NTU Update - October 15, 2015

Colleagues,

1)          City Hall Candlelight Vigil - October 19, 2015 5 PM - Newark is calling on all outraged public school employees and their representatives, local and statewide supporters of public education to mount a candlelight vigil on the steps of Newark City Hall, 920 Broad Street, Monday, October 19th at 5 p.m. to bring light to the struggles of Newark’s PUBLIC schools as a result of CONTINUED Charter expansion.  As always, parking is available behind the Newark Teachers Union building.

2)          TODAY!!!  City of Newark honors Joseph Del Grosso - The city of Newark will be dedicating Beecher Street in honor of NTU’s former President Joseph Del Grosso.  The street dedication will take place on Thursday, October 15, 2015, 4:00 p.m., on the corner of Broad Street and West Kinney

3)     Class size and Supply Survey - In order to collect the many class size and supply violations we have been receiving already this year, we have created a survey on Google Docs.   We will be using this information to report out to the Newark Board of Education and the NJDOE.   Please fill out the survey: http://goo.gl/forms/gvhWBpIafp

4)      Involuntary Transfer Survey (LAST CALL):  It has been brought to our attention that many school staff have been moved from their schools and placed in Turnaround Schools because they decided not to sign Election to Work Agreements. We believe that these transfers could have violated our contract and state law. Our lawyers are gathering this information in order to assess if we have a case here.  PLEASE ONLY FILL OUT THIS SURVEY IF YOU CHOSE NOT TO SIGN AN ELECTION TO WORK AGREEMENT AND WERE TRANSFERRED TO ANOTHER TURNAROUND SCHOOL! http://goo.gl/forms/MN6W0dNnPr

5)      NJEA Convention:  The NJEA Convention this year will be held on November 5 and 6.  As per state law, teaching staff and clerical staff are entitled to go to the convention without having to take a sick or personal day, as long as they bring back proof of attendance.   The Newark Public Schools will be closed on November 6, but November 5, schools will be open for staff (it is a staff development day).  If you will be attending the Convention on November 5, make sure you bring back your certificate of attendance.

6)      NTU Building Reps: We have many buildings without Building Reps at this time.  If you are interested in being your school’s Building Rep, please complete the application, and returned as per instructions.  It is vital that we get a Rep at each Building site!

7)      THIS SUNDAY!  Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk – October 18 - The "NTU... Teach for a Cure" team has been registered for the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk on Broad Street on 10/18/2015. In honor of those who are battling, who have survived and who we have lost.  We hope to see you there on Sunday.

In Solidarity,