RCTA Representative Council Meeting Agenda
Redwood City Teachers’ Association Mission Statement: The Redwood City Teachers Association exists to promote and protect the professional health and longevity of its members. It is dedicated to the pursuit and support of excellent teaching, equity, collective bargaining, and fair working conditions. We are devoted to the education of the children, their families, and the community of Redwood City.
Monday, November 7th, 2022 3:45-5:30 PM
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1. Call meeting to order at: 3:49 p.m.
2. Land Acknowledgement: We are doing this work on the unceded land of the Ohlone Nations.
3. (Need a motion) Approval of the agenda Motion: Jacob Havey 2nd: Angie Teupel
4. Roll call
Adelante Selby: Yesenia Bravo, Rita Melton
CDC: Ivonne Castillo
Clifford: Larry Goity, Megan Klein
Garfield: Anastacia Stamates, Chris Taylor,
Henry Ford: Sandra Covacha, Angie Teupel
***Hoover: Kevin Sugar
Kennedy: Endre Balogh, Cindy Meek
MIT: Mary Jane Gertz, Rich Wallace
Northstar: Ariana Baltay, Jacob Havey
Orion: Jackie Kroner, Yi Chen, Regina Kemp
Roosevelt: Eryn Heon, Chris Holm, Sharon Tsuchiyama
Roy Cloud: Eve Avalos, Xa Mai
SLP: Megan Klein
***Taft: Kerry Benjamin, Sigrid McCarthy
5. Approval of the Minutes
Approve: Rich 2nd: Jacob Javey
6. Site by Site 1 Minute Share-outs
Adelante Selby Reps: More smoothly with NUA; Use prep time to prep for visitors; Lower grades - behavior difficulties; behaviorist to consult
CDC Preschool Reps:
Clifford Reps: Sad News: Lost the parents of two of their students over the weekend.
Garfield Reps: Many challenges with construction with the new building; celebrating kindness; seeing a lot of behavior issues;
Henry Ford Reps: continuing strong with NUA; Whitney coming in regularly; first annual holiday pageant; Confusion over conferences - whether have to be onsite even if over zoom; All staff should be onsite for conferences.
Hoover Reps:
Kennedy Reps: Definitely work on positive reinforcements; some issues that need to be addressed; Shout out for students who are behaving; Cougar Cash; Going well; Students came back from Yosemite - no behavior issue.
McKinley Reps: Things a little better with behavior. A lot of meetings being held during prep time during the day; Teams being pulled for substituting. Not being given prep time; Brand new principal and VP (half time); Do have a teacher for Newcomer. Optimistic we will find best fit for newcomer students. No shortage of meetings; Meeting Tuesday and Wednesday; teachers volunteered to meet on Thursday. Feedback on Climate Committee -
North Star Reps: Started House system - similar to PBIS; each grade level is able to give out points; 5th grade going to Outdoor Ed; Peter Pan Play last weekend; report cards and conferences
Orion Reps: Author/Illustrator Fair - a lot of parent volunteers; successful event; Staff shortages - teachers are told to sub or have extra kids in their class; All support staff are subbing - not getting services; some behaviors - not too bad.
Roosevelt Reps: Middle School having behavior issues - eighth grader lighting firecrackers in classrooms; couple teachers were going to see the principal after school; have kids throwing berries at teachers; Admin - seem not to be prepared for middle school discipline issues; not enough tools in the toolbox; would like to see admin get training district wide; new teacher from another district - noticed that we are underfunded - no money for personnel?; kinder, 1st, 2nd grade getting ready for kindness weekend and kindness assembly; going well; 3-5th going well, 5th grade started fund raising for Outdoor Ed; PE Plus - teachers switch off to get 25 minutes; get PE twice a week; all other specials are not credentialed teachers.
Roy Cloud Reps: two of our classrooms curtains replaced with shades; Fall Fest help raise funds for 8th Grade Graduation; New principal trying to unite elementary and middle school; K-8 Monthly Assemblies and Halloween Parade
SLP: Trying to hire a preschool SLP; Speech Leads talked to director; successful in getting stipends; busy with report cards because get a lot of referrals
Taft Reps:
9. Committee Reports
Political Action Committee: Jacob Havey Vote everyone! Please vote.
Luncheon twice a year; please take advantage
Benefits Committee: Ann Barlijafa,
To set up your site visit contact:
Norma Alfaro-California Casualty
nalfaro@calcas.com 650-290-1518
Michael Moore-Provident Credit Union
mmoore@providentcu.org 800-632-4600 ext. 2612
Set up a time with the benefits vendors to come to your site. Order lunch for your members. RCTA will reimburse you. Try to keep it at $15 per person. Save your receipts and email them to rctatreasury@rctacares.com to receive your reimbursement check.
How do I set up a luncheon for my members? Try this.
Treasurer's Report: Steve Murray
Balance Checking:
Balance Savings:
For reimbursements, please submit receipts to Steve Murray at rctatreasury@rctacares.com
Organizing Committee: Executive Board __________________
Let us know what size you’d like. Order form
$7000 in budget for tshirts; Heather Irani has volunteered to help us out. Tshirts are an easy way to show we are united and organized. When we have bargaining, wear shirts. Need order form back within this next week.
Board Meeting presence sign up. RCTA will pay $15 toward your meal on meeting night. Site Schedule:
Oct. 26Kevin SugarNov. 9Adelante SelbyNov. 16TaftDec. 7CliffordDec. 14CliffordJan. 11Garfield Jan. 18Roy CloudFeb. 8FordFeb. 15FordMar. 8HooverMar. 22KennedyApr. 19MITApr, 26OrionMay 10NSAMay 24RooseveltJun. 14
Jun. 21
Jun. 28
Bargaining/Negotiations Team: Brian Cagle, Michelle Territo, Erinn Washburn, Jenn Tanti, Yesenia Bravo, Amy Barstad
RCTA met Oct 4th and November 2nd at CTA headquarters to review RCSD budget with CTA financial officer, begin the negotiations process. November 19th Sunshine at board meeting.
11/02 - Proposals; getting ready to submit Sunshine Proposal; Erinn and Brian will talk to the board; 12/08 meet with the district team; have money - large reserve 14%; Hopeful that we will get sizable salary increases;
Climate Committee: Anastasia Stamates, Erinn Washburn and Jacob Havey meet with John Baker, Wendy Kelly, and Janet Lawson to discuss solutions to district-wide concerns.
Next meeting is December 12th
-Report on 10/17 meeting.
Staff handbook; Address the sub shortage - Wendy shared - Subs need more training; sometimes no sub plans & seating charts; Safety - Woodside SWAT and then earthquake - three teachers - three different experiences; some schools have better plans; Facilities - things aren’t working or issues with new construction; Climate Committee concern form; next meeting is December 12th. Every school is supposed to have a SB187 binder that explains what is supposed to happen in an emergency. Teachers are required to stay at the school site for 24 hours or until the last child is picked up.
Human Rights and Equity Committee: Erinn Washburn-LGBTQ Chair, Joan Solari-Women’s Chair
Need Ethnic Minorities Chair
CTA LGBTQ conference report
Grants up to $2500 for any CTA member who applies
Talk to Erinn if you would like more information
Social Organizing Committee: Belinda Mendez, Xa Mai
Winter Mixer
Date: December 5th 3:30-5:30
Place: La Viga Seafood & Cocina Mexicana
White Elephant Gift Exchange bring a gift under $20; Raffle; Post the flyer at school; Please send it out to everyone at site; Please RSVP before end of the month;
State Council Report: Erinn Washburn
All over the state of CA meet and make decisions that get sent to Tony Thurmond and Gavin Newsom. Erinn is on the Student Services Committee - librarians and nurses.
Membership Committee: Cindy Meek CINDYHM@pacbell.net
Grievance Committee: Michelle Territo rctagrievance@rctacares.com
It is very important that you talk to your site administrators about any problems you have at your site. Document these interactions.
9. Announcements:
-SPSL has been extended through December 31, 2022. You are entitled to up to 80 hours of covid leave. You must fill out this form to receive it. There is a limit on the amount of money this will pay out, so you may have to use some of your own sick leave.
-The minutes for this meeting will be posted in the blog section of RCTAcares.com
Meeting adjourned at:
10 minute meeting/Leadership Team To Do’s:
1. Someone not getting union emails? Have them sign up here: RCTA contact Form
2. Get RSVPs, send, and post info for the Winter Mixer
3. Send out T Shirt order form
4. Set up an RCTA member lunch with the benefits folk.
5. Sign up folks for board meetings.
Resources:
Web: rctacares.com Facebook: @redwoodcityteachersassociation
Meeting adjourned at 5:10 p.m.
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