June

June 2015
Vol. XXXIX No. 10
T R I A D
Affiliated With NYSUT [10-195] & AFT/NEA AFL/CIO-[Local 2991]
News from the President
Dear Colleagues,
The VOTE/COPE campaign will be
under way soon. You will receive a letter
soliciting your support. Please give what
Hard to believe that the school year is
you can. This is your chance. It is probably
about done. It always seems like the fourth
the easiest way, now easier than ever with
quarter flies by and before you know it the
payroll deduction, for you to help work to
year is done and the students are leaving for
the summer. I have to say that, even though improve pay, benefits and other working
in some aspects the year was long, the teach- conditions. Pat Gollub has agreed to chair
the committee and will be looking for your
ing piece was very good. I really enjoyed
what we did this year and I think most of my support. Give a few dollars and let NYSUT
and their experts do the leg work. They will
students did too. I have heard it said that if
something is worthwhile, it often is not easy. work to get legislation passed that will help
us, the folks who work in public education.
I think that applies.
They just need a few bucks to do it with.
Even though the governor has tried to
Thank you, Pat, for taking on this job. I
make teaching a miserable experience it has
know it is a lot of work, but with the supnot been the case. He truly has failed. He
port of a few committee members it can be
has failed the schools. He has failed the
a shared responsibility and work effort.
teachers. But worst of all he has failed the
I want to take a moment and thank all of
students, especially the ones that we teach. I
am not sure how this bully of a governor will you who have helped this Association operate this year and in the past. The year has
go down in history, but I know how I will
been a success because members took the
remember him. I will remember him as a
time to serve on a committee(s), work on
self-serving, egotistical bully who knows
nothing about education, cares not about edu- negotiations, work on our recently renewed
political action committee, student incentive
cation nor kids for that matter. He has had
committee, serve on Rep Council, write a
every opportunity to be great, but he has
newsletter or serve on the Executive Board
failed to do that.
and so on. You have done so much and I
On a brighter note the retirement dinner
want to thank you – all of you. I truly feel
was a great success. The opportunity for fun your support and appreciate all you do. It is
and fellowship with colleagues is always
our teamwork, relying on and helping each
great. That was then coupled with a chance other get the work done that has kept us
to recognize and pay tribute to members who successful and strong.
have given so much to the students. The opI also want you, as a member, to considportunity to socialize and see friends old and
er
what
you might do to help your Associanew helped make it a pleasant and rewarding
tion
in
the
future. Maybe you are someone
evening. Thanks to the social committee and
who
didn’t
have any spare time to give.
all the others who helped make it such a
Consider
what
time you might have now
wonderful event and a great night for fun and
and offer what you can. It is your Associafellowship.
tion. There is plenty of work to go around.
There are still many things we need to work
CALENDAR
CAPITAL REGION
BOCES FACULTY
ASSOCIATION.
REP COUNCIL
Sept. 30, 2015
BOCES BOARD
June 15, 2015
July is
National Ice
Cream Month
Fathers
Day
June 21
Parents Day
July 26
Women’s
Equality Day
August 26
In This Issue:
TA/Aide Chapter
Page 3
Retirees Corner
Page 4
BOCES Board Notes Page 5
What to do this summer
Page 7
Important Dates for 2015-16
Exec Board
Rep Council
NYSUT Headquarters
Sept. 9, 2015
Sept. 30, 2015
Schoharie Rooms
CRB Faculty Association 2015 Student Incentive Award Winners
Two $1500 incentive awards are given every year. Applicants must be dependents
of Faculty Association members. One award is based on need and the other on scholarship.
This was an especially difficult year with many worthy applicants. The winners this
year are Emma Dreilinger and Kaysie Hanley.
Emma is the daughter of CRB Faculty Association member Ellen Alexeew. Emma
attends SUNY Cortland majoring in English as a Second Language.
Kaysie is the daughter of CRB Faculty Association member Gina Hanley. Kaysie
will be attending Marshall University majoring in Nursing.
Thank you to the committee: Mary Lou Hamel, Chuck Fuller, Anne Conway, and
Patricia MacDormand.
Good luck to the winners and all of the applicants in their future endeavors.
Capital Region BOCES Faculty Association Leadership
POSITION
NAME
HOME
WORK
E-Mail Address_______
President
H. Douglas Harple
899-1044
862-4776
[email protected]
Vice President
Patricia Gollub
583-1119
862-4716
[email protected]
CVP TA/EA
Colleen Condolora
265-2358
356-8349
[email protected]
CVP Service
Sandy Smith
869-7421
229-1403
[email protected]
CVP Spec. Educ.
Flora Fasoldt
674-0223
377-9018
[email protected]
CVP C T E
Jeannine Moran
587-7662
862-4816
[email protected]
Secretary
Barbara Burnham
334-1193
862-4720
[email protected]
Treasurer
Deborah Sorvari
452-8138
334-1296
[email protected]
Membership Chair
Gina Hanley
862-5334
[email protected]
Grievance Chair
Kristen Lashway
421-3446
www.crbfa.org
06/15—Page 2
[email protected]
Teaching Assistant/Aide Report
Colleen Condolora, Chapter VP
Dear Constituents,
have any questions or concerns. This Opening Day
ought to be interesting, my motto is to go with the flow!
As I write this article, it is Memorial Day, a day of
remembrance for all the men and women who have
sacrificed for our freedoms. Sometimes, myself included, we take our freedoms for granted. Today,
though I am reflective and thankful for all I have.
Freedom is not free!
The TA pool will be held on June 8th, 2015 at 3:00 pm at
Maywood School. There are currently twenty Teaching
Assistants who are displaced. So far, we do not have any
Teaching Assistants being riffed but unfortunately due
to the low number of aide positions, one aide will most
likely be laid off. Hopefully an aide position will open
up over the summer and that person will be called back.
Everyone who was eligible for a retro paycheck
If anyone has any questions regarding the pool, please
should have received one in our May 17th paycheck. let me know. This year everything is being done elecYour new pay scale began on that date so if you see tronically. I know this is uncomfortable for some staff
a discrepancy, please notify me and we will get it
who prefer the snail mail way. If you have difficulty
straightened out. Once Human Resource gets the
navigating the electronic selection process, please feel
Memorandum of Understanding and contract upfree to contact me and I will assist you.
dates done, I will contact NYSUT for our new contracts to be printed. I probably won’t have them unI want to give a great big shout out to all the Teaching
til Opening Day in August.
Assistants who participated in the TA/Aide Showcase
on May 21st. Thank you to Kevin Rheden, Beth FenOpening Day for the next school year will be done ton, Valarie Gottlieb, Linda Stern, Natalie Powell,
very differently. BOCES was unable to get Union Mary Ruby, Princetta Jordan, Pam Zovistoski and
College due to the lateness of next school year’s
Cathy Nasser. Much gratitude for all your hard work
starting date for most of our schools. The Opening and dedication to your profession. The ShowCase was
Day sessions will be done in three separate locawell-received by all who attended and it is because of
tions on September 8th, 2015. Maywood School,
your effort and continued commitment to excellence.
Central Administration, and Career and Tech- You each made yourself proud! I am proud of you too!
nical School will be utilized for Opening Day sessions. This means we will not be able to have our
Summer school notification should be coming shortly.
General Membership meeting as we always have
had following the Opening Day session. Executive As of today the numbers are still coming in from the
Board will discuss how and when we will hold our school districts so there isn’t anything definitive as of
General Session in order to comply with our Facul- yet. I hope all who want a position receive one for the
ty Association constitution. Members of the Execu- summer.
tive Board will be located at all three sites. Opening
Day committee members will be wearing special
Since this is my last article for the school year 2014-15,
colors or hats so you can reach out to them if you
I want to say thank you for all your support throughout
06/15— Page 3
Retirees Corner
By Jeanette Christoff—518-356-0137
Greetings,
The newly negotiated health care options offer
plans which are portable and can go with you in
your travels or if you relocate, as will your retireCongratulations and best wishes to each of our
new BOCES retirees. You have reached that long ment pension. You will not be “left out in the
cold” as has happened too many when their comworked for and awaited time of your life. That
pany folded and their pensions disappeared.
first year is especially sweet as you awaken each
morning and realize that the day is yours to do
with as you please. You will be gleeful on those
A news article (Gazette 5/ 4 /2015 p.A-1), reportcold winter mornings when it has snowed just
ed that the Teachers’ Retirement System has done
enough to make the roads treacherous, knowing
well in the stock market in recent years, reducing
they are not your worry.
the amount of monies the Districts have had to
You will also be grateful for having an Association. During your working years, it was there to
support you with criteria for fair practices, with
contractual salaries, with available sick days and
health care benefits. You also had access to a retirement system. The latter two, your health care
benefits and the retirement system will affect the
quality of your retirement and future.
contribute for a total of $3 million. Districts are
using these funds for student programs and hiring
teachers. That is good news for our working colleagues.
So, as we complete this final edition for the current school year, we send good wishes to all, for a
safe and healthy summer with many Blessings.
RETIREE UPDATES
Lanny Barsale, Spec. Ed. Teacher and past co-editor of the TRIAD, spent much of her first year of retirement
recovering from surgeries; shoulder, hip and most recently, ankle. She hopes to be fully ambulatory this month.
Lanny has been able to get out to have lunch with some colleagues from our olden days, Carole Baumes, Sylvia
Goerg, Joanne Robbins, Diana Vaughn and others. Lanny is psyched about her upcoming trip next March to
Antarctica. She will cross the equator on her birthday and also hopes to see some longtime friends at the Celebration Bash.
Anita Riccio, Spec. Ed. Teacher, recently returned from a trip to Sri Lanka and India and her visit coincided with
a month-long Hindu celebration. Painted and decorated elephants paraded through the streets along with throngs
of revelers adorned in brilliantly colorful clothing. The aroma of mysterious and delicious foods filled the air
along with music and laughter.
As always, Anita brought a suitcase full of educational materials to use with and give to the children in the
schools she visited. Anita befriended many during her travels and their use of British English made communicating easy. Upon returning home, she took her 97 year old Mom out for breakfast at a local eatery, to share her
adventures. Unhappily, while attending to Mom, her wallet was stolen, license, credit cards, insurance cards etc.
It has not been found. Welcome home, girl.
Nadia Jefferson, Spec. Ed. E.A., and I chuckled at our chance meeting again this year at a local market, where
Nadia recently saw Sylvia and friend. Nadia appreciates the TRIAD and reading of Anita’s adventures. We recalled colleagues from our Maywood days in the 80’s and regretted that we both were on limited free time.
06/15— Page 4
BOCES Board Meeting Notes—April 20, 2015
By Susan Kusalonis
District Wide School Safety Plan – Presentation by Jennifer Bennett, Manager
· It has been 15 years since the year 2000 when the
State legislature enacted this legislation and for the last 3
or 4 years we have not been addressing it. We are in the
process of reengaging and refocusing on the plan and
bringing it up to date. Jennifer has been working on this
personally since September and this is a preliminary
presentation.
· Once it is approved by the Board it will be put on the
BOCES website.
· Building Level Plans – working with Principals and will
focus over the summer and this is a Very Confidential
document with contact phone numbers and will only be
shared with the state and local police.
BOCES Wide Safety Team
Buildings – six locations have been identified
Incident Command Trainers – four building teams
Updated CTE Fire Drill Procedure
Updated Fire evacuation maps (Albany CTE and Maywood)
Missing Student Protocol Created (Albany CTE)
First Responders “Meet and Greet” and facility tour
(Schoharie CTE)
Offsite Relocation MOU’s (Albany CTE and Maywood)
Developing New Building Level Safety Plans – Target
completion Sept. 2015
Updated District Level SAVE Plan
Completed Lockdown Drills (Maywood, RAI and RAII)
Completed Table Top Exercises (Maywood, RAI and
RAII)
Regularly scheduled Building Safety Team Meetings
Q. What plan do you have in place for psychologically
wounded students?
A. Team members are in place such as Social workers and
counselors that are assigned to help return to normalcy
after an event
Q. Who is responsible for Tech Valley HS?
A. Questar III
Q. Who are the first responders?
A. Colonie EMS – Incident Command; FEMA comes later.
Q. Have the teams done any cross training with one another
A. Later it is too early now
Q. What about BOCES special education classes in the
District Buildings.
A. We are following that District’s procedure
(assuming it is good enough to meet our level of
needs.
Q. What if the District procedure does not meet our
needs?
A. Good question. This may mean that we will have
to consider not putting a classroom in a district that
does not meet our protocol.
Comment: North Korea – If they chose to close us
down with an EMP bomb, they could. Be aware!!
Dr. Dedrick – now I’m worried about North Korea –
Reorganization of this structure is very important.
Congratulations to Dr. Peter Taromina – he had his
hooding ceremony over the weekend. 5/17/15
May 7th meeting on SED Assessment System
· 3 Ds are what I remember: Delay; Decouple
(increase in additional funding from approval) and
Denounce – people that put this in place
· A parent asked for a change in Regent Leadership
if they could not get it done!!!
· NYS School Boards – Lynn Lenhardt
o Putting APPR Process in place – good to have all
the stakeholders in the same room.
· Jay Verone – Spoke on why the timeline was impossible
BOCES Report Card in on line – Lynn Wells will present at next Board meeting
Compliment Robert Zorden – Recently at the Blue
Mt. Lake meeting with Dr. Outterback (new regent
who Dr. Dedrick feels will be pushing back!) Group
wanted commend BOCES JMT Labor Relations Service. Time well spend.
Governor’s Office on May 12th – Computer Science in
the Classroom.
Underwhelmed, but nice to be invited.
Dr. Dedrick did speak about TVHS at the meeting.
Committee Reports:
Commented that the evaluation of Superintendent and his contract also are being discussed.
Current Cell Phone use Policy will be up for review.
Public Hearing on Code of Conduct with be held
prior to the June Board meeting.
Thanks were expressed to the Negotiating Team
members: Mark Jones, Robert Zorden, Kevin Harren
and Bruce Bonacquist.
06/15— Page 5
NYSUT Articles of Interest
NYSUT anticipates working
with the new commissioner
NYSUT is encouraged by the appointment
of MaryEllen Elia as the state's new education commissioner. Elia's background as a
high school teacher and reading specialist,
and her roots in Western New York, make
her a welcome voice in the discussion
about how to improve New York's already
strong public education system.
Commissioner Elia has decades of experience as both a teacher in New York's public schools and a superintendent in public
education, and has strong academic credentials from our State University system.
Vice President Catalina Fortino, NYSUT's
liaison to the Board of Regents, said, "Elia's
selection makes it clear that members of
the Board of Regents placed high value on
Elia's experience as an educator and
school leader who has worked toward
building consensus."
ject to the governor's onerous receivership
law. "As soon as this became law, we immediately wanted to provide an opportunity to bring everyone together to figure
out the issues, concerns and ask questions," Fortino said. "We are creating a
network."
AFT survey shows teachers
are under more stress than
ever
The AFT released the results of a survey
on well-being, working conditions and
stressors for teachers and school support staff across the country. The first of
The governor's receivership plan, which
its kind, the 80-question survey was
could override local control and collective
filled out by more than 30,000 educa-
bargaining in an effort to turn around
tors.
struggling schools, was approved last
The survey found that:
month as part of the state budget. NYSUT
 Only 1 in 5 educators feel respected by
strongly opposed the idea and is pressing
government officials or the media.
for a slower phase-in and more planning
 Fourteen percent strongly trust their
time.
administrator or supervisor.
Fortino noted how important it is for union
 More than 75 percent say they do not
leaders to be part of school district plan-
have enough staff to get the work
ning teams. She told leaders that if they
done.
weren't already invited to an SED stakeholder's meeting this week, they should
check with their district administration
about attending. NYSUT, working with SED,
 Seventy-eight percent say they are
often physically and emotionally exhausted at the end of the day.
 Eighty-seven percent say the demands
NYSUT gathers network of local leaders to discuss receivership
was able to secure seats for four of our
of their job interfere with their family
local presidents to attend the meeting.
life.
local leaders at future meetings.
ors were the adoption of new initia-
Emphasizing the need for sharing best
SED is expected to issue a final list of tar-
tives without proper training or pro-
practices and common concerns, NYSUT
geted districts July 1. Currently, it appears
fessional development, mandated
Vice President Catalina Fortino last week
17 school districts have schools that could
convened a meeting of local union leaders
be affected by the new law.
curriculum and standardized tests.
The AFT is calling for the Department of
Education to conduct a scientific study.
SED has committed to having space for
from high-needs districts that may be sub-
 Among the greatest workplace stress-
Election Report for AFT Convention Delegates
Voted in for this term
AFT Delegate Barb Burnham
AFT Delegate Gina Hanley
AFT Delegate Erica Dow
AFT Delegate Sandy Smith
06/15— Page 6
Congratulations to all of you!
Every one of the ballots returned showed your support for
our Association and we thank you.
Catherine Jakway, Election Committee Chairperson
Susan Kusalonis, Election Committee
What to do this summer!!! Free
Capital Pride Parade and Festival, June 13th,
2015, 12PM
“The parade steps off at noon in Washington Park, at
the intersection of Robin and State Streets. From
there we will march down State Street, over Lark
Street, up Madison Avenue and back into the park at
the intersection of Madison and New Scotland Avenues. The festival will begin immediately following
the parade so plan to stay with us for the entire afternoon. There will be fabulous entertainment on the
festival stage and activities for the entire family!”
Source: www.albany.org
Path Through History Weekend, June 20th, 2015 June 21st, 2015
“Path Through History Weekend is a showcase of
New York State's rich and fascinating history and
will feature hundreds of events happening at historic
and cultural destinations throughout the state. You
don't have to be a historian to appreciate New York
State's rich heritage. New York's new Path Through
History helps you discover, experience and appreciate the state's amazing past. A wealth of memorable
experiences awaits you - from living history museums, to forts and military landmarks, to the homes of
presidents, great writers and artists. With an unparalleled network of museums, historic sites and cultural
institutions, Path Through History takes you across
the state to discover events of the past and learn how
they reverberate today.”
Source:
www.iloveny.com/paththroughhistoryweekend
Capital Concert Series, June 3rd, 2015 - July 8th,
2015, 5PM-9PM
Music at Empire State Plaza!
June 17th: Country Night featuring Craig Wayne
Boyd with special guest The Chris Dukes Band
June 24th: Reggae Night featuring Maxi Priest with
special guests Morgan Heritage and Jemere Morgan
July 8th: Jazz Night featuring Kim Waters with special guest Alex Bugnon
Source: www.albany.org
Alive at Five, Thursdays, June 11th - August 6th,
2015, 5PM-8PM
“For the past 25 years, Alive at Five has been the
high-energy weekend kick-start in Albany. Each
week during the series, bands of various genres
from the local, regional, and national scene take
the stage to entertain professionals, community
members, and friends. Hosted at the Jenning's
Landing at the Corning Preserve (formerly Albany
Riverfront Park) with the rain site at Corning Preserve Boat Launch.”
June 18th, Chrisette Michele with Bell’s Roar,
media partners: JAMZ 96.3 & Fly 92
June 25th, J. Roddy Walston and The Business
with Avers, media partner: WEQX
July 9th, Yonder Mountain String Band with The
Blind Owl Band, media partner: Exit 97.7
July 16th, Altas Genius with the Rival Galaxies,
media partner: WEQX
July 23rd, The Edgar Winter Band with Charmboy, media partner: PYX 106
July 30th, Raelynn with Big Sky Country, presented by Orange Motors, media partner: WGNA
August 6th, Blue Oyster Cult with Blotto, presented by KeyBank, media partner: PYX 106
Source: www.albany.org
Dad Fest, June 21st, 2015, 1PM-6PM
“For 67 years, the moms of the Capital Region
have held the spotlight at the Albany Tulip Festival, the famous Mother’s Day weekend spectacular culminating in the crowning of Albany’s
Mother of the Year. Generations of mothers have
celebrated their special day at Tulip Fest.
There’s plenty for dads to enjoy at Tulip Fest, but
don’t they deserve their own party?
Enter Dad Fest, a new Father’s Day tradition kicking off this summer at Jennings Landing on Albany’s Hudson Riverfront. Dad Fest is the City of
Albany’s celebration of all the fantastic fathers
out there - a day full of great live music from The
Neanderthals, Eddie Angel's Guitar Party, Super
400 and The WonderBeards, delicious food, tasty
beverages, a wide variety of retail vendors, friendly competitions and games (including a moustache
contest!), and more fun for all ages. Dad Fest is a
chance for the whole family to kick back and enjoy an early summer afternoon at the Capital Region’s most picturesque park, surrounded by good
06/15— Page 7
The TRIAD is published monthly for the
Capital Region BOCES Faculty Association
Membership. We appreciate any comments
or suggestions you may have.
COMMUNICATION COMMITTEE
AND TRIAD NEWSLETTER
STAFF
Capital Region BOCES
Faculty Association
1015 Watervliet Shaker Road
Albany, NY 12205
Address Service Requested
PRESORTED
STANDARD
U.S. Postage PAID
ALBANY, NY
Permit No. 237
TRIAD Co-Editors:
Susan Kusalonis—[email protected]
Erica Dow—[email protected]
Website Editor
Barbara Burnham, [email protected]
Web Site: www.crbfa.org
Contributing Staff and Committee:
Pat Gollub—[email protected]
Jeanette Christoff
[email protected]
John Fitzpatrick
[email protected]
Catherine Jakway
[email protected]
Gretchen McDonough and Transition
Class
Very Useful Websites
Walk your way to health: Fat-burning workouts…best footgear…power walking and racewalking
techniques…clubs and events to keep you motivated…more. Walking.About.com
Fight bug bites: Look up to safety, efficacy and duration of various insect repellents. (Spoiler
alert: DEET is better than you might think.) From the nonprofit Environmental Working Group.
EWG.org/research/ewgs-guide-bug-repellents
Shoot better photos: How to use manual settings…achieve the best compositions…add impact
through perspective…etc. Lifehacker.com/5814174
Cool summer drinks: Recipes for alcohol-free beverages—Delish.com/food/g216/non-alcoholicdrinks…spiked drinks—CountryLiving.com/fruity-alcoholic-drinks.
For your reading pleasure: Summer 2015 reading lists for adults, teens and younger kids (even
babies!). From the Brooklyn Public Library. BklynLibrary.org/SummerReading
Sunshine Chairperson
If you know of someone who could use a little cheering up, our sympathy, or a get well card, please contact:
Abby Fischer—[email protected]
Disclaimer for Articles in the TRIAD
The articles contained in the TRIAD are proofed by the Communication Committee and the individual’s opinion and do not reflect the opinion of
the Executive Board of Rep Council or the Communication Committee of the Capital Region BOCES Faculty Association. They are strictly for your
information and enjoyment.
06/15— Page 8