CHTU Updates | Cleveland Heights Teachers Union

CHTU Update - Feb 20, 2020 - RedForEd, Endorsements, Express Care issue, Student Debt

Dear Colleagues,

Tomorrow the OFT and OEA have announced a RED FOR ED day as the voucher hearings wind up in Columbus. If you are able to wear red please send us a picture to post - preferable in a large group. We will be using the hashtag #VouchersCostKids and #RedForEd

As early voting starts for the primary please consider the endorsements attached/below from the North Short Federation of Labor.

Express Care Online, the Cleveland Clinic app to see a doctor 24/7, gives you the ability to have an appointment under the NUTRITION category. We do not currently have coverage for Nutrition

CHTU Update - January 28, 2020 UCTY, Crowdfunding, and Calendar

Dear Colleagues,

Look for Union Comes to You lunch sign up forms in an email from me shortly. Our lunches have started and run through mid-March.

The 2020-21 and 2021-22 calendars are now officially adopted by the Board.

The 2020-21 calendar highlights are posted at: https://www.chuh.org/AcademicCalendar.aspx

Both full versions have been available on the district website (link)

Need to get money to pay for something in your classroom? Be mindful of board policy 6605 on Crowdfunding.

“Crowdfunding activities aimed at raising funds for a specific classroom or school activity, including

CHTU Update - January 23, 2020 - Espinoza V Montana

Dear Colleagues,

How bad does it have to get?

Yesterday, the Supreme Court started hearing arguments on the most recent attack on public funding of education. Espinoza Vs. Montana Department of Revenue is the case that, if the lower court’s decision is overturned, would compel states to fund private and religious schools the same as they fund public schools. You heard it. This would create smaller pieces of the pie for 90% of students across the country who attend public schools. The war on public education just escalated.

As if EdChoice Vouchers have not already created an existential crisis for

CHTU Update - Voucher education January 6, 2020

Dear Colleagues,

Happy New Year.

Tomorrow at 7 PM the Heights Coalition for Public Education is training anyone interested in taking our Voucher Funding slideshow on the road to present to your own organizations. For a preview take a look at the Slideshow Toolkit at http://chuh.net/coalition/events/ which includes the slideshow, the slideshow with narration, an accompanying handout, as well as a video of the slideshow narrated by yours truly. This will be at our office at the Coventry Peace Campus 2843 Washington Blvd.

We also urge you to attend the district run voucher education piece on

CHTU Update - 12.12.19 - ER changes

Dear Colleagues,

In January our negotiated changes will be in place for our medical plan.

The most important change to understand is the non-emergency use of an Emergency Room and Emergency Room Physician will have a $100 co-pay.

The co-pay will be applied based on the medical coding for the ER visit. Use the chart in this link to gives some direction around when to use the ER versus an Urgent Care, Convenience Clinic, Primary Care Physician or Nurse Line. Remember that we also have the telemedicine as another choice for care. Basically, if you go to the ER because you have a cold then you

CHTU Update - December 10, 2019 - FSA, Observer, Vouchers

Dear Colleagues,

In case you missed it, we are now in open enrollment for Flexible Spending Accounts. The district sent out the forms and I have posted them in our health corner: http://chtu.oh.aft.org/health-corner/flexible-spending.

Here is a link to the Teacher Voice column in the December 2019 Heights Observer. I wrote about how academics should not be our sole focus. (link)

Thanks to everyone who has been calling or writing to state reps and senators about the impact of voucher funding on our students. It is an existential threat to CHUH. Reps Boyd, Howse, Sweeney, Skindell, Upchurch

CHTU Update - December 3, 2019 FSA, IPA and Subs

Dear Colleagues,

The push is on as we close in on winter break! A few items:

Flexible Spending Account: If you have medical or other benefit costs that are not covered by our plans (lasik surgery, orthodontia above $3,300, expensive glasses, or co-pays) or have childcare or eldercare expenses (from a qualified provider) than you should consider enrolling in a Flexible Spending Account (IRS 125) for 2020. You can have money deducted pre-tax from your pay and use it to cover these expenses.

The open enrollment will be December 9-20. We will post and send documents as soon as we get them.

Here

CHTU Update - November 26, 2019

Dear Colleagues,

I hope you enjoy the long weekend with family and friends. Safe travels to anyone who is taking a trip.

When we return please look for information about an upcoming Educational Research and Dissemination (ER&D) class for 2 hours of credit that will be offered on Wednesdays from January to March - Managing Anti-Social Behavior.

Peace,

Ari Klein

CHTU President

CHTU Update - Express Care Online - November 8, 2019

Dear Colleagues,

Last year we piloted Express Care Online through the Cleveland Clinic. This is where we can schedule a doctor consult over your smartphone or computer. We have added this benefit to our contract and it is already available. There is no co-pay for using this service and it is available 24/7.

Check out the general info flyer link below that lets you know what they treat.

Express Care Online (general info) (directions to sign up)

Get familiar with more of our benefits at our website under the "Health Corner" - http://chtu.oh.aft.org/health-corner

In Union,

Ari Klein

CHTU

CHTU Update - October 23, 2019 Insurance, Master Teacher, Observer article

Dear Colleagues,

At the Insurance Committee meeting yesterday, I learned that the district is trying to arrange for a company to come in to give Flu Shots during the election day PD at the high school. Our hope is that there is a room set aside where anyone can drop in and get a shot. If you want to get a flu shot ahead it should be covered through a doctor's office or convenience clinic.

I also learned that telemedicine is already available through our policy, whereas I thought we would have to wait until January's policy renewal. I will get info out on how to use this benefit.

Other