NTU Update - November 4, 2016

Colleagues,

1)    NJEA Convention – We have been getting a few questions about cost, child care, etc for the NJEA Convention.  You should be able to get answers to any questions at NJEA’s convention website - http://njeaconvention.org/general-information/.  If you need a notification form for your principal or info on how to get Professional Improvement Fund money to attend, visit our website: http://newark.nj.aft.org/news/njea-convention. 

2)    Retirement – If you are considering retiring, it is vital that you speak to the NTU Retiree Chapter.  Too often, we find out later that people are making costly mistakes that have impact on their pension, benefits, and their sick day buyouts.  In just the last few weeks, we have seen staff members take on illegal positions after their retirement, hitting them with huge penalties on their pension.  We have seen people not give proper notice and losing their sick day buyouts.    DO NOT ASSUME ANYTHING!

The district and state are not responsible for making sure you understand your rights.  CALL THE NTU RETIREMENT CHAPTER ON TUESDAYS AND MAKE AN APPOINTMENT!

3)    Schedule for next week:

·       Monday, November 7 – School Open.  If absent, employee must use personal day if not it’s a part of an extended or short term sick leave.

·       Tuesday, November 8 – Election Day.  School closed.

·       Wednesday, November 9 – School Open.   If absent, employee must use personal day if not it’s a part of an extended or short term sick leave.

·       Thursday, November 10 – Staff Development Day.  If eligible staff member attends NJEA Convention, they would be excused from work (must bring back proof).  If staff member is absent, they must use personal day if it’s not a part of an extended or short term sick leave.

·       Friday, November 11 – Veteran’s Day.  School closed.

·       Monday, November 14 -  School Open.   If absent, employee must use personal day if not it’s a part of an extended or short term sick leave.

4)      Debt Clinic – With our colleagues at Rutgers, the Newark Teachers Union will be hosting a “Income-Driven Repayment” and “Public Service Loan Forgiveness” workshop on Wednesday, November 16.   See attached flyer for more info!

 Wednesday, November 16^h : Choose one of two sessions

12:00 pm-2:00pm: Paul Robeson Campus Center, Passaic 226, Rutgers Newark

or

5:30-7:30pm: Newark Teachers Union, 1019 Broad St, Newark

Space is limited, MUST RSVP to http://bit.ly/2cigDqi

NTU members who attend the session at the Newark Teachers Union will be entered into a raffle to win one month loan payment not to exceed $300 payable to the lender.

5)      School Improvement Panels - In a recent arbitration decision, the arbitrator expressed that at one Newark school “As for the School Improvement Panel, I note the District either did not have such a panel or, while one may have existed on paper, it certainly did not function as required.”  We are once again opening our School Improvement Panel survey!  Let us know what the status of SIP’s are in your school.  Thank you!

In Solidarity,  

****Please note that this email does not receive incoming emails.  If you need to get a hold of someone at the NTU, please use our @newarkteachersunion.com emails.  Thank you****