CHTU Update - August 27, 2013

Welcome Back.

There are so many changes for the start of this school year it is hard to begin.  The things that we need to know and be able to do to be successful in our jobs are overwhelming.  I hope that you have a strong team of colleagues to rely on.  If not, find people who can support and complement your work. 

Surprises:  When we were children surprises were wonderful.  Now, not so much when these surprises involve changes in what we do and how we do it.  Please read our Union Updates so that you are not as surprised as you would otherwise.  Also connect with us on facebook – connect through our website on the right panel (www.chtu.org) .  By the way, you do not need to be registered to view or search anything on our site.  There is a ton of information that you can search, like our popular and useful FAQ section.

OTES:  By now all of us who will be evaluated through OTES have had a little more of a taste of how it works.  As I published July 18 the shared attribution decision that the Appraisal Review Committee recommended will ensure that virtually all of us will be rated as Developing or Skilled.  After going through the rubric, perhaps more of you will probably agree that it is nearly impossible for anyone to earn an overall rating of accomplished.  In fact, at the schools I visited during the training sessions, our members would be very tough graders.

Survival Guide:  Our new contract is still in the rewriting process.  All tentative agreements are still posted on our website.  Most of the old one is posted on our site (follow this link) or on the district website under the “staff” tab under “negotiated agreements.”  Within the next few days you should get a copy of the 2013-14 survival guide (formerly known as “Stuff Teachers Should Know”) from your building steward.  It has a lot of info in it to keep as a reference.

New Members:  Listed below are new hires and their assignments (although I may be missing one or two).  Please make our new colleagues feel welcome.  This year marks the return of library ancillaries in the elementary schools.  Please extend your welcome to them to the 795 family.

In Union,

Ari Klein
CHTU President