Colleagues,
Your Union in Action: what was going on at NTU this week?
1. NTU Membership Meeting: On February 28, 2018, the NTU had our first General Membership Meeting since the state takeover ended. The energy of the meeting was inspiring, with over 100 NTU members coming out to talk about what comes next, including reorganizing the building rep structure, contract negotiations, and the Janus decision. We still have a lot of work to do, especially around Renew Schools, but this was a strong start.
One of the highlights of the meeting was that Interim Superintendent Robert Gregory came to answer the members’ questions. It has been far too long since a son of Newark stood alongside us, and the members felt they could ask their questions and receive a thoughtful, intelligent answer free from the fear of retaliation.
Among the issues raised to the Superintendent were restoring attendance counselors, Substance Abuse Coordinators, the calendar, EWA Schools (including Head Start) and fixing One Newark. He also gave us the mantra “systematic failures require systemic solutions!”
2. Return to Local Control - Over on NJ Spotlight, President Abeigon wrote an opt-ed called "Newark Schools - Handing Back the Keys Is a Start." While we are glad to be free of the shackles of state control, it is important that we have an audit to understand the full extent of the damage that was done to us!
3. The 2015-2019 NTU/NPS Contract book is now availa
ble on our website! A printed copy will be coming out in the next few weeks. We thank the hard work of our negotiations team for getting this done.
4) Hall of Fame Dinner: The NTU Education Foundation is proud to announce its 20th Annual Albert Shanker Scholarship Awards and Hall of Fame Dinner on Wednesday, May 15, 2018 at The Robert Treat Hotel, 50 Park Place, Newark, NJ at 6:30 p.m.
We are relying on your continued support and good will to continue this worthy endeavor.
.Applications and purchasing information can be found below and on our website.
Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Johanna Rios or Venetta Smith (973) 643-8430 or e-mail ntuscholarshipawards@gmail.com
NTU Outreach – Don’t forget to visit our website (http://newark.nj.aft.org) and follow us on Facebook for updated information, forms, and resources!
Other Information
- Rebuttal Tips: IMPORTANT!! It is vital that if you receive a bad evaluation or observation that you disagree with, YOU MUST WRITE A REBUTTAL! Refusing to sign your observation or evaluation is not the same as writing a rebuttal! Without a rebuttal, the record has nothing to show except that you agreed with this negative assessment of your performance. The NTU has prepared some tips on the best way to go about writing your rebuttal.
- Member Services: Members should never hesitate to communicate with us by phone, email, etc regarding any of the issues we handle at the Newark Teachers Union.
- Supplemental Fringe Benefits
- Planning for Retirement
- Pension & Buy Back Issues
- ER+D Staff Development
- AFT Membership Benefits
- FMLA and other leaves of absence
- Assistance with Evaluations and Observations
- Disciplinary Hearings
- Labor Relations & Payroll
- Legal Representation
- Workers Comp
- Tuition Reimbursement
Call 973-643-8430 or visit our website http://newark.nj.aft.org/ to address these or any other concerns you may have.
Important dates:
- NTU Executive Board Meeting – Wednesday, March 14, 2017 – 4:00 pm – 1019 Broad Street.
- NTU Building Rep Meeting – Thursday, March 15, 2017 – 4:00 pm – 1019 Broad Street.
- Newark Board of Education Business Meeting - Tuesday, March 13, 2018 - 5:30 p.m. - 765 Broad Street, Lower Level Conference Room
- Newark Board of Education Meeting - Tuesday, March 20 - 6:00 p.m.- Barringer High School Campus, 90 Parker Street
- In-Service Day (1:00 pm dismissal for students)
- Spring Recess – March 26-30