MEMORANDUM

Memo To:   All Buffalo Teachers

From:         Philip Rumore, President, BTF

Date:          March 22, 2021

Subject:     Important BTF School Health and Safety Assessment

Attached, please find a copy of the BTF School Health and Safety Assessment referred to in the recent correspondence to all teachers.

Thank you, as always, for your invaluable assistance to ensure that there are and continue to be healthy and safe conditions in our schools.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/FNQQKM5

PR:su

MEMORANDUM

Memo To:   All Buffalo Teachers

From:         Philip Rumore, President, BTF

Date:          March 22, 2021

Subject:     Reopening/Transfer Deadline Extension

We have and we will continue to work together to ensure that our schools are and remain safe.

Yes, teachers want to be back with students and colleagues. The public and some administrators have no understanding of the hours and hours of work and stress that you are under to help your students.

However, we need to ensure the safety of all.

With your help, we have:

• Had major modifications made to some schools/sites.
• Increased the cleanliness of some schools/sites.
• Worked to ensure that there are some health and safety procedures in schools/sites.
• Worked to provide more access to the vaccine for educators.
• Worked to ensure that the reopening of schools for students is done carefully (in some cases, not carefully enough.)
• Worked on Local, State and Federal levels to slow down the political pressure to unsafely reopen schools/sites.
• Worked on a State and Federal level to secure a major increase in funding for our schools.

Indeed, we have been successful in having Federal Legislation prevent local governments from cutting back on their share of funding.

We have done much together; however, we can not rest until our schools are providing a safe education for all.

Therefore, we ask for your support again.

We ask that Delegate Chairpersons and Building Committee members, who have, with your input, provided invaluable information, once again complete the attached BTF Health and Safety Assessment. (Click Here) This is a copy of what will be sent to your representatives.

It will be sent today to those representatives for whom we have information. If you do not receive an Assessment by Tuesday, please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

With your help, we have accomplished much; however, we can’t end our vigil.

No one will know the loss of lives or serious injuries our actions have prevented.

We have and will continue to act in the best interests of all.

We are Buffalo teachers.

Transfer Deadline Extended
A memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed today extending the date to apply for a transfer from March 23, 2021 to April 16, 2021.

It was sent to the District previously but somehow was lost in their computer system.

PR:su

MEMORANDUM

Memo To:   Dr. Kriner Cash
                    Member, Buffalo Board of Education

From:         Philip Rumore, President, BTF

Date:          March 18, 2021

Subject:     Reopening/Transfer Deadline Extension

In response to teachers’ and some parents’ concerns, we provided a quick survey of teachers to determine the effectiveness of Concurrent Instruction and other similar issues (Click Here).

In just two (2) days, we had over two hundred (200) responses. Within just five (5) days, we had over two hundred ninety-nine (299) responses.

The results from teachers are extremely troubling. For example, of the teachers reporting, the results are that Concurrent Instruction:

• 83.61% (250*) Total - is detrimental to the education (35.45% or 106*) plus (48.16% or 144*) is providing a poor education for students.
• 1.34% (4*) Is providing an excellent education for students.
• 15.05% (45*) Is providing a fair education for students.
• 69.96% (184*) Has caused parents to remove students from in-person learning.
• 30.04% (79*) Has resulted in parent support for concurrent learning.
• 79.5% (234*) Total - has resulted in poor (40.549% or 120*) or very poor (38.51% or 114*) student virtual attendance.

Has resulted in:

• 62.7% (153*) Two (2) to three (3) students leaving in-person instruction
• 14.34% (35*) Four (4) to five (5) students leaving in-person instruction
• 22.95% (56*) More than five (5) students leaving in-person instruction
  
  

Concurrent Instruction, where students move from room to room, has also adversely impacted the education of students by seriously decreasing instruction time because:

• 53.28% (146*) In addition to travel time lost, instructional time is lost due to the time taken to admit the virtual students.
• 16.79% (46*) Of the time taken for students to set-up their devices.

Students moving from room to room also presents serious health and safety issues as a result of:

• 65.93% (178*) Room can’t be sanitized between classes.
• 46.67% (126*) Students do not observe social distancing.

* Responses

We have also included written teacher statements relating to the very serious issues causing the harmful educational impact of Concurrent Instruction (Click Here). Yes, there are many. If you really care, as we hope you will, you will read them all. I did. As you can see these are just from March 12-16, 2021.

Teachers are extremely concerned with the serious detrimental harm Concurrent Instruction is having on our students.

Some other districts have ended Concurrent Instruction in various ways, e.g. having one group provide the virtual instruction and another provide the in-person instruction.

We look forward to working with the District to end what is obviously detrimental to our students’ education.

We and many teachers await your response.

PR:su

MEMORANDUM

Memo To:   All Buffalo Teachers

From:         Philip Rumore, President, BTF

Date:          April 12, 2021

Subject:     New State Guidance/School Conditions

Attached, please find a copy of the new State “Interim Guidance for In-Person Instruction at Pre-K to Grade 12 Schools During the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency”. (Click Here)

Some of the sections have been underlined to indicate sections of interest.

The first part is more of an overview. The following parts go into more detail.

Some points of interest:

1. A plan “with opportunities” for feedback must be developed, posted, and submitted to NYSED and the Local Health Department, Erie County Department of Health.

The Local Health Department is charged with ensuring the enforcement of these minimum standards (pg. 1).

2. Six feet (6 ft.) of separation must be maintained between adults and adults and students (pg. 8).

3. When eating and masks are off, six feet (6 ft.) of distance must be maintained, e.g. in classroom when students are eating (pg. 8).

4. “logs that include the date, time and scope of cleaning and disinfection, as well as identify cleaning and disinfection frequency for each facility and area type” must be kept. (pg. 3, 15)

5. Individuals testing positive or with symptoms must be immediately sent home (pg. 6, 7, 21)

6. Cleaning and disinfecting of areas occupied by suspected or confirmed COVID-19 cases (pg. 17-18):

a. Close off area(s)
b. Open windows
c. Wait 24 hours before cleaned or disinfected (unless not feasible)
d. Restrict access to area(s)

7. Protection for students, faculty and staff who are at increased risk and “individuals who may not feel comfortable returning to an in-person educational environment” (pg. 4):

a. May include remote learning or telework
b. May include additional PPE

8. Ventilation/Filtration Recommendations (pg. 11-13)

a. “Classrooms” with Mechanical Ventilation

i. Upgrade to MERV-13 or higher
ii. Keep bathroom exhaust systems running 24/7
iii. Run one week prior to reopening
iv. “Flush” building air for at least two hours prior to and one hour after occupancy

b. Classrooms without Mechanical Ventilation

i. Use portable air cleaner with MERV-13 or greater
ii. Confirm unit can deliver at least two (2) air turnovers per hour (400 sq. ft.)

9. Cohorts are when students are grouped for the school year (pg. 13)

The above is an overview done quickly to provide you with information that you need to have.

It is a long document but it contains much information.

As more is clarified we will update you.

Once a plan is developed, a copy will be sent to all teachers for a vote on its approval or disapproval.

See also Buffalo News article “Citing surges among youth, Erie County urges caution in returning to in-person learning”, April 11, 2021.

“We will also be requesting a copy of the procedures that will be used to seek your input on said “plan”.

Now that you are back, we will also be surveying the schools/sites to see if the issues you have reported have been corrected.

Stay Tuned.

Please stay well. Take no chances.

MEMORANDUM

Memo To:   All Buffalo Teachers

From:         Philip Rumore, President, BTF

Date:          April 14, 2021

Subject:     Administrator/District Non-Compliance with New York State Department of Health Guidance

We continue to hear of instances where the recent NYS Department of Health Guidance relating to the COVID-19 virus is not being followed by some administrators.

This is not only wrong, but it risks the lives and well-being of all students, parents, employees and our community.

We will continue our battle for safe schools/sites as we have in court, in the media, with the help of parents and, on a state level… wherever we can.

Enclosed, please find copies of some of the pages of the New York State Department of Health “Interim Guidance for In-Person Instruction at Pre-K to Grade 12 Schools During the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency” that we emailed to you on Monday, April 12, 2021. (Click Here)

As you know from reading the complete document, there are many more important sections, some of which I have underlined in the document sent to you on April 12, 2021.

However, if any of the procedures in the pages attached here (or any for that matter) are not being followed by your administrator(s), show them a copy of the relevant page(s) and inform them that you have been asked to notify BTF of the infraction(s).

Then notify your LRS (Click Here) and This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

We will forward the information to the District and appropriate parties. No teachers’ names will be used.
One teacher has said that I have been overly dramatic in my correspondence.

If that and legal action is what it takes to ensure the safety of all, you can count on more.

The April 13, 2021 letter to the Superintendent you received has been forwarded to the media, parents, our state, etc.

Please stay well. Take no chances.

PR:su

MEMORANDUM

Memo To:   All Buffalo Teachers

From:         Philip Rumore, President, BTF

Date:          April 19, 2021

Subject:     Updates, COVID-19, Negotiations, Etc.

COVID-19
Thank you for keeping us informed of the COVID-19 issues in your school/site. We are forwarding them to the Superintendent, Board, parent organizations and when necessary, to the media.

Teachers, who are also under great stress, want to be back with their students; however, we must continue to ensure that it is and remains safe for all.

Much has been said about the confirmed cases not occurring in schools. First, most of our students aren’t in school. Second, what if the over 300 identified students had been in schools?

Together we can and will ensure that our students are back and that the conditions are and remain safe for all. To follow the daily District Log of COVID-19 cases, Click Here.

If they are not correct contact your LRS (Click Here) and email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Negotiations
As you know, the BTF, District and Mediator, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the severe financial problems of the District, all agreed to put negotiations on hold until conditions improved.

The date agreed upon was April 14, 2021.

The District and PERB-appointed mediator have been informed that the BTF is ready to resume negotiations as soon as the mediator and the District can schedule meetings.

Obviously, in light of the historic State and Federal resources, that are just now and will in the future be available, our decision to pause negotiations was correct. We now have far greater resources available than we had previously.

As you know, the BTF has, with NYSUT and our legislators, been fighting to restore what is called Foundation Aid.

Foundation Aid is the aid that was to come to school districts as a result of New York State being found guilty of violating its constitution by not providing all students with “a sound basic education”.

We have continued to point out and to fight for (to all in government – yes, also the governor), that our students have been deprived of over millions of dollars in Foundation Aid.

We have also continued to support Michael Rebell, lead attorney in the first case, on a current case.

The funding formula will now be phased in: 50% year 1, 75% year 2 and 100% year 3.

We are working with NYSUT to clarify how the Federal Funding can also be used.

As we have always said, with your continued solidarity, we will achieve a contract that reflects your dedication and commitment to our students and to each other, one not just comparable to surrounding districts, but superior to them.

You deserve and will receive nothing less.

Stay tuned.

Scholarships Available
Scholarships funded by a BTF settlement, earmarked first for the children of Buffalo teachers, are being administered by The Community Foundation of Greater Buffalo.

Scholarships for the 2021-22 academic year will be awarded this spring.

Students who currently are high school seniors or are already enrolled in an accredited program are encouraged to apply.

Money is allocated first for the children of Buffalo Teachers. Awards range from $1000-$6000.

The application process opened on January 1st and closes May 1st.

To apply, visit www.cfgb.org and click on the ‘Scholarships’ tab. You also may call the CFGB at 852-2857.

Please stay well, take no chances.