Colleagues,

1)      NTUniversity – The NTU is looking to expand the reach of our Educational Research and Dissemination Department.  We are looking for NTU members who would like to come down to the NTU and help present workshops on a variety of important issues, especially in regards to areas like classroom management, math, bilingual, ELL, and Special Education.   If you would be interested, please reach out to NTU Secretary/Treasurer Michael Iovino – miovino@newarkteachersunion.com.

2)      Membership Meetings – We have confirmed dates and location for our upcoming regional membership

This week, the House of Representatives will take up the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. The Senate is scheduled to follow suit as soon the House is finished. The reauthorized law, called the Every Student Succeeds Act:

*         eliminates the adequate yearly progress requirement;*         maintains certification for paraprofessionals;*         revamps accountability to include other measures of student learning and school indicators, and allows for a pilot program for project based-assessments in lieu of standardized tests;*         authorizes funds to be used

As the year is quickly coming to a close, and we take the next few days to reflect and give thanks to a higher power for our Blessings, let's take a minute over this break to reflect upon the source that provides us the protections we still enjoy.

This needless War on Teachers, which we did not start, has taken its toll nationally and in every school building. The criminal diversion of millions of dollars meant for the school house has enriched many nameless consultants and shameless politicians.

Teachers, Aides, Clerks, and other titles, friends and family, victims of this unavoidable &