UTL495 Straight Talk Podcast

One of the ways United Teachers of Lowell keeps in touch with members is through email. Basically, the UTL sends out two types of email: a GetActive Message with time-sensitive and critical information or Five for Friday, our weekly bullet-list of items to keep Members updated. Of course in order to receive our email messages, a Member needs to subscribe to ActionNetwork, our email list provider. How does one do that? In today’s FAQ about email we’ll explain.

If you are a dues-paying United Teachers of Lowell Member, you can join our email list - we explain how to do that and what to do if our email messages are not appearing in your email inbox.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

• If you are looking for information reclassifying our email (moving it from a Junk Folder to your email Inbox), read this document OR click on the help tab in your email program. (Some email providers refer to this as a SAFE SENDERS LIST)

• For more detail on why email messages may not be getting through, this document may provide some explanation.

• If you need to request resubscribing to our email blasts (and have not unsubscribed or reported our email messages as SPAM), contact us at [email protected].

• If you had previously reported our mailings as SPAM or had UNSUBSCRIBED from our email list, contact [email protected] and we will send you directions to become reinstated.

Thank you for tuning in to this Episode of Straight Talk. We hope that if you enjoy what you hear, you’ll consider subscribing to our podcast using Apple Podcasts or Stitcher. As always, we welcome your general comments and feedback. If you have suggestions for future podcast topics or if you are aware of a UTL495 member who might be willing to share experiences or expertise, send us an email at [email protected].

Twice a year, the United Teachers of Lowell’s retirees gather to share a meal and socialize with each other. This past Tuesday, October 29, we met for our annual Fall Brunch. We look back at our times as colleagues and educators fondly. We, most of all, know and remember the incredible work being done by our active members is sometimes challenging, but comes with an incredible feeling of satisfaction.

And, as the saying goes, “once a teacher, always a teacher”. So today, we asked some of incredible retirees to offer a few words of encouragement and advice to those who are charged with educating our students here in Lowell.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

If you are a retired member of United Teachers of Lowell 495, we encourage you to join us for one of the retiree gatherings. We meet each October for brunch and each May for a luncheon. The upcoming Spring luncheon will take place on May 5, 2019, so mark those calendars!

Our Retiree Chairperson is Margaret “Midge” Farrell. If you need to contact Midge, telephone the UTL Offices at 978-937-9039.

UTL495 retirees - teachers, paraprofessionals, custodians, or cafeteria workers - we’d love to stay in touch with you. You can join our email list and/or cellphone contact lists as a retiree to stay connected. Reach out to United Teachers of Lowell through [email protected].

Thanks to all the United Teachers of Lowell retirees who bravely spoke with us on microphone! We are delighted to welcome our newest retired members to our Fall Brunch (pictured above) along with UTL President Paul Georges and UTL’s Director of Operations, Marianne “Mickie” Dumont.

Thank you for tuning in to this Episode of Straight Talk. We hope that if you enjoy what you hear, you’ll consider subscribing to our podcast using Apple Podcasts or Stitcher. As always, we welcome your general comments and feedback. If you have suggestions for future podcast topics or if you are aware of a UTL495 member who might be willing to share experiences or expertise, send us an email at [email protected].

Regular listeners to Teacher Voice Labor Matters* may be familiar with Tom Raiche’s voice, but do you know how Tom’s work connects to all of us at the United Teachers of Lowell?

Tom, whose official title is AFL-CIO Community Services Liaison, Merrimack Valley Central Labor Council, is a not only an advocate for Labor, he is a staunch advocate for public education. For 21 years Tom was a member of IAM Local 1726, serving as a Chief Steward and Safety Committee Chair, and in addition to his union service he’s a former member of the Saugus School Committee and Town Meeting. In addition to his current post as AFL-CIO Community Services Liaison, Tom is a faculty member of the Labor Guild and serves on the MassHire Greater Lowell Workforce Development Board.

Tom’s involvement in the Merrimack Valley community is extensive! Each November, Tom participates in the United Way’s Thanksgiving Project, now in its 20th year. Today, we’ve asked Tom to sit down with us to talk about this incredible project as well as a few upcoming events sponsored through the Merrimack Valley Central Labor Council (MVCLC) and the United Way.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

• Click here for general information about the United Way’s Thanksgiving Project, now in its 20th year.

• If you as an individual wish to donate to the Thanksgiving Project, find more information here.

• As Tom mentions, 211.org is a good starting place for families or advocates looking for resources. Connect through the World Wide Web at 211.org OR simply dial 211 on you phone.

• Click on this link to learn more about United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley and the essential work that this group provides.

• Learn more about Merrimack Valley Central Labor Council (yes - UTL495 is a member!) by clicking on this link.

• If you need more information or would like to reach out to Tom with a question, he can be reached by phone at 978-441-1937.

*Teacher Voice, Labor Matters is heard live on Monday mornings from 10 am-11 am on 980WCAP AM. The show is replayed on Thursdays from 6 pm to 7 pm.

Thanks to Tom for sitting down with us and letting us know about some of the ways our local Labor Unions, including the United Teachers of Lowell 495 serve the community. We’ll definitely check back with Tom again!

Thank you for tuning in to this Episode of Straight Talk. We hope that if you enjoy what you hear, you’ll consider subscribing to our podcast using Apple Podcasts or Stitcher. As always, we welcome your general comments and feedback. If you have suggestions for future podcast topics or if you are aware of a UTL495 member who might be willing to share experiences or expertise, send us an email at [email protected].

FACT: The Student Opportunity Act as approved by the Massachusetts Senate would add $1.4 Billion to Chapter 70 Funding by 2027.

FACT: The Student Opportunity Act as approved by the Massachusetts Senate adopts ALL of the Foundation Budget Review Commission (FBRC) recommendations - and makes some critical adjustments.

FACT: The Student Opportunity Act as approved by the Massachusetts Senate defines and addresses the needs of our low-income students, Special Education students, and English Language Learners. The legislation approved by the Massachusetts Senate also addresses increased need for guidance and psychological services AND addresses increased health insurance costs.

FACT: We need to get this legislation passed by the Massachusetts House of Representatives!

Getting state education funding (Chapter 70) updated has been an uphill struggle. Despite the 2015 Foundation Budget Review Commission or FBRC’s recommendations, the legislature failed to pass a fair and equitable funding solution to 25 plus years of underfunding public education just over a year ago. This was a giant disappointment to those of us who had worked toward fixing the funding of public education in Massachusetts.

With a broad coalition forming a partnership in January 2019, efforts to Fund Our Future through the Promise Act (for K-12 education) and Cherish Act (Higher Education) relaunched. Throughout the Spring and Summer hearings on legislative proposals were held and finally, FINALLY, on the Joint Committee on Education supported legislation that embraced most of the FBRC’s recommendations.

We’re catching up with AFT-MA President Beth Kontos about the funding legislation’s journey from Committee to the Massachusetts Senate. Beth will update us as to where we stand today. We are not quite at that finish line, so Beth will explain what needs to be done by all of us so that this important, essential legislation become law. Our students are counting on us and they cannot wait!

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

• Fund Our Future’s explanation of the Student Opportunity Act as passed by the Massachusetts Senate.

• Fact Sheet from Massachusetts Legislature on Student Opportunity Act.

• S.2350 Bill History (including amendments) from Massachusetts Legislature

• Take Action Page for the Student Opportunity Act from Fund Our Future. Suggested scripts, email forms, and legislator look-ups.

• Wondering who YOUR Massachusetts House Representative is? Click on FIND MY LEGISLATOR.

Thanks once again to AFT-MA President Beth Kontos for updating us on the Student Opportunity Act. We know many of you have contacted your Legislators by phone, email, or snail mail or attended a hearing or rally. There is still work to be done and we ask all of you to continue to contact your Massachusetts House Representative - as they say “early and often”. Check the UTL’s Facebook page or Five for Friday for updates on when the Massachusetts House will take up this legislation. Working together, we can get this done!

Thank you for tuning in to this Episode of Straight Talk. We hope that if you enjoy what you hear, you’ll consider subscribing to our podcast using Apple Podcasts or Stitcher. As always, we welcome your general comments and feedback. If you have suggestions for future podcast topics or if you are aware of a UTL495 member who might be willing to share experiences or expertise, send us an email at [email protected].

Raise you hand if you have not yet heard about the National Park’s Teacher-Ranger-Teacher program? The Podcast Twins had not either and we are more than delighted to shine a spotlight not only on the Teacher-Ranger-Teacher (T-R-T) program but on Lowell National Historic Park’s first T-R-T, An Wang Middle School Teacher, Kathy Clark. As a T-R-T, Kathy had the opportunity to research and develop some pretty amazing teaching resources that will soon be available to teachers across the U.S.

Our conversation also includes some catching up with Tsongas Industrial History Center’s Kristin Gallas. Kristin is TIHC’s Project Manager for Education Development and regular listeners will recall that we spoke with Kristin last season in Episode 33 #bestfieldtripever. The TIHC’s offers unique offerings both at the Lowell National Historic Park and in classrooms which bring the teaching of Science, Social Studies and History to life. We’re talking to Kristin about some offerings for students and teachers and also some professional development opportunities coming in the Fall.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

The website for the National Park Teacher-Ranger-Teacher (TRT) program which includes a list of the Parks participating in 2019 can be found here.

The main page for the Tsongas Industrial History Center outlines many of the program offerings available.

If you are a Lowell Public School educator and need to make a field trip reservation, the phone number for field trip reservations is 978-970-5080. The Center has a very detailed page for Field Trip leaders and lots of great information available for trip planning.

If you are a Lowell Public School middle- or high-school level Social Studies educator and would like to learn more about the Kathy Clark’s TRT materials, email Kristin Gallas.

Kristin mentioned two Professional Development Opportunities available for educators in Lowell. Visit the website for ENGAGING SOUTHEAST ASIAN FAMILIES AND COMMUNITY IN YOUR CLASSROOM for details and for registration information. The registration deadline for the November 2nd workshop is October 15 and the registration deadline for the December 7th workshop is November 19.

Thanks to you Wang Middle School Teacher Kathy Clark and to TIHC’s Kristin Gallas for speaking with us today. We are, of course, proud of all of our education professionals in the Lowell Public Schools, and feel a little extra proud when one of our own receives some well-deserved attention! Kathy’s lessons will no doubt engage our students even further in social studies and civic engagement. We are always delighted to speak with Kristin Gallas and her colleagues at the Tsongas Industrial History Center and learn more about the great opportunities provided for our students and educators at TIHC.

Thank you for tuning in to this Episode of Straight Talk. We hope that if you enjoy what you hear, you’ll consider subscribing to our podcast using Apple Podcasts or Stitcher. As always, we welcome your general comments and feedback. If you have suggestions for future podcast topics or if you are aware of a UTL495 member who might be willing to share experiences or expertise, send us an email at [email protected].

Whether it’s through the local radio program, Teacher Voice, Labor Matters, or our weekly podcasts on UTL495-StraightTalk, or Five for Friday email blasts, we strive to keep you updated with information that keeps us all union strong.

The United Teachers of Lowell has been working hard to create a variety of formats for keeping our members informed and up-to-date. Amy and Mickie want to let our members know about some of these communications pathways and how to access them. We also want to assure those of you who are experiencing a frustration over our email blasts that we are working on that and hope to have a clear resolution shortly.

Today we talk about the past, the present and some plans for the future on this FAQ episode of StraightTalk: Talk to Us.

For More Information:

• If you are on Facebook and wish to join the UTL’s closed group, you must submit answers to a set of questions which helps us to ensure that the group remains private and open to members only.

• Remember to follow the UTL on Twitter at @utl495

• To join the email database, please connect to your UTL Building Representative and ask to sign up for UTL email on the census. Once we confirm a member’s eligibility as a full dues-paying member, your name is added to our email database. If there is ever a time that you wish to unsubscribe from our email blasts, that link is found at the bottom of every email message coming through ActionNetwork.org, our mail list provider.

• Our live radio broadcast, “Teacher Voice, Labor Matters” is heard each Monday on 980 WCAP. The live show is re-broadcast on Thursdays from 6 pm to 7 pm.

Thanks to you - our UTL495 brothers and sisters - for the support and suggestions as we continue on our podcasting journey. It has been and continues to be an amazing privilege to connect with all of you!

Thank you for tuning in to this Episode of Straight Talk. We hope that if you enjoy what you hear, you’ll consider subscribing to our podcast using Apple Podcasts or Stitcher. As always, we welcome your general comments and feedback. If you have suggestions for future podcast topics or if you are aware of a UTL495 member who might be willing to share experiences or expertise, send us an email at [email protected].

UTL’s Chief of Operations Marianne “Mickie” Dumont is one of the United Teachers of Lowell’s greatest assets and a wealth of information. She has been a strong Union advocate and involved in much of what makes things work for all of us. Today we are turning the tables on Mickie to ask about how salary steps and salary lanes or columns work.

Remember, if you think your salary is incorrect, the first person to contact is Deb Jarvis in Central Administration, but members can also contact the UTL by phone (978-937-9039) or email ([email protected]).

Thanks once again to Mickie for this clear explanation of steps, lanes and salary increases. We remind members to take some time at the beginning of each school year, or even each time a percentage increase is applied, to ensure that the member is on the correct step and/or column.

Thank you for tuning in to this Episode of Straight Talk. We hope that if you enjoy what you hear, you’ll consider subscribing to our podcast using Apple Podcasts or Stitcher. As always, we welcome your general comments and feedback. If you have suggestions for future podcast topics or if you are aware of a UTL495 member who might be willing to share experiences or expertise, send us an email at [email protected].

What are Weingarten rights and why are those rights important to all unionized employees?

When a member is called to a supervisor’s office for an interview, that meeting request alone can be somewhat stressful. When the purpose of the interview is to investigate an event that could lead to disciplinary action or dismissal, the union member has the right to invoke “Weingarten rights”. However, those rights are not, as Caryn explains, automatic and it is incumbent upon the member to ask for them when the member feels that they are needed.

Today we are speaking with American Federation of Teachers Massachusetts (AFT-MA) Field Representative Caryn Laflamme who works very closely with the United Teachers of Lowell 495 as both a Field Representative and contract negotiator. Caryn breaks down Weingarten rights for all of us in this FAQ Episode - our yearly reminder that during an investigatory interview with a supervisor, a member has the right to have a union representative present.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

AFT National’s information page on Weingarten rights.

Season 1, Episode 6: Our Podcast with Caryn Laflamme

Thanks once again to Caryn Laflamme for this reminder of Weingarten and how to invoke them should a member need to do so. We remind members that it is incumbent upon the member to ask for union representation should one feel that is needed.

Thank you for tuning in to this Episode of Straight Talk. We hope that if you enjoy what you hear, you’ll consider subscribing to our podcast using Apple Podcasts or Stitcher. As always, we welcome your general comments and feedback. If you have suggestions for future podcast topics or if you are aware of a UTL495 member who might be willing to share experiences or expertise, send us an email at [email protected].

Last Wednesday, September 4, the Joint Committee on Education held a hearing and invited testimony on about 40 pieces of Legislation referred to the Committee for their recommendation. Among the bills for which citizen input was being solicited were four bills regarding mandating a minimum of 20 minutes recess for Grades K-5.

Unfortunately, this public input session was scheduled on the first day of school for many communities across the Commonwealth - and actually the 4th day of school for Grades 1-12 in Lowell (first day for PreK and K students). The unfortunate timing of the hearing meant that many practitioners from across Massachusetts could not give their input.

Since education reform changed the dynamic of the school day, we have observed a gradual diminishing of recess time. As Mickie points out in her testimony, “our kids are not okay”. Children need recess breaks to not only learn and practice social skills, recess is a necessity when it comes to brain science and how our students meet the demands of the rigorous curricula found in PreKindergarten through 12th grade.

Lowell Education Justice Alliance (LEJA) successfully advocated for more uniform recess periods across the Lowell Public Schools and were able to ensure that all students in Grades PK-4 were given a minimum of 20 minutes recess each day with 2 additional 5-minute brain breaks scheduled, one for the morning and one in the afternoon. At the Middle School (Grades 5-8) level, a minimum of 15 minutes recess with two 5 minute brain breaks was implemented.

Here in Lowell, our schools and administrators recognize the importance of recess to the development of the whole child; however, implementation of equitable access to recess has not been easily accomplish.

In this podcast recording, Mickie and Amy have recorded the testimony given before the Joint Committee on Education. As retired educators who have experienced the difference allowing students adequate “downtime” can make, we are passionate about this issue. We were encouraged that Joint Committee Chair, Alice Peisch, and others on the Committee, mentioned time and again that everyone understands the need for students to have recess breaks. We are watching this legislation close, as we hope you are too, and will continue to keep Members up to date.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

• Lowell Education Justice Alliance or LEJA is a grassroots coalition of parents, students, education professionals and community members. The group meets regularly to plan and advocate for our students and public schools. Go to LEJA’S FACEBOOK page to learn more. New members are welcome!

• LEJA’s Recess Policy Proposal Document contains additional links to research and reports about recess.

• The Massachusetts Joint Committee on Education maintains a webpage which lists hearings and bills that the Committee is involved in. Visit that Committee’s page here.

• The four proposed recess-related bills are: H.426, H.454, H.489, and S.330.

Thank you for tuning in to this Episode of Straight Talk. We hope that if you enjoy what you hear, you’ll consider subscribing to our podcast using Apple Podcasts or Stitcher. As always, we welcome your general comments and feedback. If you have suggestions for future podcast topics or if you are aware of a UTL495 member who might be willing to share experiences or expertise, send us an email at [email protected].

Photo courtesy of Andrea Regina, Abraham Lincoln School

The Abraham Lincoln School, a PreKindergarten through Grade 4 elementary school in Lowell’s Lower Highlands, has been a 21st Century School programming site for the last three years. This past spring, the school received great news that grant funding to continue this program had been renewed for three additional years!

One of the most engaging programs that the Lincoln School 21st Century Schools program offers is a chance to engross students in collaborative problem solving using Lego robotics.

We had the privilege to chat with Rachel Margagione and Andrea Regina, who by day are extraordinary teachers at the Abraham Lincoln Elementary School, but also have been involved in the 21st Century Programming at the Lincoln School and the Lego Robotics activities.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

To contact either Rachel Margaglione or Andrea Regina about the program or to arrange a chance to watch the program in action, please reach out to Rachel or Andrea via email.

• For general information about the 21st Century Schools grant program click on this link. The Lowell Public Schools Director of Special Programs is Carolyn Rocheleau; additional information about this program in the Lowell Public Schools can be located here.

• The FIRST organization weblink is https://www.firstinspires.org.

• The FIRST LEGO LEAGUE weblink can be found here.

• Merrimack Valley Robotics’ weblink to the Lowell Team, perSEVERE, is here . Team 5962, also known as perSEVERE, is a FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) team from Lowell, Massachusetts. They welcome students ages 14+ from any school, as well as mentors from any town or company. Check the weblink for photos and information about this great group.

Thank you for tuning in to this Episode of Straight Talk. We are grateful to both Rachel Margaglione and Andrea Regina for taking the time to speak with us today. The power of Project Based Learning and engaging students in collaborative efforts is not only fun, but hugely important to all of our students. Thank you to both Andrea and Rachel for sharing this experience with all of us!

We hope that if you enjoy what you hear, you’ll consider subscribing to our podcast using Apple Podcasts or Stitcher. As always, we welcome your general comments and feedback. If you have suggestions for future podcast topics or if you are aware of a UTL495 member who might be willing to share experiences or expertise, send us an email at [email protected].