On May 22 We Take A Stand For Public Education

This Wednesday thousands will gather at the State Capitol for a statewide #RedForEd Day of Action in support of public education. Our demands are simple but profound: Full funding for public schools, and putting a stop to the privatization and corporatization of public education.

Following the historic UTLA strike earlier this year, the drive for dramatic change in how we fund and protect our schools has gained momentum across the state. Communities are standing side by side with educators and school workers as we demand that our schools, colleges, and universities have the resources we need to give every student in California a quality public education. Together we are also holding charter schools and the chancellor of California's community colleges accountable to local communities, not their billionaire and corporate backers. 

May 22 is our opportunity to speak with one voice to our elected representatives in Sacramento: We are here today to stand for public education and we won't back down.

If you can make it to Sacramento on Wednesday, please let us know by registering here. If you can’t make it, but would like to show your support, please wear red and take a picture with your colleagues in front of your school or workplace, tagging @CFTunion on social media!

 
e-Bulletin                             

6/12/19

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5/13/19 - PFT Director Announcement:

Dear PFT Members,

The Poway Federation of Teachers is pleased to announce the selection of Crystal Ochoa as PFT Director, beginning in the 2019-20 school year.  Crystal currently serves as the elected PFT Special Education Vice President.  She has been a Resource Specialist in PUSD since 1999 at both the elementary and secondary levels.  Crystal has served on numerous site, district, PFT, and joint PUSD/PFT committees over the years including: Issues and Policies, Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC), SAI Advisory Board, Special Education Labor Relations Team, NEU Leadership Team, Special Education Strategic Planning, and PFT Special Education UBC.  She excited for the opportunity to apply the skills she has learned through her experience and committee work to ensure that all teachers know their voices are being heard, their opinions are valued, and their work is supported.

In Unity,
Kelly
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5/13/19 - Secondary Voluntary Transfer Opportunities Open:

Dear Colleagues,

The first batch of voluntary transfer openings for secondary positions have been posted (as of Friday, May 10).  https://www.powayusd.com/en-US/Departments/Personnel-Support-Services/Employment/Certificated/Teacher-Transfer-Opportunities

If you are interested in transferring, be sure to have your transfer request form turned in Leisl Sanchez, lesanchez@powayusd.com in PSS.

read more
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2/27/19 - TPLES Update:

Dear Colleagues,

The demands on a teacher's time are endless, and the school year seems to go so quickly from this point on.  The attached Teacher Professional Learning and Effectiveness System (TPLES) reminder sheet is intended to provide support and suggestions for teachers in the evaluation cycle this year, as they monitor and document progress on their SLO/PLO.  It can also help make the final evaluation conference, for both traditional and alternative evaluations, more meaningful for the teacher and administrator.

TPLES reminder sheet

In Unity,
Kelly

Previous e-Bulletins - click here

Congratulations to our 2019

Teachers of the Year!

Sarah McCracken, Coleen Montgomery and Steven Whittaker
Receive District Honors for the 2019 School Year

The Poway Unified School District is proud to announce Sarah McCracken, Coleen Montgomery, and Steven Whittaker as the three 2019 District Teachers of the Year. All three PUSD Teachers of the Year will be submitted for consideration for County Teacher of the Year.
Read more

 Congratulations to Katie Wu!

Katie was selected as one of five San Diego County Teachers of the Year!

PUSD Press Release

Saturday, September 15, was an exciting night for Poway Unified’s three nominees: Katie Wu of Westview High School, Ana Collins of Valley Elementary School, and Shantel Raquel of Del Sur Elementary School. The “Salute to Teachers” live tribute is like none other in the nation. During the Academy Awards-style telecast, the nominees shared their passion, innovation, and heartfelt commitment to students and learning.
 
The telecast will replay on  YurView Channel 4/1004 at 7 p.m. on Sept. 21, Sept. 28, Oct. 5, and Oct. 12.
KUSI will re-air the show in November. For a complete listing of replay dates and times, go to yurview.com <http://www.salutetoteachers.com/> .
 
Katie will now move on to be considered for California State Teacher of the Year. The state winners will be announced later this Fall. Read more

TPLES - Teacher Professional Learning and Effectiveness System

Dear Colleagues,

The demands on a teacher's time are endless, and the school year seems to go so quickly from this point on. The below link Teacher Professional Learning and Effectiveness System (TPLES) reminder sheet is intended to provide support and suggestions for teachers in the evaluation cycle this year, as they monitor and document progress on their SLO/PLO.  It can also help make the final evaluation conference, for both traditional and alternative evaluations, more meaningful for the teacher and administrator.

Teacher Professional Learning and Effectiveness System (TPLES) reminder sheet - click here

In Unity,
Kelly

Classroom Supplies using Online Donation Site

What teachers need to do first to be eligible for donations: Go to www.pusddonate.org. Click your grade level (elementary, middle, high), click your “Site”, click “Teachers”. Please be sure your name is listed. The website is linked to the district’s payroll system.  Therefore, the donation website uses the same name you are using for payroll purposes (legal name).  Unfortunately, we cannot change that name.

What the Online Donation website provides:
1. Parents have the option of donating directly to their child’s teacher(s), program, department, grade level, program, or the school site’s general fund using this online donation website. The website is designed to provide parents with an easy and convenient way to help fund our instructional supply needs. Teachers and schools have received more than $100,000.00 in donations using this website. It works.

2. Parents may access the donation website by going to www.pusddonate.org.  Parents receive a tax deduction and email confirmation when donating. The website also includes a “Matching Gift Program” if a parent’s employer provides that benefit.

3. Teachers receive an automatic email confirmation stating the amount of the donation, donor’s name and email, and student’s name, if provided by the parent. Our District uses a spam filter. Therefore, to receive confirmation emails from the donation site you must check your spam folder. When you see the link, pusdonline@firstlinemerchant.com that’s the Online Donation secure banking (when using a credit card) email address. Please “whitelist” this email address. For accounting purposes, your site finance clerk or site secretary receives a monthly report of all donations. If you have not received an email confirmation but think you have received a donation, check with your site secretary or finance clerk.

Donation: Teachers access these donations the same way they would their regular supply budget/s at the site.

COMMUNICATION STRATEGIES: Teachers may communicate this website to parents via their MyConnect site, newsletter, and/or during Back-to-School Night (see Common Message on Q&A attached). To promote greater equity among all our classrooms, we suggest grade-level teams or departments come together to identify their “collective” supply needs and request donations be made to the grade-level or department, rather than individual teachers.

Please note: Donations to this account may only be used for instructional supplies (e.g. school supplies, software, workbooks, art and science materials…). If requesting donations for technology, check with your principal. The primary function of your site Foundation is to purchase software and technology and teachers should be coordinating their efforts.

Field Trip Fees: The Classroom Supplies ~ Online Donations website now offers the option of collecting Field Trip fees. More information and directions for teachers will be coming soon in a separate email.

I've attached an FAQ and a handout you may wish to provide to parents.  Questions or concerns, contact Kris Hizal PFT Director, khizal@powayteachers.org or  khizal@powayusd.com 

Attachments:

FAQ Classroom Supplies
CSOLD Parent Handout

In Unity,
Kelly

Janus Case

What is Janus v. AFSCME?

Janus is the culmination of decades of attacks on working people by corporate CEOs, the wealthiest 1% and the politicians that do their bidding to rig the economy in their favor.

Who is behind this case?

The National Right to Work Foundation is backing the case. The group is part of a network of extremists funded by corporate CEOs to use the U.S. legal system to rig the rules against everyday working people. Their goal with Janus (as it was in Friedrichs v. CTA) is no secret: they want to use the Supreme Court to take away the freedom of working people to join in strong unions, because unions give workers a powerful voice in speaking up for themselves, their families and their communities. Unions have played a critical role in building and protecting the middle class in America. They provide hard working people economic stability for their families and give them the tools to build a good life, home and education for themselves and their children.

Teacher Professional Learning and Effectiveness System What is meant by "Multiple Measures" in relation to Teacher Evaluation?

Evaluating teachers fairly and accurately requires the use of multiple indicators of effectiveness AND multiple ways to measure those indicators. Read more