NNHS and Franklin Stand Out! Check out more pictures on the NTA Instagram page.
In this issue:
NTA Contract Campaign
Until March 14: Solidarity and support for the override campaign! We had GREAT participation in the February 14 and 15 standouts supporting the override, providing incredible visibility to the campaign. WCVB Channel 5 covered the standout at Angier. Locally, the Boston University Heights wrote on all of the standouts ("Pro-Override Groups Hold 21 Standouts Outside Public Schools Across Newton"). Let's keep it up. Continue to wear your t-shirts on T-Shirt Tuesdays and Wear it Wednesdays. Join your colleagues on March 7 and March 8 for a second school standout with community members to support the override. Exact times and locations to be posted soon! Join your neighbors at one of these community standouts! Click here to see times, places, and to sign up!
Here are other ways you can help support the override:
- Follow "Vote Yes for Newton" on both Instagram and Facebook so you can share info and testimonials with your network. (Currently there are only about 200 people following the Instagram page and about 100 following the Facebook page. And there are lots of great photos of our standouts on both pages. Follow and share!)
- Share a testimonial, along with a photo of yourself, as to why you support the override as an educator.
- Submit a Letter to the Editor to Fig City News showing your support. Note submission guidelines and send letters (maximum of 300 words) to letters@figcitynews.com.
- Volunteer in other ways to support the override.
At the Negotiations Table: Session 5 Your NTA negotiations team met again with NPS administration and School Committee representatives on Monday, February 13th. We continue to be cautiously optimistic about the tenor of the meetings; this was another collaborative meeting where we were able to arrive at several tentative agreements on smaller items of the respective proposals. For those who have never been part of negotiations and wonder what it looks like, at this point, each side--NPS and NTA--has presented most of their proposals. The bargaining norms we agreed to do not set a cut off date for the submission of new proposals, so each side may continue to present new proposals. Currently, we are systematically going through the existing proposals, and recording each other's responses: “we have no response yet,” “we reject that,” “we accept that,” or “we partially accept that,” "we counter-propose," "we will agree to your proposal X if you agree to our proposal Y," "We will withdraw our proposal Z if you withdraw your proposal W," etc. Questions and conversations arise as each side seeks clarity on the other’s ideas. Each side can request time to caucus, or talk privately with their team without the other side present. And slowly we arrive at an increasing number of proposals on which we have tentative agreements. Of course, the override looms large over the conversation, making it hard to move forward with the bargaining over issues with financial implications until we know the results of the election. So there are large areas where we as yet have no responses to each other's proposals. Our next bargaining session is scheduled for March 16, two days after the override vote. Fingers crossed. (See the section above for how you can continue to support the override.)
Charles E. Brown Fellowship Applications for 2023-2024 The Charles E. Brown Fellowship is an annual award sponsored by the Newton Teachers Association (NTA). NTA members who receive this award are released from regular duties for one to five days to pursue a particular educational project (without loss of pay). Types of Projects Considered for Funding:
Development of professional tools, equipment, and materials
Professional study and research
Advancement of professional association work and leadership
Criteria for Selection: The review board will consider the project’s future benefits to the students, teachers and professional staff of the City of Newton. The contribution that the project will make to the unified teaching profession will also be considered. Applications: If you are interested in applying for a fellowship, please fill out an application form on line using this link: Charles E. Brown Fellowship Application. Deadline: Completed Applications for Fellowships for the 2023-2024 school year must be received by 4:00 on Friday, March 31, 2023. Announcement of Awards: The winners of the 2023-2024 Charles E. Brown Fellowships will be announced during the first week of May 2023. Completion Dates: All fellowships granted for the 2023-2024 school year must be completed between September 1, 2023 and April 30, 2024.
Selection Committee for Charles E. Brown Fellowships: Members Needed
Once we receive the Charles E. Brown Fellowship applications, an NTA selection committee must work to assess the applications and determine the awards. This work entails reviewing the applications on an anonymous basis and meeting in committee to discuss the applications and present any questions. Awards will be made by considering project’s future benefits to the students, teachers and professional staff of the City of Newton, as well as the NTA budget for these awards.
If you are interested in serving on the selection committee to determine recipients of the Charles E. Brown Fellowships, please let us know by filling out this form. (Please do not apply to be on the selection committee if you will be seeking a fellowship.)
MTA Early Educator Conference
The MTA New Member Committee will be hosting our annual Early Career Educators Conference, Saturday, March 4th, at Worcester Technical Highschool.
This conference will have a variety of timely workshops geared toward Educators in their first five years. It is a great opportunity to learn and connect with other early career educators in Massachusetts and earn some PDPs. This conference is completely free of charge to all members! Click here to learn more and register!
MTA ESP Conference
The MTA is excited to announce the 2023 MTA ESP Conference! ESP members. please join us from Friday, March 31st to Saturday, April 1st at a new location in Plymouth, MA. Designed for Education Support Professionals and their allies, this year’s conference offers a weekend of professional development, networking, and fun! Register Now!
What: 2023 MTA ESP Conference
When: March 31st to April 1st, 2023
Time: Friday:
Registration opens at 4 pm
Dinner honoring the 2023 ESP of the Year at 6:30
Saturday :
Workshops from 8:30 am-1 pm; lunch at 1 pm
Where: Hotel 1620 Plymouth, MA
Who: All MTA ESPs and their Supporters
Cost: $30 per person EARLY BIRD rate (register by 3/6/23); $45pp thereafter
Workshops will include Retirement 101; LGBTQ+ Engagement; ESP Engagement in Governance; Mindfulness; Classroom Management; MCAS; Higher Ed legislation; Talking about Race; ESP only Next Generation Leadership Program; and more! Members will have the opportunity to make personal appointments during the conference with MTA CEPP staff regarding licensure and MTA Retiree Consultants regarding their retirement plans.
We will also be repeating the very popular early morning Zumba and bringing back the DJ from last year!
For more detailed information and to register for the conference, click here.
Hotel Information: Please book by March 6, 2023
Discounted Hotel rates are as follows:
Single: $125 plus tax
Double: $145 plus tax
Triple: $165 plus tax
If interested, book your hotel room directly through the hotel’s website and use PROMO code MTA2023.
You can also call the hotel at 508-747-4900 Monday-Friday between 9am-5pm. You must indicate you are with the MA Teacher’s Association – Education Support Professionals 2023.
Reservations must be made by March 6, 2023, and be guaranteed by a major credit card or check for the first night’s accommodation. The credit card will not be charged at the time of the reservation and will only be used as a guarantee. Attendees will NOT be charged an incidental charge hold when they arrive on site.
Member Grant: The MTA ESP Committee often offers a grant for ESP Conference Participants. This year the grant will fund five (5) ESPs from each MTA regional office. The ESP Participant will have to be nominated by their local union President by February 28th, 2023 using this form. All fees will be waived, and their hotel room will be covered by the MTA. These grants are offered on a space available basis. Members with questions should reach out to events@massteacher.org.
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