It's Fall, Y'All!

Dear BPTA Members,

Welcome back to the 2024-2025 school year! BPTA hopes that everyone enjoyed and was inspired at our Kick-Off celebration with the district. BPTA wanted to help set the tone for the new year in collaboration with the Dr. Lee and the District so our members know that we are working together to pave the new path for Buena Park School District. We hope our members were moved by our inspirational speaker, Dr. Victor Rios.

BPTA has been hard at work planning new ways for our members to become more involved in their association in meaningful ways. We hope you will provide us feedback on these changes we hope you will notice this year as we want to serve our members and be responsive to your needs. One-way members will be able to engage with their union is by participating in the Bargaining Input Sessions we have scheduled at each of your sites. Because we are a union, we get to bargain over decisions that affect us and BPTA is giving each of its members an opportunity to participate directly. The dates of all of our upcoming Bargaining Input Sessions are listed in this newsletter, we encourage you to plan to attend. We look forward to hearing your voice in the bargaining process!

Another change we are hoping our members notice this year is that members will be seeing your BPTA leadership at your sites more often. We are hoping that more visibility and access to our members will lead to our members feeling more connected to their union and its leadership.

I look forward to learning more about our members and our school sites this year. Please don’t hesitate to say hi and reach out to BPTA leadership as we visit your sites. Our goal is for our members to feel engaged and to know we are available and accessible to each of our members.

I hope your school year is off to a great start and I look forward to visiting your sites soon.

Sincerely,

Carol Bright

BPTA, President 🍂 🌻 🍁

Site Location: Beatty Middle School

Assignment: 7th and 8th Grade History

Carol has been an instrumental member of the Executive Board. She is a dynamic force within the union, known for her goal-oriented approach, unwavering dedication, and tireless work ethic. Her passion for serving the membership is evident in everything she does, as she continuously strives to make a meaningful impact. Carol is a doer, someone who takes initiative and gets things done with tenacity and determination. Her grant writing and passion for change have provided the membership with countless opportunities.

"BPTA Members, this is my 3rd year serving you as BPTA president and my 26th year teaching in the Buena Park School District. While I have spent 26 years employed at the district, the district is also my home as I grew up in the Buena Park School District, attended K-6 at Corey Elementary, and was part of the last graduating class from Calder Junior High. I also am a proud Coyote, having graduated from Buena Park High School. Go Coyotes! Feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions or need any assistance."

Bargaining Input Sessions will be happening at all school sites. In a Bargaining Input Session, your BPTA leadership will lead our members, one category at time - Pay, Benefits, and Working Conditions - and brainstorm how we want to improve each category. After all members and sites have had an opportunity to attend a Bargaining Input Session and participate directly in the bargaining process, the Bargaining Team will review all of the identified priorities from across the whole association to set our bargaining goals for the 2024-2025 bargaining year. It is the hope of your BPTA leadership that each member will feel a part the decisions process instead of a few members deciding for all of us what our Bargaining Team will fight for. That is unity!

Site Location: Pendleton Elementary

School Assignment: Instructional Coach

Kristin embodies the values of integrity, self-awareness, courage, respect, compassion, and resilience. With many years of dedicated service to the union, she has been a steadfast advocate for fairness and justice, consistently standing up for her colleagues and the rights of workers. Her self-awareness allows her to lead with empathy, understanding the needs of those she serves, while her courage inspires others to speak up and take action. Kristin's deep respect for every individual, coupled with her unwavering compassion, has earned her the trust and admiration of her peers. Through challenges and triumphs alike, her resilience has been a guiding force, ensuring that the union remains strong and its members well-represented.

"Welcome to the 2024-2025 school year! This is my first year serving on the Executive Board for BPTA and for the next two years I will be your union Vice President. I have also been a member of our union Bargaining Team for over 10 years. Additionally, I have been part of the Buena Park School District for most of my life. I attended Pendleton School from Preschool until 6th grade and then went on to Buena Park Junior High for seventh and eighth grade. In terms of teaching, I just started my 25th year here in the Buena Park School District. I am so happy to be supporting all of our members and I look forward to learning as much as possible about our amazing union during my term. Please reach out to me anytime if you have questions or concerns 😊"

Do you have student loans? Your CTA Membership will help you manage your debt.

Dates:

Site Location: Pendleton Elementary

School Assignment: TK

Cindy has been a cornerstone of BPTA for many years, demonstrating unwavering dedication and loyalty through her countless hours of service. Her commitment is reflected in her roles as Pendleton’s representative for 25 years, Vice President of Membership, and NOCUT Representative. Known for her approachable and empathetic nature, she always makes others feel comfortable and valued. Cindy's extensive knowledge and experience, paired with her positive rapport with members, administration, and district officials, have earned her deep respect across all levels.

"I’m excited to be Treasurer and be a part of the Executive Board!"

Next Bargaining Date: Thursday, September 26th

Make sure we’re checking our email and reading our union correspondence in order to stay up to date on bargaining updates. The only way to strengthen our bargaining sessions is to SUPPORT our bargaining team. How can we SUPPORT our bargaining team? We can participate in wearing our Union t-shirts on Monday, attending monthly board meetings our next one is on Monday, September 9th, and making sure each school site has every site rep position filled.

WE ARE STRONGER TOGETHER!

Site Location: Gilbert Elementary

School Assignment: RSP

With past experience at the negotiation table in another district, Christina brings strong leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills to the table. As a member of the site CAST team, she has honed her ability to unite teams and guide them toward common goals. Her focus remains on advocating for policies that protect the rights and benefits of the BPTA membership, ensuring fair representation and positive outcomes for all.

"With 20 years of experience as a special education teacher across elementary, middle, and high school levels, I have dedicated my career to supporting diverse learners. Additionally, I served in an administrative role at the high school level for five years. Currently, I work as an RSP teacher at Carl E. Gilbert Elementary, a position I have cherished since 2017. In my free time, I love to travel and spend quality moments with my family."

24.11 Reasonable efforts will be made to schedule Individual Educational Plans (IEPs) during the unit member’s regular workday. If an IEP meeting continues outside a unit member’s regular workday more than one half hour, participation will be on a voluntary basis, or another meeting will be scheduled.

Site Location: Gilbert Elementary

School Assignment: 3rd Grade

"I am thrilled to serve on the Executive Board for BPTA for the first time. This marks my 27th year teaching in the Buena Park School District. Throughout the years, I’ve had the privilege of supporting our members behind the scenes as a member of the Bargaining Team, BPTA newsletter editor, PAR Coordinator, PAR Provider, and as a member of various district and site committees. It is truly an honor to serve our membership and community."

California Education Code Section 51512 prohibits the use of electronic recording devices in a classroom without the consent of the teacher and principal, unless it's for an educational purpose. The law states that using these devices can disrupt the teaching process and discipline, and therefore is not allowed.

If a student violates the law, they may face disciplinary action. If someone other than a student violates the law, they may be charged with a misdemeanor.

3:00 – 4:00 pm at elementary sites; 3:30-4:30 at the middle school sites

• 10/02 Wednesday @ Pendleton
• 10/09 Wednesday @ Gilbert
• 11/06 Wednesday @ Corey
• 11/13 Wednesday @ Emery
• 12/04 Wednesday @ Whitaker

• Governing Board Meeting Dates
• Monday, October 14, 2024
• Tuesday, November 12, 2024
• Monday, December 16, 2024
• Governing Board Meeting Zoom Link

Don’t Forget to wear your BPTA Spirit Wear on Mondays!