Here some news that you can use…
Attention Special Education Teachers: Statement Of Continued Eligibility (SOCE) UPDATE
**Cost Reimbursement For a Limited Time** In an attempt to help staff with the cost, the District was able to secure a grant to help offset the cost of teachers meeting this new mandate. This grant allows us to reimburse you up to $100 if you have paid an application...
read moreAdam’s Update (4.15.21) RCSD’s 2021-22 Plan
Colleagues, Earlier today you received a communication from the District about “Important Information on the 21-22 School Year.” That email was sent during the meeting with unions to discuss the plan. As has been typical for the current District administration, this...
read moreAdam’s Update (3.15.21) Safety in Schools, Avoiding Layoffs, Simultaneous Teaching Alternatives, Insisting on an End to Bad Faith Bargaining
Colleagues, It’s been a full year of unprecedented difficulties. Yet, you have gone way beyond the call of duty and proved your professionalism and dedication to your students . And while there’s finally some reason for optimism, it’s certainly not over yet. Several...
read morePlease Consider Your Support of a School #29 Teacher
via the GoFundMe page: On 03/12/21 there was a devastating house fire in Penfield, NY https://www.whec.com/rochester-new-york-news/penfield-home-heavily-damaged-in-fire-on-edenfield-road/6041077/ The home that was lost belongs to Jerome Davis and his...
read moreScholarships Available from the RTA
The Rochester Teachers Association, through its Scholarship Committee, awards scholarships to needy and deserving college-bound students. Final selections will be based upon academic achievement, financial need, character and leadership ability. Click on the...
read moreVentilation Reports for Phase 3 Schools
Below are the School Inspection Reports from Olmsted Environmental Services, Inc. as prepared by Ed Olmsted, CIH, CSP and Jennifer Long, MS. The Phase III reports were commissioned and paid for by the RTA Health and Safety Committee. If you have any questions...
read moreNYSUT Provides Student Debt Clinics and NYS Teachers Retirement System Webinars
Student Debt Clinics: NYSUT is offering free webinars about student debt to all NYSUT members. Check out this website for the upcoming schedule for March & April: REGISTER HERE TRS Webinars: Free NYSTRS webinars by our NYSUT endorsed TRS trustee, Sheila Buck,...
read moreAdam’s Updates (3.5.21) Vaccination Openings for RTA Members with Release Time
Colleagues, As I’ve indicated in Wednesday’s Update, with the help of our state-level union, the New York State United Teachers (NYSUT), approximately 1100 Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines are being made available solely to members of the Rochester Teachers Association (RTA)...
read moreAdam’s Update (3.4.21) Vaccines, MOU, PPE, Reporting of COVID-19 Cases in Schools, Phase 3 Ventilation Reports, NYSUT Pushes For Early Retirement Incentive
Colleagues,Here are some timely and important notices for your information: - Vaccines For RTA and RAP Members. I am pleased to inform you that, with help from the New York State United Teachers (NYSUT) and Monroe County Executive Adam Bello, 1100 Pfizer COVID-19...
read moreJob Share Deadlines
Current job sharing teachers who wish to stay together are required to notify the District (Dr. Christopher Miller/christopher.miller@rcsdk12.org) by March 1st of the intent to either continue OR discontinue the job share as of September 2021. Teachers seeking new job...
read moreRetirement Deadline
If you are retiring and plan on receiving any accumulated monies from the Absentee Reduction Plan (Section 60, page 121), you must notify the District by this Friday, February 26th of this intention.
read moreAdam’s Updates (2.21.21) Simultaneous Instruction, Ventilation, Accommodations, Covid Testing, Vaccinations, Reprisals, RCSD’s Lack of Readiness
Colleagues, I hope you had a safe and restful Winter recess. The Rochester City School District is proceeding with reopening school buildings despite the fact that they are not fully ready to do so safely and effectively - not with mitigation, not with COVID testing,...
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Speak Out to the School Board Tomorrow
Colleagues, It is becoming increasingly obvious that the District remains dismissive of the collective wisdom of parents and teachers and continues to ignore their legitimate concerns. Despite the fact that 70% of parents, and 89% of teachers, do not have confidence...
Teachers Who Received The 2018-19 Retirement Incentive Will Be Getting Their Check/Direct Deposit on 1/29/21.
The District has confirmed that teachers who received the 2018-2019 retirement incentive will be getting their check/direct deposit on 1/29/21.
Teachers Can Now Sign Up for the Covid Vaccine as Part of Group 1B. (Update: The Website is Working Again)
NYSUT UPDATE 1/13/21: As of today, below is the guidance we have for those locals and members seeking to be vaccinated:• Individual registration through New York State (Website and Hotline): Individuals, seeking to secure an appointment are encouraged to use...
Ventilation Reports For Phase I Schools
Below are the School Inspection Reports from Olmsted Environmental Services, Inc. as prepared by Ed Olmsted, CIH, CSP and Jennifer Long, MS. The Phase I reports were commissioned and paid for by the RTA Health and Safety Committee. If you have any questions please...
We need answers from RCSD... We share member's frustration with the lack of information on the reopening plan from the RCSD and finding bits of information through the media and other various sources. There are increasingly frequent and inaccurate rumors spread...
PreK-Gr 6 Teachers’ Deadline for ADA Accommodation Requests for Phase 2 is January 6th
The District has labeled PreK-Gr 6 Teachers return to school as Phase 2. The deadline for submitting the ADA accommodation request (Attending Physician's Statement Form) for Phase 2 is January 6th. Teachers can find this form on this website...
Special Subject & Support Services Q&A
For Special Subjects and Support Services Teachers Returning on January 4th: Initial Answers to Frequently Asked Questions Question: Who is returning on January 4th? Answer: Initially the District identified 95 Special Education...
Adam’s Update (12.18.20) Renewed and Updated Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) coming shortly
Colleagues, The District just notified all teachers and staff that there’ll be a special announcement from the Superintendent, later today, about the District’s plan for reopening of schools. After that announcement, RTA members will receive an update from me that...
Attending Physician’s Statement/COVID Leaves
If you are seeking a COVID leave we are encouraging members to have a physician fill out the Attending Physician's Statement and submit to the District as soon as possible. Click to download the following: Attending Physician's Statement Form (must be filled out by a...
Initial Questions and Answers for Returning 1/4/21 Teachers (From the Special Ed Teachers meeting 12.10.20)
Question: Who is returning? Answer: There are 95 Special Education classroom teachers identified as returning to in-person instruction on January 4th. Additionally, the District wants approximately 315 Special Subjects and Support Teachers to return. At...
Rumor Control During these uncertain times, there are increasingly frequent and inaccurate rumors spread especially through FB and other social media. Such misinformation, often promulgated by uninformed sources, is unhelpful and causes unnecessary alarm and...
Adam’s Update (12.11.20) Remote Teaching From School, Safety, Negotiations, Budget, RTA Zoom Meetings, Rumor Control
Colleagues, Here’s a brief update on some current issues: - Remote Teaching From the Classroom? It appears that the current position of the District is that teachers report to schools and teach from their classrooms even if all their students are remote. Not if we can...
FAQ’s on Reopening Phases 1-3
Below are FAQs on Reopening Phases 1-3 Initial Questions and Answers for Returning 1/4/21 Teachers (From the Special Ed Teachers meeting 12.10.20) Special Subject & Support Services Q&A
Introducing CIT Lead Teacher-Mentor OFFICE HOURS via Zoom
The Career in Teaching (CIT) Program is offering teachers drop-in mentor support before school, midday, and after school with regular CIT Mentor Office Hours via Zoom. Need some advice about an instructional challenge? Some assistance with writing IEPs? Some...
Professional Development Opportunities for RTA Members
The Career in Teaching Department and the Rochester Teaching Academy are collaborating to bring our members three professional learning opportunities centered on Restorative Practices. Each two-hour session will be facilitated by a CIT Lead Teacher/Mentor and will...