Track E Advisory Vote

Results:

48 Yes
39 No

Track E

Ms. Andrews responded to a number of questions on Friday about Track E. Ask any one of us (Doudican, Lynch, Pope) about the details of the conversation and we'd be glad to inform you of the conversation. We will field any questions tomorrow and then take an advisory vote on Tuesday morning. This is only an advisory vote but it is ultimately up to the administration since the contract says nothing about switching to Track E. Remember to vote on Tuesday!

PPC 10/19

1. Teacher Cafe: More furniture is on its way so lets be patient while its under construction. Also, check out the sign above the door in the hallway!

2. Red - Yellow - Green Rational: When asked about the rational of the red-yellow-green evaluation of lesson plans, remediation plans, and assessments; the administration responded that it was from a trickle down effect from the district. Currently everything on the district level is red-yellow-green and the writing is on the wall that it will soon be mandated in all of the schools. In order to not spring new ideas half way through the year, our administration has started the program here since the beginning of the year. It is currently not an evaluation tool but serves as a guide. It is also not as much about the document as it is about the alignment from the lesson plans to the remediation plans to the assessments in a cycle.

3. Security: We have lost 2 security positions so keep an eye on your students at all times.

If you have any questions, please see one of us or post a comment and we'd be glad to talk. Thanks!

PPC Next Monday

Our 5-member PPC is scheduled to meet with the administration this Monday, October 19 at 2:00 p.m. If you have any PPC issues you would like to see addressed at this meeting, please see one of us before then. (FYI, please make sure that any issues have gone through the proper procedures first, e.g. department chair, engineer.) We will have a report of the meeting online by Tuesday.

PPC Elections

Congrats to Miguel Davis - our new PPC representative. It came down to the wire and all the candidates were well qualified, it was too hard to pick between them but Miguel won in the end. We look forward to having Mr. Davis on board in representing our staff.

Gage Park Union Meeting on Friday

Just a reminder that our September union meeting is on Friday at 7:30am in the auditorium. IF YOU HAVE CLASSES THAT OVER THE ALLOTTED AMOUNT - PLEASE BRING THAT INFO ON A NOTECARD (NAME, CLASS, PERIOD, ROOM, TOTAL NUMBER OF STUDENTS) so we have documentation and specifics. Ms. Andrews also said that she would rather answer questions in the open so there is transparency to the entire staff. If you want to raise and issue but are worried about identification then please tell one of us and we will speak on your behalf. See you on Friday.

PPC meeting 9-17

PPC Meeting with Administration:
We had a productive meeting. Here is a short summary of the agenda and responses:

1. Xerox machine: procedure, trainingTraining will be provided on the machine on the PD day. When empty or there's an error message, Jermaine Robinson should be contacted.

2. Paper limits: The copy paper limits are monthly limits, not semester limits. Each department has varying limits. Please see your department head for your monthly limit number. The count goes back to zero on the first of each month.

3. Class sizes: No show students will be dropped today. Class sizes will be double checked then. Let us know if your specific classes are over size if you have not already done so. Over sized special ed classes (limit 15) will be addressed.

4. Library scheduling: This is still being worked out.

5. Desk shortages: If you are short desks in any classroom, give Ms. Andrews a note as to the number needed ASAP.

6. Heat for old copy room: This will be addressed with the engineer in time for the cold weather.

7. Mobile students going through metal detectors: Students pass through the metal detectors with Mr. Jones each day. Let us know if there is a problem.

8. Teacher cafe furniture: Should be here soon. It's supposed to be very nice.

9. Men's Washroom: It was overused last week due to the amount of people who were waiting to register and using the washroom, hopefully it has been fine this week.

Next GPHS-CTU meeting: Friday, September 25, 7:30 a.m. Auditorium

CTU Meeting 9/9

Yesterday we had the first meeting for this school year at our new location at Cermak and Canal. Its a beautiful new facility with air conditioning, more parking, and the ability to use technology appropriately. It is said that is actually less expensive than the old site since it went under new management. Here's a summary of the meeting.

• Still having deferred pay related problems? Check out the calculator on the CTU website. Still a problem, call 312-329-9100 and ask for Mary McGuire.
• Key question raised by a displaced teacher, why are so many new people coming in instead of hiring displaced tenured teachers? Response: We’ve observed (at job fairs) that teachers from alternative certification programs had ‘special stamps’ on their resumes; displaced teachers were wearing a ‘green armband’. Shades of history. The union is filing a lawsuit related to this, esp. age discrimination.
• Charter school organizing drive continues… three down and many more to go. Speakers reported on plans to organize these teachers (in a separate union). If you know teachers at UNO, Perspectives, Aspira, Youth Connections or Noble Street please give us their names… those are the organizing drives they are focusing on.
• The CTU Executive Board is putting three union constitution referenda on the ballot for us to vote on in November. They are: Drop the office of Treasurer from the current five union officers; establish a recall procedure for CTU officers; and discontinue publishing the vote totals in union elections and put them on the website instead.
• Grade change survey the union did reports that about 1/3 of teachers have felt pressure from administrators to change student grades. This is a total affront to our professionalism. Some teachers have reported threats and fear repercussions.
• Any financial fraud should be reported to the anonymous hotline 773-48FRAUD or to the Inspector General at 773-534-9400. Somehow charter schools are not included in the Inspector General’s purview.

Feel free to post any questions or comments.

School Union Meeting 9/4

Welcome back to a new year at Gage Park and welcome to the new members of Gage Park - we are excited to work with you throughout this year. Here's a brief summary of today's minutes:

• This is our new blog - check it frequently and post comments. Please let Mr. Doudican know if you are having problems posting.
• Your classes should not exceed 28 students with the exception of PE, art and music. This should happen immediately - not after 20 days. If you are having problems please speak to a programmer or one of your union delegates immediately. Your CTT classes should have no more than 30% students with special needs - this is also effective immediately.
• Payroll is correct. Over the course of the summer the board has taken 1 day off each pay period so that you will not be shorted at the end of summer - essentially 5 days. You will recieve your final deferred pay on Sept. 11 and then your new pay will start on Sept. 25; this paycheck will include any extra summer deferred pay. If you have any questions please contact Wanda.
• There is an opening on the PPC commitee since the resignation of a previous member. The PPC meets with administration to resolve issues for the staff prior to a grievence. More information on nominations and voting to come.
• Please update your email and addresses with one of us if you moved virtually or physically.
• Our next meeting is Sept. 25 at 7:30 a.m.

Let us know if you have any other questions or concerns.