Regents Update

The Board of Regents met on Feb. 10th and were poised to vote on some course corrections. The vote was held on Feb 11th with regard to the rollout of Common Core, state tests and APPR. You can read the press release and the proposed changes here. http://www.oms.nysed.gov/press/regents-adjust-common-core-implementation.html

The Governor did not agree with the Regents. You can read his brief comments here. http://www.governor.ny.gov/press/02102014-governor-cuomo-statement

At Feb. 11th's vote by the Regents, as the pressure from the Governor mounted, the Regents pulled their “course corrections”

Will Cuomo retreat from the Common Core?

Dear Colleagues,

Thought you'd find this article regarding the State legislature's latest push to delay implementing the Common Core informative.

We have now used the last Snow Day on the calendar, so school will be in session on the fourth contingency day, Mon., April 14th. I am looking into what will be done regarding making up any other Snow Days that may be called this year. Enjoy today and hope you are safe and warm.

In unity,

Nidya Degliomini

President

Herricks Teachers' Association

http://www.capitalnewyork.com/article/albany/2014/02/8539850/will-cuomo-retreat-common-core

Article in The Williston Times

Dear Colleagues,

In the interest of keeping you informed, I am including a link to an article found online from one of the local papers about negotiations in Herricks. This identical article can also be found in the Jan. 31, 2014 edition of the Williston Times, entitled, "Teachers, board clash after 1st meet - Union prez blasts district for posting contract proposal online, sending in e-mail."

You can see the article online by clicking here

In unity,

Nidya Degliomini

President

Herricks Teachers' Association

BOE's Negotiations Update for the Community on Herricks' Website

Dear Colleagues,

We recently began negotiations on the Teachers' and Teaching Assistants' Contracts with the BOE and met only once. At that meeting we exchanged proposals. Our second meeting was cancelled due to the snowstorm on Tuesday.

We entered this process with expectations that negotiations were going to be very difficult during these trying times, but forged ahead as professionals wanting to work toward attempting to reach a fair successor agreement with the BOE.

On Friday afternoon, Jan. 24th, the BOE sent out a listserve memo to the community providing a "Negotiations Update for the

Update on Board Of Education Meeting Jan. 23, 2014

Dear Colleagues,

Hope you weathered well during the recent storm. I know dismissal was difficult and many of you had a very long, hard and dangerous commute home on Tuesday in the storm. Dismissal procedures during storms like this will be discussed with administration.

Below is a synopsis of the BOE Meeting on Jan. 23, 2014:

*Presentation by Stephanie Knowles on the M.S. Special Education Program

*It was reported that there was an increase of $422,000 in the State Aid Proposal for 2014- 2015. This equates to four classroom teachers. Board will wait for budget to see how

Update Jan.13, 2014

Dear Colleagues,

Happy New Year! As we begin a new calendar year we have much to be proud of and many tasks ahead of us. My hope is that 2014 brings you good health, happiness and success in all you do. My utmost wish is that we continue to join together to build a strong HTA that always works, supports and is there for one another.

Below is a synopsis of the BOE Meeting on Jan. 9, 2014:

*BOE met with H.S. students.

*Students submitted questions prior to meeting. Various topics discussed included: Common Core, cuts in programs, large class sizes, Tax Cap, Testing, lunch menu

Herricks Community Players Auditions!

The Herricks Community Players are holding auditions for their production of Funny Girl.

Details can be found here in the flyer.

Herricks Community Fund - 18th Annual Dinner Dance

Inequality for All

The EWTA (East Williston Teachers' Association) will be hosting a professional development opportunity for their members and would like to extend it to our membership as well.

On January 27th, 2014 from 4 to 7 the EWTA will be offering a 3 hour workshop that includes viewing and discussing the film Inequality For All. The screening and discussion will take place at The Wheatley School, 11 Bacon Road, Old Westbury, NY 11596.

The trailer for the film can be found at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9REdcxfie3M

If you would like to join,

RSVP to Meryl Fordin runmbf@yahoo.com

A hard copy of the flyer

Week's Meetings & Events Dec. 16 - Dec. 20, 2013

Meetings and Events for Dec. 16 - Dec. 20, 2013

Mon., Dec. 16:

*PNC Meeting - Teaching Assistants - 3 p.m. C.C. Room 111

Tues., Dec. 17:

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

*PNC Meeting - 3:40 C.C. Room 111

*HTA Governing Board 4:00 C.C. Room 208

Wed., Dec. 18:

*Community Fund Meeting - 7:30 C.C.

News

Herricks Teachers' Association