Services for Edith LeWin (Edie)

News, Alerts & Events

MEMORANDUM

Memo To: All Buffalo Teachers

From: Philip Rumore, President, BTF

Date: September 21, 2021

Subject: Services for Edith LeWin (Edie) – Updates

Services for Edie
Services for Edie will be held on Friday, September 24, 2021. Visitation will be from 9:00 am to 11:00 am at the Carlton A. Ullrich Funeral Home, Inc., 8630 Transit Road, East Amherst 14051 with a service beginning at 11:00 am at the Funeral Home. “Committal” to follow at Elmlawn Cemetery, 3939 Delaware Avenue, Kenmore, NY 14217. The obituary will be in The Buffalo News on Wednesday, September 22 and Thursday, September 23, 2021.

The BTF office will be closed on Friday, September 24, 2021 so that our staff can attend the services for Edie.

Thank you for your understanding.

BTF Endorsement
As is often the case, The Buffalo News incorrectly indicated that the BTF had endorsed India Walton for Mayor of Buffalo in the general election.

That is not true.

We endorsed her and some others for the primary election. At its October meeting, the Council of Delegates, as per our procedures, will vote on endorsements in the general elections.

The statement made by the Mayor to James Heaney of the Investigative Post, reported in The Buffalo News article, that many found troubling, can be found here. (https://youtu.be/33doHFraFyk)

Teachers who called me, and others who commented at the time, questioned if he would have made both statements if the reporter was a reporter of color.

That he made the statements at all is what troubled me is what I relayed to all that called.

Possible Illegal Strike
We have been advised that correspondence is circulating in some school districts calling for a “Massive Call-In Sick-Day” on Wednesday, September 22, 2021.

This is apparently in reaction to the actions taken by the “superintendents, boards, governor and legislators” relating to COVID-19 and its variants and to “Bring the District to Their Knees”.

The BTF does not support or condone this “Massive Call-In Sick Day”.

Please be advised that if you participate, this might be construed as an unlawful strike under the Taylor Law and the District could, among other things, proceed to deduct two days of your pay for each day that such conduct occurs, as well as bring disciplinary action against you seeking your suspension without pay and/or your termination of employment.

While BTF stands ready to pursue issues through grievance and other contract action, please be advised that BTF does not authorize, approve, condone, consent, support or recommend unlawful strike activity such as said “Massive Call-In Sick Day” and strongly advises that members do not engage in such conduct.

PR:su

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.

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