From our friends at the Democratic Women's PAC of Maryland:

As the holidays end and we enter this new year, we are called upon to assist the community of Newtown, Conn. in its rebuilding efforts. This week, a coalition of education leaders joined in announcing the creation of a donation website, DonorsChoose.org/Newtown, dedicated to supporting the classroom efforts of teachers in Newtown. ...

Please use the following links

http://www.lbeach.org/resources/long_beach_donations_amazon

Amazon.com: Lido School: LBNY Lido First Grade Wish List

The results for the 2012 Chapter elections are in.  All terms are to begin on 2/1/2013 and end at the end of the day on 1/31/2014.

President - Lori Zaikowski

Secretary / Treasurer - Fred Rispoli

Chair, Negotiating Committee - Albert Inserra

Chair, Liaison Committee - Brian Stipelman

Member, Negotiating Committee, Arts & Sciences - John Vargas

A message from LFT President Steve Monaghan

Dear Colleague,

      As we return to school for the second semester, there is a sadness that weighs down our excitement at the start of a new term. Once again, our nation has lived through the all-too-familiar tragedy of a mass murder in a school. As our hearts go out to the parents and relatives of the victims in Newtown, Connecticut, we wonder about the safety of our own children and colleagues in our communities.

Leaders Seek Continued Dialogue on Remaining Issues

LANGHORNE, PA (January 2, 2013) — Nearly 400 members of the Neshaminy Federation of Teachers met Wednesday evening at Maple Point Middle School, where union leaders and bargaining team members presented the details of the latest contract offer from the School Board and reported on the status of contract talks and all options moving forward.

Members accepted the NFT bargaining team’s recommendation against taking action on the Board’s pending proposal—with an overwhelmingly majority of those at the meeting rejecting a motion calling for a formal vote on the school district’s offer. That proposal would eliminate several contract provisions that are key to educational quality in the Neshaminy School District. NFT leaders called on the Board to return to the bargaining table, where significant progress toward a new contract has been made over the last several weeks.

“We continue to put our faith in the negotiating process,” said NFT President Louise Boyd. “And the membership’s acceptance tonight of our recommendation against a strike or other job action at this time is evidence of the NFT’s commitment to working out the few remaining differences through dialogue in negotiations.”

“While a strike at some point before the end of the school year remains an active possibility,” Boyd said “union leaders believe an agreement is within reach if the two sides continue their talks.” Based upon acceptance of the recommendation, teachers and other certified staff will continue to operate under the existing contract until the two sides reach a new deal.

“Holding steady with our current contract means that NFT members will continue to be denied the pay and salary step adjustments which they have earned,” Boyd said. “But for now we will forgo those economic gains so that we can preserve policies and contract provisions that we believe are essential to the well-being and achievement of the kids in our classrooms.”

Maintaining a voice for teachers in decisions that affect educational quality, preserving enforceable limits on class sizes, and correcting unsafe or unhealthy conditions within the schools are all matters that the School Board is seeking to eliminate from the contract.

“It should be clear to anyone who has been following negotiations that this is no longer an economic dispute. For the most part, those issues are resolved. The Board has offered a reasonable salary package which teachers have helped make possible by offering sacrifices that add up to millions and millions of dollars. In fact, we’ve met just about every economic need identified by the Board.”

“But the Board and the community must understand that we have a professional commitment to our students that goes beyond just dollars and days in the school year,” Boyd said. “Our goal has always been a contract that is good for our students. Without recognition from the Board of the impact on children of key issues such as class size, neither side can reach that goal.”

 Once again, greater Rochester will host the New York State Special Olympics Winter Games, staring Friday, February 22 and concluding Sunday, February 24. Competitions and celebrations will be held at various venues in the region:  Opening and Closing Ceremonies and the Olympic Village at the Rochester Riverside Convention Center, floor hockey at the Convention Center, cross country skiing at Bristol Mountain, figure skating at Genesee Valley Ice rink, and alpine skiing and snowshoeing at Swain Ski Center.

It's time to share your story with the New Mexico lawmakers who represent you and your family.

It's very important that you tell your state senator and representative your story of how five (5) years of education cuts have affected you, your family, your school, and your students.

Please tell your story as soon as possible.

Best Wishes for a Happy New Year....log on to your HPS web mail to read The New Year message from one of our Presidents Shellye Davis.