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<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" colspan=2 height=90 BGCOLOR="#006699" TEXT="#080000" background="159b8573.jpg"> <div> <FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" ><B>Educational Association of Worcester</B></FONT><B>    </B><B> |     </B><A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Educational Association of Worcester"><B>home</B></A></div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="14" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" WIDTH="14"><B>   </B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="14" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" WIDTH="14"><B>     </B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="14" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" WIDTH="14"><B>  </B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="14" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" WIDTH="14"></div> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" width=210 BGCOLOR="#FFCC66" TEXT="#080000" background="15ad2083.jpg"> <bR> </td> <td valign="top" height=390 width="100%" BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000" background="15b05053.jpg"> <div> No. 7                                             March 21, 2007</div> <div> PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE</div> <bR> <div> It is an ongoing campaign for EAW members, parents and supporters of quality education to engage in a lobbying effort to gain support for public education.  We need to continually call, email, and talk to our elected officials.  We need to ask our elected officials to fulfill promises made during their campaigns.  We have some major concerns in the policies for funding Special Education, funding Charter Schools, thereby draining public resources, MCAS requirements, DOE accountability sanctions, and the makeup of the Board of Education.</div> <bR> <div> Is our local government advancing education as a priority in this city?  How do we compare with other districts with the percentage above foundation funding that is received by the school department?  We are at the bottom of the barrel - why?</div> <bR> <div> As educators you know the issues that are important to you and your students.  Your voice matters!  I urge you to speak out, ask questions and demand support for education if they want your vote.</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B><U>Know Your Contract</U></B></div> <div> <B><U>Transfer Process</U></B></div> <bR> <div> <U>Teachers Article X</U></div> <div> A.     When a reduction in the number of teachers in a school is necessary, volunteers will be </div> <div> transferred first.  When there are no volunteers, a teacher's area of competence, quality of teaching performance and length of service (<B><U>all time in WPS even prior to professional status)</U></B> will be considered in determining which teacher is to be transferred.</div> <bR> <div> <U>IA's</U></div> <div> <U>Article VII General</U></div> <bR> <div> I covered this topic in last month's newsletter but because it is so important, I want to repeat it.  Principals <B>should not ask</B> IA's without Associates Degrees to substitute teach; however, if you are asked to substitute teach and you do not have an Associates Degree, then <B>you will be compensated</B>.</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B><U>Keith Lapierre Memorial Golf Tournament</U></B><B>     </B><IMG SRC="2bc34250.jpg" border=0 width="52" height="37" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <div> The 5<FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >th</FONT> Annual Keith Lapierre Memorial Golf Tournament will be held on Saturday, August 25<FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >th</FONT> at the Heritage Country Club in Charleton, MA.  Keith, a Worcester teacher, tragically lost his life in the Rhode Island nightclub fire in February 2003.  His wife Tammy, also a Worcester teacher, and their children, Ryan and Sarah, have established a memorial scholarship with Worcester State College.  Sponsorship of a hole or tee is $200.  The cost for golf is $125.  Please contact Jessica or Jason Bristol at <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="mailto:jaybirdie26@yahoo.com" TARGET="_top" TITLE="mailto:jaybirdie26@yahoo.com"><U>jaybirdie26@yahoo.com</U></A></FONT> or call 508-752-6053 or May St. School @ 508-799-3520.</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B><U>Committee Meetings & Events</U></B></div> <bR> <div> <TABLE BORDER="2" CELLPADDING="1" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="680" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 20 WIDTH="177"><div> <B>Description</B></div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="165"><div> <B>Date</B></div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="161"><div> <B>Time</B></div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="152"><div> <B>Place</B></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 19 ><NOBR><div> Deadline for EAW Slate</div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="165"><div> March 23</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="161"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="19" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="161" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="152"><div> EAW</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 19 WIDTH="177"><div> Governance</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="165"><div> March 28</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="161"><div> 4:00 - 6:00 p.m.</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="152"><div> EAW</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 19 ><NOBR><div> MTA & NEA Delegates</div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="165"><div> March 29</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="161"><div> 3:30 p.m.</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="152"><div> EAW</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 19 ><NOBR><div> EAW Board Meeting</div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="165"><div> April 11</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="161"><div> 3:30 p.m.</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="152"><div> EAW</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 38 WIDTH="177"><div> Deadline for EAW 2<FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >nd</FONT> Slate</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="165"><div> April 13</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="161"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="38" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="161" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="152"><div> EAW</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 57 WIDTH="177"><div> MTA Pre-Convention for Annual Meeting Delegates</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="165"><div> April 23</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="161"><div> 3:30 p.m.</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="152"><div> Worc. Hotel & Conference Center</div> <div> 500 Lincoln St.</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 19 ><NOBR><div> EAW Election of Officers</div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="165"><div> April 24-May 1</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="161"><div> 4:30 p.m.</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="152"><div> EAW</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 19 ><NOBR><div> EAW Scholarships Due</div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="165"><div> April 30</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="161"><div> 4:30 p.m.</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="152"><div> EAW</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 19 ><NOBR><div> MTA Annual Meeting</div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="165"><div> May 11-12</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="161"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="19" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="161" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="152"><div> Boston</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 38 WIDTH="177"><div> NEA/RA Pre-Convention Meeting</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="165"><div> June 6</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="161"><div> 3:30 p.m.</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="152"><div> Doubletree in Westborough, MA</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 19 WIDTH="177"><div> NEA/RA</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="165"><div> Jun 30-July 5</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="161"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="19" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="161" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> Philadelphia, PA</div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 38 WIDTH="177"><div> MTA Summer Leadership Conference</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="165"><div> August 5-9, 2007</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="161"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="38" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="161" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> Williamstown, MA</div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B><U>News from the NEA</U></B></div> <bR> <div> The current version of ESEA is fundamentally flawed.  It undermines existing state and school district structures and authority and shifts public dollars to the private sector through supplemental educational services and takeovers of public schools by for-profit companies.  However, its stated goals - to improve student achievement and help close the achievement & skills gaps that exist in our country - are important to NEA, MTA, EAW and our society.</div> <bR> <div> In summary the following five priorities are crucial to realizing the above goals:</div> <bR> <div> Accountability that Rewards Success and Supports Educators to Help Students Learn.</div> <div> Smaller Class Size to Improve Student Achievement</div> <div> Quality Educators in every Classroom & School</div> <div> Students and Schools Supported by Active & Engaged Parents, Families, & Communities</div> <div> Resources to Ensure a Great Public School for Every Child</div> <bR> <div> Please go to NEA's website to see the complete Positive Agenda for the ESEA Reauthorization (NCLB Act of 2001).  NEA's Positive Agenda highlights that all children have a basic right to a great public school.</div> <bR> <div> Also, Reg Weaver (President of NEA) reports that a book was written by Rod Paige, the former Secretary of Education.  It is titled, “The War Against Hope: How Teachers Can Ruin Your Kids”.  It discussed how teachers are terrorizing students and other ugly attacks on teachers and public education.  Reg asked all NEA members not to buy the book and to be aware that it is out there.</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B><U>MTA Benefits</U></B></div> <bR> <div> FYI…new MTA members (under age 35) are eligible for $100,000 in voluntary life insurance for a mere $4.00 a month.  Also, go to the MTAB website for information on your many benefits and chances to win prizes as you surf this site & register for MTAB Giveaways.</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B><U>EAW Scholarship Fundraisers - Foxwoods & Mohegan Sun</U></B>          <IMG SRC="2be302a0.png" border=0 width="48" height="42" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <div> Friday, April 13, 2007 Bus trip to Mohegan Sun - cost is $25.00</div> <div> May 11, 2007 - Bus trip to Foxwoods - cost is $25.00</div> <bR> <div> You will receive the bus ride, a free $10.00 voucher for the buffet dinner and two $5 Keno tickets.  Join the fun & bring your friends and family.  Mother's Day is Sunday, May 13<FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >th</FONT> - good gift - bring Mom.  Please come to the EAW to purchase your tickets by April 6<FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >th</FONT> for Mohegan Sun and May 4<FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >th</FONT> for Foxwoods.</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> Cheryl DelSignore</div> <div> My email address: cheryl.eaw@gmail.com</div> <div> <B>Our web site:  WORCESTER.MASSTEACHER.ORG</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>EXECUTIVE SECRETARY'S REPORT</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>GRIEVANCE REPORT</B></div> <bR> <div> The following are current outstanding new grievances:  </div> <bR> <div> At South High School and at Sullivan Middle School  Department Heads filed a grievance because they have been assigned more than four teachers and have been teaching four classes in a six period day. We have had  several department heads in different buildings file grievances over the same issue and the grievances have been sustained. </div> <div> A bus driver filed a grievance since the last update because he was denied holiday pay when he didn't work the day before. We are grieving this because there is no provision in the agreement that requires that employees work the day prior to the holiday. Management claims that the City of Worcester policy requires attendance on the day prior to the holiday. The Association claims that the bus drivers' collective bargaining agreement takes precedent over the policy. </div> <div> An elementary school teacher and a middle school teacher both filed grievances when their principals issued written warnings. The association is claiming that the warnings are inappropriate because they are not factual and, therefore, arbitrary and capricious. </div> <div> An instructional assistant was paid back pay and awarded additional hours when her claim that she had been denied rights due to a disability was sustained by administration. </div> <div> A grievance was filed at Burncoat High School when an observation form was used that was outside the scope of the tool negotiated by the Association. </div> <div> The teachers at Chandler Magnet currently have a grievance which claims that they are not receiving the contractually agreed to prep time. </div> <div> A grievance was sustained for a teacher who was assaulted by a student at Burncoat Middle School because she did not receive time off with pay. </div> <bR> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <I>Health and Human Services  $78,000 Grant Awarded</I></div> <bR> <div> The Department of Health and Human Services has moved to fund a project sponsored by the EAW with the support of the Worcester Public Schools to provide for a Pandemic Flu Preparedness Program for educational personnel in its 74 regional towns.   The project  will include two videos.   There will be an urban and suburban film as well as a “train the trainer” component for over 400 participants to take back to their buildings. The project will most likely kick off this fall. We will provide more details in future newsletters. </div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> Mike Sireci</div> <bR> <div> <B>MSIRECI@MASSTEACHER.ORG</B></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <B><U>Know Your Weingarten Rights</U></B></div> <bR> <bR> <div> Weingarten rights guarantee an employee the right to union representation during an investigatory interview by an employer.  If the interview could in any way lead to the employee being disciplined or terminated, or affect his or her working conditions, he or she should respectfully request that a union representative or officer be present at the meeting.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div>      </div> <div> <IMG SRC="2c031380.png" border=0 width="49" height="56" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">     <IMG SRC="2c224360.png" border=0 width="36" height="54" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">          <IMG SRC="2c431380.png" border=0 width="49" height="56" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">          <IMG SRC="2c624360.png" border=0 width="36" height="54" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">               <IMG SRC="2c831380.png" border=0 width="49" height="56" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">     <IMG SRC="2ca24360.png" border=0 width="36" height="54" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>