MEMORANDUM
Memo To: All Buffalo Teachers
From: Philip Rumore, President, BTF
Date: July 17, 2020
Subject: NYSED Reopening Guidance
Below, please find the link to the NYSED “Reopening Guidance” released yesterday afternoon.
Once again, there are areas that provide “what to do, not how”. We are reviewing it.
Please continue to forward your concerns relating to the “Guidance” and all concerns as they arise now and in the future.
They will be forwarded to the District, NYSED, etc.
Our primary concern must remain the health and safety of our students, teachers/staff, parents and community.
There also must be (to name just a few, in addition to those we have already listed. Previous correspondence is on our website, www.btfny.org, See News and Alerts):
- in-servicing of teachers/staff, students, parents, etc. on the use of distance hearing devices.
- reworking curriculum for every subject. What is taught and how is different via virtual distancing than in the normal classroom.
- flexibility and constant review by teacher/staff and parents.
To expect that all this can be done by September is unrealistic.
Once again, any plan(s) that are developed must be presented to the public well in advance of implementation (3 weeks). Their support will also be voted on by all teachers.
Stay Tuned.
Full Guidance:
http://www.nysed.gov/common/nysed/files/programs/reopening-schools/nys-p12-school-reopening-guidance.pdf
Re-opening Framework:
http://www.nysed.gov/news/2020/state-education-department-presents-framework-guidance-reopen-new-york-state-schools
MEMORANDUM
Memo To: All Buffalo Teachers
From: Philip Rumore, President, BTF
Date: August 12, 2020
Subject: Urgent Teacher Concerns
You are amazing – not surprising but you are. Three thousand, one hundred and fifty-five (3,155) Buffalo teachers responded to our survey!
That’s 86% of those for whom we have an email address!!
You sent a message!! We will not be silent! We are united!
Attached, (Click Here) please find a copy of the correspondence sent to the Superintendent, Board, and Reopening Committee delineating the urgent concerns you sent to us.
Hopefully, I have included all of your concerns. Thank you, for the hundreds who took the time to respond.
If I missed some, please forward them as we will continue to send them to the District (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.).
We are preparing a resolution calling for virtual instruction until such time as teachers, parents, and staff have approved a reopening plan as being safe for teachers, students, parents, school staff and the community and are also educationally sound for our students.
PR:su
MEMORANDUM
Memo To: All Buffalo Teachers
From: Philip Rumore, President, BTF
Date: September 3, 2020
Subject: Denial of TRO / District Statement
We are obviously disappointed that Judge Sedita denied our request for a Temporary Restraining Order to prevent teachers from having to report, despite what we consider the lack of “safe and healthful conditions” (our contract). A full hearing on our request for an injunction will be held on September 21, 2020, where we will provide testimony.
However, we heard Nate Kuzma, the District’s General Counsel, state to the court, that everyone who needs an accommodation because of their own condition or their family members’, will get one. While a request is pending, a teacher does not have to report and can work remotely. Interesting, we have never before seen this in writing to us or to teachers. I wonder why now?
We will be verifying the exact wording by obtaining the transcript; however, based on what we heard, the above is District policy. So, base your decision on that and advise us of contradictory decisions.
If you have applied for an accommodation based on the above, please advise your administration that you will be working remotely. If ordered to report, do so, but advise your LRS immediately.
If you have been or are denied, please advise us via email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
If you have not applied for an accommodation, unless you are taking a sick or personal day, if told to report, you should.
We hope that no teacher, or employee, is harmed as a result of the Board’s actions.
Stay tuned as we continue our fight for the safety of teachers now and our students when they report.
Be Safe. Take no chances.
PR:ls
MEMORANDUM
Memo To: All Buffalo Teachers
From: Philip Rumore, President, BTF
Date: September 8, 2020
Subject: BTF School/Site Health and Safety Assessment/Update
To ensure that our schools/sites are safe for you now and our students when they return, we have developed a “BTF School/Site Health and Safety Assessment” that we will be asking your Delegate Chair/Building Committee to complete based on your and their assessment of your building/site (Click Here).
To avoid duplication and to ensure accurate tabulation, the “Assessment” link will be sent to the Delegate Chair/Building Committee in a separate email when it is operational.
Attached is a copy of the assessment which we are asking you to work with your Building Committee to complete. As you know, your Delegate Chair leads your Building Committee.
Please remember the Building Committee from last year remains in place until November 30, 2020. We will advise you of any changes.
We are asking that the assessment be completed once a week initially, or as often as needed.
We are hearing that the engineers/custodians have not received all the safety equipment they need. Please check with them as well.
Needed Supplies
It is the District’s responsibility to provide you with the equipment, supplies and materials you need (Article XI, pg. 20-22).
If you need a laptop, internet service, supplies, etc., you should request/order what you need from your principal in writing (email).
We all know that distance/virtual instruction will present issues and that there will be “glitches” in the system as we proceed.
Although some in the District like to resort to bullying, personal attacks, unrealistic expectations, etc., we continue to work with those we can as we continue our battle to ensure that our schools are safe and that our students have the best education possible.
Opening Issues
We knew there would be opening issues; however, if you have encountered one/some of which we should be made aware, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Court – September 21, 2020
We will be in court again on September 21, 2020 seeking to prevent the District from mandating teachers to report to their school/site.
Once a school/site has been determined to meet all State/Federal health requirements, we are willing to enter into an agreement with the District to allow those teachers, who wish to (not pressured to) teach from their school/site, to do so.
BTF Headquarters Reopening
As you know, we have been working virtually. The headquarters will be partially staffed on a rotating basis. Please be patient if someone does not immediately answer the phone.
As with you, the safety and well-being of our secretaries and staff is very important.
For concerns, please continue to contact the Labor Relations Specialist assigned to your school (Click Here).
Thank you for your understanding.
Please stay well. Take no chances.
PR:su
MEMORANDUM
Memo To: All Buffalo Teachers
From: Philip Rumore, President, BTF
Date: August 31, 2020
Subject: State & Federal COVID-19 Related Leave Entitlements