MEMORANDUM

Memo To:   All Buffalo Teachers

From:         Philip Rumore, President, BTF

Date:          March 11, 2020

Subject:     Coronavirus Concerns

We will keep you advised of any issues relating to the coronavirus.

Enclosed, as per our commitment to keep you informed, is a copy of the most recent correspondence to the District.

If, after a reasonable time, the issues are not corrected, please advise us via e-mail to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

We have been advised that the pallets of antiviral supplies have begun to arrive in quantity and are being distributed.

Two days/week have apparently been designated as “deep cleaning” days. I believe Tuesday and Thursday.

The District will be communicating with you regarding this and other important issues.

We have also been advised that the two (2) District employees (we believe and administrator and teacher) and two (2) students who were in quarantine do not have coronavirus and have been cleared to return to school. We still have no known cases in the schools and county.

Please continue to take care on your spring break travels and other gatherings where people from other areas will be.

We will continue to work with the District. We don’t want panic. We want preparedness and prevention to ensure that no student, staff member, or anyone in our community, becomes infected with the Coronavirus.


PR:su


Encl:   Memo to Superintendent Cash 3/10/2020 (Click Here)

MEMORANDUM

Memo To:   All Buffalo Teachers

From:         Philip Rumore, President, BTF

Date:          March 11, 2020

Subject:     Cancellation of Executive Committee and Council of Delegates Meetings

Out of concern for you, your family’s and your students’ well-being, we are canceling tonight’s (March 12, 2020) Executive Committee and Council of Delegates meeting.

While the risk of exposure is very minor, any risk is unacceptable.

In many cases, students (children) and adults don’t realize they have been infected for days until the symptoms present themselves.

The materials will be sent out in the PONY for your review. If you have any questions, just call BTF.

We will communicate issues via email as we have been.

Thank you for your understanding and support.

PR:su

MEMORANDUM

Memo To:   All Buffalo Teachers

From:         Philip Rumore, President, BTF

Date:          March 12, 2020

Subject:     Coronavirus Concerns

Attached, (click here) please find copies of correspondence sent to the district today.

Apparently, one of the deep cleaning days is Saturday.

The Superintendent and I have been in contact regarding the issues. As they are revived, he advised me that he is having them addressed by staff.

He will also continue to communicate with all concerned.

The BTF will be seeking State Ed. guidance, i.e. What are the procedures if x, if y, etc. Lets not wait until x, y, etc.

What is the plan for various scenarios and districts?


PR:su

MEMORANDUM

Memo To:   All Buffalo Teachers

From:         Philip Rumore, President, BTF

Date:          March 13, 2020

Subject:     Coronavirus

We must and will continue to work together to ensure the health of our students, families and community.

Whether all or some schools will be closed is uncertain at this time. If and when such action is taken, we will be providing guidance and working with the District to answer questions and provide information.

Obviously, there are additional concerns in cities like ours, i.e. students’ breakfast and lunch, no internet, etc. These concerns cannot, however, prevent actions that ensure the health of our community.

The worldwide shortage of antibacterial and similar products is obviously a concern, as is the lack of tests, state and national what if a, b, c, etc. plans.

The District is continuing to receive and distribute supplies as they are received. The Superintendent has advised us that such supplies in school offices are to be made available to staff. While engineers/custodial staff are working with us, if you believe it necessary, you can also ask for materials to clean areas you believe need to be cleaned. The Superintendent has advised us that he is sending a team to investigate all the concerns raised.

There is a document relating to the 180-day student attendance requirement being circulated. It has 12/16/2019 at the top and 12/13/2019 at the bottom.

This was intended to address “snow days” and did not anticipate the coronavirus.

NYSUT is seeking clarification on this. NYSED is expected to issue clarification on this and other issues today. They will be forwarded as they are received.

We will continue to forward your concerns to the District for action. If after a reasonable period your concerns are not addressed, email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

If schools are closed we will all continue to work together to ensure that our students receive meals and the instruction they need. Some teachers have indicated that they have already worked with their students to provide lessons.

Depending on the circumstances, although hours will be adjusted, the BTF office will be open. We will ask that any concerns be accomplished via phone or email, unless an appointment has been made.

Documents can of course be placed through the mail slot whether the office is open or closed.

We have been advised that the Governor is expected to make an announcement relating to schools at 2:00 pm today.

We will keep you informed, as always.

Please be careful and be overcautious.

PR:su

MEMORANDUM

Memo To:   All Buffalo Teachers

From:         Philip Rumore, President, BTF

Date:          March 16, 2020

Subject:     Update

First, thank you to all the teachers who expressed their commitment to work together to prevent this virus from spreading and to also find ways to work with their students while being concerned about your and your families wellbeing.

No surprise here – we are teachers.

As per our previous update, the BTF will remain open – possibly with different hours. We ask that there be no visits to the office unless you have an appointment. This is for your safety as well as the staff’s. Forms, etc. can as always be put through the mail slot whether we are closed or not. Most forms are online www.btfny.org.

We will continue to update you as we have been.

Recent Events:

• We have been, and will continue to be, in contact with the Superintendent, NYSUT, Board of Regents, etc.
• The number one concern is and will be safety.
• The Governor’s original 170-day student attendance waiver (click here) required the use of all “snow “ and “vacation” days prior to being in effect.
  In other words, if schools were closed and all the “snow” and “vacation” days had not been used, the days would have to be taken from the spring recess.
  Or another way, if you did not exceed your number of “snow” and “vacation” days, the 180 days requirement was still in effect and any days below 180 would be subtracted from spring break.
• There has been same rumor that teachers might not get paid. Of course you will be paid. Hopefully, you have direct deposit set up.
• We will be clarifying the concerns relating to the use of sick or personal leave. Will teachers be charged for today or any other day teachers do not report? Our position, they should not be. Hopefully, we won’t need to grieve this.
• We are seeking clarification on Tuesday and Wednesday’s District plans/schedules.
  As questions arise, we will email you with our responses.

Thank you again for your solidarity and commitment to work together and with all concerned.

Together, we will beat this virus and overcome all the obstacles placed in our path.

It won’t be easy but, it will be done.

PR:su

MEMORANDUM

Memo To:   All Buffalo Teachers

From:         Philip Rumore, President, BTF

Date:          March 17, 2020

Subject:     Update

• Teachers will not be reporting tomorrow, Wednesday, March 18, 2020
  
• Teachers are advised that if you are assigned to perform a duty/assignment that you believe will endanger your health or safety, you should advise your supervisor that you do not want to perform the duty/assignment because you believe it endangers your health and/or safety. If the administrator refuses to remove you from said assignment, you should advise him/her that you are respectfully refusing to perform the assignment as you believe it is detrimental to your health and/or safety and you have been advised that it is your legal right to refuse to perform work which poses an imminent threat to your safety and health.

• If your school is engaging in procedures you believe are endangering the health and safety of the staff, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. The District is correcting them as they are relayed to them. Attached (Click Here) is one procedure that makes sense. Some are having materials taken to parents cars.  

• As a result of the increased incidences of the coronavirus and to ensure the safety of our staff, the BTF office:
  • Will be open tomorrow, March 18, from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm.
  • Will be closed beginning Thursday, March 19, 2020 until Tuesday, March 24, 2020.
  • Will be open for one day from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm on Wednesday, March 25, 2020.
  • Will be closed Thursday, March 26, 2020, until further notice. 
  • As previously requested, we ask that there be no visits to the office unless you have an appointment.
  • Staff will be available via email.

Jenna Burke – This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Matt Kibler – This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Rob Mueller- This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Rebecca Pordum – This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Joseph Montante – This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Phil Rumore – This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and/or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

Click Here to view the staff assignment listing by school.

We appreciate your support and understanding as we overcome this very serious danger.

PR:su