Substitute Buzz On-line

This Day in History — History.com — What Happened Today in History

2011-04-12T20:24:00.000-07:00

This Day in History — History.com — What Happened Today in History

Civil War: 150th Anniversary — History.com

2011-04-12T19:51:00.000-07:00

Bombardment of Fort Sumter, Currier & Ives

Image source - http://www.eagleton.rutgers.edu/programs/egov/images/fortsumter.jpg

Civil War: 150th Anniversary — History.com

Contact me

2011-04-12T19:40:00.000-07:00

We met with Elaine Alexandres and gave her a list of 10 suggestions. If you have any further suggestions contact me at sgianni@gmail.com -

Stephen Gianni
Chief Steward SBCUSD

Special Meeting San Bernardino CUSD

2011-04-01T19:58:00.000-07:00

Elaine Alexandres is hosting a Special Meeting for Substitute Teacher's in Conference Room C at the Admin. Bldg. before the regular School Board meeting. The date and time is Tuesday, April 5th at 4:30.

The topic of the meeting - What can Principals do to make sure that Substitute Teachers have a great day?

History of St. Patrick's Day — History.com Video

2011-03-17T21:48:00.001-07:00

History of St. Patrick's Day — History.com Video:

Bing Crosby "When Irish Eyes Are Smiling"

2011-03-17T20:32:00.000-07:00

Happy St. Patrick's Day

2011-03-17T20:27:00.000-07:00

Source for graphic - http://allfaith.com/graphics/st_patrick.jpg

Have a Happy and Safe St. Patrick's Day.

Up Coming Union Meeting Dates

2011-03-17T19:47:00.000-07:00

Meet us at these up coming meetings for

CWA - local 9588 - Substitute Teacher Meetings

Union Hall
190 WEST “G” STREET
COLTON, CALIFORNIA 92324
(909) 422-8960 FAX (909) 824-2391

For 2011 the monthly meetings are on MARCH 8 - APRIL 12 - MAY 10 - JUNE 14 - JULY 12 - AUGUST 9 - SEPTEMBER 13 - OCTOBER 11 - NOVEMBER 8 - DECEMBER 13

All substitute teacher meetings are held every 2nd Tuesday of each month. Meetings begin at 4:00 p.m.

And for those interested in our parent Union's Meetings. Meet us at

CWA - local 9588 - Union Meetings

Union Hall
190 WEST “G” STREET
COLTON, CALIFORNIA 92324
(909) 422-8960 FAX (909) 824-2391

For 2011 the bi-monthly meetings are on MARCH 23 - MAY 25 - JULY 27 - SEPTEMBER 28 - NOVEMBER 18

All general meetings are held every other month on the 4th Wednesday, except for November which is held on the 3rd Wednesday. Meetings begin at 7:00 p.m.

AVP Report of Substitute Teachers

2011-02-21T10:14:00.001-08:00

AVP Report of Substitute Teachers for Meeting of February 16, 2011

What has been happening since the last Exec Board Meeting of January 11, 2011?

SAN BERNARDINO: The Working Committee met on February 4, 2011. The report submitted was reviewed and because of the current budget restraints action upon it was temporary tabled. The next meeting is scheduled for May 20, 2011, and the topic will be credentials for substitute teachers.

Twenty substitutes went through orientation on January13, 2011. There will be ten more scheduled for the last orientation of the school year on February 17.

Two more substitutes were taken off the spin system by Elaine Alessandres’s office. Both were accused by students of the same class at the same site of making inappropriate comments. The substitute from Costa Rica, who we had helped before, has a very heavy accent and when they said hail it definitely sounded like HELL! The sub scheduled an appointment with Elaine and was told they did not need union representation. The sub had second thoughts and called for Union support and was reinstated but with a final warning. In the response letter the substitute requested permission to tape classes they taught. In a meeting with Dr. Vollkommer on Tuesday February 15 that request was denied due to the probability of things appearing on facebook and falling into the wrong hands. The second substitute was accused of using the term “dumbass” in regards to another teacher and asked for our help after being referred to us by Al Cline. That term was denied being used because of religious convictions. We have scheduled a meeting to review substitute file before scheduling an appointment ASAP. We have not heard from the other substitute that had been removed from the system for tweaking a student’s ear.
On January 20, 2011, Carlos, Dave, Steve Gianni and Ron met with the SBCUSD negotiating team in response to the Demand Letter that the Union had sent on December 21, 2010. The Demand Letter had asked for fair compensation for substitutes that were working at SIG mandated schools that were in session for longer than the normal school day. After three hours it was agreed that the substitutes that worked at these schools would receive a commensurate percentage of the Board adopted per diem rate of pay. Interpreted that means instead of $125 or $135 per day they would receive $147 or $159 per day and that this pay was retroactive to the date of the Demand letter of December 21.

RIALTO: The Stakeholders committee met on January 19, 2011. The Extended Cabinet Meeting was held on January 24, 2011.

The Union started contact re-opener talks on January 21, 2011. The topic had to do with the creation of the position of Resident Substitute. Talks will continue on Friday, February 18, 2011. The union committee is consists of Carlos, Dave, Suzanne Mayes, and Ron.
One new substitute was hired and orientation was given on Friday February 11, 2011. This substitute also is a coach for basketball.

On Monday, January 31, 2011, Suzanne and Ron met with a substitute who had received a call from Rhonda Kramer, the new head of personnel for Rialto. While representing the substitute, Ronda also informed us of two more meetings that were being held with substitutes that followed this one. One of the substitutes was scheduled to be released because of a possible dangerous situation that the substitute had unknowingly place a young female student in. Suzanne was able to convince Rhonda that there were mitigating circumstances such as the substitute had been called to the school after the start of the day and that testing involving a lot of student movement from class to class was going on and that the substitute could not be held accountable for all the students when there was no method in place to say where the students were suppose to be at any given moment. Thus the case brings the importance of having attendance sheets with picture ID’s of students into focus.

FONTANA: Heather Estruch has continued to make calls to recruit new members from Fontana.

GENERAL: On Tuesday, February 8, 2011, Steve Gianni, Richelle Capozio, Heather Estruch and Ron Fletcher attended the honorarium for Dr. Judy White, who is leaving San Bernardino as a Deputy Superintendent, to become Moreno Valley’s Superintendent of Education.
There were three new attendees at the monthly Tuesday night substitute meeting. Two discussed an interest in becoming stewards. The next steward training for substitutes starts following the March substitute meeting. This training will be one night a month on the second Tuesday for four meetings with graduation scheduled for June.

On Wednesday the 9th of February, Ron Fletcher spent the day taking steward Telma Hill, who had fallen over a protruding door jamb at Hunt Elementary and hit her head, back to the doctor. After getting cleared to return to work in the late afternoon, Telma was able to join Steve Gianni, Heather Estruch, Richelle Capozio, Ron Fletcher and sixty other substitutes for SBCUSD training given that evening at Arroyo Valley High School. This training is paid for by SBCUSD and substitutes receive a half days pay by attending. This training is a cooperative effort between the district and the Union.

A Resident Substitute has been hired by SBSUSD as a Test Coordinator and Program Facilitator at Arroyo Valley High School. This is the school the resident substitute had been working at.
Both Rialto at 12 million and San Bernardino at 25 million will be holding special meetings to develop ideas to handle the shortfalls in their districts due to possible upcoming budget cuts. At the February 15 meeting the SBCUSD is asking for a 5% cut across the board in wages along with other reductions in staffing. How this affects the substitute is that by California Education Code those teachers who are laid off by a RIF (Reduction In Force) action have first right for any substitute work for 39 months.

Monthly Meeting: Our next substitute meeting will be held on Tuesday evening the 8th of March.

The substitute’s web site at http://substitutebuzzon-line.blogspot.com is used to run articles that may be of interest to substitutes. It has a link to the CWA site. Mr. “C” is working to keep it upgraded.

AVP Report of Substitute Teachers

2011-01-11T19:48:00.000-08:00

AVP Report of Substitute Teachers for Meeting of January 11, 2011

What has been happening since the last Exec Board Meeting of December 8, 2010?

SAN BERNARDINO: The Working Committee met on December 8, 2010. The report submitted shows that the change would cost the San Bernardino School District about 30-40k. The next meeting is scheduled for February 8, 2011.

Thirty eight substitutes went through orientation on December 16. There will be two more groups of new hires with twenty scheduled for January 13 and an unknown number scheduled for the last orientation of the school year on February 17.

Two substitutes were referred to us by Elaine Alessandres’s office. One substitute had reportedly said something that a student took an exception too. The substitute was removed from spin and due to the holidays has not had a hearing upon these charges. The other substitute was been removed from the system for tweaking a student’s ear.

RIALTO: The Stakeholders committee met on December 8. The union is still awaiting dates to start contact reopener with Rialto. Fifty-five new substitutes were hired and orientation was given on December 16 and 20.

FONTANA: A congratulations get together scheduled for December 14 to honor Sophia Green for being elected to the Fontana School Board, was attended by two school board members; one from Rialto and one from Colton. The guest of honor was a no show but those substitutes in attendance learned a lot from the two school board members about how important their job is to the success of the school districts and how little money is going to be available in the near future. Heather Estruch has continued to make calls to recruit new members from Fontana.

GENERAL: On December 18, 2010, a group of substitutes volunteered their time early on Saturday morning to hand out coats and other clothes and to assist Santa Claus in helping to make Christmas more enjoyable for some of the less fortunate boys and girls of San Bernardino. This event took place at Mt. Vernon Elementary School and was coordinated by Maria Hootman.

The Christmas Dance at the Hilton had Steve Gianni and Heather Estruch winning door prizes. The food tasted great and dancing to the DJ’s went very well. The line at the bars was a steady two feet deep.

Monthly Meeting: Our next substitute meeting will be held on Tuesday evening the 11 of January.

The substitute’s web site is set to run an article on abuse. Mr. “C” has put several things that may be of interest to subs on http://substitutebuzzon-line.blogspot.com . It has a link to the CWA site. Mr. “C” is working to keep it updated.

ATTENTION ALL SUBSTITUTE TEACHERS

2010-11-13T17:00:00.000-08:00

ATTENTION
ALL SUBSTITUTE TEACHERS

Meet our CWA UNION SISTER and newly elected Fontana School Board Member

"Sophia Green".

Join us for Pizza and Refreshments!!!

Mingle and share ideas with Substitute

Teachers from Rialto, San Bernardino, and Fontana.

Tuesday, December 14, 2010 4pm-8pm

CWA LOCAL 9588 AUDITORIUM
190 W. "G" STREET
COLTON, CA 92324

1-800-562-9588

Early start for Kindergarten at Salinas

2010-11-10T20:08:00.000-08:00

Early start time - Please note!

If you're subbing at Salinas Elementary in San Bernardino for Kindergarten. The kids come in at 8:40 am.

Heather

Know the Law: Technology Use Practices

2010-11-09T20:59:00.000-08:00

Early in January 2007, the Federal Government published a new law defining an employer's responsibilities regarding use of the employer's technological resources. One provision of that law requires employers to archive emails sent and received over the employer's system. This definition of employer includes school districts.

This law has critical significance for SBTA members (and all other Union members) in the District. While technology can aid and assist in making the exchange of information and communication more effective, the new requirement to store those exchanges can be both helpful and dangerous to employees.

SBTA advises our members to recognize some tips for protecting themselves. These are reflected below:

The computers, phone lines, DSL lines, servers, and websites operated by the District are the property of the San Bernardino School District. As such, District management has access and responsibility to ensure that they are being used for purposes properly prescribed by the District.
SBTA members should not be using District email or private email accessed through District equipment and network connections for personal reasons - that is, those conversations which one would not hold in public.
Conversations in emails which reflect critical attitudes about other persons, including management, should be very professional in tone, content and purpose.
SBTA members are adult and, as such, may have interests which are considered to be outside the parameters of propriety by some other adults (e.g., exploring questionable websites). These individuals MUST NEVER use District equipment to engage in these activities. The potential for loss of job, serious discipline, loss of credential, or any combination thereof, is powerful.
Bringing personal computers into school and connecting them to the District's system does not represent protection because the network and all usage of the network are the property of the District.

Current School Board Policy, adopted February 20, 2007, states clearly that, "The Superintendent or designee may monitor the District's technological resources, including email and voice mail systems, at any time without advance notice or consent."

SBTA strongly encourages our members to use caution in all usages of the District's technology. Your job could depend on it!

Thanks to Rebecca Harper the President of SBTA (San Bernardino Teachers Assoc.)

UNION MEMBERS - KNOW YOUR RIGHTS

2010-11-09T20:43:00.000-08:00

UNION MEMBERS - KNOW YOUR RIGHTS

YOUR RIGHT TO UNION REPRESENTATION

"If this discussion could in any way lead to
my being disciplined or terminated, or affect
my personal working conditions, I respectfully
request that my union representative, officer,
or steward be present at this meeting.

Without union representation, I choose not to
answer questions."

(This is my right under the 1975 U.S. Supreme Court Weingarten decision)

Sophia Green seeks 'bright future for every child'

2010-11-09T20:26:00.000-08:00

CWA memeber Sophia Green won on November 2nd. Congratulations to the newest member of the Fontana Unified School District.

Sophia Green seeks 'bright future for every child' - click on the link for the article

http://www.fontanaheraldnews.com/articles/2010/11/09/opinion/letters/doc4cd9e3a74a114102227918.txt

AVP Report of Substitute Teachers

2010-09-16T15:03:00.000-07:00

AVP Report of Substitute Teachers for Meeting of September 15, 2010

What has been happening since the last Executive Board Meeting of August 24, 2010?

SAN BERNARDINO: On Thursday, August 26th, the Working Committee consisting of Richelle Capozio, Marian Iskander, and Ron Fletcher met with Dr. Harold Volkommer and staff to discuss the change in what constitute a half day. Presently a half day is anything less than three hours and fifty-nine minutes. CWA is asking for a half day to be anything less than three hours and twenty-nine minutes. A report was submitted that listed substitutes that had worked exactly four hours. Of the one hundred and twenty-one substitutes a random review showed that all had been paid for a full day. At the next meeting on November 18th, a report will be submitted showing what the change would cost the San Bernardino School District.

A committee is being formed to study the unemployment question for substitutes. Why do some qualify and others do not? Preliminary findings point to how the forms were filled out. Also, the appeals process may put one with a judge that does not understand the difference between a letter of assurance and available work.

Ron Fletcher has been invited to sit on a Customer Service Committee which is staffed by a large number of movers and shakers in the SBCUSD. This will give CWA a chance to further educate members of SBCUSD on the value of substitutes.

RIALTO: The Rialto School District invited Suzanne and Ron to a two day Leadership Training Seminar July 21st and 22nd. Because of our participation in this seminar a space on two committees has been reserved for CWA. One committee is called a Stakeholders and meets quarterly , while the other committee will be held monthly and include the department heads of the Rialto School District and is called Extended Cabinet Meeting.

FONTANA: Phone banking for substitute signatures will begin Wednesday evening of September 15, 2010. Eight substitutes have signed up to man the phones Monday evening thru Thursday evening until November the 2nd. They will combine requests to sign up for union representation and to support our candidate for the Fontana school board.

Monthly Meeting: At our September meeting on the 14th, Mitch Ambrosio was to speak on his July 29th 24 hour round trip for Arizona immigration and his experiences with taking the CSET Exam. This was delayed due to we had two substitutes join us who had trouble and the evening was spent in helping them. Letters were typed that were delivered to Elaine Alexandres the morning of September 15, 2010. Elaine will review the matters and let us know. The other substitute was upset because as a fully credentialed teacher the District did not interview her when they hired new teachers to fill the empty slots created by so many teachers retiring early. A response will be made to the SBCUSD School Board at its next meeting on September 21st. Suggestions for the SBCUSD training were made with the request of Sexual Harassment and Child Abuse Reporting being chosen.

The substitute’s web site reran articles on unemployment and food stamps. Mr. C has put several things that may be of interest to subs on http://substitutebuzzon-line.blogspot.com/ . It has a link to the CWA site. Mr. C is working to keep it upgraded.

Good News for Education

2010-08-11T20:38:00.000-07:00

Obama Signs Emergency Bill to Halt Teacher Layoffs

On August 10th, Chief Steward Stephan Gianni announced this good news at our Tuesday Union meeting. Click on the related link below -

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100810/ap_on_bi_ge/us_jobs_bill

Notes: From Tonight's Rialto Unified School District Meeting-

Board member Joanne Gilbert announced that 195 teachers have been rehired in Rialto USD. Also, 21 new teachers were hired.

At the meeting Mr. Tavares from U.S. Congressman Joe Baca's office was there to announce that a $26 billion bill (see above) was just signed by President Obama. $10 billion of this emergency Federal funding is for education. That should mean $1 billion for California.

Congressman Joe Baca helped pass the bill. The Rialto USD Board called Joe Baca a friend of education.

It has been my experience that Joe Baca is a friend of Unions as well.

Staples Teacher Appreciation Day

2010-08-10T16:48:00.000-07:00

On August the 14th, Saturday, Staples is having a teacher appreciation day, at all stores from 9:00 am - 12:00 pm.

Refreshments, many gift prizes, and door prizes will be given away.

You also have the opportunity to sign up for the special discount program offered to all substitute teachers and teachers at no charge. :-)

Support Sophia Green for Fontana School Board

2010-08-09T20:07:00.001-07:00

If you want more information on Sophia Green, click on the following link -

www.VoteGreen2010.org

Also, read the article below. Please support your fellow Union member Sophia Green for the Fontana School Board.

Sophia Green for School Board in Fontana

2010-08-06T13:46:00.000-07:00

Please support fellow Union member Sophia Green for School Board in Fontana. You can also support her by volunteering for phone banking, neighborhood walks, and just telling others about her. If you live in Fontana, do not forget to vote for her in Fontana.

Thanks - Ron Fletcher - VP Substitute Teachers - CWA local 9588

The Fontana newspaper did an article on Sophia Green. Use the link below to read it.

http://www.fontanaheraldnews.com/articles/2010/08/05/news/doc4c5a35ac16cb3352394077.txt

If you want more information on Sophia Green, click on the following link -

www.VoteGreen2010.org

Stop Telemarketers On Your Cellphone & Phone

2010-08-04T21:36:00.000-07:00

By the end of this month, telemarketers will have access to your cellphone. Stop unwanted calls to your cellphone and register your cellphone and also your home phone.

Call 888-382-1222 or go on-line.

National Do Not Call Registry - https://www.donotcall.gov/

SNAP - Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Prog.

2010-06-30T13:51:00.000-07:00

Fellow Substitutes: Please take advantage of all the programs available. Please contact me with your experiences. Let me know how it helped you out. Contact me - Ron Fletcher -

ronfletcher9588@gmail.com

SNAP - Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (formerly know as the Food Stamp Program) can help many families and individuals in our area.

As the result of our economic circumstances, many working families and individuals are experiencing hardships. As the people of our country struggle to find employment and pay for living expenses, there is absolutely no reason why any American should have to worry about not having a nutritious meal on the table.

Follow these links or share them if you need assistance:

SNAP/Food Stamp - website links:

Federal Goverment - Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

www.fns.usda.gov/snap/

State of California

http://www.ca.gov/ - Click on "Home and Family" link to download FS application

California Association for Food Banks (CAFB)

http://www.myfoodstamps.org/

San Bernardino On-line Appliclication

http://www.c4yourself.com/

State Food hotline: 877-847- FOOD (3663)

Ron, Stephen, and myself attended a workshop conducted by U.S. Congressman Joe Baca. Please use or share this information with others. Stop Hunger in Your Community!

Sub Teachers Can Collect Unemployment

2010-06-30T13:48:00.000-07:00

Fellow Substitutes: Please take advantage of all the programs available. Please contact me with your experiences. Let me know how it helped you out. Contact me - Ron Fletcher -

ronfletcher9588@gmail.com

SNAP - Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (formerly know as the Food Stamp Program) can help many families and individuals in our area.

Substitute Teachers can collect Unemployment Benefits:

Apply for unemployment benefits on-line with eApply4UI

www.edd.ca.gov/eapply4ui

Available 24 hours a day in English and Spanish.

North Korea Invades South Korea

2010-06-25T20:01:00.000-07:00

Today is the 60th Anniversary of the start of the Korean War.

Source - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WpRBSlNlDLE&feature=related

Decorum at School Board Meetings

2010-06-24T15:35:00.000-07:00

The people who speak at school board meetings should be anyone who wants to speak from the heart, can express themselves articulately, and have something to say. But beyond that, we ought not put this huge pressure on speakers. You know, we all have good and bad days, and sometimes we're on and sometimes we're not. You may do a good job, you may not. Who cares. Show up and give it a shot. We need numbers. We all need to show up. Because it's the right thing to do. For the children.

The most important thing, in my arrogant opinion, is that we act professional, in our phone conversations, and our conduct in person. With everyone. By behaving that way, we present ourselves as the amazing assets to public education that we are. So if you're nervous about speaking, we can help you relax before the meeting. I'll tell you some jokes, get you laughing. Whatever. I mean, what-ever (hand goes up at a 90 degree angle). The worst thing you could do to yourself would be to stay home due to fear. This isn't about us. This is about the children. We need you. The children need you. The school board members are just like us. The way to win them over isn't through accusations of corruption (don't say it!), it's to show them that that we love to teach and our area of concern is improving student achievement in this district. Every child deserves the opportunity to receive an education.

source - Ron Fletcher - Area Vice President for Substitute Teachers - CWA local 9588

Sub Teacher Meetings second Tuesday of each month

2010-06-24T15:26:00.000-07:00

Hello to all and a happy summer:

About the Union - We will be meeting on the second Tuesday of each month from 4-6pm. During the Summer on July 12th and Aug 9th. Location: 190 W. G Street, Colton/ corner of 7th and G streets. This will be our usual substitute teachers meeting.

SBCUSD School Board - There will be San Bernardino school board meetings during the Summer, on the first and third Tuesday of every month. During the Summer on July 6th and 20th & Aug 3rd and 17th. These are held at the School Board office: 777 N. F Street in San Bernardino. They begin at 5:30 pm. However, we usually come at 5 pm. Please note, if the meeting lasts longer than 3 hr you are welcome to leave. It is a great idea to write up a short report of the meeting attended, so the information can be shared.I would like to start rotating attendance for the school board meetings. That way everyone has a chance to go. If we need a group to represent our cause, everyonecan come. Just remember to wear red.

School board agendas can be found at - http://www.sbcusd.k12.ca.us/ - the SBCUSD website.

Sincerely yours,

Stephen Gianni - Chief Steward - San Bernardino City Unified School District

WWII in HD — D-Day — History.com Videos

2010-06-06T20:28:00.000-07:00

WWII in HD — D-Day — History.com Videos

D-Day plus 66 years

2010-06-06T20:18:00.001-07:00

(Source - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Normandy )

The Invasion of Normandy was the invasion and establishment of Allied forces in Normandy, France during Operation Overlord in World War II. It covers from the initial landings on June 6, 1944 until the Allied breakout in mid-July.

It was the largest seaborne invasion at the time, involving over 850,000 troops crossing the English Channel from the United Kingdom to Normandy by the end of June 1944.

Allied land forces that saw combat in Normandy on June 6 came from Canada, Free French Forces, the United Kingdom, and the United States. In the weeks following the invasion, Polish forces also participated and there were also contingents from Belgium, Czechoslovakia, Greece, and the Netherlands. Most of the above countries also provided air and naval support, as did the Royal Australian Air Force, Royal New Zealand Air Force and the Royal Norwegian Navy.

The Normandy invasion began with overnight parachute and glider landings, massive air attacks, naval bombardments, an early morning amphibious landing and during the evening the remaining elements of the parachute divisions landed. The "D-Day" forces deployed from bases along the south coast of England, the most important of these being Portsmouth.

(Source for "Great Crusade" letter - http://www.kansasheritage.org/abilene/graphics/ikesmessage.jpg )

SUPREME HEADQUARTERS
ALLIED EXPEDITIONARY FORCE

Soldiers, Sailors, and Airmen of the Allied Expeditionary Force!

You are about to embark upon the Great Crusade, toward which we have striven these many months. The eyes of the world are upon you. The hopes and prayers of liberty-loving people everywhere march with you. In company with our brave Allies and brothers-in-arms on other Fronts, you will bring about the destruction of the German war machine, the elimination of Nazi tyranny over the oppressed peoples of Europe; and security for ourselves in a free world.

Your task will not be an easy one. Your enemy is well trained, well equipped and battle-hardened. He will fight savagely.

But this is the year 1944! Much has happened since the Nazi triumphs of 1940-41. The United Nations have inflicted upon the Germans great defeats, in open battle, man-to-man. Our air offensive has seriously reduced their strength in the air and their capacity to wage war on the ground. Our Home Fronts have given us an overwhelming superiority in weapons and munitions of war, and placed at our disposal great reserves of trained fighting men. The tide has turned! The free men of the world are marching together to Victory!

I have full confidence in your courage, devotion to duty and skill in battle. We will accept nothing less than full Victory!

Good Luck! And let us all beseech the blessing of Almighty God upon this great and noble undertaking.

Dwight D. Eisenhower

This is the letter the World saw. Eisenhower had an another letter, in this letter Eisenhower accepted the sole blame if the invasion had failed. Of course the Invasion didn't fail.

Long term assignments and payroll errors

2010-05-13T16:48:00.000-07:00

Long term assignments and payroll errors

You work day in and day out, striving through those tough classes (or those well behaved classes, if you’re lucky enough), in lieu of meeting the demands of not only the Administration, but also the teacher you are subbing for. At the end of it all, you would like to know that you have been rightly compensated for all those arduous days working as a long term substitute. You finally receive your check and/or deposit and realize that you have been shorted somehow. “Hmm,” you say to yourself, “I’ve worked more than 20 straight days in this assignment alone, and I haven’t received my extra 10 dollars per day for that duration.”

The CWA Substitute Union for the San Bernardino School District has dealt with numerous such cases. While we have been more than obliged to help correct such errors, we have also realized that these errors are programming issues that the district can easily rectify.

The technical error manifests when the long term assignment is held during any holiday, in which the system recognizes that holiday as a break into your long term assignment, and not a contingent holiday. If substitutes do not know this already, a long term assignment is considered one in which you work continuously for 20 or more days, with absolutely no breaks. So in other words, if your assignment is for three months, as has often been the case with many subs, and you take a day off during any time in your long term assignment, you start again at day one when you return, instead of continuing to day 17, leading up to your long term pay compensation. The payroll programming at the District cannot distinguish between a personal day taken off by the sub, and a holiday in which the entire school has been closed in commemoration of that holiday, and so herein lies our problem.

While it may be frustrating for some substitutes to deal with such baffling errors, the best thing to do is to call Shay at the San Bernardino School District at (909) 381-1111. Shay is well aware of the technical anomalies that occur during such holidays, and will be more than happy to address those payroll issues and have that long term pay sent to you. In no time, your befuddlement as to why you have not received your long term pay will transform into relief when you realize you will be getting it shortly!

Please take note, however, that there are strict regulations that the San Bernardino School District must enforce, by law, to all long term substitutes. Only credentialed substitutes are permitted to take on long term assignments in core classes, such as Math, English, and Science. Long term assignments in elective courses such as Leadership, will not receive long term pay. There are exceptions, and you can call the district at (909) 381-1100 for more information.

By: Marian E. Iskandar

65 years ago - VE Day

2010-05-07T21:24:00.000-07:00

Victory in Europe Day (V-E Day or VE Day) was on May 8, 1945, the date when the World War II Allies formally accepted the unconditional surrender of the armed forces of Nazi Germany and the end of Adolf Hitler's Third Reich. On 30 April Hitler committed suicide during the Battle of Berlin, and so the surrender of Germany was authorized by his replacement, President of Germany Karl Dönitz. The administration headed up by Dönitz was known as the Flensburg government. The act of military surrender was signed on 7 May in Reims, France, and ratified on 8 May in Berlin, Germany.

Source -http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victory_in_Europe_Day

Cinco de Mayo

2010-05-04T18:10:00.000-07:00

Check out this great MSN Video: History of Cinco de Mayo Often Misinterpreted

The holiday of Cinco De Mayo, The 5th Of May, commemorates the victory of the Mexican militia over the French army at The Battle Of Puebla in 1862. It is primarily a regional holiday celebrated in the Mexican state capital city of Puebla and throughout the state of Puebla, with some limited recognition in other parts of Mexico, and especially in U.S. cities with a significant Mexican population. It is not, as many people think, Mexico's Independence Day, which is actually September 16.

Source: http://www.mexonline.com/cinco-de-mayo.htm

The Meeting dates for the year 2010

2010-04-26T15:53:00.000-07:00

Substitute Teachers:

Get to know your new contract and join us when we meet the 2nd Tuesday of every month to discuss problems issues or share ideas.

Tuesday Meetings:

5-11-10
6-08-10
7-13-10
8-10-10
9-14-10
10-12-10
11-09-10
12-14-10

These meetings start at 4;30PM and usually end at 6PM. The address is 190 W. G Street in Colton.

CWA General Membership Meetings are every other month. Our next two meetings are:
The 05-26-10 meeting is at the Holiday Inn Express in Beaumont, Ca. Meet at the Hall at 5 PM to car pool.
The 07-21-10 meeting will beat 190 W. G Street in Colton, CA.

Time 7:00 PM

School Board Meetings:

1st and 3rd Tuesday of every month in San Bernardino.
2nd and 4th Wednesday of every month in Rialto.

5:00 PM in San Bernardino.
7:00 PM in Rialto.

We hope to see you there.

Californians help Keep Jobs in California - Fight Verizon

2010-03-25T10:54:00.000-07:00

Verizon customers help show your support for our Union. Help keep jobs in California.

Verizon is showing tremendous disrespect for workers and consumers in California.

Verizon makes a huge percentage (70%) of its profits from California consumers. But it continues to send jobs out of state, and even out of the country. Verizon call center jobs are already in the Philippines. Last month our team working to bargain a new contract caught Verizon sending California jobs to Tijuana.

Help send Verizon a message by sending you next Phone Bill via U.S. Mail. Attach a sticker over the Barcode so it will have to be processed manually.

You can also make the check amount 1 penny less and tape the actual penny onto the bill.

Or simply staple your check to the bill.

Communications Workers of America - Local 9588

AFL - CIO
190 West "G" Street - Colton, California 92324 - (909) 422-8960 - FAX (909) 824-2391

Sub Teachers Can Collect Unemployment

2010-03-25T10:02:00.000-07:00

Substitute Teachers can collect Unemployment Benefits:

Apply for unemployment benefits on-line with eApply4UI

www.edd.ca.gov/eapply4ui

Available 24 hours a day in English and Spanish.

SNAP - Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Prog.

2010-03-25T09:27:00.000-07:00

SNAP - Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (formerly know as the Food Stamp Program) can help many families and individuals in our area.

As the result of our economic circumstances, many working families and individuals are experiencing hardships. As the people of our country struggle to find employment and pay for living expenses, there is absolutely no reason why any American should have to worry about not having a nutritious meal on the table.

Follow these links or share them if you need assistance:

SNAP/Food Stamp - website links:

Federal Goverment - Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

www.fns.usda.gov/snap/

State of California

http://www.ca.gov/ - Click on "Home and Family" link to download FS application

California Association for Food Banks (CAFB)

http://www.myfoodstamps.org/

San Bernardino On-line Appliclication

http://www.c4yourself.com/

State Food hotline: 877-847- FOOD (3663)

Ron, Stephen, and myself attended a workshop conducted by U.S. Congressman Joe Baca. Please use or share this information with others. Stop Hunger in Your Community!

FYI - ATTN: Substitute Teachers

2010-03-25T09:13:00.000-07:00

FYI - ATTN: Substitute Teachers

Our parent Union is CWA - local 9588. CWA provides legal and origanizational support for us - the Substitute Teachers in San Bernardino and Rialto. The majority of local 9588 membership are in heated and protracted contract talks with Verizon.

Please read the post below and give them your support.

Remember the Union is there for all of us. Support your fellow Union members in their fight for a livable wage and benefits.

Keep California Jobs in California

2010-03-25T07:32:00.001-07:00

Tell Verizon: Keep California Jobs in California

Tell Verizon that it's a slap in the face.

Verizon makes a huge percentage of its profits from California consumers. But it continues to send our jobs out of state, and even out of the country. Verizon call center jobs are already in the Philippines. Last month our bargaining team caught Verizon sending our jobs to Tijuana.

California consumers have made it possible for Verizon to keep its fat cat executives fat. Verizon CEO Ivan Seidenberg's salary is $18.6 million, and the salary of the other five top executives totals $58.9 million. Verizon made $3.65 billion in profits last year.

Verizon can afford to help lead California out of the recession. And it can afford to give its 5,500 California employees a fair contract--without shifting more of the health care burden to workers.

Send Verizon a message by asking your legislators to demand answers from Verizon.

Keep California jobs in California!

http://action.cwa-union.org/c/20/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=28

SBCUSD - New Modified Traditional Calendar Announced

2010-03-17T14:40:00.000-07:00

New Modified Traditional Calendar Announced Beginning with the 2010-2011 school year, the District will begin implementing a Modified Traditional Calendar. Traditional and D-Track only schools will be making the switch.

August 3, 2010, will be the first day of school on the new Modified Traditional Calender. The new calendar gives students a one-week break at Thanksgiving, over three weeks off at winter, and two weeks for Spring break.

Below is a list of schools that will be switching to the Modified Traditional Calendar, effective this upcoming 2010-2011 school year. Other schools may be added at a later date, at which point this list will be updated. This list was last updated on December 8, 2009.

Modified Traditional Calendar Schools

Elementary Schools

Anderson
Anton
Arrowhead
Barton
Belvedere
Burbank
Cole
Cypress
Davidson
Emmerton
Fairfax
Highland-Pacific
Inghram
Jones
Kimbark
Mt. Vernon
Bonnie Oehl
Parkside
Salinas
Thompson
Urbita
Warm Springs
Bing Wong

Middle Schools

Arrowview
Chavez
Curtis
Del Vallejo
Golden Valley
King
Richardson PREP HI
Rodriguez PREP Academy
Serrano
Shandin Hills

High Schools

Arroyo Valley
Cajon
Pacific
San Andreas
San Bernardino
San Gorgonio
Sierra

San Bernardino City Unified School District Calendars

Traditional Calendar 2009-10

2009-2010 (Revised) Year-Round Calendar

2010-2011 Modified Traditional Calendar

2010-2011 Traditional and Four-Track Year Round Calendars

Source - http://www.sbcusd.k12.ca.us/index.aspx?NID=7

Happy St. Patrick's Day

2010-03-17T14:18:00.000-07:00

Source for graphic - http://allfaith.com/graphics/st_patrick.jpg

When Irish Eyes are Smiling

Have a Happy and Safe St. Patrick's Day.

Attention: Rialto USD Substitute Teachers

2010-03-17T12:06:00.000-07:00

Notes: from the Rialto Superintendent's Meeting - March 17, 2010

April 12, 2010 will be a high demand day for Substitute Teachers.

On May 3, 2010 Rialto USD will be going paperless. The District will ONLY accept ONLINE applications through EDJOIN.org for all Certificated, Classified, and Management positions.

Visit the District website at www.rialto.k12.ca.us
Click on Personnel Services
Click on EDJOIN
Select the job you are interested in follow the steps

Attention: SBCUSD Substitute Teachers

2010-03-17T11:22:00.000-07:00

The last workshop for this academic year for SBCUSD is scheduled for April 22, 2010, Thursday at San Bernardino City USD Community Room -

SBCUSD District Office

777 F Street

San Bernardino, CA 92410

The workshop is scheduled to provide the Substitute Teacher with information on how to adapt to being with and teaching Special Education students at all grade levels. Please contact Elaine Alexandres at (909) 381-1228. There are only 100 seats available. Call ASAP only if you want to go and are serious about Special Education. You will be paid 1/2 day if you attend the whole 4 hour training. (Elaine will be checking at the beginning and during the training.)

Chief Steward - Stephen Gianni

NSTA Conference - May 22, 2010

2010-03-17T11:00:00.000-07:00

If you are interested in attending the National Substitute Teachers Alliance (NSTA) conference - May 22 & 23, 2010 - use the internet links provided below. This is a great opportunity to network with other substitute teachers nationwide.

Link to conference information:

http://lcapst.org/2010%20NSTA%20Conference/CONFERENCE%20REGISTRATION%20NSTA%202010%20-%20updated.pdf

Link to hotel registration:

http://lcapst.org/2010%20NSTA%20Conference/hotel%202010%20-%20updated.pdf

Hope to see you there in beautiful and sunny Las Vegas.

An Introduction to Phonics

2009-05-02T09:52:00.000-07:00

When substitute teaching, the guest teacher is often required to do a Language Arts lesson or task based on phonics. The following is some basic information to help you in those lessons.

The English Alphabet Code 'Key' : 44 phonemes with their common 'sound pattern' representations:
Vowels (19):
/a/ mat
/ae/ ape, baby, rain, tray, they, eight
/air/ square, bear
/ar/ jar, fast
/e/ peg, bread
/ee/ sweet, me, beach, key, pony
/i/ pig, wanted
/ie/ kite, wild, light, fly
/o/ log, orange
/oe/ bone, boat, snow
/oi/ coin, boy
/oo/ book, would, put
/ow/ down, house
/or/ fork, ball, sauce, law,
/u/ plug, glove
/ur/ burn, teacher, work, first
/ue/ blue, moon, screw, tune
/uh/ (schwa) button, computer, hidden, doctor
/w/ wet, wheel
Consonants (25):
/b/ boy, rabbit
/ks/gz/ box exist
/c/k/ cat /key, duck, school
/ch/ chip, watch
/d/ dog, ladder
/f/ fish, coffee, photo, tough
/g/ gate, egg, ghost
/h/ hat, whole
/j/ jet, giant, cage, bridge
/l/ lip, bell, sample
/m/ man, hammer, comb
/n/ nut, dinner, knee, gnat
/ng/ ring, singer
/p/ pan, happy
/kw/ queen
/r/ rat, cherry, write
/s/ sun, dress, house, city, mice
/sh/ ship, mission, station, chef
/t/ tap, letter, debt
/th/ thrush
/th/ that
/v/ vet, sleeve
/y/ yes
/z/ zip, fizz, sneeze, is, cheese
/zh/ treasure

(Source - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Synthetic_phonics )

This next link will provide additional information on phonic sounds and blends:

http://www.tampareads.com/realaudio/tests/index-rm.htm

Test 5 is on Consonant Sounds. Note: c and g have two sounds.

Test 8 is on the Short Vowel sounds.

Test 9 is on the Long Vowel sounds.

Tests 6, 7, 11, and 12 provide information and practice on

Blends - bl - cl - fl - gl - pl - br - cr- dr - fr - gr - pr - tr -sk - sl - sp - st - sw - spr - scr -str (20 blends)
Consonant Digraphs - ch - sh - th - wh
Vowel Digraphs - ai - ee - ie - oa - ea - ay
Complex Vowel Sounds - ou - oi - oy - au - aw - oo - ow

I'll be providing more information on phonics and other educational topics in the future.

Tips on Classroom Discipline

2009-02-16T08:00:00.000-08:00

As substitute teachers in the San Bernardino CUSD, we all attended a district New Teacher Orientation. For those veteran and new teachers here is a summary of one of the many points raised at the New Teacher Orientation.

First – What do you need as a substitute teacher? Besides a lesson plan the teacher needs to have a game plan. Here are three management pieces suggested by Fred Jones. Dr. Fred Jones received his Ph.D. in clinical psychology from UCLA, specializing in work with schools and families. His methods of Classroom Management are used in many school districts.
.

Classroom Management Pieces

Discipline
Instruction
Motivation

Discipline

Fred Jones’s beliefs can be summarized in the following axiom -

“Either you work the crowd or the crowd works you!”

How to Work the Crowd
.

The teacher must recognize three zones. The Red Zone is at the back of the class. These students are most prone to misbehavior. The lack of teacher supervision invites disruptive behavior. The Yellow Zone is about 8 to 10 feet away from the teacher. The Yellow Zone is also prone to misbehavior. But, a teacher using the Fred Jones Classroom Management methods can simply take two steps and change the Yellow Zone into a Green Zone.

The Green Zone is the area nearest to the teacher’s supervision. By constantly moving around the classroom, the teacher is changing the zones. The teacher is working the crowd to maintain supervision and order in the classroom. Simply, movement helps create the good behavior needed to provide good instruction and motivation.
.

Zones of Proximity

Red
Yellow
Green
.

Three Rules of Movement
1. Constantly change the zone of proximity so that no one is the green zone very long.
2. Simulate the brain to attend by constantly changing everyone’s visual field.
3. Use movement as camouflage for dealing with the disruptive student.

Here are some of my suggestions to improve classroom management. If the class is doing seat work have the students put their name on their handouts or papers. This allows the teacher to identify the student if there is poor behavior. In fact, I loudly announce to the classroom, “Make sure you put your name on your papers. This will allow me to know who you are since I’m new to the class.”

The students are put on guard by announcing your intentions loudly. Then, help maintain further accountability of the students by moving around the class. If a student doesn’t have their name on their work then make them do it. You can also tell the students, “Make sure your name is on your work. Since, I’m collecting your work at the end of the period.”

Sources:

Dr. Fred Jones’s Tools for Teaching – More Time on Task, Less Goofing Off

http://www.education-world.com/a_curr/columnists/jones/jones001.shtml

Classroom Management the Fred Jones Way

http://www.tprstories.com/ntprs/2004/handouts/vegas2004_crum_fred-jones1.pdf

Merry Christmas

2008-12-24T23:54:00.000-08:00

To all my fellow Union members,

Here's wishing that you and all your dear family and friends are safe this Holiday Season. The Union is here for you when you need it. Wishing us all a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Happy Holidays. Seasons Greetings

2008-12-17T09:46:00.000-08:00

Twas the Night before Christmas

Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house

Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,

In hopes that St Nicholas soon would be there.

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,

While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads.

And mamma in her ‘kerchief, and I in my cap,

Had just settled our brains for a long winter’s nap.

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,

I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.

Away to the window I flew like a flash,

Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow

Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below.

When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,

But a miniature sleigh, and eight tinny reindeer.

With a little old driver, so lively and quick,

I knew in a moment it must be St Nick.

More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,

And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name!"

Now Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen!

On, Comet! On, Cupid! on, on Donner and Blitzen!

To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!

Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!"

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,

When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky.

So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,

With the sleigh full of Toys, and St Nicholas too.

And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof

The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.

As I drew in my head, and was turning around,

Down the chimney St Nicholas came with a bound.

He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,

And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot.

A bundle of Toys he had flung on his back,

And he looked like a peddler, just opening his pack.

His eyes-how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!

His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!

His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,

And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow.

The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,

And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath.

He had a broad face and a little round belly,

That shook when he laughed, like a bowlful of jelly!

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,

And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself!

A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,

Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,

And filled all the stockings, then turned with a jerk.

And laying his finger aside of his nose,

And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose!

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,

And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.

But I heard him exclaim, ‘ere he drove out of sight,

"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night!"

A Dream No More

2008-11-05T06:18:00.002-08:00

Martin Luther King Jr. - I Have a Dream

(Source for image - http://www.elcivics.com/martin_luther_king_jr )

John McCain still a Hero in Defeat

2008-11-05T06:18:00.001-08:00

It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.

Theodore Roosevelt

"The Man In The Arena" excerpt from

Speech at the Sorbonne - Paris, France

April 23, 1910

(Source - http://www.theodore-roosevelt.com/trsorbonnespeech.html)

(Source of image - http://www.minnpost.com/stories/2008/04/03/1364/considering_mccains_age_ageism_or_a_fair_question)

Barack Obama - President Elect

2008-11-05T06:17:00.000-08:00

Congratulations - Barack Obama

Vote to fix the broken health care system

2008-11-02T12:58:00.000-08:00

Dear Stephen,

In the past eight years, premiums have doubled, and the number of uninsured has increased by nearly 10 million. In addition to 46 million uninsured, there are at least 25 million underinsured – those with coverage that leaves them with out-of-pocket costs they can't pay. Fewer employers are offering health coverage to their employees and fewer still are offering it to retirees. Those workers and retirees who still have coverage are paying more and more out of pocket for fewer benefits. Many families are struggling with medical debt, a key factor in about half of bankruptcies and foreclosures. As a nation, we spend nearly twice as much as other developed countries – although those lower-spending countries cover all their people. In spite of the spending, results for our system are mediocre at best – for example, the U.S. ranks 29th in the world in infant mortality, tied with Poland and Slovakia.

As CWA members, we're better off than most Americans. Most of us have contracts that guarantee good health coverage at a cost we can afford. But bargaining is too often focused on holding onto the benefits that active workers and retirees have already, making it more difficult to win improvements in other areas. And our employers are at a competitive disadvantage, compared to non-union companies with cheaper benefits and compared to foreign competitors where workers enjoy government-provided coverage. That threatens our jobs over time.

How do we fix the system? By electing a president and Congress who are committed to real reform according to CWA's principles – affordable, quality coverage for all, with a strong government role to make sure insurance companies treat patients fairly.

John McCain and Barack Obama offer very different answers. John McCain says health care is a responsibility. Barack Obama says health care is a right.

McCain wants to move away from employer-provided coverage to the individual market, where he says people will have more choice. Unfortunately, the individual market means no choice for many people; insurance companies won't sell an individual policy to someone who is sick, or who they think might get sick. McCain, as a cancer survivor, wouldn't be able to buy a policy himself. Even if you can buy coverage in the individual market, it's generally more expensive than employer coverage and offers thinner benefits. And McCain wants to deregulate the individual insurance market further, so there would be no government referee to get the insurance companies to treat patients fairly.

McCain sugarcoats the package by offering tax credits of $5,000 for a family to buy insurance. But there's no free lunch. He pays for these tax credits in two ways. One is taxing employer-provided benefits. If you make $60,000, and get $12,000 worth of benefits from your employer, you'd pay income tax as if you made $72,000. Most CWA members would end up paying more tax, according to a CWA analysis. The other way he'd pay for the tax credits is by making cuts in Medicare and Medicaid – more than a billion dollars worth over the next decade, according to estimates by independent experts.

Under Barack Obama's plan, those of us with good benefits could keep what we have – and we wouldn't have to pay taxes on those benefits. Those who don't have coverage now, or are underinsured, would be able to buy coverage equivalent to what McCain and Obama get as members of Congress, choosing between private insurance and a government-run plan like Medicare. Insurance companies wouldn't be allowed to refuse or cancel coverage for sick people. Low-income people and small businesses would get subsidies to make coverage affordable. And it would be paid for by repealing the Bush tax cuts on people making more than $250,000 a year.

The status quo is unacceptable. Unleashing insurance companies and taxing benefits is not the solution.

After decades of talk – while employers trimmed benefits and families struggled to pay for the health care they need – we can cast a vote Tuesday that makes it possible to fix the system. We can cast a vote for a president and Congress who are committed to giving us the health care system we need. We can cast a vote for affordable, quality coverage for all Americans.

In Unity,

Bill Salganik
CWA Health Care Campaign

911 - 7 years

2008-09-11T06:34:00.000-07:00

A link to CNN's September 11 Memorial -

http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2001/memorial/

Help Bring the Union into Fontana & Colton

2008-08-07T13:26:00.000-07:00

Substitute teachers in both Fontana USD and Colton Joint USD have approached Local 9588 to get Union representation through the CWA.

If you are interested in helping to get our Union in Fontana and Colton, contact Ron Fletcher or Steve Gianni at (909) 422-8960.

Fifty per cent plus one substitute teacher are needed to allow CWA - Local 9588 to represent them. Hopefully phonecalls will soon be made Monday thru Thursday at our Colton Union Hall from about 6 pm until 8:30 pm.

Steve told one volunteer, "We're going to keep calling until we get the job done!"

Get behind our Union because our Union is behind you. ;-)

A Blog for Substitute Teachers

2008-07-18T15:10:00.000-07:00

We here at CWA have created a blog for substitute teachers. This blog is where you can talk about anything that deals with substitute teaching. Did you have a rough day or a great day, do you need help or assistance in any way; then go to the blog. The blog address is http://substitutebuzzon-line.blogspot.com/. If you want to contribute to the Blog, send an e-mail to sgianni1016@earthlink.net. Please mark the e-mail for CWA Blog in the subject window. Then I will review and edit it for the blog.

FYI - Today July 18, 2008, we trained two more substitute teachers to be stewards. The two new stewards are Thelma Hill and Miriam Iskandr both of San Bernardino CUSD. If you need help or want to help. let us. Contact us through the above e-mail addresses or by calling 909-422-8960 or 1-800-562-9588. Hope to hear from you soon.

Stephen M. Gianni - Chief Steward for San Bernardino

Happy 4th of July 2008

2008-07-04T00:00:00.000-07:00

(Source of picture - http://www.statueofliberty.org/Statue_of_Liberty_Picture_11.html )

The New Colossus
by Emma Lazarus

Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,
With conquering limbs astride from land to land;
Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand
A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame
Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name
Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand
Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command
The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame.
"Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!" cries she
With silent lips. "Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"

(Source for poem - http://www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/16111 )

(Source of picture - http://www.statueofliberty.org/Statue_of_Liberty_Picture_04.html )

Stars and Stripes Forever

The Summer Solstice and Summer

2008-06-21T00:36:00.000-07:00

(Source for picture -http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Field_Hamois_Belgium_Luc_Viatour.jpg )

A field in Summer.

Solstices occur twice a year, when the tilt of the Earth's axis is most oriented toward or away from the Sun, causing the Sun to reach its northernmost and southernmost extremes. The name is derived from the Latin sol (sun) and sistere (to stand still), because at the solstices, the Sun stands still in declination; that is, its apparent movement north or south comes to a standstill.

The term solstice can also be used in a wider sense, as the date (day) that such a passage happens.

( Source - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Summer_Solstice )

Summer begins on June 20th in 2008 in the Northern Hemisphere. The seasons are considered by some Western countries to start at the equinoxes and solstices, based on astronomical reckoning.

(Source - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Summer )

To all us Substitute Teachers.

Have a Happy Summer!!!!!

Happy Father's Day

2008-06-15T01:07:00.000-07:00

(Source for Happy Father's Day graphic -
http://www.graphicsarcade.com/holidays/fathers_day/graphics/fathers_day_graphics_11.gif )

Happy Father's Day
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

Darth Vader's Father's Day

Flag Day

2008-06-14T13:42:00.000-07:00

(Source for flag picture -
http://www.american-flags-and-american-flags.com/images/usflag.jpg )

Flag Day

"In the United States, Flag Day (more formally, National Flag Day) is celebrated on June 14. It commemorates the adoption of the flag of the United States, which happened that day by resolution of the Second Continental Congress in 1777.

In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson issued a proclamation that officially established June 14 as Flag Day; in August 1949, National Flag Day was established by an Act of Congress.

Flag Day is not an official federal holiday, though on June 14, 1937 Pennsylvania became the first (and only) U.S. state to celebrate Flag Day as a state holiday.

Title 36 Sec. 110 of the US Code is the official statute on Flag Day, however it is at the President's discretion to proclaim officially the observance.

The largest Flag Day parade is held annually in Troy, New York.

Framingham, Massachusetts also holds a yearly Flag Day parade, as do many other towns and cities, although in recent years a shrinking turnout has prompted the town to consider eliminating the event." *

*(Source for above citation - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_Day_in_the_United_States )

Click on the following link for -You're A Grand Old Flag - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XOMWqFngOcY&NR=1

D-day plus one

2008-06-07T16:09:00.000-07:00

(Source - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Normandy )

The Invasion of Normandy was the invasion and establishment of Allied forces in Normandy, France during

Operation Overlord in World War II. It covers from the initial landings on June 6, 1944 until the Allied breakout in mid-July.

It was the largest seaborne invasion at the time, involving over 850,000 troops crossing the English Channel from the United Kingdom to Normandy by the end of June 1944.

(Source for "Great Crusade" letter - http://www.kansasheritage.org/abilene/graphics/ikesmessage.jpg )

SUPREME HEADQUARTERS
ALLIED EXPEDITIONARY FORCE

Soldiers, Sailors, and Airmen of the Allied Expeditionary Force!

Dwight D. Eisenhower

This is the letter the World saw. Eisenhower had an another letter, in this letter Eisenhower accepted the sole blame if the invasion had failed. Of course the Invasion didn't fail.

Of . . . Pleasure and Sorrow

2008-05-29T21:45:00.002-07:00

At the May 28th Bi-monthly meeting, Steve asked the stewarts to submit an article. I hope you like it. (This has been shortened and was originally from my personal family blog.) ;-) GC

( Source for image of teen - http://a.abcnews.com/GMA/OnCall/story?id=4167235&page=1 )

Pleasure

This week I was at a school where I had been for about 3 weeks in December of 2006 and than January of 2007. A Mrs. T * who was a bilingual instruction aide happened to be in one of the periods I was covering. Mrs. T was a big help to me when I was covering (or more correctly containing) a Science class waiting for a permanent teacher to be hired by the school district. I asked about one particular 8th grade female student. I queried Mrs. T, “What high school did Jade * go to?”

Jade was a particularly difficult student, cute, but manipulative, a liar, and an instigator. At one point Mrs. T told me not to let Jade out of class for even a restroom pass. I personally was in a class where Jade told a male student to shove another student. Luckily, I can quell the most volatile situations. (Basically, Jade had sent a fellow Hispanic student across the room to shove an African-American student.) After getting an extremely agitated tall male student to back off, I ended up kicking both Jade and her minion out of class to the Vice-principal’s office.

Well, back to where Jade was, Mrs. T replied that Jade was pregnant and was currently attending community school. I wasn’t entirely surprised, but it was still quite a shock. Imagine a 13 or 14 year old girl pregnant. (Babies having babies.)

*(I’m using initials or pseudonyms for confidentiality.)

(Source for image of young girl -http://images.inmagine.com/168nwm/creatas/cr15402/cr15402005.jpg )

Sorrow

I have heard or witnessed some sad things in classrooms throughout the years. But, last week was a particularly sad example of the pressure that schools are being forced to use on students. When you substitute for Kindergarten, you are responsible for only half of the day. For example, I was responsible for the AM Kindergarten class and the PM Kindergarten teacher aided me in the morning. So, I end up aiding the PM teacher in the afternoon.

The PM class had a school district assessment (test) to do. Approximately twenty 5 year olds were divided into four groups that rotated between four different tasks. I could hear the PM teacher loudly chiding a small brown haired girl, Pansy *, “It’s because you don’t know your letter sounds!!! You’ll have to finish your test during recess!!!” I hope the frustration was situational and not personal. And I have no idea whether a poor test by a 5 year old casts a poor light on the ability of a Kindergarten teacher. But, all I know is that Pansy was in tears at recess.

The task was quite simple, the student was told to write a “story”. The “story” is not really a story but simply a sentence. In this case, Pansy was trying to write, “We like to read.” With year round school, this class had been in school since July. So, with two and a half months of instruction the district expected some writing ability to be demonstrated by Pansy. The PM teacher was on her 10 minute afternoon break. While I supervised the other Kindergarteners and helped Pansy complete her “story”.

The paper was blank. I drew blank lines for each letter and helped Pansy sound out the words. Pansy was able to write with some prompting - We like to _ _ _ _ . I’m been around enough classes to know what to do and how to help out. The PM teacher returned to help Pansy complete her “story”. And before you know it Pansy was tearless and happily peddling on a tricycle for the remainder of recess.

What was sad to me about Pansy was it forced me to think - I wonder when a child can simply be a child anymore? Education is being pushed to the limit. Our students are being forced to do more difficult tasks at younger ages. And teachers are forced to do more testing and less teaching.

Bi-monthly Meeting Summary and Comments

2008-05-28T18:09:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone,

Mike Crowell and Ron Fletcher presented the new stewards with their certificates in the general meeting.

During the substitute teachers meeting, we talked about working during the evenings calling Fontana Substitute Teachers and getting them to sign and return cards. Getting cards returned is the more difficult part. What can we offer substitute teachers to get them to return cards? If you have any ideas let us know.

We also discussed problems that we are forced to deal with as substitute teachers. Substitute teachers are losing their jobs for breaking minor rules, such as touching a student. We also need articles written by stewards and substitute teachers. So think about articles and topics that are of interest to you.

We need to let the substitute teacher population know about this blog.

Has anyone ever used Edjoin to find a job? Let me know how it worked for you.

When discussing the Rialto Contract we came up with the following ideas:

1. Personal Badges with dates which are renewed annually. There is a critical need for ID's for Substitute Teachers

2. Increase wages to $125 a day, Rialto should pay substitute teachers for half and full days not by the hour, 3 1/2 hours or less should be considered a half a day.

3. Problems in the classroom call the secretary or another teacher not the Vice Principal.

4. The advantage of being an at will employee is that subs can choose not to work.

Substitute teachers in San Bernardino, tell us about some of the good things you've come across while working at a particular school site. In San Bernardino starting next year all schools will go to a minimum day on Thursday due to busing issues. The Thursday schedule will be Elementary Schools start at 9:00 and end 1:05PM. Middle and High Schools will start at 9:50 and end at 2:50PM. The Fontana recruitment is continuing Monday through Thursday evening from 5PM to 9PM. June 30th is the final day to sign up for Substitute Teaching without having to be re-finger printed.

The goals for the summer keep recruiting or a party if Fontana joins the union.

Stephen M. Gianni
Chief Steward for Substitute Teachers

Memorial Day

2008-05-25T23:58:00.000-07:00

(Source for flag and cross graphic - Conservative Thoughts - http://files.blog-city.com/files/A05/107748/p/f/memorial_flag_cross_hg_clr.gif )

Memorial Day doesn't capture the Nation's attention. There maybe some parades and events, but for the most part Memorial Day weekend serves as a pre-summer warm-up. The three day weekend and warm weather is an excuse for barbeques, camping, boating, sunbathing, etc. But, let's not forget those who have served and made that ultimate sacrifice to maintain and preserve our Freedoms.
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God Bless America and Protect our Troops.
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My sister-in-law shared some Memorial Day information on her blog. Click on the following to read it -http://www1.va.gov/opa/speceven/memday/history.asp#hist .

Power Teaching Conference

2008-05-13T11:55:00.000-07:00

Dear fellow Substitute Teachers,
If challenging students are driving you batty don't miss one of the largest FREE classroom managment conferences in the western United States. Over 400 teachers registered for our March 1 conference!
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Teaching Challenging K-12 Students
(and the rest of youir class too!)
9 AM to 3 PM
Saturday, June 7, 2008
Crafton Hills College
Yucaipa, California
RESERVATIONS ARE ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY
tell them how many will be in your party.

send reservation requests to:

jcbiffle@craftonhills.edu

I have attended these conferences for awhile now. What I have learned has helped me in the classroom. These ideas have made my day easier and kept the learning process going which what our job entails. So come join me and the many teachers who use power teaching in the classroom.

Stephen M. Gianni
CWA Chief Steward for Substitute Teachers.

Chip's Church Chat: 1/2 Boy, 1/2 Man

2008-05-11T07:16:00.000-07:00

This is not exactly a Mother's Day post. This message was originally sent and shared by someone in our Union. But, most of all this message needs to be sent and shared again.

(Click on the link below.)

Chip's Church Chat: 1/2 Boy, 1/2 Man

PS HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!!

The Union Maid - a song

2008-05-08T21:30:00.000-07:00

The Union Maid

Fontana Sub Teachers Want Our Union

2008-05-07T22:05:00.000-07:00

Substitute teachers in the Fontana USD have approached Local 9588 to get Union representation through the CWA.

If you are interested in helping to get our Union in Fontana, contact Ron Fletcher or Steve Gianni at (909) 422-8960.

A few volunteers have been calling Fontana substitute teachers. Fifty per cent plus one substitute teacher are needed to allow CWA - Local 9588 to represent them.

Phonecalls are being made Monday thru Thursday at our Colton Union Hall from about 6 pm until 8:30 pm.

Steve told one volunteer, "We're going to keep calling until we get the job done!"

Get behind our Union because our Union is behind you. ;-)

Local 9588 Enters the Computer Age

2008-04-18T14:47:00.000-07:00

Yes, Substitute Buzz is now on-line. Right now we're in a construction phase. Check back later when we get more.

Here's our blog address - http://substitutebuzzon-line.blogspot.com/