NTU Updates

Colleagues,

1)           Quasi-Administrators – In many schools, we have been getting reports that staff, including NTU members, are being asked to serve as quasi-administrators.   It is vital to remember that ONLY administrators should be doing observations and evaluations. 

Not only is this illegal, it is just another example of the district trying to break unions.  They laid off many administrators, including department chairs, and now they are trying to use other staff to fill those vital roles. 

All coaching and “adult support” positions are intended to help provide feedback, not to serve as

Colleagues,

1)      Contract Update: On Monday, the members of the NTU Negotiation Committee met and reviewed the contract surveys we have gotten.  We are starting to boil everything down to a list of several demands.  We have not yet formally met with the district to begin negotiations formally, but we will continue to keep you updated.  IF YOU HAVE NOT FILLED OUT THE CONTRACT SURVEY YET, PLEASE DO SO IMMEDIATELY!

2)     Stipend Update: NPS has confirmed that staff will be getting their salary and EWA stipends on January 29.   NPS has also informed us that the waiver money for staff who waived

Colleagues,

1)      NTU Website – Remember to visit the Newark Teachers Union website!  We are still collecting members’ class size issues and contract proposals (click on our Survey section).  You can also send in address changes or email address changes to us right on the home page.  We will be adding a formal Advisory survey to the website over the next few days.

2)      Membership Meetings – We have confirmed dates and location for our upcoming regional membership meetings:

• Speedway Academies for Monday, December 14, 2015 4 PM (WEST REGION)

• Barringer STEAM \ Arts and Humanities School

Colleagues,

1)      Lafayette Street School - The NTU has followed through in suing the administrative staff at Lafayette School personally.  NPS administrators can not be allowed to use Teach NJ and Achieve NJ as weapons to destroy the careers of hard-working decent professionals. 

2) December Membership Meetings – We are working on scheduling regional membership meetings before the Winter Break.   More information to come as soon as the dates and locations are finalized.

3)      November Advisory Board Meeting– The November Advisory Board meeting has been moved to MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23 @ East

Colleagues,

1)      Advisory Board Meeting - With the community, we are asking for a massive “WALK IN” at Monday night’s Advisory Board meeting.  It is vital that we come out in force!  The meeting starts at 6 PM.  We want everyone there by 5:30 PM so we can walk in as one large body.

Newark Advisory Board Meeting

Monday, October 26, 2015 - 6:00 PM

University High School

55 Clinton Place

Newark, NJ 07108

2)      Charter Schools on Trial - Let's get to the Facts on Charter Schools. Tell your state legislator we need to revisit the Moratorium on Charter School Bill before we're faced with more

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

Colleagues,

1)      DYFS Update - It is October 6, 2015 and already numerous false allegations of child abuse have been made.  Please be adroitly aware that child abuse, child neglect and child lack of supervision charges are the stepping stone to discipline charges, terminations, increment denials and tenure charges.  We vigorously defend you when allegations are made, but it is imperative that as faculties talk amongst themselves of the serious consequences wrought by child abuse charges.  

All employees should do their very best to not physically touch students.  Parents will immediately

Colleagues,

1)      NTU’s New Website: The Newark Teachers Union has launched our new website this week at www.ntuaft.com or http://newark.aft.nj.org.  The website is still being expanded, but if you have any suggestions, please reach out to mmaillaro@ntuaft.com.  We also have a new Facebook page and Twitter feed!

2)      NTU Building Reps: We have many buildings without Building Reps at this time.  If you are interested in being your school’s Building Rep, you will receive an application in the next day or so.  Please complete the application, and returned as per instructions.  It is vital that

Members, 

In the interest of keeping you informed, we would like to share this report with you:

On Tuesday morning, myself, Secretary/Treasurer Michael Iovino, Director of Communication Mike Maillaro and Staff Representative Michael Caputo had a productive meeting with Superintendent Cerf and his team regarding the Evaluation Framework.  It was evident that this will be an ongoing and robust discussion, however, we did have some concrete results:

TARDINESS & ABSENTEEISM

The NTU, like our NPS counterparts, believes strongly that teacher attendance is important to creating success in the classroom.