Time is Running Out On This Special Enrollment Opportunity 
  
If you're a newly hired CTA member this year, you may be eligible for a special, limited-time opportunity to apply for CTA-endorsed Disability and Life Insurance from Standard Insurance Company (The Standard). 
  
If you apply within your first 180 days of starting your new job, eligible CTA members can get up to$200,000 of Life Insurance coverage without answering any health questions. 
  
You can also apply for Disability Insurance, which can help with the everyday bills like your mortgage and utilities, that continue even when you can't work -- expenses that health insurance won't cover. The CTA-endorsed Disability Insurance plan was specially designed to address the gaps in coverage that many California educators face. 
  
Remember, you only have 180 days to apply for this unique opportunity. Don't miss out. 
  
For costs and further details of the coverage and this enrollment opportunity, including exclusions, benefit waiting periods, any reductions or limitations and the terms under which the policy may be continued in force, call The Standard's CTA Customer Service Department at 800.522.0406, or visitwww.standard.com/cta/newhire to apply online.  MORE
  

Apply Now for a California Casualty Thomas R. Brown Athletics Grant
  
Public high schools in California can score up to $3,000 for their sports departments with a California Casualty Thomas R. Brown Athletics Grant. California Casualty, provider of the CTA Auto and Home Insurance Program, is providing $100,000 to offset budget cuts that have affected high school athletics.  Details and entry forms can be found at www.calcasathleticsgrant.com. Applications must be received by January 15, 2016 for 2015/2016 consideration. 
  
This past year, 14 California Schools shared $17,000 to offset participation fees, buy new uniforms and purchase concussion preventing helmets. Since its inception, more than $400,000 has been awarded to hundreds of public high schools across the U.S. 
  
"We want to help guarantee that student-athletes get a chance to compete and learn," said Doug Goldberg, Senior Vice President. 
  
California Casualty has served California educators since 1951 and provides the CTA Auto and Home Insurance Program. 
  
Learn more about the CTA Auto and Home Insurance Program provided by California Casualty at www.CTAMemberBenefits.org/calcas. MORE 
  

CTA Member Benefits Smartphone App - Download Now!
  
  
CTA Member Benefits Department 
1705 Murchison Drive, Burlingame, CA 94010 
Phone: (650) 552-5200 · E-Mail: mbarticles@cta.org 
www.CTAMemberBenefits.org 
California Teachers Association 
The preeminent voice for educators and students in California's public schools and colleges.  
Learn more at www.cta.org.
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1705 Murchison Drive, Burlingame, CA 94010  
Phone: (650) 697-1400

Hi everyone!

This Thursday will be our first rep council meeting of the year.  As always, the rep council meetings are open to all members and we welcome you to attend to stay informed.  

Each meeting is held at Roundtable Pizza in Windsor at 3:45 and usually ends around 5pm.

So if you have time, please drop by and say hello and meet your union.

Thanks,
Dana

Gullixson: Will teacher shortage be an ongoing problem? 
BY PAUL GULLIXSON on August 16, 2015, 12:07AM   08/16/2015 

Clara and I arrived early for her soccer practice Thursday, which allowed us a few minutes to connect. She was reflecting on her seventh-grade orientation from the day before and, although generally pleased with her classes, was waxing dramatic, as only pre-adolescent girls can, about how the first-day-of-school exuberance would soon be gone, replaced by the harsh reality that summer is over. 

Yes, mid-August is too soon for such cold trade-offs, I said. “But soon enough you will be in the work world, and as hard as it may be to believe, you will be wishing you were back in school.” 

She turned and, with a deep sigh, looked out the windshield. “I can’t wait for retirement,” she said. 

Hmmm. Shouldn’t you have to at least pass algebra before you’re allowed to daydream about such things? Truth be told, I share her anxiety about school — but not just for the school year that starts Wednesday. More so for what lies ahead. Since she was young, Clara has been single-minded about her career path. She wants to be a teacher. And, yes, I’m conflicted. There’s no questioning the importance of educators and the profound impact they can have — and have had, in my case — in an individual’s life. It’s hard to think of a more critical or noble profession. 

But here’s the problem: Collectively, we say how much we need teachers but then, year after year, we give them every reason to go find another occupation. Which is why so many have. A story in the New York Times last week highlighted the major teacher shortage that’s now facing schools across the nation, particularly in California. 

The story by Times education reporter Motoko Rich noted how California, just days from the start of school, is scrambling to fill an estimated 21,500 positions, particularly for math, science and special education teachers. Schools in the Central Valley, including those in Merced and Los Banos, are reportedly offering $5,000 bonuses for educators. And many schools are offering positions to individuals who have yet to complete their credentialing programs. 

Esmeralda Sanchez Moseley, the principal at Flowery Elementary School in Sonoma, made such a hire to fill a third-grade teaching position. She told Rich that she was not able to find a fully credentialed applicant. “The applicant pool was next to nothing,” she was quoted. “It’s crazy. Six years ago, this would not have happened, but now that is the landscape we are in.” 

Many schools are facing similar situations. Late last week, the Santa Rosa City Schools still had 122 job openings listed on its website for full- and part-time credentialed positions. These include positions for English teachers at Piner High School and Slater Middle School, a fourth-grade teacher at James Monroe, a counselor at Maria Carrillo High School and numerous special education, P.E. and school psychologist positions. The annual salary range for teaching posts was $51,163 to $72,895 depending on experience. Jason Lea, assistant superintendent of human resources for Santa Rosa City Schools, told me on Friday that the district already had filled or was in the process of filling most of the vacancies. But the district still has a number of openings, “mainly in the area of special education,” he said. “The need for special education teachers is most glaring.” The biggest challenge, he said, is that the flow of new teachers coming into the system is not keeping up with the number of those who are retiring. 

According to the Times, enrollment in teacher preparation programs in California declined by more than 55 percent from 2008 to 2012. On the national level, the decline is closer to 30 percent. And why not? During the economic doldrums from 2008 to 2012, teachers weren’t getting much love in California. They weren’t getting hired, and those who had jobs were at risk of getting pink slips. 

According to state figures, California lost 82,000 teaching positions between those four years. That doesn’t include the tens of thousands of teachers who were laid off in the spring only to be hired back in the summer after school districts had a handle on their budgets. In such an environment, it’s tough to develop much loyalty or career confidence. But the tide has turned. Funding for education in California is up significantly, thanks largely to Proposition 30 tax increases, which have added $6 billion a year to state coffers. K-12 Proposition 98 funding is now close to $10,000 per student. 

While still below the national average — New York’s per-pupil funding is $19,818, for example — it’s $656 per student higher than the inflation-adjusted, pre-recession spending levels of eight years ago. In addition, Santa Rosa teachers are entering the school year with a much-deserved pay boost. Under their recently approved contract, teachers, counselors, nurses and others received a 2.5 percent raise retroactive to July 2014, and they will get another 3 percent pay bump for next school year. In addition, the district also will begin offering $2,500 toward medical benefits. 

All in all, the environment is right for those wanting to get into teaching. But as the father of a potential teaching candidate — maybe, some day — school districts and the state have to figure out a way to stop acting like Lucy with the football when it comes to luring the next generation of educators. Too often, they end up flat on their backs, contemplating other options in life. And, as is made clear by the current shortage, they get up and explore them.

Dear Teachers, Speech and Language Therapists, OTs, Counselors, Psychologists, and Site Administrators: 


Please accept this invitation to develop capacity for learning with technology. Continue reading and complete the enrollment form (click here) to loan either an iPad or Chromebook from the district for a three year term. There are two windows to opt in. The first is today through May 29 and the second is August 13 through the 21st. In order to be eligible for the first window you must complete the enrollment form by May 29.


Enrollment in the program includes an expectation of three hours of professional development over the course of the 15-16 school year. Professional development will be offered in one and three hour blocks over the summer and one hour blocks at different sites throughout the school year. If you can demonstrate proficiency with your device, you will not be required to attend professional development. Training and competencies will be based on the following topics:


iPad

introduction, navigation, settings, mail

Apple IDs, App management, introduction to Google Apps on the iPad

introduction to iMovie


Chromebook

introduction, navigation, settings, mail

introduction to Google Apps including HangOuts and Blogger

introduction to Google Classroom


Recently we participated in the BrightBytes Clarity survey that provided data on our district’s educational technology landscape. In it, teachers expressed interest in professional development on topics such as multimedia skills, classroom management with technology, and online collaboration. In order to support that need we feel that teachers must have technology to explore and discover with. By providing devices and professional support we hope to empower teachers with tools and skills that will help students become future ready.


If you are unfamiliar with iPads or Chromebooks, here is an overview to help you decide:


The iPad Air is Apple’s touchscreen tablet computer. It’s display measures 10” diagonally and a fully charged battery will last ten hours when it’s new. It has both front and rear facing cameras. It excels as a multimedia device with a touchscreen that is intuitive to use. It is customized with apps. It can be used in a variety of educational settings. It will come with a keyboard/case and an adapter that will allow you to connect the iPad to a display or projector.


A Chromebook is a lightweight laptop optimized for the Internet. It runs Google’s Chrome OS, meaning all work is completed in the Chrome web browser. The Toshiba Chromebook 2 has a 13.3” inch screen, boots in 9 seconds, and a fully charged battery will last over 8 hours. It excels as an Internet access baseline for research, collaborative writing and publishing online. It will come with a carrying case and adapter that will connect to a display or projector.


Anyone needing more technical information is welcome to contact Tim Rocco at extension 2202 or trocco@wusd.org.


Sincerely,


Lisa Saxon                                                           Tim Rocco

Director of Educational Services                       Director Technology




Lisa Saxon
Director of Educational and Personnel Services
 
Windsor Unified School District
9291 Old Redwood Highway, Building 500
Windsor, CA  95492
(707) 837-7707