In this issue:
Negotiations Update
Community Relations
Labor Relations
Charles E. Brown Fellowship
MTA ESP Conference
Trainings for New Members Negotiations Update
Member advocacy helped to win the stipends!
We expect to have an MOA that will cover two items:
The MOA will memorialize the following paid leave policies:
Granting of up to 10 Covid Days to be used for either yourself or a family member needing to miss work for a Covid related reason.
Access to your personal accumulated sick days to use for Covid related absences for a family member if you run out of Covid days and family illness days.
Access to the sick bank to use for Covid related absence for a yourself or a family member if you run out of Covid days and accumulated personal illness days.
Covid related absences include: illness due to Covid, self or family member; isolation due to Covid, self or family; quarantine due to Covid, self or family; closure of child’s school or day-care due to Covid
Payment of stipends for all current NPS employees:
$1,500 if you were employed prior to July 1, 2021; $500 if you were hired after July 1, 2021.
Pro-rata payments based on FTE
For Unit C – anyone working 32 or more hours per week will be paid the full stipend; those who work less than 32 hours will receive a pro-rated amount.
Community Relations
The NTA Parent/Educator Collaborative will be hosting a community meeting on Thursday, March 17 at 7:30 pm via Zoom. Please join us to be part of the conversation. Sign up here to be added to the mailing list: https://bit.ly/newtonpec
Labor Relations Update
The NTA has settled two charges that were filed with the Department of Labor Relations against the district in connection with production of information. One related to the information produced around ventilation in the summer of 2020, and the other was with regard to the production of the Therapeutic Program Report. This settlement results in a posting by the School Committee. A copy of the posting can be found on the NTA Website’s Home page.
Charles E. Brown Fellowship Applications Announcement
The Charles E. Brown Fellowship is an annual award sponsored by the Newton Teachers Association. NTA members who receive this award are released from regular duties for one to five days to pursue a particular educational project (without loss of pay). Types of Projects Considered for Funding:
Development of professional tools, equipment, and materials
Professional study and research
Advancement of professional association work and leadership
Criteria for Selection:
The review board will consider the project’s future benefits to the students, teachers and professional staff of the City of Newton. The contribution that the project will make to the unified teaching profession will also be considered.
Applications:
If you are interested in applying for a fellowship, please fill out an application form on line using this link: https://bit.ly/cebfellowshipapp If you prefer a paper application, one can be found on the NTA Website Charles E. Brown Fellowship page under Member Resources.
Deadline: Completed applications for the fellowships for the 2022-2023 school year must be received by 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 31, 2022.
Announcement of Awards: The winners of the 2022-2023 Charles E. Brown Fellowships will be announced the week of May 2, 2022. Completion Dates: All fellowships granted for the 2022-2023 school year must be completed between September 1, 2022 and June 30, 2023.
MTA's ESP Conference
MTA's ESP Conference will be held on April 1-2 on Cape Cod. Overnight accommodations are available. All Unit C and D members are eligible. Register here.
Trainings for New Members
The MTA is proud to offer virtual trainings for our new members on the topic of loan forgiveness, Professional Teacher Status (tenure), Paraprofessional rights, and licensure. They are aimed at those in their first five years of working, but anyone who wants to learn can attend. See links to register on this document. **NOTE: These may be particularly useful if you want to forgive student loans, or if you are working under an emergency license**