MEETINGS
JOIN US FOR OUR Regular chapter meeting: 5/06/24 Monday 5:30-6:30pm
We've heard from many members this week who received very unexpected increases to their caseloads or had their special assignment days converted to caseload. Following the truly bananas kinder transition policy change and with only seven weeks left in the school year, members are reporting that these changes are ill timed and unwelcome, to say the least.
Please join us at our upcoming chapter meetings. Let's talk through what is happening, why it's happening and what we can do to protect reasonable workload and push back on these district decisions.
Also, please mark your calendars for the UTLA rally on 5/07/24 at Beaudry. We are hoping to coordinate with school psychs and other SPED itinerant chapters to rally together and then go out to eat nearby.
In solidarity,
Kyoko, Sally, Sara and Leah
4/26/24 Friday lunchtime meeting:
Please join us next Friday from 12:30 to 1:00pm! Let's talk some more about transition assessments and reasonable workload.
Chapter chair self-nomination:
From the recent UTLA email, "Self-nominations are now open to become Chapter Chair for the 2024-2025 school year. Chapter Chairs are the critical contract enforcer, communicator, and lead organizer for your worksite. All union victories — including 2023 wins to lower class sizes, increase staffing, save healthcare, and increase salaries by 21% — are built from having strong Chapter Chairs who drive organizing at their sites.
Any UTLA member in good standing who has spent a majority of their work time within the chapter for at least two calendar months before submitting the self-nomination form is eligible to become Chapter Chair.
The deadline to self-nominate is April 26. Elections will be held only at chapters where more than one member has self-nominated. If only one member from a chapter self-nominates, they will become the Chapter Chair upon completion of the Notice of Chapter Chair Election form, which will be emailed after April 26."
Here is the link to the self-nomination form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSctoT5TmJFZ7udUGTe4yJJjt8rd4xCS5931ORS5IZy1gW3QlA/viewform
May 7th UTLA Rally at Van Nuys Civic Center:
Please mark your calendar and check out this week's UTLA email for details and RSVP for the rally: https://mailchi.mp/utla/all-member-4-19-24?e=8cb326c507
04.04.2024.
Hi, UTLA SLPs,
Our next chapter meeting is next Monday, 4/08/24 at 5:30pm. The topic will be the new guidance on Kindergarten transition assessments.
Thank you to everyone who shared their thoughts on the new guidance! Many members have concerns about workload. Based on responses to our google form:
7.5% report that their workload will be reasonable
17% report that they are unsure
75.5% report that their workload will be unreasonable
Other concerns mentioned include: inconsistent responses from APs, impact on treatment minutes and 70% benchmark letters and comp time and performance evaluations, impact on previously scheduled initial assessments, rescinding PALs assessment plans that were sent out per earlier guidance and general overwhelm.
UTLA members have contract protection for reasonable workload - even when the district makes sweeping changes with unreasonable timelines and inadequate staffing and resources. The district can not continue to expect us to work for no additional pay outside our contract hours. Please join us at Monday's meeting to talk through concrete ideas and solidarity to maintain a reasonable workload.
Zoom link will go out before the meeting via GroupMe and email.
One last thing from this week's UTLA email:
Self-nominations are now open to be Chapter Chair for the 2024-2025 school year.
Chapter Chairs are the critical contract enforcer, communicator, and lead organizer for your worksite. All union victories — including 2023 wins to lower class, increase staffing, save healthcare, and increase salary by 21% — are built from having strong Chapter Chairs who drive organizing at their sites.
Any UTLA member in good standing who has spent a majority of their work time within the chapter for at least two calendar months before submitting the self-nomination form is eligible to become Chapter Chair.
The deadline to self-nominate is April 26. Elections will be held at chapters where more than one member has self-nominated. If only one member from a chapter self-nominates, they will become the Chapter Chair upon completion of the Notice of Chapter Chair Election form, which will be emailed to them after April 26.
In solidarity,
Kyoko, Sally, Leah and Sara
Hi, UTLA SLPs,
We are having a quick lunch time chapter meeting today to discuss the updated PK assessment guidance, contract protections for reasonable workload, and options and supports.
Thank you to all who have filled out the google form for feedback about this guidance. If you haven't had a chance, here is the link: https://forms.gle/uzupNcMdsyvozqBo9
Today's meeting will be from 12:15-12:45pm.
CHECK YOUR EMAIL FOR THE LINK!
Hi, UTLA SLPs!
We are excited to talk about assignments! So we are re-scheduling our March meeting chapter meetings a little earlier.
Please join us next week:
Thursday, March 7th 5:30-6:30
Friday, March 8th 12:00-12:30
As usual, zoom information will go out before the meeting via email and GroupMe.
Here is the new contract language on itinerant assignments:
Article IX-A Section 12.0
Uniform Staffing Procedure for Itinerant Assignments: Dependent on the administrative structure of the itinerant department, the District shall provide itinerant employees with a tentative list of available positions or programs/regions/Local Districts/administrative/supervisory areas prior to the distribution of the preference form, however the parties acknowledge that the tentative list is based on projections and therefore subject to change. Supervisors shall assign itinerant employees by an assignment method determined by each itinerant program in consultation with the UTLA Chapter Chair, in order of seniority considering other factors such as District/Program need, continuity of services, geography and the unique/area expertise of the service provider. The only exception shall occur when the supervisor reasonably determines with documentation that any specific assignment is not in the best interest of the education program. If the exception determination is disputed, the employee may appeal the initial assignment to the Department Head or designee for final resolution of the matter.* The District shall make every effort to notify the employees of assignment changes no less than one (1) week before the end of the school year with the understanding that such assignments are subject to change.
Leah sent an email earlier about the Friday Contract 101 meeting, but in case you missed it:
We are very excited to schedule our second Contract Language 101 Meeting on March 8, 2024 at 12:00pm. We will be discussing the new contract language regarding assignments including assignment preference forms, list of available school sites, and seniority rankings. Even though this is an extensive topic, we do have to keep the meeting to our contracted lunch. But as always, if you have any questions or concerns feel free to reach out to us.
Ok, talk soon!
In solidarity,
Kyoko, Sara, Leah and Sally
Hi, UTLA SLPs,
I hope everyone is staying warm and dry!
Just a reminder that we will have a meeting for PK Intake providers tomorrow. All current PK Intake providers are welcome!
PK Intake providers meeting
Wednesday February 21st at 5:30pm
Zoom info will go out before the meeting via email and GroupMe
Hope to see a lot of you there!
In unity,
Kyoko
We wanted to give an update on our Lunchtime Contract Language 101 Meetings. The purpose of these meetings is to review and interpret contract language, discuss "hot topic" items that are relevant to all or most providers (e.g., MOU for additional initial assessments), and talk more about benefits that we as union members have access to. These meetings are intended to be brief, as our contracted lunch is only 30 minutes. Our intention is to quickly share out information and pass along resources in hopes of increasing member involvement. That being said, if there is a topic you'd like to discuss, please please e-mail us!
Our first first will be Friday, February 16, 2024 at 12:00pm. Zoom link to follow. Luke Fox who is an Area Representative for the National Teachers Associates (NTA) Life Insurance Company will be talking a little bit about supplemental insurance. If you are unable to attend, we will pass along his contact information. He is happy to meet with you, and even a family member, to discuss in more detail.
--
Sent in unity from:
Sara McDonald, Kyoko Bristow, Sally Machado and Leah Mashian
UTLA LAS Chapter Chairs
CONTRACT LANGUAGE 101 MEETINGS
Topic: Contract Language 101 Meetings
Time: Feb 16, 2024 12:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)
Every week on Fri, until Jun 7, 2024, 17 occurrence(s)
Feb 16, 2024 12:00 PM
Feb 23, 2024 12:00 PM
Mar 1, 2024 12:00 PM
Mar 8, 2024 12:00 PM
Mar 15, 2024 12:00 PM
Mar 22, 2024 12:00 PM
Mar 29, 2024 12:00 PM
Apr 5, 2024 12:00 PM
Apr 12, 2024 12:00 PM
Apr 19, 2024 12:00 PM
Apr 26, 2024 12:00 PM
May 3, 2024 12:00 PM
May 10, 2024 12:00 PM
May 17, 2024 12:00 PM
May 24, 2024 12:00 PM
May 31, 2024 12:00 PM
Jun 7, 2024 12:00 PM
SEE YOUR EMAIL FOR THE ZOOM LINK!
If you haven't received the email or don't seem to be on our list REACH OUT TO US AT utlalaschapter@gmail.com
Hi, UTLA SLPs,
Please join us at our next chapter meeting on:
Monday 2/12/24 at 5:00pm via Zoom
email us for the link on utlalaschapter@gmail.com
We are jumping in to the new and very exciting contract language on assignments! Please bring your ideas and concerns about assignments.
Article IX-A Section 12.0
Uniform Staffing Procedure for Itinerant Assignments: Dependent on the administrative structure of the itinerant department, the District shall provide itinerant employees with a tentative list of available positions or programs/regions/Local Districts/administrative/supervisory areas prior to the distribution of the preference form, however the parties acknowledge that the tentative list is based on projections and therefore subject to change. Supervisors shall assign itinerant employees by an assignment method determined by each itinerant program in consultation with the UTLA Chapter Chair, in order of seniority considering other factors such as District/Program need, continuity of services, geography and the unique/area expertise of the service provider. The only exception shall occur when the supervisor reasonably determines with documentation that any specific assignment is not in the best interest of the education program. If the exception determination is disputed, the employee may appeal the initial assignment to the Department Head or designee for final resolution of the matter.* The District shall make every effort to notify the employees of assignment changes no less than one (1) week before the end of the school year with the understanding that such assignments are subject to change.
Zoom info will go out before the meeting via email and GroupMe.
See you soon!
In solidarity,
Kyoko
Happy Friday (2.2.24) , UTLA SLPs! Hope you are all staying warm and getting ready for the weekend!
We wanted to give an update on our Lunchtime Contract Language 101 Meetings. The purpose of these meetings is to review and interpret contract language, discuss "hot topic" items that are relevant to all or most providers (e.g., MOU for additional initial assessments), and talk more about benefits that we as union members have access to. These meetings are intended to be brief, as our contracted lunch is only 30 minutes. Our intention is to quickly share out information and pass along resources in hopes of increasing member involvement. That being said, if there is a topic you'd like to discuss, please please e-mail us!
Our first first will be Friday, February 16, 2024 at 12:00pm. Zoom link to follow. Luke Fox who is an Area Representative for the National Teachers Associates (NTA) Life Insurance Company will be talking a little bit about supplemental insurance. If you are unable to attend, we will pass along his contact information. He is happy to meet with you, and even a family member, to discuss in more detail.
--
Sent in unity from:
Sara McDonald, Kyoko Bristow, Sally Machado and Leah Mashian
UTLA LAS Chapter Chairs
Happy Friday, UTLA SLPs!
Here are a few updates and one last minute opportunity:
School board canvassing: Get your steps in with other SLPs and help elect your next bosses! We will be canvassing together as a chapter on Saturday February 3rd.
16340 Roscoe Blvd, Van Nuys 91406
10am-2pm
Lunchtime Contract 101 meetings - Our first topic is NTA supplemental insurance. Please fill out this google form and let us know the best day to schedule these meetings:
Z time for initial assessment email template - One of our amazing UTLA SLPs shared this email template to send to specialists to request payment per the MOU:
Re: Initial Assessments, I have met the criteria outlined in the MOU* of the current UTLA contract. I have also completed the Assessment Log on Sharepoint (I've attached screenshots for your reference).
You'll see:[Number} completed Initial assessments so far this year (signed IEPs).
Plus [Number] more Initial assessments that have been uploaded to Welligent.
Plus [Number] more signed Initial assessment plans.
Would you please provide me with guidance on how to be compensated for each of the initial assessments beyond 5?
*MOU: Special Education Initial Assessments reads the following: "RST & DIS providers within 3 of the caseload maximums (55) as provided by section 15 shall be compensated up to 2 hours of pay at their regular hourly rate for each initial assessment beyond 5 per year."
New contract language on Itinerant Assignments - In addition to our pay raises (WOOT!) and our reduced on site commitment (WOOT WOOT!), we also won new language on our assignment method in the last contract. Darlene Haezaert, UTLA SPED area representative, is hosting a zoom meeting on Monday January 29th at 6:00pm to discuss the new language and what it could mean for SPED itinerant assignments. We will share the zoom information as soon as we get it. Here is the new language from Article IX-A Section 12.0:
Uniform Staffing Procedure for Itinerant Assignments: Dependent on the administrative structure of the itinerant department, the District shall provide itinerant employees with a tentative list of available positions or programs/regions/Local Districts/administrative/supervisory areas prior to the distribution of the preference form, however the parties acknowledge that the tentative list is based on projections and therefore subject to change. Supervisors shall assign itinerant employees by an assignment method determined by each itinerant program in consultation with the UTLA Chapter Chair, in order of seniority considering other factors such as District/Program need, continuity of services, geography and the unique/area expertise of the service provider. The only exception shall occur when the supervisor reasonably determines with documentation that any specific assignment is not in the best interest of the education program. If the exception determination is disputed, the employee may appeal the initial assignment to the Department Head or designee for final resolution of the matter.* The District shall make every effort to notify the employees of assignment changes no less than one (1) week before the end of the school year with the understanding that such assignments are subject to change. *Refer to the parties’ “Itinerant Assignment Dispute Resolution Process” MOU for the Spring of 2024 and Spring of 2025.
Hope everyone enjoys this gorgeous weekend!
In solidarity,
Kyoko, Sarah, Sally and Leah
UTLA LAS chapter chair
Hi, UTLA SLPs,
Happy weekend!
Please join us on Monday 1/22/24 at 5:00pm for a UTLA LAS chapter meeting via Zoom.
We will be discussing solidarity with SEIU Local 99, school board races and chapter organization. Please bring any questions or concerns you have about Z time for initial assessments or assignments or contractual parking protections or anything else that's on your mind!
Zoom info will go out via email and GroupMe before the meeting.
In unity,
Sara, Leah, Sally and Kyoko
10.20.2023
Happy weekend, UTLA SLPs!
Just a quick reminder of our chapter meeting next week - with UTLA updates from special guest, UTLA Treasurer Gloria Martinez.
Chapter Meeting: Monday, October 23 at 5:00pm
We are looking forward to discussing:
Healthcare Agreement Voting 10/24-10/26/23 at school sites
School Board election updates
Our new Working Group on PK intake
Our first chapter working group was convened in January 2022 to address reduced on site commitment. We had a successful outcome! This time we are focusing on solutions for PK intake. We will get the Working Group started at our Monday meeting.
Here is an introduction from Komal and Leah, who will be leading the working group:
With all the recent changes in intake, we want to start organizing to make sure we all have a reasonable workload, clear guidelines, and a respectful work environment.
If you are interested in having your voice heard and being a part of making these changes happen, join our preschool intake working group! The initial commitment of this group is two meetings (November 6 and November 27). We will begin at our next chapter meeting on October 23.
For PK intake providers who aren't able to make the Working Group meetings, we have a google form to share ideas:
https://forms.gle/GANs3ydddGFStuca9
Zoom link will go out via email and GroupMe before the meeting. See you soon!
In unity,
Kyoko, Sally, Sara, and Leah
UTLA Language and Speech chapter chairs
Hi, UTLA SLPs,
So great to see everyone this evening! We are UTLA!
Exciting news - we have chapter gear! Big thanks to Leah Mashian for organizing this. Here's a link to the etsy shop (run by a UTLA teacher) with three UTLA SLP items: two t shirt designs and one sweatshirt. AND Leah scored a discount code good through September 30th: LEAHUTLA
https://www.etsy.com/shop/FriendsTshirtCo?ref=shop-header-name&listing_id=1523508024&page=1#items
Also wanted to send out some resources we shared at the meeting:
New salary tables: https://www.lausd.org/Page/4045
District payroll site (to see your paystubs)
From school site: ess.lausd.net
From home: lausd.gpcloudservice.com
How to read your paystub: https://utla.net/app/uploads/2022/12/Understanding-Your-LAUSD-Paycheck-12.5.22.pdf
Paystub FAQ: https://utla.net/app/uploads/2023/04/UTLA-FAQS-Salary-Increase-and-Retro-Payments-20230831b.pdf
Contact information for payroll questions and concerns: payrollsupport@lausd.net, 213-241-2570
Finally, here are some upcoming events:
UTLA Area meetings: October 4th
UTLA HHS and SPED committee meetings: September 13th
Next chapter meeting: Monday October 23rd 5:00pm
Retirement Webinar: October 28th 8:00-1:00pm
In solidarity,
Kyoko, Sara, Sally, and Leah
Hi, UTLA SLPs,
You are warmly invited to our UTLA LAS chapter meeting tomorrow!
Monday, 9/11/23
5:00pm
Zoom info will go out before the meeting via email and GroupMe
To join our GroupMe, please check out our website: www.utlaslp.net
Some topics on the agenda:
Healthcare bargaining update
Recent pay raises and retro pay: resources to check for accuracy
Contract review: caseload
Open forum: what are you concerned about? what supports do we need? what could our chapter organize around this year?
WE are UTLA!
In unity,
Kyoko, Leah, Sara, and Sally
OUR FIRST MEETING THIS SCHOOL YEAR WIL BE MONDAY 21ST AUGUST AT 5PM ON ZOOM
Join us on Zoom for our first meeting of the year.
We'll be talking you through the break down of the RETRO CHECKS and the RAISES we won as a result of our SOLIDARITY STRIKE and bargaining.
Good news - the updated salary tables are up! These include the raise increments and salary table bumps. (3% + 4% + bump + 3%)
Join us for our next UTLA LAS chapter meeting to go over these tables and review how to read your paystub. We will also prepare for the retro check. The district has confirmed that the raises, salary bumps and retro checks will be included in the September paycheck.
If are on our list look for the email with the link in your inbox!
If you didn't receive the email, or are not on our list email us on:
See you next Monday!
In solidarity,
Kyoko, Leah, Sara, and Sally
Happy summer, UTLA SLPs!
Quick reminder of our in person meet up this Thursday 6/29/23 at Descanso Gardens cafe at 1:30 or whenever you can make it after ESY.
No need to buy a ticket unless you’d like to go in to the gardens - the cafe is a lovely area just in front. Everyone is welcome! SLPs, SLPAs, per diems, former members, babies - everyone! Hope to see you soon!
In unity,
Kyoko, Sara, Leah and Sally
Hi, UTLA SLPs,
We will hold an extra chapter meeting this month to go over the tremendous wins in the Tentative Agreement.
Thursday, 4/27/23 at 5:00pm
We will review the many articles that apply to us, including: raises, additional salary increases, on site hours, assessments, and more! Thanks to everyone who sent in questions about the TA. We will go through all of those and leave time for more questions during the meeting.
We will also hold a lunchtime meeting on Friday, 4/28/23 at noon. This meeting is limited to thirty minutes because it is during our duty-free lunch period, so we likely won't have time for Q&A. If you have a question, please try to make the Thursday meeting. Zoom links will go out via email ahead of each meeting.
If you haven't seen the summary of the Tentative Agreement yet, here is a link:
https://mailchi.mp/utla/20230418?e=8cb326c507
Here is a link to our google form for questions about the TA:
https://forms.gle/pm4DpMV9fuo1vzxFA
Voting on the Tentative Agreement will be in person at school sites. Voting will be three days - May 2nd, May 3rd, May 4th. Itinerant staff will vote via challenge ballot. We will share in more detail at the meetings.
Hope to see you soon!
In solidarity,
Kyoko and Sara
JOIN US FOR OUR NEXT ZOOM MEETING!
Monday, 4/17/23 at 5:00pm on zoom.
Here's a few quick updates from 3.29.23.'s UTLA area meetings:
95% of UTLA members participated in solidarity strike with SEIU 99! So excited and very proud that our chapter was well represented in this powerful action.
Hopefully everyone has heard by now - but the strike had immediate impact for SEIU 99. They got an amazing agreement that their membership is voting on soon. Celebrate with your SLPA!
The strike has also resulted in good movement for UTLA bargaining. Please join us at our next chapter meeting for details - but our 6 hour on site commitment is still on the platform and listed as a bargaining priority.
LAUSD board adopted instructional calendars for 23-24, 24-25, and 25-26 at their meeting on Tuesday. In response, UTLA has made an immediate request to bargain the calendar. They have also filed another UPC as a change in working conditions.
We are staying strike ready but there are no current plans to strike. You might hear your school sites talk about faculty meeting boycotts. These boycotts are an escalating action to keep pressure on bargaining. But our LAS program meetings do not fall within this boycott, as they are during our paid contractual time.
The district reported that their reserve has grown from $4.9 billion to $5.1 billion. Wow.
Hope you have an awesome spring break! See you at our next chapter meeting on Monday, 4/19/23 at 5:00pm on zoom.
In unity,
Kyoko and Sara
Hi, UTLA SLPs,
Thanks so much to everyone who attended and shared information and encouragement! We got this, team!!
Here are the links from the meeting:
UTLA webpage for SEIU strike - check here for your picket site: SEIU 99 Solidarity Strike 3/21-3/23 - UTLA
FAQ for SEIU strike: FAQ: SEIU Solidarity Strike March 21-23 - UTLA
Legal Protections memo: 2023.3.13.Memo_re_Strike_Rights.pdf (mcusercontent.com)
Notice to district letter: Microsoft Word - Notification of Solidarity Strike (3-16-23).docx (utla.net)
Aaaaaaand...thanks to Leah Mashian and Sally Machado, we have a UTLA LAS chapter instagram: https://www.instagram.com/utla_slps/
Please follow and share your rally and strike photos!
Keep your eyes open for emails from UTLA and from us - we will share updates as soon as we get them.
Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend. Hang in there and please reach out if you need anything.
In solidarity,
Kyoko and Sara
Sally Machado and Leah Mashian will be hosting lunchtime chapter meetings! Please join them Friday, March 5th at 12:00pm on zoom. Link will be sent out via email on Thursday.
MONDAYS MEETING topic is Part Time assignments! We are so lucky to have three amazing district SLPs who have part time assignments joining us to answer all the questions!
See you on Monday, February 27th at 5:00pm on zoom.
ALSO VERY EXCITING - Next month’s meeting topic is Part Time assignments! We are so lucky to have three amazing district SLPs who have part time assignments joining us to answer all the questions! See you on Monday, February 27th at 5:00pm on zoom.
UTLA Pre-Retirement Webinar - This is usually offered twice yearly. It has very exhaustive info on CalSTRS and district healthcare benefits - great for any point in your career. Link to register
Check your email for the link.
If you can't find it email us at
SEE YOU THERE AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!!
Hello everyone,
We hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving break!
Tomorrow we will be hosting a meetingat 5pm today (11.2822) to update everyone on the Bargaining Session Kyoko and I attended.
Check your email for the link or email us if you don't get the meeting announcement email
Our next meeting is Monday, 11/14/22 at 5:00pm - with special guest, Arlene Inouye! Arlene is the current UTLA Secretary and co-chair of the bargaining team - and former East area SLP! She will join us to share bargaining updates and hear from us about our chapter priorities.
3.2.22
Hello everyone,
Welcome to March! We had an excellent Chapter Meeting last week and we just wanted to pass along some highlights to you all.
1. We are hearing from some members that they have been offered caseload relief, for example through Z-time or caseload numbers being decreased. If you feel that you need help and have not yet contacted your specialist, or have not heard back from them, we'd recommend sending out an email ASAP!
2. Member plug: Charlotte Buchanon, a UTLA LAS member sits on the LAUSD Board of Education Special Education Committee and put in a plug for it. They have two more meetings this year (3/10 and 5/12) and include School Board members, as well as Larisa Crookston, head of Related Services. If you have an issue that you would like to raise to this committee and get airtime, you can make public comment! Get more information about the agenda here: http://laschoolboard.org/03-10-22SpEd
3. Resources tip from Cathleen Villarreal: For access to Brain Pop, Nat Geo Kids and more, ask one of your teachers to be added as a co-teacher on Schoology!
Looking forward to seeing you all at our next chapter meeting on 3/24 at 5 pm!
In unity,
the LAS Chapter Chairs
Hi, UTLA SLPs,
Awesome meeting yesterday JANUARY ! Quickly, here are a few things we discussed:
1. Alexa Abadee filled us in on what’s happening to Pio Pico Middle School. Please sign and share their petition!
https://www.change.org/p/stop-lausd-from-dissolving-pio-pico-middle-school
2. We looked at UTLA’s Beyond Recovery platform to prepare for the all member vote taking place February 16-18. Very exciting to see HHS and SPED issues represented!
3. We dreamed a little about what it might be like to organize together around what’s important to us - like workload, workspace, PALs assessments, illness and parental leave coverage. Feeling hopeful!
Looking forward to seeing you at our next chapter meeting on Thursday, February 24th at 5:00pm.
Our working group for 6 hour on-site commitment will be meeting again on Thursday, February 10th at 5:00pm.
Zoom links for both meetings will be emailed a few days before.
In unity,
Heather, Sara and Kyoko
NOVEMBER MEETING SUMMARY
Happy (almost) Halloween everyone!
I can't believe it's almost November! We had such wonderful conversations during our October meetings--sharing strategies about how to advocate for ourselves as this massively hectic year unfolds.
Here are some updates from last week's meetings:
1. Our $2,500 technology stipends will be delivered in December and our 5% raises will be delivered in January, with the retroactive raise portion being a separate paycheck (subject to change, but this is the current District plan). You all deserve it for the work you are putting in!
2. Some members reported feeling that they should not reach out to their supervisors for support--we want to encourage you to email your Specialist, even if it seems like everyone is in the same boat. If your numbers are over 55 or your workload is unreasonable, you need caseload relief or support.
3. Private Unenrolled 1989 preschool strategy: Offer three time slots. For those parents who may prefer a different time slot, let them know who is already in it! For example, I would love to schedule you on Tuesday at 11, but that group has three fourth graders...
4. If you have an uncovered split, some members have had those students removed from their Welligent caseload lists. If this has not been offered to you, contact your Specialist!
5. Our workload questionnaire is still open! When you do your monthly reports this week, pass that information on to us in our Google form! How many assessments do you think you can reasonably complete in a year? We are guessing four per month--or 36 in a year. Let us know what you think! Your information powers our bargaining and organizing!
November Chapter Meetings: In the spirit of the intimate and powerful conversations we had this month, we will hold one meeting after-work in November:
Tuesday, 11/2 at 5 pm
We know that our department has not been able to offer us any new supports this year, despite the unprecedented onslaught of assessments and new student needs. This month's meetings will center around sharing our experiences and strategies for workload. We want to hear your stories and how you have advocated for yourselves. If you have needs right now and don't know where to turn, this meeting is an open door to consult with your colleagues!
In unity,
The LAS Chapter Chairs
LAS Meeting 11-4.pptx
