Colleagues,

1)      NTU Ed Resource Center – Please be advised that the NTU Ed Resource Center will be closed for the rest of December.  They will reopen on January 3, 2017.

2)      Phase 2 Respect the Contract – So far, Phase 2 has been successful, but we know there are literally hundreds of health and safety, evaluation, Head Start, and Special Ed violations that the district continues to commit.  THEY MUST BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE! Please follow this link to get started: http://newark.nj.aft.org/respect-contract/phase-ii-toolkit

If you have any questions or suggestions on how to improve this

Colleagues,

1)      Phase 2 Respect the Contract - Each day, numerous violations occur in our schools negatively impacting staff and students. These include fire code violations, violations in Special Education requirements and Early Childhood regulations, violations of the Teach NJ Act, and health and safety issues.  

The thrust of Phase II will be to hold the district accountable for every single one of these violations.  On our website, we have form letters that can be used to report the district’s numerous violations anonymously.  These responses will be sent directly to the state and/or

Colleagues,

1)  LIFO Lawsuit - Earlier this week, the Newark Teachers Union, AFT New Jersey and the American Federation of Teachers filed a motion seeking to intervene in a complaint filed by the Partnership for Educational Justice challenging New Jersey’s law that aims to protect experienced teachers.  This lawsuit has been the latest in a series of corporate-led attacks around the nation on tenure protections.  There is a distinct conflict of interest for the Newark Public Schools since the defendant in the case has spoken out in favor of the plaintiffs’ position on numerous occasions.

“Newark

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

Colleagues,

You have all heard the saying, when one door opens, another one closes.  Well the NTU doesn’t accept that willingly. When one door opens and another one closes we stick our foot in the door jam and demand to know what’s going on in there. 

The open door:  The acting Commissioner of Education Kimberley Harrington has declined to exercise her discretion to allow a Petition for Declaratory Ruling on Larisa Shambaugh’s removal from her position as Chief Talent Officer.  As per our alternate request, the case will proceed on Appeal.  This comes as no surprise, since this is how the

Colleagues,

 1)      Respect the Contract – Negotiations continue between NTU and NPS regarding our contract.  Things have been progressing well in many areas, though the process continues to be slow. Our next negotiations session is scheduled for next Thursday.  Hopefully, we will have some news to report out after that session.  Until then, continue to RESPECT THE CONTRACT!  Nothing more, nothing less! 

2)      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