Quolke Corners

QUOLKE’S CORNER #153

OPEN ENROLLMENT 2013

Just a reminder to everyone that November is Open Enrollment month.  If you are currently enrolled in the medical, drug, vision, or life insurance plans are satisfied with your benefit coverage you DO NOT need to take any action.  However, I strongly recommend that you go online to verify what is listed in the computer for you is accurate and to review premiums. 

You must go online if any of the following apply to you:

• You want to make changes to current medical, dental, or life insurance coverage.
• You have previously opted-out of benefits.  You must opt

Quolke’s Corner #152

Staff Attendance

      Like many of you I was stunned, angry, and disappointed when I got the letter from the CEO about attendance indicating that our employee attendance rate was 89.3%.  I was stunned by the claim that our teachers average a little higher than a 10% average daily absence rate.  I was disappointed that absolutely no discussion with the CTU (the largest employee group in the CMSD) regarding this issue occurred before being released to the public.  I was angry that this release occurred coinciding with our attempts to rejuvenate our Labor Management Committee

QUOLKE’S CORNER # 151

It is hard to believe that October is already here and we are winding down to the end of the first marking period.  I’ve been out to over 20 schools so far and it is amazing to see the difference a year can make.  

Last year at this time in CMSD, students in K-8 had a school day shortened by 50 minutes, hundreds of teachers were on a lay-off list, class sizes were in the forties, and we had just overwhelmingly rejected another concession-laden proposal from the CMSD as the district tried to balance a $50 million deficit on the backs of CTU.  Yet every weekday and every

QUOLKE'S CORNER #150

Staffing 2013-2014 School Year

Anyone that was at the May 23 Delegate Assembly heard the frustration that was shared by our team waiting for answers when Staffing would be scheduled.  As we told the Delegates that day, a timeline to do Staffing by the end of the school year was drafted and was waiting for approval from CEO or the CAO or someone with the ability to give that ok.

Delegates asked if the District was waiting to see if the CBA was ratified.  FaceBook was full of discussion this weekend anticipating that staffing would now be done since the Tentative Agreement was

QUOLKE'S CORNER #149

INVESTMENT SCHOOLS

Today (Thursday) CEO Gordon announced 13 schools that are to become what the district is calling Investment Schools.  For some time now, from school to school and all through the community - we all knew that this was coming.  During this time I have heard many rumors about the fate of various schools (including school closings)...we can now put those rumors to rest.  Moving forward, these identified Investment Schools are going to be the cornerstone of educational reform in CMSD.  While change is often difficult and especially difficult when waiting to

QUOLKE'S CORNER #148

WHY DOESN'T THE STATE INVEST IN OUR CHILDREN?

Last month, I had the opportunity to hear Linda Darling-Hammond speak at the City Club of Cleveland.  Darling-Hammond is an education researcher and expert focusing on issues of school restructuring, teacher quality, and educational equity.  Her knowledge and insight is impressive and highly regarded.

In the most recent Third International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS), involving over 500,000 students in 41 countries, the United States was ranked near or at the bottom in several categories.  This, of course, is a great

QUOLKE’S CORNER # 147

THIRD GRADE GUARANTEE

During the Ohio General Assembly’s lame duck session at the end of 2012 – HB 555 was passed.  This law has many implications for educators throughout the state.  One of those components is the 3^rd Grade Reading Guarantee.  I know you have seen summaries of the Guarantee language including the provision that students in grade 3 will be retained if they do not “attain the appropriate level of reading competency by the end of grade 3.”  Prior to grade 3 the legislation requires intervention in K, 1, and 2 for students in those grades that are “not on

QUOLKE’S CORNER #145

Please read we need your help!
Budget Bill (HB 59) "The Art of Doublespeak"
 

QUOLKE'S CORNER #144

UPDATE RESTORING SCHOOL DAY, GRADE ENTRY

Happy New Year to all and I hope that you had the opportunity to do have all of the fun, relaxation, and time with loved ones that you needed and desired.  Over break a number of laid off science teachers were recalled to OGT preparation and credit recovery positions.  The district was awarded a grant to aid in preparing high school students for OGT.  Science teachers were recalled to implement this course and credit recovery  This was unexpected good news for these educators and for the students and schools that will benefit from