Katherine Bryce is a new mommy!


Welcome, Hannah Lily Bryce!

As you know, our tenure protections have been called to question in a number of cases nationwide.  The case of Vergara v. California was based on the fiction that there is a conflict between protections for teachers and education for students.  This fiction is coming to New York in a case brought by television host Campbell Brown. 

We know that the students and school districts benefit from having teachers who have basic due process protections.  It's about keeping good teachers, not about rooting out bad ones.  

It is difficult, when you are at dinner parties and holiday gatherings, to discuss tenure with people who don't understand.  I encourage you to read the latest issue of NYSUT United.  It will help you understand the history of tenure in New York State and how tenure for teachers benefits students.  

YOU CAN'T PUT STUDENTS FIRST IF YOU PUT TEACHERS LAST.

NYSUT is working to defend our tenure protections against wrong-headed, misguided, underinformed policy makers and celebrities.  

If you are not registered to vote, or if your children are not registered to vote, or if you know someone who is not registered to vote, or if you moved and did not update your voter registration, registering to vote is as simple as clicking this link:  http://www.vote411.org/register#.VCl8E_ldWSo.  

When NYSUT members vote, the politicians listen.  When we don't vote, our silence is deafening.  

Did you see the recent issue of NYSUT United?

Page 9 is a full page dedicated to Jeff Zuckerman's Top Ten Reasons to Give to VOTE-COPE.  

Jeff is a BTA retiree and now the state-wide voice for VOTE-COPE.  

Next week, I intend to reach out to you for new or increased VOTE-COPE contributions.  It is ONLY through these voluntary contributions that New York State's teachers have a collective voice in the political arena, and, like it or not, our job is greatly impacted by the politics in New York State.  

To increase or start a VOTE-COPE contribution, send an email to Melody Lee in the business office and carbon copy that email to me.  We'll make sure your deductions take place appropriately, and VOTE-COPE will ensure that your voice is heard on issues related to education, health care, labor, and children and families in New York State.  

40% of our contributions are also returned here to our local to offset the costs of our local activism.  

Last Friday, the BTA hosted a beautiful cocktail party at Lisa Britvan's apartment for all of our new teachers.  It was great to be able to take some time to get to know our newest teacher members of the BTA!  

Thanks, Lisa, for being such a gracious hostess, and thanks to all who were there - it was truly lovely!  

Have you seen this website from AFT:
Share My Lesson

It's a lesson-sharing site by teachers for teachers.

Here is the obituary that was posted this week in My Hometown Bronxville for Linda Vernon:


http://myhometownbronxville.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=7358:linda-vernon-bronxville-schol-english-teacher-for-20-years-dies-july-9-2014&catid=14:memorials-and-obituaries&Itemid=12

NYSUT is offering great seminars for teachers and other school professionals.  Here is the catalog of classes:

2014+2015 NYSUT Tarrytown Learning Center Catalog

And, here is the registration site:
http://www.cvent.com/events/tarrytown-learning-center-course-registration/event-summary-6ed12754c83b400e89613113fe912ea5.aspx 

There's also a link on My Learning Plan - it's easily accessible there - one click takes you to the registration information.  

NYSUT locals from Westchester, Putnam, Orange, and Rockland Counties are supporting 

Project Share: A Thanksgiving Dinner for the Homeless

with our third annual BOWLING EXTRAVAGANZA!!!!!!

Thursday, November 13 at Spins Bowl in Mount Kisco.

Let David Katz know if you are interested in being part of our BTA team!  The donation to Project Share is $20, there will be lots of raffle prizes, plenty of food and drink, and a whole lot of fun.  

Please join us!