Contact David Katz or your school liaison if there are any deviations from this:

Elementary Classroom Teachers:
1 40-minute prep each day

Elementary Specials Teachers:
1360 minutes of student contact time per 6-day cycle
1 40-minute prep each day

Middle and High School Teachers:
30 assignments per cycle
1 40-minute prep each day
45-minute extra help each day

High School Teachers:
No more than 2 consecutive double blocks
No more than 3 preparations
45-minute extra help each day

If the BTA doesn't already have your email (or if it has changed), please send David Katz an email at davidkatzbta@gmail.com from your personal (not school) email account.  We use personal emails when there are sensitive BTA issues that should not be communicated over the school's email system.

Keep track of your coverages.  If you are asked to cover classes, you will be paid after 2 lost preps in the elementary school and after 4 lost preps in the middle and high schools.  If you are a teacher assistant, you will be paid for every single class you cover (up to $100 per day; this is in addition to your regular salary).

Mentors and proteges are not required to perform any class coverages.

The NYSUT Retiree Council is sponsoring two workshops on Pre-Retirement:

Tuesdays, October 18 and 25 from 5:00-7:00 PM at the NYSUT Regional Office in Tarrytown.

One workshop will cover investments, Social Security, and Medicare.  There will be a speaker on maximizing retirement income, getting your legal house in order, and a presentation from the New York State Retirement System.  The cost is $20 per person (plus $10 if you want to bring a spouse or other interested party).  

David Katz has registration forms, if you are interested, and these must be completed by October 11.  Let David know if you are interested.  

You have the right to union representation if it ever appears that you are being called to speak to an administrator about something that might be subject to disciplinary action.  Just call David Katz.  I or one of the BTA officers will be there.

1)  As soon as you finish a course, "Mark Complete" on My Learning Plan.  Do not wait until your college transcript arrives.
2)  As soon as you have your tuition receipt and transcript/certificate of completion, hand deliver them to Denise and answer any questions she might have.  Do not submit partial documentation.  Do not leave these important documents in her mailbox.
3)  Please do not ask Denise "what if" questions.  (e.g. I completed my course in August, but if my transcript does not arrive by September 30th will I still receive salary advancement?)  She does not have the authority to make exceptions to contractual agreements.  These types of questions should be addressed to Rachel Kelly and/or David Katz.

While Denise is very happy for colleagues who earn lane changes, she derives no pleasure from "notarizing" salary advancement documents.  Cheer her up by visiting her office to share what you have learned during workshops and/or applied in your classrooms.  Make suggestions for workshops that might be offered in Bronxville, or offer to provide leadership for a professional development activity...now that would make her smile!

Veronica Fiore has arranged, again, for the BTA to send members to the HOPE Soup Kitchen in New Rochelle to assist with serving meals and making sandwiches.  This year, we will be sending seven members at a time on the following Mondays to serve.  The time commitment is rather short - less than 2 hours beginning at 4:30, but makes a world of difference.  Veronica will send opportunities to sign up for these dates.  Please consider giving a little of your time. 
Monday, October 17, 2016               Monday, February 6, 2017
Monday, November 21, 2016           Monday, March 20, 2017
Monday, December 19, 2016           Monday, April 3, 2017 
Monday, January 23, 2017               Monday, May 22, 2017

If you are on Facebook, make sure your settings for sharing your pictures and posts, etc. are set to "friends only" and not "friends of friends."  Some of your friends may also be friends with students or members of students' families, and you may not want your posts to be public in that way.  

I recommend that you refrain from "friending" students and parents of students.  Also, be mindful of what is posted by and about you on other social media.  

Also, please join the BTA Facebook page!  It's another great way to stay in touch with your teachers' association and your colleagues.  Just "friend" me, and I'll add you to the group.  Our group is a PRIVATE group, no one who is not a BTA member or retiree can see what we post to each other.  

You are a mandated reporter if you suspect any type of child abuse.  Not reporting your suspicions of child abuse is a misdemeanor in New York State.  The number to call to report suspected abuse is 800-635-1522.

Report your suspicions to your building supervisor as well.

The law in New York State (2007) is very clear about this:

Mandated reporters (that’s teachers, guidance counselors, school psychologists, school social workers, school nurses, administrators, and other school personnel required to hold a teaching certificate or administrative license) must report their suspicions directly to the Statewide Central Register of Child Abuse and Maltreatment, rather than rely on the school principal or supervisor to pass along what is reported to them.  A supervisor cannot demand prior approval before a report of suspected child abuse or maltreatment is filed.

Any mandated reporter who fails to report suspected child abuse or maltreatment could be charged with a class A misdemeanor and sued in civil court for monetary damages.  

Mandated reporters who make a report in good faith are protected from civil or criminal liability.

You, alone, are at risk if you do not make the phone call.  The BTA advises you to inform your building administrator and to make the call (not necessarily in that order).  Some very good people in Bedford a few years ago lost their jobs because they waited for their supervisor to make the call.  

If you are uncomfortable making the call, and you don’t know if your administrator will call with you, talk to David Katz.  He will be glad to make the call with you.

Visit www.ocfs.state.ny.us for information and a guide for mandated reporters.

We have the responsibility to protect ourselves and the children in our care.