District Testing/Vaccine Mandate/Other Updates 10.28.21

News, Alerts & Events

MEMORANDUM

Memo To: All Buffalo Teachers

From: Philip Rumore, President, BTF

Date: October 28, 2021

Subject: District Testing/Vaccine Mandate/Other Updates

COVID Testing/Vaccination
Yes, there are differences relating to mandating vaccinations, masks, etc. There always will be differences.
What Buffalo teachers and many other teachers have always done, is to attempt to, while disagreeing with one another, be open to discuss our differences without hostility, and continue to work together in the interests of our students.

From what I am hearing, this has continued through these difficult times.
You are the best. No, the very best.

- Phil

District COVID-19 Testing Directive
As per our last email to you, we have made a demand to negotiate the impact of the COVID-19 testing directive. If necessary, we will take further legal action.

We will also be in conference with NYSUT attorneys regarding the requirement for teachers to “agree, certify, and/or authorize the information above and further agree that I and my heirs, executors and assigns hereby release CEI, Affinity Empowering, and other reference laboratories, including their respective employees, agents, and contractors from any and all liability and claims” as well as other issues you have raised.

Please continue to advise your LRS (Click Here) of any lack of safety equipment, lack of COVID-19 testing available, or any serious issues.

Starting on Monday, we will be forwarding answers to questions asked by teachers that we have received from NYSUT and the Superintendent.

We will continue to do so as they are received.

Concurrent/Simultaneous Non-Instruction
We will have our first concurrent/virtual instruction negotiation session on Friday, October 29, 2021 (1:30–3:30).

Our position on Concurrent/Simultaneous non-instruction is, “No”.

We have checked with surrounding districts. Apparently, no other district is requiring concurrent/simultaneous non-education. This includes Niagara Falls and Rochester.

They apparently care about the education of their students.

Free BPO Music Pass for BPS High School Students
Free BPO Symphony Hall Passes will be made available to Buffalo students.

Flyers will be sent to all schools including PreK-8 as many Buffalo teachers have children who are Buffalo students. They are available for other students at a cost of $29.

We thank the sponsors George and Bodil Gellman for their generosity.

BTF Grievance - Lack of Payment to Teachers for Extra Activities
The BTF is currently proceeding in a grievance against the District for any extra pay that is lacking for the 2020-2021 school year. If you have previously submitted your information, we are asking that you do so again in this survey (Link Below), so we can access and provide this information to the District in a convenient format.

Please fill out a survey for each day/activity for which you are unpaid.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/CYMRRCP

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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