Executive Board Meeting Scheduled- Our "September" STA Executive Board meeting will be held on Tuesday, August 26 at 10 A.M. in the MS library.  All members have been notified by email.  If you did not receive an email, please contact Carol Carelli (Secretary) and indicate if you will be attending. Thank you to those who have already responded.

Weight Watchers at Work is coming to the High School and Middle School!!  Any High School or Middle School (or elementary ) teacher who is interested in joining Weight Watchers, please contact Michele Freeman (HS) to express your interest.  We have 9 teachers/staff and need 15 to get a class on the campus.  The meetings will begin on September 3rd at 7:00 am and go for 12 weeks. The cost is $144.00 and can be paid in one or two installments. What a great way to begin the new year and start on a new "you". 

Reminder for all retired STA members:  Schalmont Retired Teachers' Brunch will be held on October 1, 2008 at 11:00 A.M. at Mallozzi's Restaurant.  Audrey Patneaude and Carmeen Kolpack will be the hostesses for this annual event. 

The June, 2008 issue of the 2007-08 STATIC  is now available.  Check out other issues.

STA Members Awarded Tenure - Congratulations to the following STA members who awarded tenure at the May 27, 2008 Board of Education Meeting: Robin Bingham, Andrea Bryson, Natilie Casalinuovo, Lori DeMeo, Tami Dvorscak, Paula Gold, Beverly Haringa, Mike Libertucci, Kathleen Mize, Joy Moore, Carrie Shapiro and Kim Wilson.

Retired Jefferson Teacher Passes Away - Mary Jane Fuller, retired Jefferson Elementary teacher died at home on Wednesday, May 14.  She was 59.  Mary Jane spent her entire career of 32 years teaching fourth grade at the school.  Contributions in Mary Jane's memory may be made to the Schenectady Pilgrim Holiness City Outreach Ministry, 2105 Curry Road, Schenectady, NY 12303

Congratulations to our own STA member, Joanne Jones, at Woestina Elementary School, for being selected as an outstanding support employee by the Engage Institute in Galax, Virginia.  Her name is included in a newly released book, Building Better Schools by Engaging Support Staff.  In Building Better Schools, Jones contributed to the chapters on being a positive team member and the importance of confidentiality in the schools. She is also highlighted in the profiles of outstanding support staff section. (full story)

The Schalmont Health Plan will no longer be an option for active or retired teachers.  If you currently have the Schalmont Plan, you will need to switch to the new Blue Shield of Northeast New York PPO 813 Plan or to MVP or CDPHP. Letters have been sent to all active and retired teachers explaining the process for selecting a new plan.  

Monthly rates for the three plans are available for retired teachers.  Select the column which represents the percentage of your premium that was in effect at the time you retired.

If you have ANY questions or concerns or need clarification regarding the change, please contact Kathleen Caufield at 518-355-9200 Ext. 4007.

The Capital Region BOCES Model Schools Summer, 2008 course catalog is available. If you would like to attend a training session in a variety of areas, check out the booklet.  If you wish to receive inservice credit, you must submit an application in advance.

New Feature - The Retiree Connection is Now Available - This new link is dedicated to the retired STA members who may need "one - stop" shopping for information regarding their colleagues.  Need an address or email?  Can't find that phone number?  This is the place to check out what retirement holds for those of us still teaching.  Suggestions are always welcome.  Simply email Carol Carelli at ccarelli@nycap.rr.com.  All retired STA members are invited to share their experiences and thoughts.  Simply click on the Retiree Connection link on the left sidebar or click here.

New form for STA reimbursement - In an effort to streamline the process for getting reimbursed for expenses incurred by members on behalf of STA, we have created a new form, which must be submitted with any receipts for payment.  Checks will be processed by Interim Treasurer, Jim Scott, at the middle and at the end of each month.  Receipts which are submitted without the form will be returned to the member without payment.  Extra forms are available from Jim or Mary Beth Flatley or may be downloaded here.

Middle School Teacher Earns National Board Teacher Certification -Congratulations to Lorinda Gandrow, middle school math teacher, for earning her National Board Teacher Certification.  Lorinda joins 20 other Schalmont teachers who have demonstrated excellence in teaching, and have earned the privilege to be recognized as National Board certified.  Way to go, Lorinda!!

NYSUT Alert - Tell congress to fix NCLB right now!!
As Congress is quickly moving to reauthorize the No Child Left Behind Act, now is the time to tell your local representatives the law urgently needs to be fixed. Tell them you're opposed to measures that will lead to more teaching to the test. Tell them you're opposed to provisions mandating the use of test scores to determine whether teachers should receive incentive
pay. And share real-life examples of how NCLB is not working in your school. Your voice needs to be heard!

This week NYSUT leaders are urging you to join the American Federation of Teachers' congressional call-in week, Oct. 15-19. Call (866) 327-8670 and an operator will connect you with your legislative representative's office. To find the names of your members of Congress, visit the Legislative Action Center at www.nysut.org. You may also use that link to
fax letters urging Congress to slow down and get it right. So far we've sent more than 15,000 faxes!

Our other national affiliate, the National Education Association, has posted a number of action letters. Visit the Legislative Action Center at www.nea.org for more.

TAKE ACTION!
Call (866) 327-8670

WHO ARE MY ELECTED OFFICIALS?
http://www.nysut.org/ElectedOfficials/

LEARN MORE!
http://www.nysut.org/LearnMore/

Are you still confused about 403(b) accounts?  Check out www.403bwise.com for almost all of the answers to your questions.  It also has tips for new investors.

Are you thinking of retiring this year?  Just want to know more about your options for the future? The New York State Teachers' Retirement System will be conducting their Summer, 2008 Pre-Retirement Seminars.  This is a good time for anyone over 45 who would like more information about retirement and  benefits to hear from the experts what your option are. 

Have you taken a maternity leave in the past?  Would you like to receive that time spent raising your family counted into your New York State Retirement System?  Write your legislator expressing your opinion.  If enough New Yorkers do this, we may be able to convince state leaders to pass this bill (Assembly Bill 7353).  Contact your state representative!