What is VOTE-COPE exactly?

Voice

ofTeachers forEducation

Committee ONpoliticalEducation 

NySUT combined the two non-partisan political education campaigns in 1973.Funds come from voluntary contributions, NOT member dues

VOTE-COPE endorses and promotes NYSUT-backed candidates during elections. 

Candidates are not determined by political party, but by support for members' issues. Pro-NYSUT candidates understand the importance of public education, health care, support the values of organized labor and help pass school budgets.

The committee of 100 (derived from original 100 nysut members who went to albany to fight for greater state aid and pension reforms) has grown to over 750 volunteers who go to albany for political action.

The goal of VOTE-COPE is "to protect our professions, the institutions in which our members work, and the people our members serve, through grassroots lobbying," said NYSUT Executive Vice President Andy Pallotta.

NYSUT sends rebates to local unions based on a percentage (up to 40 percent) of the contributions VOTE-COPE receives from that local union's members. Those rebates can be used in local activities such as school board races and for passage of school budgets.

Please consider skipping a "treat" (e.g. coffee, app, etc.) this month and donate to VOTE-COPE. 

Unions mark May Day with rally of solidarity

May 01, 2015       Source: NYSUT Communications

Caption: Photo by El-Wise Noisette.

NYSUT members turned out hundreds strong Friday for a noontime rally in Buffalo's Niagara Square to commemorate labor's many successes and to outline the fights yet to be won — fair wages and full and fair funding for public education.

The International Worker's Day rally drew more than 1,000 people. A coalition of labor groups and community organizations organized the rally, and members of an estimated 100 unions were in the cheering crowd. NYSUT President Karen E. Magee, United University Professions President Fred Kowal and Buffalo Teachers Federation President Phil Rumore were among the many speakers, who included labor leaders and lawmakers.

Kowal, Magee and Rumore. Photo by Dennis Stierer.

"Is labor in the house?" Magee called as she stepped up to the microphone. A resounding "Yes!" roared back from the crowd.

"Our message is clear and it's unwavering," Magee said. "Our message is that every working person should earn a living wage that supports them and their family with dignity. We're proud to be here in Buffalo with its deep roots in labor. A hurt to one, sisters and brothers, is a hurt to all, and don't forget it. Our strength is in our solidarity."

• RELATED STORY: Rally draws diverse group of vocal unionists
• PHOTO GALLERY: International Workers Day Rally - Niagara Square, Buffalo

Rumore reminded the crowd that "we are at war."

"There's a movement right now to start taking over our public schools," he added. "To help our schools? No! To make some people rich? Yes."

Kowal received a strong round of applause when he modeled his black T-shirt emblazoned with the simple slogan: "Wrong" underneath the image of Governor Andrew Cuomo. The T-shirt is designed from a recent cover of UUP's membership magazine, The Voice. As Kowal turned so the crowd could see the T-shirt, a number of unionists shouted jibes about the governor.

"That's why we are here today, to tell the world, to tell the governor and his wealthy friends that he is wrong," Kowal said. "He must love being so wrong because he's so damned good at it. And not only will Andrew Cuomo be wrong, he will be gone."

The crowd picked up the chant: "Wrong and gone! Wrong and gone!"

People throughout the crowd carried red signs declaring, "International Workers Day: Demand Labor Respect!" Many others carried homemade signs, including one that read, "Cuomo — I rate you Ineffective" — a reference to the governor's unfair and vindictive stance on teacher evaluations.

Linda Steckmann-Dugan, a NYSUT delegate from the Buffalo Teachers Federation, said the rally's message of union solidarity and activism truly matters at a time when so many workers are struggling for fair pay.

"People who already have 98 percent of the wealth still want more," she said.

Photo by Andrew Watson.

Congratulations, Hilary Squier, META/LM Teacher of the Month

Homer Brink teacher, Hilary Squier is the March META/Liberty Mutual Teacher of the Month. 

Fellow META teacher Lynn Ross nominated Hilary for this honor because she is an inspiration, "I have witnessed over and over again how one person with energy, enthusiasm, and a beautifully kind soul can make the world a better place for many,” said Ross. “Hilary sees the potential in all of us. I find her moral compass inspiring.”

Hilary is an important co-director of the HB Morning Program. She uses her cheer, intuition, and determination to make many Morning Program initiatives successful, such as the Pajamas and Blankets program, the Veterans Day event, and Grandparents’ Tea.

Hilary also runs the HB talent show. She established the “Squier Choir,” a vocal performance group of over 50 children from HB and MM. Students have weekly lessons and perform for the community.

“The songs chosen and environment created by Mrs. Squier in her children’s choir are a shining example of how to effectively teach character education outside of the classroom,” said Ross. “For its members, the choir is a venue for building self-confidence and acceptance.”

Liberty Mutual representative David Harding presented Mrs. Squier with a gift certificate, and a certificate of recognition. Liberty Mutual will engrave her name on the plaque presented to the district. 

Clean out for a good cause!

Spring cleaning? Looking for a good time?
Donate gently used items 
(please no electronics, stuffed animals) to the
META Garage Sale

    Saturday, April 25th 

        8-9 set up      9-1 SALE      1-2 clean up

              High School Cafeteria

MS, HS teachers respond to grading policy

Middle School teachers and High School teachers respond to how the grading policy affects students, teaching and school climate.

Click here for the Middle School responses

Click here for the High School responses

Dr. Cashin (NYS Regent) comments on tests' tie to evaluations

STCaucus

“As a Regent of the State of New York, I cannot endorse the use of the current state tests for teacher/principal evaluation since that was not the purpose for which they were developed. It is axiomatic in the field of testing that tests should be used only for the purpose for which they were designed. They were designed to measure student performance, not teacher effectiveness. The American Statistical Association, the National Academy of Education, and the American Educational Research Association have cautioned that student tests should not be used to evaluate individual teachers. Nor should these tests be used for student growth measures until there is clear evidence that they are valid and reliable. The Board of Regents should commission an independent evaluation of these tests to verify their reliability and validity before they are used for high-stakes purposes for students, teachers, principals, and schools. How can we criticize people for opting out when the tests have not been verified? We need to cease and desist in the use of these tests until such time as we can be confident of their reliability and validity. If tests do meet those criteria, the tests must be released to teachers and to the public after they are given, in the spirit of transparency and accountability.” Dr. Kathleen Cashin

Principal made to overturn teacher rating

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