Here some news that you can use…
Adam’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,...
read moreVentilation Reports for Phase 1+2 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+II ventilation reports were commissioned and paid for by the RTA Health and Safety Committee. If you have any...
read moreAdam’s Updates (2.9.21) Phase 2 Ventilation Reports
Colleagues, Since the COVID-19 pandemic involves an airborne virus, common sense suggests that ventilation plays a critical role. That is why the RTA has engaged independent Industrial Hygienists to confirm that all our schools meet the accepted standards for...
read moreVentilation Reports for Phase 2 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 II reports were commissioned and paid for by the RTA Health and Safety Committee. If you have any questions...
read moreAdam’s Update (2.7.21) Phase 2, Simultaneous Teaching, Covid Testing, Vaccination, Assessment of Readiness
Colleagues, Defying the collective wisdom of the overwhelming majority of parents and teachers, the Rochester City School District decided to push ahead with reopening schools before they are ready - thus disrupting the education of our students and playing Russian...
read moreQuestions to the Superintendent & the BOE
Based on the comments of teachers that have been back in the building for the last four week I have the following questions: Will the classroom trash be emptied daily?Will teachers have keys to the classrooms?Will students be required to wear masks?Will any rules be...
read moreAdam’s Update (2.3.21) Thank You Teachers, About Last Night, Ready or Not
Colleagues, First and foremost, I want to thank the many teachers who signed up to address the Board of Education and spoke so eloquently to advocate for a safe and prepared reopening of our schools. Your professionalism and dedication make all of us proud. For now, I...
read moreLetter to the BOE & Superintendent
Good evening Board Members and Superintendent L Myers-Small Speaking to you tonight on the eve of Phase two about communications. Our members communicate with our students every single day. It is our most important duty to our students. It is what we do...
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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...
Thinking About Retiring?
Dear Staff: Attached please find information regarding a virtual retirement information meeting that is being held next week on Thursday, December 10 from 4:30 to 6:00 PM. If you are interested in attending please register using the following...
2021 Retiree Healthcare Information
If there are any questions please call Charlie Dean at 865-1735. MVP Healthcare Information Meeting To see the video of the MVP Healthcare presentation from November 12, 2020 click on the link below. You will need to input the Passcode when prompted....
RTA COMMITTEES 2020-2021
Committees have been established by negotiated contracts and RTA's Rules and By-Laws. Each committee is designed to provide a special service to RTA members. Serving on these committees are over 220 RTA members, appointed by the RTA President, with consent...
Directions for Teachers and Students Grades 3-12 to access Google Classroom during today’s Roconnect outage.
FROM RCSD Communications... Google Classroom - Gr 3-12 Staff and students can still access Google classroom at classroom.google.com Click “login with google” Seesaw PreK STUDENTS: Students can log into Seesaw as they previously have, no change.K-2...
PRESS RELEASERCSD UNIONS CHALLENGE THE DISTRICT’S PROJECTED BUDGET DEFICIT All four unions, representing Rochester City School District’s approximately 6000 employees, Association of Supervisors and Administrators of Rochester (ASAR), Board of Education Non-Teaching Employees (BENTE), Rochester Association of Paraprofessionals (RAP) and Rochester Teachers Association (RTA), have issued a joint open letter to the RCSD Board of […]