From Aimee Rinere, RTA Treasurer…
ATTENDANCE:
We cannot stress the importance of recording attendance accurately. Remind everyone that the expectation is to take attendance in the first 15 minutes of the class. If a student leaves the room without permission it is imperative to notify the office immediately either by phone or sending a reliable student with a pass.
******FAILURE TO TAKE TIMELY ATTENDANCE MAY LEAD TO DISCIPLINE!!!*****
RTA WEBSITE:
Please visit the Rochester Teacher website www.rochesterteachers.com. We hope the information posted is current, informative, and easier to access. If there is something you would like us to add, please let us know. We want this to be your go-to site for all of the information you need.
RTA BULLETIN BOARD:
This is a great time to update or create your RTA bulletin board. Post copies of the “411 for Reps” for members to see. Keep your members up-to-date with information. Consider posting names of the Reps, room numbers, school phone numbers and free periods. Send us a picture of your bulletin board and win a prize!
BUILDING COMMITTEE PLANS DUE:
Building Committee Plans for Classroom Interruptions, Assaults, Emergency Sub Plans, Discipline Plan were due October 1st. Plans should be agreed to and signed off by all Committee members and the principal (See RTA Contract Section 9.9c for more information) and sent to Margaret Sergent at the RTA Office and the school’s Chief. If you need assistance, call RTA.
THANK YOU!!!
The following schools have submitted all of their signed Building Committee plans: #7, #9, #16, #20, #34, and #57.
GRIEVANCE ADVISORY COMMITTEE:
The Grievance Committee meets every Wednesday from 4:15-6 pm when they have an appointment. The Committee consists of active and retired members who can provide advice and assistance to members. Please call the RTA office to schedule an appointment. The GAC is also available before every Representative Assembly meeting to answer questions.
HEALTH AND SAFETY COMMITTEE:
The Health and Safety Committee meets the first Monday of every month at the RTA Office. Please contact Margaret Sergent if you have any questions regarding Health and Safety such as air quality, construction issues, or any other health-related issues.
ACTION COMMITTEE HOLIDAY BASKETS:
Please begin to think about 2 deserving families from your school to receive a holiday basket in December. Please contact Mike Tobin at mtobin@rochesterteachers.com or Jake Rohan at jakerohan@yahoo.com if you have any questions.
TELEMEDICINE:
Save time and money by registering for Telemedicine, a non-emergency medical call-in service available 24/7/365. Use this service now through December for $0 copay! With this benefit, members can speak with Board-certified doctors and pediatricians for symptoms such as flu, sinus, respiratory, rashes and mental health issues to name a few. (Other symptoms are listed on the Excellus webpage). This service is also great if you are away from home or have a child away at college. Go to ExcellusBCBS.com to register.
Be sure to vote on November 6th! vote
Polls OPEN at 6 am and CLOSE at 9 pm.
FREE TICKETS:
RTA members can pick up free tickets to Labor Film Series. Labor Films run from October 11th – December 13th. Stop into the RTA office.
COMMON PLANNING TIME SCHEDULES:
The Building Committee is responsible for determining which one meeting per week is mandatory and which one is voluntary. According to Sections 19 and Section 23, “classroom teachers shall lead these meetings, with participation by school leaders.” In addition, teachers should not have any additional work as a result of these meetings.
PRIOR SERVICE CREDIT WITH NYSTRS:
The district has informed us that getting verification of employment for Prior Service Credit may take upwards of 1 year. If you are thinking about claiming service, plan ahead. Help is available at the RTA Office if you need assistance with this.
RTA AND THE RPO:
The RPO is in the third year partnering with RTA offering tickets discounted by 20% for any seats in zones 1-3 this year. Shows include: Patriotic Pops with the U.S. Naval Academy Glee Club, 50 Years of Garth Fagan Dance, Women’s Suffrage, Disney’s The Little Mermaid, and Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. Get your tickets now for any of the shows at these great prices for the best seats. More information is located on the RTA website.
BE WARNED:
Please be cautious about your interactions with students. It is in your best interest to not break up fights or prevent children from leaving your room. Call the office for assistance in these cases. And if the office does not respond, send a trustworthy student.
FYI:
Do not use your district email for personal use or to communicate any RTA business. The district may view your emails at any time. Use your own personal devices (i.e.: smartphones, personal computers or ipads, etc.). During any lawsuit, the District must turn over emails from an RCSD address. The District can review RCSD emails without subpoenas.
ROCHESTER TEACHERS CARE VIDEO PROJECT:
We are beginning our fourth year highlighting great teachers in the district and have produced over 60 videos over the past 3 years. Let us know who should be next! Let’s turn some of those tweets into RTC videos.
• Do you have a special project you are doing with your students?
• Helping out with a new club?
• Involving parents in your classroom?
• Creating an exciting experience for your students?
• Know a teacher who creative in helping their students succeed?
If you or someone you know should be one of our next features, please email Aimee Rinere at arinere@rochesterteachers.com or Matt Lavonas at mlavonas@rochesterteachers.com.
NEXT REPRESENTATIVE ASSEMBLY MEETING: NOVEMBER 19TH
COMEDY @ THE CARLSON
50 CARLSON ROAD ROCHESTER, NY 14610