Colleagues,
Here’s a brief update:
– Living Contract Negotiations Continue. Although our new three-year contract has already been overwhelmingly (80.2%) ratified by RTA members, we are resuming negotiations through the Living Contract process to address issues that have not yet been resolved. Headed by the Superintendent of Schools and the RTA President, teams from the RTA and the RCSD are meeting twice each month for the rest of this school year. Meanwhile, you will soon receive an expanded version of our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) that will provide information about the implementation of the contract changes and will also correct the disinformation promulgated on social media by those bent on undermining our solidarity and the ratification of our new pact.
– Substitute Teachers Negotiations. As we know all too well, our District has been struggling for years to attract and retain an adequate number of substitute teachers. The current negotiations for a successor contract for Per Diem Substitute Teachers is intended to resolve this daunting challenge. Substitute teachers are a separate unit within the RTA and all RTA members are asked to continue wearing the RTA Solidarity t-shirts on Wednesdays until our substitute teachers colleagues also achieve a fair contract.
– School Safety. Last Thursday’s nearly-tragic incident at the Franklin Educational Complex is a somber reminder to us all that the increased gun violence on our streets does spill over to our schools. While we agree with Superintendent Peluso that there is an urgent and immediate need to restore police presence near our schools during the arrival and dismissal of students, we also urge the Board of Education to acknowledge that the safety of our students and their teachers would be enhanced if the specially trained School Resource Officers (SROs) are restored to schools where there is evidence of gun violence, gang presence and other threats to safety.
– Transfer Process Now Open. The RCSD Department of Human Capital announced that the transfer process is now open until February 6th. Interviews and screening of applicants will occur once the application period has ended. Rankings from schools that interviewed applicants will be sent out prior to Placement Day. Receivership and Exempt Schools will fill their vacancies prior to that. For more details, please visit <https://rochesterteachers.org/vacancies-and-transfer-process-is-now-open-until-february-6th/ >. If you have questions or need advice, please contact RTA’s Martha Keating <maskerade6@aol.com>, Margaret Sergent <mmsergent@rochesterteachers.com>, Aimee Rinere <arinere@rochesterteachers.com>, or Matt Lavonas <mlavonas@rochesterteachers.com>.
– Want to Be a Lead Teacher/ Mentor? Applications are now open for new Career In Teaching (CIT) Lead Teacher/Mentor positions for the 2023-2024 school year. The Application deadline is February 17th. Teachers and service providers may apply if they have at least seven years of experience in teaching – at least five of these years in the Rochester City School District. If interested, please visit < www.rcsdk12.org/CIT/Application> for details. See the flyer attached below that also includes details about an informational zoom meeting scheduled for Wednesday, January 18, from 4 to 5 pm. Contact CIT Director Stefan Cohen <stefan.cohen@rcsdk12.org> with any questions or if you need additional information.
– RTA’s MLK Student Awards. The Annual RTA Martin Luther King Awards Ceremony will be held at the School of the Arts Auditorium on Tuesday, January 17, beginning at 6 pm. Teachers at each RCSD school and work location had the opportunity to nominate a student who most exemplifies the traits of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Awardees will receive a medal, a letter of commendation from the RTA, and will have their name published in a local newspaper. Rochester Mayor Malik Evans, who as a student received that award more often than anyone else, is scheduled to be the keynote speaker. Please join us, if you can, to help us recognize and celebrate our wonderful students, their educators, and their families.
– “Bored Teachers” Comedy Tour. On February 22, 2023, the popular Bored Teachers Comedy Tour will perform at the Kodak Center in Rochester. The show begins 7:30 pm. Tickets are on sale at the Kodak Center Box Office and at <Ticketmaster.com>. A $5 discount per ticket, off the normal ticket costs that begin at $29.50, is offered for groups of ten or more at <https://www.kodakcenter.com/p/shows-and-tickets/group-sales>. The “bored Teachers” tour includes some of the nation’s best-known and most hilarious comedians.
We will continue to keep you informed about the progress of our efforts on your behalf. As always, please contact us at the RTA if you have any questions or if you need assistance.
Adam Urbanski, RTA President