From The Desk of Rosanne Mamo       

           Some Updates write themselves. I have inspiration or motivation, and my fingers just click away at the keyboard. Other Updates don’t come as easily. Take this month, for example. I’ve been searching all week for a topic to write about - something of interest, of meaning, of importance. Perhaps, it’s the winding down of the school year; the packing up of my classroom; the signing of yearbooks for students I will certainly miss; and, of course, the finalizing of year-end paperwork. Maybe, it’s the daunting weight of issues that lie ahead: Race To The Top, the new State APPR (evaluation system) and ESEA legislation. More than likely, my lack of clear purpose for this epistle stems from all of the above.

            So, enough with the disclaimer. What to write? Well, let’s start with the good stuff! Our biggest success this year was the passing of the school budget. It was most certainly OUR collective success, as without your help, we‘d be looking at a much different scenario for September. I’m smiling as I think back to the cafeteria filled with people stuffing envelopes or to the NYSUT offices over-run with SFT members making phone calls. Thank you for all your help and support. 

Another positive… We had not one grievance this year. Issues brought to the Executive Board were addressed, for the most part, by your Building Reps dealing directly with building administration. Some issues went a bit deeper, but were summarily resolved in discussions between me and Central Administration. I know some of you old timers – unlike myself with a mere 21 years in - are still wary of Administration. I urge you to try to move forward, be progressive and think more collaboratively. The Lippman v. Goldstein days are long past. Perhaps not all, but the solid majority of our current Administration respects both the letter and spirit of our contract and the professional and important work we do here in this District.

I know our profession has been beaten down in the various news media. Teachers, as well as other civil servants, have been vilified and used as scapegoats for economic ills when the private sector falters. Those with security in their employment come under the microscope. On the surface, some of the public’s frustration at ever-increasing school taxes is understandable; but the so-called “facts” put out by our detractors bear closer scrutiny. You and I know the truth about what we do and what we earn. The truth is that we earn what we make; and we deserve what we earn. The truth is that while we only “work” 184 days each year while those in the private sector might “work” an average of 250 days, most of us do punch the clock on many nights and weekends. Many of us have educational resumes extending well beyond a Master’s Degree. I would never in any way dismiss or denigrate the work ethic, drive or subsequent salaries of those in the private sector; but I will always defend and support our pay/benefits package as well.

Our District’s spending per pupil is at the bottom of the list, while our ranking in standardized test results far exceeds our ranking in expenditures. Our opponents who found it prudent to make many of our salaries public didn’t find it advantageous to print that fact, did they? Of course not. Because the truth is that this District – it’s Administration and its staff – is both educationally excellent and fiscally efficient. We should all be proud of what we do, what we earn and what we teachers and staff have gained through the decades-long efforts of all of the SFT Executive Boards and officers who have come before and those who are yet to be.

Please use the summer, as I will, to regenerate, rejuvenate and revitalize. Take some time to relax, recline and remind yourself about the past year. Consider what went well and what could use improvement. Continue to move forward to grow as professionals and to embrace the new technologies available to us. These are things more within our control.

There will be significant changes next year that will affect all of us. We may not be able to stop these changes from coming, but we can work together as we did this year to craft and adopt the changes into policy we can live with. I will need your help and will reach out to you for input next year. Remember, together we are strong. Together we can build policy to better shape OUR future. We must always stand together.

On behalf of the entire SFT Executive Board, I wish you a happy, healthy summer! You’ve certainly earned it – now, go and enjoy it!

In Solidarity,

RO

Vol 34 No 9                                                                    May 2010 

From The Desk of Rosanne Mamo       

How Sweet It Is

             And the survey says: 5,994 votes in favor and 4,117 votes against our school budget. 10,111 total votes. A small percentage of the eligible voters in the District, but the largest number to vote for a school budget in recent history! The poor economy, Newsday and controversial flyers distributed around the District certainly ignited strong feelings on both sides of this issue. We knew early on that the stakes would be high and our losses could cut deep. The District is bound to strict laws with regard to spending taxpayer money and must be careful in how they present the upcoming vote to the community. We, on the other hand, are far less restricted. I knew, as a Union, we would have to act cohesively and become a force to battle the negative publicity. A brief synopsis of our battle……

            On April 27^th, forty-four SFT members and the Executive Board came to Floral Park to fold, stuff, address and seal 4,000 envelopes. I floated home on a cloud that day. Concern for the budget still loomed in my mind, but the smiling faces toiling gracefully that day to get the job done elevated my spirits and reinforced what I already knew about the members I represent – you are all awesome! Those letters were mailed on May 10^th.

            On May 11^th, thirty-six SFT members and the Executive Board took over the NYSUT office in Woodbury and spent three hours completing nearly 4000 phone calls to NYSUT members residing in our District - the same people we mailed letters to the day before. I watched this group of volunteers in amazement. Dialing, talking, making notes, and dialing again and again and again. I watched as the stack of phone numbers dwindled and was finally eliminated. Many people who had volunteered for a half hour stayed longer just to make more calls. Phone banks are odd; they are wearisome yet, in a way, addictive. Maybe it’s the anticipation of what the next call will bring; people on the receiving end of phone solicitation can be sweet as candy or downright nasty. By 6:30 pm the last phone call had been made. The volunteers finished in one day what I had hoped would be finished in two! We wouldn’t  be in need of the 30 additional volunteers for May 12^th.  Again, I floated home on a cloud thinking of how proud I am to represent you.  

On May 12^th, over forty three thousand 8”x5” color postcards were sent to residents in our District. These cards were designed by Karen Caporale from FPM and were printed and mailed for us by Minuteman Press of Bellerose. They started to arrive in homes at the end of the week.

On May 14^th for the second consecutive week, the Floral Park Dispatch, New Hyde Park Illustrated News and Three Village Times published the SFT’s half-page ad: a black and white version of the postcard we sent to all residents in our District.

Then, we waited. Some of us listened to the murmurs, some crossed their fingers, others held their breath and many prayed. May 18^th finally came, and the result was a passed budget. We earned another year to coach, to advise and to teach our programs without additional losses. Thank you, in all sincerity. You pitched in, you voted, you got the word out, and we got the job done.

Although I’m still floating on my cloud, there are already new hurdles we will face as a Union and as a District. The Race To The Top federal grant, the federal Elementary and Secondary Education Act and a new statewide Annual Professional Performance Review are looming ever closer. Changes to the way we are evaluated are coming. That is a fact. Unfortunately, these changes are beyond our control and are coming faster than I had anticipated. I will keep you as informed as I can in the next month and during the next year as these changes become reality for the 2011-2012 school year. Please don’t get bogged down in this now, and don’t believe everything you read in the newspapers. NYSUT and the SED are not yet done with negotiations on these matters. 

            It is not all doom and gloom - we do have a lot to celebrate: the first year of our new contract is completed, the passing of our school budget, the end of another successful school year and the retirement of nearly twenty of our members! Please join me and the SFT Executive Board on Thursday, May 27^th for our Annual End-of-Year Party. We will be honoring our retirees and our Exemplary Parents. I look forward to seeing you this year at the Floral Terrace!

None of us is as strong as all of us!

  In Unity,

 Ro                                                                             

                   Vol 34 No 8                                                                    April 2010

From The Desk of Rosanne Mamo       

           The last Intercom was a special edition regarding the upcoming May 18^th school district budget vote. Just in case you hadn’t read the latest Intercom - please forgive the repetition if you did - the basic gist was this:

MAY 18^th SCHOOL BUDGET VOTE – IT MATTERS!!!

            Your SFT Executive Board understands the severity of the economic crisis and the difficulties we will ALL face as a District if this year’s school budget does not pass. Sports and clubs will be gone. Many electives will be cut, class enrollment will go up & supplies will be tighter than ever. Currently, we are facing a $3 million cut in school aid. If the current budget fails we will face a combined $6 million deficit. Sadly, 40 of our members could lose their jobs. Could you be one of them? Unfortunately, yes.  We will all suffer; therefore, none of us can afford to sit idle and let this happen without a fight. So…

What can WE as a Union do about it?

•       PLEASE JOIN US at the SFT office on Tuesday, April 27^th to help stuff 3000 envelopes to be mailed to NYSUT members in our District. 3:00-4:30pm. Food and refreshments will be served. Just an hour of your time is all we are asking.

•       PLEASE JOIN US at the NYSUT offices on Wednesday, May 12^th for a second round of phone banks. 3:30-6:30pm. Food and refreshments will be served. Again, just an hour of your time is all we are asking for.

•       VOTE YES if you live in the District. In fact, VOTE YES wherever you live – our fellow NYSUT members are relying on your vote to keep their jobs and programs just as we are relying on their votes to secure our jobs!

•      TALK about the budget vote with your students. Let them know how important it is to their education and programs for next year. Encourage your seniors to register to vote!

If our students hear about the loss of programs for next year from each of their teachers, they will more than likely discuss it at home and encourage their parents to vote yes.  

            In addition to these activities, the SFT is mailing 43,486 postcards to all district residents and placing ads in the local town papers to urge residents to vote yes for the budget. Further, the SFT Executive Board will meet from 3:30-6:30 on Tuesday, May 11^th at the NYSUT regional office to participate in the school budget phone bank to call members in our district urging them to vote yes on May 18^th.  

            Why am I repeating all this information? Because passing this year’s budget is going to be extremely difficult. Public outcry is strong, and many citizens are angry about our contract settlements from last year. They read. They know that many districts are working on expired contracts. They know that others have re-opened contracts and are taking freezes. Our battle this year will be a difficult one, no doubt.

            Did you happen to catch this Sunday’s Newsday? On the front page, “The Soaring Cost of State Pensions – Crisis – Why you will end up paying for it.” Yes, my friends, “The Annual School Budget Vote - Teacher Bashing” has officially begun! A lovely four page spread, five if you count the cover, about teacher pensions and web-site links to find out how much each retiree’s pension is worth. Let’s start this year’s bashing with our senior citizens, a soft target indeed. Buckle up ladies and gentlemen, this is just the beginning!

            We must come together and present a unified front. There are fifty or so NYSUT members among our staff and faculty who reside in our District and are not registered to vote. Why is that? There are still others who vote no to our very own budget. How is that possible? I understand no one wants their taxes to go up, but you are voting for your own loss! If our budget fails, we all lose. Each and every one of us will lose money next year if this budget fails. Clubs, sports, paid extra help sessions, supplies, supervisions of sports and activities will all be gone, along with 40 of our members! Those of you who live in our district must support us, support yourselves. Those who don’t live in our district, think about your own children and fellow teachers elsewhere. No matter where you live, vote yes on May 18^th.  It’s the right thing to do. I don’t have children; I have no vested interest in the schools where I live. Yet, each year I go out and vote yes. Why? Because I have a vested interest in our future - the children of this generation. 

If you are planning on joining and helping us fight this battle, please inform your building reps so we may plan accordingly.           

Thank you in advance for your time and dedication.          

In Solidarity,

Ro

 NONE OF US IS AS STRONG AS ALL OF US!

 

THE SFT RETIREES by Anna Zurawinsky             The mission of our retirees is to maintain and improve the quality of the retirement years through communication, unionism, legislation and community service. So when I am asked about the activities of our retirees, my answer is they do quite a bit. First and foremost, union meetings on all levels, state, regional and local where our members are involved in lobbying, networking and collecting information for our membership. These meetings are held monthly, Mondays for NYSUT and Tuesdays for the SFT. The Retiree Representatives, Maddy Maffetore and Anna Zurawinsky, attend the SFT Executive meetings to voice the concerns of the retirees. Retirees also answer the call when needed: monitoring the Building Rep elections, manning phone banks, lobbying at legislative breakfasts and with the/ legislators at their district offices. Communications is an essential part of our mission, thanks to Karla Adasse, who is the editor of our "Newsbeat" and our contributors, this newsletter is mailed to 200 people 4 times a year. This is no easy task because the newsletter is usually 8 pages, our volunteers copy, collate, stuff and stamp the envelopes. Target Reading is initiated and maintained by Julia O'Keeffe is our major community service activity. Julia schedules retiree readers on a monthly basis for four local elementary schools. "Read Across America" a celebration of Dr. Seuss is another special program coordinated by Julia for the seventh graders at HF Carey High School. Social/cultural activities are necessary to create a sense of unity as well as expanding knowledge. Once again our members are involved: Norman Rockwell tour (B. Simonetti), Theater Party (N. Busching), Lunch at Belmont (M. Ackerley), Power Point Presentation/St. George and the Dragon (C. Woodhouse) Fall and Spring Luncheons (L.Fields/M. Ackerley). Yes, indeed our SFT retirees are very active!

   Vol 34 No.5                                                                    March 2010   

                From The Desk of Rosanne Mamo  

         They say you learn something new everyday. I don’t know if I learn something new every day, but I am still learning. I spent many hours during the February break relaxing as I watched the Winter Olympics. The background stories of the athletes are, to me, heartwarming. Anecdotes about how they came to be Olympians - the endless commitment, immeasurable practice and courage to continue after injuries and sometimes personal tragedy - interested me. These people are devoted to their profession and often life-long dreams. I learned a bit about odd events like curling - it’s like bocce ball on ice. And I also learned that many of the athletes get paid for bringing home medals. I guess I’ve been living under a rock because I had no idea that since 1984 the USOC has been paying our athletes to win: $25,000 for gold, $15,000 for silver and $10,000 for bronze. Canada pays a few thousand less, and Belarus athletes who win gold are given meat sausages for the rest of their lives! Merit pay ….. for beating the competition!

            If an Olympic skier races down a mountain a mere .1 seconds faster than everyone else he wins a gold medal and a hefty bonus for his “accomplishment.” Merit pay for teachers, on the other hand, is not based solely on the accomplishments of the teacher alone. Yes, maybe monetary incentives would encourage some teachers to be less complacent in their tenured positions. Perhaps a teacher would be more likely to continue her own education, grade papers in a more timely fashion or create more interactive lessons if there were incentive to do so. But a teacher could do all the right things and still not achieve the mandated thresholds for merit pay. Why? Because merit pay, by definition, is inextricably tied to the achievements of the students - students whose lives, aptitudes, efforts and desires to learn are often beyond our control.

            Because our students work, develop and learn in different ways and on different levels, merit pay simply can not be fair policy. Perhaps an AP teacher should only get merit pay if all of her students earn a 5 rating. Maybe a Special Education teacher should receive merit pay if all of his students simply pass. I teach mixed grade and mixed level electives.  What would the threshold be for me? Or would we only use merit pay for classes which are in the public eye, ones for which results are printed in the newspaper for all to see? Of course not! Merit pay for Regents, Eighth Grade Assessment and AP courses would perhaps satisfy the community as some superficial proof that their tax dollars are being put to “good” use. But where would that leave the rest of us who don’t teach these high profile classes? Are we prevented from receiving incentives simply because we teach music, art, business or other electives? There is no equitable implementation. Merit pay for the individual is just bad policy.

            A better approach would be to treat each school as a team of players. From the teachers and teaching assistants to the administration, secretaries, nurses, custodians, aides, security and food service workers, we all have influence on our students. We should be treated as a team and not divided by individual success. Are there tangible school wide improvements from year to year? Perhaps there are fewer suspensions, higher rates of attendance, fewer multiple failures, elevated percentages on standardized tests. Give all the players on the team a reason to work harder. In this fashion every student’s education will be enhanced by a superior school experience.

            I’m not trying to light a fire or create distress. There is no merit pay agenda in our District. It was simply a thought which ran through my head and often runs through publications and editorials we read. I’m just throwing my two cents in. After all, Drew Brees wasn’t the only Saint who got a Super Bowl ring this year!

In Solidarity,

Ro

  Vol 34 No.6                                                                    February 2010   

                  From The Desk of Rosanne Mamo  

 

One rain drop, like one snowflake, is by and large insignificant. In great numbers,

however, raindrops cause flooding and snowflakes create blizzards. Political action

is a strong force as well, when utilized correctly. Periodically, Tom Cook, the SFT’s

P.A.C. Chairperson sends out flyers about the latest hot topic. On occasion the

 Intercom will ask you to call your local legislator. We’ve asked you to use the NYSUT

 website to send faxes to politicians as well. I hope that many of you follow through

on these requests. Today, I am asking you once again to contact your New York

State political leaders, this time concerning the 55/25 Early Retirement Option Bill.

This piece of legislation is part of the Tier V package, and, should it come to pass,

 can save jobs. Last year we averted any layoffs through attrition. Essentially,

we did not refill all the openings made by staff who retired or left the District.

Positions were eliminated, but no active jobs were lost.

            Gov. Paterson’s new proposed budget slates our District for a $3.6 million

cut in State funding. Attrition alone may not be enough to preserve all our jobs.

The 55/25 Early Retirement Option could afford some of our members the

ability to retire before they complete thirty years of teaching – but only if it is passed

 and becomes law. Bill #S.6274 by Sen. Savino has been written and is sitting in

committee. It is waiting for legislators to decide to bring it to a vote. This is where

 your voice and effort comes in.

            We are 700 strong! Call your State Senators or go to NYSUT.org and send

them faxes or write your own letters. Ask them to act on and pass this bill. Look

around your departments and schools. Do you see the bright young faces of the

untenured faculty? Now, look at the faculty who have been with us fewer than eight

years; they have tenure but not job security. Can you imagine your department

and school without some of them? Our colleagues and friends need all of our

support. It’s simple and truly a small investment of your time. Go to NYSUT.org

and click on Legislative Action. Pre-written letters are there, waiting for you to

click and send. Who knows? You may find other issues of interest there as well!

Each person who retires this year potentially saves someone else’s job for next

year. 55/25 will allow more of our staff the opportunity to retire. In unity, let us

flood the fax machines and cause a blizzard of letters to fall at the Albany offices.

Together, we can make a difference.

In Unity,

           Ro

                         Empire/Optum Health

By Anna Zurawinsky

It has come to my attention that there are complaints about Optum Health

since it changed from Value Option.  These complaints are about reduced

 coverage, increased out of pocket expenses and poor administrative

response to billing inquiries.  Be aware that only the Civil Administration

has control of our health insurance, not the SFT or the District.  However,

as a union member you do have options, one is to inform your union

president who will on your behalf contact the NYSUT Health Benefits

Coordinator and two is to write to your state legislators including

Assemblyman Joseph Morelle, Chair of the Health Committee. 

When you contact the SFT President please provide the following

information; the number of reduced coverages, is your physician

no longer in the network, are your increased out of pocket expenses

due to out of network, type and dates of poor administrative responses

to your questions.

 NO one needs to sit in silence when you are a union member!

       Vol 34 No.5                                                                    January 2010  

            From The Desk of Rosanne Mamo                

                       I don’t consider myself old-fashioned. I have a Blackberry  for Pete’s

sake and know how to use it! I just don’t understand the latest fascination with the

uploading of pictures and videos to the Internet for the whole world to see. I’ve

mentioned this before in Update articles asking all of us to act professionally.

Reminders were written in the Intercom on several occasions to be careful. And

yet  these requests and warnings have gone unheeded. What will it take

 for some of you  to stop and really think about what you are doing?

Will it cost someone in our District their job before you sit up and take notice?

 Or do I have to scream it from the rooftops?

            This is not a contractual issue. This is a Board of Education issue, and you

 work for the Board of Education. The Board’s Internet Policy was just revised this

year because a few of you pushed the envelope last year and got yourselves into

hot water. And again this year, the lesson is still not learned. Teachers and

administrators around the state and the country have lost their jobs because of

what they have posted to Internet sites or had on their personal phones and

computers. Do not for one moment think that the SFT can save your job if you

post something inappropriate. So far the District has been very patient, but

 there will come a day and an incident that will push them too far. The District’s

 Internet policy, whether you signed it or not, calls for disciplinary action. That

action may be a request to remove some item of objection or it may be a letter

of counsel in your file. It may mean that you could be brought up on 3020A charges

and removed from the classroom. You could even lose your job.

            We are public employees and, whether you like it or not, your personal life

does have an effect on your professional life, if you allow it. Those of you who feel

it necessary to upload photos and videos and post comments on the Internet must

be vigilant about what you put out there. So what would be inappropriate to post?

Before you upload, ask yourself if you would share the picture or video with your

students or their parents. If the answer is no, then don’t post it. Before you post a

picture of someone other than yourself, ask them for permission. Many people do

not want their fifteen minutes of fame to be on the Internet. Posting pictures and

videos of yourself on your Facebook or MySpace account is your business - at

least until someone who shouldn’t, sees them. Posting pictures of others without

their knowledge or consent is deplorable and can affect their lives in ways you may

never know.

            And while I’m on a roll, watch what you put out there on the District’s First

Class account.       E-mails and websites need to remain professional as well.

Your First Class account is meant for business between faculty and staff. It is

not to be used in place of a personal e-mail account. Once you hit send, you

can not remove the e-mail. You may delete it, but record of it still exists. Keep

in mind also that, under the Freedom of Information Law, your e-mails can be

requested by the public and are “FOILable.” Furthermore, the District can monitor

your e-mails and your Internet history. If you sign on, sign off. Don’t allow others

access to your account.            

          I know I sound like a nagging mother, but I feel that too many of you are not

getting the real picture. Yes, the Internet can be exciting. It can be downright fun.

But it is also hazardous. We take time to teach our children about the dangers of

chat rooms and on-line predators. Once again, I feel it necessary to caution all of

you. I don’t want to get another call from Central about someone’s Internet

indiscretions. Please think about what you have posted. Secure your personal sites

and remove anything remotely questionable. Make sure the content of your social

networking website and uploads are appropriate. Protect yourself, and in the end,

 your personal life will not interfere with your professional one.  

In Solidarity,

Ro

                       WELCOME TO 2010

By Anna Zurawinsky

May each one of you have a productive and satisfying year.  This new

year has started with several storms in the political/education arenas

as well as the outdoors, “effective teachers” mandates and the creation

of a “federal commission”.

There is a saying that change is the only constant in our lives, however I

 must add except in education.  The cry for effective teachers was very

intense in my day and is no different today, our teachers are still attached

by our federal and state legislators, private organizations and the media. 

Teach For America, a private company is at the forefront of providing an

“effective evaluation system” with the approval of our current legislators

and our national union leader, AFT President Randi Weingarten

(last week’s Times newspaper).  The “Race to the  Top” includes this

evaluation which links the student test scores to teachers, removing

caps on charter schools, an awards based method where our legislators

will offer monies to districts based on the dictates of those who are

not in the classrooms.  Same old, same old – the best thing that teachers

can do for themselves is to get involved by doing research and to insist on

providing input based on their teaching experiences.  CONTACT your

union leaders!!!

Once again, I am asking you to help our your former colleagues, the

 retirees.  The Senate h as joined the House in passing a healthcare

 reform bill and now both chambers have an opportunity to create

 legislation that would assist most Americans.  Sounds great BUT

let us look at a major issue that would hit hard our retirees, the creation

 of a federal commission to impose future cuts to Social Security and

Medicare.  Many seem to forget that Social Security and Medicare are

earned benefits that working men and women contribute to throughout

 their careers and that these cuts can have serious negative consequences

for future generations.  It is abhorrent to me that this commission will be

 used to offset the 1.4 trillion federal budget deficit which was caused

by people who do not need Social Security and Medicare.

NYSUT and other unions are working to block the creation of the federal

commission, I am asking you to do the same by calling your Senators

and Representatives by calling 202-224-3121 or go to the nysut.org

 web site and click on legislation.  REMEMBER-2010 is an election

year.

Vol 34 No.4                                                                    December 2009  

           From The Desk of Rosanne Mamo                

                           "20.00"

            Sometimes, we just need to be reminded of our worth. All of us, including

our students, want to feel good about ourselves. I received this “story” in an

e-mail, and I immediately  thought of my less fortunate students who have been

beaten down, whether by poor parenting, bullying, or bad experiences through

 their years. Here’s how the story goes….

            A well-known speaker began his seminar by holding up a $20 bill. In

the room of two hundred, he asked, “Who would like this $20 bill?” Hands went

up. He said, “I am going to give this twenty dollars to one of you. But first, let

me do this…” And he proceeded to crumple up the twenty dollar bill. He then

asked, “Who still wants it?”  Still, the hands were up in the air. “Well,” he

replied, “what if I do this?” And he dropped it on the ground and started to

grind it into the floor with his shoe. He picked up the bill, now crumpled and

dirty. “Now, who still wants it?” Again, the hands went into the air. He continued,

“My friends, we have all learned a very valuable lesson. No matter what I did

to the money, you still wanted it because it did not decrease in value. It was

 still worth twenty dollars. Many times in our lives, we are dropped, crumpled

and ground into the dirt by the decisions we make and the circumstances

that come our way. We feel as though we are worthless. But no matter what

has happened or what will happen, you will never lose your value. Dirty or

clean, crumpled or finely creased, you are still priceless to those who love

 you. The worth of our lives comes not in what we do or whom we know,

but in who we are and whose we are".

          During the school year, we may lose sight of the value in each of our

students. I charge you with the following task. Take time this holiday season

 to consider the following as your  New Year’s resolution: I will imagine

each of my students as a $20 bill; whether they are sweet or bitter, smart

or challenged, motivated or apathetic, I will find value in them because

each has worth and should not be disregarded.

            The true meanings behind the various holidays we choose to

celebrate are often clouded by media-hype. They should be times to gather

with loved ones and dear friends in a celebration of life. I wish you all, on

behalf of the entire SFT Executive Board, a holiday season filled with much

 love, peace and joy.

 In solidarity,

Ro