Officers Margie Brumfield- President Mary Lerkins- 1 st Vice President Angelina Rivera-
5
The R.A.P Connection SEPT./OCT 2011 Volume 45 The Official Publication Editor: Mary Lerkins Officers Margie Brumfield- President Mary Lerkins- 1 st Vice President Angelina Rivera- 2 nd Vice President Natalie Vazzana- Secretary/Treasurer 30 N.Union St., Suite 203, Rochester, NY 14607 Office- 454-1380 Fax- 454-1383 http://ny.aft.org/rap Executive Board Members Paul Pittinaro- Board Chairperson Jewell Brown Cedric Moorehead Terry Spiva Linda Thompson Dorothy Tisdale Maryann Tychoniewicz Rosemary Wilson From the Desk of the President: WELCOME BACK! The end of last school year has been the most disheartening year ever, because of the many RIF(reduction in force) notices that went out. It started out as 142 potential notices that settled at 132 actual RIF’s. Many were also displaced. There was much, much movement! Fortunately many of our members have been called back, but not necessarily in the same positions; but back to work. To date we are aware of 55 restored positions. RAP INSTITUTE… The RCSD finally recognized our needs and offered paid PD at the end of June without RAP having to negotiate or beg for it. It was limited to 150 members with the plan of an additional 150 attending another session in the fall, the week before school started. Unfortunately; after the first session, the reports that were sent back to central office concerning our group were so disturbing, which is totally unacceptable! I believe it influenced their decision on having the second session or not! We were told that funds were no longer available. The reports that we received were horrible. It was a reflection on the entire organization. We have a list of participants of the Institute, and we know it wasn’t all of you that took part in the disrespectful and degrading behavior. Unfortunately all has to hear about our disappointment and that it has to be dealt with in some manner. RAP has made a unanimous decision to put vices in place to monitor these things and then only let members who genuinely want to be in a workshop for growth and not just to receive an honorarium. Only a choice few of the workshops sponsored by RAP will be advertised with an honorarium offered! We don’t want you to just go for the money.That comment was made this summer and that’s not what it’s about. We can’t let a choice few make the entire organization look bad! It’s unacceptable! EXPECTATIONS… It’s going to be a year of continued movement, because as TA positions become available, TA’s that are already in para positions are eligible to go into those positions. Please be as professional
description
The R.A.P Connection SEPT./OCT 2011 Volume 45 The Official Publication Editor: Mary Lerkins. Officers Margie Brumfield- President Mary Lerkins- 1 st Vice President Angelina Rivera- 2 nd Vice President - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
Transcript of Officers Margie Brumfield- President Mary Lerkins- 1 st Vice President Angelina Rivera-
The R.A.P Connection SEPT./OCT 2011 Volume 45The Official Publication Editor: Mary Lerkins
OfficersMargie Brumfield- PresidentMary Lerkins-
1st Vice PresidentAngelina Rivera- 2nd Vice PresidentNatalie Vazzana-Secretary/Treasurer
30 N.Union St., Suite 203, Rochester, NY 14607
Office- 454-1380
Fax- 454-1383http://ny.aft.org/rap
Executive Board Members
Paul Pittinaro- Board Chairperson Jewell Brown Cedric Moorehead Terry Spiva Linda Thompson Dorothy Tisdale Maryann Tychoniewicz Rosemary Wilson
From the Desk of the President:WELCOME BACK!The end of last school year has been the most disheartening year ever, because of the many RIF(reduction in force) notices that wentout. It started out as 142 potential notices that settled at 132 actual RIF’s. Many were also displaced. There was much, muchmovement! Fortunately many of our members have been called back,but not necessarily in the same positions; but back to work. To datewe are aware of 55 restored positions.RAP INSTITUTE…The RCSD finally recognized our needs and offered paid PD at the end of June without RAP having to negotiate or beg for it. It was limitedto 150 members with the plan of an additional 150 attending anothersession in the fall, the week before school started. Unfortunately;after the first session, the reports that were sent back to centraloffice concerning our group were so disturbing, which is totallyunacceptable! I believe it influenced their decision on having the second session or not! We were told that funds were no longeravailable.The reports that we received were horrible. It was a reflection on theentire organization. We have a list of participants of the Institute, and we know it wasn’t all of you that took part in the disrespectful anddegrading behavior. Unfortunately all has to hear about our disappointment and that it has to be dealt with in some manner.RAP has made a unanimous decision to put vices in place to monitorthese things and then only let members who genuinely want to be in a workshop for growth and not just to receive an honorarium. Onlya choice few of the workshops sponsored by RAP will be advertisedwith an honorarium offered!We don’t want you to just go for the money.That comment was madethis summer and that’s not what it’s about. We can’t let a choice few make the entire organization look bad! It’s unacceptable!EXPECTATIONS…It’s going to be a year of continued movement, because as TA positions become available, TA’s that are already in para positionsare eligible to go into those positions. Please be as professionalas possible during this critical time in order not to upset thestudents progress as much as possible. Continue to do all wonderfulthings that you do for our students to help support their continuedsuccess in education.NEGOTIATIONS….We are hoping to call a special meeting very soon to ratify ourcontract!BIDG.REP/GENERAL MEETINGRap expects that every building will be represented at each General,Annual, and special called meetings. You will not be informed or be able to represent RAP if you don’t attend RAP meetings. You wouldbe unable to support the mission and vision of the organization.Three missed meetings, you will have to come before RAP Officersfor a decision to be made for removal or not, depending on circum-stances. A Bldg. Rep. training will take place at our first meeting onNovember 1, 2011, at East High Forum room, at 4:00pm.
.
From the Public Relations Committee-Angelina Rivera Come join us at the Fourth Annual Hispanic Heritage Celebration Wednesday October 12th 2011 5:00pm NYSUT Conference Center- 30 North Union Street RSVP by October 5th- by calling 454-1380
From the Desk of the 1st Vice President: Newsletter- As an organization that is tackling many issuesand has lost revenue due to the reduction in force, we are changing how we will be delivering the newsletter. We are going ELECTRONIC! I know it may be hard at first, change always is. We are still going to send one copy to each school to post. The newsletter will be available through our website http://ny.aft.org/rap. You will be able to read it or download it. This is new for us, so patience may be necessary.In this edition we have a guest writer. We welcome anyone to submit articles, upcoming events, cartoons, editorials,and anything else you might want to see.
A Reminder- Please take a few minutes and check your personel information on Peoplesoft. If there are mistakes, please correct them. We have members that were laid off, but no working phone. Please make sure any time you change your information send it to HCI and RAP. Thanks.
From the Desk of the Treasurer:Voter Registration- If you are not registered to vote you will be receiving a packet from RAP. Included in this packet is the necessary form to become registered along with voting instructions…..please take a few minutes to register and then get out to vote on November 8th. “Your vote is your voice”
Retirement- if you have not joined a retirement system (ERS-Paras or TRS-TA’s) and would like to join please call the RAP office for a membership form. You can also receive this form from Colleen Clarke in payroll at 262-8420. Completed form goes to Colleen. Questions about your status(not sure if you are a member already)- please call Colleen.
Health, Wellness and Safety Committee…Maryann Tychoniewicz, Chairperson
RAP will not be participating in the Breast Cancer Walk this year due to very low attendance in recent years. If you would still like to make a donation or participate in the walk, October 2 at Frontier Field, go to this link.http://makingstrides.acsevents.org . Thank you for your support.
Calendar of EventsOctober 4th Breast Cancer Walk- Frontier FieldOctober 12th Hispanic Heritage Celebration October 27th Board of Education- 6:30-8:30pmNovember 5th RCSD Symposium 8:30-1:30 @ EdisonNovember 5th Rochester Children’s Book Festival 10:00-4:00 @ MCC- Free admissionNovember 8th Voting DayNovember 15th NYSUT SRP Recognition Day (School Related Professional)
Sudoku Brain Teaser: Try this fun and easy puzzle. Enter digits from 1-9 blank spaces. Every row must containone of each digit. So must every column, as must every 3x3 square. Have fun!
RAP’s National Union AffiliationsNYSUT and AFT, provide ads which offers different opportunities for our members. Please check out all the benefits at their websites. www.aft.org and www.nysut.org
Fred Sarkis Returns to his Alma Mater-Jefferson Last school year (2009-2010) English teacher, Ms. Christofaro and Mary Gilman, TA utilized the “Yes Pa” book with their students. The author, Fred Sarkis graciously corresponded with their students and encourages them in their education. Gilman noticed that Mr. Sarkis had little time for his favorite sport, tennis while he was finishing the WWII Veterans HS program and then working after school. She decided he would have been a phenomenal tennis player if he had the time in his youth. So we created an Honorary Varsity Tennis Coach Certificate for him. Principal, Mary Andrecolich-Diaz and Varsity Tennis Coach Laura Bingaman concurred and signed the Award for Mr. Sarkis. The principal included a Jefferson HS T-shirt with the award and sent off the package to him.
The following school year(2010-2011)Gilman was pleasantly surprised to receive a letter from Mr. Sakis stating how much the Award meant to him. He included a picture of himself in the T-shirt an a tennis court. The letter included an invitation to the Rochester Radio Press Club Dinner at the Riverside Convention Center.
On May 24, 2011 Mary Gilman was thrilled to be one of Fred Sarkis’ guests at the Champions Dinner, where he was honored with the Charlie Wagner Award (founder of the Club). Mr. Sarkis is the founder of the Yes Pa Foundation(a not-for-profit), which provides a free character- building program to schools. He has a website which contains all the information about his foundation. Go to www.yespa.org. He’s the founder of Bristol Mountain and later Bristol Harbor Village on Canandaigua Lake. Mr. Sarkis reached a No.3 Tennis ranking in Florida and No. 13 national ranking in 2009 in the 80-85 age group. His goal is to be ranked No.1 in his age group.
Mr. Sarkis eagerly accepted Gilman’s invitation to speak at Jefferson HS to the latest group of “Yes Pa” readers and offered to play tennis with the Jeffersons’ Tennis Team.
On May 12th Mr. Sarkis surprised the class with a phone call of a lifetime. The students were all smiles and disbelief as they chattered with the author of the book they were reading and shared what school was like now at Jefferson, and their hopes and dreams.
After sixty-five years, Mr. Sarkis returned to his alma mater, Jefferson High School on June 2, 2011. He entertained, educated and amazed the students and staff with his repertoire of knowledge, sense of humor, and enthusiasm for life as reflected in “ Yes Pa”. The students presented him with a Jefferson book bag and a thank you poster at the end of his talk. After school, co-host; Coach Bingaman gathered the girls’ and the boys” tennis players for some back and forth volleys with Mr. Sarkis and his sister Anne Nealon(retired RIT Tennis Coach). At 85 years young Mr. Sarkis powerfully and gracefully returned numerous serves and volleys. He provided an experience of a lifetime to our students at Jefferson with the “Yes Pa” book and personal appearance. After all how often does one read a well written book about the city you live in, the author graduated from the school you attend and then takes time to come into your classroom and literally bring the book and lessons to life: maybe just once if you’re fortunate. Submitted by guest writer Mary Gilman
Mary Gilman & Mr. Sarkis at Rochester Radio Press Club Dinner , May 24, 2011
Fred Sarkis in front of “Yes Pa” timeline created by Mary Gilman decorated with students’ essays and art work
Fred Sarkis is welcomed back to Jefferson after 65 yrs. To talk to the 7th grade.
Teacher Ms. Christofaro, Author Mr.Sarkis,TA,Mary Gilman, Fred’s sister,Anne Nealon.
Happy Birthday from R.A.P!! According to RAPS latest Information
SEPTEMBER 20111- Teddy Bivins 15- Judy Scott 2- Nancy Harter 16-Charlotte Dickerson2-Kelly Johnson 16- Sandra McCullough3-Joanne Gamble 17-Virginia Post4-Tunisia Bradshaw 17-Jude Gates4-Ruby Martinez 17-Brenda Kearns5-Evelyn Rivera 17-Robin Thomas6-Cassie Harrell 19-April Roberts6-Karen Wolfe 19-Nicole Rosen7- Retha Giles 20-Doriy Jackson7-Shandorah Bouie 21-Susan Pire8-Charnette Ludd 21-Raymond Clemons 8-Ronald Lipton 22-Carol Tschanz9-Avamaria Glende 23-Lisa VanGorder9-Chad Reynolds 23-Rosetta Young9-Jacquelyn Johnson 23- Jeremy Trifeletti11-Moses Tanksley 24-Joyce Pettway11-Dannetta Dunaway 26-Johnny Dawkins11-Natalie Vazzana 26-Beth Walsh11-Yulandia Walker 27-Elizabeth Kelley11-Donte Kennedy 27-Patricia Burris13-Yolanda Sanchez 27-Inez Johnson13-Hazel King 29-Ivette Figueroa13-Maria Perez-McKnight 29-Doris Kennedy13-Patricia Roberson 29-Ivette Figueroa15-Ruth Aquino 29-Richey Jackson15-Andrea Gorkin 30-Karen Mee
OCTOBER 20111-Donna Clarke 20-Phouangmaly Tiwapth2-Ezekiel Anderson 20-Sonji Simkin2-Arlene Porter 21-Jerrina Walker2-Richard Williams 21-Charles Lurry2-Angela Wicks 21-Evelyn Vazquez4-Michael Lee 22-Vivian Cole4-Maryann Tychoniewicz 22-Cheryl Placious4-Edward Wilson 22-Demetrius Walker5-Rebella Muoio 23-Tara Pios5-Schwanda Lewis 23-Andrea Smith5-Melissa Winters 24-Keyonna Dixon6-Jodi Burger 24-Maxine C. Green7-Gail Scott-Premo 25-Margie Brumfield 7-Louvander Welch 25-Maria Datsko9-Janice Henderson 25-Jimmie Dillard9-Sherry Short 25-Elizabeth Rios-Bakari9- Danielle Shine 25-Dorothy Smith10-Chad McDonald 27-Lisa Alexender11-Peggy Tucker 27-Rosemary Ortiz12-Valerie James 27-Carrie Travers15-Susan Allen 27-Anne Walters17-Tiffany Bumphis 28-Valerie Medley17-Cory Washington 29-Melinda Torres-Light17-Lisbet Vargas 29-Margaret White18-Cheryl Costa 30-Bette Staszewski18-Myron Hall 31-Leon Tate20-Nilda Figueroa
CONGRATULATIONS TO:
Lazane Traywick-Terrance a TA from #43 has graduated from Nazareth with a dual certification in Childhood 1-6. She will be considered an inclusive educator.
Useful links to have--------Rochester City School District-http://rcsdk12.org/rcsd/site/default.aspRochester City School District Web Mail-http://mail.rcsdk12.org/Avatar-http://rochesterny.courseinsite.com/login.html#
