Know our contract: Membership benefits, dues rebates; email posted 5-12-2016

To: WIS Faculty

Re: Membership benefits, dues rebates

From: D. Anderson

Aloha, Faculty,

3 left to go for 100% recognition!
As we work diligently our State's ESSA response, we hope to empower members more.

In the interest of full disclosure, our HSTA Bylaws ARTICLE V. NON-MEMBER EMPLOYEES
Section 1. Full-time Non-member Employee.
A full-time non-member employee in a bargaining unit who is represented for purposes of collective bargaining by the Corporation shall pay the equivalent of "regular dues" as defined by
Article XIII, Section 1 of the Bylaws paid by full-time Active Members of the Corporation as provided in Section 89-4, Hawaii Revised Statute ("HRS"), or applicable collective bargaining agreement.
[By choosing membership, you have a much greater say in the use of your dues!]

Section 3. Refund Procedure.
A non-member employee in a bargaining unit who files a timely written objection to expenditures made by NEA and the Corporation for activities of a political and ideological nature unrelated to
terms and conditions of employment shall be refunded the amount of agency fees which represent the employee's pro rata share of expenditures for such activities in accordance with the procedure established by the Corporation under Section 89-4, HRS, and other applicable law.

Our Governance Manual explains further in: 620: DUES REBATE PROGRAM

III. REBATE NOTIFICATION TO NONMEMBERS
A. By October 15th of each fiscal year, or within thirty (30) days of a newly hired nonmember’s notification, whichever shall occur later, a notice of the HSTA dues rebate procedure shall be mailed to each nonmember...

If we can assist any further in your decision between non- vs. membership, please let us know!

Debbie

Member Matters: Money for cool classrooms, supplies and teacher travel, posted 5-4-2016

HSTA wins major victories at 2016 Legislature  State lawmakers concluded their session this week and the Hawaii State Teachers Association is grateful for some big wins on cooler classrooms as well as new money for teacher supplies and teacher travel. As you have most likely already heard, HSTA successfully lobbied the Legislature for $100 million to bring air conditioning and other cooling measures to at least 1,000 classrooms across the state. That’s a huge amount compared to the several million dollars a year the Department of Education previously allocated toward heat abatement in the 63 percent of its 11,820 classrooms that have no air conditioning. The HSTA thanks State Sen. Michelle Kidani, chair of the Senate Education Committee, Senate Ways and Means Chair Jill Tokuda, House Finance Chair Sylvia Luke as well as many other lawmakers for supporting the efforts to cool down classrooms. And mahalo to Gov. David Ige for proposing the 1,000-classroom initiative and including it in his state-of-the-state address. “We want to thank many teachers who submitted testimony and spoke out about hot classrooms, efforts that helped focus the attention of the public and lawmakers on the problem,” said HSTA President Corey Rosenlee, who has been raising concerns about high classroom temperatures for years.   Lawmakers approve school supply pilot program, funds for teacher travel Working with key members of the Legislature, HSTA was able to secure $500,000 for a pilot program to give teachers debit cards to purchase classroom supplies. The DOE is still ironing out key details such as what schools will participate in the pilot project and how the program will work. This effort is an important first step toward helping teachers who often pay thousands of dollars of their own money for basic student necessities. Lawmakers also approved $400,000 in new funding to pay for teachers to travel with students on educational trips. The DOE still has to work out exactly how this travel funding will be disbursed. Another proposal that would have exempted public school teachers from the ethics code and allowed them to return to traveling with their students on trips died in a House-Senate Conference committee last week. Some lawmakers are hopeful a new state Ethics Commission member and a new executive director for the panel will revisit the issue.   Developer impact fees will be used to repair schools The HSTA successfully lobbied lawmakers and the Board of Education for passage of proposals to expand school impact fees in Honolulu's urban core and allow their use for school site acquisition, building repair and maintenance. Prior to this change, impact fees could only be used to build new school facilities. In February, the association brought hundreds of teachers to the State Capitol to rally for Schools Our Keiki Deserve, launching a grassroots campaign to organize educators and their communities to support a progressive education vision outlined in the research-based Schools Our Keiki Deserve publication, which will soon be available at hsta.org. HSTA also worked with legislators and Board of Education members to begin implementing the newly enacted federal Every Student Succeeds Act and revise the DOE's strategic plan. HSTA Secretary Treasurer Amy Perruso was just appointed by the governor to his ESSA task force, along with Waikiki Elementary teacher Catherine Caine.   Mahalo to a great member-driven HSTA team Many thanks to HSTA lobbying team that spent many long hours before during and after this year’s legislative session. Mahalo also to the Government Relations Committee and the HSTA Speakers Bureau, made up of teachers from across the state who devoted many hours to preparing and delivering testimony as well as speaking to community groups to spread our message. “This is the first year of a campaign in which HSTA is following its vision: United in the pursuit of excellence for Hawaii’s public schools,” said Rosenlee. “This was just the first year. We will continue fighting and legislators must realize that HSTA is not going away. The issues are too important. Our children are too important.” “We have had a great year and we will have an even better one next year,” Rosenlee added.   Final call on negotiations/EES survey which is extended to Friday Just a friendly reminder, please make sure to take the survey on teacher evaluations.  With contract negotiations coming up in 2017, your negotiations committee wants to hear from you Please remind your colleagues to take the survey, too. The survey has been extended through midnight May 6, 2016. Click here to take the survey   Take the EES/Negotiations Survey

Copyright © 2016 Hawaii State Teachers Association, All rights reserved. Mahalo for your engagement. Our mailing address is: Hawaii State Teachers Association 1200 Ala Kapuna Street Honolulu, HI 96819

Teacher Appreciation Day: Mahalo for your service, posted 5-3-2016

Happy Teacher Appreciation Day; like HSTA on Facebook and win an Apple iWatch, airline gift certificates  Be sure to like HSTA’s Facebook page and be on the lookout for today's Teacher Appreciation Day post. All you have to do is like and share our teacher appreciation Facebook message between Wednesday and Friday, and you’ll be entered in a drawing for an Apple iWatch, a $100 gift certificate from Mokulele Airways and other prizes. Tag and share a story about your favorite teacher using #thankateacher on our Facebook page. Watch our FB site for more details!  HSTA will also give away other great teaching tool prizes to members in May.  Watch Member Matters and our Facebook site for further details and announcements of the winners. Read more   Today only: Free coffee at Jack in the Box for teachers  Some like it hot. Some like it iced. But everyone likes it free. Jack in the Box Hawaii is celebrating teachers and as a thank you will be giving away FREE regular sized hot or iced coffee all day long on Teacher Appreciation Day, May 3, 2016. “Hawaii teachers are a vital part of our community and the growth of our keiki. That’s why Jack in the Box Hawaii wants to thank all teachers for everything they do,” said Donna Yano, vice president of Jack in the Box Hawaii. Free regular size iced or hot coffee for all teachers and faculty. Just show your school ID or pay stub.   HSTA members save 25% on Mokulele Airlines summer travel; must book through May 8 Mokulele Airlines is offering HSTA members a great deal on flights statewide: a 25% discount on travel May 1 through June 25. To receive the special savings, you must book through May 8. The booking code is MAYHSTA. Thank you to Mokulele for this generous offer.  Read more about Mokulele offer here   HSTA president's message  On this Teacher Appreciation Day, I want to send you a heartfelt mahalo to all teachers for your sacrifices and important contributions to communities across the state. As your HSTA president, I sit in a unique position. I am able to see all the wonderful ways teachers change students’ lives for the better. I see the selflessness that teachers endure and the sacrifice teachers make to ensure lessons are just right, that their hungry students receive a meal, and their struggling students get the attention and special services they need to succeed. While students and parents may not say it out loud, they are thankful for all your efforts. On behalf of the Hawaii State Teachers Association, I want to say thank you as well. Mahalo for your dedication, for fighting through the tough days, and for continuing to have a powerful influence in the lives of our students. Aloha, Corey Rosenlee HSTA President    Negotiations/EES survey extended; more time to make your voice heard Just a friendly reminder, please make sure to take the survey on teacher evaluations.  With contract negotiations coming up in 2017, your negotiations committee wants to hear from you Please remind your colleagues to take the survey, too. The survey has been extended through May 6, 2016. Click here to take the survey   We hope you "got connected" with your teacher appreciation gift HSTA's state Board of Directors and Member Services Committee thank you for all your hard work and hope you enjoyed this year's teacher appreciation gift. They hope you can use your USB hub to connect and network with each other, making your jobs a little easier. Mahalo, again, for everything you do for students across the state!   Win an Apple iWatch Read more about Mokulele offer here Take the EES/Negotiations Survey

Copyright © 2016 Hawaii State Teachers Association, All rights reserved. Mahalo for your engagement. Our mailing address is: Hawaii State Teachers Association 1200 Ala Kapuna Street Honolulu, HI 96819 Add us to your address book Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list

Opportunities for teachers to continue to develop re: testimonials, ESSA Task Force, Education Summit, and HSTA Accomplishments SY 2015-2016

To: WIS Colleagues

From: Debbie Anderson

Emailed: 5-2-2016

Aloha, 

Opportunities for teachers to contribute continue to develop across the next seasons. PLEASE let me know if you have an area of interest!

SPRING:

5/3/16 10 a.m. BOE Meeting (testimony due today 5-2-2016 by 10:00 AM)

Our HSTA members on the ESSA Task Force (Amy Perruso & Catherine Caine) are soliciting direct teacher input on ESSA issues for policy responses, such as the following (with our Speakers Bureau volunteering as leaders):

Education Leadership

Testing

EL

SpEd

Hawaiian Education 

Charter Schools 

Fair and Just Climate

Vulnerable populations (Foster, homeless)

May 14, 2016: next ESSA Task Force Meeting. Agenda available.

SUMMER:

June 1, 2016: 4 new BOE members take office, along with responsibilities for review of policies, etc.

July 9, 2016: Education Summit (for anyone who applied to the ESSA Task Force, etc.)

8:30 a.m. -3:30 p.m. at the Hawaii Convention Center

[We need volunteers to attend, because over 110 HSTA elected leaders will be in Washington DC with the NEA Representative Assembly wrapping up July 7 late, and being followed by the Save Our Schools March on Washington, etc.]

FALL:

August 31, 2016: ESSA Task Force Town Hall Meeting 

from 5:30 - 7 p.m. at Waiakea High School

November 5, 2015: ESSA submits its final recommendations to the BOE/DOE.

--------

This year, HSTA accomplished the following (from Kris Coffield, our contracted HSTA legislative assistant): 

- Obtained $100 million for air conditioning and other heat abatement initiatives;

- Help passed legislation requiring the DOE to become more energy efficient overall and expedite classroom cooling for the longterm;

- Successfully lobbied for passage of a bill to expand school impact fees in Honolulu's urban core and allow their use for school site acquisition and building repair; 

- Secured $500,000 for a pilot program to give teachers debit cards for school supplies; 

- Passed through the House and Senate Education Committees measures to increase school funding, end EES, and eliminate toxic testing, which can be taken up again next year;

- Brought hundreds of teachers to rally for the Schools Our Keiki Deserve, launching a grassroots campaign to organize educators and their communities to support a progressive education vision (outlined in our SOKD publication); 

- Worked with legislators and BOE members to begin implementing the newly enacted Every Student Succeeds Act (Secretary Treasurer Amy Perruso is an ESSA task force member) and revising the DOE's strategic plan; and 

- Rejoiced at the Supreme Court's rejection of Friedrichs v. California Teachers Association, which would have decimated the finances and organizational capabilities of public sector unions

Thanks for being part of our "collaboratively creating quality public education."

Member Matters for April 29, posted 4-30-2016

Lawmakers approve $100 million for cooler classrooms State lawmakers Friday approved spending $100 million on heat abatement in public school classrooms -- ranging from ceiling fans, solar-powered vents and air conditioning -- bringing relief to teachers and students. “Today was a huge victory for students across the state who will finally be able to focus on their learning rather than the heat,” said HSTA President Corey Rosenlee. “We are so grateful that lawmakers are helping to improve the learning environment for students across the state by cooling these classrooms.” “This money allows us to experiment and bring the cost of air conditioning classrooms down,” Rosenlee said, pointing to the example of two elementary schools on Molokai that converted quickly and relatively cheaply to air conditioning using solar technology this spring. As of mid-April, the DOE reported about 37 percent of its 11,820 classrooms have air conditioning. The DOE has completed assessments of classrooms at the top 32 schools on its heat abatement priority list. The DOE said the project will be divided into installing solar-powered air conditioning for all portable classrooms and other heat-abatement measures including photovoltaic and split-system AC on permanent buildings. Other anti-heat measures include installing ceiling fans. See the DOE's heat abatement priority list Thank a Teacher campaign next week; like HSTA on Facebook and win an Apple iWatch, airline gift certificates  Be sure to like HSTA’s Facebook page and be on the lookout for our Thank A Teacher message on Wednesday which is Teacher Appreciation Day. All you have to do is like and share our teacher appreciation Facebook message between Wednesday and Friday, and you’ll be entered in a drawing for an Apple iWatch, $100 gift certificates from Mokulele Airways and other prizes. Watch our FB site for more details!  HSTA will also be giving away other great teaching tool prizes to members in May.  Watch Member Matters and our Facebook site for further details and announcements of the winners. Read more Gov. appoints HSTA leader and elem teacher to ESSA panel  Gov. David Ige Thursday appointed Amy Perruso, HSTA’s state secretary-treasurer and a history teacher at Mililani High School, to the volunteer board that will develop a blue print for public schools consistent with the new federal Every Student Succeeds Act. The governor also named Waikiki Elementary teacher Catherine Caine to the panel. "I am so grateful that the governor has appointed two teachers to this important panel, giving us a strong voice as we plan improvements to public education in Hawaii,” Perruso said. “I look forward to listening to the community and surveying our HSTA members so we can work cooperatively towards a better future for public school students across the state."    Please Take Negotiations/EES Survey to Make Your Voice Heard Just a friendly reminder, please make sure to take the survey on “teacher evaluation.”  With contract negotiations coming up in 2017, your negotiations committee wants to hear from you Please remind your colleagues to take the survey, too. The survey will run through May 1, 2016. Click here to take the survey $100 million to cool classrooms Take the EES/Negotiations Survey HSTA officer appointed to ESSA panel Win an Apple iWatch

Copyright © 2016 Hawaii State Teachers Association, All rights reserved. Mahalo for your engagement. Our mailing address is: Hawaii State Teachers Association 1200 Ala Kapuna Street Honolulu, HI 96819 Add us to your address book

WIS Librarian to serve as NEA RA State Delegate, posted 4-29-2016

To: WIS Colleagues
Re: NEA RA State Delegate appointment
From: J. Grabar

Congratulations

Debbie Anderson  

NEA RA State Delegate 

Debbie will be one of fifteen delegates who will represent Hawaii at the Washington, D.C. Convention. In addition to Hilo Chapter, she has volunteered to serve in Hamakua and Windward Chapters.  She is soliciting ideas for NBIs; if you would like to submit any, please contact Debbie (NBI fax deadline is Saturday, April 30, 2016).

Thank you, Debbie, for supporting teachers and expressing a strong voice at the forefront of political issues! Your actions strengthen Hilo Chapter's impact on education in Hawaii.

     

Governor Ige names ESSA Team Members, posted 4-29-2016

To:  WIS Colleagues

From: Debbie Anderson

Aloha, Teachers,

       Home »Latest News, Newsroom, Press Releases »GOVERNOR’S OFFICE NEWS RELEASE: Governor Ige names ESSA team members

GOVERNOR’S OFFICE NEWS RELEASE: Governor Ige names ESSA team members

Posted on Apr 28, 2016 in Latest News, Newsroom, Press Releases 

ESSA Team will develop blueprint for Hawai‘i’s education

HONOLULU –Gov. David Ige today announced the names of the newly selected members of the Governor’s Team on ESSA –Every Student Succeeds Act. The team will work to develop a blue print for Hawai‘i’s public schools that is consistent with ESSA and will maximize opportunities and possibilities for Hawai‘i to transform education.

The team was selected by Gov. Ige based on recommendations and applications, including one recommendation each from Senate President Ronald Kouchi and House Speaker Joe Souki.

“Our goal was to get a good cross-section of stakeholders with diverse backgrounds and experiences. The work of the ESSA team will be an inclusive process that will involve town meetings and a summit to allow all to participate,”said Gov. Ige.

The ESSA team will ultimately be responsible for assessing the current public school system and identifying areas of need.

Gov. Ige appointed Darrel Galera as chairman of the ESSA team earlier this month. 
Here is a complete list of members:

Philip Bossert           Community member, Director of Strategic & International Program, HAIS

Catherine Caine               Elementary School Teacher, Waikīkī Elementary

Kamana‘opono Crabbe   CEO –Office of Hawaiian Affairs

Darrel Galera            Chariperson, Executive Director, Education Institute of Hawai‘i

Keith Hayashi           Principal, Waipahu High School

Michelle Kidani          State Senator, Chair of Senate Education Committee

Brennan Lee                       Student, State Student council

Ann Mahi               DOE –Complex Area Superintendent Waianae/Nanakuli

Hubert Minn            Member, Board of Education

Lauren Moriguchi             Executive Director, Office of Early Learning

Steve Nakasato                  Principal, Pearl Ridge Elementary School

Alan Oshima            President, CEO Hawaiian Electric Co.

Catherine Payne                Chairperson, Charter Schools Commission

Amy Perruso                      Teacher, Mililani High School

Stacey Roberts                   UH Professor, Chair of Educational Administration Program

Carol Shikada                     DOE –Educational Specialist (Kaua‘i)

Linda Takayama                Workforce –Director of Labor & Industrial Relations

Stephen Terstegge            Parent/Military, Castle High School

Takashi Ohno                     State Representative

The team had its first preliminary, introductory meeting today. Meeting minutes will be regularly distributed to the Legislature, Schools Superintendent, Board of Education, Department of Education and will be posted on the governor’s website at: governor.hawaii.gov.

An Education Summit will be scheduled this summer to give organizations and individuals the opportunity to discuss possibilities for a future-focused education system and solicit input on key recommendations to the state’s ESSA plan.

---------------------------

Date: Thu, Apr 28, 2016 at 2:10 PM
Subject: Congrats! Next alternate to NEA RA
To: Debbie Anderson

Hi Debbie,

Congratulations! Due to resignation of a state delegate, you are the next alternate to the NEA RA state delegate position (funding).

This means also that I can attend the 7/8 post-Conference Save Our Schools Rally & People’s March for Public Education & Social Justice to the Lincoln Memorial and 7/9 mini-Conference at Howard University http://saveourschoolsmarch.org/2016/03/sos-coalition-event-lincoln-memorial/, 

and perhaps the Joint pre-Conference on Women's and Minorities' issues.

Thank you for your votes!

---------

From the Network for Public Education (NPE) - a study of the new evaluation systems. Haven't read it yet, but point #4 in the Executive Summary reads: 

4. There is substantial evidence that new evaluation practices require teachers and administrators to spend significant amounts of time on completing forms and paperwork, with scant evidence of a positive impact on instruction or student outcomes. We recommend that evaluations require less paperwork and documentation so that more time can be spent on reflection and improvement of instruction.

Take a look at the recommendations on their infographic:

http://networkforpubliceducation.org/2016/04/6460/

TOY Honorees and Retirees, 2015-2016--Luncheon tickets still available!

Teacher of the Year Honoree & Retiree Luncheon, 2015-2016

Sunday, May 1, 2016, Nani Mau Gardens, 11:00 am - 3:00 pm
Participating Schools' Honorees and Retirees are noted in chart below. If you would still like to purchase a luncheon ticket, please inform Joy Grabar or Tabitha Booth as soon as possible!

	Honorees	Retirees
Connections		Shelly Ebersole Phyllis Cabral
Hawaii District Office	Nerie Padamada
Hilo High	Mari Nakamura	Sephen Nemeth Sidney Nozaki Jennifer Perry Erin Neizmen
Hilo Inter	Haunani Haasenritter
Hilo Union	Kelsie Valledor-Yoshida	Sandra Miyao Greta Pung Sharon Furstenwerth Sandra Miyao
Kapiolani	NA	Wynne Peralta Ceclia Kawabata Susan Spencer
Kaumana	Cathy Iwaoka	Cathy Iwaoka Diane Ortiz
Keaau Elem	Lori Tanaka	Wendy Roberts
Keaau High	Judith Elise Pratt	Claudia Calles David Calles
Laupahoehoe	Josie Harding
Mountain View	Hali'a Kai	Claire Fernandez
Na Wai Ola	Anna Aoki
Naalehu Elem	Mary LeGrandeur
Pahoa Elem	Amber Makuakane
Pahoa High	Ward Gardner	Margaret Kelleher Kerry Meyer
Volcano Arts Science	Heather Hand
Waiakea Elementary		Karen Shindo Shawn Paiva Ann Lau
Waiakea High		Colleen Ray
Waiakea Intermediate	Kim Aburamen	Sharon Iwasaki
Waiakeawaena Elementary		Ada Kubo Christine Ahia