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President’s Report: Fellow Unionists
In my capacity as President, a typical day sometimes began with a telephone call at home from a member, or an administrator seeking clarity or confirmation on a particular issue to bring about resolution. The days varied with: Bomb threats, water and sewage problems, new lesson plans, work sampler program, assaults, grievances, arbitration cases, PERB hearings, senate hearings, unsatisfactory ratings, salary implementation, retroactive pay, hardship schedules, and clerical, teacher/substitute shortages. These were examples of a day in the life of a labor leader. Working together with a team of Officers, Reps, and office staff all situations were dealt with as expeditiously as possible.
Having meetings with Administrators, Superintendent Payne, and (then) Commissioner Simmonds resolved several situations eliminating PERB and Arbitration Hearings. School/site visits, programs, meetings and professional development were among the teaching and learning experiences on my journey. Throughout this newsletter you will find accolades for outstanding work done by our students and educators.
President Molyneaux; St. Croix Local 1826, and I, along with our negotiating team, will push for implementation of our new salary increases in September. With salary increases ranging from 7% to 104% given to other employees last week, we shouldn’t anticipate having a problem at all. There’s money out there and it has been said, "Education is our #1 priority." Maybe, just maybe, our worth would be recognized and our percentages increased. There’s no time like the present to acknowledge the commitment and dedication that you’ve given to our Virgin Islands children. We salute you.....We appreciate you.....Thank you, Officers, Reps, and the entire membership for all that you’ve done and continue to do. Enjoy your summer!
Professional
Development Graduation
(Article submitted by Beverly
Latimer, Professional Development- Chairperson)
Congratulations to the Graduates!
The Governor’s Office of Technology, Riverdeep and the American Federation of Teachers, offered 40 teachers an opportunity to develop their skills with a program called Teacher Universe. Of the 40 teachers who initially began, 24 graduated. What is Teacher Universe? Teacher Universe provides professional development opportunities and an Internet community designed to help teachers. One can harness the power of professional development, classroom tools and management systems to achieve teacher excellence in all areas including special needs.
The graduation was held on Saturday, May 4th 2002, Palm Court Harbor view. We had a representative from the Governor’s Office-Angel Turnbull, Acting Commissioner-Dr. Noreen Michael, Superintendent Rosalia Payne, Riverdeep Vice President of Sales- Tommy Harris, Microsoft-Dr. Yolanda Ramos, Director of Technology, Office of the Governor, Roy McFarlane, AFT President - St. Croix, Tyrone Molyneaux and our esteem leader AFT President - St. Thomas & St. John Vernelle de Lagarde.
The following graduates are: Roi V. Simmonds, Mark Meyers, Virginia Olive, Cheryl M. Potter, Paulette M. Venzen-Potter, Faye L. Richardson, Thelca M. Bedminister, Velma H. Milliner, Doldria A. Benjamin, Angela D. Barry, Cynthia O. De Souza, Kenneth A. Chistopher, Ruth D. Todman, Sandra D. Reed, Sandra M. Benjamin, Shasha Stevens, Karen B. Scarbriel, Ava Braithwaite, Diana Todman, Dorothy Ham, Darlene M. Paul, Jascinth Bernier, Sherilyn O. Hodge, Ellen A. Francois.
For all their hard work, time, effort, as well as the completion of the program, each teacher received a certificate of completion which they will be able to be used toward their national certification for technology, (No Child Left Behind), Microsoft EP software and laptop computers which belong to them while they are working in the system. At this time, I would like to publicly thank the teachers for their participation in the program and the foresight of our President for saying yes to this wonderful program.
Special kudos go out to Faye Richardson for her excellent presentation of her integrated lesson plan, which she used with her History class at Ivanna Eudora Kean High School. Our teachers have learned so much and will be able to implement this knowledge in their classroom. We have received such praises from so many people and they are excited! A second set of teachers will be starting the program this summer. St. Croix’s program began Tuesday, May 14th 2002 and will end at the end of July. Look out for any additional information so you too can be part of this excitement.
Tentative
2002-2003 School Calendar
(to be reviewed and signed by the Governor)
Secretarial/clerical Personnel & Kitchen Mgrs. Report: August 12, 2002 Departure: June 26, 2003
New Teachers Report: August 21, 2002 Depart: June 13, 2003 elem/jr.high, June 16, 2003 senior high
Guidance Counselors & Paras Report: August 21, 2002 Depart:June 16 elem/jr.high, June 18, 2003 senior high
Returning Teachers, Registrars, Attendance Counselors, Diagnosticians, Psychologists & School Nurses Report: Aug, 23 Depart June 13 elem/jr. high June 16 senior high
The twenty-fourth annual Quiz Bowl Competition was once again a tremendous success. This year, the competition was held at the Palms Court Harbor View Hotel. Nine(9) teams took part in the competition. From St. Croix we had Country Day, Good Hope, Central High and finally Educational Complex. From St. Thomas, we had Charlotte Amalie, Eudora Kean, St. Peter and Paul, Antilles, and All Saints school.
The St. Croix schools were housed at the Palms Court Hotel at a cost of $2,592.00. Food was provided by the hotel at a cost of $1,924.00. The total cost of the competition at the hotel $5,378.45.
For the very first time, a traveling plaque was awarded to the first runner-up in memory of Mr. Jack Beauvais for his outstanding years of service to the Eudora Kean team and a former union member. (May he rest in peace.)
This year, Commissioner Ruby Simmonds gave opening remarks to our students. She praised the students for being members of the Quiz Bowl competition. She also congratulated the Union for putting such a competition together, and asked that it be continued. Our illustrious President gave welcoming remarks and did an excellent job. We were very proud to be a part of such an outstanding organization.
Mrs. Neomie Williams assisted me on behalf of the Union and did a good job judging and also sang the National Anthem and Virgin Islands March. What a wonderful voice she has!
Many thanks are extended to the following persons who assisted in some way or another.
Mr. Gerald Walters-Science Coordinator
Mr. Ludence Romney-Math Coordinator
Ms. Mary Harley-Language Arts Coordinator
Mr. Sam Topp-Radio One
Mr. Sheldon Turnbull-Radio One
Ms. Jennifer Ward-Daily News
Dr. Alex Randall-WSTA
Mrs. Diana Parker
Mrs. Neomie Williams
Mr. Sinclair Wilkinson-Former Principal of Eudora Kean, Hovensa, WICO, TropicTours (Transportation for St. Croix teams)
AT&T, Staff of TV 2,WTJX-Staff and Management, Staff and Management of Local 1825.
The Antilles School emerged as the winner of the V.I. Champion of the Brains and will represent the Virgin Islands in National Academic Championship Games in New Orleans on May 30-June 2, 2002. The Good Hope School emerged as First Runner-up.
Recommendations:
Quiz Bowl needs to find a permanent source of funding. It is very frustrating to find funds yearly, when organizations like the United Way dries up most of the funds in the community.
Perhaps we can tap the Department of Education for some sort of funding from the State Level.
Lobby the legislature to provide a permanent funding for Quiz Bowl.
10 Delegates Will Attend AFT National Convention
This year’s AFT National Convention will be held in Las Vegas on July 13-19 2002. The delegates consists of the Executive Council Officers: Vernelle S. de Lagarde-President, Alrid Lockhart-1st Vice President, Sidney Bell-2nd Vice President, Roi Simmonds-3rd Vice President, Valerie Johnson-4th Vice President, Lydia Gumbs- 5th Vice President, Clemmie Moses-Recording Secretary, Rubye Tisdale-Todman-Corresponding Secretary
The two rank-n-file members that won the election to attend National Convention were Mark Meyers and Zeathea Milliner.
C.A.H.S.
FBLA WINS BIG!
1st MultiMedia, 1st Public Speaking, 1st Web Page,1st Making a Business Plan, 2nd Job Interview
They had the biggest chapter representation. C.A.H.S. also won the State President, Vice President, State Membership Vice President, and State Secretary for the state district of St. Thomas, St. John and St. Croix.
Student
Trainee Submits Exit Report
Dear President de Lagarde:
For the past ten(10)weeks I have worked at the American Federation of Teachers(AFT), it has been a real working experience for me. It has prepared me for the outside world. My skills have enhanced in many ways, for example answering the telephone with proper etiquette. My computer skills have maximized a great deal, and handling the equipment around the office has increased a lot for me. I have learned not to be a procrastinator, but I have also learned to be cooperative in working with others even when difficult situations arise. In addition, I have learned to be a team player and take initiative in whatever task is set before me. Gratification and satisfaction is the key to a successful work day. The American Federation of Teachers has insisted that being precise, accurate, and prompt is the name of the game.
My On-the Job Training at the American Federation of Teachers(AFT) has been a great experience for me and most cherishable. I hope that (AFT) would continue to train other high school students for the outside world. I will not forget the time I spent at the office working with Ms. Charles and Ms. Crawford, they have been a great influence. I wish you, the Executive Council, and the family members at AFT the best in all future endeavors.
Sincerely,
Arlean Young, Student Trainee
Kudos! Rashaun Malone and Monique Toussaint C.A.H.S. students who were recognized by the Chamber of Commerce.
Next issue features Outstanding Educators & AFT Scholarship Winners
Summer ER&D Courses
(submitted by Pat Hector, ER&D Coordinator)
Two Educational Research and Dissemination (ER&D) courses will be offered August 12-16. Each course is a 30-hour course running from 9:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M., Monday through Friday.
Thinking Math I is geared toward elementary school teachers and paras. It presents math research connecting how children learn counting, addition, subtraction, and see patterns and relationships. Questioning strategies are also explored.
Foundations of Effective Teaching presents proven practices from research on effective classroom and group management. It would benefit teachers and paras on all grade levels. Topics include effective use of learning time, questioning and feedback skills, assigning effective homework, and interactive direct instruction strategies. The site for these two courses will be announced at a later date. Please call the union office, 776-1825, to register or for more information. Certificates will be awarded at the end of each course.
"Hey, the Boss Just Called Me Into the Office"
(excerpts from The Weingarten Decision and the Right to Representation on the
Job by Steve Diamond, Kirsten Snow Spalding, and Lisa M. Vanderford-Anderson)
Weingarten Guidelines
Union representative may only be present in meetings when there is a reasonable belief that the investigation will lead to disciplinary action.
The Court’s decision does not force the employer to interview the employee.
The employee does not have the right to the steward of his or her own choice.
The Weingarten rule also applies to group meetings where management confronts more than one employee at a time.
The employer does not have a duty to bargain with the union representative at an investigatory interview.
The employee is entitled to information from the employer regarding the subject of the investigation prior to the meeting.
The employee is entitled to consult with his or her union representative prior to the meeting.
An employee may refuse to attend an interview where he/she has been denied a shop steward.
The employer is not entitled to a "make-whole" remedy for denial of Weingarten rights.
VI Educators Makes Thesis Presentations in New Orleans
Kudos to Mrs. Gayle Dancy-Benjamin, an English teacher at the Charlotte Amalie High School (CAHS) and Mrs. Valerie Charles-Welsh, a Social Studies teacher, also at CAHS, who submitted proposals which were competitively evaluated against other scholars ranging in experience from graduate level to university professors. They discussed their thesis research at the American Educational Research Association (AERA) annual meeting held in New Orleans in April.
This year 3 students from the Ivanna Eudora Kean won our 2002 Carnival COPE design T-shirt. They are as follows:Dishan Williams- 1st Place $75.00 cash award
Davin Charles - 2nd Place $50.00 cash award
Kimberly Boyd-3rd Place $25.00 cash award
Reminders
