NTA Night Out!
Join your union siblings for an for an NTA Night Out--an evening of solidarity and socializing:
When: Friday, January 31 after 3:00
Where: The Social Restaurant and Bar in Newton Corner.Â
Let's celebrate the one year anniversary of our victory!
Let us know if you will be coming by filling out this quick google form.Â
Results of General Membership Meeting
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At last week's General Membership Meeting, 99% of members present voted to change three by-laws:
The first amendment changes the process for determining the Second Release Officer, who will now be elected on by the general membership. Previously the President appointed the officer with approval of the Representative Assembly. Â
The second amendment aligns the term of office and election cycle for the Negotiations Team with our collective bargaining cycle. The bargaining team will now be elected in the year prior to the year when a contract expires.
The third amendment specifies a process for identifying the core and regular members of the bargaining team and codifies the practice of expanding negotiations to include volunteers in the role of silent negotiators.
The full text of the motions, rationale, and the approved language changes can be accessed here. Â
Globe Article on Educator Salaries
The Globe Reporter published this very interesting article, "The Pipelines are Drying Up: Why Teacher Salaries are Catastrophic for the Profession," on January 14th. The title tells all.Â
President Biden Signs Bipartisan Social Security Fairness Act
Still have questions about the Social Security Fairness Act, which President Biden just signed?The NEA has posted this very helpful FAQ document.
Hone your Union Skills with the MTA!
Bargaining Summit:
Location:Â Hilton Boston Park PlazaÂ
Date:Â Friday, January 24, 2025Â
Time: 6 PM – 9 PMÂ
Join us for MTA’s Bargaining Summit where Prek-12 members will meet to discuss bargaining approaches that:Â
Engage local budget processes and put our campaigns for better working and learning conditions in the local and state political context.   Â
Hear from other member leaders and collaborate on local association plans.Â
Winter Union Skills:
Location: Hilton Boston Park PlazaÂ
Date: Saturday, January 25, 2025Â
Time: 9 AM – 5 PMÂ
Mass Child Grants
The Massachusetts Child is a reimbursement program available to all MTA preK-12 local associations. Members use funds from their local associations to purchase qualifying items for students, and Mass Child reimburses the local associations.Â
Please note that Mass Child does not reimburse individual members; all grant applications must have the approval of the local president, and reimbursement is made to the local association. Therefore, please do not fill out the online application on the Mass Child website.
There are four types of Mass Child Grants:
Our local process for use of Mass Child Grant funds:
Contact Cindy Colantonio at NTA office (colantonioc@newton.k12.ma.us) before purchasing items to be certain that NTA still has Mass Child Grant Funds available and that the items you will be purchasing will qualify for reimbursement.
Once you have approval, purchase the items and submit your receipts to Cindy (You can do this electronically via email or by sending them through the Pony).
NTA will reimburse you directly right away. We will handle the submission to Mass Child for local reimbursement.
MTA Virtual Licensure Workshops
Join MTA Education Policy Specialist Beth Tripathi and Professional Development Strategist Dan Callahan at the 2024-2025 MTA Virtual Licensure Workshops for presentations on licensure for various career stages. All workshops will be held from 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM. For more detailed information about each workshop and to register, visit https://bit.ly/mtalic2425.Â
1/29 Licensure Basics for Early Career EducatorsÂ
2/26 Licensure Basics for ESPs Â
3/26 Professional License Renewal
In solidarity,
Mike Zilles, President
Newton Teachers Association