On September 24, UC Berkeley staff, students and faculty will stage a one-day strike in defense of public education and against layoffs, cuts, and tuition increases. Click here to see where you can join them in solidarity.
- Special News
- BACK to SCHOOL NEWS
Welcome back to a new school year! Pardon the lack of information on the website — we are in the process of redesigning the OEA website — watch for a new and greatly improved version on September 13th! Same address: oaklandea.org.
In the meantime,continue to keep those calls coming in to the OEA office about class size, longer work days, etc. Huge appreciations to the Site Reps who have already written to their Administrators informing them of what our collective bargaining agreement says about the length of our work day (see Article 10.2.1). See your Rep for copies of "Know Your Contract" in case your principal needs some reminders.
Class sizes are on the increase around the district. Remember there is a "beginning grace period" of 10 days for elementary schools, 15 for secondary (Article 15.2). The bad news is that under imposition, class sizes in K-5 can go to the limits outlined in the contract: 27 in K, 30 in grades 1-3, and 31 in grades 4-5. The only exception is in QEIA schools.) This is an excellent opportunity for talking to and organizing parents — already in my visits to school sites I’ve talked to parents who are shocked at the large class sizes.
ECE UPdate: Thanks to the efforts of parents, teachers, students and community members working with Oakland Parents Together and OEA, On Friday, August 27, the district found $2.4 million to keep 5 of 7 Child Development Centers slated for closure open through December. With state cuts to pre-school education, it is vitally important for all of us to continue to advocate for our youngest and most vulnerable students.
- What’s Important the First Weeks of School? Message from your President
I’m sure most, if not all, teachers would agree that it’s NOT poring over test score data and starting the inevitable test prep routine. I’m fairly certain that most, if not all, teachers would agree that in the first few weeks of school, the emphasis should instead be on establishing a safe, welcoming, and respectful environment where students are engaged and enthusiastic about what they’re learning.
Hopefully the days are behind us when we were told that instruction should begin promptly at 8:31am, and that there was no time to "waste" on classroom meetings and building social skills. With all the talk about what makes an "effective teacher," let’s change the conversation and start asking what makes an "effective" administrator? An "effective" parent? An "effective" student? The new website will have blogging capabilities so we can get your opinions on these and other issues.
Thought for the days ahead: "Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire." (William Butler Yeats)
There is money… it’s a question of priorities!
Click here to download a copy of OEA’s new flyer in English, Spanish, and Chinese. "There is money…it’s a question of priorities…" Circulate it widely: at Back to School Night, community meetings, PTA/PTO events, etc. And be sure to distribute it at our October 14 action — click here for the press release.
TEACHERS: SUPPORT YOUR
BARGAINING TEAM!
Wear green and
Join your colleagues Wednesday
5PM RALLY
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Did you know? We are currently in mediation, which will conclude at month’s end! Let’s let the district, mediators and community know that we are concerned, watching and organized! |
OCTOBER 14
PICKET and LEAFLET your parents before school
5PM RALLY before WEDNESDAY’S
SCHOOL BOARD MEETING
BE VISIBLE – IT’S YOUR CONTRACT!
Click here for more information on this and other upcoming events, including this Friday’s TGIF and Saturday’s great "I Can Do It" classroom management training.
As you know, the district is conducting a Dependent Verification Audit through November 13 for the health benefit programs. Be sure to make an appointment at 1-800-365-8306 x0 to see an American Fidelity counselor to ensure that benefits for your dependents aren’t terminated January 1, 2010. HBIC insisted that this NOT be a repeat of several years ago when counselors tried to sell insurance plans. You have NO obligation to do anything but show proof of dependents’ eligibility.
Your teacher’s working conditions are your child’s learning conditions!
Settle a fair contract NOW!
On September 9th, OEA members converged in OEA green at the School Board meeting to welcome Dr. Tony Smith as our new Superintendent with a “visual representation” of the instability and lack of respect that was the hallmark of six years of state takeover. Just before Public Comment, OEA members donned masks and shifted seats to show the treatment under state administration of teachers and students as voiceless and faceless, cogs in a wheel, pawns on a chessboard. OEA President Betty Olson-Jones called on Dr. Smith to really see and hear our teachers, to value our experience, and to retain the best of us by settling a fair contract that includes improved working conditions, a livable wage, fully paid health benefits, and respect for our professional expertise. Twenty teachers followed her with poignant and eloquent stories from the trenches – ranging from the absurdity of overtesting Kindergartners to the effects on students of high teacher turnover. Many of these were teachers who haven’t spoken publicly before – many thanks to all of you who so courageously told your stories! We will be organizing more of these mini-demonstrations as our contract struggle continues – and we need YOU!