UFT Town Hall Notes

Despite the fact that I am trying very hard to avoid any kind of work over the summer this year I did sign up for the UFT Town Hall yesterday and listened through the whole thing. I was not surprised that a lot of it was just saying hello and a lot of seemingly important but (I think) unnecessary fluff that took time away from reports and questions. But, I digress. Below are some notes of what I heard.

• Currently there is no remote option for students to learn next year. But, there is a lot of pressure being put on the DOE to change that policy. The UFT leadership is a part of that push. This relates to things like regular testing and mask mandates in school buildings (i.e. what happens if a student refuses to wear a mask? or if a student has a positive covid test?).
• All staff are required to be either vaccinated or submit to weekly covid testing. UFT leadership is currently bargaining when/how to do the testing so that it is not an undo burden on staff members who need it. 
• The medical accommodation process will still exist (as it always has) but having commodities for covid will not be a valid reason to get one. And, it's possible that if you do get one it may not mean remote work. 
• BIG ITEM: there is going to be some kind of diagnostic assessment given to all K-10 students across the DOE to figure out what level of literacy and numeracy they are at. It will be computer based with the except of K-2 students, who will have some kind of one-on-one meeting with their teachers. It shouldn't take more than one period for any students and students get to determine exactly when they are implemented (i.e. every English class does it, or advisory, or pull-outs, etc.). This will not have an impact on staff evaluation. Dates for this should be between September 27 and October 22. Last week of October will be a makeup week. Ratings will be given between 1 (a little behind) and 3 (very behind). 
• There is also going to be some kind of mental health assessment and support. Training will be provided. This should happen some time in October.
• Masks will be mandated for all no matter your vaccination status. Right now students are not going to be tested (the reason given for this is that there is no remote option for students, so what are they going to do with the info?). UFT is pushing for a remote option to relate to this issue as well.
• Ventilation is going to be a big issue again. After the DOE says things are prepared then the UFT will send out industrial hygienists to do their own assessment. Cafeteria's will be used for lunches and will be quite breezy.
• Any kind of forced quarantine of staff due to covid should not come out of CAR days.

Then there was the question period, some of which was redundant and others that were quite insightful

• If you are a UFT member who's child is quarantined, DOE is saying that WILL come out of your CAR. City doesn't want to offer it because if it does, they would have to offer that to ALL municipal workers. 
  
• Teacher's Choice is back and on the books. Not sure the exact number just yet. Mulgrew said you can start spending money now. 
  
• Unclear what happens to students who are refusing to wear masks. They are talking to DOE about it.
  
• Programming for a regular school year. Each class has to adhere to the 3 foot rule, which may screw things up for numbers. Not sure how to deal with the fact that students move from room to room if there is a 'class closure.'
  
• Isolation rooms? No updates just yet but they will need to figure it out. Building response team will have to discuss and decide things for this as well. 
  
• Permanent school nurse in each building? What is UFT doing? Pointed out that Eric Adams wants a nurse in every building. Hopefully this September or by next September should have that. 
  
• Update on arbitration for spring break. It's going. City is deflecting, saying the governor said to do it. Can't use the extra CAR days in arbitration. The date is set for September for arbitrator to make some kind of decision.
  
• Can a principal mandate use of google classroom? The use of google classroom is not set in stone. UFT is arguing with the city on it. 
  
• Diagnostic test. Professional Learning Team will make a lot of decisions for this. Work will be done as part of instructional time. Training on how to administer these diagnostics will be provided. 
  
• Lunch re: 3 foot 6 foot distances. Cafeteria at this staffers building is used as classroom space. Mulgrew said that cannot work and they need to change it. 
  
• Can ventilation experts put out a video about ventilation stuff? The video was made and will be put back out there again.
  
• Per session retro checks - when are they coming out? August 17 for active members. 
  
• Early retirement incentive - is it dead totally? Yes, because they were afraid of too many staff members leaving. But there may be an opportunity in the next year or two.