s608 - Amityville Teachers Association

Vol.8 Issue 4
June 2008
The union that cares
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the
The Award Winning Newsletter of the Amityville Teachers Association • Local 2466 • NYSUT • AFT • AFL-CIO
Inside
A VEry Good Year
Grievance
Report
Retiree
Profiles
Year in
Review:
ATA
members
support
activities
What you
need to
know about
certification
Mark the
Date
Upcoming
Calendar of
events
The mantra heard within every
ATA committee this year has
been activism is the key to
success. With two hundred
and eighty members strong
the ATA has established that
action is power.
Supported by the growing consensus of our
members the Superintendent directed the formation
of a committee for review the Code of Conduct. In
reviving efforts of cooperation he has invited the
ATA to be part of the interview process for Central
Administrative candidates thus establishing an
atmosphere of civility and respect.
• Last summer ATA members volunteered
on a hot August day handing out 600
free backpacks and school supplies to
our Amityville students.
Our attendance at the Representatives Assembly
in NYC and the Committee of 100 in Albany
supported the efforts of NYSUT to insure quality
education for all public school children and quality
of life for our members. The ripples heard about
tenure reform became a strong current, as union
lobbyists were successful in defeating the idea of
using test scores in determining tenure.
Carolyn Dodd
ATA President
• School began with a member’s child
desperately ill. A call to our Union
brothers and sisters to take action
resulted in one hundred members
donating sick days so that a fellow
colleague could stay home and care for
her child. A member in need sparked us
to come together showing that in unity
there is strength.
• ATA members assembled in early
October to complete a 5K walk at Jones
Beach. Again, forming a team to raise
money for breast cancer research in the
annual Making Strides campaign.
• We convened at a fall conference in
Albany with a growing number of
educators concerned about the fairness
of The No Child Left Behind Act. Our
efforts were recognized by Congress
seeking to re-authorize the bill and
create a more equitable measure of
accounting children”s proficiency.
Throughout the year the ATA supported the
Amityville community by attending the Mayor’s
Spring Social, marching in the North Amityville
Festival Day parade, participating in the Historical
Fair, honoring Amityville’s firefighters and police
and actively campaigning and supporting the
school budget.
In our continued efforts to support the students
of Amityville the ATA has awarded $6,000 in
Scholarships in academics, journalism, music and
art.
This has been a very good year. The small acts of
many ATA members have created an energy that
encourages our solidarity, fuels our actions, and
give us the strength to create change.
*
*
*
With warmest wishes we wish to congratulate our
retirees, Ellen Brett Lorence, Linda Deasy, Hank
Carpenter, Chuck Femia, Mary Gallagher, and
Evelyn Thomas and reflect on the words of an
anonymous student.
The arrival of Superintendent John Williams
created a sense of harmony around the
District. With a renewed sense of purpose and
We think of the effective teachers we have
partnership we continued to be proactive in
had over the years with a sense of recognition,
establishing a better working environment. Our
but those who have touched our humanity we
quiet dialogue led to In-service and Graduate
remember with a sense of deep gratitude.
courses given on site and the ability for ATA
members to instruct Staff Development Courses On behalf of the thousands of students whose lives
for credit or stipend.
you have touched, thank you!
Scribe
The Debate on Tenure
As seen in the Amityville Record
April 9th, 2008:
State has not right to take
away school boards’ ability to
demand accountability from
its teachers and staff
Dear Editor;
It has come to light that the
New York State Legislature is
seriously considering changes
to the information school
administrators and boards of
education can consider when
granting tenure. The proposed
changes would set criteria for
judging teachers performance
without allowing supervisors
to choose other criteria as
well. This measure has been
undertaken very quickly, and
has the support of NYSUT.
However administrators’
associations and board of
education have not had the
opportunity to give valuable
imput. We need greater public
awareness to this possible
change before the state pushes it
through without fair and open
debate.
Teure has been considered
by some to be the undoing
of public education, and by
others a necessary component.
Whatever side of the argument
you are on, the fact is that
tenure as it exists today greatly
favors the employee, not the
employer. Granting tenure
occurs on a regular basis in
school districts across the
state, and is one of the most
important decisions board of
education trustees will make
during their years in service.
It affects virtually every
aspect of education-financial,
instructional of managerial.
At a time when boards of
education are facing state and
federal mandates to improve the
performance of their staff and
students, lower costs, maintain
facilities, and face the possibility
of having the state set caps on
their budgets, is it surprising to
The
Scribe
anyone that any possible change
to tenure would be of concern to
these “unpaid” public officials?
Tenure, for all intents purposes,
guarantees a teacher a job. It
greatly reduces the likelihood that
a problematic teacher can be dealt
with without a district incurring
outlandish legal fees. It is cheaper
to keep them then to get rid of
them. It has been my experience
that these “problematic” teahers
are in the minority, but they
do exist in every district. Their
colleagues know who they are,
and for the state legislature to
further restrict a districts’ ability
to effectively and efficiently
handles these staffing issues will
dramatically reduce the chances of
school boards across the state to
achieve their goal of providing a
quality education for all.
NYSUT’s president Richard
Ianuzzi was recently quoted in
Newsday as saying “school board
representatives are alarmists,”
and added that they should be
spending more time talking about
financial aid to impoverished
districts. He was also quoted as
saying “to the school boards, the
sky is falling.” It is offensive to
have the valid concerns of Board
of Education trustees dismissed
so flippantly by the NYSUT
president.
Referring to the only group of
individuals who work voluntarily
and without any financial
compensation for the betterment
of children and education in New
York State as alarmists is offensive.
To suggest that our efforts should
only be focused on increasing
financial aid to impoverished
districts drastically minimizes the
roll of the board of education. The
issue of tenure is controversial and
is of concern to all school districts
in New York State, not just the
impoverished districts.
He also ignores the issue that
this potential change has come
up quickly and without giving
it time for adequate discussion
is published four times a year by the Amityville Teachers Association
74 Merrick Rd.
Amityville, NY 11701
(631) 691-0021
www.amityville teachers.org
Articles, photos or letters to the editor are welcome
and may be addressed to:
The Scribe
Amityville Teachers Association
74 Merrick Rd.
Amityville, NY 11701
or e-mail - [email protected]
and debate within the public
forum. Pushing this through
in such a hasty fashion makes
it appear as if the assembly
and senate may be concerning
themselves more with the
agenda of one of the largest
lobbying entities in New York
State then the tax-paying
public and most of all the
students we serve.
There is no reason the
subject of tenure cannot be
discussed in a reasonable,
fair and open manner with
everyone potentially affected
by the changes having the
opportunity to be heard.
Mr. Iannuzzi’s comments
demonstrate a lack of faith
on the part of NYSUT that
their members can rise to
the occasion and deliver
sound instruction as the vast
majority of teachers in the
state do, day after day. Indeed
Mr. Iannuzzi, the sky is falling,
but it is not the board of
education who is overreacting,
but the teachers who fear they
do not meet the standard we
have a right to demand from
every person who stands
in front of our children’
classrooms every day.
I encourage all residents in
Amityville to contact their
local state representatives and
let them know you demand an
open and honest discussion
of the issues that surround
tenure.
Michele Sikhrangkur,
The writer is the president of
the Amityville School Board
(Continued on page 7)
June 2008
Grievance Report
Grievance # 2003-09-24 Issue:
Six teaching periods for 6th
grade teachers.
• Being arbitrated- interim
decision: positive
• 2nd arbitration meeting
delayed until March 21st
• May 8th, 2006 Arbitration
continues
• Arbitration continues July
24th, 2006
• Final argument presented
July 2006
• Submit summations by
September 15th, 2006
• Decision by October 15th,
2006
• Arbitrator awards ATA
over one half million dollar
settlement
• Award must be paid by
December 20th, 2006
• January 2007 BOE files for
stay of arbitration to try to
overturn decision
• Hearing on October 12th,
2007
• Switched to October 26th,
2007
• Judges rule in favor of ATA
• Judgment signed on
December 17th, 2007
• Hearing for settlement set for
September 4th, 2008
Grievance # 2007-14Issue:
Unexplained transfers,
teacher requesting to
return to original building of
employment after disability
finalized.
• Filed step 1 October 17th,
2007 – 11-14
• No response
• Filed step 2 November
16th, 2007
• Denied November 27th,
2007
• Filed step III December
3rd, 2007
• BOE third step hearing
March 19th postponed
• Step 3 BOE hearing June
11, 2008
• Ongoing
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June 2008
Communicating Effectively With Angry Parents
“Why did you fail my daughter?” “Why
did you give my son an F?” Here are some
questions that are all too familiar to those
of us who have been teaching for a while.
Furious parents can do a lot of damage,
whether or not there’s any basis for their
anger. Here are some ideas on how to cope,
and maybe even turn the encounter into an
opportunity for everyone – parents, students
and teachers to communicate affectively.
Our advice comes from experienced NEA
members who posted their ideas on an nea.
org discussion board and from Jerry Newberry, head of the NEA Health Information
Network, who used to train teachers to work
with parents.
•
Decide what you want to come out
of the meeting.
Don’t let the parents set the goals. Maybe
it’s changing a seat or having class work or
homework signed and returned but your
goals should be child-centered - a clear plan
of action.
At the Meeting:
•
Start on a positive note.
“Robert is doing very well in ____________.”
Remember, that’s why you spoke to other
teachers before hand. Many parents come to
conferences very defensive, maybe all they’ve
heard is bad news. You have to be different: “I
really want to help your child succeed.”
Success depends on moving from confrontation to problem-solving.
•
Don’t propose your solution first.
If the teacher lays out a plan, chances are that
If possible, before meeting with parents: the parent will come back with, “We tried that
•
Document the child’s problem be- and it didn’t work.” Instead, as the parents
havior and your conversations about it.
what has been done in the past and weather
If you want parents to help you get the home- it worked or not. Often a meeting fails just
work turned in, you need to tell them how
because the teacher talked first.
often it hasn’t been, because their child is not
likely to ‘fess up. A lot of kids that aren’t doing •
Use “active” of reflective listening.
well will often hide information from their
Often an angry person is part right and part
parents. The parent’s tendency is to defend
wrong. If you begin agreeing or acknowlthe child.
edging what they are saying, they will calm
down. Make them know that you are sincere•
Don’t talk to a parent – or write
ly listening to what they have to say. “I hear
- when you’re mad.
you saying __________. Is that correct?”
Never reply immediately to an angry e-mail
or note. Do not delay more than 24 hours but •
Describe the problem in behavior,
give it some time.
non-judgmental terms.
“Robert is not turning in his homework.” “Ja•
Talk to other teachers that work
net is distracting the students around her.”
with the child.
“Sue has not followed the classroom rules.”
A student that is having trouble in your class
may be finding success in another. If so, you •
Don’t bring the student in until you
want to be able to share it with the parent.
and the parent are on the same side.
This may help to make them less defensive
If the parent is upset, it’s better to work it out
when you describe their child’s performance before the child is in the room. Students need
in your class.
to see that the teacher and parent are on the
same page.
•
Agree on specific steps that you and
the parent will take.
Pick two or three practical steps that each
of you can take. Parents can communicate
through e-mail or check assignments on a
web page and check off on completed work.
You will follow through with the parent when
something is not handed in.
After the meeting:
•
Follow up.
Agree to meet again or at least talk. Don’t wait
half a semester to find out if your plan needs
to be adjusted.
An ounce of prevention:
The goal here is to get the student to succeed and parents and teachers need to work
together to accomplish this. Here are some
steps in building a positive relationship.
•
Recognize that parents are valuable
partners.
Parents know their children. They have spent
years nurturing and supporting a child whom
you’ve sometimes just met. Ask for their
thoughts and advice. Recognize them as an
expert and treat them like a respected equal.
•
Admit your mistakes.
You make thousands of split-decisions every
day. Sometimes you make the wrong decision
– you’re human! Just admit it, apologize and
move on.
•
Communicate early and often.
Parents are passionate about their children.
They want to know what’s happening in
school and what they can do at home to
support that. Often times the only source of
information they receive is a cryptic conversation with a distracted twelve year old or
picking through a pile of papers at the bottom
of a book bag. Try to communicate trough email, class web sites, phone calls and written
correspondence. Express both concerns and
celebrate successes.
ATA Celebrates Community
The Amityville Teachers Association provided breakfast for Amityville’s firefighters in recognition for their
continuous contributions to our community and our students.
Scribe
June 2008
Retirement - the door to an exciting new world
Collectively our retirees have given 185 years of dedicated service to the Amityville children. Now, they look back and remember fond moments, but
excitedly they embrace the new world they are about to enter. It is the excitement of the unknown, without a schedule to keep or a clock to mind that is most
inviting. While they all admit there is much they will miss, the future is more than appealing. We wish them well and thank them for their caring and dedication.
Charles Femia
High School
Along with drama advisor he also served as the class
of 1986 adviser and was recently present at the 20 year
Chuck has taught English in the Amityville school
reunion, class of 1988 co-adviser, students against
district for 30 years. He has also been the drama
drunk driving advisor and worked with students on the
director for “most” of those years. He has produced
AIDS quilt that was displayed in Washington DC. His
plays and musicals including “Once Upon this
video journalism class wrote a documentary on Foxfire
Mattress”, “Arsenic and Old Lace”, “Guys and Dolls”,
that was also presented in Washington. The panoramic
“Bye Bye Birdie”, “Fame” and Amityville High School
was the first school in the nation to perform “Footloose” class photos that you see displayed in the high school
on stage. His drama students have attended Broadway began with Chuck. He taught teenage suicide classes
at Superintendent conferences and an in-service course
and off-broadway shows with dinner in NY City and
attended a live taping of the “Cosby Show”. Newsday’s “Incorporating Theater Arts into the Classroom”.
Ed Lowe even took notice of the great things happening He has served the ATA as a building president, building
assist. vice president, crisis committee chair and ATA
in the drama club and wrote a glowing editorial on
secretary.
Chuck.
Chuck plans on retiring to Brazil where he and his
partner Renato will open a bed and breakfast.
Ellen Lorence-Brett
Park Ave.
Ellen Lorence-Brett began her 28 years in Amityville
with her time split between the high school and middle
school. Since then she has worked in all the buildings
except Northeast, spending most of her time in
Park Avenue School. She began teaching in a rural
community upstate called Greene and taught there
for 4 years before moving back to Long Island, where
she worked for a year in a private school. Ellen enjoys
when former students come back to visit (even if they
are parents themselves now) and recently was touched
when she met a former student (now 29) at a special
Olympics event who jumped up and down after seeing
her, as if she was a celebrity.
Ellen is looking forward to enjoying more time with
her wonderful family, husband Douglas, and her three
children Beth, Andrew and Adam. She is anxious to
spend the mornings with the twins before school each
day. Ellen might even get to go on some field trips with
Hank Carpenter
her kids and spend some time with her daughter Beth
who is working and living in NYC.
She has been active in the Special Olympics since
college and plans to continue coaching and volunteering
after retirement. Ellen has been hesitant about retirement
because working with students, teachers and the school
community has been a remarkable experience all these
years. The past eleven years she spent teaching in
an integrated setting with the skill and support of two
amazing teachers. She has formed life-long friendships
that will help ease this transition. Ellen would like to thank
her colleagues for all of their support and encourage them
to continue their strong commitment to this important
profession.
Her favorite quote is from Confucius: “Choose a job you
love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.”
Park Ave.
Hank began his teaching career in 1971 and came to
Amityville in 1973 as a health and driver ed. teacher and
three years later started teaching physical education.
Scince then he has taught in every building in the district
with 26 years in PArk Ave. He also taught adult Ed and has
had over 8000 students. Currently there are 15 teachers
in the district that were students of Hank and 11 support
staff personnel. He has coached football, boys and girls
basketball,baseball, boy and girls tennis, vollyball wrestling
and yes, cheerleading. He has been involved in the Lonnie
Kittle Holiday wrestling tournament where 8 teams compete
and he has taught every teams head coach at one time
or another. Hank was on the football staff that won the L.I.
Championship in 1999 and in 2001 became the athetic
director. He has coached and attended more than 1500
athletic contests not to mention music performances, drama
productions, parades and award ceremonies.
Hank was influenced to become a physical education
teacher and coach by his H.S. wrestling coach and college
football coach.
His hobbies include hunting,boating, fishing and skiing.
To the remaining Amityville staff he would like to say that
Amityville is a great place to work. You will make lasting
friendships and at the same time have a rewarding career.
“I certainly loved my career working with all of you in the
Amityville schools.”
June 2008
Linda Deasy
Middle School
Linda has been teaching the sixth grade in E.W. Miles
Middle School for 39 years. She has taught every
subject throughout her career but taught math and
science this past year. She has had some memorable
moments during her time in Amityville, to name a
few: the numerous three day field trips to Washington
and Williamsburg with her teaching partner and best
friend Diana Emmolo; camping trips with the outdoor
club as its advisor; co-advising the K-Builders with
Colleen Kretz; all the laughing in the third floor faculty
room; receiving a copy of a composition that one of her
former students had written about her being the teacher
that most influenced his life and finally one event that
occurred last year at the Junior Honor Society induction
ceremony. A seventh grade student that she taught the
previous year had presented her a carnation that was
meant to recognize someone who had helped them to
achieve.
She was twice named to the National Outstanding
Teachers of America, recognized by NYSUT for 30
years of service to the Amityville Teachers Association,
awarded a certificate of honor from the American Red
Cross as a member of their Disaster Action Team for
service to the public during 9/11.
Evelyn Thomas
What she will miss most of all about Amityville
is, without a question, all the teachers and staff,
and some of the students. Her words of wisdom to
new teachers or old friends are to find something
to laugh at every day. Funny things happen all the
time, if you take the time to notice them.
Favorite quote: “Teaching kids to count is fine, but
teaching them what counts is best.”
-Bob Talbert
HIgh School
Evelyn Thomas has been teaching in Amityville for 28 ½
years. She spent one year teaching at Hofstra University,
SUNY Old Westbury. One moment in teaching which she
will never forget was a class project where students invited
people, who held a special place in their heart, to attend
class with them for a special recognition day. Invitees
included parents, ministers, older siblings, significant
others, teachers and administrators. Students wrote
tributes and some made or purchased gifts to give to their
honoree. Since she doesn’t believe a teacher should ask
a student to do something that he or she is not willing do,
she too invited “someone special” who happened to be
her parents. The atmosphere in that classroom that day
transcended everyone’s expectations. The spontaneous,
heart felt emotional outpouring was something that no one
was prepared to experience. She will never forget that
very amazing day that captured the essence of human
gratitude and appreciation.
Another memorable experience involved an all expense
paid trip to the West coast that one of her former students,
Chico Benymon, provided. He invited her along with an
administrator and four students to be his guests in sunny
California.. As a gracious host, he went above and beyond
to show them the best of Hollywood, to personally introduce them to the actors and directors of his sit-com, “Half
& Half” and to take them on several LA excursions. This
Mary Galigher
As far as her future plans, she takes advice from
a good friend who once said, “You have no idea
what new avenues will become open to you in
retirement.” She will be taking advantage of these
avenues by possibly supervising student teachers
from Molloy College or teach math at Nassau
Community College. She is also looking forward
to spending time with her family and good friends
who are already retired. Gardening, golfing and
traveling will definitely be enjoyed. She will be
volunteering more of her time to the Red Cross and
will be active in the newly organized retiree’s branch
of the ATA. Linda has no pets but plans on getting
a dog.
was Chico’s way of thanking her and the Amityville school
system for providing him with a solid educational foundation
that has served him well in his career.
Some words of advice: “Since I am a mother, I’ve generally
used a very basic barometer by which to teach. “Just try
to be a teacher that is good enough for your own children. If you’re good enough for your own children, who deserve
only the best, then surely you should be good enough for
someone else’s child.” I’ve also found that our students
have so much to give and are willing to receive. If you’re
open and receptive, you will find students connecting with
you not just because of your capacity to impart knowledge,
but they’ll connect because of your ability to also fill the void
in their life. Truly, to be in the classroom as a teacher is a
gift and to positively impact students along your journey is
indeed a blessing!”
One of her awards that was very special was the Educator
of Excellence New York State Council of English award
which she received in 1996. Evelyn will miss the students
in Amityville, “They are very giving of themselves. They
are open and warm which is something that I think I will
definitely miss.”
“Who dares to teach must never cease to learn.” -- John
Cotton Dana
Northwest
Mary has been teaching for 22 ½ years, 20 in
Amityville and 2 ½ at Eastern Suffolk Boces, and
Lindenhurst. The most memorable moment in
her career is when she realized that she is good
at what she does. She will miss the staff and
students very much but plans on keeping busy in
retirement by traveling, writing and remaining
active in several community organizations. She
has served as an elected official in Babylon
village for more then 20 years.
She will be spending time with Duncan and
Donuts (her cairn terrier and a peke).
Mary’s words of wisdom are to treat everyone
(staff and students) with respect and kindness.
Welcome new staff members and help them the
way you would want to be helped if you were in
their place.
Scribe
June 2008
National Teacher Appreciation Day
Breakfast consisted of fresh bagels, assorted
muffins, fresh fruit salad, coffee, tea, juice and
candy treats. Many teachers arrived to work
early so they could enjoy breakfast and chat
with Colleagues.
On Friday May 9th 2008, ATA members were
recognized for National Teacher Appreciation
day with a breakfast and a succes lapel pin.
Teachers were treated to a delicious breakfast
sponsored by the ATA. HS BVP Jenn Trotman, Lianne Fischer and Denise Dauria arrived
early to set up the breakfast in the HS teacher’s
workroom.
A Helping Hand_____________
The ATA donated a gift basket to long time
Amityville business owner, Dennis Kessler. On
Sunday May 2nd, 2008 over 300 Amityville residents
participated in a chinese auction fundraiser at the
Hunter Squire Jackson American Legion for Dennis,
who recently suffered a brain aneurysm. In
attendance was AMHS BVP Jenn Trotman, who
along with residence, bid on the many baskets donated by the community
members and business owners. Jenn Trotman said “the fundraiser was a great
success and I’m happy that the ATA participated in it.”
“Let’s Go Out and Rock the Boat”
By Carol Seehoff
We must all remember what led us to our
chosen profession. As educators we believe
that we must take action, whether inside
or outside of our classrooms, to guide the
educational community. We are responsible
to educate the next generation and focus our
values on social justice.” We must mobilize
and fight for those things in which we believe
are necessary to move the country in the
right direction.” “Be a part of something
larger than yourself,” NYSUT Executive Vice
President Alan Lubin told RA delegates. Both
Alan Lubin and Maria Neira express their
concern regarding complacency. Both of these
leaders urge unionists to take a strong part
in activism. All members are vital and must
have a voice in requesting quality professional
development, mentoring programs,
opportunities to be heard during shareddecision making assuring we are integral in
selecting educational programs which meet
the needs of out students.
At a recent Representative Assembly and
Committee of 100 lobbying event at Albany,
Maria Neira and NYSUT leaders challenged
union members to rock the boat and to be at
the “center of change” for decisions affecting
the workplaces. As members of the ATA, we
must continue to empower ourselves
as unionists. We need to encourage and
influence each other in advocating for things
we know are promising and speaking LOUD
and CLEAR against bad practices. Your
involvement in any way will strengthen the
ATA.
New Math Regents
This June
The first ever regents’ examination in
Integrated Algebra will be
administered this June and the
scheduling is tight. A memorandum
providing details on the logistics and
procedures required for the scoring
and standard setting project
established for the first exam can
be found at www.emsc.nysed.gov/
osa/mathre/iaplm-08.htm
The exam was originally scheduled
for Tuesday June 12th in the
afternoon but responding to NYSUT
and other groups the State Education
to the June 2008 Regents exam
schedule and to change the
administration of the Integrated
Algebra Regents to that morning.
June 2008
Debate (continued)
Carolyn Dodd’s response to Mrs.
Sikhrangkur’s letter, printed in the
Amityville record April 16th, 2008:
Dear Editor:
Standardized tests are the wrong
instruments for determining what
makes a good teacher. As president of
the Amityville School board, Michele
Sikrangkur should know that. Fortunately,
Governor David Paterson and legislative
leaders recognize that student test scores
are an inappropriate way to gauge whether
probationary teachers should earn the due
process protections of tenure. The recently
adopted state budget wisely prohibits
school boards from linking the two.
To help explain why Amityville teachers
and their state-wide union - New York
State United Teachers - opposed the idea,
let me offer an analogy:
Imagine bringing your car to the shop for
a vehicle emissions test. The mechanic
attaches a long tube to the exhaust pipe
and starts the engine. He waits while a
computer carefully measures how much
carbon dioxide and other pollutants you
car is spilling into the atmosphere. Vehicle
emissions tests are a proven way to
measure air pollution from automobiles.
But how would you react if the mechanic
studied the data and said you needed new
brakes?
After getting angry, you would probably
insist the mechanic put the car on a lift,
remove the tires, and examine the brake
drums, calipers and pads. That’s the right
way to determine whether a car needs a
brake job.
Standardized tests say very little about
teachers’ abilities. They are designed
to measure something specific, such as
how well a third grader grasps certain
math concepts. Tests are not designed
to measure a teachers’ effectiveness at
teaching.
Teachers embrace accountability and
believe in the highest standards for those
who teach New York’s children. But
teachers also want to be accountable for
what they can control. And, they want
to be evaluated based on appropriate
measures, designed for that purpose.
And, not all teachers give tests. At
NYSUT’S convention last week, a music
teacher from Central Islip led a concert
choir of 100 beautiful voices in song. The
teacher is preparing his students for a tour
of Italy. But, his students don’t take tests
in music. How would the school board
measure if he is a good teacher?
Like vehicle emissions data, student test
scores have a place. But when test data
is used inappropriately, real damage
can occur to children, people’s careers
– or their automobiles. Too bad Mrs.
Sikrangkur didn’t grasp that. If she had,
she would understand why the state
needed to put the brakes on this halfbaked idea.
If school boards want to measure teacher
quality there are a number of good ways
Carolyn Dodd, President
to do it. School boards can look to a
Amityville Teachers Association
teacher’s growth as part of a mentoring
program or through the peer review
process. They can weigh a new teacher’s
ability to collaborate with other teachers
Masters Degree Program
and work closely with parents. Certainly,
competent administrators should visit
a new teacher’s classroom regularly
and observe lessons in progress. Good
Thanks to the efforts of the ATA,
evaluations by administrators are welcome
the Suffolks Edge Teachers Center
and critical to helping new teachers to
has arranged
hone their craft.
Teachers explained that if the Legislature
created a system like the school boards
wanted, new teachers would naturally
gravitate to the classrooms full of the
brightest kids and the most involved
parents. Why would a new teacher, no
matter how talented, want to take a
class of low-achieving students in a high
poverty district, especially if they knew
their job and their career would be based
on a raw, misleading number?
Special Olympics
On Sunday, May 4th, 2008 our Amityville students
and volunteers participated in the 37th annual
Long Island Special Olympic Spring Games at
William Floyd High School in Mastic Beach.
Eleven students came home with gold, silver and
bronze medals.
The day was a huge success and coaches Ellen
Brett and Rebecca DePaolo would like to thank
the following teachers who devoted their time and
energy. Thanks to HS teacher Alyssa DelGiornoFishman for her help the entire day and Park
Avenue teacher, Dana Herz, husband for coming
to support her students.
for a (3) credit in-service course
on Classroom Management from
NYSUT. The forty five (45) hour
course will be offered here in
our district on July 1st & 2nd and
July 10th, 11th and 12th. The cost
is $375.00, plus the text. If you
would like graduate credits, the
price is $595.00 plus the text. If
this class is well attended there
may be a possibility for more
classes in the future.
Scribe
June 2008
Around the District
Congratulations to:
Chuck Femia-Vasconcelos got married on September 8th in
Provincetown MA.He and Renato will be moving to Buzios, Brazil in
his retirement to open a Guest House on the beach.
Ricki Budick’s daughter Dara will be attending the University of
Hartford in the fall. Her son Steven will be attending Kindergarten and
her daughter Lauren will be attending high school. Three great events
in one family!
Andrew Akapnitis will be presenting a workshop at this year’s 2008
Annual NYSACAC Conference at Manhattanville College on June 4th.
The workshop is entitled “Career Education is a Must in Today’s
High Schools”. Andrew will present a brief
history of career education and how it can
be integrated into the curriculum. This is
second year presenting at the annual
NYSACAC Conference.
Sue Ritigliano and her husband Joe will be
celebrating their 25th wedding anniversary on
July 10th. Also, Joe has taken over ownership of
the Captree Cove Fish Restaurant and food
concession at the state park off Ocean Parkway
and Robert Moses Causeway. The restaurant
overlooks the Great South Bay and the Robert
Moses bridge directly on the water. Serving lunch,
dinner and concessions they are open from 6am to
6pm. Let’s all stop by and check it out!
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Lisa Hartney will be getting married on July 4th,
2008 and is buying a new house!
Joan Pryer (NW) is expecting her third granddaughter in August, a
sister for Joleigh Kozack and a cousin for Addison Moore.
JudyAnn Hurst son Andrew Hurst is graduating the eighth grade
having taken all accelerated classes with honors. Jennifer, Steven, and
Brittany Hurst Triplets are graduating fifth grade and are all playing
instruments... the house can be noisy!
JudyAnn Hurst and Lori D’Iorio, teachers at NW and residents of
Long Beach, ran in the annual Memorial Day Weekend 10 Mile race
as a benefit for St. Jude’s Hospital (treats all children regardless of
health insurance or financial status). Andrew Hurst, JudyAnn’s son is
also running and will leave his mother in the dust. All donations to St.
Jude’s Hospital will be greatly appreciated and can be sent to
JudyAnn or Lori at NW.
Legislative
Council
Carolyn Dodd
ATA President - Northeast
Ted Tsirigotis
Vice President - PA
Patti Dieck
Secretary - EWMMS
George Alexander
Treasurer - PA
Northeast
Bob Claps - BVP
Colleen Kretz - Asst.
Northwest
Carol Seehof - BVP
John Kennedy - Asst.
Park Ave.
Marc Engler - BVP
Olimpia Karounos - Asst.
Michael Greco - Asst.
EWMMS
Linda Deasy - BVP
Janine DeMaio - Asst.
Daren Aversa-asst. BVP
AMHS
Jen Trotman - BVP
Carl Spatola - Asst.
Mark Marchino - Asst.
Bob Western - Asst.
NYSUT/AFT Rep
Nancy Finnizio
Heather Persan
Webmaster
Shannon Reilly
Contact your ATA
ATA Office hours - Mon. thru Fri. from 1:00 - 4:30.
74 Merrick Rd (above Key Computing )
Please call 691-0021
Carolyn Dodd - president
[email protected]
Sick Bank Chair
Deborah Ross
LAP Coordinator
Peggy Gonser
Kathleen Thorn
Editor
Jolene Maccarone