NTU Update - February 26, 2016

Colleagues,

1)      New Website and emails:  This is just a reminder.  Newark Teachers Union changed our website months ago.  The old website no longer automatically forwards, so if you are looking for us, please go to http://newark.nj.aft.org/.  The new NTU website is regularly updated with a wide variety of important information, including a calendar of events, and how to’s for topics like FMLA’s.  If you have anything you’d like added to the website (kudos, pictures/videos from your school, etc), just send it to mmaillaro@newarkteachersunion.com.

In addition, all of the NTU staff are now exclusively using our new emails.  They are no longer @ntuaft.com.   They are @newarkteachersunion.com:

·       President John Abeigon: jabeigon@newarkteachersunion.com

·       Secretary/Treasurer Mike Iovino: miovino@newarkteachersunion.com

·       Mike Maillaro - mmaillaro@newarkteachersunion.com

·       Mike Caputo - mcaputo@newarkteachersunion.com

·       Subrina Screven - sscreven@newarkteachersunion.com

·       Venetta Smith - vsmith@newarkteachersunion.com

·       Princess Hogue – phogue@newarkteachersunion.com

·       Retiree Chapter – retirees@newarkteachersunion.com

·       Educational Resource Center – ERC@newarkteachersunion.com

2)      Advisory Board Update: At last week’s Advisory Board meeting, there was a 6-2 vote to give away several NPS properties to the city.  Considering all we hear about the budget crisis in the Newark Public Schools, this was a pretty shameful act.  In addition Superintendent Cerf tried to paint the NTU as criminals, because we had the audacity not to roll over and let him sell out our prescription plan. 

These insult further compounded by the fact the state has decided to give Newark’s charters an additional $22 million.  This is an obscene 82% of the $26 million in additional funding coming to Newark.   The Mayor and Superintendent (joined by many charter advocates) recently sent a letter to the state asking for more money, and it’s clear they got what they wanted.  More money for the charters.

Now more than ever, we need unity, or in a few short years, the Newark Public Schools will be unrecognizable.  

3)      Fighting for a Voice Across Generations: The American Federation of Teachers recently produced a terrific video on the history of the Newark Teachers Union, featuring former President Carole Graves and current Secretary/Treasurer Michael R. Iovino.  Definitely worth checking out.

4)      Hall of Fame Dinner: The 18^th Annual Albert Shanker Scholarship Awards are upon us.  If you are a full member of the NTU, your son/daughter is eligible to apply.  If you are a full member of the NTU and you are a Paraprofessional in our public school district who is currently attending college then you are eligible to apply.  

This year, these awards will be presented at the 2016 NTU Hall of Fame Dinner to be held on Wednesday, May 18^th at The Robert Treat Hotel, 50 Park Place, Newark, NJ at 6:30 p.m.  A buffet dinner and dessert will be provided, along with music and a special program for your enjoyment.  If you do not have a student applying this year, you can still support these fine recipients by purchasing a ticket for $70.00 and attending this worthwhile event.  Some of you have family members or know friends that own businesses.  This would be an ideal opportunity for them to gain exposure by placing an ad in our ad journal that will be distributed to the 200+ attendees, sponsors, vendors and patrons.  

5)       NTU Member Recognition: As part of the celebration of NTU’s 80th anniversary, we will be honoring NTU members nominated by their peers at the Hall of Fame Dinner.  If you or a colleague would make a candidate, please go to our website and fill out the nomination form!

6)      NTUniversity:  We had numerous responses from members interested in presenting workshops for fellow members.  We are ready to begin development of our course schedule.  If you responded YES to our call, or are still interested... Please complete the following form ASAP!  We plan on meeting before the end of this Month to make the schedule.   We have two workshops already scheduled and will be sending out that information first thing next week.

In Solidarity,