As we approach the upcoming Veteran's Day holiday, it is important to reflect on the estimated 18 million veterans who reside among us. These individuals are not only our relatives and neighbors, but they are also valued members of the education community who continue to serve our country by working in schools and classrooms. We extend our deepest gratitude to these brave men and women who have made countless sacrifices to ensure our safety, both domestically and abroad. Thank you for your service.

As we approach the upcoming Rep Council meeting on November 14th, it's important to address some concerns regarding the proposed options for the next two years' school calendars. One of the most pressing issues is the number of professional development (PD) days included in the calendar. Some have questioned whether we can reduce the number of PD days, while others have suggested embedding more PD days within the school year. Let's take a closer look at these concerns.

Q: Why do we have so many PD days? Can we reduce the number of PD days?

A: The additional PD days were negotiated several years ago to help augment the salaries of unit members. We could reduce the number of PD days, but there would be a corresponding reduction in pay. For instance, if the average unit member earns $90,000 per year/ 187 days, they would lose approximately $481 for each reduced PD day. Decreasing PD days may also result in teachers being subbed out more during the school year, likely requiring them to write lesson plans.

Q: I've heard that other associations have been able to reduce PD days without losing pay. Is this an option for ATA?
A: With the COLA being 8.22%, we, too, could potentially reduce PD days and not "lose" pay, but that would also mean we wouldn't be maximizing our earnings. Let's assume we're able to negotiate for the entire COLA. The value of each PD day is approximately .55%. Depending on the number of PD days we want to reduce, the corresponding amount would need to be reduced from the negotiated pay increase (8.22%).

Q: Attending three PD days at the beginning of the year is mentally, physically, and emotionally taxing. Can we embed more PD days within the school year?
A: Embedding more PD days within the school year creates childcare challenges for many of our parents. Many parents have contacted ATA in the past and shared this concern. Further, embedding additional days creates financial challenges for some of our CSEA brothers and sisters, as their paychecks are shorted unless they use vacation days.

Thank you to everyone who took part in the Informative SpEd Compliance Training via Zoom on November 8th. We are happy to announce that the training materials, including the slide presentation and Google Drive resources, are now available for your reference. Please feel free to review and share them with your colleagues who couldn't attend.

We've received some questions from unit members about pregnancy leave, so we wanted to share some helpful information with you.

Pregnancy leave (or maternity leave) is a paid leave of absence. It is provided when an employee is required to be absent from duties due to pregnancy, miscarriage, childbirth, and recovery.

When does it start and end?

The starting and ending dates of a pregnancy leave are determined by the unit member's physician and the unit member.

What is the procedure?

1) Obtain a note from your physician that states both that a leave is necessary and the date that the leave is to begin.

2) Obtain a leave request form from the AUSD website. Check under Human Resources - Certificated Employees.

3) Complete the form and attach the note from your doctor. (Be sure to make a copy for yourself.)

4) Go on leave.

5) Six weeks after delivery (eight weeks if delivery was Caesarian), Human Resources will need another note from your physician stating either that you can return to work or that you are not yet able to return to work.

How is the leave paid?

Pregnancy leave pay is subtracted from all earned sick days you have accumulated. You will receive full pay if you have sick leave and your physician requires you to be absent.

What happens if you use all of your current and accumulated sick days and are still required to be absent?

You are then paid 50% of your regular salary for up to 100 more working days.

To be clear, this is not 50% of your monthly salary. It is calculated in the following manner:

1) Your per diem rate is determined by dividing your yearly salary by the number of days you work each year. (Most unit members work 187 days each year).

2) Determine the total working days for each impacted pay period. (Note this varies each working month)

3) Fifty percent of your per diem rate is subtracted from each working day for that pay period.

4) That figure (total number of working days minus 50% of per diem rate per day) is then subtracted from your regular monthly salary.

Can your income protection plan be used while on pregnancy leave?

Yes! The Standard income protection plan can be triggered when you are on pregnancy leave. To access answers to common questions about maternity-related disability claims, please download the form below or visit https://www.ctamemberbenefits.org/Disability.

Other frequently asked questions:

Do I need to prepare lesson plans for the duration of my leave?

No, however, it is often more manageable when you return to work if you have provided a road map to your substitute.

Can the District refuse to grant your pregnancy leave?

No, if your physician says you must be absent, you must be provided the leave.

After your doctor says you are able to work, but you want to stay home, what can you do?

Submit a leave request form to Human Resources. If granted, this leave will be unpaid. Additionally, the unit member will pay fringe benefits costs during this leave.

The ATA building's upstairs conference room is undergoing renovations, expected to be finished by Thanksgiving break. As a result, the November 14th joint BOD/Rep Council Meeting will be held virtually via Zoom. A link to the meeting will be shared soon.

The December 5th joint BOD/Rep Council meeting will welcome all representatives back.

We know it's been a challenging year, but there's always something to be grateful for. Please share with us your thoughts and experiences. Share your thoughts with us (no more than 2 sentences), and we'll feature them in our upcoming newsletter. If you prefer to remain anonymous, just let us know.

Please submit your entries on this Google Form. A winner will be selected at random and will be provided with a gift card to a local eatery.

To access the registration link below, click here.

Join Us and Provide Your Input! The San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments (SGVCOG) is hosting two Community Workshops, and we would like to see you there and receive your input!

The San Gabriel Valley Transit Study, carried out by the SGVCOG and in partnership with LA Metro, is coming to an end, and we would like to receive your feedback on the remaining five bus routes.

Now it’s time for the community to weigh in and help us improve mobility in the San Gabriel Valley! Join us at one of our upcoming Transit Study Community Workshops:

Tuesday, Nov. 28 In-Person Community Workshop from 5:30 - 7 p.m.:

• Hacienda Heights Community & Recreation Center

1234 Valencia Ave., Hacienda Heights, CA 91745

• RSVP here: https://bit.ly/405lhvU

Wednesday, Nov. 29. Virtual Community Workshop from Noon – 1 p.m.:

• Conducted via Zoom

• RSVP here: https://bit.ly/3RZWlnA

#SGVCOG #SGVTransitStudy #publictransit #publictransportation #riders #buses #BRT #metro

#TransitStudysurvey #innovation #publictransit #publictransportation #riders #buses #metro #train

November 10

- Veterans Day - Holiday

November 13

- Grievance (4:00 pm, ATA Office)

November 14

- Joint BOD and Rep Council meeting (Virtual, Zoom)

- Board of Education (6 pm, Marengo West)

November 20-24

- Thanksgiving Break

December 4

- Grievance (4:00 pm, ATA Office)

December 5

- Joint BOD and Rep Council meeting (4:00 pm, ATA Office)

December 9

- ATA Mix & Mingle (4-6 pm, ATA Office)

December 12

- Board of Education (6 pm, Marengo West)

December 21

Secondary School Pupil Free Day (9th-12th & LIFT)

The Alhambra Teachers Association (ATA) exists to protect and promote the well-being of its members; to improve the conditions of teaching and learning; to advance the cause of free, universal, and quality public education; to ensure that the human dignity and civil rights of all children and youth are protected; and to secure a more just equitable and democratic society.

Email: ataoffice3030@gmail.com
Website: www.alhambrateachers.org
Location: 3030 West Main Street, Alhambra, CA, USA
Phone: (626)289-1933
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AlhambraTeachersAssociation/