Updates 5.18.21

News, Alerts & Events

MEMORANDUM

Memo To: All Buffalo Teachers

From: Philip Rumore, President, BTF

Date: May 18, 2021

Subject: Updates

Masks
The latest correspondence from the District indicates that there is no change, at this time, in relation to the wearing of masks in the B.P.S. (Click Here)

Note: The BTF masks that we ordered from a USA vendor have finally arrived and will be sent to schools/sites! The insert refills are very reasonable and available from local stores and Amazon.

While we all hope they will be unnecessary soon, please wear them with pride.

Once in the schools/sites, we will set a day for all, who wish, to wear them as a demonstration of our caring, pride, and solidarity.

B.P.S. Data Breach
As per our last correspondence (Click Here), we will be seeking damages and District payment for the services of Kroll.

We know that the District has put out what we consider incomplete information. We will be working with our NYSUT staff and attorneys, and parents to pursue legal action with the N.Y.S. Attorney General and others.

Use of Federal Funding
We will be presenting a resolution reflecting the important future planning for the use of the over $40,000,000 as per our May 11, 2021 correspondence to you and the District (Click Here) as well as other critical issues. Part of the resolution will call for us to work with parents to have the use of these funds be approved by the school Site-Based Management Teams (SBMTs)

Building Elections
Since teachers are now in buildings, packets describing the procedures for electing building Delegates,Alternates, and Building Committee members are being sent to all Delegate Chairs. Now that teachers are back in school, the elections will be done using the standard procedures. Please look for a notice of your building’s election where BTF information is normally posted. The term of office of the new Delegates, Alternates, and Building Committee members will begin with the Council of Delegates meeting on June 17, 2021 and end with the close of the school day on the day of the June 2022 Council meeting.

BTF Award
Each year, the BTF presents a certificate to an outstanding student in grades 8 and 12. The form for the 2021 BTF Outstanding Award has been emailed to each Delegate Chair. If your school did not receive the notice, please call the BTF at 881-5400.

Please stay well. Take no chances.

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

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.

Guests Online

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