MEMORANDUM

Memo To:   All Buffalo Teachers

From:         Philip Rumore, President, BTF

Date:          April 21, 2022

Subject:     May 14, 2022 Murders

To believe that violence and murder, yes murder, born out of racism and hatred can’t happen here, is not only a denial of reality, but a formula for its spread (Click Here).

We all know that working with students, understanding their needs, the needs of their families and the racial and social barriers they face daily, is critical to their and everyone’s well-being.

That is why we are continuing to fight on a State and National level for:

• Earmarked Federal funding for school counselors, school psychologists, school social workers, school attendance teachers, etc. with a defined caseload, e.g. 120/1.
• Earmarked Federal funding to provide sufficient security personnel who will also be trained to gain the confidence of students to relate any concerns.
• Earmarked Federal funding for community organizations that have experience working with students to prevent acts of violence and disruption.
• De-escalating techniques for all staff and parents.
• Earmarked Federal funding to provide additional security measures for any District/School that needs them, without taking away from students’ other educational needs programs.
• Other critical school security needs identified by a school district and its school staff.

Randy Weingarten, President of AFT, and Becky Pringle, President of NEA, our two National affiliates, and Andy Pallotta, NYSUT President, have called to offer support. They will work with us to ensure that we have the resources we need, not just now but for the future.

We will advise you and participate in upcoming rallies.

Among those we know of, who were murdered or harmed:

Roberta A. Drury, 32, of Buffalo
Margus D. Morrison, 52, of Buffalo
Andre Mackneil, 53, of Auburn, New York
Aaron Salter, 55, of Lockport, New York
Geraldine Talley, 62, of Buffalo
Celestine Chaney, 65, of Buffalo
Heyward Patterson, 67, of Buffalo
Katherine Massey, 72, of Buffalo
Pearl Young, 77, of Buffalo
Ruth Whitfield, 86, of Buffalo
Zaire Goodman, 20, of Buffalo, was treated and released from hospital
Jennifer Warrington, 50, of Tonawanda, New York, was treated and released from hospital
Christopher Braden, 55, of Lackawanna, New York, had non-life-threatening injuries

BTF Press Release Confusion
Even though the subject line of your email was “February 17, 2022 BTF Press Release”, obviously after reading it and seeing its date, May 15, 2022, you realized that it was not from February 17.

The February 17, 2022 date was inadvertently left on the subject line.

To view again (Click Here).

District Support Services
Especially in these times, you should be aware of the BPS Employee Assistance Program. (Click Here)

School Safety Survey
We realize that with the events this weekend, there was little time to complete our school safety survey.

Please take the time to complete it, especially now. Thank you.

APPR Suspended for the Year
Governor Hochul has just signed legislation, advocated for by NYSUT and BTF, that suspends the APPR for the 2021-2022 school year.

We have notified the District and expect notification to staff soon.

There should be no need for evaluations.

MEMORANDUM

Memo To:   All Buffalo Teachers

From:         Philip Rumore, President, BTF

Date:          May 20, 2022

Subject:     Food Drive – Negotiations

We understand that the amount of food being sent to help the community as a result of the murders on May 14, 2022 has slowed down.

Please collect non-perishable foods at your school and bring them to BTF headquarters. We will deliver them to the community.

If possible, bring them by Wednesday, May 25, 2022. After that, we will still have groceries taken to the community; however, we would like to have them arrive as soon as possible.

Thank you on behalf of those in need.

Negotiations
We met with the District and PERB mediator today and have set the following dates to meet without the mediator unless necessary: May 25, June 6, 10 and 17, 2022.

The mediator has indicated that he wants the negotiations to continue without the discussions being disclosed unless he and the other side are provided sufficient notice.

PR:su

MEMORANDUM

Memo To:   All Buffalo Teachers

From:         Philip Rumore, President, BTF

Date:          May 19, 2022

Subject:     Update – Thursday, May 19, 2022

May 14, 2022 Murders
As you know from our last correspondence/Press Release,

“We call upon the media and all who care about the truth to, instead of referring to vicious, heinous and racist acts such as those in Buffalo as “shootings”, “killings”, etc. to call them what they are – MURDERS – and those who have been found to commit them – MURDERERS.

If it needs to be couched as “apparent murder”, or “alleged murderer” for legal reasons, the stigma must be present and known to occur before and when they make their vicious plans”, stated Philip Rumore, President, Buffalo Teachers Federation.”

First, as always, you have gone above and beyond in providing comfort and understanding to your students, each other and parents. You are Buffalo teachers… the very best.

We have been advised by our friends in the community that the best way to provide direct assistance to the murder victims, survivors, their families and others in the community is to contribute to the Buffalo Survivors Fund.

The BTF has authorized a $50,000 contribution from our reserves on behalf of Buffalo teachers. (Note: We have over one million dollars in reserves for such expenditures).

If you would also like to contribute, the link is https://www.gofundme.com/f/buffalo-survivors-fund.
Note: If you don’t go to “Enter Custom Tip”, 15% will be added to your donation. If you click on it, you can add nothing or whatever you want to add to your donation.

In order to not interfere with other marches, rallies, etc. and to ensure that the racist murders are not forgotten, we have scheduled a Unity Rally for June 2, 2022, at Martin Luther King, Jr. Park from 4:30 to 5:30 to accommodate late school schedules.

Please note that in addition to the Interim Superintendent, we will be joined by Randi Weingarten, our National AFT President and Andy Pallotta, our New York State President.

We have invited others and await their responses. You will be notified of any additions.

This Unity Rally is important; however, it is not intended to just be a unity rally but a call for action. We will be inviting each speaker to say what action(s) they will be taking and how together we can support them.

Unity Rally flyers will be distributed to you next week (Click Here).

Supplemental Benefit Fund
The problems incurred in implementing the Delta Dental plan have been corrected. You can continue to use your Delta Dental card.

More detailed information will be forthcoming. There will also be a process for submitting any concerns with previous charges. They will be corrected and a refund issued if a mistake was made.

Negotiations
Our May 16, 2022 negotiating session was not held for obvious reasons. It will be rescheduled and others added.

Our next session will be with the PERB-appointed mediator on Friday, May 20, 2022.

Stay Tuned

MEMORANDUM

Memo To:   All Buffalo Teachers

From:         Philip Rumore, President, BTF

Date:          May 23, 2022

Subject:     Update – May 23, 2022

Unity Rally
Flyers for our June 2, 2022 Unity Rally will be in the buildings this week. (Click Here)

We will also be sending orange ribbon stickers for each teacher to wear on June 2, 2022.

These are the ribbons the students, where the school shootings took place, designed against gun violence. Why orange? They chose orange because that’s what hunters wear so they don’t get shot. Let’s take action now!

We will be joined by members of the other Board Unions, Board of Education members and some representatives of other unions and organizations.

As you can see from the flyer, we will be joined by the Superintendent, Randi Weingarten, our AFT National president and Andy Pallotta, NYSUT president. Others will be added as they confirm their availability.

Yes, you can invite your friends.

We will keep you updated.

Food Distribution
Thank you to those who have already contacted us about bringing food to BTF for delivery to those in need. Please try to have donations here by Wednesday for pickup and delivery on Thursday, May 26, 2022.

We realize this is short notice; however, we just found out that supplies have slowed.

School Security
Thus far, we have received 153 responses to our “School Safety Assessment”. Thank you to those who have done so.

Due to the challenges faced, we will extend the deadline to Saturday, May 28 at 12:00 midnight.
We want to have an accurate assessment to send to the Superintendent, Board and of course, you.