1. Advance observations have likely started or are about to start in public schools throughout NYC. If you look at p.26 of the Advance FAQ (section 2.3.9), it says, “Informal observations may all be unannounced and at least one (1) observation must be unannounced.” This gives chapters some wiggle room to request that teachers be given a heads up on all but one of their informal observations. Admin does not have to agree to this request, but the language in the FAQ allows the opportunity for us to push for fewer surprise observations. Thanks to JP for this amazing tip.
2. Healthcare open enrollment opened on November 1. If you are not enrolled or are looking to switch your healthcare plan, you have until November 30 to do so.
3. NYC is conducting an audit verifying dependents on our healthcare plans. This is referred to as the Dependent Eligibility Verification Audit (DEVA). The City is using Health Management Systems, Inc. (HMS) to run the audit. If you receive a letter from HMS, it’s legit (source: Geof Sorkin’s email from October 17).
4. You likely noticed several emails about upcoming mandated trainings, including the child abuse training that is due November 17. According to the UFT Update email from October 22, “The UFT is currently working to have the DOE ensure that educators are provided time during appropriate professional learning time or, if needed, released from instructional time, to complete all of the many mandated trainings. These trainings should not be done during preps, lunch, OPW time or other professional periods.”
5. The contract campaign survey went out yesterday to active members’ personal emails. The deadline to complete the survey is November 10.
6, If you are asked to participate in an IEP meeting during your prep period, you are entitled to coverage pay. Make sure you let them know up front so it can get approved. There is no coverage pay if you are asked to participate during your C6.
7. Special Education complaints: If there are compliance issues, whether they be students not receiving services, lack of substitute teachers when colleagues call out, IEP issues/violations, or anything else, please file a special education complaint with the UFT here.
8. You can request to view your file at any time. Email the principal to arrange a suitable time. You can have any letter(s) removed three years after the latest incident referred to in the letter. If there is a disciplinary letter in your file that you were never informed of, take a picture of it and send an email to your principal (cc your chapter leader) stating that you want the letter removed. If this happens, be blunt in your email. You can say that you found something in your file that shouldn’t be there and ask them to let you know when to check your file again to make sure it’s no longer there, or else you will file a grievance.
9. Governor Hochul officially turned her back on public schools earlier this month when she opted into the federal school choice tax credit. This is a gut punch that will heavily benefit private schools and take money away from public schools and other projects and programs that would otherwise benefit our communities.
