Do you have questions for the State Department of Education (SDE) about distance learning challenges, when school buildings will reopen or other issues related to COVID-19 (novel coronavirus)? Join our live teachers tele-town hall for answers from Commissioner Miguel Cardona and members of his staff:

• WHEN: Wednesday, April 29 from 4:00PM to 5:00PM.
• WHERE: on your telephone or online via “GoToWebinar.”
• HOW: Click here to complete a reservation request (does not guarantee registration)

Jointly hosted between AFT Connecticut and the Connecticut Education Association (CEA), the town hall is open only to union members in good standing and limited to the first 3,000 to register. Be sure to submit your reservation request now — the deadline is Wednesday at 12:00PM.
If space is available and your membership can be verified before then, you will be sent an online registration link and further information via follow-up e-mail. To maximize time, questions are required in advance (verified members will have the opportunity to submit theirs when registering).
Because this is being organized on short notice, the audio and video for next Wednesday’s event will be available at our website to watch online soon after. We know you have many questions, so we hope this is an opportunity to get some answers — and perhaps some peace of mind — in this uncertain time.
More to come, and in solidarity,
Mary YordonVice President for Pre-K-12 Teachers, AFT Connecticut
David HayesSecretary-Treasurer, AFT Connecticut
Jan HochadelPresident, AFT Connecticut
P.S. Click here for our AFT Connecticut website’s PreK-12 teachers page for updates, official information and tools you can use.

Please complete this survey on opinions about returning to school.  AFT CT is eager to represent member views carefully on this subject.

Reopening Schools Questionnaire

or

(Open in Forms)

Below is new guidance from the SDE.

Federal CARES Act Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund

Let us first thank you for all that you have taken on during this challenging time. You are facing a host of issues related to distance learning and “ed tech” — and we want to hear about them.

That’s why AFT Connecticut has once again teamed up for another survey with our sisters and brothers in the Connecticut Education Association (CEA) and media partners with WFSB-TV Channel 3. This time it’s just 22 questions focused on how things are going for you and your students right now — and the implications for the future of public education.

Click here to complete the brief survey online by this Friday.

Your responses will remain anonymous — unless you specifically choose to be interviewed by Channel 3 (the final question). They are planning to use the results to report on how educators across Connecticut are adapting distance learning while our school buildings remain closed.

We know you are being asked to do a lot online right now. Thank you in advance for taking the time to share your thoughts on how the pandemic is impacting you, your students and public education.

More to come, and in solidarity,

Mary Yordon

Vice President for Pre-K-12 Teachers, AFT Connecticut

David Hayes

Secretary-Treasurer, AFT Connecticut

Jan Hochadel

President, AFT Connecticut

P.S. Click here for our AFT Connecticut website’s PreK-12 teachers page for updates, official information and tools you can use.

The current officers and stewards at each school (see table below). Stewards at each building are holding monthly meetings with your building administrators to address issues at your school and to discuss possible solutions/resolutions. Please contact your building steward or a BFT officer if you have any issues to ensure your voice is heard.  Any teachers interested in filling the open steward positions at BEHS, BCHS, CHMS, NEMS, WB, Southside, Edgewood, or Ivy Drive- please let a steward or officer know. Thank you!

Concluding the week of stories on WFSB’s teacher survey.

Here a small group of CT teachers participate in an excellent 40 minute interview.

Here are the results from all 23 questions;

Here are the news segments from the third and fourth days examining the results of the WFSB teacher survey.

Video Segment Day 3 – Mental Health Services

Video Segments Day 4 – Vaping, and Teachers Paying for School Supplies

Each day this week WFSB will focus on examining a different aspect of the survey results. Here are the segments from Monday and Tuesday.

Monday – Video Segment Day 1 – Intro to Survey

Tuesday – Video Segment Day 2 – Focused on Violent Students

Bristol Teachers,

AFT CT has collaborated with CEA and WFSB to create an anonymous survey on teacher issues. This is actually the first of 2 surveys that will occur, with the second expected in January 2020.

The survey will be online through Monday morning, and takes about 5 minutes to complete. WFSB will then use the results next week on air for several segments during ratings “sweeps” week.

Rarely are teachers given an opportunity to voice their opinion. Don’t miss this chance to describe what is really going on.

Here is the link: wfsb teacher survey

This week as Bristol heads to the polls, be aware of the AFT CT endorsed candidates.

Ellen Zappo for Mayor

Peter Kelly for City Council

Mary Fortier for City Council

Greg Hahn for City Council

Each of these candidates sought out union endorsement, and underwent an interview and vetting process by AFT CT before being voted on for endorsement.