Colleagues,
As we begin the third week of this school year, I want to update you on a few salient issues and announcements:
– RCSD Reconfiguration Plan. On October 19th, the Board of Education is scheduled to vote on the Superintendent’s proposed School Reorganization and Grade Configuration Plan. If approved, the plan would go into effect beginning with the 2024-2025 school year – not before. We are already working with the District to ensure that any potential reductions in teachers would be accomplished through attrition and through the filling of current and anticipated vacancies. We will also negotiate modifications in the teacher transfer process to give priority to involuntarily displaced teachers from schools that may be closing and to ensure that schools that are moving to other locations can move together as a faculty. Additionally, we are reaching out to RTA members at schools that are proposed to close to support them in any way we can – including in advocacy to prevent their closing if that is their collective position.
– First Fifteen Minutes. We are continuing our efforts to challenge the District’s unilateral decision to alter the teachers’ working conditions, especially at the Elementary schools. We have already filed a Class Action Grievance and a Notice of Claim for an Improper Practice lawsuit. In the interim, we are surveying RTA Faculty Representatives to determine how this is being implemented at each school. That information will prove useful as we attempt to resolve the issues through the ongoing Living Contract negotiations.
– Insurance Deductible Reimbursement. We have extended the deadline for applications for insurance deductible reimbursement to teachers whose vehicles were damaged or stolen while on or near work premises. The new deadline is Friday, September 29th. The completed application <https://forms.gle/vzzvDQYAGvFh9ZACA > can be submitted electronically. Please contact Matt Lavonas <mlavonas@rochesterteachers.com> or Martha Keating <maskerade6@aol.com> if you have questions or need assistance.
– COVID Protocols. Hopefully you won’t contract COVID but, if you do, here’s the Rochester City School District’s process for claiming COVID days pay (District pays up to 10 days, if necessary):
- Contact your immediate supervisor and let them know you will be out of work.
- Complete a home test (the first time you are seeking COVID leave); or take a lab test if you are seeking COVID pay for the 2nd or 3rd time.
- Complete the Monroe County Affirmation of Isolation form.
- Email benefits@rcsdk12.org your test results and attestation.
- If you are still sick after the 10 days on the Isolation form, you will need to see a doctor and provide a medical note to extend your absence.
Please call RCSD’s Employees Benefits Office (262-8206) if you have questions or contact contact RTA’s Margaret Sergent <msergent@rochesterteachers.com>.
– Teacher Leaders Program. If you might be interested in becoming a future teacher leader, please consider joining the American Federation of Teachers/RTA Teacher Leaders Program. The deadline for applying is September 24th. Selected applicants will meet one Saturday per month between October and June. Participants will receive a modest stipend and will engage in action research on an issue that they consider important, timely and relevant. For more information, please contact Corrine Mundorff <cmundorff@rochesterteachers.com>.
– RTA Dinner Seminar. The next RTA Educational Dinner Seminar will be on Thursday, October 5th. The session is entitled Effectively Implementing Restorative Practices in Schools and the presenter is Dominic Barter, an internationally recognized pioneer in the field of restorative responses to conflict. RTA Educational Dinner Seminars are held at Temple B’rith Koddesh (2131 Elmwood Avenue). Sessions last from 5-7pm and are preceded by a buffet dinner beginning at 4:45. Registration on TrueNorth Logic will be possible as of September 20th. Dinner, of course, is free and participants will receive 2 PD credits.
– Additional PD Opportunities. The RTA Teaching Academy is offering three courses this month and next: Understanding and Writing Quality IEPs; Everyday Racism; and Understanding Your Students by Exploring the Characteristics of Teacher-Student Relationships. You can find a description of each offering in the attachment below. If interested, please sign up through TrueNorth Logic. Contact Annamaria Manso <amanso@rochesterteachers.com> if you need additional information.
As always, please contact us at the RTA if you have questions or if we could help in any way. Thank you also for your patience as we continue to try to resolve the outstanding issues. And, most importantly, thank you for all that you continue to do every day for our students.
Adam Urbanski, RTA President