Spotlight
NBFT Local 871 - March 2018 - Volume 71, Issue 3
Union News
New Britain Federation of Teachers Scholarships
1. Eligibility requirement
2. Application is complete
3. Grades (copies)
4. SAT scores/class standing (copies)
5. Written Essay
6. Need
7. Letters of Recommendation
Please contact Jennifer Meister if you have any questions!
AFT Connectictut Scholarships
AFT Connecticut awards two scholarships annually; one for union members to further their own professional learning and the other for their spouse, domestic partner or children's education.
As affiliates of our national union, members are also eligible for one of 10 grants of $1,000.00 each to assist with their continuing education. Plus their dependents may apply for an $8,000.00 scholarship awarded each year to four high-achieving high school seniors.
But hurry -- the deadline for AFT's Robert G. Porter Scholars Program is Saturday, March 31. And Monday, April 2 is the deadline for both of AFT Connecticut's scholarships
(Taken from AFT-CT; "Forward: Two Weeks to Apply for Scholarship Benefits." 18 March 2018.)
Come Join the Team!
On Saturday, May 12th, 2018, the NBFT will be taking part in a very special Mother's Day weekend tradition in New Britain's Walnut Hill Park.
We will be joining more than 7,500 participants in the 15th anniversary run of the CT Breast Health Initiative, Inc.'s 2018 CT RACE IN THE PARK. The focus of this event is to increase awareness, to raise funds in the fight against breast cancer, to celebrate with survivors, and to remember those who have lost their battle with breast cancer.
We are forming a team that will unite with thousands of other supporters on Race day. We would like you to join us by registering for an event. You may choose the 1-MILE WALK or the 4K WALK; or you may wish to run in the 5K race. There are also children's activities (1-MILE RUN or the FUN RUN).
Joining our team is easy - simply click on the link below. Registration is $30 for adults, and $15 for youths.
When you join the team, our website allows you to set up your own personal webpage to help raise funds for the Pledge program. Invite your family, friends, and co-workers to join the team and/or make pledges on our behalf. Everyone is invited to take part.
The end of breast cancer begins with research. With each step taken over the past fourteen years, we move closer and closer to finding a cure. We would love to have you be a team member. Please contact Basia Maselek if you have any questions and we thank you for your support.
Follow This Link to visit the NBFT personal web page (set up by Basia Maselek) and help us in our efforts to support CT Breast Health Initiative, Inc
Get Ready for the NBFT Retirement Party!!
This Year's Retirees Being Honored Are:
Janet Befus; Slade; 25.5 years
Judith Boccia; Gaffney; 18.9 years
Kevin Bonaparte; Smith; 34 years
Jean Carroll; NBHS; 37 years
Elizabeth Caswell; Slade; 16 years
Paula Catuogno; Pulaski; 32 years
Jocelyn Chen; NBHS; 36 years
Marguerite Daigle; Gaffney; 39.5 years
Patricia Fitzgerald; Brookside; 16 years
Margaret "Peggy" Morrissey; Pulaski; 16 years
Linda Parsons; NBHS; 21 years
Leslie Raymond; Districtwide; 36.6 years
Cynthia Romero; Lincoln; 20 years
Earline Rothwell; Lincoln; 33.4 years
Charles Serravalle; Pulaski; 25 years
Mary Stenta; NBHS; 31 years
Susan Truglio; Slade; 34 years
Brenda Turner; Chamberlain; 37 years
Patricia Twomey; NBHS; 23 years
Lynn Washington; NBHS; 35.7 years
NBFT AND NBFP AFTER Holiday Party A Success!!
This year Local Union 871 (NBFT) and Local Union 2407 (NBFP) had the "Union After Holiday Party" together! The event took place on Friday, January 19th from 6-11 p.m. at the V.F.W. in New Britain. The new venue and increased participation made for an awesome night filled with dinner, dancing, drinking and some seriously good raffle prizes! The intent of the party, besides having created an opportunity for us all to connect with each other, was to begin to raise money for the NBFT and NBFP Union scholarships which was also a great success! Thank you to all who volunteered and came out to party! We look forward to doing it again next holiday season!
Welfare
Compiled by Jennifer Meister
Deaths
The Union extends its condolences to the following staff members:
Lynne Day (NBHS) on the passing of her husband; Lynn Washington (NBHS) on the passing of her sister; Ryan Vacca (HALS) on the passing of his grandfather; Betsy Clark (Holmes) on the death of her grandmother; Sue Brigandi (Smith) on the passing of her father; Betsy Caswell (Slade) on the passing of her mother and Glen Banks (Slade) on the passing of his father. The Union extends its condolences on the passing of the following retired staff members and family: Dr. Joyce L. (Weaver) Groth (NBHS); Susana Sikorsky (School Psychologist); Jerry Shinners (NBHS); and Chet Lutynski husband of Geri Lutynski (NBHS).
Births
The Union extends congratulations to the following members:
Dustine Swim (Smith), a daughter; Steve Portera (Chamberlain), a son; Stan Glowiak (NBHS), a granddaughter; Colleen Moffett-Mals (NBHS), a daughter.
Well Wishes
The Union extends well wishes to the following staff members:
Kim Gionfrido (Smith) - Recovering from Surgery; Lisa McAloon (Smith) - Caring for her husband after surgery; Continued well wishes to the following teachers: Mary Ellen Strasser (Slade), Keith Dube (Slade), Gene Russo (Slade) and Mike Titor (NBHS).
Please forward any welfare news to Jennifer Meister at meisterj@csdnb.org
Dear Fed
What's up with the Janus case??
From,
Info Seeker
Dear Info Seeker,
Great question and a timely one too! For those of you who may not know, the Supreme Court case Janus vs. AFSCME Council 31 is a case that has been taken up by the Court on this year's docket. At its most basic level, Mr. Janus, a family services worker for the State of Illinois, contends that he should not have to pay at all into a union that does not support his own political views (Mr. Janus is a fair-share payer, not a full member of his union). Oral arguments were heard by the Court back on February 26th, 2018 and the decision is being eagerly awaited. The AFT, along with many other unions, believes the decision will be in favor of Mr. Janus having far reaching implications for all unions in the United States. If you would like to read more, please check out the following links:
Union Information:
http://aftct.org/U_and_I_in_Union?
https://www.aft.org/ae/spring2018/wws
General Information Sites (these sites are informational and not union backed):
Union Brothers and Sisters,
At a recent state AFT meeting information was shared on a new member benefit...FREE online college. It is from an accredited University offering associate programs...most pertinent to us being an Associates degree in early childhood, however there are many other programs. At first glance this may not seem useful to us, however, the program is available to spouses, children, dependents, etc. For those members that have a family member who has entered the workforce and may now be considering college this might be the program. AFT has checked out the school and all checks out. The links below have all the information including contact information. It is worth taking a moment to check it out.
Please click on the links to find out more!
https://www.unionplusfreecollege.org/degree-programs/ (Degree Programs)
https://www.unionplusfreecollege.org/faqs/ (FAQ Section)
Sal Escobales
Teacher and Union President NBFT
Smalley Elementary
Please Report Name Changes!
It's your Spotlight
Union Directory
President
Sal Escobales
V.P. High School
Sue Humanick
V.P. Middle School
Charles Carey
V.P’s Elementary Schools
Jackie Escales and Stephen Gray
Recording Secretary
Basia Maselek
Executive Secretary
Dan Blanchard
Treasurer
William Sanford
Technology
Chris Gaetano
Negotiations
Dave Devost
Board Liason
Laura Skinner
Public Relations
Evelyn Hudyma
Social/Welfare
Jennifer Meister
Publications
Sara Natrillo
Email: escobale@csdnb.org
Website: www.nbft.net
Location: 238 South Main Street, New Britain, CT, United States
Phone: 860-225-2808