News, Alerts & Events

MEMORANDUM

 

 

Memo To:   All Buffalo Teachers

From:         Philip Rumore, President, BTF

Date:          March 9, 2021

 

Subject:     Court/Vaccine Update


Court Meeting
We met with Judge Colaiacovo, who, as you know, ruled against our motion to close the schools until an arbitrator could decide if our contract had been violated because the schools were unsafe.

 

While he made no new rulings at this time, he set a further meeting for May 20, 2021 or sooner if necessary.
We will of course be continuing with an arbitration, continue to report health and safety issues in the schools and seek all possible other legal actions to ensure that our schools are safe.

Vaccination
As you know, we have been working to secure more vaccine access for teachers (and also staff). While we have not, as yet, succeeded in having the vaccine available in schools, our and NYSUT’s work has resulted in the vaccine being available to teachers at pharmacies. More will become public soon.

Correspondence to District
We, to bolster our position in court and other legal proceedings, will continue to identify health and safety issues in our schools.

 

Thank you for taking the time to keep us informed during these stressful times. (Click Here – Letter to Superintendent and Board)

 

We will continue to fight using all available means to ensure that our schools become and remain safe.

 

Please stay well. Take no chances.

 

 

Important Information

  • The Annual Professional Performance Review (APPR) Information 

    The APPR is a process by which teachers are evaluated in NYS. The intent of APPR is to assist educators to improve the quality of instruction in schools and to improve students' performance for colleges and careers. District APPR plans must meet strict state guidelines and be negotiated with local unions. Under state guidelines, APPR takes into account classroom observations and student performance. Teachers across NYS receive an overall effectiveness rating every year.

     

    APPR is complex and can often be overwhelming.  Click here to keep up to date on all the current APPR information.

  • Opt-Out Information 

    Teachers and parents share deep concerns about the standardized tests used by NYS for accountability purposes that include; stress on students, in-appropriateness and lack of validity of the Common Core-aligned tests, loss of learning time, and lack of transparency on state test content. Parents who decide it is not in their children’s best interests to take these assessments are part of an “Opt-Out” movement. BTF fully supports parents’ right to choose what is best for their children.

     

    Click here to keep up to date on the "Opt-Out" movement and other information.

  • COVID-19 Information


    For our members, BTF has collected COVID-19 resources from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, World Health Organization, as well as our affiliates, NYSUT, the American Federation of Teachers and the National Education Association. Together we must, and will, be proactive to ensure that Coronavirus does not infect and spread to our students, staff and community.
     
    Click here to view recent information and writen correspondence. The BTF will post more information as it becomes available.

Buffalo Teachers Federation

 officers 2023
 
The Buffalo Teachers Federation is the professional union that represents over 3800 contract, probationary and temporary teachers of the Buffalo Public Schools.

 The BTF is proud to be a member of New York State United Teachers and affiliated nationally with the National Education Association and American Federation of Teachers.
          
 We invite you to explore our website for information and resources specifically for our members and retirees.

Calendar

 March 2025
 13   Executive Committee Meeting - 5:30 pm
 13    Council of Delegates Meeting - 7:00 pm      
 25   BTF Retirement Seminar
 
 April 2025
  11   BTF Office Closed at 4:00 pm
14-21   Spring Recess       
  24   Executive Committee Meeting - 5:30 pm   
  24   Council of Delegates Meeting - 7:00 pm      
     

Office Information

Mailing Address:
Buffalo Teachers Federation
271 Porter Avenue
Buffalo, New York 14201
Phone: 716-881-5400
 
Supplemental Benefit Fund:
Phone: 716-881-5462
Fax:     716-881-0580
 
Hours of Operation:
Monday to Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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