August 25, 2008
To All Staff:
Welcome and Welcome Back. We hope you enjoyed your summer and had ample time to spend with family and friends, and are ready and energized for the arrival of your students.
Contract Negotiations. As of this publication date, the federal mediator has not reconvened the bargaining table. No dates have been set to resume negotiations. For the first time in nineteen years, we will be working under an expired contract. Please check your e mails and our Union website, www.chtu.org for details and updates.
Summer Doings. As a result of summer meetings with the Superintendent we were able to settle two of the grievances we referenced in our closing publication last June. We have resolved the PRIDE Freshman Support issue, and the grievance on inappropriate evaluation procedures involving a new teacher.
AFT- New Leadership. This summer, the delegates to the American Federation of Teachers Convention elected a new President, Randi Weingarten . Randi is the President of Local 2, New York City (UFT) and has been a long-time teacher union activist and labor lawyer. Francine Lawrence, President of the Toledo Federation of Teachers (Local 250), was elected as an AFT Vice-President.
Looking to November 4th. We have ordered materials for the Obama campaign and we will also be active in several key races for U.S. Congress, the Ohio General Assembly, Ohio Attorney General, and the state Board of Education. We will be sending you regular updates.
New Colleagues. Thirty-three teachers and licensed support staff have joined our ranks this school year. Please welcome our new members and offer them your support, friendship and expertise. You will find below a listing of our new colleagues, their buildings, and teaching assignments.
Mark Your Calendars. Two important dates to note: September 12th will be the first pay date of the 2008 – 2009 school year for 190 day employees. The first Teachers’ Union Social Hour (T.U.S.H.) has been set for Friday, October 3rd ; details to follow.
Fraternally,
Tom Schmida, President
New Teachers 2008-2009
Name Area Assignment
Victoria Abdow Grade 5 Boulevard Elementary School
Paige Baublitz-Watkins Gifted Specialist Wiley Middle School
Amanda Blazetic Intervention Specialist Bellefaire School
Leslie Braidech Music ½ time Bellefaire School
Fawn Bryan Science Heights High – Mosaic
Gregory Cosimi Math Heights High – REAL
Ebony Davis Physical Education Roxboro Middle School
Carrie DePrima Art Teacher Monticello Middle School
Stephanie Edelstein Math Teacher Heights High – Mosaic
Gretchen Grabowski Elementary Gearity Elementary School
Karen Hansen Intervention Specialist Heights High School
Amber Hawes Intervention Specialist Boulevard Elementary School
Huikai Karol Math Roxboro Middle School
Heidi Kaye Intervention Specialist Heights High School
Gwendolyn Kerr Career/Tech.Ed.DHO Heights High School
Brendan Kilbane Social Studies Heights High-Pride
Janett Korb Biology Heights High – Legacy
Lisa Lefstein-Berusch English Heights High – REAL
Brian Mahoney Physical Education Elementary School
Karla Melika Intervention Specialist Heights High School
Matthew Minnillo TBD Heights High School
Adriana November Intervention Specialist Monticello Middle School
Joni Reiser Intervention Specialist Bellefaire School
Karlene Sa’ad Grade 2 Boulevard Elementary School
Yvonne Schiffer Career/Tech.Ed. Heights High School
Melissa Schwartz Grade 1 Boulevard Elementary School
Robert Seton Intervention Specialist Heights High School
Christina Siegel Physical Education Heights High – REAL
Lisa Steward Grade 3 Canterbury Elementary School
Chase Thomas Intervention Specialist Bellefaire School
Stephanie Thomas Intervention Specialist Heights High School
April White Title 1 Reading Boulevard Elementary School
Cheryl Zawacki School Psychologist District