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Vol 36 No5
January 2012
From The Desk of Rosanne Mamo
ACTIVISM
This evening I signed a petition on NYSUT’s website
regarding State Aid and the need for the State to raise the
budget line for education. I immediately sent out the link
through the SFT Unity email list. It went to the 256 members
who have signed on. I also sent the link through Firstclass
to everyone in District. An hour after I sent the email I
found myself back on the petition’s web-site looking for my
name. I had to scroll through 4 additional pages of names
before I found it. I was smiling, beaming actually, as I
passed name after name that I recognized! Thank you for
signing and hopefully passing it on to others. This is what
ACTIVISM is all about; finding a common cause and
moving it along rapidly.
I wondered then, why some people have chosen to get involved
and so many others have not. The SFT has been asking since
September for member email addresses to keep you informed
and involved. 256 out of 720 members have responded. Where
are the other 464 of you? First class is not the proper
forum for much of what needs to be shared with you.
Timeliness is such a factor these days that printing and
boxing messages to you seems almost archaic. And sometimes,
there just isn’t enough time from the date we learn of a
rally or legislative town hall meeting to print and box the
needed information for you to attend. We need to get the
message out faster to more of you.
Brothers and sisters, we are in the fight
of our lives. Burying your head in the sand and turning your
back on the issues won’t make them go away. The monster
remains; it lies in wait and will strike when we are at our
weakest moment. Our legislators have passed laws dictating a
2% Tax Cap and have linked APPR with State Aid. Their future
agenda holds issues like tenure and our right to
collectively bargain. Their supporters are building
strength; they have mobilized and are running away with our
professions. We must stand united - member to member,
district to district. There are 600,000 NYSUT members in
this State. New York is the strongest unionized state in the
country. If Unionism is weakened here, the damage
will spread quickly. And the costs will be extraordinary. We
must fight for our rights and fight for what is
right.
I know you didn’t become educators for
the money, fame and glory. You love children, you love
teaching and you love the profession. Join us and fight for
what you love.
Remember……..Those who CAN, teach; those
who can’t pass laws about teaching.
In Unity,
Ro
A SYMBIOTIC RELATIONSHIP
by Anna Zurawinsky
Symbiosis is defined as a
relationship of mutual benefit or dependence, which aptly
underlines the necessity of such a relationship between the
in-service and retired educators. In both state and federal
races, so much of what we care about is on the line, public
education, the teaching profession, healthcare, survival of
the middle class and the future of retirees. During the
coming year we must work hard to stop scheduled cuts to
education, destructive reforms to the public teachers,
anti-union proposals (elimination of collective bargaining),
Social Security and Medicare programs. Yes, we have quite a
battle to fight, our success can only be achieved with one
united voice, political activism and an awareness of all
issues that affect retirees as well as current educators.
Today as corporate
influence on our representatives in Congress has risen to
dangerous levels, public education, guaranteed benefits and
union protection for its employees may soon be gone. What
can we do? Political awareness is imperative and you can
start now with this information. The House is scheduled to
reconvene on January 17th, the Senate on January
23rd and the President’s State of the Union for
Tuesday January 24th. The House Committee on
Education and the Workforce is expected to release draft
proposals on accountability and teachers very soon with a
committee mark-up expected in early February. The committee
passed three smaller bills on Charter Schools, program
eliminations, and transfer of funding among programs last
year. President Obama will release his budget proposal in
early February to be followed by Congressional debate. We
will need to be vigilant to prevent plans that cut education
and programs that serve children and seniors. A Joint House
Senate Conference Committee will convene early in 2012 to
work out a long term extension of the payroll tax cut along
with extensions of benefits for long term unemployed and
Medicare reimbursement to physicians. Be aware of web sites
that are geared toward the concerned voter. NEA has created
a web site which introduces information for the 2012
election and it is called Edvotes. This web site is geared
towards the concerned voter and it is news that you can use
from a pro public education perspective. In addition to
being politically aware communicate your support of public
education and unions to our communities by writing to the
newspapers, attending town board meetings and being active
in your union.
Above all support those
legislators who fight for us and speak against those who
attack us and remember we (current and retired teachers) are
in this together.
Vol 36 No4
December 2011
From The Desk of Rosanne Mamo
Where Did They Go?
It’s winter again, and I find myself
wondering, “Where did they go?” The trees fall dormant. The
squirrels snuggle up tight in their nests. The songbirds fly
south. I know where they go. I’m not talking about the
birds and the trees. I’m talking about the days. The days that
turned into weeks, the weeks that became months, and before I
blinked, another year had passed. I turned 45 this past
weekend. And no, I’m not in the throes of some mid-life
crisis. Been there, done that; 5 years ago when I bought my
convertible sports car! No, I’m just trying to understand what
it is that drives the human impulse at the conclusion of
another year to reflect on the past and look to the future.
Other animals take the “new year” in
stride; it’s just another day to them. They go with the flow,
accept the changes of the seasons and make do. Humans instead
make a big “to-do” about it. We make promises we know we can’t
keep. We raise a glass to a resolution meant to improve
ourselves, when in reality, we’re really okay with who and
what we are. Enacting true self-improvement can only come from
deep within one’s subconscious, and who wants to go there? No
one! Where we want to go is to a party! We laugh about the
past year’s ups and whine about its downs. Then, in unison we
count down the final seconds of the last day of the year –
“three”...”two”...”one” and scream “Happy New Year!” Then, we
resume our conversations about what the future year might
bring; and we optimistically look forward to better days. We
spend so much of our time thinking about the past and eager
for the future that we completely lose sight of the present.
Is that human nature? Perhaps it is. It’s definitely a
Hallmark phenomenon. And, I’m guilty of it, too. So, instead
of starting 2012 on a false whim, I would like to propose
something different.
End this year and begin the new “in the moment.” As you gather
with loved ones, “tune in” to the people around you. Savor
the conversation. Enjoy the laughter. Focus on
making a memory. Accept the people around you for better or
worse. Then, give yourself the same gift of acceptance. Love
yourself. We humans are not perfect. Nor will we ever be. It’s
not our shared fate.
I leave you with this bit of prose for the
holidays:
Holiday Gift Suggestions:
To
your enemy, forgiveness
To an
opponent, tolerance
To a
friend, your heart
To a
customer, service
To
all, charity
To
every child, a good example
To
yourself, respect.
- Oren Arnold
I wish you all, on behalf of the entire SFT
Executive Board, a holiday season filled with much love, joy,
and peace.
In Unity,
Ro
HAPPY
NEW YEAR
from SFT
Retirees
Vol 36 No3
November 2011
From The Desk of Rosanne Mamo
Administrator’s Mirror
Teachers are often asked to reflect on a lesson we’ve taught,
a conversation we’ve had or our motivation for doing
something. As teachers, we are asked to treat our students and
talk with parents in a respectful manner. We are aware of
requests from administrators and do not want to be found
insubordinate. But what recourse do teachers have when they
themselves are not treated with respect by administrators?
Some teachers are uncomfortable coming forward for fear of
retaliation from an ill-intentioned administrator.
Fortunately, many teachers do talk to their union reps; and I
encourage all of you to continue to do so.
The SFT believes that good, strong, well-meaning
administrators lead through constructive examples, positive
guidance and balanced leadership skills. A quality
administrator knows how to speak to staff with respect and
good intention. Strong, well-meaning administrators - be they
Chairs, AP's or Principals – should also spend time reflecting
on their actions. I believe that the majority of our
administrators do the right thing the majority of the time
with good intentions. However, those who don’t may see
themselves in the examples below.
Ø
Have you asked
tenured teachers to include more in their plan books than is
required by past practice?
Ø
Have you berated or
harshly questioned a teacher publicly, in front of other
teachers or students?
Ø
Have you threatened
a teacher with job loss when the new APPR is initiated?
Ø
As Principal, have
you changed the initial rating on an observation from a
chairperson even though you did not actually observe
the lesson in question?
Ø
Have you broken a
TA’s contract by coercing them into doing clerical jobs
(writing cuts cards, answering phones, and manning desks) when
they should have been in contact periods with students?
Ø
Have you observed a
teacher and not written up the observation?
Ø
Have you broken
teacher contracts by not following the observation timelines?
Ø
Have you dismissed a
teacher’s concerns about student behavior by neglecting cut
cards or referrals?
Ø
Have you called a teacher in
for a disciplinary meeting without offering union
representation?
If yes, I now ask you to reflect. What was
your motivation for doing what you did?
§
Do you believe your
self-esteem increases when you decrease someone else’s?
§
Do you think you’re
well-versed in how our contracts read?
§
Do you think
the teachers won’t talk about it to their union reps?
Well, it doesn’t, you’re not, and they do.
Our schools and professions are under
attack from a wide variety of outside sources. If we are to
survive this gauntlet, we must do so together as a team.
Successful teams have coaches who positively motivate their
players, focus on individual strengths, assist players in
improving their individual weaknesses, and place members in
positions most beneficial to the team. Similarly, successful
administrators use these same techniques. They use positive
motivation instead of negative intimidation. Good
administrators find value in their staff. Excellent
administrators are respectful, encouraging, consistent and
fair leaders. We expect these qualities of our teachers.
Shouldn’t we also expect them of our administrators? I think
so.
In Unity,
Ro
( While
Updates and Intercoms are not
boxed to most administrators, I know they read them!)
UNION
WORK
Why Should I Get Involved?
The Story of
Everybody, Somebody,
Anybody and Nobody.
There was an
important job to be done and Everybody
was sure that Somebody would do it.
Anybody
could have done it, but Nobody did it.
Somebody
got mad about that because it was Everybody’s
job.
Everybody
thought Anybody could do it but
Nobody realized that Everybody
wouldn’t do it.
It ended up
that Everybody blamed Somebody
when Nobody did what Anybody
could have done.
The moral of the story...
Nobody
has to do Everything if Everybody
does Something!
So, what is there to do?
ü
Write letters, send faxes, and call our
politicians. NYSUT.org has prewritten faxes you can send.
ü
Volunteer for SFT of district
committees, be a department liaison, attend SFT meetings.
ü
Join us for rallies, phone
banks, envelope stuffing and leafleting.
ü
Stay informed by reading the
Intercoms, Updates, NYSUT United, NEA Today, and newspapers.
ü
Join the email list for
up-to-date activities and news.
ü
Seek out your reps if a
problem exists. Support each other by standing up for every
member’s rights.
Vol 36 N02
October 2011
From The Desk of Rosanne Mamo
Professional Development
A friend of mine frequently says, “The more I learn, the more
I find I don’t know.” Ain’t it the truth? To some extent we
all do believe this. From day to day, week to week and year to
year, each of us looks for ways to improve who we are. Be it a
professional goal or personal objective, we attempt to grow.
Your SFT Executive Board members are no exception to this.
Throughout the year many of us take part in conferences and
workshops to improve our knowledge and our skills – all in
order to better serve you, our membership. I’d like to take
this opportunity to share some of this with you.
In September Joe Grossi, Christine Milano and Dan
Reece attended the New Building Rep. workshop offered by
NYSUT. There they learned the multifaceted aspects of being a
building rep. Each of these new reps has hit the ground
running in an often demanding and challenging position.
NYSUT hosts weekend-long Leadership Training seminars in
October and January. These seminars are informative and allow
the participants to actively engage in the workshop through
role playing and round table discussions. We attend each year
because the participants always find the workshops and
information valuable. Craig Barbieri and I will be attending
both sessions in a workshop called 2011: A New Political
Action Paradigm. Jennifer Gordon-Tennant is enrolled in the
Symposium on Generational Discourse in Unionism. John
Koscinski and John Reagan are both attending the Workplace
Issues workshop. Bart Curcio, Karen Caporale, and Dave Sime
have signed up for the Talk Back-Fight Back seminar. MaryAnne
Contarino and Dan Reece will attend the Frontline
Representation group and Christine Plackis will join the
Leadership Toolbox workshop.
In keeping up with the ever-changing APPR, NYSUT
has offered several opportunities to attend informational
meetings. Not one of which has occurred without at least one
member of the APPR team in attendance. These meetings give us
an opportunity to ask NYSUT representatives for clarification
on the APPR legislation and allow us to exchange pertinent
information with the other locals.
On a monthly basis Jennifer Gordon-Tennant and I attend ED18
meetings. Our Educational District consists of locals in our
region; West Hempstead, Lawrence, Long Beach, Freeport,
Baldwin, Hewlett-Woodmere, Oceanside, Uniondale, and Valley
Stream among others. At these meetings we learn of issues in
our sister districts as well as State and National concerns.
We are also updated on a monthly basis with regard to other
locals’ negotiations and contracts.
Twice a year John Koscinski and I attend meetings
with the Long Island Presidents’ Council. These meetings begin
with NYSUT officials addressing the group, usually with a
question & answer panel. This is often followed by round table
discussions on relevant and timely topics such as: social
networking, member organizing, APPR, tax cap, seniority,
tenure, and charter schools.
Tom Cook is not only one of our PAC chairs, but he is also our
representative at the Long Island Federation of Labor. LIFED
is an affiliate of the AFL-CIO and, as such, incorporates
teachers, public employees, painters, bus drivers,
bricklayers, health care professionals and construction
workers. LIFED is extremely active in the political arena,
organizing rallies and promoting politicians which support
working families. In joining LIFED, we have increased our
political clout and our local knowledge many times over.
NYSUT’s Representative Assembly is held once a
year for four days in the spring. Your elected delegates -
John Koscinski, Bart Curcio, Jennifer Gordon-Tennant,
Christine Plackis, John Reagan, Tom Cook and I will be
attending the RA in Buffalo. During the multiday event we
engage in workshops, Resolutions & Amendments Committee
meetings and General Assembly sessions; and we vote for NYSUT
Officers and Board of Directors.
Throughout the year, there are many other
opportunities for your board members to participate and
develop their skills and knowledge. Each of us takes our role
seriously and each of us wants to serve you, our
members, to the best of our
abilities.
In Unity,
Ro
“The
will to win, the desire to succeed, the urge to reach your full
potential... these
are the keys that will unlock the door to personal excellence."
~Confucius
What I wish someone had told me … about my rights.
ü
Always exercise caution in protecting your rights.
If
you are called to a meeting with administrators or supervisors,
and it turns into an accusatory proceeding:
§
Do
not discuss the matter with them or attempt to defend yourself
alone.
§
Do
not make spontaneous replies to the charges.
§
Request an adjournment of the meeting, then immediately consult
your building rep.
§
YOU ARE ENTITLED TO REPRESENTATION – don’t let them tell you
otherwise.
ü
Be
sure to get advice early – don’t “wait to see what happens.”
§
Contact your building representative ASAP.
ü
Cooperate with your SFT representative regarding all written
statements involved in accusatory actions.
Do
not submit to your administrator(s) or supervisor(s) any written
statements unless they have been reviewed and approved by your
SFT representative.
Be
sure to retain:
§
Copies of any written statements submitted or received.
§
All correspondence related to the case.
§
Postmarked envelopes containing correspondence mailed to you in
connection with the case.
ü
Arrange to be accompanied to the offices of your administrator(s)
or supervisor(s) by your SFT representative.
§
The person accompanying you should be a building rep, grievance
chairperson or union officer.
ü
Beware of proposals offered by administrators or supervisors.
§
Do
not agree to any proposals whatsoever without checking first
with your SFT representatives who
have full knowledge of your rights and specific facts of the
case.
Officers:
President:
Rosanne Mamo (x5070)
Treasurer: Bart Curcio (x9326)
Vice
President:
John Koscinski (x2696) Secretary: Jennifer
Gordon-Tennant (x9223)
Building Reps:
EMS:
Gene Doupe (x9231), Pauline Reid (x9223)
FPM: Tom Burke
(x9332), Karen Caporale (x9308)
HFC:
Steve Carpaneto (x9439), Christine Milano (x9424)
NHP: Brian Basil
(x9526), Joe Grossi (x9525)
SEW:
MaryAnne Contarino (x9639), Dan Reece (x9631)
Committee Chairpersons:
Legislative:
Craig
Barbieri (9562), Tom Cook
Public
Relations: Christine Plackis (x9398)
Grievance: David
Sime (x9526)
Nurse
Rep: Lori Lorusso
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