September 24, 2008
Dear Colleagues,
Time for an update regarding concerns teachers have brought forth since the start of this new school year.
K-5, are you over class size?
If you are a K-5 teacher your roster should be 20, 32 or 34 students. Class Size Reduction teachers (CSR) should have no more than 20 students. Non CSR K-3 grades should have no more than 32 and grades 4 and 5 should have a maximum 34 students on their roster.
When students are changing classes due to the ELL leveling some teachers’ class load increases over the 20 to 1 limit. This is a violation of the intent of the class size reduction legislation. If this is happening to you inform your site rep who will submit a Class Size Notification form to your administrator. It is imperative that this form is submitted to initiate the resolution timeline. (See article 20.1.5-20.1.8) If the problem persists contact me at 760-758-2690.
Goals and Evaluation Procedures
I have received numerous e-mails and calls regarding SMART goals. You are not required by contract to do SMART goals. This is a change in contract yet the district has never requested to negotiate this item with our bargaining team. If you are being asked to write SMART goals you may decline and write your own goals as per past practice. If you choose to do SMART goals we highly recommend that you use language such as “I will strive (or work toward, attempt, etc.) to have 40% of my students achieve proficient or better on the ELA CST”. If you have questions see article 26 in the contract or contact your site rep.
Bells, Bells, Bells
The bell schedules at several of our elementary sites have been changed this school year in an attempt to increase student instructional minutes. This has been done unilaterally by administration. This results in fewer prep minutes for every teacher. At one site the student day begins at 8:20 yet a bell rings ten minutes prior to the beginning of the student day. Five minutes later a second bell rings, still before the start of school for students. Teachers have been “encouraged” to pick up their students early thus losing valuable prep time. Your instructional minutes begin when you open your door to students. You are not required to open your door any earlier. If this problem persists at your site contact me at 760-758-2690.
Sincerely,
Jan O'Reilly
VTA President
www.vistata.org