Tacoma Specialists
news & updates
September 2020 Vol. 14 View previous issues 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13
Speak Up for SPECIALISTS NOW!
New in this issue:
  • Help Yourself!
  • Tech Tips
Help Yourself (and your colleagues)
Please take a moment this week to do 2 things:

Email your principal regarding your building schedule, and cc Christa Erolin.

We have experienced multiple schedule changes this year - it's only October. There are many different ways that administrators have interpreted how our schedules should look, some of us being scheduled in very different ways at each of our assigned buildings, creating unnecessary duplication of tasks. 

We all have questions about how our schedules will change again when we go to hybrid learning for our K-5 students.  Please communicate your concerns to your principal. Many principals are overwhelmed and may need to have these issues brought to light before students return.
"When hybrid schedules begin, _______ will not work, and this is why..."  Even with changing class numbers, we are understaffed. Redeployment with one educator per position wherever possible and the opportunity for collaboration when positions must be split will improve quality of instruction, improve parity within the specialist cohort, and ease scheduling difficulties across the district.
Please email your principal and cc elementary director Christa Erolin

Reach out to job-alike staff to offer support and share resources and lessons.

If you're wondering how you're supposed to teach remotely while students are in class, this is what is posted.


Will specialist deployments be readdressed to improve safety, quality of instruction, and equity among staff and students as promised?


When will all buildings have the same start/end times?

What is the process for overloads? When do overload rules go into effect? How can we be compensated? We are receiving contradictory information.

If students are in physical classrooms during the hybrid model and specialists are still remote, what are the parameters for singing and physical activity in lessons?

If I am teaching remotely, like through my garage as I am now, yet students are at school when they return, where will they be? In their classrooms behind their desks?  In a gym with an adult present? 

Who will be in charge of the students during remote/hybrid PE? I will be teaching virtually yet the classroom teacher will be in the room. The classroom teacher will be the one there for injuries etc. I cannot reach through the screen to help. 

Currently I have half classes, will the other half of the class be in the classroom during PE? What a distraction to the kids not in PE trying to focus or listen to the classroom teacher? 

If it's not safe for me to teach my class, why is it safe for the classroom teacher?

Also, how can we continue to push for one teacher- one school? I am divided between two schools yet would like to be able to make one school my home. 

Why are there such different schedules and teaching plans for specialists at different schools?

What about the inequity between specialists regarding student load?

If you need to take a day off, who is responsible for posting the asynchronous assignments?  Does the principal take care of that?  What do the kids do for those first 2 days before a sub can take an assignment?

What happened to K-3 funding? How is it being used?

Are Tacoma Online students enrolled in specialists classes?

What is the school score and how was it used for specialists’ assignments?



Do you have questions?
Tech Tips for Specialists
Here are some ways to mitigate the fact that the systems chosen by the district are not created with us in mind and create a disproportionate amount of work for specialists. Click the links below for directions, or check out a video.
you can bookmark this, or share with yourself, so it is always readily accessible.


C & I has put together resources to help with digital instruction. Directions for creating videos and making materials accessible to all are included.
Check Your Schedule

Most of us received a new schedule this week. CBA language is still in force during remote and hybrid instructional models. Be sure that your schedule falls within the parameters of the contract. If you choose to participate in an alternative schedule or take larger-than-prescribed classes there is a waiver process that you and your building must use. This ensures that all parties are aware and in accord, and protects those who choose not to waive their contract rights. Here are some specific items to consider.
Advice From Human Resources
When there is a perceived issue from the point of view of the specialist, then the following protocol exists to ensure a timely response and remedy:
 
  1. Discuss with principal. If there is no resolution, then;
  2. The specialist and the principal work with level director. If there is no resolution, then;
  3. The concern is escalated to Human Resources and discussed with union leadership or during a labor management meeting.
You're invited to share your concerns

"Please communicate your concerns directly to myself or Christa Erolin. It is important that labor issues are addressed through the proper channels that the Union and District have established. This insures that concerns are addressed in a timely manner and the communication from both the Union and the District are in alignment."
 
Please feel free to call or email me directly if you have any questions.
 
Know Your Contract
Flawed Staffing Formula
The district has not done their homework on how many classes will fit into a school day.
Staffing levels are inequitable within buildings and across the district.
TPS uses a "school score" to determine need across the district. The score is determined using socio-economic factors, test scores, and various other indicators. Moving resources to where they are most needed makes sense. Is that what happened here?
*This document is dated 6/22/2020, but we are told it was used in making deployment decisions in May.
Instruction
Specialists and students are being set up to fail. Many teachers will be starting the school year doing distance lessons with students they have never met and who they might see once a week.
Where is Everybody?

Click below to see how your school and schools across the district will be impacted. Current as of 7/23
SAFETY FIRST!
Protocol for Reporting Unsafe Practices

1.   In the moment, make note of any unsafe practices (student behavior, room arrangements, etc.)

2.   At the end of every day, email your principal a list of what unsafe things occurred in your classroom; cc your TEA Building Rep(s)

3.   At the end of every week, your Building Rep(s) will send a compilation of all unsafe practices to Thu Ament, the district COVID Safety Supervisor.


Click below for contact information.
Rename your Schoology Courses
  • Add school, classroom teacher, and images to help identify courses
Link your Schoology Courses
Use Buttons to help students navigate.
  • Use any image as a button, or create your own button icons.
  • Google "Schoology Buttons" to find many how-to videos.
  • use GoogleSlides or Powerpoint to create
Share Resources with teachers or students.
Embed websites to keep students on track.
Remove unnecessary courses.
Announce in Multiple Channels
Remove Unnecessary Courses
  • Teams can be hidden and/or deleted by clicking on the 3 dots of the Team tile.(Be sure they are not necessary, if created by the district.)
  • Unnecessary TAC classes must be removed by admin. Check with your office manager.
  • Please be aware that there is the possibility that your courses will change when the district addresses the inequitable workload caused by our current assignments.
If you would like more information on how you can help advocate for our students and Music, PE and Library educators, please click to add yourself to our advocacy group.
A council representing PE, Music, and Library have been meeting to gather information, rally support and determine next steps for solving district-wide Safety, Quality and Equity issues for specialist programs, students, and staff.

Click below to join our mailing list and be kept in the loop as the situation evolves.
Your information will not be shared without your permission.
Please include your:
Name, Building (any you have connections with), and Role (Staff Position, Parent, Citizen, Student)
Tacoma Specialists Advocacy Council
Maggie Ross - Music: Fernhill, Franklin
Matt Wood - PE: Stafford
Megan Oberfield - Music: Browns Point, Lister
Michael Caldwell -PE: DeLong, Crescent Heights
Paula Greuling - Music: Birney, Roosevelt
Penny Cramer - Music: Sherman, Jefferson
Rod Huskey - Music: Boze
Roxane Hreha - Music: Whitman, Franklin
Steve Johnson - PE: Lowell, Fawcett