Nov 2019Volume 53, Number 3American Federationof School Administrators,AFL-CIO Local 1

NEWSCOUNCIL OF SCHOOL SUPERVISORS AND ADMINISTRATORS

American Federation of School Administrators

BY CHUCK WILBANKS

Thousands of CSA members rallied near City Hall on Oct. 30. It was a huge turnout and an overwhelming show of support by members for their union as President Mark Cannizzaro and his team continue their efforts to hash out a con-tract with a recalcitrant city government.

Mr. Cannizzaro gave a thunderous speech in which he took the city to task for offering many platitudes about the great job that school leaders do, all the while holding up a family leave policy that would benefit some of CSA’s most vulnerable members. “Platitudes are nice, but it’s your support here today that fuels us,” he told the crowd.

He hammered home the fact that the constant micromanaging of principals, combined with chronic underfunding of schools, ultimately leaves students unsafe. He cited some statistics from a recent survey of our members that CSA

commissioned. “Seventy percent of you believe you are not given the resources you need to keep your students safe,” he

said. “Twenty eight percent of those sur-veyed are satisfied with the direction the DOE is taking.”

More than a dozen elected officials also spoke at the event, including City

CITE: Are There Any Doctorates In The House? 4

Expanding Support For NYC Youth2

She’s A Fighter And CSA Has Her Back5

In Nation’s Capitol, CSA Joins AFSA To Lobby For Educators

CHUCK WILBANKS

n Public officials and CSA members and supporters turned out in force to send a clear message to New York City’s mayor and chancellor.

BY GABE GALLUCCI

Oct. 17 marked CSA’s first ever joint lobby day with AFSA in Washington, DC. We joined our brothers and sisters from around the country to have important con-versations with elected officials at the high-est levels of government. Active CSA mem-bers lobbied alongside retired members, an experience that all said was important and useful for our cause.

“The opportunity to convey our experi-ence from the ground was well received and we were able to educate those who influence policy,” said Wladimir Lewis-Thomas. “We need to be at the table to influence those who impact policies that affect what we do.”

Our lobbyists tackled several issues,

including Title II – Part A funding, Title IV – Part A funding, school safety, mental health, school climate, and funding. Members con-veyed real experiences in our schools and expressed how the government has been falling short when it comes to the nation’s investment in our students, schools and school leaders.

Throughout our lobby visits, we urged Congress to fund Title II – Part A funding at no less than the House-passed level of $2.5 billion, an increase of $500 million from last year’s fiscal year budget. Title II – Part A funding alone could be directly allocated toward establishing a principal pipeline and creating leadership development programs. Additional funding could be used to prepare

Rally! Thousands Turn Out, Demand Fair Contract For NYC School Leaders

Continued on Page 6

Why doesn’t CSA yet have a contract? Why must the city put up roadblocks to a parental leave policy that Mayor DeBlasio has touted around the country? How is it that fund-ing problems and micromanagement are festering to the point that our members are concerned about the safety of their schools? CSA President Mark Cannizzaro addressed the mem-bers of our union at our rally on Oct. 30 outside New York City Hall. Here are some of his remarks.

Look at this crowd! Welcome Brothers and Sisters!

Before I begin, let’s hear it for our NYPD brothers and sisters who are out here keeping us safe today and every day. Remember, the

President’s ViewpointMark Cannizzaro

‘Your Support Today Fuels Us’

Continued on Page 2

Community: Food Pantry Opens In East Rockaway Elementary/Middle School Page 4

Continued on Page 3

Window To Switch Dental Benefits Open9

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PRESIDENT’S PAGE

men and women in blue are union too! And let’s hear it for our other union brothers and sisters from many unions here support-ing us, just as we support them. Let’s give a huge shoutout to our brothers and sisters from TWU who are rallying down the street for a fair contract. We all wish President Tony Utano and his members success at the bargaining table. Finally, we want to thank all the elected officials here today and those who couldn’t make it, who support us every day for the benefit of our students.

And to all of you in the crowd, thank you all for coming out! I know first-hand the job you do and how hard you work every day. I know it took tremendous effort for you to make time to be here today. You are here because you know how important it is.

Since negotiating our 2014 contract, I have seen the ben-efit of a united front and a united union. In 2014, we stuck together in unity, and we prevailed. As I look out right now, many of you benefitted from the solidarity of your union brothers and sisters. I told you then, as you were in jeopardy of forfeiting your retroactive pay, that I would be calling on you soon to stand strong for others. That’s what a union does! We look out for each other, especially when someone is trying to take advantage of our brothers and sisters.

Here’s another example: Last year, this city was telling families of our members who died while in active service that since their loved ones had “left” the system before

retirement, that they were not entitled to the retroactive money that was rightfully earned. Our legal team went to work and secured justice for these families.

We stood together to defeat the proposed New York state constitutional convention which threatened our pensions and benefits. And, after the Janus Case, membership in this union has actually increased!

But as Frederick Douglass once said, “Power concedes nothing without demand.” So here we are again, demanding

respect for the heroic work you all do. I’m growing tired of hearing our mem-

bers tell us that changes to our discipline code and a lack of resources have made their schools unsafe. Our survey showed us that 70 percent of you believe that you’re not given the sufficient resources to provide a safe and effective learning environment for the children. And overall, only 28 per-cent of members are satisfied with the over-all direction of the DOE.

I don’t know whether to be angry or laugh when the response to our raising of legitimate concerns to hastily constructed protocols is the suggestion that perhaps our agenda is something different than a children’s agenda. CSA members don’t need to defend themselves or their agenda. Their students and the parents they serve know exactly where our priorities lie.

I’m tired of hearing that principals cannot hire an assistant principal due to micromanagement from above. I lose sleep when I hear stories like Serena Forzaglia’s, who is here with us today. While she does her best to take care of all students, she is struggling with the cost and missed work days due to undergoing fertility treatments. Now, with few CAR days for maternity leave, she too often has to go to work sick. And, while she has received support from our Welfare Fund and her outstanding principal, Robert Marino, our city has turned its back on her.

The city is trying to overcharge us for paid parental leave. They say ‘productivity’ is lost when our members go on leave, and therefore we should pay significantly more for this ben-efit than our brothers and sisters in other unions. Can some-one tell me what we are excused from getting done when a member is out on leave? Productivity is not lost: When you are short staffed, you work beyond what are already unhealthy hours, you endure unhealthy amounts of stress, and you sacrifice your families and personal relationships.

We don’t mind paying for a benefit, but it’s disgraceful for the city to try and profit from our members who are only try-ing to raise a family!

Your commitment is not being honored by this city. Sure, the platitudes we hear are nice and they are appreciated. But while you are busy doing everything our DOE and city leaders have asked you to do, despite the roadblocks they place in front of you, we are at the bargaining table hear-ing that all of your extra time and effort is worth nothing because you do it anyway. That makes me furious.

Brothers and sisters please know, we will not give up and we will not give

in. Your support here today fuels us and when we arrive at an acceptable deal it will be because of you. I am ener-gized by this show of strength! United we stand, shoulder to shoulder, active members, retirees and supporters!

God bless you and thank you for the work you do.

Mark Cannizzaro is president of the Council of School Supervisors and Administrators.

Strong And Unified At The Bargaining Table, As In 2014 By Mark Cannizzaro

‘Your Commitment Is Not Being Honored By This City’

• • •

• • •

Council of School Supervisors & Administrators

American Federation of School Administrators, AFL-CIO, Local 1

40 Rector St., NY, NY 10006 Phone: (212) 823-2020

Fax: (212) 962-6130 www.csa-nyc.org

PresidentMark Cannizzaro

Executive Vice President Henry Rubio

First Vice President Rosemarie Sinclair

Treasurer Christopher Ogno

Secretary Steffani Fanizzi

Vice PresidentsSam Akel

Jose Garcia Ramon Gonzalez

Lois LeeKatiana Louissaint

Nancy Russo, Retiree Chapter

Executive Director Operations Erminia Claudio

General Counsel David Grandwetter

Executive Director Field Services Sana Q. Nasser

Field Directors Juanita Bass, James Harrigan,

Christine Martin, Frank Patterson, Mercedes Qualls

Assistant Field Directors Beshir Abdellatif, Eleanor Andrew, Mildred Boyce, Laverne Burrowes,

Dominic Cipollone, Peter Devlin, Kenneth Llinas, Nancy Esposito, Roberto Flores,

Ellie Greenberg, Ray Gregory, Joseph LaCascia, Monica McDonald, Dorothy Morris, Beverly Pascal-Miller,

Wanda Soto, Yvonne Williams

Grievance Director Dale Kelly

Assistant DirectorsCarol Atkins, Robert Colon,

Jermaine Garden-

Director of CommunicationsCraig DiFolco

Director of Political Affairs Gabe Gallucci

Assistant Director, Political Affairs Herman Merritt

Assistant Director John Khani

Special Assistant to President Gary Goldstein

CSA Conference Chair Pierre Lehmuller

CSA Historian Manfred Korman

CSA Retiree ChapterGayle Lockett, Chair

Mark Brodsky, Director

CSA NEWSEditor

Chuck Wilbanks

Design Consultant Michele Pacheco

Production Assistant Christine Altman

CSA News (004-532) is published monthly except July and August for $35 per year per member by CSA, 40 Rector St., NY, NY 10006. Periodical postage paid at Manhattan, NY, and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to CSA News, 40 Rector St., NY, NY 10006.

Unionists Lobby Congress in DCaspiring school leaders, help current prin-cipals, and invest in mentors and coaches who directly support principal learning. Research has shown that a more deliber-ate approach to educating and support-ing school leaders will improve schools throughout the country, while also boost-ing principal retention.

Title IV – Part A funding was another important issue that was discussed during our AFSA hill visit. Title IV – Part A fund-ing directly impacts our student support and academic enrichment grants. These grants include programs that would establish a more well-rounded education for our students. Arts, music, computer science, and social studies are just a few areas that could be improved with addi-tional funding. We urged Congress to fund the “Student Support and Academic Enrichment Grants” at the authorized level of $1.65 billion in FY 2020, up from $1.17 billion the year before.

Finally, we discussed school safety, climate, and mental health issues. We promoted student well-being and pushed Congress to support holistic approaches to violence prevention and intervention within our schools and our communities. We support three bills aimed at improv-ing access to school-based mental health services. These bills include the “Mental Health Services for Students Act,” “Safe Schools Improvement Act,” and the “Trauma-Informed Schools Act.” The issues addressed under these bills include compre-hensive anti-bullying policies, increased funding for substance abuse and mental health services, and evidence-based train-ing for crisis intervention teams.

“I’ve always believed that New York

SOLIDARITY

Continued from Page 1

n Each June, CSA awards scholar-ships to a HS senior in each of the boroughs. Last year, we expanded our scholarship to a $10,000 schol-arship to a child of a member. We can do this because CSA members viscerally understand the need to support NYC youth and donate generously to our fund. An addi-tional part of our funding strategy is our annual golf tournament, held this year on Oct. 14, at Dyker Beach Park Golf Course. CSA is grateful to everyone who partic-ipated, from golfers to generous sponsors. Sponsors included: Administrative Services Only, INC.; Alliance Bernstein; Empire BlueCross BlueShield; I.U.O.E. Local 891; Kobargo Technology Partners; OptumRx; Pitta Bishop & Del Giorno; LLC; A+STEM Labs; CITE; EmblemHealth HealthPlex; Local 94-9A-9B; and M3 Technology.GABE GALLUCCI

Scholarships: CSA’s Hole In OneExpanding Support For NYC Youth

Continued from Page 1

BY CHUCK WILBANKS

From the people who brought us Janus v. AFSCME comes a new lawsuit to force New York to turn over govern-ment employee contact data to foes of unions.

New Anti-Union Battleground Opens Up In NY State Courts

n In June, 2018, New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo, second from left, signed an executive order prohibiting state entities from disclosing state employee personal information.

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CSA NEWS CSA NEWSNov. 2019 3Nov. 2019

PRESIDENT’S PAGE

respect for the heroic work you all do. I’m growing tired of hearing our mem-

bers tell us that changes to our discipline code and a lack of resources have made their schools unsafe. Our survey showed us that 70 percent of you believe that you’re not given the sufficient resources to provide a safe and effective learning environment for the children. And overall, only 28 per-cent of members are satisfied with the over-all direction of the DOE.

I don’t know whether to be angry or laugh when the response to our raising of legitimate concerns to hastily constructed protocols is the suggestion that perhaps our agenda is something different than a children’s agenda. CSA members don’t need to defend themselves or their agenda. Their students and the parents they serve know exactly where our priorities lie.

I’m tired of hearing that principals cannot hire an assistant principal due to micromanagement from above. I lose sleep when I hear stories like Serena Forzaglia’s, who is here with us today. While she does her best to take care of all students, she is struggling with the cost and missed work days due to undergoing fertility treatments. Now, with few CAR days for maternity leave, she too often has to go to work sick. And, while she has received support from our Welfare Fund and her outstanding principal, Robert Marino, our city has turned its back on her.

The city is trying to overcharge us for paid parental leave. They say ‘productivity’ is lost when our members go on leave, and therefore we should pay significantly more for this ben-efit than our brothers and sisters in other unions. Can some-one tell me what we are excused from getting done when a member is out on leave? Productivity is not lost: When you are short staffed, you work beyond what are already unhealthy hours, you endure unhealthy amounts of stress, and you sacrifice your families and personal relationships.

We don’t mind paying for a benefit, but it’s disgraceful for the city to try and profit from our members who are only try-ing to raise a family!

Your commitment is not being honored by this city. Sure, the platitudes we hear are nice and they are appreciated. But while you are busy doing everything our DOE and city leaders have asked you to do, despite the roadblocks they place in front of you, we are at the bargaining table hear-ing that all of your extra time and effort is worth nothing because you do it anyway. That makes me furious.

Brothers and sisters please know, we will not give up and we will not give

in. Your support here today fuels us and when we arrive at an acceptable deal it will be because of you. I am ener-gized by this show of strength! United we stand, shoulder to shoulder, active members, retirees and supporters!

God bless you and thank you for the work you do.

Mark Cannizzaro is president of the Council of School Supervisors and Administrators.

Strong And Unified At The Bargaining Table, As In 2014 By Mark Cannizzaro

‘Your Commitment Is Not Being Honored By This City’

• • •Teachers’

Retirement SystemOctober 2019 Unit Values

Diversified Equity Fund: 97.765

Balanced Fund: 16.191

International Equity Fund: 10.468

Inflation Protection Fund: 10.109

Socially Responsive Equity Fund: 17.796

www.trsnyc.org

AC In School Kitchens

When it’s too hot, they stay in the kitchen anyway. Poor ventilation and lousy cooling equipment in the city’s school kitchens can lead to tempera-tures above 100 degrees, a real health threat. That’s got to change, says Donald Nesbitt, vice president of DC 37 Local 372. Nesbitt, who worked in school kitchens for many years him-self, said conditions can be unbearable. “Some of the buildings are 100 years old; the electricity is antiquated,” he told the Daily News. “You add the fact we have to cook with multiple ovens.”

Recently, City Councilmember Mark Treyger heard the pleas from the union and introduced a measure mandating the installation of air con-ditioners in all school kitchens. CSA president Mark Cannizzaro said CSA supports the legislation. – CW

Unionists Lobby Congress in DCaspiring school leaders, help current prin-cipals, and invest in mentors and coaches who directly support principal learning. Research has shown that a more deliber-ate approach to educating and support-ing school leaders will improve schools throughout the country, while also boost-ing principal retention.

Title IV – Part A funding was another important issue that was discussed during our AFSA hill visit. Title IV – Part A fund-ing directly impacts our student support and academic enrichment grants. These grants include programs that would establish a more well-rounded education for our students. Arts, music, computer science, and social studies are just a few areas that could be improved with addi-tional funding. We urged Congress to fund the “Student Support and Academic Enrichment Grants” at the authorized level of $1.65 billion in FY 2020, up from $1.17 billion the year before.

Finally, we discussed school safety, climate, and mental health issues. We promoted student well-being and pushed Congress to support holistic approaches to violence prevention and intervention within our schools and our communities. We support three bills aimed at improv-ing access to school-based mental health services. These bills include the “Mental Health Services for Students Act,” “Safe Schools Improvement Act,” and the “Trauma-Informed Schools Act.” The issues addressed under these bills include compre-hensive anti-bullying policies, increased funding for substance abuse and mental health services, and evidence-based train-ing for crisis intervention teams.

“I’ve always believed that New York

has been a trend setter regarding educa-tion, and it is important for us to have a seat at the national table to share our innovative approaches,” said Janice Imundi, a retired principal and the sec-retary of the CSA Retirement Chapter Executive Board. “It was obvious to everyone that our team was organized, well-trained and experienced individuals who knew how to advocate for bills that affect our students. It was also import-ant that we maintain relationships with AFSA members throughout the country and communicate with them at times other than when we see them at the AFSA Convention every three years. Go team!”

Indeed, the comradery between retired

and active members with school leaders around the country reinforced how inter-connected we are as a union family, and how important it is to continue building internally as well as under the national leadership of AFSA, NAESP, and NASSP. We are only strong if we continue to learn from our past, build in the present, and strengthen our pipeline for the next generation of school leaders. Personally, I believe this trip was a small glimpse into the potential this union has locally, state-wide, and now, on the national stage.

Onward! Gabe Gallucci is Director of Political

Affairs at CSA.

n Multi-generational and nationally based: CSA members retired and active made the trip to Washington to let lawmakers know the issues educators face every day.

SOLIDARITY

• Nov. 19: Bi-Monthly PAC Meeting

• Jan. 21: Bi-Monthly PAC Meeting

• Feb. 3-4: Joint Albany Lobby Day

• March 25: Bi-Monthly PAC Meeting

• May 27: Bi-Monthly PAC Meeting

• June 10: CSA Joint Meeting

• June 30: PAC Social

Political Calendar

Meeting Of TheEmerald Society

The NYC Department of Education Emerald Society is kicking off the 2020 school year with a meet and greet at Ulysses on Tues., Nov. 12 from 5-7 pm. 95 Pearl Street, Manhattan. Come one, come all, but please come! This is an Irish meets Greek restaurant, in true old world style, located in an historic roadhouse, on an historic cobblestone street. Emerald Society members $25, non-members $40.

Continued from Page 1

BY CHUCK WILBANKS

From the people who brought us Janus v. AFSCME comes a new lawsuit to force New York to turn over govern-ment employee contact data to foes of unions.

On Oct. 31, the Liberty Justice Center sued Gov. Andrew Cuomo in state court to overturn a decision by the state refusing to hand over the names and home zip codes of state government employees.

The group had sought the

information under a Freedom of Information Act request. They want to contact union members to extol the virtues of a union-free world and hammer home the fact that the outcome of the Janus case leaves them free to refuse to pay dues.

In June, 2018, Gov. Cuomo signed an executive order pro-hibiting state entities from dis-closing personal contact infor-mation for state employees. For its part, Liberty Justice Center calls Cuomo’s order an impinge-ment on the First Amendment. CSA General Counsel David Grandwetter saw little valid-ity in the plaintiff’s argument that the executive order was a violation of free speech. “The Governor’s administration sees this attempt for what it is: an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy and another attempt by a politically moti-vated group to try to spread anti-union messaging,” he said. “We believe turning over the requested information would be an intrusion on the privacy of public sector employees.”

Although the Janus case caused great alarm in unions across the country, the effects so far have not been the body blow people had feared. CSA, for example, actually gained mem-bers as it saw its few agency fee payers sign up to become full-fledged members.

New Anti-Union Battleground Opens Up In NY State Courts

n In June, 2018, New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo, second from left, signed an executive order prohibiting state entities from disclosing state employee personal information.

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CSA NEWS4 CSA NEWSNov. 2019Nov. 2019

COMMUNITY

Food Pantry Opens In Queens School BY CHUCK WILBANKS

At PS/MS 105 in Far Rockaway, almost 80 percent of students live below the poverty level. About 70 families are new to the school and are either living with extended family, friends or in family shelters and need food and personal hygiene products. To take a bite out of the problem, school leaders have opened a food pantry with the help of Stop & Shop supermarket chain.

“Stop & Shop’s generosity is greatly appreciated,” said PS/ MS 105 Principal Laurie Shapiro. “Many of our students and their families are food insecure and Stop & Shop’s leadership makes it possible for our school to provide them with the assistance they need in a very respectful way.”

Stop & Shop has provided the school with $10,000 worth of gift cards. Benham Nadjmabadi, the Student and Temporary Housing Coordinator at the school and other school person-

nel can then use the gift cards at area Stop & Shop stores to pur-chase specific products that fam-

ilies have identified they need most.

“A food pantry in the building

will give families in need access to the assistance they require,” said Mr. Nadjmabadi. “Through

Stop & Shop’s generosity, we will be able to provide fami-lies in need with canned foods, dry goods, non-perishables and microwavable foods since those living in family shelters do not have access to stoves. For families with refrigerators, we will be able to offer milk and eggs. We will also be able to provide them with soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant, shampoo and sanitary items.”

“Stop & Shop is so pleased to be able to assist the educators at PS/MS105 and provide its stu-dents and their families with food,” said Carlos Ramos, Stop & Shop District Director for New York City. “A student cannot succeed in the classroom if they come to school hungry and need to worry about where their next meal is coming from.”

PS/MS 105 marks the first Stop & Shop School Food Pantry in New York. The company hopes to work with more schools in the future.

n At a ribbon-cutting ceremony in October at PS/MS 105, from left: Mike Orouke, Stop and Shop Store Manager; Principal Laurie Shapiro; Carlos Ramos, Stop and Shop district director for NYC; Kevin Benham, com-munity coordinator at PS/MS 105; and John O’Brien - Stop and Shop manager.

Australia/New ZealandJanuary 8-21, 2020

Depart US Jan. 4, 2020 - two nights at the Four Seasons Sydney; sail the Majestic Princess Jan. 8-21, visit Fjordland, Dunedin, Akaroa, Wellington, Tauranga, Auckland and the Bay of Islands.

RATES: Begin at $2,114 pp; add air, hotel, transfers and insurance.

The Plains of AfricaJanuary 30 - February 12, 2020

Journey to a continent not easily forgotten! Explore Kenya, wildlife and stunning vistas. Program includes rt air from JFK, 11 game drives, most meals, Karen Blixen House, visit to the Samburu Tribe, Masai Village and Game Reserve and more. This is a Collette small group Explorations program.

RATES: $6,449 dbl; $7,649 single; Add optional insur-ance; Pre (Tsavo National Park) and Post (Tanzania) available. Request the brochure.

Winter Break February 15 - 22, 2020

Sail the brand new SKY Princess sailing from Ft. Lauderdale, to Grand Cayman, Roatan, Belize City and Cozumel. Go on the web to SKY Princess and watch the video of this spectacu-lar new vessel.

RATES: Begin at $989 pp. These are introductory rates and will not last!

Dubai to RomeMay 19 - June 8, 2020

This is Oceania Nautica’s most popular itinerary and will sell fast. Depart for Dubai May 19; overnight onboard the ves-sel; sail to Salalah, Oman; cruise the Red Sea, Aqaba, Jordan; Luxor, Egypt; Suez Canal; Jerusalem, Israel for two days; Crete, Amalfi/Positano, Italy and disembark in Rome. Pre and post trips available; perks subject to availability.

RATES: Begin at $3,799 pp dbl; add air and insurance. Call for rates for verandah and higher.

Explore And Vacation On Land Or By Sea

GARY GOLDSTEIN

Travel Desk

BY CHUCK WILBANKS

Monique Hernandez, an AP at PS 84, Brooklyn, has known for many years that she suffers from Hermansky-

Pudlak Syndrome, a genetic disorder that leads to lung illnesses for which there is no cure. Indeed, her two siblings had already succumbed to the effects of the disease and she had been showing symptoms of deterio-ration for the last two years. She had, for over a year, been a patient of spe-cialists at Columbia Presbyterian in Manhattan, exploring the possibility of a lung transplant.

Despite that heavy weight, she began the school year with high hopes. “I went back to work in August – the week in which there were no kids in the building – think-ing, ‘Oh, I can do it,’” she said in a recent interview from the hospital. “But I was hospitalized after one week. My body was just done. I

Assistant Principal Gets A New Start, Her Union Has Her BackBY JENNIFER TULLY-SPINOZZI

Every autumn, doctoral students nearing completion of the Ed.D. in Educational Leadership through The Sage Colleges defend their dissertations. The program is comprised of CSA mem-bers, and is run in conjunction with CITE. We began our seventh cohort this fall, but it is members of its fifth cohort who are currently engaged in the defense process. One of the last steps in a per-son’s doctoral journey, these defenses require a student’s intense preparation and lengthy collaboration with the dissertation chair. The defenses are typ-ically about 2 hours long, consisting of a 20-minute PowerPoint presentation followed by questions from each of three dissertation committee members.

On Sept. 13, Annette Perez, Assistant Principal at PS 360Q, defended her work at the CITE Offices in Brooklyn. Her dissertation, entitled An Investigation of School Principals’ Practices That Promote a Culture of Collaboration, “clearly articulated that creating a cul-ture of collaboration must involve all stakeholders,” said her chair, Dr. Jerome D. Steele, Ed.D. “School leaders play the most important role in this process through their support and encourage-ment of teacher efficacy by providing a clear vision along with attainable goals, through ongoing professional devel-opment, focusing on the cultural and linguistic needs of students, and provid-ing constructive feedback to teachers,” he said. “Annette’s research highlights that collaboration is the essence of the African proverb, ‘It takes a village to raise a child.’”

On Oct. 9, Hoa Tu, Deputy Superintendent of Brooklyn North High Schools, presented her fascinat-

ing work, The Relationship Between Principals’ Ways Of Making Meaning And Their Knowing-Doing Gap As Related To Marzano’s Principal Leadership Responsibilities. Her chair was Dr. Janice White, Ed.D. “Hoa Tu’s defense highlighted the necessity for school leaders to demonstrate urgency in being able to accurately assess their knowledge versus their ability to do the work that is required,” said Hoa’s friend and Sage alumna Mauri de Govia, Executive Director of Brooklyn South, who attended the defense. “Leadership that can navigate this divide accelerates students’ learning and provides oppor-tunities for success in schools.”

Monique Campbell, principal at MS 354 in Brooklyn, shared her powerful dissertation on Oct. 16. Ms. Campbell

titled her work School Leader Practices and Style in Addressing Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) Needs in New York City Elementary and Middle Schools. Monique’s chair was Dr. Daniel Alemu, Ph.D., who praised her inquiry into how school leaders addressed stu-dents’ SEL needs.

Also on Oct. 16, Ann Leiter, princi-pal at PS 56 in Queens, presented her dissertation titled Elementary School Principals’ Perceptions of Developing Leadership Capacity Through Professional Development with out-standing proficiency. Dr. Janice White, Ed.D., and Dr. Alice Siegel, Ed.D., also served on her committee. “Ann Leiter’s recently completed research related to principal’s perceptions of their profes-sional development needs is enlighten-

ing, meaningful, and makes an import-ant contribution to leadership prepa-ration,” said Dr. Robert J. Reidy, Jr., Ph.D., her committee chair. “It not only provides policy and decision makers with how school leaders perceive their professional development needs based on their lived experiences, it identifies leaders perceived gaps in preparation and their perception of the most effec-tive professional development delivery strategies.”

Ramona Duran, longtime principal at PS 157, Grove Hill in the Bronx, presented the final dissertation on Oct. 16. Her chair, Dr. Janice White Ed.D., said that the work, titled Elementary Principals’ Beliefs about Instructional Leadership and How It Informs Their Practices was compelling. “She found that [principals’] beliefs about engag-ing the school community in a shared vision correlated to their personal investment in monitoring instructional practices and their beliefs about sharing their time, knowledge and expertise correlated to the use of Professional Learning Communities in their build-ings. Her decades of experience as an educator inspired her to take this jour-ney of discovery as a doctoral student with passion and commitment. I am proud of her.”

Sage’s Fifth NYC Research Colloquium is scheduled at the CSA offices on 40 Rector Street for Nov. 21, when students from Cohort 5 will pres-ent research. All of us at CITE and Sage would like to congratulate all those who have defended to date, including those not in this piece, and we wish everyone who has not defended yet much luck.

Jennifer Tully-Spinozzi is Doctorate

Program Manager at CITE.

Doctorates Are In The House: Center For Integrated Teacher Education

PHOTOS BY JENNIFER TULLY-SPINOZZI

n This fall, doctoral student defended their dissertations. LEFT: Dr. Daniel Alemu, Monique Campbell, and Dr. Kathryn Gerbino. RIGHT: Dr. Janice White, Ann Leiter, Dr. Robert J. Reidy, Jr.

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CSA NEWS CSA NEWSNov. 2019 5Nov. 2019

Food Pantry Opens In Queens School Stop & Shop’s generosity, we will be able to provide fami-lies in need with canned foods, dry goods, non-perishables and microwavable foods since those living in family shelters do not have access to stoves. For families with refrigerators, we will be able to offer milk and eggs. We will also be able to provide them with soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant, shampoo and sanitary items.”

“Stop & Shop is so pleased to be able to assist the educators at PS/MS105 and provide its stu-dents and their families with food,” said Carlos Ramos, Stop & Shop District Director for New York City. “A student cannot succeed in the classroom if they come to school hungry and need to worry about where their next meal is coming from.”

PS/MS 105 marks the first Stop & Shop School Food Pantry in New York. The company hopes to work with more schools in the future.

N A T I O N

Education

NORTH DAKOTA

Best States

Many students do not have access to internet services at home which can interfere with their ability to com-plete class assignments. The prob-lem is more acute in high poverty schools. Twelve percent of teachers reportedly say that more than 60% of their students to not have inter-net connectivity at home. Common Sense Media suggests there must be a bigger push to expand broadband at the community level, including in schools, libraries and public housing projects. There have been some improvements. Since 2012, students with strong broadband in classrooms have jumped from 4 mil-lion to 45 million. (Education Week)

— Compiled by Christine AltmAn

The US Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights plans to eliminate questions from the Civil Rights Data Collection including data on early-career teachers, teacher absenteeism and how much districts spend on certain positions among others. There are other areas the department plans to ask more about though, such as the number of religious-related bul-lying incidents. To date, there has been no explanation of how school districts will track this data, without asking for students’ religions in school records. The Trump admin-istration’s actions with regard to civil rights issues have been contro-versial including these latest deci-sions. (EducationDive)

WalletHub released its annual ranking of the best and worst states in which to teach. Coming in first place for a stable teacher salary and a healthy work envi-ronment is North Dakota. The four runners up are New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Wyoming and Connecticut. The ranking is based on factors such as average salary, starting pay, potential income growth, as well as pension, tenure protection and job competition. (Bismark Tribune)

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA:

Questions Removed

MARYLAND:

Internet Access

In Polk County School District, more than 1,500 new students may be added each year, but having enough teachers to serve those students has been a challenge in the district that is plagued by high turnover rates. This year, the district was short 65-70 teachers in STEM subjects, as well as special education. Reportedly, the county offers one of the highest paid beginning teacher salaries in the state, at $40,672. The county has put additional incentives in place to attract and retain teachers. (The Ledger)

FLORIDA:

Retention Hurdles

Australia/New ZealandJanuary 8-21, 2020

Depart US Jan. 4, 2020 - two nights at the Four Seasons Sydney; sail the Majestic Princess Jan. 8-21, visit Fjordland, Dunedin, Akaroa, Wellington, Tauranga, Auckland and the Bay of Islands.

RATES: Begin at $2,114 pp; add air, hotel, transfers and insurance.

The Plains of AfricaJanuary 30 - February 12, 2020

Journey to a continent not easily forgotten! Explore Kenya, wildlife and stunning vistas. Program includes rt air from JFK, 11 game drives, most meals, Karen Blixen House, visit to the Samburu Tribe, Masai Village and Game Reserve and more. This is a Collette small group Explorations program.

RATES: $6,449 dbl; $7,649 single; Add optional insur-ance; Pre (Tsavo National Park) and Post (Tanzania) available. Request the brochure.

Winter Break February 15 - 22, 2020

Sail the brand new SKY Princess sailing from Ft. Lauderdale, to Grand Cayman, Roatan, Belize City and Cozumel. Go on the web to SKY Princess and watch the video of this spectacu-lar new vessel.

RATES: Begin at $989 pp. These are introductory rates and will not last!

Dubai to RomeMay 19 - June 8, 2020

This is Oceania Nautica’s most popular itinerary and will sell fast. Depart for Dubai May 19; overnight onboard the ves-sel; sail to Salalah, Oman; cruise the Red Sea, Aqaba, Jordan; Luxor, Egypt; Suez Canal; Jerusalem, Israel for two days; Crete, Amalfi/Positano, Italy and disembark in Rome. Pre and post trips available; perks subject to availability.

RATES: Begin at $3,799 pp dbl; add air and insurance. Call for rates for verandah and higher.

Waterways Of The CzarsJuly 6-19, 2020

An eye opening experience awaits as we visit historic Moscow and canal-laced cultural St. Petersburg (home of The Hermitage). In between, visit Uglich and Yaroslavl unveiling its mysteries. For more ports and details go to vikingriv-ercruises.com. Ask about three night optional post tour to Helsinki, Finland.

RATES: Begin at $5,874 pp; add air hotel, transfers and insurance.

Canadian Rockies/Glacier National ParkAugust 5-11, 2020

Experience the Buffalo Jump, Glacier and Waterton Lakes Parks, Icefields Parkway, Banff and Lake Louise.

RATES: $3,199 pp double.

From Rome To VeniceAugust 20-29, 2020

Board the elegant Azamara Journey. Sail from Rome to the Amalfi Coast for the dazzling sights of the most talked about vistas in the world.Continue to the Dalmatian coast with stops in Montenegro, Croatia, and Slovenia.Conclude the journey with an overnight onboard in Venice.

RATES: Call or email Gary at ggoldstein@csa-nyc.org.

Tropical Costa RicaJanuary 9-17, 2021

This escorted tour visits Guancaste, Monteverde Cloud Forest, Arenal Volcano and Lake Cruise, Cano Negro Refuge, And Zarcero. Explore the hanging bridges or take a canopy adventure. This and more awaits you. Depart NY Jan. 9 to San Jose.

RATES: $2,499 pp dbl; $2,999 single; $2469 triple. Rate includes rt air from NY, hotels, taxes, transfers and escorted sightseeing. Program including 14 meals. We are limited to 32 seats due to popularity.

For more info, email ggoldstein@csa-nyc.org.

Explore And Vacation On Land Or By Sea

GARY GOLDSTEIN

Travel Desk

BY CHUCK WILBANKS

Monique Hernandez, an AP at PS 84, Brooklyn, has known for many years that she suffers from Hermansky-

Pudlak Syndrome, a genetic disorder that leads to lung illnesses for which there is no cure. Indeed, her two siblings had already succumbed to the effects of the disease and she had been showing symptoms of deterio-ration for the last two years. She had, for over a year, been a patient of spe-cialists at Columbia Presbyterian in Manhattan, exploring the possibility of a lung transplant.

Despite that heavy weight, she began the school year with high hopes. “I went back to work in August – the week in which there were no kids in the building – think-ing, ‘Oh, I can do it,’” she said in a recent interview from the hospital. “But I was hospitalized after one week. My body was just done. I

needed more oxygen than you can even get at home. I called my doctors and they sent me to the emergency room and they wouldn’t send me home.”

She was in Intensive Care for about a month as her medical team

searched for an appropriate organ donor, and on Sept. 29, she under-went a double lung transplant, her only path to survival.

Now in several weeks of rehab, at the time of this writing she was due to return home at the end of October. “I’m feeling much better; my breathing is fantastic.

“Throughout all this, CSA has been extremely helpful,” she said. “I’ve reached out along the way about my rights. And [District Chair] Brian DeVale was great. My office was relocated to the first floor and I was able to use portable oxygen at work. My principal was very supportive and we wanted to know we were on firm ground with contracts, codes, all of it. The union was helpful in making sure everything was OK.”

Her message to her union sisters and brothers? Be sure to sign up to be an organ donor.

“It saves lives and we can all make these decisions to help other people in the future.”

Assistant Principal Gets A New Start, Her Union Has Her Back

n Brooklyns PS 84 AP Monique Hernandez is recovering from a double lung transplant.

Expanding Support For NYC Youth

ing, meaningful, and makes an import-ant contribution to leadership prepa-ration,” said Dr. Robert J. Reidy, Jr., Ph.D., her committee chair. “It not only provides policy and decision makers with how school leaders perceive their professional development needs based on their lived experiences, it identifies leaders perceived gaps in preparation and their perception of the most effec-tive professional development delivery strategies.”

Ramona Duran, longtime principal at PS 157, Grove Hill in the Bronx, presented the final dissertation on Oct. 16. Her chair, Dr. Janice White Ed.D., said that the work, titled Elementary Principals’ Beliefs about Instructional Leadership and How It Informs Their Practices was compelling. “She found that [principals’] beliefs about engag-ing the school community in a shared vision correlated to their personal investment in monitoring instructional practices and their beliefs about sharing their time, knowledge and expertise correlated to the use of Professional Learning Communities in their build-ings. Her decades of experience as an educator inspired her to take this jour-ney of discovery as a doctoral student with passion and commitment. I am proud of her.”

Sage’s Fifth NYC Research Colloquium is scheduled at the CSA offices on 40 Rector Street for Nov. 21, when students from Cohort 5 will pres-ent research. All of us at CITE and Sage would like to congratulate all those who have defended to date, including those not in this piece, and we wish everyone who has not defended yet much luck.

Jennifer Tully-Spinozzi is Doctorate

Program Manager at CITE.

Doctorates Are In The House: Center For Integrated Teacher Education

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CSA NEWS6 CSA NEWSNov. 2019Nov. 2019

Public Officials, Labor Leaders, Union Members Send Message To City CONTRACT

Council Education Chair Mark Treyger, Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer, New York City Comptroller Scott Stringer and Public Advocate Jumaane Williams.

Council Member Treyger noted the casual way the Mayor and Department of Education breed programs and initia-tives, each one creating new supervisory demands on already bureaucratically burdened school leaders. He recited a litany of “for-all” programs, from Pre-K

For All, to College Access For All, to Algebra for All, and after each one, said, “There’s a school leader for that.”

“You cannot have equity and excel-lence for all without a fair and just contract for CSA members,” he said. “You cannot have a fair system if consultants are mak-ing more money than starting assistant principals. As a member of city council’s budget negotiation team, I know for a fact that there are resources in the budget right now to deliver a fair and just contract and the City Council does not work for the Mayor of New York. We work for you!”

Comptroller Stringer also registered his disdain for the notion that budget-ary constraints should hold up a con-tract for CSA members. “We’re going to make sure this whole city understands that without you, we do not have a future,” he said. “We can afford this. I’ve got the books! There’s a whole lot of waste. Maybe we don’t have to invest in the bureaucracy – maybe we’ll invest in the people who invest in our kids. When we invest in you, it’s a multiplier for our economy and our city and this is the best deal in town.”

A host of labor leaders addressed the crowd, including CLC President Vinny Alvarez, DC 372 VP Donald Nesbitt and UFT VP LeRoy Barr and Janella Hinds, UFT’s VP for High Schools.

Barr and Nesbitt offered powerful and general testimonials about how members of our unions often fight each other in individual cases but in the end we are all members of a working class that is fiercely devoted to educating the city’s children. “We can’t do the work we do without the people who lead our schools,” said Barr. “We are family.”

Mr. Nesbitt, whose union rep-resents school aides, lunchroom work-ers, school crossing guards and parent coordinators, gave a heartfelt take on the same theme. “Some have asked the question, ‘Why would we stand with the administrators, the people who may discipline our members?’” he said. “You

are leaders who wake up every day and give your all for the 1.1 million children in NYC, children who are in transitional housing, children who are in broken households. You treat them with love, you treat them with dignity, you treat them with respect as they attend school. And yet when you ask for fair condi-tions for yourself and for your own families, you are told no, this is going to cost too much.”

CSA’s rally coincided with another union event that began a few yards away in City Hall Park: The Transit Workers Union Local 100, which is engaged in protracted and acrimoni-ous negotiations with the Metropolitan Transit Authority. Leaders of each union pledged support for the other at their respective events.

Throughout the event, a spirit of unity and excitement coursed through the crowd. Nancy Russo, a retired AP and fierce unionist, was one of CSA’s early members who was present at the

creation of the union, and she delivered a short address that spoke to her desire for the union to continue growing stronger as new generations of educators enter the ranks. “It’s often said that you stand on our shoulders, and that gives you a view of the future, unobstructed,” she said. “Tonight, I ask you to step down from our shoulders and let us stand shoulder-to-shoulder with you in this fight for a fair contract. Know that we stand with you, and we’ll welcome all of you when you cross over the line to where we are.”

Jessica McKenna, an assistant prin-cipal at PS 247 in Brooklyn, joined her principal, Christopher Ogno, in making the trip to City Hall. Ms. McKenna, a teacher for more than 20 years and an AP for about two, noted that she had been on her feet since 7 am but that it was crucial to be an active member of her union.

“It’s very easy not to show up,” she said. “But you have to show up.”

n ABOVE, LEFT: CSA members Reginald Landreau, Jr., Edward Tom and Liza Caraballo-Suarez were among the first to arrive. ABOVE, RIGHT: As the CSA rally got underway, members of TWU Local 100 gathered a few yards away in City Hall Park for their own event. From left, TWU Recording Secretary Shakira Grillet, VP Eric Loegel, and DC 372 VP Donald Nesbitt.

PHOTOS BY CHUCK WILBANKS

n Future unionist at work: At Oct. 30 rally, family and friends also came to cheer on the crowd.

n LEFT: AFSA

President Ernest Logan,

with District 75 Principal Roderick Palton.

n RIGHT: State

Sen. Robert Jackson, long-time friend of CSA, an import-

ant presence on

the stage

‘You can’t have equity and excellence for all without a fair contract.’

Continued from Page 1

Inez Barron, City CouncilI retired as a principal at PS 81 in Bed

Stuy, and I know what it takes to put in the hours to make the school successful. I was in my school before 7 o’clock in the morn-ing and did not leave my school until 9, 10 o’clock in the evening. It’s because of all the demands that are put on us as school leaders to provide the best, safest learning opportu-nities for our children. I stand with you in solidarity knowing that the work you do is essential for our schools to be successful.

Brad Lander, City Council

I’m a public school kid, my kids are public school kids. In District 15 that I’m so proud to represent this year, those 11 mid-dle school principals are doing some of the hardest work anyone is doing, making sure our school integration plan is working, and I can tell you that because I see it, that what they are doing, what you are doing is the hardest work and most important work tak-ing place in our public schools. We are lucky to have you. We have your back. We will be speaking with the mayor. We will make sure you get a great contract that honors the work you do.

Ernie Logan, AFSA President, Former CSA President

It’s good to be home. But I was hoping to come home to hear there was a contract. I thought that when the Mayor came back from his travels, he would start to focus on what was important in NYC. When he was running around the country talking about all the great things he did, when he talked about Universal Pre-K, he forgot to say that CSA made that happen. When he was talking about improved graduation rates in this city, he forgot to say that CSA made that happen. When he talked about how he wanted to make sure there was equity and access, he forgot to say CSA made that happen.

Jumaane Williams, Public Advocate

We want to make sure our mayor under-stands that these are not just words—we believe in union power, we believe in a union town. I’m joining everyone here to make sure that he understands that we are all united. If you mess with one union, you mess with all unions. I want to thank you

Scott Stringer, ComptrollerJumaane Williams, Public Advocate Gale Brewer, Manhattan Borough President Melinda Katz, Queens Borough President Nydia Velazquez, Member of Congress

City Council MembersMark Treyger; Ben Kallos; Mark Levine; Ydanis Rodriguez; Barry Grodenchik; Danny Dromm; Brad Lander; Alicka Ampry-Samuel; Inez Barron; Justin Brannon; Farah Louis; Carlina Rivera; Keith Powers; Helen Rosenthal; Vanessa Gibson; Rafael Espinal; Mathieu Eugene; Costa Constantinide; Rory Lancman;

Thanks To Fifty Elected Officials Who Supported CSA

n LEFT: Lunch detail! Members unhappy with ever burgeon-ing duties came out en masse to make their feelings known.

In Their Own Words...A sampling of speeches by elected officials and others at CSA’s Oct. 30 rally.

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CSA NEWS CSA NEWSNov. 2019Nov. 2019

”7

Public Officials, Labor Leaders, Union Members Send Message To City

creation of the union, and she delivered a short address that spoke to her desire for the union to continue growing stronger as new generations of educators enter the ranks. “It’s often said that you stand on our shoulders, and that gives you a view of the future, unobstructed,” she said. “Tonight, I ask you to step down from our shoulders and let us stand shoulder-to-shoulder with you in this fight for a fair contract. Know that we stand with you, and we’ll welcome all of you when you cross over the line to where we are.”

Jessica McKenna, an assistant prin-cipal at PS 247 in Brooklyn, joined her principal, Christopher Ogno, in making the trip to City Hall. Ms. McKenna, a teacher for more than 20 years and an AP for about two, noted that she had been on her feet since 7 am but that it was crucial to be an active member of her union.

“It’s very easy not to show up,” she said. “But you have to show up.”

n ABOVE, LEFT: CSA members Reginald Landreau, Jr., Edward Tom and Liza Caraballo-Suarez were among the first to arrive. ABOVE, RIGHT: As the CSA rally got underway, members of TWU Local 100 gathered a few yards away in City Hall Park for their own event. From left, TWU Recording Secretary Shakira Grillet, VP Eric Loegel, and DC 372 VP Donald Nesbitt.

n LEFT: AFSA

President Ernest Logan,

with District 75 Principal Roderick Palton.

n RIGHT: State

Sen. Robert Jackson, long-time friend of CSA, an import-

ant presence on

the stage

City Council Education Chair Mark Treyger penned a pointed letter to Mayor Bill de Blasio and Chancellor Richard Carranza. It was signed by all members of the education committee. Text below:

Dear Mayor de Blasio and Chancellor Carranza,

As members of the Education Committee of the NYC Council, we’re writing in support of the Council of School Supervisors and Administrators (CSA) and their efforts to secure a fair contract for the school leaders of NYC. Our city should never have allowed these devoted educa-tors to return to their buildings and offices at the start of the new school year without a new agreement. It’s time to show them the same dedi-cation and commitment they show our children each and every day by bargaining in good faith with their union’s representatives.

Many of the Department of Education’s key initiatives hinge on their ability to retain and attract qual-ity school leaders to administer them and advance a sound instructional agenda forward—and we know city resources exist to strike a fair and just deal now.

It’s well-documented that the success of a school is truly depen-dent on strong school leadership. Our city’s most celebrated education initiatives such as Pre-K For All and the recent rise in graduation rates and test scores would simply be impossible without the incredible contributions of CSA’s members. The Department of Education’s efforts to ensure opportunity for all children is utterly dependent on their guidance, expertise, and hard work. They set the academic vision and tone for our schools and define their culture and climate. They motivate and collabo-rate, incorporating and elevating the strongest ideas of their colleagues, staff and the families they serve. Their jobs become more complex and demanding each year as they shoulder more and more responsi-bility for the well-being, safety, and health of our children; and yet, they somehow always manage to go above and beyond what is required.

It’s simply unacceptable that our city has thus far failed to show school administrators and supervisors the proper support and respect they deserve. Awarding CSA members with a fair contract will send a clear message to our city about the incred-ible value of public education and reaffirm the DOE’s commitment to Equity and Excellence For All.

Best regards,

Council Member Mark TreygerChairman of the Education Committee

Inez Barron, City CouncilI retired as a principal at PS 81 in Bed

Stuy, and I know what it takes to put in the hours to make the school successful. I was in my school before 7 o’clock in the morn-ing and did not leave my school until 9, 10 o’clock in the evening. It’s because of all the demands that are put on us as school leaders to provide the best, safest learning opportu-nities for our children. I stand with you in solidarity knowing that the work you do is essential for our schools to be successful.

Brad Lander, City Council

I’m a public school kid, my kids are public school kids. In District 15 that I’m so proud to represent this year, those 11 mid-dle school principals are doing some of the hardest work anyone is doing, making sure our school integration plan is working, and I can tell you that because I see it, that what they are doing, what you are doing is the hardest work and most important work tak-ing place in our public schools. We are lucky to have you. We have your back. We will be speaking with the mayor. We will make sure you get a great contract that honors the work you do.

Ernie Logan, AFSA President, Former CSA President

It’s good to be home. But I was hoping to come home to hear there was a contract. I thought that when the Mayor came back from his travels, he would start to focus on what was important in NYC. When he was running around the country talking about all the great things he did, when he talked about Universal Pre-K, he forgot to say that CSA made that happen. When he was talking about improved graduation rates in this city, he forgot to say that CSA made that happen. When he talked about how he wanted to make sure there was equity and access, he forgot to say CSA made that happen.

Jumaane Williams, Public Advocate

We want to make sure our mayor under-stands that these are not just words—we believe in union power, we believe in a union town. I’m joining everyone here to make sure that he understands that we are all united. If you mess with one union, you mess with all unions. I want to thank you

so much for all you are doing for our most precious commodity, our young people and our school buildings. He’s back now and he’s got two years. Make it right, Mr. Mayor. Whatever you all want to do, I’m with you.

Nicole Malliotokis, NYS Assembly

This fight is a bi-partisan fight. You’ve got Republican support, you’ve got Democratic support. Because this is not a Republican or Democrat issue, this is about supporting the working people of our city and the educators of our city. It’s not just about money. It’s about respect. It’s about school safety. It’s about autonomy. How much was spent on contracts with vendors and high-priced consultants without asking the very people in schools who know what’s needed?

Jasmine Gripper, Alliance for Quality Education

I’m here because parents and commu-nity members know how important school leaders are to having healthy schools. We know that when our children come into school every day, you are the ones making sure that it runs in a healthy and safe way for all of our kids. Parents are here to sup-port you and we are all in this together.

Leroy Barr, Vice President, UFT

We are the ones who work with chil-dren every day. We’ve been saying since the 1960’s that our working conditions are students’ learning conditions and we can’t do this work without the people who are leading our schools. First and foremost, we are a family, like the fingers on a hand. When they’re separate, you can bend a finger any kind of way that you want, but when the family comes together it forms a fist and we can strike a blow on behalf of the working men and women throughout this city and let city hall know that we keep this city running, we keep the schools running. We want to make sure they do right by the children by doing right by the people who are taking care of the children every day. We may have our differences, but we are like brothers and sisters—we may fight inside the house, but when we come outside the house, you better not mess with anyone of us. Because if you mess with one of us, you are messing with all of us.

Reginald Landeau, PrincipalI am a little tired of all the hard work

that we’re doing that keeps getting stopped by plans, surveys, and initiatives. We’re not here to fight. We want to part-ner with the Department of Education, partner with the mayor so that we as CSA members can continue to educate the children of this city. Every day that we get pulled away by another initiative, another plan, every time we get pulled away by another email, it stops me as a principal, the assistant principals, the EAs from being able to help the children that we serve. Mr. Mayor, Mr. Chancellor, please help us help the children that we serve by giving us a fair contract so we can do the things we need to do.

Brian De Vale, Principal

We shouldn’t have to come out in the rain. We shouldn’t have to have this rally. The fact that the people across the street are making us do this shows us that there is a total lack of respect for us as their school leaders. I come before you today not just as a district chair but as a public school prin-cipal. The concerns that we are expressing are the concerns of the general public.

Vinny Alvarez, Central Labor Council

Paid parental leave is a big issue around the country and we see many municipalities around the country stand-ing up and doing the right thing. It’s time that this city does the right thing by each one of you and makes sure that when it comes to this contract there is a provision guaranteeing paid family leave for each and every one of you.

Gale Brewer, Manhattan Borough Pres.

CSA members, every single one of you, you are the greatest champions of the city of New York bar none. You don’t look after yourself, you look after the 1.1 mil-lion students every single day. You fight for the common good. You drive change and you address every single aspect of what good education is all about and you deserve a contract. We know that the schools are underfunded, we know that you do everything in your power to keep children safe, but you need more resources and you need more support.

Scott Stringer, ComptrollerJumaane Williams, Public Advocate Gale Brewer, Manhattan Borough President Melinda Katz, Queens Borough President Nydia Velazquez, Member of Congress

City Council MembersMark Treyger; Ben Kallos; Mark Levine; Ydanis Rodriguez; Barry Grodenchik; Danny Dromm; Brad Lander; Alicka Ampry-Samuel; Inez Barron; Justin Brannon; Farah Louis; Carlina Rivera; Keith Powers; Helen Rosenthal; Vanessa Gibson; Rafael Espinal; Mathieu Eugene; Costa Constantinide; Rory Lancman;

Jimmy Van Bramer; Donovan Richards; Antonio Reynoso; Daneek Miller; Laurie Cumbo

Assembly MembersMike Benedetto; Al Taylor; Nicole Malliotakis; Walter Mosley; Jo Anne Simon; Alicia Hyndman; Rodneyse Bichotte; Mike Blake; Jaime Williams; Charles Fall; Brian Barnwell; Latrice Walker; Linda Rosenthal; Catalina Cruz; Mathylde Frontus; Yuh-Line Niou; Victor Pichardo; David Weprin

SenatorsJohn Liu; Robert Jackson; Brad Hoylman

Thanks To Fifty Elected Officials Who Supported CSA

n LEFT: Lunch detail! Members unhappy with ever burgeon-ing duties came out en masse to make their feelings known.

Lack Of Respect Is ‘Simply Unacceptable’

In Their Own Words...A sampling of speeches by elected officials and others at CSA’s Oct. 30 rally.

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CSA NEWS CSA NEWSNov. 2019Nov. 20198

n ZACHARY BURTON, 89, died Dec. 29, 2018. He was preceded in death by his wife of 68 years, who died Oct. 5, 2018. The couple lived in Yonkers, NY. Mr. Burton, the son of immi-grants, grew up in the Bronx, earned a bach-elor’s degree in mathematics and a master’s degree at City College of NY. He began his career as a math teacher at the now-closed Eli Whitney HS in Brooklyn. He was appointed assistant principal at George Westinghouse Career and Technical Education HS in Brooklyn, before moving to the former Charles Evans Hughes School in Chelsea. He also served at the Mabel Dean Bacon Vocational HS in Chelsea, now the School of the Future. He retired in 1994. Mr. Burton was an instructor at CUNY. His daughter, Gerri Burton, described her parents as “true New Yorkers,” who loved the city but also travelled widely. In addition to their daughter, the couple is survived by a son, Eric Burton, and their grandson, Samuel Burton-Cooper.

n ROBERT CABAT, 83, died June 5. He lived on Staten Island. Dr. Cabat grew up in Marine Park, Brooklyn and graduated from Midwood HS. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Spanish language and literature and a teaching cer-tificate from Columbia University in 1956; a master’s degree from Brooklyn College, and a doctorate from NYU, both in Spanish language and literature. He began teaching in 1958 at Ditmas Jr. HS in Brooklyn and from 1961 to 1968 taught foreign languages at Lincoln HS before becoming chair of foreign languages at New Utrecht HS. In 1983, he was named assistant director of foreign languages for the DOE, and became director in 1985. He retired in 1991. Dr. Cabat served in the Army Reserves. He was called up in the late 1950s and again in 1961 during the Berlin crisis. His son said he was a voracious reader, an avid tennis player, a fan of classical music and opera, and a sea-son-ticket holder with the NY Jets for over 50 years. Dr. Cabat married his wife, Janet, who survives him, in 1958. In addition to his wife and son, he is survived by a daughter, Abigail, and three grandchildren.

n DR. ROSETTA ENNIS, 79, died July 22 in the Bronx. She lived in Rosedale, Queens. Dr. Ennis served as an elementary school teacher, teacher trainer and educational administrator. As an EA, she supported teachers in elementa-ry and middle schools and counseled parents. She served as an educational evaluator for students with special needs and a supervi-sor of educational evaluators in Community District 19 and 28. In 2003, she was assigned to Region 5 as an Instructional Support Specialist, one of the first group of NYC train-ers taught by Wilson Reading System staff. Prior to her retirement in 2015 she worked at the Office of School Improvement supporting schools across the city and continuing with her Wilson trainings. She attended NYC public schools, CUNY York, Brooklyn College, Long Island University, Adelphi College, St. John’s University and the City College of NY. She earned her undergraduate degree in psychol-ogy, a masters in early childhood education, a masters in special education, and a masters in administration and supervision. In 2010, she began pursuing a doctorate in education from the University of Phoenix. Dr. Ennis was preceded in death by her husband, Edward M. Ennis, her mother, Jane Brown Paige and her older sister Carrie Mae Jenkins. She is survived by her brother Frank Brown Jr, two nieces, a nephew, five great nieces, a great-nephew and a great-great nephew.

n JOSEPH PATRICK GALLAGHER, 66, died Aug. 17, 2019. He was a resident of Grymes Hill on Staten Island, and lived previously for many years in Brooklyn, and Stamford, Conn. He was a graduate of Regis HS and Columbia University. Mr. Gallagher retired in May as executive director of NYC Magnet Programs. He began his career as a teacher in 1981, and

for many years taught English at IS 136 in Brooklyn. He was District 15 Coordinator from 1994-2001, and the DOE’s Regional Magnet Project Director from 2001-16. A Mets fan and avid golfer, he loved traveling. He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Rosemary, children, Katie Gallagher and Timothy Gallagher and his four grandchildren, Mai and Luc Ha, and Cashel and Kennedy Gallagher.

n ARMAND R. KIRSCHENBAUM, 89, died May 6. Born in the Bronx on Dec. 13, 1929, Mr. Kirschenbaum grew up in Manhattan. He graduated from Stuyvesant HS and held degrees from NYU and Columbia University. He taught at schools in Harlem and the Bronx before becoming an AP, principal and con-sultant to the DOE. He retired in 1991. He was extremely active in Jewish organizations, president of B’nai B’rith’s Queens Council, vice-chairman for Queens and a trustee of the Northeast Queens Unit. A Bayside resident, Mr. Kirschenbaum served on Cub Pack and Boy Scout committees, was a Little League coach, and a member of the Bayside & Vicinity Interracial Council. He joined the Catholic Jewish Relations Council in Northeast Queens and was editor of the Catholic-Jewish Diary, the organization’s bulletin, and served as pres-ident. After retiring, Mr. Kirschenbaum and his wife, Rhoda, moved to Monroe Township, N.J. His wife predeceased him by 10 weeks. Surviving Mr. Kirschenbaum are his daughter, Felice Schlesinger, his son Jeff Kirschenbaum and four grandchildren — Adam, Ariel, Andrew and Emily.

n MELVILLE KRAMER, 96, died Oct. 14, 2018 in West Palm Beach, FL. He was born in NYC. His mother was a nurse and his father a physi-cian, according to his wife of 72 years, Thelma Kramer. He was drafted into the US Army at 18, fought at Normandy and earned a Silver Star. The couple married in 1946, and both worked as teachers, she at the high school level; he in junior high. “He loved the junior high school age,” said his wife. He became a full-time teacher in Harlem, and later an AP at IS 391 in Brooklyn. He retired on July 1, 1984. In addition to his wife, he is survived by a daugh-ter, Marcia Taylor; a son, Andrew Kramer; five grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.

n BENJAMIN LERNER, 86, died Nov. 4, 2018. A school psychologist, he served as supervisor of the HS Unit of Region 3, and then Administrator of the Bureau of Child Guidance, headquartered in Brooklyn. When that program ended, he was named super-visor of school psychologists in District 16, Brooklyn. He also supervised the DOE’s eve-ning parochial school program. Dr. Lerner retired in 1991. He graduated from Yeshiva University HS for Boys in Brooklyn. He earned a BA from Yeshiva College and his doctorate from Yeshiva University in 1961. In addition to the DOE, Dr. Lerner taught at Long Island University and was an assistant professor at Nassau Community College. He was a mem-ber of the Brooklyn Psychological Association and the American Psychological Association. “He was warm and welcoming and available to help others; his door was open to all,” said his wife, Sylvia. In addition to his wife, a retired educational evaluator for the DOE, Dr. Lerner is survived by his daughters, Sherri Lerner-Horowitz and Debra Garber; a son, Michael, and grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Surviving family members now live in Israel. A son, Steven, predeceased his father in 1999.

n JACK MERLIS, 86, died on July 26. Born in Williamsburg to deaf-mute parents, he attend-ed PS 16, Boys’ HS, and Brooklyn College, where he was a member of the Light Opera Guild until his 1954 graduation, when he began teaching history at Alexander Hamilton HS. He went on to James Madison HS, and in 1964 was an original staff member at the new Canarsie HS. In 1971 he became AP, social studies, at Maxwell Vocational HS, until his

1987 retirement. Winner of a coveted schol-arship for voice and operatic studies in 1955 from NBC Opera Workshop, he appeared with the Sholom Secunda Symphony Orchestra and later The Cantors’ Ensemble of NY. He took a leave of absence during the 1950s to study voice and Jewish liturgical music under the tutelage of the late Professor Bernard Kwartin. He became a cantor at Temple Hillel in North Woodmere in 1962, at Temple Shaare Emeth in Canarsie from 1968 until 1983, at Oakland Jewish Center in Bayside, and for 13 years at Old Westbury Hebrew Congregation. In recent years, he lectured and taught Elderhostel courses. He is survived by Rita, his wife of 66 years, children Brian Merlis and Karen Ware, grandchildren Heather and Joshua Merlis, and great-granddaughters Sidney Blanche Hamilton-Merlis.

n ELLEN LAPAN O’GRADY, 68, died on Aug. 30 in Florida. She spent her 35-year career at Jane Addams Vocational HS in the Bronx as teacher of physical education, coordinator of student affairs, AP in charge of physical educa-tion, security, and organization, and principal. She retired in 2006 and relocated to Florida

and North Carolina. “Throughout her career, Mrs. O’Grady positively impacted countless students and colleagues, and she will be remem-bered for her advo-cacy, diligence, and professionalism,” said longtime friend Sana Nasser, director of field services for

CSA. Mrs. O’Grady is survived by her husband, Timothy O’Grady, her son, Jamie O’Grady and his wife, Sarah O’Grady, her brothers, Barry Lapan and Stanley Lapan, and her grandchil-dren, Jack and Gemma O’Grady.

n ANNE PRISCO, 78, a resident of Mt. Vernon, NY, died Dec. 25, 2018. She had retired from the NYC DOE in 1995 as an assistant principal at Columbus HS, Bronx.

n ISIDORE (IRVING) REICH, 103, died Jan. 5, 2019. He was born in 1915 and raised in Brooklyn. He earned a bachelor and master’s degree in biology from Columbia University and had completed coursework toward his doctorate when he enlisted in the US Army during World War II, where he attained the rank of staff sergeant. Mr. Reich began his career in education as a biology teacher in the city’s public school system. He served as chair-man of the biology department at Midwood HS in Brooklyn. He retired in 1978 as an AP at Midwood. Mr. Reich served as a board exam-iner for the DOE. He was an adjunct professor of biology at City College of NY and wrote biology textbooks used by the DOE. His son, Barry Reich, said his father, was a strong sup-porter of charities and social justice. “He was committed to the principle that education was a right, not a privilege.” His son added that Mr. Reich made a presentation on string and quantum theories to a group of seniors the day before he died. Mr. Reich’s wife, Claribel, predeceased him 10 years ago. In addition to his son, Mr. Reich is survived by his daugh-ter Mona MacPhail, and three grandchildren, Gabriella, Presley, and Brooklyn.

n MARSHA SCHNEIDER, 83, died Sept. 3, 2018. A special-education teacher and teach-er trainer, she was the wife of retired CSA member Donald Schneider. Mrs. Schneider was born in the Bronx and graduated from the City College of NY. According to her husband, “she was alone when she picketed PS 57 in the first teacher’s strike. At the time, it was an act of great courage,” he said. Mr. Schneider, who had been an amateur boxer, served as a supervisor of guidance and a trainer of school psychologists and social workers. In addition to her husband, Mrs. Schneider is survived by their daughters, Cindy and Vera, and five grandsons. The family asks that donations

in Mrs. Schneider’s name be directed to the Alzheimer’s Association or Gilda’s Club.

n EDWIN SELZER, 94, died Nov. 24, 2018. Dr. Selzer was born in Ridgewood, Queens. He attended public schools and graduated from Grover Cleveland HS. He earned his under-graduate degree from Queens College, and a master’s and doctorate from NYU. He was 18 years old and in his first semester at Queens College when he was drafted into the US Air Force. He served in the European theater and was with the forces that liberated the Buchenwald concentration camp. Dr. Selzer was recalled twice for duty – during the Korean War and the Berlin crisis. Eventually, he retired as a Major in the US Air Force; he remained a reservist for the rest of his life. He began teach-ing Social Studies at Grover Cleveland HS, became AP at JHS 142 in Brooklyn, and served as AP of Social Studies at Eastern District HS in Williamsburg. He retired in 1991. For several years, he was an Adjunct at Lehman College in the Bronx and served as a supervisor in the summer and evening HS divisions. Dr. Selzer wrote 14 books for students in ele-mentary school through HS on American and European History, Economics, Consumerism and the Law. Following retirement, he and Mary, his wife of 58 years, traveled extensively. In addition to his wife, Dr. Selzer is survived by three sons, Jonathan, Steven and Michael, and four grandchildren.

n JOSEPHINE ELENA SFERRAZZA, 94, of East Yaphank, NY, died April 6. Born in Sicily, she came to the US at 8 months old, grew up in Astoria Queens, and married Joseph A. Sferrazza in 1950. The couple had four children. Mrs. Sferrazza earned her master’s degree in education in 1978 and taught at PS 17 in Astoria until she retired in 1990. In 1993, she and her husband, who retired as AP at IS 131 in Manhattan, moved to East Yaphank where she was active in the Yaphank Senior Club and veterans’ events. She is survived by her husband, Joseph; daughter Carmel and her husband Robert Huestis; her sons, Joseph and Andrew; two grandchildren, Joseph and Stephanie, and two great-grandchildren, Peyton and Bradley.

n MILTON SIROTA, 96, died June 5. A resi-dent of Tamarac, FL., he was born in Brooklyn, served in the US Army during World War II, and upon his discharge in 1946, earned a degree from Brooklyn College. At college, he met his wife, Carol. The couple was married almost 70 years. Mr. Sirota retired as an AP in 1985 at Forest Hills HS, Queens. He won many championships in tennis, football, bas-ketball and golf and was a member of the Brooklyn College Athletic Hall of Fame. He and his wife had four daughters – Kathy, Debbie Jo, Lori and Lisa, several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

n BERNARD UNGER, 89, died Jan. 2, 2019. The son of Russian immigrants, Unger grad-uated from DeWitt Clinton HS in the Bronx. He attended Columbia University and City College of NY. He spent his career in the Bronx, including stints as dean of boys at JHS 80 and former Theodore Roosevelt HS and assistant principal at JHS 98. He retired in 1984. Mr. Unger served in the military during the Korean War. He was married to Barbara Frankel from 1954 to 1977. The couple had two daughters. He married Ethel Kahn in 1985, gaining three step-children. According to his former wife, Mr. Unger was a nature enthusiast. He played amateur baseball as an adult and played ten-nis well into his 70s. He was an amateur radio operator, skilled at Morse code, participated in the Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service and was a folk, jazz, and classical music aficio-nado. Mr. Unger was predeceased by his wife, Ethel, in 2004. He is survived by his daughters, Deborah Henriksen and Suzanne Unger-Hicks, as well as his step-children, Francine, Scott, and Mitchell.

Send obituary notices to CSA News Editor Chuck Wilbanks at chuck@csa-nyc.org.

In Memoriam

n Ellen O’Grady

The Welfare FundSwitching Dental Coverage, Home Health Aide

Each year during the month of November, you as a member of the DCC/CSA Welfare Fund, CSA Welfare Fund or CSA Retiree Welfare Fund are afforded an opportunity to change your dental plan coverage for the next calendar year.

Please review each of the plans available to you as summarized below. If you wish to change your coverage for the new year, (beginning in January) please call (212)962-6061 and request a dental selection form.If You Don’t Want To Change Your Plan, Do Nothing

Choice 1: SIDS DENTAL PROGRAM (Active and Retired Members)

The SIDS administered CSA self insured dental program offers you the choice of selecting any dentist you desire. Reimbursement is based on a specific schedule of set fees. In addition, a substantial number of dentists have agreed to be partici-pating providers and accept the CSA schedule of allowances as payment in full without any additional charge to you (except a small co-payment where indicated in the schedule). This plan provides reimbursement of dental costs with participating or non-participating doctors. Using par-ticipating dentists, however, will sub-stantially reduce a member’s costs.

Effective January 1, 2019 RETIREES ONLY have an expanded network of dentists offering signifi-cant discounts from normal charges. In the greater New York City area SIDS has partner with Metrodent to provide discounted services and nationwide have partnered with Careington to access its network of over 100,000 dentists. The SIDS pro-

Open Enrollment Period: Opportunity To Change Dental Program Benefits

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CSA NEWS CSA NEWSNov. 2019Nov. 2019 9

in Mrs. Schneider’s name be directed to the Alzheimer’s Association or Gilda’s Club.

n EDWIN SELZER, 94, died Nov. 24, 2018. Dr. Selzer was born in Ridgewood, Queens. He attended public schools and graduated from Grover Cleveland HS. He earned his under-graduate degree from Queens College, and a master’s and doctorate from NYU. He was 18 years old and in his first semester at Queens College when he was drafted into the US Air Force. He served in the European theater and was with the forces that liberated the Buchenwald concentration camp. Dr. Selzer was recalled twice for duty – during the Korean War and the Berlin crisis. Eventually, he retired as a Major in the US Air Force; he remained a reservist for the rest of his life. He began teach-ing Social Studies at Grover Cleveland HS, became AP at JHS 142 in Brooklyn, and served as AP of Social Studies at Eastern District HS in Williamsburg. He retired in 1991. For several years, he was an Adjunct at Lehman College in the Bronx and served as a supervisor in the summer and evening HS divisions. Dr. Selzer wrote 14 books for students in ele-mentary school through HS on American and European History, Economics, Consumerism and the Law. Following retirement, he and Mary, his wife of 58 years, traveled extensively. In addition to his wife, Dr. Selzer is survived by three sons, Jonathan, Steven and Michael, and four grandchildren.

n JOSEPHINE ELENA SFERRAZZA, 94, of East Yaphank, NY, died April 6. Born in Sicily, she came to the US at 8 months old, grew up in Astoria Queens, and married Joseph A. Sferrazza in 1950. The couple had four children. Mrs. Sferrazza earned her master’s degree in education in 1978 and taught at PS 17 in Astoria until she retired in 1990. In 1993, she and her husband, who retired as AP at IS 131 in Manhattan, moved to East Yaphank where she was active in the Yaphank Senior Club and veterans’ events. She is survived by her husband, Joseph; daughter Carmel and her husband Robert Huestis; her sons, Joseph and Andrew; two grandchildren, Joseph and Stephanie, and two great-grandchildren, Peyton and Bradley.

n MILTON SIROTA, 96, died June 5. A resi-dent of Tamarac, FL., he was born in Brooklyn, served in the US Army during World War II, and upon his discharge in 1946, earned a degree from Brooklyn College. At college, he met his wife, Carol. The couple was married almost 70 years. Mr. Sirota retired as an AP in 1985 at Forest Hills HS, Queens. He won many championships in tennis, football, bas-ketball and golf and was a member of the Brooklyn College Athletic Hall of Fame. He and his wife had four daughters – Kathy, Debbie Jo, Lori and Lisa, several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

n BERNARD UNGER, 89, died Jan. 2, 2019. The son of Russian immigrants, Unger grad-uated from DeWitt Clinton HS in the Bronx. He attended Columbia University and City College of NY. He spent his career in the Bronx, including stints as dean of boys at JHS 80 and former Theodore Roosevelt HS and assistant principal at JHS 98. He retired in 1984. Mr. Unger served in the military during the Korean War. He was married to Barbara Frankel from 1954 to 1977. The couple had two daughters. He married Ethel Kahn in 1985, gaining three step-children. According to his former wife, Mr. Unger was a nature enthusiast. He played amateur baseball as an adult and played ten-nis well into his 70s. He was an amateur radio operator, skilled at Morse code, participated in the Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service and was a folk, jazz, and classical music aficio-nado. Mr. Unger was predeceased by his wife, Ethel, in 2004. He is survived by his daughters, Deborah Henriksen and Suzanne Unger-Hicks, as well as his step-children, Francine, Scott, and Mitchell.

Send obituary notices to CSA News Editor Chuck Wilbanks at chuck@csa-nyc.org.

N A T I O N

Labor

The NY Committee for Occupational Safety and Health (NYCOSH) released an October report, “Time Off Task: Pressure, Pain, and Productivity at Amazon” high-lighting the company’s unhealthy workplace practices. The report was released on the anniversary of the Staten Island facility’s opening. NYCOSH found that 80% of workers were pressured to work harder or faster; 66 percent expressed experiencing physical pain while performing duties and 42% continued to experience pain even when they weren’t at work. Several workers expressed being evaluated and docked points for the amount of “time off task,” referring to any break besides their legally required 30-minute lunch. If a worker has too much time off task, they may be disciplined and are subject to termination. (Central Labor Council)

NEW YORK

Amazon’s Workplace

An unfair labor practice complaint was filed by a union representing Keene teachers, alleging that admin-istrators misused a Federal stu-dent-privacy law to discipline union members for communicating safety issues. The complaint indicated that the actions made employees reluc-tant to discuss workplace safety issues with union representatives. The school district has disputed the union’s claims and expects to file a formal response. (Sentinal)

NEW HAMPSHIRE

Safety Issues

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

Rule ReversalA rule, proposed by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), would reverse a 2016 decision that allowed students at private universities and colleges to unionize. The proposed rule will undergo a 60 day public comment period. An organizer with the Harvard Graduate Students Union, UAWQ, said the proposal is a misuse of power by the Trump administration. It reportedly creates greater incentives for universities to refuse to recognize unions. The NLRB voted 3-1 in support of the proposal. (The Harvard Crimson)

An accelerated bargaining schedule backfired when Brevard Federation of Teachers walked out on the second day after district negotiators out-right rejected or countered most of their demands. The only item approved was to allow teachers to petition administrators con-cerning classroom crowding. Union representatives indicated they had anticipated more of a back-and-forth negotiation ses-sion. One of the biggest points of contention is the district’s percentage-based increase vs. the union’s flat dollar increase proposals. (Florida Today)

— Compiled by Christine AltmAn

FLORIDA

No Bargain

The Welfare FundSwitching Dental Coverage, Home Health Aide

Dr. Douglas V. Hathaway

Question: I am an active member and I’ve been a member of the Healthplex dental program for many years. Recently, my dentist

retired and sold his practice. I do not like the new dentist. What can I do?

ANSWER: You have a great sense of tim-ing. All three CSA Welfare Funds (CSA Welfare Fund for in-service Department of Education participants, CSA Retiree Welfare Fund for Department of Education retirees, and DCC/CSA Welfare Fund for early childhood direc-tors and assistant directors and retirees ) con-duct an open enrollment for dental programs each November. You may select any dental plan available to participants in your fund (for in-service Department of Education, your choices are Healthplex and SIDS), and the change will take place effective January 1, 2020. You may choose a different Healthplex dentist any time during the year. Please see a description of each of these dental plans in the article accompanying this one.

Question: I am a retired member and my husband has Alzheimer’s dis-ease. Recently he broke his hip and needed surgery, and he has been

recuperating in a hospital because he needs constant attention. Does our home health aide benefit apply even though he isn’t home?

ANSWER: As far as we are concerned, home care is where the patient is. If you need medically justified assistance, and it is obvi-ous your husband does, we will provide the coverage if he is home, in the hospital, in a rehab center or nursing home. The key is, is the service necessary? And is it being provided by a trained professional? Remember also that if he is to be moved to a rehab center, the Fund will also reimburse the ambulance or ambulette costs since your Medicare or health plan does not.

Dr. Douglas V. Hathaway is CSA Welfare Fund Administrator. You can email him at dhatha-way@csa-nyc.org.

Each year during the month of November, you as a member of the DCC/CSA Welfare Fund, CSA Welfare Fund or CSA Retiree Welfare Fund are afforded an opportunity to change your dental plan coverage for the next calendar year.

Please review each of the plans available to you as summarized below. If you wish to change your coverage for the new year, (beginning in January) please call (212)962-6061 and request a dental selection form.If You Don’t Want To Change Your Plan, Do Nothing

Choice 1: SIDS DENTAL PROGRAM (Active and Retired Members)

The SIDS administered CSA self insured dental program offers you the choice of selecting any dentist you desire. Reimbursement is based on a specific schedule of set fees. In addition, a substantial number of dentists have agreed to be partici-pating providers and accept the CSA schedule of allowances as payment in full without any additional charge to you (except a small co-payment where indicated in the schedule). This plan provides reimbursement of dental costs with participating or non-participating doctors. Using par-ticipating dentists, however, will sub-stantially reduce a member’s costs.

Effective January 1, 2019 RETIREES ONLY have an expanded network of dentists offering signifi-cant discounts from normal charges. In the greater New York City area SIDS has partner with Metrodent to provide discounted services and nationwide have partnered with Careington to access its network of over 100,000 dentists. The SIDS pro-

vider search returns color-coded lists of providers and the saving level: blue for SIDS participating providers, green for Metrodent providers, and red for Careington providers.

Choice 2: HEALTHPLEX DENTCARE DENTAL PROGRAM, NY, NJ and PA(Active and Retired Members)

The Healthplex Dentcare Dental Program is a pre-paid dental plan (HMO) which offers you and eligible dependents a unique arrangement that requires no claim forms or out-lay of monies (except for a $50 copay to cover some lab charges for crowns and $125 for orthodontics). Members select a primary care dentist from a list of providers. The primary care dentist provides total dental care at no additional cost and, when neces-sary, arranges for treatment by par-ticipating specialists, such as surgery, endodontists and periodontists, also at no cost to the patient. Dentcare dentists are private practitioners located throughout New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

Choice 3: DELTA DENTAL - DELTACARE USA PLAN 2A (Retirees Only)

This is a dental HMO plan which provides cost free dental care for pre-ventive services such as cleanings, x-rays and exams. Basic services such as fillings are either free or at substantially reduced fees. Major restorative services such as crowns, bridgework, and ortho-dontic care will cost the member 50% or less than the usual and customary charge for these services.

The Delta Deltacare plan is a

most appropriate choice for mem-bers who reside in a geographic area in which there are few or no SIDS participating dentists or Healthplex dentists. The panel of participating dentists is broad covering the states of Arizona, Florida, California, New York, New Jersey, Washington D.C., Georgia, Nevada, Pennsylvania, Texas, Maryland, Massachusetts and Virginia. A listing of dentists in your geographic area is available upon request. This plan requires a mini-mum of 7 members in a state. If there are not at least 7 enrollees, the plan will not be available.

Members who enroll in either the Dentcare or Delta dental plan may change primary care dentists during each annual enrollment period or at any time if they are dissatisfied with their dentist.

Choice 4: HEALTHPLEX – S200 FLORIDA PROGRAM(Retirees Only)

Healthplex offers this new option for those retirees permanently living in Florida. The new Healthplex S200 program covers more procedures than the previous plan offered with CompBenefits and has a greater number of participating providers. With over 2,300 participating pro-viders plus hundreds of specialists in Florida, you may select ANY partic-ipating provider without a referral. There are defined co-payments for some procedures, and no additional reimbursement is provided.

For more inforamtion contact Douglas V. Hathaway, CSA Welfare Fund Administrator, dhathaway@csa-nyc.org, (212) 962-6061.

Open Enrollment Period: Opportunity To Change Dental Program Benefits

Important Notice

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CSA NEWS CSA NEWSNov. 2019Nov. 201910

A Vote Of Gratitude

CHAIR’S MESSAGEGayle Lockett

C h a p t e rRETIREEUnions Push For Safe Numbers Of Nurses

BY CHUCK WILBANKS

For many years, CSA’s retirees have been vocal advocates for requiring hospitals to maintain safe numbers of nurses on duty in health care facilities. The issue continues to simmer on the state level with no resolution so far, so nurses represented by several labor unions rallied in Manhattan on Oct. 22.

The rally was held outside a New York State Department of Health hearing being held to discuss how staffing increases improve patient safety and the quality of care in hospitals and nursing homes. Nurses and healthcare workers represented by the Communication Workers of America, the Public Employees Federation and the New York State Nurses Association attended the rally, as did a plethora of activists and elected officials.

“Nurses literally stand between life and

death, yet some hospitals, clinics and other institutions consider them less important than being profitable,” said New York City Comptroller Scott Stringer. “The Department of Health owes it to our loved ones and to the people of New York to ensure strong language on minimum healthcare worker-to-patient ratios is included in their findings.”

New York State Alliance of Retired Persons President Barry Kaufmann said, “It’s theoret-ical that safe staffing saves lives, but for my members, it’s a reality. It prevents burnout and allows nurses to spend time with their patients.

Not surprisingly, hospitals and the groups that represent them oppose staffing ratios. A report by the Health Department is due by the end of the year. Legislation establishing ratios has been introduced repeatedly in Albany. A current proposal is languishing.

Retirees Enjoy Autumn In Florida Sunn Oct. 28 was a beautiful day on Sarasota Bay for the Suncoast Retirees on the Marina Jack II for a lovely luncheon cruise.

This is a special time of the year when our nation cel-ebrates Thanksgiving. It is a time of reflection, for giving and being thankful

for what we have in our lives. We are thankful for our family, friends, CSA, our union, and the labor movement that gave birth to the middle class. We also should give thanks to our past and present union officers whose dedication have made our in-service and retire-ment years secure.

October was National Principals Month, and to highlight the occasion I traveled to Washington D.C., with CSA Director of Political Affairs Gabe Gallucci and RC Legislative Liaison Mitra Lutchman. We and a group of in-service and retired CSA members participated in the “Voice of School Leaders” lobbying event, along with members of the American Federation of School Administrators, the National Association of Secondary School Principals and the National Association of Elementary School Principals. We visited lawmakers offices and among the issues we discussed were more funding for the Higher Education Act to improve school safety and climate and increasing Title II funding for professional development and other types of training. As you are aware, our Executive Leadership Institute offers great professional development courses. We also lobbied for Title IV Part A grants to provide for student support and academic enrich-ment to give them a well-rounded education, including social studies and computer science. The fact that our retirees are a part of this venture is an acknowledgement of their vital importance to our union. A special thank you to our retired members who partic-ipated, including Janice and Ron Imundi, Richard Oppenheimer, John Oricchio, and Sharon Thompson.

Every month, our regional units hold activities to enrich the lives of our retirees. Queens leader Leonard Sterman had a large turnout for the unit’s annual luncheon at Terrace-on-the-Park. The keynote speakers were CSA Executive Vice President Henry Rubio and Queens Borough President Melinda Katz, who recently won the primary for Queens District Attorney. CSA President Mark Cannizzaro was keynote speaker at the Central New Jersey unit, led by Lucille Vecchiarelli. Financial advisor Susan Silberman addressed the Bronx unit, led by Marvin Goodman. Georgia’s unit leader, Georgia Harrison and Carolinas’ new leader Yvonne Gardner invited CSA’s First Vice President Rosemarie Sinclair, who brought CSA information and greetings. Long Island unit leader Victor Ravens also held an interesting meeting.

W e are proud of our veterans, especially those of our CSA colleagues both retired and in-service who served bravely in the US armed forces in WWII, Korea and Vietnam.

Those veterans who have returned and who currently are serving around the world have sacrificed much to protect not only our freedom but that of the countries where they are serving. We thank you and salute you on Veterans Day. From time to time we have planned and held special events for veterans. If you are a veteran and would like to be part of this esteemed committee, please con-tact the RC Director, Mark Brodsky at mark@csa-nyc.org. Wishing you and your family a very Happy Thanksgiving!

In Unity,Gayle Lockett

• • •

CHUCK WILBANKS

n On Oct. 22, nurses represented by several labor unions rallied to push for safer nurse-to-patient ratios.

The College of Charleston’s Race and Social Justice Initiative at the Avery Research Center for African American History and Culture is renam-ing an important scholarship to honor CSA Retiree James E. Campbell, a longtime civil rights activist and global educator.

A testament to the Race and Social Justice Initiative’s (RSJI) commitment to promote student development, the James E. Campbell Race and Social Justice Initiative Student Leadership Award is a $6,000 travel and research stipend divided among 10 student-leaders who recognize the importance of social justice activism. The award funds stu-dents who are actively finding solutions for the

pervasiveness of racial inequality and injus-tice within the South Carolina Lowcountry, the South in general and the country at large. Mr. Campbell, profiled by CSA News in 2018, was born in 1925. He worked as a teacher in Baltimore, New York and for many years in Tanzania, before he returned to New York and became involved in civil rights work within

the DOE. He was a longtime assistant principal at PS 123, Mahalia Jackson Elementary School, in Harlem, where he retired in 1991. After his return to his native Charleston, he became a commu-nity activist and has continued his involvement with educational initiatives.

—CW

Scholarship Named For Retiree

n An important award will be named for CSA retiree James E. Campbell at The College of Charleston in South Carolina.

Class will be at CSA headquarters: 40 Rector Street, 12th Floor, NYCAll CSA members are welcome. Online registration is not available*.Register by mailing coupon below.1. Send check with the coupon: AARP members $20; non-members $252. Send copy of valid driver’s license and copy of current AARP mem-

bership, if applicable.A letter of confirmation will be sent. Participants must bring to class

their valid driver’s license and current AARP membership card. Light refreshments will be provided, and you are welcome to bring a bag lunch.

Driver Safety ProgramMONDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2019

Upcoming EventsFinance Lecture Date: Tuesday, 12/10 time: 10:30 am – 12 noonLocation: CSA HeadquartersFee: $10

Alvin Ailey Theater & Lunch Date: Thursday, 12/12 time: 9:30 amLocation: 405 West 55th Street, NYCFee: $60

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CSA NEWS CSA NEWSNov. 2019Nov. 2019 11

C h a p t e r

RC Regional Units

Round Up Of Events, Info, Opportunities

BY MARK BRODSKY

Hello IRMAA! For those who applied for Medicare’s income-related monthly adjustment reimbursement for 2018 in a timely fashion, you should have received your reimbursement by Oct. 18. It was deposited electronically if your pension is deposited electronically or sent to you by physical check if that is how you receive your pension.

If you submitted your application late, the application will eventually be pro-cessed and payment issued accordingly. Your eligible partner/spouse is also eligi-ble to receive an IRMAA reimbursement.

How do you know if you are eligible for the 2018 reimbursement? Eligibility for 2018 is based on what your Medicare Part B premium was in 2016. The premium was listed on the Social Security Administration (SSA) letter you received in November, 2017. If the amount was GREATER than the standard amount of $134 (in some cases the standard amount might have been $109), you are eligible and should have applied for reimbursement.

If you did not apply for the 2018 reimbursement and are eligible, it is not too late to apply. You can download an application from the CSA Welfare Fund website, www.csawf.org. Be sure to include with the application a copy of the November 2017 SSA letter and the 2018 SSA-1099 Benefit Statement, if you collect Social Security. If you do not as of yet collect Social Security, include proof of payment – either copies of your credit

card statement and/or copies of your can-celled checks.

Change of AddressWe often get back many issues of

the CSA News as well as letters of com-munication from individual units and from here centrally. If you change your mailing address, if you are a snowbird, change your email address or even your phone number, please keep us up to date. We share this information with the Welfare Fund as well, to ensure you get your reimbursements in a timely fashion. Contact Jessica@csa-nyc.org, Miata@csa-nyc.org or Tonya@csa-nyc.org.

One Day UniversityOne Day University brings together

professors from the finest universities in the country to present special versions of their very best lectures – live. Every uni-versity has a few professors that are wildly popular. One Day University works closely with these professors to develop the most engaging talks that inform and inspire the adult student for a day. The professors have won countless teaching awards and earned the highest possible ratings from their students on campus. Now we can engage with these professors for a truly unique and exhilarating day. There are no grades, no tests, no homework – just the pure joy of lifelong learning. CSA has been able to get a 50 percent discount – just use code CSA. Go to https://www.csa-nyc.org/one-day-university/ to review class offerings.

There’s a change of venue – our Dec. 4 meeting will be in a famil-iar setting, at MIMI’S in Lake Forest, 22651 Lake Forest Dr., Lake Forest, CA, 92630. We look forward to welcom-ing CSA First Vice President Rosemarie Sinclair. All CSA retirees and family are welcome. Join us! RSVPs by Dec. 1 to lamesagramsey@gmail.com.

— Carol rainey

PACIFIC COAST We held our annual fall general

membership meeting on Oct. 23 at Tribeca Tavern in Cary, NC. CSA First Vice President Rosemarie Sinclair brought us updates on CSA negotiations and activities. We enjoyed a variety of delicious dishes followed by dessert with coffee or tea. Founding members Ella Ivy Royall, our former unit leader, and Gertrude Cromwell, our former treasurer, passed the leadership baton to newly elected Unit Leader Yvonne Gardner and Treasurer Guendalina Shaw-Pieters. Everyone in our unit is grateful to Ella for more than ten years of dedicated leadership. We look forward to kicking off 2020 with a variety of activities about which we will be sending you details in the near future. For information about the Carolinas Unit, please contact me at nycurryg@aol.com.

— yvonne Gardner

CAROLINAS

Unions Push For Safe Numbers Of Nurses

death, yet some hospitals, clinics and other institutions consider them less important than being profitable,” said New York City Comptroller Scott Stringer. “The Department of Health owes it to our loved ones and to the people of New York to ensure strong language on minimum healthcare worker-to-patient ratios is included in their findings.”

New York State Alliance of Retired Persons President Barry Kaufmann said, “It’s theoret-ical that safe staffing saves lives, but for my members, it’s a reality. It prevents burnout and allows nurses to spend time with their patients.

Not surprisingly, hospitals and the groups that represent them oppose staffing ratios. A report by the Health Department is due by the end of the year. Legislation establishing ratios has been introduced repeatedly in Albany. A current proposal is languishing.

Retirees Enjoy Autumn In Florida Sunn Oct. 28 was a beautiful day on Sarasota Bay for the Suncoast Retirees on the Marina Jack II for a lovely luncheon cruise.

Regional Unit Activities

Thanks to Norman Sherman for the Medicare Workshop. Those who attended our Nov. 4 dine-around event had a great time. Our holiday party will be Dec. 16, 4-6 pm at the Civic Center in Delray Beach. I hope you all attend. Our annual health/welfare meeting with guests from head-quarters will be at the Civic Center from 10 – 3 pm Jan. 13. Lunch will be included.

— lois TureTzky

SOUTHEAST FLORIDA

CHUCK WILBANKS

n On Oct. 22, nurses represented by several labor unions rallied to push for safer nurse-to-patient ratios.

We will sponsor a holiday celebra-tion on Dec. 5, at the Olde Stone Mill Restaurant in Tuckahoe NY. Contact Janice for additional information. We are working on our Winter newsletter. If you have any suggestions, please send them to Janice at LoHudCSA@aol.com. Our best to all of our members for a very Happy Thanksgiving.

— JaniCe imundi

LOWER HUDSON VALLEY

pervasiveness of racial inequality and injus-tice within the South Carolina Lowcountry, the South in general and the country at large. Mr. Campbell, profiled by CSA News in 2018, was born in 1925. He worked as a teacher in Baltimore, New York and for many years in Tanzania, before he returned to New York and became involved in civil rights work within

the DOE. He was a longtime assistant principal at PS 123, Mahalia Jackson Elementary School, in Harlem, where he retired in 1991. After his return to his native Charleston, he became a commu-nity activist and has continued his involvement with educational initiatives.

—CW

Scholarship Named For Retiree

AARP Driver Safety ProgramDefensive Driving Classes – 6 Hrs of Instruction

Monday, December 16, 2019 at 9:30 AM

Name

Address

Home or Cell Number:

E-mail Address:Mail coupon to: CSA Retiree Chapter, 40 Rector Street, 12th Fl., NY, NY 10006. For information: (212) 823-2020, ext.2079 or e-mail Lucie@csa-nyc.org. INCLUDE A COPY OF YOUR VALID DRIVER’S LICENSE AND IF APPLICABLE YOUR CURRENT AARP MEMBERSHIP CARD.* Checks payable to AARP: $20.00 for AARP members and $25.00 for non-members.

Class will be at CSA headquarters: 40 Rector Street, 12th Floor, NYCAll CSA members are welcome. Online registration is not available*.Register by mailing coupon below.1. Send check with the coupon: AARP members $20; non-members $252. Send copy of valid driver’s license and copy of current AARP mem-

bership, if applicable.A letter of confirmation will be sent. Participants must bring to class

their valid driver’s license and current AARP membership card. Light refreshments will be provided, and you are welcome to bring a bag lunch.

Driver Safety ProgramMONDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2019

Upcoming EventsFinance Lecture Date: Tuesday, 12/10 time: 10:30 am – 12 noonLocation: CSA HeadquartersFee: $10

Alvin Ailey Theater & Lunch Date: Thursday, 12/12 time: 9:30 amLocation: 405 West 55th Street, NYCFee: $60

Radio City’s Christmas Spectacular ShowDate: Tuesday, 12/17 time: 4:30 pm – 6:30 pmLocation: 405 West 55th Street, NYCFee: 1st Mezz. Row A, Seats 600 - $110 1st Mezzanine Row G, Seats 300 - $100Dinner (optionaL)

For more info, call (212) 823-2020.

Preparations are complete for our Dec. 6 meeting at the Casa Grande library. We will honor past unit chair, Maishe Levitan and his wife, Roberta for tireless service to our unit. CSA First Vice President Rosemarie Sinclair will deliver greetings from CSA. We welcome any winter visi-tors. Questions may be addressed to: CSASouthwestunit@gmail.com.

—sTephanie Thier

SOUTHWEST

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19 Periodicals

US POSTAGE PAID ATBrooklyn, NY 11201and Additional Mailing Office

Council of School Supervisors & Administrators, NYCNew York State Federation of School AdministratorsLocal 1 AFSA, AFL-CIO40 Rector St., NY, NY 10006

Printed on FSC certified paper

All Around New York City, Welcoming New CSA Members

By Craig DiFolco

Throughout September and October, CSA once again welcomed and celebrated its new

members at nine receptions across the five boroughs. The gatherings were well-attended and energetic, and afforded districts the opportunity to cel-ebrate new members, network, and share information on the status of contract negotiations. Congratulations to those who have joined our union over the last year and thank you to all those whose efforts made these events so successful. If any new member would like a copy of their photo taken during the reception, please email craig@csa-nyc.org.

PHOTOS BY CHUCK WILBANKS AND CRAIG DIFOLCO

n At an October Manhattan gathering, members heard from Field Director Wanda Soto.n Happy members in Staten Island at an Oct. 3 reception.

n ABOVE: CSA Vice President Henry Rubio dis-cusses union matters with members in Oct. 23 Queens South meeting

n RIGHT: Part of a packed venue at Sheepshead Bay, honoring new members in Brooklyn South on Oct. 7.

n FAR RIGHT: CSA President Mark Cannizzaro speaks to a group of members in the Bronx on Sept. 24.

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