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" More money is put into prisons than into schools. That, in itself, is the description of a nation bent on suicide. I mean, what is more precious to us than our own children? We are going to build a lot more prisons if we do not deal with the schools and their inequalities."

--Jonathan Kozol

 

   

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LATEST NEWS FROM:

IFT Members Rally in Springfield for Lobby Day


Several hundred IFT members made the trip to Springfield on Wednesday, April 30, to deliver the message to legislators that it's time to solve the state's growing fiscal crisis.

Among the key bills IFT activists lobbied was Senate Bill 2288 - a bill that would provide a two percent increase in the Illinois income tax, generating $7 billion for schools, construction, pensions and state health services. The bill's sponsor, Sen. James Meeks (D-Chicago), urged IFT members to push for SB 2288 passage during the Lobby Day briefing in Springfield.

"We need Democrats and Republicans to see education as the number one priority," said Meeks. "Let's have a sustainable way of funding education...so that people in every community can have a decent school."

The revenue reform package contained in SB 2288 would:

  • raise the state income tax from 3 percent to 5 percent on individuals and 4.8 percent to 8 percent on corporations, generating over $7 billion in new revenue starting Jan. 1, 2009;
  • phase-in education funding, starting at $1 billion the first year, to reach Education Funding Advisory Board's recommended per pupil foundation level of over $6,800 after five years;
  • provide $300 million a year for higher education;
  • utilize dedicated education money left over by the phase-in to start paying down the state’s pension debt;
  • reduce property taxes for schools by $2.9 billion via state rebates to school districts, a 20 percent cut in overall property taxes paid for education;
  • use a portion of other funds to pay health care service providers and reduce the state's backlog of unpaid bills;
    provide $1 billion for debt service on $10 to $13 billion worth of bonds for capital needs of schools, roads, other facilities and mass transit; and
  • create a family tax credit for low income families.

[Read more.]

IFT-initiated tenure bill passes Senate unanimously, moves to House

Senate Bill 2686, an IFT initiative sponsored by Sen. Deanna Demuzio (D-Carlinville), would allow a full-time tenured teacher to have a two-year probationary period rather than a four year probationary period when the teacher changes school districts, provided he/she has already entered into contractual continued service (tenure) in the previous school district. The IFT supports the legislation which was unanimously approved by the Senate. Rep. Robert Flider (D-Mt. Zion) will sponsor the legislation in the House.

Tax increase legislation on hold until fall, to allow more time for lobbying

The sponsors of Senate Bill 2288, Sen. James Meeks (D-Chicago) and Sen. John Cullerton (D-Chicago), have indicated that there will not be a vote on the bill this spring, as was earlier anticipated. SB 2288 is the latest version of HB/SB 750, the major tax reform legislation supported by the IFT. The passage of SB 2288 is a top IFT legislative priority. Members should contact their legislators and urge them to support this important legislation whenever it comes up for a vote. Lobbying for SB 2288 will be a key component of the IFT Lobby Day activities, scheduled for Wednesday, April 30.

Latest 'Ask a Working Woman' Survey
Now Online

As the AFL-CIO and Working America launch their sixth annual "Ask a Working Woman" survey, the latest figures show that women still earn significantly less than men—77 cents to the dollar. The survey gives working women the chance to comment on a range of issues, such as what they do when they need time off to care for a sick child or elderly parent, whether male co-workers are making more money for the same work, and what changes—in healthcare, pensions, flextime or other areas—would help make life a little easier. Since many working women are also working mothers, Mother's Day seems like an especially apt time to take a serious look at these challenges.

The survey will remain open online until June 20. The results will then be passed on to lawmakers and politicians to show what working women need. Last year's survey generated 22,000 responses, and organizers are hoping for even more this year.

[Read more.]

NATION'S WORKPLACES ARE INCREASINGLY DANGEROUS, AFL-CIO REPORTS
The nation's workplace safety laws and penalties are too weak to effectively protect workers, according to a new AFL-CIO report, Death on the Job: The Toll of Neglect. There were 5,840 fatal workplace injuries in 2006, an increase from the year before, with significant increases in fatalities among Latino and foreign-born workers, the report shows. This year's report examined job safety enforcement in cases of worker deaths, finding that the average national total penalty in fatality investigations was just $10,133. "$10,000 for a worker's life is an outrage!" says AFL-CIO president John Sweeney. "It's clear that the workplace safety net has more holes than fabric, and it is costing too many American workers their lives." The release of the report comes in advance of the 20th Workers Memorial Day on April 28, which commemorates workers who were killed or injured in the past year.

[Read more.]

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENTS

MEETING DATES :

The 2008-2009 Building Representative Meeting Date schedule is now online. In addition, the list of BR's and officers for the 2008-2009 school year has been updated as well. Finally, The 2008-2009 school board meeting dates (as far in advance as we have them) have also been posted.

The First Executive Council date has been set for Monday, August 11th at 11 AM.  This meeting will also take place at the IFT Office.  Members of the executive council include the presidents of each of the following councils:  Assistants, Clerical, Custodial/Maintenance, Para Educators and Transportation as well as president and secretary of the HFSS.  If this applies to you and you are unable to attend this meeting, please contact Lynn Kearney or Dan Ralston ASAP.  At this meeting additional executive council meetings will be set, so please bring your calendar.

Finally, the first grievance meeting has been set as well.  Leah Krippner would like to meet with members of the grievance committee on Monday, August 11th at 1:00 PM.  This meeting will take place at the IFT Office.   At this meeting, additional grievance meetings will be set, so please bring your calendar. If you are a member of the Grievance Committee and you are unable to attend this meeting, please contact Leah Krippner ASAP. 

 

HFT EARNS NATIONAL RECOGNITION AND TOP HONORS FROM THE AFT FOR BEST WEB SITE, NEWSLETTER

Your HFT has earned top honors from the American Federation of Teachers Communicators' Network 2008 Awards Contest in no less than six different categories this year! The categories which the HFT brought home top honors for are:

  • Category I (General Excellence -- Publications for Print): FIRST PLACE: HFT Update
  • Category II (Best News Story): SECOND PLACE: "Deluca Fired from Harlem School District" (Jennifer Belfield)
  • Category V (Best Original Illustration or Photo): SECOND PLACE: "Deluca Rides a Lawn Mower" (Leah Krippner)
  • Category VI (Best Design/Layout): FIRST PLACE: HFT Update
  • Category VIII (Best Public Relations Activity -- Single Effort): FIRST PLACE: "Thank You, Harlem Community!" (Jennifer Belfield and Christine Franklin, The Post Journal, September 2007)
  • Category IX (Best Web Site): FIRST PLACE: www.harlemft.org

Jen Belfield and Mary Beth Westin will be attending the awards banquet in Chicago in July to accept the awards on behalf of the HFT.

 
HFT LATEST NEWS

HHS GRADUATING SENIOR WINS GOLDEN APPLE SCHOLAR AWARD

So you've never heard of the Golden Apple Scholar? Neither had Amy Pacheco until she received a letter from the committee indicating that she had been nominated by her high school guidance counselor, Emily Chovanec.

Amy Pacheco, 17, a senior at Harlem High School was named one of Illinois Golden Apple Scholars, a scholarship designed to entice worthy scholars to enter the teaching profession. The application process, says Amy, was far more rigorous than any college application she completed, including requiring eight essays!
As part of the requirement for the scholarship, Amy must teach for 5 years in an Illinois public school after she graduates. In return she is granted $2,500.00 per year for four years to attend any of 53 affiliated institutions. She plans to attend North Central College in Naperville in the fall.

In addition, she will complete special teaching methods coursework during the summers and be involved with structured internships involving tutoring and summer camps. The first two summers will be at DePaul University, the third summer will involve a summer camp experience, and the fourth summer will be at Elmhurst College. In return for the summer experience, she will receive $2,000.00 for each summer.

Amy aspires to teach U.S. history, following in the footsteps of her inspiration, David W. Johnson who teaches that course at Harlem High School. Although Amy has considered working with younger children, her work with the pre-school program at Harlem has lead her to conclude she would become to easily emotionally attached to the little guys. Further she suspects it will be easier to prepare one subject rather than all subjects.

In her off hours Amy works at Fairhaven Christian Retirement Center. Her favorite part of the job is eating leftover Jell-O. Her least favorite aspect is the picky people and having to wash dishes. She does enjoy socializing with the residents; she finds their stories amusing.

Amy identifies herself as a band kid. She has played clarinet since sixth grade and intends to continue in college.

Our hearty congratulations to Amy. Our profession will be honored to welcome her into the ranks when she graduates.



Joanne Woods, teacher at Machesney Elementary School, has been suffering from joint pain of late. After many tests and trips to the doctor's office, findings are consistent with a large right upper lobe mass in her lung. Primary lung malignancy was diagnosed. You can keep up to date on Joanne's progress and send her well wishes by visiting her Caring Bridge web site, being maintained by her daugther, by visiting here:

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/joannewoods

The HFT sends its well wishes for a speedy recovery for Joanne!

 


BLUE CROSS/BLUE SHIELD INSURANCE UPDATES
(5/14/08)

We are currently waiting on info regarding premiums for the 2008-09 school year. At this time the financials for 2007-08 are complete through April. The financial year for insurance runs through June 30. Somtime around this date we should have further info regarding premiums.

Currently expenditures are $6,097,618 for the first 10 months. Last year expenditures were $7,462,429, so with 2 months remaining an a average monthly expenditure of $609,761, we should be very close to last year's amount which is very good news.

Also, the revenues indicate that we could have a positive fund balance for the 3rd year in a row, which is also very good news.

As indicated the medical plan doc. is being proofed and questions are in the process of being clarified by and to BCBS and BPS. The intent is to make sure the new doc. under BCBS mirrors the old doc. under BSSI and includes the additions to the plan which were part of the negotiated contract. If the doc. is not finalized and printed by the end of the school year, we'll need to develop a plan for distribution during the summer for members who would like a copy in their hands.

The Delta Dental doc. has not been presented for our review at this time. We will pass on further info as we receive it.

THREE GRADUATING SENIORS CHOSEN FOR TONY BABCOCK SCHOLARSHIPS

Three $500 HFT Tony Babcock scholarships were announced at the Senior Awards Banquet on Tuesday, May 13th. The winners are:

Isaura Flores
Jordan Reifsteck
Rachelle Smoot

Congratulations, Scholarship winners, and good luck with your future endeavors!


MEETING MINUTES UPDATE


Meeting minutes for May's Building Representative meeting are now online.


POLITICAL ACTION

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Keep Tabs on Your Elected Officials

Our civic duties don't stop with just voting. All citizens have a duty to keep informed of what elected officials are up to, how they're voting on issues, and what issues they're giving voice to in the legislative process.

The HFT has made it super-easy for its members to keep tabs on our elected officials! Below the navigation menu on this page is a small form that will help you search for your elected officials' contact information, find issues currently up for debate in the legislation, and even help you contact the media in our area. Stay involved in our governmental process -- start searching today!

Become an AFT e-Activist

You will be part of a powerful network that connects you to the union's political and legislative program. Clicking the banner below will take you to a form to fill out to join the AFT e-Activist Network. By joining, you will be entered into a drawing to win one of several prizes, including a hot new Apple iPod nano.


JUST FOR FUN

Think YOU'VE had a bad evaluation? Check these out! These are actual quotes taken from Federal Government employee performance evaluations.

1. "Since my last report, this employee has reached rock-bottom and has started to dig."
2. "I would not allow this employee to breed."
3. "This employee is really not so much of a has-been, but more of a definite won't be."
4. "Works well when under constant supervision and cornered like a rat in a trap."
5. "When she opens her mouth, it seems that it is only to change feet."
6. "This young lady has delusions of adequacy."
7. "He sets low personal standards and then consistently fails to achieve them."
8. "This employee is depriving a village somewhere of an idiot."
9. "This employee should go far, and the sooner he starts the better."
10. "Got a full 6-pack, but lacks the plastic thingy to hold it all together"
11. "A gross ignoramus -- 144 times worse than an ordinary ignoramus."
12. "He doesn't have ulcers, but he's a carrier."
14. "I would like to go hunting with him sometime ."
15. "He's been working with glue too much."
16. "He would argue with a signpost."
17. "He brings a lot of joy whenever he leaves the room."
18. "When his IQ reaches 50, he should sell."
19. "If you see two people talking and one looks bored, he's the other one."
20. "A photographic memory but with the lens cover glued on."
21. "A prime candidate for natural de-selection."
22. "Donated his brain to science before he was done using it."
23. "Gates are down, the lights are flashing, but the train isn't coming."
24. "He's got two brain cells, one is lost and the other is out looking for it."
25. "If he were any more stupid, he'd have to be watered twice a week."
26. "If you give him a penny for his thoughts, you'd get change."
27. "If you stand close enough to him, you can hear the ocean."
28. "It's hard to believe he beat out 1,000,000 other sperm."
29. "One neuron short of a synapse."
30. "Some drink from the fountain of knowledge; he only gargled."
31. "Takes him 2 hours to watch '60-minutes'."

**************

TIRED OF THOSE HIGH PAID TEACHERS?

I, for one, am sick and tired of those highly paid teachers. Their hefty salaries are driving up taxes, and they only work nine or ten months a year!

It's time we put things into perspective and pay them for what they do...baby-sit! We can get that for less than minimum wage. That's right...I would give them $3.00 an hour and only the hours they worked, not any of that silly planning time. That would be 15 dollars a day. Each parent should pay 15 dollars a day for these teachers to baby-sit their children.

Now, how many do they teach in a day...maybe 25? That's 15 x 25=$375 a day. But remember they only work 180 days a year! I'm not going to pay them for any vacations. Let's see...that's 375 x 180=$67,500.00. (Hold on, my calculator must need batteries!)

What about those special teachers or the ones with master's degrees? Well, we could pay them minimum wage just to be fair. Let's round it off to $6.00 an hour. That would be $6 an hour. That would be $6 times 5 hours times 25 children times 180 days=$135,000.00 per year. Wait a minute, there is something wrong here!!! There sure is, duh!!!

**************

The dinner guests were sitting around the table discussing life. One man, a CEO, decided to explain the problem with education. He argued: "What's a kid going to learn from someone who decided his best option in life was to become a teacher?" He reminded the other dinner guests that it's true what they say about teachers:"Those who can...do. Those who can't, teach."

To corroborate, he said to another guest: "You're a teacher, Susan. Be honest. What do you make?"

Susan, who had a reputation of honesty and frankness, replied, "You want to know what I make? "I make kids work harder than they ever thought they could."

"I can make a C+ feel like a Congressional Medal of Honor and an A- feel like a slap in the face if the student did not do his or her very best. I can make kids sit through 40 minutes of study hall in absolute silence. I can make parents tremble in fear when I call home.

"You want to know what I make? I make kids wonder. I make them question. I make them criticize. I make them apologize and mean it. I make them write. I make them read, read, read. I make them spell definitely beautiful, definitely beautiful, and definitely beautiful over and over and over again, until they will never misspell either one of those words again. I make them show all their work in math and hide it all on their final drafts in English.

"I make them understand that if you have the brains, then follow your heart...and if someone ever tries to judge you by what you make, you pay them no attention.

"You want to know what I make? I make a difference."

-Shared through the Internet ~ Author Unknown

© 2008 Harlem Federation of Teachers, all rights reserved.
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