GEOFF ALSWANGER (Democrat), a six year incumbent, returns for a one year vacancy on the Board of Education. He is proud of the positive relationship the Board and the SEA continue to build. He feels he always makes himself available to individual teachers regarding their concerns. He believes the three achievements he has advanced to benefit teachers is the opening of the New School at 200 Strawberry Hill, working to create a

positive environment for all, and recruiting the new superintendent. Mr. Alswanger’s new goals include being a part of the superintendent’s team that will create a new vision for the district and ensuring that teachers’ voices are heard. He believes that teachers are being very effective, and their successes need to be highlighted. He feels that the perception of the Stamford Public Schools has to change and, therefore, the Board, the SEA, and parents need to work together to determine how to market our schools.

JENNIENNE BURKE (Democrat) is fully committed to the work teachers, staff, and the Board of Education do on behalf of public education in Stamford. She hopes to work more with teachers “to focus on consistent social and academic transitions to and through middle school” and to connect and collaborate more often with the SEA. One of her goals is to ensure that the SEA has a seat at the table during the Board of Education subcommittee meetings. Ms. Burke is passionate about her ongoing work

on the High School Call to Action Committee where she has worked with teachers and administrators on attendance issues, eligibility for high school athletics and extracurricular activities, and student success plans. She is open to hearing from teachers about issues that concern them when she visits schools and when she is at community events. She wants the Board of Education members to visit classrooms more often to see for themselves what is really happening.

ANTOINE SAVAGE (Democrat), a long time Stamford resident who attended Westover School and Cloonan Middle School, is interested in serving on the Board because he wants to support his hometown to help improve the perception of the Stamford Public Schools. He is concerned that many of his friends, also products of the Stamford School System, are relocating from Stamford “because they are concerned the

system is not good enough for their children.” He professes an open mind and willingness to learn and recognizes the importance of moving forward. Mr. Savage will ensure that his voice is heard through his attendance and participation at the Board of Education meetings, and he is specifically interested in working on the Family, School & Community Engagement and Operations subcommittees. His priorities include visiting schools and hearing firsthand teachers’ issues and concerns, supporting teachers in their need for proper planning time and resources, and focusing on “early childhood opportunities for this community.”

NICOLA TARZIA (Republican), born and raised in Stamford and a product of Stamford schools, believes that “education is the foundation to any great community.” His priority will be to focus on facilities issues and miscommunications while working to implement new plans to save money. He’s an advocate for music and arts programs and a vocational

education plan, having attended the original Wright Tech, and reducing class size limits. As a past member of the Board of Education, Tarzia feels he has always supported the SEA and believes it is “the backbone of the district.” He describes himself as a strong, honest communicator who is always available to listen to teachers’ issues and give support. Support to him means teamwork among the Board of Education, the superintendent, the administration, and the SEA “all working together for the common goal of student achievement while at the same time supporting our teachers.”

Meet the Newly Elected BOE Members

Sea change: a profound or notable transformation for the better; a change brought about by the sea.

THE S.E.A. CHANGE Issue 6, Volume 2 November 2016

A publication of the Stamford Education Association

Kate Tobin, Editor

BOARD OF EDUCATION UPDATE

The newly elected members begin their terms at the first Board of Education meeting in December, at which officers will be determined. Antoine Savage and Nicola Tarzia are replacing Angelica Gorrio and Jerry Bosak who chose not to continue on the Board. Andy George has left the Republican Party and will continue serving on the Board as an unaffiliated member.

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Tammy Friedman “I’ve always been an artist.”

Jess Ryan “Art is…a healthy vice”

The ART Life

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In mid-September, SEA President Diane Phanos reached out asking any and all “educators who create their own art” to let us know so that we could spotlight them in this issue. What follows is a sampling of the original art work and art/life philosophies of our own SEA members and SPS teachers.

In college I spent most of my time writing, drawing, and painting. Then I took on many art-related jobs: for an architect airbrushing landscapes, as a dishware designer, and at a prepress company. I’ve spent my life studying a variety of art genres. For five years I strictly worked with clay on a wheel, and, a few summers ago, I apprenticed for a stained glass artist. I’ve taught in Stamford for 22 years. I started teaching at Roxbury School as a third grade teacher. After having my two children and taking two years off from teaching I returned to Stamford and began teaching Language Arts at Cloonan. I’ve been teaching art there for 3 years, and I’m working on my sixth year in

Instructional Technology. I have a business called “Scarf Savvy” where I sell knitted and crocheted scarves and hats. I also make and sell dry felted animals and wool handbags and scarves. I can also make custom items, but, don’t wait too long, because I get very busy around the holidays! In the past few years I’ve sold my items at the Lounsbury House in Ridgefield and at an Arts and Crafts Fair in Bethel. Mostly, I like to give my friends and family homemade gifts for birthdays, holidays, and especially for new babies. I also create custom-ordered, one-of-a-kind embroidered tallits for temples and bar and bat mitzvahs. I also use my art to do good works. Last year I crocheted 27 beanie hats for the Stamford Women’s Shelter. I also gave gently used pocketbooks. If anyone has any gently used pocketbooks, perfume,

creams, or anything feminine to donate, please contact me. I’ll put it all together creatively to donate to the shelter.

the artist with some of her wares

This particular work (to the left) was inspired by a biological illustration class I was taking over the summer. The medium is pen and ink, and the technique is stippling (marking a surface with numerous small dots or specks to produce a picture or design) on illustration board. I have created two pieces using this technique. Most of my grad work has been in printmaking, and my undergrad work was largely in jewelry and metalwork. At home I often work with oil or acrylic paint, mainly because of a lack of equipment. Pen and ink is a new medium for me, and I will continue to work with it and explore different techniques. I plan to eventually incorporate it in mixed media artwork. I’ve been an Art teacher at Westhill for 2 years, and prior to that I worked in Ansonia for 6 years. I’ve exhibited at Erector Square New Haven Open Studios, and I will most likely do so again this spring or summer. Art is meditative and a healthy vice for me. It helps me relax and tap into my emotions and creativity. I’ve been creating it all my life.

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Julia-Rose Liptak “Art has been an outlet...as well

as a continuous source of inspiration.”

Claudia Noel Nerreau

“I have been an artist my whole life.”

I formally studied art during my undergraduate experience at SUNY Purchase, but I’ve been creating art since I was a child. My mother is an artist, and growing up in a creative household definitely influenced my experience. Photography has been a passion of mine, and that was my focus in the beginning. I also create mixed media fiber art pieces wherein I crochet and combine fiber as well as

paper to create images. My favorite materials include yarn, felt, scrapbook paper, and buttons. For the past few years my focus has been on painting, specifically abstract expressionist works completed in palette knife. This current style allows me to explore the dynamics of color, form, and texture. I’ve exhibited at Read’s Artspace Ground Floor Gallery, Bridgeport Arts Council, Bananaland Design, and City Light’s Gallery in Bridgeport, CT. I’ve also participated in shows in association with the Easton Arts Council, South Norwalk Art in Public Places, and Port Jefferson Arts Council. Recently, I’ve had solo work on display at establishments, including Source Coffeehouse and Trattoria ‘A

Vucchella. Most recently, I participated in the Bridgeport Art Trail from November 10th-13th. This is an annual art festival throughout the city. I will have abstract paintings on display in Read’s Artspace Artist Choose Artist exhibit. Additionally, I will have a pastel series titled “Autumn” on display at Source Coffeehouse in Bridgeport for the rest of the month of November. I’ve worked for 3 years at Hart Elementary Magnet as a School Psychologist. Art has been an outlet for me as well as a continuous source of inspiration. This creative energy impacts everything that I do. Thank you for providing me this opportunity to share my passion.

Show at the Carriage Barn Arts Center in New Canaan, CT. I do commissioned portraits in oil. I like people. After college I thought that I would work as a portrait artist but then got into teaching. I concentrated on theater work for many years, but am getting back into painting.

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The arts, it has been said, cannot change the world, but they may

change human beings who may change the world. - Maxine Greene

I have been an artist my whole life. My parents are both artists. My father, John C. Nerreau, worked for the Board of Education and was the coordinator of the fine and performing arts in Stamford for many years. My parents started my art education when I was born. I have a BFA in Fine Arts from the College of New Rochelle and a MA in Theater from Villanova University.

I have taught for 26 years, and began in Stamford in 1990. Currently, I am teaching Art and Theater at Stamford High School, where I am also the Drama Club Advisor. From June 5 to August 7, 2016 I had a solo exhibit called Portraits and Landscapes at the Spring Street Center for the Arts in South Salem, NY, and from September 24 to October 30 I had a portrait exhibit at the Annual Member

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From left to right:

Fred Nerreau (oil on canvas)

Maura JustBreathe (oil on

canvas)

Scott Fitzgerald (oil on

canvas)

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I discovered my love for the arts in high school. I pursued my Bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a minor in Studio Art which led me to continuing my education with my first Master’s degree in Clinical Art Therapy. I have a background in using drawing, painting, and sculpture as a vehicle for self-expression and creativity. I chose to go back for my second Master’s in Early Childhood education so I could bring my love of art into the classroom. This is my third year working in the Stamford Public Schools, and I am now a Special Education Preschool Teacher at APPLES Early Childhood Education Center. Before, I taught 8 years in pre-K, 3 years at Kiddie Academy Childcare Learning Centers in Nesconset, NY, and in a few other early childhood locations. I was artist of the month in High School in 11th and 12th grade, and my

I discovered my love for the arts in high school. I pursued my Bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a minor in Studio Art which led me to continuing my education with my first Master’s degree in Clinical Art Therapy. I have a background in using drawing, painting, and sculpture as a vehicle for self-expression and creativity. I chose to go back for my second Master’s in Early Childhood education so I could bring my love of art into the classroom. This is my third year working in the Stamford Public Schools, and I am now a Special Education Preschool Teacher at APPLES Early Childhood Education Center. Before, I taught 8 years in pre-K, 3 years at Kiddie Academy Childcare Learning Centers in Nesconset, NY, and in a few other early childhood locations.

There is no depth to education without art. - Amiri Baraka

I was artist of the month in High School in 11th and 12th grade, and my art was exhibited in our senior year for the Art Festival. I also exhibited in college, throughout my Bachelor’s and Masters degrees. As an educator I provide my students with significant and meaningful opportunities to enhance and develop deeper understandings through open-ended but highly-structured discussions of art. Inside my classroom I create a collaborative, safe learning environment that nurtures artistic curiosity, encourages innovation, empowers creative thinkers, and challenges students to explore the unknown. My classroom becomes a showplace for my student’s artwork.

Danielle Durante-Ricci

“My classroom becomes a showplace for my student’s artwork.”

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mind and I ask myself: What would Isabella do next? How would Finn finish that? The news today and the world we are raising our children in: there is a place for the artist who makes you think of the many important issues we all face. But in my art I prefer to embrace the positive; I am a big believer in “what you put out into the world you get back.” I show mostly in the summer, but my work is always on display in a gallery in West Hartford, CT, and I spend Saturdays every now and then painting at the gallery which is always enjoyable as I get to meet many of the people who collect my art. I had a one

woman show this past December at the Discovery Museum, which my principal and students attended, which I loved. The door to my classroom says “YOU ARE THE BOSS OF YOUR OWN ART WORK” to inspire my students to take pride in their work and own it. I believe that when children take ownership of their work and are not doing “cookie cutter art” their creativity soars and we build out of the box thinkers.

Ronet Noe

“…when children take ownership of their work and are not doing ‘cookie

cutter art’ their creativity soars…” The artist exhibiting at Lincoln Center; a

look inside her tent. Pablo Picasso said “Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist...” I love children’s artwork; I have nurtured it for 30 years as an art teacher, first at Stark, Westover, and Westhill, then at K.T. Murphy and Rogers, and for the last 25 years at Newfield. My students have kept me young and influenced my art. I am also the mother of two young ladies, both amazing artists. When children paint it’s with the wisdom of no fear, freedom, and for the pure love of the action. They often keep going way past the time a grownup may think “done.” When I’m painting certain students come to my

You’ve Been UniServed Sick Leave v. FMLA When on Extended Leave for Personal Illness

Sharon Quinn, CEA Uniserv Rep

Stamford Public Schools is in the initial stage of creating a long-range, highly focused strategic plan. This plan will be developed in collaboration with all relevant stakeholders, including those in the central office, the schools, and the community. This collaborative approach involving all stakeholders will ensure that critical issues which must be addressed to bring about improvement are identified. The plan will align with the Stamford Public School’s existing needs, vision, and values. It will focus on strategic goals and utilize meaningful key performance indicators to ensure that the work is measurable. The initial stage of the strategic planning process involves gathering and analyzing quantitative and qualitative data. The quantitative data could include academic achievement data, college readiness data (such as high school graduation rate and the number of students taking AP courses and their scores), and school climate data (such as suspension rates, drop-out rates, and school attendance rates) and would provide an understanding of SPS’s areas of strength and those areas needing more support. Qualitative information will be gathered through community engagement meetings, interviews, and focus groups with key stakeholders to ensure a comprehensive understanding of the district. Surveys from student, teacher, parent, and community stakeholders may also be utilized. This information will highlight the effectiveness of initiatives and provide general feedback regarding how to prioritize the district’s needs. Once a draft plan has been formulated it will be shared with the stakeholders for feedback and reaction. To oversee this strategic planning initiative, a District Steering Committee was appointed by Superintendent Kim. Mr. Kim felt that the

members of the District Steering Committee should have a stake in the outcome, have expertise to guide, work well together in collaboration, have good leadership and management skills, and be problem solvers. The Steering Committee had its first meeting on Tuesday, November 1st. Our task was to listen to presentations and pose questions to representatives of three consultant groups, one of which would be selected to lead us in formulating our strategic plan. Members in attendance at this meeting along with Superintendent Kim and me included Geoff Alswanger, President of the Board of Education, Mike Fernandes, Assistant Superintendent-Secondary, Stephen Falcone, Executive Director-Human Resources, Judy Singer, Executive Director-Research, Hugh Murphy, Executive Director-Finance, Cheryl Poltrack, Director-Grants & Funded Programs, Mike Meyer, Executive Director-Student Support Services & Special Programs, Sharon Beadle, Public Affairs Officer, David Tate, Principal-Cloonan Middle School and Co-President of the Stamford Administrators’ Unit, P.J. Wax, Assistant Principal-Westhill High School, Lisa Saba-Price, Principal-Newfield School, Cindy Grafstein, Executive Aide to the Mayor, Kelly Kempton, PT Council, and Andy Putterman, high school student. As we move forward in developing the strategic plan and determining how best to implement it to achieve success, teachers’ voices need to be heard. I strongly believe that there should be at least one teacher representative from each of the three levels-elementary, middle, and high school-on the District Steering Committee to actively represent teachers, just as there are administrators from each of those levels. Unfortunately, Superintendent Kim did not feel that teacher representation at every level was needed. However, he did indicate that those voices would be heard in the future when an Advisory Committee is formed. Hopefully, this Advisory Committee will include a representative number of teachers who will be truly empowered to actively participate in making decisions that directly impact instruction, resulting in increased student achievement.

State of the Union Diane Phanos, President

Each school year the Association receives numerous inquiries regarding the use of Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) leave versus the use of sick leave. Specifically, teachers who know they will be out for an extended period because of personal illness often ask whether they should request FMLA leave or sick leave and what type of documentation must be submitted to Human Resources. The Association’s general advice is to simply use accumulated sick leave or leave from the sick leave bank, if you are eligible, and here is why. FMLA is a federal law that strives to “balance the demands of the workplace with the needs of families.” It is a floor of protection for employees, not the ceiling. It applies to public agencies, including local, state, and federal employers, and local education agencies (schools) and private sector employers who employ 50 or more employees for at least 20 workweeks in the current or preceding calendar year. It entitles “eligible” employees of “covered” employers to take up to 12 weeks of unpaid (during which sick leave can be used) and job-protected leave for qualifying family and medical needs during a twelve-month period. FMLA requires the employer to continue the employee’s group health insurance coverage under the same terms and conditions as if the employee had not taken leave and to return the employee to the same or an equivalent position at the end of the FMLA leave. As a covered employer, the Stamford Public Schools district must grant “eligible” teachers

FMLA leave in the following circumstances involving immediate family, which is defined as parent, spouse, or child: for the birth of a son or daughter and to care for the newborn child; for the placement with the teacher of a son or daughter for adoption or foster care; to care for the teacher’s spouse, son, daughter, or parent with a serious health condition; and, because of the serious health condition of the teacher making him/her unable to perform the functions of his/her position. The most common serious health conditions that qualify for FMLA leave are: conditions requiring an overnight stay in a hospital or other medical care facility; conditions that incapacitate the teacher or his/her family member for more than three consecutive days and have ongoing medical treatment (either multiple appointments with a health care provider, or a single appointment and follow-up care, such as prescription medication); chronic conditions that cause occasional periods when the teacher or his/her family member is incapacitated and requires treatment by a health care provider at least twice a year; and pregnancy (including prenatal medical appointments, incapacity due to morning sickness, and medically required bed rest). FMLA requires that the teacher must have been employed by SPS for at least twelve months and must have worked 1,250 hours during the previous twelve months to be “eligible” for FMLA. Full-time teachers of elementary or secondary school systems are deemed to meet the 1,250

hour test, requiring the employer to clearly demonstrate the teacher did not work the requisite hours. However, once the employer claims the teacher did not and presents supporting evidence, the teacher must produce evidence to rebut the employer’s claims. Additionally, teachers who choose to request FMLA leave will be required to complete and submit to HR an FMLA medical certification form documenting they have a serious health condition. This form is several pages long and very comprehensive. Clearly, teachers must meet numerous requirements to qualify for FMLA. Pursuant to Article 8 of the SEA contract all teachers hired after July 1, 1989 are granted fifteen (15) days of sick leave with full pay each year. There are no eligibility requirements. That is, there are no minimum hours that must have been worked the previous year and no requisite length of service requirements that must be met like there are under FMLA. Additionally, a teacher on paid sick leave will be entitled to the same benefits as those on FMLA leave. The teacher will continue his/her coverage under the SPS health insurance plan on the same terms and conditions (paying the current 20% premium cost share) and will be entitled to resume his/her position at the end of the sick leave. Yet, the teacher will not be required to complete and submit the comprehensive FMLA medical certification form. Rather, pursuant to Article 8 of the SEA contract the teacher on accumulated or sick bank leave need only submit a doctor’s note.

Continued on page 6 5

Stamford Education Association

733 Summer St., Suite 403

Stamford, CT 06901 (203) 324-2602

HEALTH INSURANCE UPDATE

The Board of Education’s high deductible

plan-health savings account (HDHP-HSA)

program will become effective on January 1,

2017. All SEA members who are not covered

by another non-HDHP medical plan, not

covered by Medicare, or not covered by their

spouse’s full purpose FSA are eligible.

Hopefully, you have attended one of the

Benefit Review Sessions that Meryl Meiteles,

Personnel Analyst, Benefits has conducted

An Update from the PR&R Committee

this fall. Refer to CONTRACT ARTICLE 6.

HEALTH INSURANCE for details of the

coverage.

Your HSA Bank Account will be opened

automatically on January 1, 2017. The Board

of Education will deposit the employer HSA

contribution of $1000 (for individual) or

$2000 (for family) at that time.

Please note that your premium contribution

effective January 1, 2017 will be reduced

from 20% to 18% from $123.50 (employee),

$246.91 (employee + 1), and $333.33

(employee + family) to $103.37 (employee),

$246.91 (employee + 1) and $279.00

(employee + family).

If at any time you have questions related to

your HEALTH INSURANCE know that you

can contact Meryl Meiteles (203-977-4196) at

mmeiteles@stamfordct.gov or Diane Phanos

at the SEA office (203-324-2602) at

presidentsea@optonline.net.

CEA WORKSHOPS

All workshops will be held at AITE, 4-6 pm unless otherwise stated. Contact SEA - seaoffice@optonline.net - to RSVP for any/all.

January 12: Teacher Assault - Robyn Kaplan-Cho January 26: Classroom Management - Michele O'Neill

February 9: Retirement - Robyn Kaplan-Cho March 9: Special Ed Issues - Robyn Kaplan-Cho March 30: Teachers and the Law - Melanie Kolek April 20: Degrees Not Debt - Michele O'Neill

April 27: What to Expect When You're Expecting -

SEA Office, Sharon Quinn

Want to see your colleagues on these pages, like the artists featured in this issue?

Then nominate them for…

To nominate: Send an email to Kate Tobin, tobinwhs@gmail.com.

SPOTLIGHTING Stamford Teachers:

Innovation, Creativity, Reflection &

Problem Solving

MOONLIGHTING Stamford Teachers:

After Hours, Vocations, Hobbies, &

Second Shifts

Continued from “You’ve Been UniServed,” page 5 It is important to note that HR will forward the FMLA medical certification form to you once you give notice that you will be on sick leave for your own medical reasons for an extended period; however, you are not required to complete and submit this form. You are only required to submit the form if you are requesting FMLA leave. YOU ARE NOT REQUIRED TO COMPLETE THE FORM IF YOU ARE ON PAID ACCUMULATED OR SICK BANK LEAVE. If you are going to be absent for an extended period because of your own medical illness and you have accumulated sick leave or are eligible to use sick leave from the bank, use it instead of requesting FMLA leave. You have the same protections without the onerous requirements. Note: The exception to this general rule is when the absence is due to pregnancy. This situation is complicated and very fact specific. If this is your situation, please plan on attending one of the “What To Expect When You’re Expecting” workshops or call the SEA office to schedule an appointment to discuss your particular situation.

The Professional Rights & Responsibilities Committee has been working on the following issues: class size at the middle school greater than the contractual limit; number of teaching periods per day at the middle school greater than the contractual limit; tuition reimbursement; salary placement based on experience prior to the date of hire; adult education/night school compensation; letter to the personnel file without just cause; AVID coordinator stipend; and compensation for the TPDLs’ (Technology Professional Development Leaders’) attendance at a PD prior to the start of the school year. The Committee is also waiting for a

Level III response related to non-selection to termed positions. It’s very important that you become familiar with our contract at seastamford.org. If you have a concern, talk to your faculty representative(s). Most non-contractual issues can be handled at your school through an established Consultation Committee. (See Contract Article 3L, page 3.) For issues that could result in a grievance, be sure to contact Sandra Peterkin at ctteacher2@optonline.net or Diane Phanos at presidentsea@optonline.net.

Sandra Peterkin PR&R Chair

President: Diane Phanos

presidentsea@optonline.net VP High School: Sean O’Connell

soconnell.aite@gmail.com VP Elementary (3-5): John Corcoran

jcgolf01@yahoo.com Secretary: Kate Tobin

tobinwhs@gmail.com Treasurer: Dorothea Mackey

dmackey02@aol.com CEA UniServ Rep: Sharon Quinn

sharonq@cea.org Director of Program Operations: Cheryl Ritchie

seaoffice@optonline.net Directors:

Tricia Conduah, mrsconduah@yahoo.com

Lou-Ann Finch, louann01@hotmail.com

Connie Konya, ckinct@gmail.com

Ray Milo, rmilo@aitestamford.org

Sandra Peterkin, ctteacher2@optimum.net Ruth-Terry Walden, rtwalden@yahoo.com

SEA Positions and Contact Info