Teachers, as well as some parents, have registered concerns relating to the number and cost of items some students are asked to bring to school. Indeed, many teachers are, as is too often the case, paying for the supplies themselves.

Of course, there are items that students should bring from home; however, some schools are requiring students to bring in items that the district should be providing, so that those students whose parents can not or choose to not provide, aren’t stigmatized, made to be ashamed, or teased by other students.

In order to determine the extent of this issue, please complete the following survey and return it to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

• School
• Grade Level
• Items parents/students required to bring to school
• Required by?  School, District, Other?
• Person reporting/contact information—we will not disclose your name/contact info

We will take action in cooperation with parents to correct this issue.

PR:su

Signs demanding action on a new, excellent contract and protesting the insulting treatment of Buffalo teachers by the Superintendent and School Board are available at BTF Headquarters (8 am-5 pm—271 Porter Ave, Buffalo, NY 14201—(716) 881-5400). We will stay later if necessary.

They can be used:

• For our Solidarity Rally before the Board meeting on Wednesday, September 18, from 4 pm-5 pm. We will attend the Board meeting which starts at 5:30 pm. Currently it is scheduled at City Hall. If there is a change, we will notify you.
• For Solidarity Demonstrations at schools. We will be announcing Solidarity Day demonstrations where teachers will march together ½ hour before school starts and enter together.
• For future solidarity rallies and demonstrations.
  Please call BTF before you come so that we can have your signs ready for you.

OUR SOLIDARITY

WILL NOT BE BROKEN

NOT NOW

NOT EVER

PR:su

Solidarity Rally  

THE SEPTEMBER 18, 2019 BOARD MEETING HAS BEEN MOVED FROM CITY HALL TO WATERFRONT SCHOOL.

OUR SOLIDARITY RALLY WILL TAKE PLACE IN FRONT OF WATERFRONT SCHOOL FROM 4-5 PM. PARKING IS AVAILABLE IN THE SCHOOL PARKING LOTS AND ON THE STREET.

After the rally outside, we will all put our signs in our cars and show our solidarity and anger at the Board meeting in the Waterfront auditorium.

I will be addressing the Board on your behalf.

Members of the District are discounting your anger and solidarity. They think we will be lucky to have a “couple hundred” teachers at our Rally.
Let’s send them the message –
NO MORE INSULTS.
NO MORE DELAYS.
A NEW EXCELLENT CONTRACT NOW.
Let’s have the largest turnout ever!

Signs are available at the BTF Headquarters. Please call before you come to ensure we have them ready for your school.

PR:su

Buffalo teachers are asked to join the striking UAW autoworkers on their picket line.

As One Union Goes,
All Unions Go.
As One Union Succeeds,
All Unions Succeed.

Let’s wear BTF shirts, badges, etc.

We’ll see you there

PR:su

Hispanic Heritage TV Spots

Below is an update of the Hispanic Heritage TV spots to be aired, in support of the Hispanic Community, on WIVB/WNLO.

We will update you as they continue.

Solidarity Rally

You are the Best! Great demonstration of solidarity. Thank you for sending the Superintendent and Board the message that they will never break our solidarity, nor will we accept any more delays and insults. NOT NOW - NOT EVER.

Reminder of Support for Auto Workers

Wear your BTF shirt and join the striking UAW autoworkers on their picket line on Saturday, September 21, 2019 from 1:00 to 2:00 pm at the General Motors Plant (2995 River Road). BTF will be bringing 5 cases of water and 50 subs.

PR:su

The BTF Council of Delegates was so angered by an overview of the contract proposals, apparently approved by the Superintendent and Board of Education, a motion was unanimously passed to forward the overview to all Buffalo teachers.

While most of the Superintendent’s and Board’s proposals were met with anger, a couple involving the education of students stood out.

• Proposals V a) (ii) and VI b)

Removing the mandate for Art/Music/PE in K-6

• VII a)

Eliminating the requirement for teachers to have adequate teaching supplies

• XII b)

Removing “If mutually agreed that the pupil’s behavior cannot be expected to improve another placement will be provided.”

• XXIII b)

Days absent for death in family must be used consecutively and within two weeks of the family member’s death.

Yes, there were many more (almost all) of the proposals that were seen as insulting and as an attack on teachers, who are, under the most difficult circumstances, dedicated to providing our students with the finest education possible.

Although it was not part of the motion, I am including an overview of our contract proposals.

You should note that unlike the Superintendent’s and Board’s proposals that include nothing that addresses improving teaching and learning conditions for our students, our proposals include many to improve the education of our students, e.g.

• Lowering and capping class sizes
  
• For class size purposes counting students years behind in reading and math as 2 or 3 so that they can get increased support
  
• Lowering class sizes and more support for our many ENL students
  
• More school guidance counselors, social workers and attendance teachers to support our students
  
• Increasing Art/ Music and PE in primary grades
  
• Increased money for supplies
  
• Ensuring that psychologists and social workers have time to work with students
  
• Increased library service for students

Oh, and did you notice the Superintendent and Board made no salary proposal?

They said they were waiting to see ours?!

PR:su

Click Here to View BTF Interpretation of Superintendent’s And Board’s Negotiations Proposals

Click Here to View an Overview of the BTF Contract Proposals