary-point course salary points. For more information or about, discover, and create works of art. San Francisco as the plague is spread- titled “Creating a Conducive Environment to register, go to www.inner-cityarts.org/ On October 24, learn about the signifi- ing. Lizzie, the doctor’s daughter, and Through Building Healthy Relationships” citc or contact Valerie Miller at PD@inner- cance of music and dance for 20th-century Noah, hiding in her house, are planning is designed to help reduce toxic stress ex- cityarts.org or 213-627-9621, ext. 113. artist Marc Chagall through the special to rescue his father, the family’s cook, who perienced by teachers. We as educators exhibition, “Chagall: Fantasies for the is quarantined in Chinatown. The book find ourselves in stressful environments at Salary point workshop on the Stage.” Discover the artist’s vibrant scenic would make an excellent read-aloud for a home, on the freeway, and at work, but this culture of the Arroyo Seco backdrops and fantastical costumes— fourth- or fifth-grade class, or can be read course helps make your classroom a “stress “The River Runs Through It: Charles some of which have never been exhibited and enjoyed independently by students in free” environment. Sign up at https://ed- Lummis and the Culture of the Arroyo since they appeared on stage—for three grades 4-8. Copies are available at your ucation4equity.com/lausd. Use the code Seco” is an educational experience that ballets and an opera, as well as iconic nearby LAPL branch library and may be ONLINECOURSES to get a discount, if you encourages the use of experiential learning paintings depicting musicians and lyrical available at your school library. Students use it within the next two weeks. to help foster community through a sense scenes. Enjoy complimentary parking are encouraged to write an essay about of place. Conducted by retired LAUSD and dinner catered by The Patina Group why they liked the book, their thoughts Salary point workshops teacher Carmela Gomes, the place-based as well as thematic curriculum contain- about a character or scene, and why they at Inner-City Arts education workshop involves the partici- ing images, lesson plans, and additional want to meet the author. Their essay may Inner-City Arts, an oasis of creativity pation of Wilderness Way Magazine, the resources. Tickets are $15 per person for be submitted by mail or emailed. Teach- in downtown Los Angeles, provides ex- Arroyo Seco Foundation, the Audubon the evening, which runs from 4:30 to 8:30 ers may submit three student essays per periential training for preK-12 teachers in Center at Debs Park, Los Angeles Depart- the visual and performing arts through ment of Recreation and Parks, Friends of its popular program “Creativity in the the Los Angeles River, Highland Park Her- Classroom: Transforming Practice.” itage Trust, the Autry, and the Tongva/Ga- The series of five Saturday workshops brielino and the Chumash/Tatavia Tribes. provides teachers with an opportunity On Day One participants walk in the wilds to explore a variety of different media, of the Arroyo Seco River through the com- ideas, and methods for integrating the munities of Pasadena and Highland Park. arts across the curriculum and grade An Audubon Center naturalist conducts levels. The latest brain research and im- a workshop that emphasizes creating a plications for the classroom are explored, sense of place in all disciplines through as are utilizing creativity and the arts Environmental Education. A knowledge- for supporting social-emotional learn- able docent welcomes participants to the Are you taking full advantage of your hearing health benefit? ing, implementing restorative justice Lummis Home and Garden after which practices, and developing strategies they get up close and personal with the Universal Hearing Care is proud to be a provider for working with English learners. The (continued on page 24) of LA Unified Employee hearing benefits. Let Me Assist , You With the Back to school means shopping for supplies and scheduling health check ESTATE PLANNING A, B, C’s ups, but back to school health exams aren’t just for the kids. Want to avoid probate? of Seeking peace of mind? 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Each office independently owned and operated. This is not meant as a solicitation if Educators are an important part of our community—your hard work and dedication make a daily difference in the lives of our community members. As a special thanks, we offer a number of products and services tailored to the lifestyle of educators and those in the education community to make your life easier and your banking experience more rewarding. Educator Checking CALIFORNIA CREDIT UNION Enjoy no monthly fee with eStatements1, no minimum deposit, online banking with free mobile check deposit, AND earn dividends with balances over $10,000. 2017 Teacher Grant Educator Summer Savings2 A special savings program that helps educators plan for the school year. Save each Have a great class project idea? month via payroll deduction, then receive your savings PLUS DIVIDENDS in July Each year, California Credit Union awards when you need it most. ten Teacher Grants of $500 each. Mortgage Loan Discount2 The Teacher Grant reflects our commitment School employees are eligible to receive a rate discount of .25% on their first to supporting our community educators. mortgage purchase. Qualified submissions will be evaluated APR3 2 on creativity, need, and ability to provide 0% Gear Up Loan innovative learning opportunities for students. Borrow $500 for uniforms required as a school district employee. Classified employees only.

Apply online today: 0% APR3 Classroom Cash Loan2 ccu.com/teachergrant Borrow $500–$1,000 to purchase classroom supplies. Certified employees only School Business Accounts & Loans Application deadline: October 20, 2017 Accounts and loans specially designed with public, private, and charger schools in Winners will be announced online at ccu.com mind. Checking, savings, loans, and cash management options for school business needs.

1 Monthly paper statement fee waived with eStatements, or direct deposit ($400+/mo. minimum into checking that receives the direct deposit), OR if under age 18 or 65+. 2 School classified and certified employees eligible, proof of employment with a qualified California school required. All loans subject to credit approval. 3 Annual Percentage Rate

Discover the benefits of membership today. Call (800) 334-8788 or visit ccu.com/educators to get started.