Herricks Teachers' Association

Common Core Updates and Info

Dear Colleagues,

I wanted to share two links to keep you updated and informed. The first link, "Student Speaks Out on C.C." shows a student's sentiments on C.C., testing and changes in education:

http://www.realfarmacy.com/this-high-school-students-speech-on-the-problems-of-modern-education-will-leave-you-mind-blown/

The second link has excerpts of Commissioner King's Forum in Mineola on Nov. 13, 2013:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uo9GcZgy-S8&feature=youtu.be

In addition, many of you have asked for clarification on opting out of testing for your own children. I am including the information

Meetings & Events for Nov.18 -24, 2013 and Common Core Forum

Senator Martin sponsored Commissioner King's Forum last Wednesday, Nov. 13th at Mineola H.S.. This event was open to constituents in Senator Martin's district. HTA members from each school, as well as, administrators, board members, PTA members, parents and community members attended this event. The meeting lasted about three hours. The program was divided into four segments. The topics discussed were:

Common Core Rollout
APPR
Testing & Opting Out
Student Privacy - "In Bloom"

Questions had to be pre-submitted and were asked by representatives of the variety of invited communities. Senator Martins

Week's Events 11/12 - 11/15

Below is the list of this week's events which will have HTA representation by some or all of us.

Best,

Nidya Degliomini

President

Herricks Teachers' Association

Meetings and Events for Nov. 12 - Nov. 15, 2013

Tues., Nov. 12:

*HTA Executive Council Meeting 3:15 p.m. C.C. Room 111

*Health & Safety Meeting 4:00 p.m.

Wed., Nov. 13:

*Commissioner King's Forum - 4 p.m. Mineola H.S.

*PTA District Council - 7:30 C.C. Room 208

Thurs., Nov. 14:

*SEPTA Meeting -7:30 p.m. Searingtown

A Forum Outside of the Forum - Please join us and Take Action Long Island!

If you are tired of high stakes testing, APPR nonsense and more, this chance to give voice to those concerns at a peaceful and respectful protest would be a way to get involved and take action. Hope to see you there.

A Forum Outside of the Forum

An Invitation

On October 11th, Commissioner John B. King Jr. canceled the remaining State PTA sponsored education forums, including the one that was scheduled to take place in Garden City a few days later, prompting calls for King's resignation.

The State Board of Regents responded by announcing a new schedule of forums to be held throughout the state

HTA Update & Nov. 7, 2013 BOE Meeting Synopsis

Dear Colleagues,

In the last week and a half the BOE president reached out to me indicating that the BOE wanted to commence negotiations, for the teachers' contract which expires on June 30, 2014, as soon as possible and hopes to reach some accord prior to 2014-2015 budget presentation in February. The BOE president and I had a frank discussion about our joint concerns over the continuing effects and implications of the Tax Cap in Herricks.

After receiving the Board's letter and a subsequent telephone conversation with the BOE president, I met with our HTA Executive Council, Professional

Meeting with Commissioner King

Dear Colleagues,

As per Dr. Bierwirth's email, Senator Jack Martins will be moderating a meeting with Commissioner King on Wed., Nov 13th at Mineola H.S. from 4 -6 p.m. There are a limited number of teacher tickets (approx. 2 -3 per building) available for distribution to this event.

Please notify your building reps via email by Fri., Nov. 8th at noon if you are interested in attending this event. Also note that if the number of teachers interested in attending this event from your building exceeds the number of available tickets a lottery will determine who goes to the event.

Thanks for your