ATA Weekly

I hope your first week back at school went well. It's always great to see the excitement of the start of a new academic year. I visited Marguerita School on the first day this year. The students (and parents) were enthusiastic, and the staff were energized by the lively atmosphere. The school mascots, high-fiving students, helped to ease any first-day nervousness. I appreciated the opportunity to connect with students and staff.

Now, let's address some issues that have come up this past week.

Facilities

There have been a lot of concerns with the lack of AC in classrooms or workspaces. When dealing with non-emergency issues, consult the Working Conditions section in Article VII on page 13 of our contract for guidance on submitting a work order or a 5-Day Letter. Follow site-specific protocols for submitting a work order and obtain a work order number for future reference. If the issue persists, inform your site admin and site rep. However, for emergency issues affecting safety, it's crucial to report them promptly to your admin. If not resolved, proceed with filing a 5-Day Letter.

Class Size

I've heard from many elementary teachers who are understandably concerned about their class sizes during this class-leveling period. I want to reassure you that Ed Services is working diligently to level the classes as soon as possible, and it may take until Back to School night to finalize everything. Remember, the maximum class sizes are clearly defined in our contract (Article XIII 2D, p. 40). The District carefully considers the educational implications of any decisions made and the financial considerations. Your concerns are being heard, and we are doing our best to address them. Please reach out to me if you need me to follow up.

Lastly, I encourage you to RSVP to the ATA TGIF on September 6th. It's an excellent opportunity to catch up with everyone and kick off the new school year. Please check out the flyer below for all the details.

Ralph Hernandez

alhambrateacherspresident@gmail.com

As we embark on this new academic journey, I want to emphasize the importance of protecting your rights as educators. We are all aware of the potential vulnerability of educators to allegations of misconduct in the workplace. Therefore, it is crucial to be prepared to defend your rights when such situations arise.

If you ever find yourself in this predicament, it is essential to be well-versed in your rights and know how to defend them. Remember, you are not alone. The ATA is here to support you. I urge you to promptly invoke your Weingarten Rights and reach out to your union representative or the ATA office for assistance. Resist the urge to justify or defend yourself before consulting with your union representative. If law enforcement becomes involved, contact the ATA office right away and refrain from speaking with them until after consulting with ATA leadership. It is imperative to assert your rights with the support of the ATA in these circumstances.

Have you heard of the CLB? It's a helpful program that allows unit members to support each other during tough times. If you find yourself in a situation where you've used up all your sick leave, you can request additional sick leave days from the bank for severe injuries or illnesses. Just keep in mind that only current members who have contributed can make a withdrawal from the bank.

As our contract outlines, if we maintain 600 days in the CLB, current members won't have to donate any more days when the new school year rolls around. As of today, we have 660 days in the bank, which means we've met the requirement and can avoid donating additional days in the upcoming school year.

If you're a new hire or new to the plan, you must enroll within 30 days of your start date. However, if you don't have enough sick days saved up, you won't be able to register. It's important to keep track of your sick leave days to take advantage of the CLB if you ever need it.

If you're unsure whether you're registered for the program, feel free to contact Gabriela Mangas at (626) 289-1933.

It's important to remember that according to Education Code 44813, certified employees have the right to a duty-free lunch period of at least 30 minutes. This is not just a break; it's your entitlement to prioritize your well-being.

Hello ATA,

Last year, we were told we would receive a 3.5% retroactive pay, but I could be wrong. I didn't receive that this summer, and I would like to know if I need to contact Payroll about it or if that was never agreed upon. Can you clarify?

Anonymous

Hi Anonymous,

We understand your concern and assure you that Payroll is working diligently to ensure the unit members receive their retro pay as soon as possible. However, there is no set date yet. The new HCM/BEST payroll system has presented several challenges, but the District is actively working to resolve them. In the meantime, please refrain from contacting Payroll, as they are working hard to address these issues. ATA has requested that the District provide an update on this matter.

ATA

Please show your support for ATA by checking out our fantastic collection of merchandise! We offer a variety of stylish t-shirts and sweaters that will help you represent ATA in the best way possible. Visit our order form to see what's available, and place your order now. Your ongoing support is greatly appreciated!

Please note that new unit members who submit an ATA/CTA/NEA membership form will receive a free T-shirt.

In honor of California educators, Provident Credit Union is hosting the California Teachers Association Giveaway. To honor their incredible dedication and hard work, we are thrilled to award $4,000 to California educators, divided into three (3) prizes: $2,500, $1,000, and $500.

Submit entries between August 1, 2024, and October 31, 2024, for your chance to win. The winners will be announced on or about November 15, 2024.

California Teachers Association Giveaway Official Rules

August 19

- Grievance (4:00 pm, ATA Office)

August 20

- ATA Board of Directors (4:00 pm, ATA Office)

August 27

- ATA Rep Council (4:00 pm, ATA Office)

- Board of Education (6 pm, Marengo West)

September 9

- Grievance (4:00 pm, ATA Office)

September 10

- ATA Board of Directors (4:00 pm, ATA Office)

September 17

- Board of Education (6 pm, Marengo West)

September 24

- ATA Rep Council (4:00 pm, ATA Office)

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/