VOTE-COPE Campaign
to Begin:
Now more than ever, NYSUT
is lobbying to legislators to urge them not to eliminate
funding for our most important asset, our children.
This spring, when you are asked to contribute, please
consider increasing your contribution to VOTE-COPE.
This is perhaps the most important donation you can make on
behalf of your colleagues in education. This spring
there will be thousands of jobs cut, with a number in our
own district. NYSUT, with your help, has launched a
campaign to educate people about the devastation that will
ensue with these cuts. If you have not increased your
donation in a few years, now is the time to consider doing
it...the job you save may be your own. If you have any
questions regarding VOTE-COPE, contact Joann Lasky at the
Middle School or Lori DeMeo at Jefferson.
(VOTE-COPE is a non-partisan organization and represents the
interests of all of us in education.
Contact Your
Legislators to Save Jobs-
As the U.S. Senate moves forward
with its own jobs package, NYSUT is launching a big push to
make sure the final Jobs for Main Street Act includes the
Education Jobs Fund and an extension of the Federal Medicaid
Assistance Program. Under the House plan passed in December,
these funds would provide New York with more than $4 billion
in federal help - and represent our best hope for
restorations in the governor's devastating budget plan. The
governor's plan would reduce K-12 aid by $1.4 billion and
higher education by hundreds of millions in the coming year.
Last year, the federal stimulus fund helped save or create
more than 18,600 education jobs in New York. Without similar
federal help this year, thousands of New Yorkers will lose
their jobs and our students will pay the price.
Click below to send a letter today to Senators Chuck Schumer
and Kirsten Gillibrand, urging them to push hard for these
vital aid programs.
CLICK
HERE TO SEND A FREE FAX IMMEDIATELY:
(reprinted from NYSUT
Action Alert)
"Hoops for Haiti"
Recognition in New York Teacher:
Schalmont TA was mentioned in an article in the February 18,
2010 issue of the New York Teacher, recognizing the efforts
of Jefferson teacher, Stephanie Bush, who organized the
Hoops for Haiti Faculty/Staff Basketball game. It is
located on the back cover in the center column. Check
it out!
STA
Website and STATIC Earn NYSUT Recognition Again:
NYSUT has announced that the Schalmont Teachers'
Association website and newsletter (STATIC) have each earned
the "Award of Merit" in the 2009 Journalism Contest.
This is the 2nd year in a row that STA has been recognized
for their efforts. Congratulations to Kelly Healy and
Carol Carelli, STATIC Editors and to Carol Carelli as
webmaster! Carol will be attending the NYSUT
Journalism Conference and awards ceremony on March 27, 2010,
accepting the recognition on STA's behalf.
Early Retirement
Option Needs a "Push":
STA member are encouraged to contact your
legislators to advocate for the Early Retirement option
to help avert layoffs! NYSUT is encouraging all members to
contact their legislators to move forward with the 55/25
early retirement option ( S.6274 by Senator Savino).
Immediate enactment is necessary for our members to make
informed decisions regarding retirement options and for
districts to reflect anticipated salary cost savings in
upcoming school budget proposals. Many districts have
a window for retirement incentives and NYSUT is pressing to
get this bill done ASAP so no one misses the opportunity.
This initiative is being called an "option" rather than an
"incentive" because it would be an opportunity to retire
earlier without penalty; it is not a sweetened retirement
package. Unlike past retirement incentives that left
participation up to the districts, this early retirement
option would be offered through all districts.
(NYSUT Leader Briefing, February 9, 2010)
Click on the
link, fill in the required information and send out a
fax today. It only takes a minute.
"Hoops For Haiti"
Basketball Game -
30 members of the Schalmont Teachers' Association joined
forces with administrators and staff to play basketball in
an effort to raise money for the people of Haiti, whose
country was devastated by an earthquake in January.
It was a close game, with the Red team outscoring the Blue,
but it was a lot of fun for the packed gym. We raised
over $5,000 for the cause. Kudos go to Stephanie Bush,
a
Jefferson Elementary teacher, who organized the event.
Would you like to
make a donation to help the victims of the earthquake in
Haiti?
Click here to be directed to the
NYSUT site. All moneys will be donated to the
NYSUT Disaster Relief Fund. If you prefer, mail a
contribution (tax deductible) to: NYSUT Disaster Relief
Fund, NYSUT, Attention: Jeff Lockwood, 800 Troy -Schenectady
Road, Latham, New York 12110. Indicate
"Haiti Relief" on the memo line.
High
School Teachers Earn National Board Teacher Certification
Congratulations to
Tracy Pontin and Sarah Mattice, Schalmont High School
English teachers, for achieving National Board Teacher
Certification.
National Board Certification signifies that a teacher is
accomplished, having met challenging professional
standards as evidenced by performance-based
assessments. It is a year-long process designed to
examine the teaching techniques and classroom practices
of a teacher leading to improved student learning.
They
join more than 20 other Schalmont teachers who have
achieved this recognition. Check out their
pictures on the
NYSUT site.

STA Sponsors
District-Wide 5 or $5.00 Food Drive -
The STA sponsored a district-wide food drive which collected
more than 30 boxes and bags of food and over $350 for the
Schenectady City Mission. Many thanks to all who
supported the effort. A special thanks to Chris
Bailey, Mike Libertucci and Jeff VanHoesen for assisting in
the delivery of the food. More
photos

STA
Member Featured in Daily Gazette - Lorinda
Gandrow, Middle School Math teacher was recently featured in
the Schenectady Daily Gazette for her "Game of Life" lesson.
The lesson focused on students using their math skills in
"real-life" situations such as buying a house and earning a
salary in their "chosen" field (determined by drawing out of
a hat), budgeting for taxes and other expenses.
Lorinda is a National Board Certified Teacher and has been
teaching in the middle school for 9 years.
See article..

STA
Members Attend Leadership Conference-Eight
STA members attended the NYSUT Leadership Conference which
was held November 6-8 at the Sagamore in Bolton Landing.
Workshops were presented on a variety of topics including:
Basic Negotiations, Basic Grievance Processing, Technology
and Union Issues, Teachers Retirement, Communicable Diseases
in the Schools, Educational Issues and many more.
Members also heard from a representative from Congressman
Scott Murphy's (20th Congressional District) Office and Lee
Cutler, NYSUT Secretary/Treasurer. On Saturday
evening, members purchased tickets supporting " Making
Strides for Breast Cancer" and prizes donated by
individual locals were raffled off. Our STA donated a
nice gift basket and our own Joann Lasky was one of the
raffle winners! Congratulations, Joann!
(Alisha Couse, STA Treasurer and MaryBeth Flatley, STA
President, pictured at left with STA donation to the raffle) See more pictures.
Due
to the
Faculty Hoops
for Haiti
Basketball game, the February 1, 2010
STA Executive Board
meeting has been cancelled. The next meeting will be
on
Tuesday, March 2, 2010.
The meeting will be in Room 109 of the Middle School at 3:30
P.M.
Making Strides for
Breast Cancer Walk -
Schalmont teachers joined members of the high school
cheerleaders, football, girls basketball and volleyball
teams as they participated in the "Making Strides Against Breast
Cancer" Walk held on Sunday, October 18, 2009. Together we
raised over $2600 as we honored the STA members and
other Schalmont family who have been affected by this
disease. Special thanks to Lorinda Gandrow and Melissa West
for organizing the event.
More photos
Congratulations to
STA members who received tenure:
Roberta Albrecht, Jefferson; Lisa Audette, HS; Bonnie
Barner, Jefferson; Don Brandt, Middle School; Courtney
Deming, Middle School; Melissa West, Jefferson; Betsy
Wright, Jefferson; Mary Zanta, Jefferson. Each was
presented with an STA bookbag for their accomplishment.