The AgendaMount Vernon Federation of Teachers

Over

Sixty Years of Excellence in EducationMVFT

Volume 16, Issue 5 June 2015www.mvft.org

Happy RetirementMartin AnnunziataAugust AutieriCheryl L. BoldenVincent BorelliAuris BourdonRosemarie CountsProceso A. FajardoTeresita E. FajardoBeverly FullerBarbara Jean HellerPatricia JohnAnderson JonesShirley MauriceAnna PuglieseBrent RidenourDonna Smith-PluchinoAnne Young Berkley

HONORING OUR RETIREESBy Jeff YonkersIt has become a tradition that our June newsletter begins with honoring those who have decided to retire at the end of the school year. For our members it can be a very complex decision but with all that is going on in education, for some it has become much easier. June is a very busy month with many time sensitive issues that need our attention. That cannot prevent us from celebrating those who have spent most of their life in this place, serving our community and nurturing its most important commodity, its children. We all know how rewarding and challenging it can be. Still, 20, 30, or 40 years of service is certainly a commitment worth honoring. We receive our degree, pass our tests and get licensed, interview and hopefully find a job, prove ourselves and earn tenure. Then we make our way, work as a team hurdling obstacles, making a difference where we can, hopefully planting seeds and watching them grow. We finish what we started and decide it is time, time to move on to other professional challenges or personal ones and in some cases, to just step back and enjoy a slower pace.

Well, these past three years have seen many great educators and colleagues move on. Replacing them has not been easy in the classroom or at the union. I have said before, that seeing them go can be hard, but the upside is that it allows those following them to blossom. We have become accustomed to our members giving so much of themselves - this is their final unselfish act.

I am sure I can speak for us all, remembering them for their contributions and saying thank you for their service and support!

CONTINUE TO SPEAK OUT!By Jeff Yonkers, MVFT President

I would like to thank the many members who showed interest in becoming building reps this

year. That is exactly what we need, greater involvement in organizing, protecting and providing support for our members. The difficult issues we face are ever present; in fact, they are increasing with all the new laws and regulations being forced on us from the Governor’s office. It is understood that labor and management must, at times, deal with issues from an adversarial perspective. But now, State Ed is forcing us into adversarial roles that are not of our choosing. Even when together we agree, we may be forced to deal with state law that will not allow compromise.

Due to the new State Ed laws, we now have buildings designated for receivership. Under receivership, regulations mandate involuntary transfers and even cuts of teachers in those buildings. New evaluation laws and procedures restrict the administration’s ability to be fair and rational in how they evaluate our members under the new APPR. We still have a tax cap, restricting our resources and increasing inequities between wealthy districts and those less fortunate like Mount Vernon. With all this, our members must still keep their eye on the ball.

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FROM THE GRIEVANCECHAIRPERSON . . .By Dominick Ciccone

CONTINUE TO SPEAK OUT!(continued from page 2)We must educate many needy children and do our best to support one another. If we are to survive, together we must fight to change this destructive direction that the New York State legislature has steered public education toward. If we cannot move them off of their obsession with testing, if it is to be the “end all and be all”, then public education in the inner cities and places with poverty are in great jeopardy. I wish I had more confidence in those in Albany involved in making these decisions.

We cannot leave our futures in their hands. The children and our communities deserve better. We must continue to speak out whenever and wherever we can and educate all who will listen. Proving our points or changing the minds of local management is no longer our biggest obstacle. Changing the laws and minds of our state’s leaders is what is necessary to give us what we need - what our children need. Those needs include research based curriculums, fair and useful evaluations and “local control” for our school communities.

Members of the MVFT - rest up, enjoy the summer, prepare yourself for the lessons we must teach, not only to our students, but to the adults who obviously did not pay attention and have lost their way!

ADULT EDUCATION GRIEVANCEAn arbitration has been scheduled for June 23, 2015 to settle the multi-year grievance dealing with the use of non-unit members in the summer, evening, and daytime adult education programs. If a settlement is reached prior to the date, then the remedy will be shared with those unit members who were harmed, along with the language going forward as to how teaching positions will be filled for the adult education program in the future.

APPRJeanne Casino from Longfellow Elementary School has stepped up to be the APPR Committee Chairperson for the 2015-2016 school year. Jeanne has served on the committee for several years and will do a great job bringing the committee forward in what Governor Cuomo has established as dangerous and unfriendly waters regarding the evaluation of teachers in New York State. The committee is planning to meet with the District several times in order to incorporate the recent legislation into next year’s APPR. The committee is waiting for the Guidance Document to be sent from the Commissioner in order to implement the new law. The deadline for the implemented changes remains November of 2015. Thanks for stepping up Jeanne!

SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENTMost teachers will not receive their completed Summative Assessment Form #3 with their composite scores out of 100 until we return to school in September. This will give teachers the maximum time to input their data for SLOs and LSMs before leaving school in June. Appeal forms will be available from the building reps in September for those members who receive a score of less than 75 out of 100 and feel that they have grounds for an appeal according to the Appeal language in the APPR. Only teachers rated ineffective or developing are subject to the appeal process and should hand deliver their 2014-2015 appeal form and their form #3 along with their reason for appeal to Human Resources by the deadline set forth in the Appeal section of the APPR. Keep a stamped copy for yourself !

ELECTION RESULTSMVFT DELEGATE ELECTION 2015(two year term)

Thornton: Annette Coppola and Karl Nifontoff

Grimes: Stuart Hemby

Columbus: Melissa Hogan and Laura Mason

Holmes: Nadine Shields Alcalde and Isabel Garcia

MVHS:  Eddie Sauls, Patricia Battles,

Linda Gordon, and David Israel

NYSTRS Representatives (for the 2015-2017 term)

Jeff Yonkers Alternate: Karl Nifontoff

Anita Amieiro Alternate: Linda Gordon

Carl Caprio Alternate: Michael Malocsay

Jeanne Casino Alternate: Nicole White

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HIGH SCHOOL NEWSBy Carl Caprio, HS VPI would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge Barbara Abbey, Daniel Cuevas and Jhanice McDonald for their extraordinary efforts on behalf of the union and its members at the high schools. I am sure that they will continue to support our members and the efforts of the new building reps, Karl Nifontoff, David Israel, and Patricia Battles. Barbara, Daniel and Jhanice had worked their way up from serving as alternate reps and had taken many of the important workshops and training courses offered by MVFT leadership and NYSUT.

While I am at it, I would like to thank Henry Nardozzi, Michael Malocsay, Robin Carpus, Dan Wilson, and Ray Santana for all of their help organizing and cleaning the courtyards and garden areas at the Mount Vernon High School. If you get a free minute, come see the vegetable, butterfly and bird gardens in the back of the building by the greenhouse, it truly is worth the trip.

Finally, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that the MVFT leadership, as well as NYSUT, is aware of the effect that the APPR has on our members. I have personally accompanied Jeff to local and NYSUT events; together, we have carried the voices of our members, criticizing the test mentality and the unrealistic expectations that are part of the mandates of the new APPR.

The anxiety level created by the APPR/test agenda has begun to create an unmanageable strain on our members at the high school. The camaraderie and team approach to teaching can only thrive once we have corrected this misguided direction that State Ed has chosen. Together, we must all support one another and push back against this faulty agenda. It may take some time, but I believe we will eventually succeed.

Pictured L-R: Melanie Flowers-McMullin, Adrian Rosario, Sasha Blake, Scott Miele

On June 4, 2015, MVCSD Physical Education Teachers attended the 2015 NYC Zone PD Conference in Manhattan. Registration for the PE Conference was funded through the Mentor Program.

THE MVCSD MENTOR PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS CELEBRATE!Congratulations to the over forty graduates of the 2014-2015 MVCSD Mentor Program. This was one of the largest groups of new teachers and mentors we have had since the inception of the mentoring program. Their enthusiasm and professionalism made this year a huge success!

The relationships and personal connections we have made will be invaluable for many years to come.

The Mentor Program Committee, including Carene Domato, Mentor Program Coordinator, Rachel DePaul, AnneMarie Kiernan, Thrusha Henderson, Frank Claro, Dr. J. Manning-Campbell, and Dr. S. Jagnandan, would like to thank you for your dedication and commitment.

"The Cloud ate my homework."

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THE PTA PROJECT The MVFT is asking all of its members, who are not yet members of the Mount Vernon PTA, to contemplate becoming a member next school year. With our involvement, the PTA can become a stronger voice and advocate for what is needed in public education. We must use all avenues available to us to have our voices heard. As members, we can educate others and share our knowledge and experience to influence the many important policy discussions. We will reach out to you in the fall with additional information on the project.

EXECUTIVE BOARDJeff YonkersPresident

Dominick CicconeVice President

Carl CaprioHigh School Vice Pres.

Richard SuozzoHigh School Vice Pres.

Anne Marie KiernanMiddle School Vice Pres.

Patricia DugganMiddle School Vice Pres.

Carene DomatoElementary Vice Pres.

Sophia WilliamsonElementary Vice Pres.

Mike BaldinoAt Large Vice Pres.

Thrusha HendersonSecretary

Cesar MatanzoTreasurer

Melvin CampbellTeaching Assistant Chapter Leader

Rochelle BrownSecurity Chapter Leader

UNION OFFICEMVFT Rm. 30322 West First St.Mount Vernon, NY 10550

Phone:(914) 665-5082or 664-3189Fax: (914) 664-0860

Online at: www.mvft.org

BUILDING REPSAnnette Coppola #1Jhanice McDonald #1Toba Duggan #2Karen Wheeler #2Angelique Perez #3Diana O’Sullivan #4Thalia Langley #5Rebecca Challop #6Kathryn Santoro #6Keith McCall #7Nikysha Copeland-Robinson #8Christine Ceglio #9Andrea Gelling #9Melissa Hogan #10Laura Mason #10Ruth Bridges #12Monique Bell #12Donald Emerson #13Patricia Griffin #13Jeanne Casino #14Tonja Hills #16Nadine Shields Alcalde #17Emory Gordon #17Barbara Abbey #18Dan Cuevas #18Linda Gordon #18Eddie Sauls #18Patti PellicciTeaching Assistant, Non-Voting At Large RepDavid Watson, Jr.Security, Non-Voting At Large Rep

The AgendaEditorKaren Wallace

StaffMike BaldinoDominick CicconeCarene DomatoThrusha HendersonMelissa HoganAngelique PerezSophia WilliamsonJeff Yonkers

THE 3RD ANNUAL NYSUT RACE FOR SOLIDARITYThe event was a resounding success and fun was had by all! The May 9th event at FDR Park raised over $2000 that will benefit the NYSUT Disaster Relief Fund thanks to the generosity of the 25 NYSUT locals with over 225 participants from Westchester and Putnam.

Carene Domato, MVFT VP of Elementary Schools and event coordinator, would like to thank the Longfellow Elementary School Team: Jeanne Casino, Gabrielle Gilpin, Marie Ciccimarra, Lisa Pizzolla, Melissa Giannelli and Charissa Ayala.

If you couldn’t make it this year, be sure to join us next year for an afternoon of exercise, food, fun, and solidarity!

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MAY 1-2, 2015 - BUFFALO, NYDelegates: Anita Amieiro, Ruth E. Bridges, Carl Caprio, Nikysha Copeland, Rachel DePaul, Carene Domato, Thrusha A. Henderson, and Annemarie Kiernan

Buffalo was beaming with nearly 2,000 registered delegates for the NYSUT RA. The weekend was packed with many meetings, events, and our order of business during

the General Sessions. On day one the AFT Black Caucus, Latino Caucus and UNITY Caucus held meetings as well as the Resolutions and Amendments Committees.

At midday the International Workers’ Day Rally took place in Niagara Square and was hosted by the Western New York Area Labor Federation. The purposes of the rally were to fight for a living wage, defend workers’ rights, and defend public education. Our NYSUT President Karen E. Magee and Fred Kowal, President of United University Professions (UUP) moved the crowd with their messages. President Magee proclaimed our strength is in our solidarity. She reminded us “… A hurt to one, sisters and brothers, is a hurt to all, and don’t forget it.” Kowal excited the crowd not only by his message regarding Governor Cuomo’s attacks against us, but his black t-shirt with a photo of Gov. Cuomo and one word underneath it- “WRONG.”

During the first General Session President Magee’s State of the Union Address was simple and clear- we are a fighting union. We continue to fight for public education, parents, tenure and due process, health care, tax cap, inequities of small cities and more. She urged all members to “BE the union!”

On day two the business of the RA did not disappoint with great messages delivered by our N.Y.S. Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli and our AFT President Randi Weingarten and $15,700 collected that night to “call out Governor Cuomo.” Additionally, we celebrated excellence among our members with awards such as the following: Teacher of the Year, Retiree Members of the Year, Health Care Professionals Members of the Year, and “Not for Ourselves Alone:” The Sandy Feldman Outstanding Leadership Award. However, the most exciting award presented to a local, in my opinion, was the Albert Shanker – 2014 Vote Cope Campaign Award. This prestigious award was presented to the MVFT! We are among the top 5 locals by total contribution, $103,501.50, in the state! Congratulations MVFT! Let’s keep our Vote Cope contributions up! For more information about the NYSUT RA visit www.NYSUT.org.

NYSUT’S 43 ANNUAL REPRESENTATIVE ASSEMBLYBy Thrusha Henderson

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SPOTLIGHT

A.B.DAVIS MIDDLE SCHOOL By Takisha A. Sales, School Counselor, A.B. Davis MSOn May 20 and May 21, more than 130 A.B. Davis students visited the campus of Manhattan College. This visit was the culminating activity of the Kids 2 College Program sponsored by The Sallie Mae Fund and The Commission on Independent Colleges and Universities. The Kids 2 College Program is a user friendly college awareness curriculum designed to make middle school students more aware of how education impacts their future life choices. Through this curriculum, which was taught by the school counselor and advisory teacher, the students will have an opportunity to learn more about college, explore careers, make the connection between college and job opportunities, and begin planning for their future. Our A. B. Davis students enjoyed their valuable experience and they are excited about starting their journey to college!

2014-2015 MEMORIAL MEMBERS SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS(A high school senior who is a child of a MVFT member)Andrew AmieiroGianna GalazzoErica GuaglianoneClare Hebert

Karl HipiusArthur JacobsSteven JacobsonBridget McCusker

Mark PalijKristopher RodriquezGregory ScaglioneAlexandria Sauls

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The MVHS Track team, led by Coach Marcus Green, was recognized for another outstanding season at the Board of Education meeting in June.

Although the team roster is small compared to most in our area, the Mount Vernon Knights have dominated sprinting in Westchester, Putnam, Rockland and Duchess Counties. They have had the top time in every sprint relay - indoor and outdoor - eight out of the last ten seasons.

With 44 All American athletes in five years, they have won ten state and federation championship titles by individuals and in relays. MVHS Knights have three National Championship Titles: 800 Relay indoor 2012, 800 Medley Relay outdoor 2014 and Rai Benjamin in the 400 indoor 2015. Two of the athletes have competed internationally: Steven Gayle in 2012 and Rai Benjamin in 2013 and 2015.

This year, Senior Rai Benjamin was selected as the Con Edison Athlete of the Year and The Journal News Indoor Track Athlete of the Year. The 4x200 relay team Shaquille Dacres, Cody Housen, Tyrese Moore and Akeim Brown and the 4x400 relay team Rai Benjamin, Shaquille Dacres, Jr., Robert Romney and Cody Housen were selected as the Journal News All Stars for 2015.

These fine athletes have represented Mount Vernon and won events in Rhode Island, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, California, North Carolina, Florida and Oregon. “In all of these locations the student athletes have earned respect from coaches and residents,” said Coach Green.

Throughout the long season – November to June – Coach Green, an All American in track at Delaware State University and Seton Hall University, is a constant presence offering support on and off the track to the team members. He expects hard work, discipline and dedication to the sport and to academics.

If you talk to Coach Green about the track team, academics will always be a part of that conversation. MVHS Track currently has athletes competing at over 28 universities on full or partial scholarships. They include schools such as University of Pittsburgh, Alabama, NYU, UCLA and Texas A&M to name a few.

With all of the successes and impressive statistics, Mr. Green will tell you that as coach, his greatest stat is the graduation rate – 100% of the track team athletes. It is definitely a stat to be continued and lauded. Congratulations to the MVHS Track Team.

Pictured left to right: Rai Benjamin, Dr. Kenneth Hamilton, Robert Romney, Jonathan Hemmingway, Tyreese  Moore, Coach Marcus Green, D’Shaun Ricketts, Jason Perlaza, Phylroy Palmer, Steffon Brown, Joshua Zincke, Assistant Coach Melvin Campbell, Assistant Coach Akil Berry

MVHS TRACK TEAM HONORED FOR OUTSTANDING SEASONBy Karen Wallace

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UPCOMING EVENTS:BREAST CANCER WALKKICK OFF BREAKFAST AUGUST 6, 2015Westchester Marriot(see your building rep or contact Sophia Williamson: swilliamson@mtvernoncsd.org)BACK PACK GIVE-A-WAYAUGUST 29, 2015(Check mvft.org for details)BREAST CANCER WALKOCTOBER 18, 2015Manhattanville

CORRESPONDENCE REPORTby Thrusha Henderson, Secretary

WEDDING BELLS:Faryn Goidel (Pennington)Francia Svelty (Graham)Nicole Oliva (Graham)Patrice DeJesus (Holmes)

GET WELL:Clarice Imbriano (Parker)Patricia Griffin (Longfellow MS)Antoinette Daley (Graham)Christine Hylton (Holmes)

WELCOME BACK:Steven Grimes (Pennington)

BIRTHS:Katie Galvin (Longfellow ES) sonAdrian Rosario (Lincoln ES) sonRyan Radow (Lincoln ES ) daughterJennifer Vaccaro-Bisgrove (Lincoln ES) daughter

CONGRATULATIONS:Sheba Serna (Mandela/Zollicoffer HS) son, Rick Garland, college graduationAnnette Coppola (Thornton) daughter, Christina Coppola, received MS in Urban Ed. with a Medal of ExcellenceOrnella Alves (Lincoln) son’s engagementToba Duggan (Lincoln) daughter’s college graduationRosemarie Sacchet (Lincoln) son’s college graduationLisa Pizzolla (Longfellow ES) son completed graduate degreeDaniel Brady (Graham) completed MSAnthony Williams (Davis) Associates Degree

CONDOLENCES:Family of Mary Taylor (Retiree) former MVHS English TeacherCatherine Baumann (Mandela/Zollicoffer HS) loss of grandmother, Mary Taylor Wendy Lang (Hamilton) loss of father, James J. Lang, Fire Captain of MVFDDave Watson (Mandela/Zollicoffer HS) loss of wife, Connie WatsonLaSheune Cantey (LES & Traphagen) loss of aunt, uncle & cousinFrancina Jubilee (Pennington) loss of brotherMarlene Mazzella (Pennington) loss of fatherMichele McKitty-Bromley (Longfellow ES) loss of uncleDominica Rinaldi (Pennington) loss of brotherLauren Wynn (Graham) loss of fatherPeter Wynn (MVHS) loss of fatherStacey Wynn (Traphagen) loss of father-in-lawCandelaria Wright (Longfellow MS) loss of Sister, Ofelia Wright Pomare PowellCraig Aronson (MVHS) loss of mother-in-law

Membership ReportActive 1028Leave 9Retirees 502Total 1539

WELFARE FUND BENEFITS -USE IT OR LOSE IT!Remember that the deadline to put a claim in to the MVFT Welfare Fund for medical and/or prescription co-payment reimbursement (for members of SWSCHP) is June 30, 2015 for all co-pays paid July 1, 2013 to June 30, 2014. Don’t throw away that $200 per individual or $400 per family benefit!

MVFT SUMMER OFFICE HOURS: MONDAYS - THURSDAYS9:30 TO 3:00 (CLOSED ON FRIDAY)

A Few Thoughts... • Don’t forget to get course pre-approval. • Read your contract. • The leadership – not the individual member, must

negotiate all compensation that is not already addressed in the contract.

• Be sure that your building administrator has acknowledged your assignment for next year. • Medical co-pay reimbursements begin again July 1.

• If you have responded to our appeal for increased involvement in VOTE/COPE—THANK YOU!