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Celebrate Back To School with FREE School Supplies AND a Party!!!

Celebrate back to school with free school supplies and a party!

 

How often have you spent your own money for general classroom supplies, math & science labs, reading & language projects and more? What would you do with $1,000 to spend on school supplies for the 2014-2015 school year? And what if you kicked that off with a $500 celebration for your school? Sign up by August 15, and you could win big.

At Share My Lesson, we are big on sharing. We know that many educators spend from their own pocket during the back-to-school season. We’d like to ease the load. Activate a new account on Share My Lesson for a chance to win 1 of 3 prize packs: $1,000 to spend on school supplies and another $500 for a school party.

What do I need to do?

It’s simple; register an email address and activate your account with Share My Lesson by August 15, 2014. Get your colleagues, paraprofessionals, parents, and community members to sign up, too. The more members of your community who register, the more chances your school could win!

What do I win?

When you complete activation of your new account on Share My Lesson, you will be entered into a drawing to win 1 of 3 prize packages: each winner will receive $1,500 in VISA ® gift cards. Three lucky winners will be able to buy back-to-school supplies for their class and have funds for a celebratory party for the school.

So sign up for Share My Lesson! Follow us on Twitter #teamSML for the latest information.

Click here for more detailed terms and conditions. Please contact us if you have any questions.

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Let’s Talk About Money!

Let’s Talk Money

First, the back story:

Last year, the LA Legislature passed an MFP formula which included a one-time supplement for all classroom teachers.  Most local districts made the decision to include all other employees in a one-time supplement allocation.  For Caddo and Bossier, both boards decided to give this at the same time they gave their yearly Christmas money.  All of this came in time for Black Friday.

Now for this year, the LA Legislature passed an MFP Formula which permanently put in place the money received in the one-time supplement, making it a permanent salary increase.  That would be $800 for Caddo teachers, $703.50 for Bossier and $200 for Red River. The BPSB has already voted to implement the permanent increase for the 2014-15 school Year.   District 12 CPSB member, Dottie Bell, has a agenda item for the July 15, 2014, meeting to allocate the permanent salary increase in Caddo for the 2014-15 year.  She has also committed to insuring all employees will receive a salary increase.   We are working on an update for Red River Parish.

What else can we anticipate?  Bossier will implement a 1.5% salary increase compliments of the Bossier voters.  The $725 B-Back check and the $600 and $350 Christmas money for certified and classified employees, respectively, is also a part of the salary schedule.

In Caddo, the CPSB budget includes a $200 supply fund for all classroom teachers, up from $100 last year.  And of course, all employees will continue to receive the $500 Christmas cash as it is a permanent part of the salary schedule.

So, if you compare the Bossier salary schedule for the 2014-15 year with the Caddo teacher salary schedule, you should see that once the Caddo board votes in the salary increase for employees, Caddo new teachers will be a hiccup above the Bossier teachers in starting salary.  The Red River Parish’s new teacher salary schedule (with supplements)  puts them ahead of both Caddo and Bossier Parishes.

 

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Press Release: AFT President Randi Weingarten on the Harris v. Quinn Decision

Press Release

FOR RELEASE: June 30, 2014

CONTACT:

Marcus Mrowka
202-879-4447
202-531-0689 (cell)
mmrowka@aft.org

AFT President Randi Weingarten on the Harris v. Quinn Decision

WASHINGTON—Statement from American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten on the Harris v. Quinn decision. Today’s Harris v. Quinn decision upholds the right of public sector unions to represent public employees, including their right to collectively bargain, but the Supreme Court refused to extend the right for a union to collect fair share fees for that purpose from Illinois home healthcare workers who are not members.

“While the court upheld the importance of collective bargaining and unions to families and communities, let’s be clear that working people, who have aspired to the middle class and tried to make a better life for their families, have taken it on the chin for years. Stagnating wages, loss of pensions and lack of upward mobility have defined the economic distress they have experienced. Today’s decision makes it worse.

“The Roberts court has consistently ruled in favor of corporate interests, while diminishing the rights of labor. This court has built a record of weakening the rights of both voters and working families; no one should be surprised by this decision.

“America’s workers have gone through the crucible of tough times and adversity—that’s why they formed America’s labor movement. Workers did not start off with their rights being protected by government. We had to—and still must—organize ourselves, our families and others to secure good jobs, great public schools, prosperous communities and opportunity for all. While disappointed in the court’s decision, the American Federation of Teachers will do what we have always done: redouble our efforts to empower and engage our members around the issues they care about and the work they do, and to serve as a strong voice for our communities, our democracy and opportunity for all.”

Follow AFT President Randi Weingarten: http://twitter.com/rweingarten

 

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You are the Union! Volunteer Your Time with Red River United!

You are the Union! Volunteer Your Time!

Summer is a great time to spread the word about Red River United, build momentum, and share our vision of Reclaiming the Promise of Public Education. We are looking for RRU members and leaders to volunteer in our outreach and organizing efforts. We will be talking to people at their homes, during orientations, in-services, and other trainings from July 28 to August 9. Giving a single day (or more) will help us reach our organizing goals and grow this amazing organization! Times may vary based on the activity planned that day. Staff representatives will contact you with details and times.

Click here to sign up for the day(s) you will volunteer with Red River United.