WTA News
Legal Protections Workshop Jan. 25
How to protect yourself and your credentials; a discussion about what
members should do if they are under investigation by law enforcement
or the Commission on Teacher Credentialing and "How to Avoid Any of
That."
Presenter: Jon-Paul Valcarenghi, Attorney at Law
When: Wednesday January 25, 2012, 4:30-6:30pm
Where: CTA Cordelia Regional Resource Center
4751 Central Way, Fairfield CA 94534.
To RSVP, click the link to read the flyer obtain the email address or
phone number.
Proposal to create a WTA PAC
There is a proposal to create a Political Action Committee (PAC) of WTA
to support pro-public education candidates and issues at the district
and county level only. Read an outline of the proposal here.
Math Framework Focus Groups
The California Department of Education is inviting K-12 math teachers
to participate in a focus group to help develop the new math
frameworks that will align with the implementation of the new
Common Core State Standards. If you teach math at any of the K-12
levels, you can obtain an application here. This is an opportunity for
our members to lend their knowledge and expertise in the
development of the math frameworks. You can read the cover letter
from State Superintendent Tom Torlakson here. The deadline for
submission of an application is Jan 5, 2012. The local focus group will
meet on February 28, 2012.
CTA Union Code of Conduct
Reggie asks that members review this briefly at your next staff
meeting "WTA time".
WUSD Safety Survey results released
Per our contract with the district, WUSD agreed to conduct a survey of
safety concerns among staff members in the district. The 45-question
survey was conducted last spring and 158 responses were received,
the majority of which came from River City High School. The district
forwarded the results of that survey to each bargaining unit on
November 3, and we post the cover letter here.
Cal Casualty Staffroom Makeover
California Casualty has been providing exclusive auto and home
insurance benefits to CTA members and education professionals for
over 60 years. Their show of appreciation is an offer to help transform
your school lounge from ordinary to extraordinary. Go to
schoolloungemakeover.com for more information.
Take CTA's evaluation survey
CTA is collecting information from members about methods of
evaluating teacher effectiveness in order to improve the teacher
evaluation process. Your input on this short survey is extremely
important as it will inform the work and recommendations of the CTA
Teacher Evaluation Workgroup. All of the information you provide will
be kept confidential. Go to surveymonkey.com/s/CTAevalSurvey
CTA State Council Report
From our state council rep, Don Stauffer
CTA Legal Training Handout
Information for teachers about use of social media like Facebook,
portable cameras, email, Internet sites, general info on
student-teacher interactions; private life and off-duty conduct; with
supporting articles
Maintaining CTA membership while on
leave
Unit members can keep their CTA membership active while they are on
leave or if they have been laid off, but it requires filling out a new
membership form.
State Council Report
WTA Board Member Don Stauffer attended CTA's State Council and
returned with this report, including information about CTA Council
decisions, teacher evaluation concerns, and retirement and CalSTRS.
CTA legal information on political activity
It's campaign season again, and some members have asked about
their legal rights and obligations regarding campaign activity and work,
including the use of district email, wearing buttons, etc. on district
premises. This information from CTA Legal Services has been updated
in 2010 to reflect recent changes in applicable law.
WTA Executive Board creates History Committee
The Executive Board of the WTA has created a standing History
Committee to maintain historical and archival records of the
Association including a scrapbook of events, a list of members who
have received awards and honors, and to make those records
available to members as needed.
Grievance Forms
Sample Level 1 Grievance Letter
Grievance Interview Form
Grievance Timetable
WTA Bylaws (PDF file)
How to protect yourself and your credentials; a discussion about what
members should do if they are under investigation by law enforcement
or the Commission on Teacher Credentialing and "How to Avoid Any of
That."
Presenter: Jon-Paul Valcarenghi, Attorney at Law
When: Wednesday January 25, 2012, 4:30-6:30pm
Where: CTA Cordelia Regional Resource Center
4751 Central Way, Fairfield CA 94534.
To RSVP, click the link to read the flyer obtain the email address or
phone number.
Proposal to create a WTA PAC
There is a proposal to create a Political Action Committee (PAC) of WTA
to support pro-public education candidates and issues at the district
and county level only. Read an outline of the proposal here.
Math Framework Focus Groups
The California Department of Education is inviting K-12 math teachers
to participate in a focus group to help develop the new math
frameworks that will align with the implementation of the new
Common Core State Standards. If you teach math at any of the K-12
levels, you can obtain an application here. This is an opportunity for
our members to lend their knowledge and expertise in the
development of the math frameworks. You can read the cover letter
from State Superintendent Tom Torlakson here. The deadline for
submission of an application is Jan 5, 2012. The local focus group will
meet on February 28, 2012.
CTA Union Code of Conduct
Reggie asks that members review this briefly at your next staff
meeting "WTA time".
WUSD Safety Survey results released
Per our contract with the district, WUSD agreed to conduct a survey of
safety concerns among staff members in the district. The 45-question
survey was conducted last spring and 158 responses were received,
the majority of which came from River City High School. The district
forwarded the results of that survey to each bargaining unit on
November 3, and we post the cover letter here.
Cal Casualty Staffroom Makeover
California Casualty has been providing exclusive auto and home
insurance benefits to CTA members and education professionals for
over 60 years. Their show of appreciation is an offer to help transform
your school lounge from ordinary to extraordinary. Go to
schoolloungemakeover.com for more information.
Take CTA's evaluation survey
CTA is collecting information from members about methods of
evaluating teacher effectiveness in order to improve the teacher
evaluation process. Your input on this short survey is extremely
important as it will inform the work and recommendations of the CTA
Teacher Evaluation Workgroup. All of the information you provide will
be kept confidential. Go to surveymonkey.com/s/CTAevalSurvey
CTA State Council Report
From our state council rep, Don Stauffer
CTA Legal Training Handout
Information for teachers about use of social media like Facebook,
portable cameras, email, Internet sites, general info on
student-teacher interactions; private life and off-duty conduct; with
supporting articles
Maintaining CTA membership while on
leave
Unit members can keep their CTA membership active while they are on
leave or if they have been laid off, but it requires filling out a new
membership form.
State Council Report
WTA Board Member Don Stauffer attended CTA's State Council and
returned with this report, including information about CTA Council
decisions, teacher evaluation concerns, and retirement and CalSTRS.
CTA legal information on political activity
It's campaign season again, and some members have asked about
their legal rights and obligations regarding campaign activity and work,
including the use of district email, wearing buttons, etc. on district
premises. This information from CTA Legal Services has been updated
in 2010 to reflect recent changes in applicable law.
WTA Executive Board creates History Committee
The Executive Board of the WTA has created a standing History
Committee to maintain historical and archival records of the
Association including a scrapbook of events, a list of members who
have received awards and honors, and to make those records
available to members as needed.
Grievance Forms
Sample Level 1 Grievance Letter
Grievance Interview Form
Grievance Timetable
WTA Bylaws (PDF file)
Washington Teachers Association
316 Webster Street
West Sacramento CA 95691
(916) 371-0882
Send us an email
316 Webster Street
West Sacramento CA 95691
(916) 371-0882
Send us an email
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| Contribute to our scholarship program online from PayPal |
| We need a new website manager I created the WTA website in 2006 and I have maintained it ever since. I wanted to be able to give back a little to my union by contributing something concrete that I knew I could handle without taking too much time. Now the time has come for me to move on (I've accepted an interim assistant principal position as River City) and we'd like to pass the torch to someone who may have wanted to help out with the union but never knew exactly what they could do. The website is all set up and currently takes no more than a couple hours each month to maintain. You don't need to know any complicated formatting or HTML skills, just average to moderate computer skills. I use a simple program from Yahoo and take whatever the WTA officers send to me and post for them. I also receive the occasional email through the website contact page and forward to the appropriate officer (usually Reggie or Mike). I would certainly train you. Please contact me through the website or let Reggie know if you are interested. Or pass the word along to members who might be willing to contribute. Thanks. Jerry O'Connor |