As school districts report declining populations and school closings, the ScrantonSchool District reports an increase in its student enrollment.The ever growing cultural diversity of our student population brings with it unique opportunities for learning, as well as, educational challenges.The ScrantonSchool District is charged with providing staff development programs that address the many issues facing the classroom of the 21st century.The teachers and paraprofessionals have been patient.Patience has its limits.The time is now to set about correcting the lack of quality and meaningful staff development.The SFT calls upon the Scranton School District to reconvene the In-Service Committee, schedule regular meetings of the Committee to qualify and quantify the professional and paraprofessional staff development issues, and to set about the task of securing knowledgeable presenters to meet those concerns.
Special Education Issues
How do the regular education teachers, special education teachers, and the paraprofessionals face the enormous educational dilemma presented by the NCLB and IDEA laws?How indeed?Today, the term "regular education classroom" defies definition.The students assigned to the "regular education classroom" teacher are a heterogeneous group consisting of non-IEP students and IEP students including: learning support students, autistic students, social/emotional students, and emotional/mentally retarded students.No longer do teachers hear terms like developmentally appropriate instruction or grade level maturation.Rather, inclusion is the end to justify the means.The latest wrinkle in the fabric to the delivery of instruction in the District is the directive to our special education teachers to put together a "book of data" for each student.The book quantifies the number of times/day a student/teacher meet.The teacher/record keeper is so busy accumulating data that one must question the quality of instructional time/student/day.The issue of subgroups making AYP rears its head every spring when PSSA results are received and reviewed.Record keeping is outscoring teacher directed instructional time.And the chorus lamented, "Where have all the teachers gone."It is time for the SSD to step up and provide the necessary staff and mechanisms to fully implement the law.
Remember When
Teachers working in the District's elementary schools had no preparation periods.Yes, it is true.The first preparation period came when the District hired a physical education teacher, Mr. Joe Bochicchio, who arrived once every six weeks to take the children for a physical education class.And by the way prior to 1982, the teacher had to accompany the children to that physical education class.Art teachers followed, as did the practice of the teacher staying with the class for the art instruction.The art teachers met every week at the administration building to create schedules in order to cover their assigned schools.Remember when there was no defined school day?No, well some of us do.Beginning in 1982, elementary teachers had one (1) preparation period per week. Elementary teachers routinely were required to go to after school meetings at the administration building for reading, social studies, science, and penmanship instruction.Imagine attending a penmanship meeting and being told to write a sentence on the chalk board for the supervisor and then having the manuscript or cursive handwriting critiqued!Imagine a time when attendance at such after school meetings was mandatory; and, since there was no hourly rate article, there was no pay. Today, we have new hires and some not so new hires who might want to say a thank you to the men and women of the Federation who walked picket lines during wintry Decembers to gain the contracts that resulted in the elementary preparation period article and so much more.Remember what the poet wrote, "What their fathers won before you, let their children watch and keep."
An ER&D Update from Local Site Coordinator
Brochures for course offerings have been out since mid-May 2009.There are only a few openings left for after school and summer courses.Release time courses are full.For any one who began teaching prior to 2000, under Act 48, you are required to accrue a total of 180 hours of professional development during a five year cycle.Your choices toward that total are 6 graduate level credits at an accredited college/university or CPE credits or a combination of the two.The 180 hours must be completed and reported to PDE by June 30, 2010, the end of the present five year cycle.If you cannot get into the ER&D course of choice, please go to the PDE website.There are free online courses offered through their website (links to offerings found at http://www.sft1147.org under the breaking news section).Toward that goal, we have tried to accommodate all SFT members. Registration for the 2010-2011 school year will be held in May 2010.Please contact Louise Kurpis at 348-3406 after 12:15 PM or e-mail at sfterandd@epix.net anytime.Thank you for your cooperation.
AFL-CIO Elects New Leadership
The AFL-CIO Convention 2009 was held in Pittsburgh during the week of September 14th.The delegates elected Rich Trumka, President; Liz Shuler, Secretary-Treasurer; and Arlene Holt Baker, Vice President.AFT President Randi Weingarten addressed the assembly underscoring the call to action for insurance reform.All were called upon to put together actions to expose the big insurance companies that are blocking meaningful reform.President Barack Obama told the attendees:
"We'll grow our middle class by finally providing quality, affordable health insurance to this country.Few have fought for this cause harder, and few have championed it longer than you, our brothers and sister in organized labor.You're making phone calls, knocking on doors, and showing up at rallies because you know why this is so important."
It is time for the U.S. Congress to act and act responsibly.Health Care Reform, NOW!
Class Size
A new definition of the term "class size" has been offered to the Webster New World College Dictionary by the administration of the ScrantonSchool District.Apparently the District understands the concept to mean indefinitely large, greater than any finite number.So, how would you answer the following?True or False?(a)25 (<, >, =) 29 (b) 28 (<, >, =) 30 (c) 25 = 28).A finite number has a limit, twenty-five students is 25 students; it does not mean 25 students + 3 students because that would equal 28 students.This is basic computation and does not involve problem solving skills.The effect of an analysis of the mathematics is a grievance filed on behalf of our members and the children they endeavor to teach and protect.
Postings:A lesson in surrealism!
The members of the SFT find themselves in an enviable position indeed!Central administration has abrogated its responsibility for the development of "job qualifications and responsibilities." The Director of Special Education, Mrs. Lee Carr, has requested a job description for the position of Chief Nurse, and it is to be composed by the District's nurses.Mr. John Vail, Director of Personnel Services, the former issuer of such postings with descriptors, has relinquished this duty to his colleague in central administration, who in turn, delegated the composition to the members of the SFT.The Federation could not be more delighted with this turn of events.The Federation accepts, with humility, the responsibility of writing all job postings containing the duties and responsibilities of said jobs that pertain to the members of local 1147.Kudos to all!!
Paraprofessional Contract
The Paraprofessional Contract, 2008-2011, has been distributed.Any member who has not received the contract, please stop by the SFT office for your copy.
Helpful Housekeeping Reminder
Teachers and paraprofessionals are reminded to follow District procedures for reporting off from work.You are to phone Dottie Cunningham at 961-2600.Building principals have their individual procedures.Check with the principal for specific instructions for your building(s).
In Memoriam
"Our nation's future depends on many things, but certainly one of the most important aspects of the strength of our democracy is the excellence of our public schools."Senator Edward Moore Kennedy 1932 - 2009
Upcoming Events
Tuesday, October 13, 2009 - Flu Shots -Scranton High School -Insurance card is necessary.3:00 P.M.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009 - General Membership Meeting - Scranton High School3:45 P.M.
Friday, November 6, 2009 -Annual Fall Outing - Look for your invitation!
Shame on You!
Members of the General Assembly, shame on you!No budget!As of October 2, 2009, Pennsylvania holds the distinction of being the only state in the Union without a budget.Get to work and pass a meaningful budget.Stop the rhetoric and political shenanigans! See with your eyes the harm your have done to the children, senior citizens, and workers of our state.Shame on you!
