Source: http://www.uft.org/news/doe-memo-new-tenure-guidelines
TENURE POLICY AND IMPLEMENTATION
1. 4-point Effectiveness Framework
For the first time, a 4-point effectiveness framework will be used to aid in making tenure decisions. The framework measures teacher practice along multiple dimensions - impact on student learning, instructional practice, and professional contributions - and requires multiple measures of each over more than two academic years in order to demonstrate effectiveness. Additionally, special consideration will be given to gains demonstrated with special populations, including Special Education students, English Language Learners, and students who are over-age and under-credited. A copy of the framework is attached to this document.
2. Expanded Data
The Tenure Notification System (TNS) will provide principals with centrally available data on their probationary teachers, including the following indicators:
§ previous U-rating
§ poor attendance
§ particularly strong or weak teacher data report indicators
§ ATR status
§ limited time teaching at their current school (less than 1 school year)
§ probation previously extended
To assist superintendents, additional data will be available to manage tenure decisions, including:
§ duration of principal tenure in building
§ school QR scores
§ school PR scores
3. Clear Steps for Tenure Decision-Making
In January, principals will be asked to enter an early (preliminary) recommendation using the 4-point framework for probationary teachers whose tenure decisions are due in May and June.
When principals enter final recommendations in TNS, they will (1) provide feedback using the 4-point framework and (2) using a new Tenure Recommendation Form, they will be required to provide a rationale for their tenure recommendation, explaining the evidence they’ve collected which led to the recommendation of granting or denying tenure, or offering an extension of probation. As in the past, principals will enter their final recommendations in the Tenure Notification System (TNS), and Superintendents will review principal recommendations and issue final decisions.
4. Improve Hiring Policies
In an effort to ensure that tenure recommendations are made based on a teachers’ ability to positively impact their students’ educational outcomes and their contributions to the school, the following incentives have been put in place:
§ In the past, principals may have resisted denying or extending tenure because of a fear of creating a vacancy that could not be filled with a newly hired teacher of their choice. This year, principals who deny tenure (or discontinue prior to denial) can backfill the position with a teacher new to the system, provided that (1) the school has the FY 2011 budget to afford a teacher in the position and (2) there is not a layoff condition making implementation impossible under legal and contractual rules.*
§ If schools are compelled to excess teachers for whom they have recently granted tenure, networks and then clusters are responsible for identifying an appropriate placement for that teacher.
NEXT STEPS:
Principals can access a current list of probationary teachers with upcoming tenure decisions via TNS and will be able to produce one-touch data reports for those teachers through TNS starting in January
As outlined above, principals will be asked to make preliminary recommendations of effectiveness using the attached 4-point framework (for teachers whose tenure decisions are due in May and June starting in January.)
Schools should work directly with their CFN to implement the policies described in this memo.
Training materials will be available beginning in mid-December.
*This applies only to vacancies in the same grade and subject as the one held by the denied employee.
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Professional Certification Licensing
The DOE was scheduled to send out a letter this past November 2010 on how to report your state-mandated professional development hours. The New York State Education Department requires teachers to show that they have taken 175 hours of PD every five years after achieving their professional certification. The letter also explains how to get your hours approved by your principal and how to report to the DOE.
As before, the UFT recommends that all teacher with professional certificates keep their own logs and any documentation that shows the date, hours, and title of the PD you have taken.
(SOURCE: UFT Newspaper, Volume L11, Number 6, November 25, 2010)
As before, the UFT recommends that all teacher with professional certificates keep their own logs and any documentation that shows the date, hours, and title of the PD you have taken.
(SOURCE: UFT Newspaper, Volume L11, Number 6, November 25, 2010)
Friday, December 3, 2010
Justification for Reversal: Teacher Data Reports
Forwarded from Aminda Gentile, UFT Teacher Center:
The DOE sparked the legal battle in October by deciding to turn over value-added test data, including the names of all 12,000 Teachers in the reports, to the city’s daily newspapers and other organizations that requested the TDRs via a Freedom of Information Law request.The UFT sued to stop the data’s release, saying that it was unproven, flawed and rife with errors and noting that when the union agreed to the value-add program, the DOE had pledged to keep the Teachers’ names secret. In that written agreement of 2008, then-Deputy Chancellor Christopher Cerf had assured then-UFT President Randi Weingarten that the reports “will not and should not be disclosed.”But the city Law Department’s response to the UFT lawsuit argued that “[DOE’s] agreement to maintain confidentiality is of no consequence if it is obligated under FOIL to disclose required information.”
The response, authored by Mr. Levine, says that the FOIL request outweighs any commitments the DOE might have made to the UFT, and suggests that this is a widely accepted fact.
“Public employees generally lack an expectation of privacy in information concerning their performance of public functions,” Mr. Levine wrote. “Records relevant to the job performance of public employees (as the Teacher Data Reports are) must be disclosed under FOIL even when they identify particular employees.”'So What If Data's Wrong?'
The UFT argued that the data behind the TDRs is unproven and flawed, with many errors reported by its members, but the city said, “No case law supports the withholding of statistical data solely because it contains errors...in any event, the TDR process included a recertification process and individual claims of error are addressed by DOE.”
Teachers are indeed invited to report any errors to the DOE, but they are generally not cleared up until the following year’s report. Mr. Levine also dismissed the idea that Teachers who performed badly on the reports will be singled out by parents, who will attempt to keep their children out of those classrooms. Give Parents Important Tool“The TDRs...provide parents with considerable information to make their own judgments of both the effectiveness of their children’s Teachers and the utility of the reports themselves,” he wrote. “This is precisely the sort of disclosure that FOIL was intended to ensure.”Asked about victimization of Teachers in a phone interview, he said, “We’re saying we’re required to do it. FOIL requires it, and it’s up to people how they interpret and use the information, we’re just required to give it.”“There is a strong public interest in disclosing the requested information,” he wrote. “In being entrusted with the futures of the large majority of New York City’s children, Teachers are perhaps the most important public servants in the lives of New York’s youngest citizens and their families. TDRs provide parents with objective means to measure effectiveness.”
Because the reports are data-based and thus supposedly objective, as opposed to performance reviews, the TDRs are no different than any other “statistical tabulations” which are not exempt from FOIL requests, Mr. Levine argued.He also made sure to address the previous FOIL requests, made by the New York Times, the Daily News and the NAACP, which resulted in the DOE releasing data with schools and Teacher names redacted.He said neither paper sought the names, so they weren’t provided.“The New York Times [request] explicitly stated that Teacher names were not being requested; the two remaining requesters implicitly indicated as much by omitting any mention of Teacher names,” he said.The Daily News FOIL request, made by reporter Meredith Kolodner, simply asked for “access to and if necessary copies of Teacher Data Reports produced between 9/1/08 and 8/1/09.”The UFT will submit its reply to the city by Dec. 6, with oral arguments in court scheduled for Dec. 8.Mayor Taps Educator To Assist Black, Save Her Chancellor's JobBy DAVID SIMS
As this newspaper went to press Nov. 29, Mayor Bloomberg’s choice of Cathie Black as Schools Chancellor finally won the approval of State Education Commissioner David Steiner, but only after the Mayor capitulated to his demand to appoint a Chief Academic Officer, with education experience, as her second-in-command.Deputy Chancellor Shael Polakow-Suransky, a former Principal who is currently in charge of performance and accountability at the Department of Education, will serve as Ms. Black’s deputy. Mr. Steiner offered the compromise but was initially rebuffed by Mr. Bloomberg until a panel considering the waiver she needed to serve as Chancellor heeded Mr. Steiner’s recommendation and rejected her application.
The DOE sparked the legal battle in October by deciding to turn over value-added test data, including the names of all 12,000 Teachers in the reports, to the city’s daily newspapers and other organizations that requested the TDRs via a Freedom of Information Law request.The UFT sued to stop the data’s release, saying that it was unproven, flawed and rife with errors and noting that when the union agreed to the value-add program, the DOE had pledged to keep the Teachers’ names secret. In that written agreement of 2008, then-Deputy Chancellor Christopher Cerf had assured then-UFT President Randi Weingarten that the reports “will not and should not be disclosed.”But the city Law Department’s response to the UFT lawsuit argued that “[DOE’s] agreement to maintain confidentiality is of no consequence if it is obligated under FOIL to disclose required information.”
The response, authored by Mr. Levine, says that the FOIL request outweighs any commitments the DOE might have made to the UFT, and suggests that this is a widely accepted fact.
“Public employees generally lack an expectation of privacy in information concerning their performance of public functions,” Mr. Levine wrote. “Records relevant to the job performance of public employees (as the Teacher Data Reports are) must be disclosed under FOIL even when they identify particular employees.”'So What If Data's Wrong?'
The UFT argued that the data behind the TDRs is unproven and flawed, with many errors reported by its members, but the city said, “No case law supports the withholding of statistical data solely because it contains errors...in any event, the TDR process included a recertification process and individual claims of error are addressed by DOE.”
Teachers are indeed invited to report any errors to the DOE, but they are generally not cleared up until the following year’s report. Mr. Levine also dismissed the idea that Teachers who performed badly on the reports will be singled out by parents, who will attempt to keep their children out of those classrooms. Give Parents Important Tool“The TDRs...provide parents with considerable information to make their own judgments of both the effectiveness of their children’s Teachers and the utility of the reports themselves,” he wrote. “This is precisely the sort of disclosure that FOIL was intended to ensure.”Asked about victimization of Teachers in a phone interview, he said, “We’re saying we’re required to do it. FOIL requires it, and it’s up to people how they interpret and use the information, we’re just required to give it.”“There is a strong public interest in disclosing the requested information,” he wrote. “In being entrusted with the futures of the large majority of New York City’s children, Teachers are perhaps the most important public servants in the lives of New York’s youngest citizens and their families. TDRs provide parents with objective means to measure effectiveness.”
Because the reports are data-based and thus supposedly objective, as opposed to performance reviews, the TDRs are no different than any other “statistical tabulations” which are not exempt from FOIL requests, Mr. Levine argued.He also made sure to address the previous FOIL requests, made by the New York Times, the Daily News and the NAACP, which resulted in the DOE releasing data with schools and Teacher names redacted.He said neither paper sought the names, so they weren’t provided.“The New York Times [request] explicitly stated that Teacher names were not being requested; the two remaining requesters implicitly indicated as much by omitting any mention of Teacher names,” he said.The Daily News FOIL request, made by reporter Meredith Kolodner, simply asked for “access to and if necessary copies of Teacher Data Reports produced between 9/1/08 and 8/1/09.”The UFT will submit its reply to the city by Dec. 6, with oral arguments in court scheduled for Dec. 8.Mayor Taps Educator To Assist Black, Save Her Chancellor's JobBy DAVID SIMS
As this newspaper went to press Nov. 29, Mayor Bloomberg’s choice of Cathie Black as Schools Chancellor finally won the approval of State Education Commissioner David Steiner, but only after the Mayor capitulated to his demand to appoint a Chief Academic Officer, with education experience, as her second-in-command.Deputy Chancellor Shael Polakow-Suransky, a former Principal who is currently in charge of performance and accountability at the Department of Education, will serve as Ms. Black’s deputy. Mr. Steiner offered the compromise but was initially rebuffed by Mr. Bloomberg until a panel considering the waiver she needed to serve as Chancellor heeded Mr. Steiner’s recommendation and rejected her application.
Friday, November 19, 2010
ELL Scalfolding: Academic Language in Non-Fiction Reading and Writing WORKSHOP
• Register online at www.ufttc.org.
• Click on Learning Opportunities.
• Participants receive professional
resources for classroom use and a
certificate of participation.
• Learn how to differentiate instruction through
the stages of second language acquisition.
• Examine the academic language that frames expository text structures.
• Acquire tools to scaffold academic writing across content areas.
Sunday, December 5, 2010
9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
UFT Manhattan Headquarters
52 Broadway
New York, NY 10004
nn
Participants will:
Academic Language
in Non-fiction
Reading and Writing
• Click on Learning Opportunities.
• Participants receive professional
resources for classroom use and a
certificate of participation.
• Learn how to differentiate instruction through
the stages of second language acquisition.
• Examine the academic language that frames expository text structures.
• Acquire tools to scaffold academic writing across content areas.
Sunday, December 5, 2010
9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
UFT Manhattan Headquarters
52 Broadway
New York, NY 10004
nn
Participants will:
Academic Language
in Non-fiction
Reading and Writing
Let's Talk about Math: Making Math Come To Life Through Words WORKSHOP
Let’s Talk Math!
Making Math Come to
Through Words
Mathematics Conference for K-12 Educators
• Register online at www.ufttc.org. Click on Learning Opportunities.
• Participants will receive professional resources for classroom use
and a certificate of participation.
Participants will:
• Learn effective strategies to strengthen
language development in the mathematics
classroom.
• Examine the language of word problems and
identify content specific vocabulary.
• Use effective vocabulary strategies to foster
mathematical thinking and discourse.
• Align classroom activities to the Common Core
State Standards.
Sunday, December 12, 2010
9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
UFT Manhattan Headquarters
52 Broadway • New York, NY 10004
Life
Making Math Come to
Through Words
Mathematics Conference for K-12 Educators
• Register online at www.ufttc.org. Click on Learning Opportunities.
• Participants will receive professional resources for classroom use
and a certificate of participation.
Participants will:
• Learn effective strategies to strengthen
language development in the mathematics
classroom.
• Examine the language of word problems and
identify content specific vocabulary.
• Use effective vocabulary strategies to foster
mathematical thinking and discourse.
• Align classroom activities to the Common Core
State Standards.
Sunday, December 12, 2010
9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
UFT Manhattan Headquarters
52 Broadway • New York, NY 10004
Life
Friday, October 15, 2010
Professional Development Given Through the UFT Teacher Center
UFT Manhattan Workshops
Sun, October 24: Interactive Whiteboards (Instructional Technology)
Wed, November 13: Library of Congress: Using Primary Sources/Intro (SS)
Thurs, November 21: Complex Informational Text (Literacy)
Sun, December 5: Expanding Academic Vocabulary (ELL)
Sun, December 12: Overview 3 Tier Model (Math)
Sat, January 8: Focus on Instruction (Paraprofessionals)
Sat, January 15: Math and CCSS (Special Education)
Sun, January 23: K-12 Career Development Teachers and Guidance Counselors (art)
Sun, February 6: Web 2.0 Tools (Instructional Technology)
Sat, February 12: Complex Informational Text (Literacy)
Sat, March 5: Scaffolding Writing for ELLs (ELL)
Sat, March 19: Library of Congress: Using Primary Sources/Intro (SS)
Sat, April 2: Literacy and CCSS (Special Education)
Sun, April 10: Number Sense (Math)
Sun, June 5: Cultural Institutions in the Classrooms (art)
Sat, June 11: Focus on Instruction (Paraprofessionals)
Register online at www.ufttc.org. Space is limited.
See Kelly McNulty room 258 for more details.
Sun, October 24: Interactive Whiteboards (Instructional Technology)
Wed, November 13: Library of Congress: Using Primary Sources/Intro (SS)
Thurs, November 21: Complex Informational Text (Literacy)
Sun, December 5: Expanding Academic Vocabulary (ELL)
Sun, December 12: Overview 3 Tier Model (Math)
Sat, January 8: Focus on Instruction (Paraprofessionals)
Sat, January 15: Math and CCSS (Special Education)
Sun, January 23: K-12 Career Development Teachers and Guidance Counselors (art)
Sun, February 6: Web 2.0 Tools (Instructional Technology)
Sat, February 12: Complex Informational Text (Literacy)
Sat, March 5: Scaffolding Writing for ELLs (ELL)
Sat, March 19: Library of Congress: Using Primary Sources/Intro (SS)
Sat, April 2: Literacy and CCSS (Special Education)
Sun, April 10: Number Sense (Math)
Sun, June 5: Cultural Institutions in the Classrooms (art)
Sat, June 11: Focus on Instruction (Paraprofessionals)
Register online at www.ufttc.org. Space is limited.
See Kelly McNulty room 258 for more details.
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Integration of Interactive Whiteboards in the Digital Age WORKSHOP
DATE: Sunday, October 24, 2010
TIME: 9:00am-1:00pm
PLACE: United Federation of Teachers, 52 Broadway
REGISTER ONLINE: www.ufttc.org Click on Learning Opportunities
Space is limited and registration deadline is October 21st.
For additional information, see Kelly McNulty in room 258.
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Brooklyn New Teacher Oriention/Reception
Brooklyn New Teacher Orientation/Reception
Tuesday,October 5th 2010
Brooklyn UFT Office
335 Adams Street, 25th Fl
Brooklyn, NY 11201
4:00 PM – 6:30 PM
Tuesday,October 5th 2010
Brooklyn UFT Office
335 Adams Street, 25th Fl
Brooklyn, NY 11201
4:00 PM – 6:30 PM
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Welcome Back!
Well, it did seem like it was really a short summer this time around. But, then again, I think I say that every summer.
I'm really looking forward to seeing all of you and welcome to all new teachers.
I will be posting my new "Teacher Center Hours of Operation" on my door shortly.
Professional Development will officially begin the week of September 20th. But, if you need copies of the current units of study or just a cup of coffee, stop on in.
Thursday, June 3, 2010
UFT RALLY AT CITY HALL JUNE 16
Save Our City!
Join your colleagues, parents, community members and fellow city workers at a rally at City Hall on Wednesday, June 16, at 4 p.m., to halt devastating budget cuts.
Firehouses will close. Our schools face $500 million in cuts. Thousands of teachers face layoffs.
Tell Bloomberg and Klein:
Don’t lay off teachers. Offer an early retirement incentive instead.
Don’t slash services. Tax Wall Street and millionaires instead.
Preserve the quality of life in our city.
Don’t hurt our kids.
Can we count on you?
Join your colleagues, parents, community members and fellow city workers at a rally at City Hall on Wednesday, June 16, at 4 p.m., to halt devastating budget cuts.
Firehouses will close. Our schools face $500 million in cuts. Thousands of teachers face layoffs.
Tell Bloomberg and Klein:
Don’t lay off teachers. Offer an early retirement incentive instead.
Don’t slash services. Tax Wall Street and millionaires instead.
Preserve the quality of life in our city.
Don’t hurt our kids.
Can we count on you?
Teacher Layoffs Rescinded
Dear colleagues,
This morning, Mayor Bloomberg has rescinded the teacher layoff notices that were scheduled to go out at the end of this week. We are glad that the mayor has come to understand the gravity of the situation and the enormity of damage that teacher layoffs would have done to our city’s children and our city’s future.
The advocacy of the people in this union, along with our parent and community partners, successfully made the case that schools would be devastated by layoffs.
But let us be clear: Today’s developments do not change the fact that our schools are still facing catastrophic cuts to programs and services that our students depend on.
That’s why we must continue our advocacy on the local, state and federal levels to restore school funding. With the state and city budgets still unfinished and many other city workers and services facing cutbacks, our June 16 rally is as important as ever.
As to the mayor’s statement regarding teacher raises, it is important to note that there is no agreement whatsoever between the city and the UFT. The negotiating process is exactly where it was prior to today’s announcement and will continue onward.
Here is the statement that we just released to the press:
“The mayor has the power to unilaterally rescind the proposed layoffs, and I’m glad that he has made the right decision to avoid massive disruptions to our schools. He also has the power to take other steps to help deal with our schools’ budget problems, such as opting into the state’s early retirement incentive, which would potentially save hundreds of millions of dollars; and using more of the estimated $3.27 billion surplus that is being rolled into fiscal 2011 to replace reductions in state education funding.
But he does NOT have the power to unilaterally decide on the teachers’ contract, and we have reached NO agreement on his proposal to freeze teacher pay. If the mayor has concrete ideas on the next contract, he and his representatives should bring them to the bargaining table at the Public Employment Relations Board, where our contract is currently in mediation.
While we have reached no agreement on the next contract, the mayor and I have agreed to go together to Albany and Washington in the near future to lobby for new resources to prevent devastating budget cuts to our schools, our classrooms and the communities we serve.”
Sincerely,
Michael Mulgrew
United Federation of Teachers
A Union of Professionals
52 Broadway, New York, NY 10004 • 1-212-777-7500
This morning, Mayor Bloomberg has rescinded the teacher layoff notices that were scheduled to go out at the end of this week. We are glad that the mayor has come to understand the gravity of the situation and the enormity of damage that teacher layoffs would have done to our city’s children and our city’s future.
The advocacy of the people in this union, along with our parent and community partners, successfully made the case that schools would be devastated by layoffs.
But let us be clear: Today’s developments do not change the fact that our schools are still facing catastrophic cuts to programs and services that our students depend on.
That’s why we must continue our advocacy on the local, state and federal levels to restore school funding. With the state and city budgets still unfinished and many other city workers and services facing cutbacks, our June 16 rally is as important as ever.
As to the mayor’s statement regarding teacher raises, it is important to note that there is no agreement whatsoever between the city and the UFT. The negotiating process is exactly where it was prior to today’s announcement and will continue onward.
Here is the statement that we just released to the press:
“The mayor has the power to unilaterally rescind the proposed layoffs, and I’m glad that he has made the right decision to avoid massive disruptions to our schools. He also has the power to take other steps to help deal with our schools’ budget problems, such as opting into the state’s early retirement incentive, which would potentially save hundreds of millions of dollars; and using more of the estimated $3.27 billion surplus that is being rolled into fiscal 2011 to replace reductions in state education funding.
But he does NOT have the power to unilaterally decide on the teachers’ contract, and we have reached NO agreement on his proposal to freeze teacher pay. If the mayor has concrete ideas on the next contract, he and his representatives should bring them to the bargaining table at the Public Employment Relations Board, where our contract is currently in mediation.
While we have reached no agreement on the next contract, the mayor and I have agreed to go together to Albany and Washington in the near future to lobby for new resources to prevent devastating budget cuts to our schools, our classrooms and the communities we serve.”
Sincerely,
Michael Mulgrew
United Federation of Teachers
A Union of Professionals
52 Broadway, New York, NY 10004 • 1-212-777-7500
Site on BP Oil Spill for Teachers
The National Wildlife Federation has developed a site on the BP oilspill for teachers.I t includes a section of questions and answers on what kids are askingabout the spill.
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Professional Development Schedule April 29, 2010 - End of the School Year
April 26 - April 30, May 3 - May 7, May 10 - 14: Meetings with your Professional Learning Community
May 17 - 21: Meetings in Teacher Center - working with groups on products and presentations for Brooklyn-Queens Day, individual topics, and materials
May 24 - 28: Meetings with your Professional Learning Communities
May 31 - June 4: Meetings in Teacher Center - working with groups on products and presentations for Brooklyn-Queens Day, individual topics, and materials
June 7 - June 11: NO FORMAL MEETINGS in Teacher Center/Meetings as needed on an individual or group basis - assorted topics, teacher questionaires to help planning the curriculum map and professional development for 2010 - 2011 school year
June 14 - June 18, June 21 - June 25: Collection of materials/Inventory
MY SCHEDULE
Thursday, April 29: Available Periods 4 & 7 (for materials)
Friday, April 30 - Tuesday, May 4: TEACHER CENTER CLOSED/out of the building scoring NYS ELA EXAM
Wednesday, May 5 -Thursday, May 6: NYS MATH EXAM/TEACHER CENTER CLOSED (room used as testing room)
Friday, May 7: TEACHER CENTER CLOSED/out of building scoring NYS ELA EXAM
Monday, May 10 - Wednesday, May 12: TEACHER CENTER CLOSED/out of the building scoring NYS ELA EXAM
Thursday, May 13: Available Periods 4 & 7 (for materials)
Friday, May 14: Available Periods 1 & 7 (for materials)
Professional Development at IS 145 - REMINDER
Hi Everyone...one NYS test down and several more to go!
This is just a reminder that during your scheduled PD periods for the next two weeks you should be meeting with your Professional Learning Community to look at student work in order to see the results of your inquiry project for this year.
The next time we will meet for PD will be the week of May 17th. The week of May 17th and May 24th I'll be available to help you look at your data and planning for your group's presentation of data for Brooklyn -Queens Day.
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
INTERACTIVE WHITEBOARDS AND ONLINE RESOURCES
This free UFT Course called "Interactive Whiteboards and Online Resources: Effective Instructional Uses in the 21st Century Classroom" meets for three sessions.
Place:
UFT Bronx
Date:
April 22, May 6, & May 20, 2010
Time:
4:30 - 7:00 PM
Register online: www.ufttc.org
Place:
UFT Bronx
Date:
April 22, May 6, & May 20, 2010
Time:
4:30 - 7:00 PM
Register online: www.ufttc.org
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Celebrate Earth Day on April 22nd
Check out the National Science Teachers' Association website for ideas:
http://www.nsta.org/?lid=exp
Earth Day Network is launching an Earth Day 40th Anniversary curriculum, highlighting the history of the modern environmental movement and featuring standards-based lessons and multimedia resources:
http://www.earthday.net/
http://www.nsta.org/?lid=exp
Earth Day Network is launching an Earth Day 40th Anniversary curriculum, highlighting the history of the modern environmental movement and featuring standards-based lessons and multimedia resources:
http://www.earthday.net/
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Bruce Coville to Visit Sachem Public Library
Be captivated by author/storyteller Bruce Coville when he visits the Sachem Public Library to discuss his life and work. A former elementary school teacher in the Syracuse, NY area, Mr. Coville has written more than 60 fantasy and science fiction books for children and young adults and has over 12 million copies in print. His works include Alien Adventure series, Moongobble and Me series, The Unicorn Chronicles, Dragonslayers, Jeremy Thatcher, Dragon Hatcher, Monsters of Morley Place, The Monster’s Ring, and The Magic Shop series. The recipient of many Children’s Choice Awards, Mr. Coville will entertain you with his humorous accounts of how his ideas become books and candidly answer questions. Books will be available for purchase and signing. Light refreshments will be served. Adults are welcome to register. (60 minutes)Registration begins Friday, March 26 at 9:30 am by telephone or online.
Check Out Your Local Public Libraries for Discount Books for Your Libraries
Many of our local libraries have book sales of donated, used books to help support them. Here are a few outside of Queens:
Longwood Public Library
Middle Island, NY
Friday, April 23 9:30AM - 6PM
Saturday, April 24 9:30AM - 4:45PM
Hardcovers .50 & Paperbacks .25
Sachem Public Library
Holbrook, NY
Saturday, April 24 Noon - 4 p.m. & Sunday, April 25 Noon - 3 p.m.
Longwood Public Library
Middle Island, NY
Friday, April 23 9:30AM - 6PM
Saturday, April 24 9:30AM - 4:45PM
Hardcovers .50 & Paperbacks .25
Sachem Public Library
Holbrook, NY
Saturday, April 24 Noon - 4 p.m. & Sunday, April 25 Noon - 3 p.m.
School Library Journal's "Day of Dialog"
May 25th at the Jacob K. Javits Center the LJ and SLJ's "Day of Dialog."
Join School Library Journal for the annual Day of Dialog—this year in New York City—a free, day-long program where librarians, publishers, authors, and vendors meet to discuss issues that affect the book and library world for children and teens. This year's Day of Dialog will include a program on steampunk (authors TBA), graphic novels for the very young (authors TBA), and a look at the psychology and literature of tweens (authors TBA). The event will run concurrently with one from Library Journal (also being held at the Javits Center), which will cover adult books, so there is opportunity for attendees to cross over to programs there as well.Be our guests for exciting discussions, coffee and croissants, and lunch. Additionally, Day of Dialog attendees will have guaranteed seating at BEA's opening event shortly following the LJ and SLJ programs as well as special discounted passes to BEA.
DATE: Tuesday, May 25, 2010 TIME: 8:00-4:00 PM REGISTER FREE TODAY
LOCATION: Jacob K. Javits Convention Center655 West 34th StreetNew York, NY 10001
ATTENDANCE IS LIMITED, SO REGISTER TODAY!
www.LibraryJournal.com/dayofdialog2010 www.SLJ.com/dayofdialog2010
Join School Library Journal for the annual Day of Dialog—this year in New York City—a free, day-long program where librarians, publishers, authors, and vendors meet to discuss issues that affect the book and library world for children and teens. This year's Day of Dialog will include a program on steampunk (authors TBA), graphic novels for the very young (authors TBA), and a look at the psychology and literature of tweens (authors TBA). The event will run concurrently with one from Library Journal (also being held at the Javits Center), which will cover adult books, so there is opportunity for attendees to cross over to programs there as well.Be our guests for exciting discussions, coffee and croissants, and lunch. Additionally, Day of Dialog attendees will have guaranteed seating at BEA's opening event shortly following the LJ and SLJ programs as well as special discounted passes to BEA.
DATE: Tuesday, May 25, 2010 TIME: 8:00-4:00 PM REGISTER FREE TODAY
LOCATION: Jacob K. Javits Convention Center655 West 34th StreetNew York, NY 10001
ATTENDANCE IS LIMITED, SO REGISTER TODAY!
www.LibraryJournal.com/dayofdialog2010 www.SLJ.com/dayofdialog2010
Monday, March 22, 2010
Infusing Literacy in your Science & Social Studies Classrooms
They've just arrived at Teacher Center:
- Lower level nonfiction texts
- Sets of 5 books as well as single titles which can be used as literature circle books
- Full color photographs, maps, and illustrations
- Country Connections Set: South Africa, India...
- Governing the World: Ancient Governments, Socialism & Communism...
- Chemistry Clues: Acids & Bases, Atoms & Molecules...
- Earth Exploration: Changing Shorelines, Earth's Atmosphere...
- Global Issues: Energy Sources, Global Warming...
- Matter & Motion Set: Atomic Energy, Periodic Table...
Sets can be checked out for up to two weeks. Come in and reserve copies for your class.
Diane Ravitch Book Talk
Date/Time: April 7, 2010 at 5:00 PM to 6:30 PM
Location: UFT Manhattan 52 Broadway NYC
This is for all members of the education community throughout the City of New York. Ms. Ravitch will be discussing her new book which deals with performance pay, charter schools, as well as testing and accountability.
Link to registration for Diane Ravitch Book Talk on April 7: http://registration.ufttc.org/wconnect/ace/custom/tcXreg.wcs?&Course=elabt.m.03
Location: UFT Manhattan 52 Broadway NYC
This is for all members of the education community throughout the City of New York. Ms. Ravitch will be discussing her new book which deals with performance pay, charter schools, as well as testing and accountability.
Link to registration for Diane Ravitch Book Talk on April 7: http://registration.ufttc.org/wconnect/ace/custom/tcXreg.wcs?&Course=elabt.m.03
Social Studies: Ground Zero - A Preview of the Museum Memorial Site on April 17th
Participants will:- be introduced to the National September 11 Memorial and Museum plans.- explore the National September 11 Memorial and Museum's educational resources and Museum collections.- engage in an observation exercise focused on objects at the Preview Site.- use the Library of Congress inquiry protocol.- discuss with a panel of teachers and students how they have used the National September 11 Memorial and Museum resources.
Event location: National September 11 Memorial and Museum Site, 20 Vesey Street, Manhattan, NY
Date/Time: Saturday, April 17, 2010 9am-1pm
Register at: www.ufttc.org/groundzero.html
Event location: National September 11 Memorial and Museum Site, 20 Vesey Street, Manhattan, NY
Date/Time: Saturday, April 17, 2010 9am-1pm
Register at: www.ufttc.org/groundzero.html
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
NY Botanical Garden Science Workshop on March 27th
A free one-day workshop providing middle school teachers with content instruction and lesson plans for teaching plant diversity and topics in evolution, with a focus on cone-bearing plants(gymnosperms) is being held at the New York Botanical Garden. It will be held on Saturday, March 27, 2010 and features 30-minute guest appearances by research scientists as well as a curriculum packet of lesson plans and outdoor activities for extended and differentiated learning.
This workshop is made possible through an NSF grant to the ScienceDepartment at the New York Botanical Garden. It is designed to support some of the evolutionary research being conducted. The staff scientists will add details on how and why they study plant evolution, specifically through using cone-bearing plants.
Breakfast and lunch will be provided
If interested, please RVSP to Judith Hutton, jhutton@nybg.org.
This workshop is made possible through an NSF grant to the ScienceDepartment at the New York Botanical Garden. It is designed to support some of the evolutionary research being conducted. The staff scientists will add details on how and why they study plant evolution, specifically through using cone-bearing plants.
Breakfast and lunch will be provided
If interested, please RVSP to Judith Hutton, jhutton@nybg.org.
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Reading "Teacher Data Reports"
Here is a DOE link to help you read your Teacher Data Report: http://schools.nyc.gov/Teachers/TeacherDevelopment/TeacherDataToolkit/InterprettheReports/TeacherDataReports/default.htm
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Free Professional Development through Scholastic
- Scholastic and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
Invite you to join them for the launch of the largest-ever national survey ofAmerica's public school teachers. Wednesday, March 3, 2010 10:00am ET LIVE WEBCAST - http://www.scholastic.com/primarysources/ - The Trait Lady Speaks! Ruth Culham author of Traits of Writing is at Scholastic Headquarters at 557 Broadway, New York, New York on Tuesday, March 2nd from 3 - 3:30PM. She will also be signing copies of her books. http://p.p0.com/YesConnect/ShareThis?a=MiUYResc9RqtsErtqldj2o_
Professional Learning Communities Help
I'm available to anyone who needs help with their inquiry work. I'll be available in the following locations:
MONDAYS - International Academy room 345 during period 8
WEDNESDAYS - Law & Humanities Academy/Mr. Nikc's office during period 2 and Science & Technology Academy/Ms. Johnson's office during period 4
FRIDAYS - Math & Business Academy/Ms. Titus's office during period 1 and Journalism Academy/Ms. Federman's office during period 7
MONDAYS - International Academy room 345 during period 8
WEDNESDAYS - Law & Humanities Academy/Mr. Nikc's office during period 2 and Science & Technology Academy/Ms. Johnson's office during period 4
FRIDAYS - Math & Business Academy/Ms. Titus's office during period 1 and Journalism Academy/Ms. Federman's office during period 7
Monday, January 25, 2010
"Engaging High Achieving Students in the Classroom" Workshop
Activity: "Engaging High Achieving Students in the Classroom"
Place: IS 145 Teacher Center Room 258
Time: 2:40 - 4:40 PM
Dates: 8 Sessions on Tuesdays - February 2 & 9, March 2 & 9, April 13 & 20, May 4 & 11
There is limited seating so applicants will be taken on a first-come basis. Training rate of $19.12 will be paid per hour. Teachers who sign up will be expected to attend all 8 sessions. Teachers will inter-visit classrooms to support and discuss the strategies and will use ARIS community for discussion purposes.
Our objectives will include:
· Learn to recognize the characteristics of high achieving students
· create lessons that include strategies to engage the higher achieving student
· differentiate for all the students in their classroom
· learn techniques to group students to accelerate learning
SEE KELLY RUSSELL IN ROOM 258 TO SIGN UP NO LATER THAN MONDAY, FEBRUARY 1ST.
Place: IS 145 Teacher Center Room 258
Time: 2:40 - 4:40 PM
Dates: 8 Sessions on Tuesdays - February 2 & 9, March 2 & 9, April 13 & 20, May 4 & 11
There is limited seating so applicants will be taken on a first-come basis. Training rate of $19.12 will be paid per hour. Teachers who sign up will be expected to attend all 8 sessions. Teachers will inter-visit classrooms to support and discuss the strategies and will use ARIS community for discussion purposes.
Our objectives will include:
· Learn to recognize the characteristics of high achieving students
· create lessons that include strategies to engage the higher achieving student
· differentiate for all the students in their classroom
· learn techniques to group students to accelerate learning
SEE KELLY RUSSELL IN ROOM 258 TO SIGN UP NO LATER THAN MONDAY, FEBRUARY 1ST.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Curriculum Topic Study for Educators at the Museum of Natural History
Curriculum Topic Study at the Museum is a day-long class designed to help K-12 educators focus on what adults and students at all grade levels should know about specific scientific content areas.
Each session focuses on a different science topic. You will learn:
about the science content you teach;
how a developmentally appropriate grade-level hierarchy of concepts leads to adult science literacy; ways to take advantage of AMNH media and exhibits;
how local standards and curriculum relate to national standards and benchmarks;
effective strategies for teaching concepts and skills;
how to identify potential learning difficulties, common misconceptions, and developmental considerations; how to use curriculum topic study as an effective tool for curriculum design.
Cost is: $35 per participant. Includes a light breakfast and lunch.
For more information and to sign up: http://www.amnh.org/education/teachers/program.php?id=437
Each session focuses on a different science topic. You will learn:
about the science content you teach;
how a developmentally appropriate grade-level hierarchy of concepts leads to adult science literacy; ways to take advantage of AMNH media and exhibits;
how local standards and curriculum relate to national standards and benchmarks;
effective strategies for teaching concepts and skills;
how to identify potential learning difficulties, common misconceptions, and developmental considerations; how to use curriculum topic study as an effective tool for curriculum design.
Cost is: $35 per participant. Includes a light breakfast and lunch.
For more information and to sign up: http://www.amnh.org/education/teachers/program.php?id=437
Monday, January 18, 2010
UFT Declares Impasse in Contract Negotiations
The UFT, saying that talks to replace its expired contract had reached an impasse, asked the New York State Public Employment Relations Board (PERB) on Jan. 15 to intervene in the negotiations.
If PERB finds that an impasse exists, the state agency will appoint a mediator to bring the sides together. If mediation fails, PERB would then appoint a fact-finding panel to hold hearings and make a recommendation for a settlement.
UFT President Michael Mulgrew said, “Despite weeks of meetings and discussions, we have not been able to make real progress in our efforts to reach a new contract with the Department of Education. The UFT has no choice but to reach out to a neutral third party to help resolve the differences that are preventing us from a new agreement that is fair to our members and to the parents and children who rely on the New York City public schools.”
At the request of the 300-member negotiating committee, the DA passed a resolution at its November meeting that authorized the union leadership to file for impasse if necessary.
The UFT's most recent contract was a two-year pact that expired Oct. 31, 2009.
If mediation were to fail, a fact-finding panel would have three appointees. Fact-finding produces non-binding recommendations designed to help the parties craft a final settlement.
Under the Taylor Law that governs relations between management and public employee labor unions, wages, benefits and all other provisions of contracts continue in place until new agreements are reached, including during the impasse/mediation/fact-finding process.
Three times in the last 17 years — in 2005, 2002 and 1993 — the recommendations of fact-finding panels have helped the UFT and the DOE/city reach agreements to replace expired teacher contracts.
To read the remainder of the article, go to: http://www.uft.org/news/issues/press/uft_declares_impasse_in_contract_negotiations/
If PERB finds that an impasse exists, the state agency will appoint a mediator to bring the sides together. If mediation fails, PERB would then appoint a fact-finding panel to hold hearings and make a recommendation for a settlement.
UFT President Michael Mulgrew said, “Despite weeks of meetings and discussions, we have not been able to make real progress in our efforts to reach a new contract with the Department of Education. The UFT has no choice but to reach out to a neutral third party to help resolve the differences that are preventing us from a new agreement that is fair to our members and to the parents and children who rely on the New York City public schools.”
At the request of the 300-member negotiating committee, the DA passed a resolution at its November meeting that authorized the union leadership to file for impasse if necessary.
The UFT's most recent contract was a two-year pact that expired Oct. 31, 2009.
If mediation were to fail, a fact-finding panel would have three appointees. Fact-finding produces non-binding recommendations designed to help the parties craft a final settlement.
Under the Taylor Law that governs relations between management and public employee labor unions, wages, benefits and all other provisions of contracts continue in place until new agreements are reached, including during the impasse/mediation/fact-finding process.
Three times in the last 17 years — in 2005, 2002 and 1993 — the recommendations of fact-finding panels have helped the UFT and the DOE/city reach agreements to replace expired teacher contracts.
To read the remainder of the article, go to: http://www.uft.org/news/issues/press/uft_declares_impasse_in_contract_negotiations/
Taking Action: Larry King Live - How You Can Help the People of Haiti
LARRY KING LIVE - HAITI: HOW YOU CAN HELP
As relief efforts to aid victims of Tuesday’s earthquake gather momentum, CNN’s Larry King Live airs a two-hour special Monday night (8pm ET) on how you can help. Below are some organizations specifically helping Haiti. Full Haiti Coverage Tips to Giving Feeding Haiti How to Help Haiti
An International Red Cross spokesman warned that up to 3 million people may have been affected by Tuesday's earthquake in Haiti. Below are some organizations specifically helping Haiti. Full Coverage Tips to Giving Feeding Haiti
-->• More details on how you can help: Who's doing what, how you can contribute • More aid reaching quake victims • Watch out for scams • Mia Farrow: What you can do for Haiti's children • Social networks, texts fuel Haiti fundraising • Stay informed: Follow Impact Your World on Twitter
How you can help:In addition to providing emergency relief, these organizations are providing the following aid to those in need:
Providing Basic Needs:• AMERICAN RED CROSS • UNICEF • CLINTON BUSH HAITI FUND • CARE • OXFAM AMERICA • SAVE THE CHILDREN • UNITED NATIONS FOUNDATION/CERF • ADRA International • Adventist Development and Relief Agency • American Jewish World Services • Catholic Relief Services • Church World Service • Concern Worldwide • Episcopal Relief & Development • Evangelical Lutheran Church in America • International Relief Teams • International Rescue Committee • God's Littlest Angels • Kids Alive International • Lions Clubs International • Love a Child • Mercy & Sharing • Mercy Corps • Operation Blessing International • Population Services International • Project Hope • Samaritan's Purse • Salesian Missions • United Way Worldwide • World Concern • World Neighbors • World Vision • World Relief • Yéle Haiti
Providing Shelter: • Habitat for Humanity International • International Organization for Migration • Pan American Relief • Shelterbox Providing Medical Aid: • PARTNERS IN HEALTH • INTERNATIONAL MEDICAL CORPS • American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee • Americares • Catholic Medical Mission Board • Cure International • Direct Relief International • Doctors Without Borders • Friends of the Orphans • Haitian Health Foundation • Healing Hands for Haiti • Heart to Heart International • Hôpital Albert Schweitzer Haiti • International Child Care• IMA World Health• MAP International • Medical Teams International • MedShare • MerlinUSA • Operation Smile• Operation USA • Project Medishare • World Health Organization Providing Food: • WORLD FOOD PROGRAMME • Action Against Hunger • Compassion International • Food For the Hungry • Food for the Poor • The Salvation Army • World Water Relief
Organizations accepting international currencies: • The International Committee of the Red Cross • British Red Cross • UK: The Disasters Emergency Committee • The French Red Cross • UK: Merlin • Germany Red Cross • Italian Red Cross • Ireland: Concern Worldwide • Oxfam Great Britain • Plan Canada
As relief efforts to aid victims of Tuesday’s earthquake gather momentum, CNN’s Larry King Live airs a two-hour special Monday night (8pm ET) on how you can help. Below are some organizations specifically helping Haiti. Full Haiti Coverage Tips to Giving Feeding Haiti How to Help Haiti
An International Red Cross spokesman warned that up to 3 million people may have been affected by Tuesday's earthquake in Haiti. Below are some organizations specifically helping Haiti. Full Coverage Tips to Giving Feeding Haiti
-->• More details on how you can help: Who's doing what, how you can contribute • More aid reaching quake victims • Watch out for scams • Mia Farrow: What you can do for Haiti's children • Social networks, texts fuel Haiti fundraising • Stay informed: Follow Impact Your World on Twitter
How you can help:In addition to providing emergency relief, these organizations are providing the following aid to those in need:
Providing Basic Needs:• AMERICAN RED CROSS • UNICEF • CLINTON BUSH HAITI FUND • CARE • OXFAM AMERICA • SAVE THE CHILDREN • UNITED NATIONS FOUNDATION/CERF • ADRA International • Adventist Development and Relief Agency • American Jewish World Services • Catholic Relief Services • Church World Service • Concern Worldwide • Episcopal Relief & Development • Evangelical Lutheran Church in America • International Relief Teams • International Rescue Committee • God's Littlest Angels • Kids Alive International • Lions Clubs International • Love a Child • Mercy & Sharing • Mercy Corps • Operation Blessing International • Population Services International • Project Hope • Samaritan's Purse • Salesian Missions • United Way Worldwide • World Concern • World Neighbors • World Vision • World Relief • Yéle Haiti
Providing Shelter: • Habitat for Humanity International • International Organization for Migration • Pan American Relief • Shelterbox Providing Medical Aid: • PARTNERS IN HEALTH • INTERNATIONAL MEDICAL CORPS • American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee • Americares • Catholic Medical Mission Board • Cure International • Direct Relief International • Doctors Without Borders • Friends of the Orphans • Haitian Health Foundation • Healing Hands for Haiti • Heart to Heart International • Hôpital Albert Schweitzer Haiti • International Child Care• IMA World Health• MAP International • Medical Teams International • MedShare • MerlinUSA • Operation Smile• Operation USA • Project Medishare • World Health Organization Providing Food: • WORLD FOOD PROGRAMME • Action Against Hunger • Compassion International • Food For the Hungry • Food for the Poor • The Salvation Army • World Water Relief
Organizations accepting international currencies: • The International Committee of the Red Cross • British Red Cross • UK: The Disasters Emergency Committee • The French Red Cross • UK: Merlin • Germany Red Cross • Italian Red Cross • Ireland: Concern Worldwide • Oxfam Great Britain • Plan Canada
Saturday, January 9, 2010
WELCOME
I'd just like to welcome everyone at IS 145 to the Joseph Pulitzer IS 145 UFT Teacher Center Blog. The purpose of this blog is to keep an open line of communication to professional development offered in our building as well as outside opportunites, websites of interest, and school & UFT news.
I look forward to having you drop in for a visit.
I look forward to having you drop in for a visit.
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