Above: Bill Clark, TAL VP/Negotiations Committee, and Gina Whipple, TAL President at the 2019 Leadership Conference
June 15 board meeting: info here
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VOTING FOR TENTATIVE AGREEMENT IS NOW CLOSED
Results: 415 yes, 10 no. Tentative Agreement has been ratified. Thank you to all members who voted. The tentative agreement can be downloaded below. 
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TEACHER APPRECIATION MESSAGE FROM TAL: Hello Members! Thank you for all you do. TAL has arranged for a teacher apprecation event at Tacos el Superior at 41520 10th St W in Palmdale: - TAL Members: starting today (5/7/21), show your ID/CTA card and receive 3 tacos and a canned beverage. Ends June 30th! Thank you to Tacos el Superior for helping us show that we appreciate our teachers! |
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Congratulations to all the Teachers of the Year! | ||
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Here are the proposed Chair Job Descriptions:
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| 21-22_school_calendar.pdf |
California Casualty, the longtime endorsed partner of the California Teachers Association, appreciates our dedication to our students. In honor of that commitment, our local California Casualty Field Marketing Manager, Jessica Meda is offering a $25 gift card if you complete an auto insurance quote. California Casualty supports our educators and their program is a benefit of CTA membership. <Click Here> to request your no-obligation quote.
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US Dept. of Ed. letter to CDE regarding CDE's waiver request:
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Below is the MOU for 6th grade middle, 6th SDC. Voting is now closed.
| tal_copy_6th_gr._ms_mou_addendum.pdf |
03/17/2021
Dear Members,
At the general meeting, Kym talked about discussing with your admin if you had a special situation regarding the 2 paid work days. Many people are trying to switch and it's become problematic. Therefore, we have to follow what the MOU says. You must choose 1 set of 2 days, or 1 day of the 2 days, or none at all.
We had to bargain hard to get the 2 sets of dates; the district originally wanted only one set. So we feel we are lucky to have a choice. No other local districts were given daily rate for 2 prep days!
The MOU has been ratified due to a majority vote, but you can still vote if you would like to. The form is on our website (talnewsonline.org) and is open until tonight at 11:59 PM.
Thank you for your support!
Kym Hickman, Negotiations Chair
Gina Whipple, TAL President
Wendy Perry, TAL Secretary and Negotiations Team
Bill Clark, TAL Vice President and Negotiations Team
Marshall Zaun, Negotiations Team
Dear Members,
At the general meeting, Kym talked about discussing with your admin if you had a special situation regarding the 2 paid work days. Many people are trying to switch and it's become problematic. Therefore, we have to follow what the MOU says. You must choose 1 set of 2 days, or 1 day of the 2 days, or none at all.
We had to bargain hard to get the 2 sets of dates; the district originally wanted only one set. So we feel we are lucky to have a choice. No other local districts were given daily rate for 2 prep days!
The MOU has been ratified due to a majority vote, but you can still vote if you would like to. The form is on our website (talnewsonline.org) and is open until tonight at 11:59 PM.
Thank you for your support!
Kym Hickman, Negotiations Chair
Gina Whipple, TAL President
Wendy Perry, TAL Secretary and Negotiations Team
Bill Clark, TAL Vice President and Negotiations Team
Marshall Zaun, Negotiations Team
Above: updated MOU with the addition of APE, OT and PT - 3/15/21
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The MOU was ratified with a final vote count of 417 yes and 46 no. Thank you TAL for voting!
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Steps for Interactive Dialogue:
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March 8, 2021
Good evening members,
The Negotiations Team met with the District again today to continue developing an MOU for a safe return to in-person instruction. We had hoped to be done today, however, there are still some important issues that still need to be addressed. We are happy to say that a lot of progress was made on issues such as: date of return, safety, daily schedule, time for teacher prep to set up classrooms, pay issues, and guidelines for testing.
We will meet again with the District on Thursday afternoon in an attempt to resolve outstanding issues and hopefully complete our negotiations as it applies to elementary, 6th grade middle school and SDC. Targeted groups will return after spring break (with substitute teachers), and a scheduled staggered return to instruction will begin on April 5 with TK-K, both general ed and SDC.
Upon completion of the MOU, TAL will hold a virtual general meeting for all bargaining unit members to discuss the provisions.
Kym Hickman
Bill Clark
Marshall Zaun
Wendy Perry
Good evening members,
The Negotiations Team met with the District again today to continue developing an MOU for a safe return to in-person instruction. We had hoped to be done today, however, there are still some important issues that still need to be addressed. We are happy to say that a lot of progress was made on issues such as: date of return, safety, daily schedule, time for teacher prep to set up classrooms, pay issues, and guidelines for testing.
We will meet again with the District on Thursday afternoon in an attempt to resolve outstanding issues and hopefully complete our negotiations as it applies to elementary, 6th grade middle school and SDC. Targeted groups will return after spring break (with substitute teachers), and a scheduled staggered return to instruction will begin on April 5 with TK-K, both general ed and SDC.
Upon completion of the MOU, TAL will hold a virtual general meeting for all bargaining unit members to discuss the provisions.
Kym Hickman
Bill Clark
Marshall Zaun
Wendy Perry
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March 7, 2021
I feel compelled to address the false statements made by Mr. Giles on social media stating that we refuse to return to our classrooms. Aside from the divisive nature of the comments, they are untrue. As the president of TAL, I have directed our Negotiations team to demand safe working conditions and safe learning conditions for staff and students, respectively. It seems like an obvious thing that everyone would support. After all, we are charged with safeguarding and educating children- our most precious resource. Surprisingly, it has been a battle. The district’s team- who represent the board, don’t agree that we need to establish more than the minimum safety requirements. Given the photos of unmasked children and adults by Mr. Giles, it appears that he is comfortable ignoring the recommendations of the CDC to continue masking and practicing social distance. I am not comfortable with this. It creates an unnecessary risk to my members and my students- both of whom I am charged with protecting. In Unity as always! ~Whip |
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Survey #11 Results
March 3, 2021
Dear Members,
The Negotiations Team met with the district again today. We have made progress on some issues. However, we have not reached agreement on several important points. We will be meeting again on Monday, March 8 and we believe that negotiations will be concluded at that time.
The guidelines from the state of California, LACDPH and CDPH have changed to the point where a return to in-person instruction is inevitable. Safety of our students, families, and our members remain our top priority. We are negotiating for robust safety measures and procedures, as well as a reasonable schedule of instruction.
The return to in-person instruction would be implemented through a phased-in approach. While in the purple tier, the grade levels to return first would be TK-2 general ed. and TK- 5 SDC. Targeted groups in grades 3- 6 would also return with support provided by substitute teachers. Targeted groups include foster, homeless, and students who are not engaging in remote learning.
Grades 3-6 general ed. would return to in-person learning once L.A. County has been in the red tier for one week. This return would include 6th grade at the middle school level. ECE, 7th and 8th grades would remain virtual for the remainder of the 20/21 school year.
No one would be returning to in-person instruction before spring break.
We will continue to communicate with you when we have concrete information. You will be voting on the proposed MOU when it is finalized.
TAL Negotiations Team
Kym Hickman
Bill Clark
Marshall Zaun
Wendy Perry
Dear Members,
The Negotiations Team met with the district again today. We have made progress on some issues. However, we have not reached agreement on several important points. We will be meeting again on Monday, March 8 and we believe that negotiations will be concluded at that time.
The guidelines from the state of California, LACDPH and CDPH have changed to the point where a return to in-person instruction is inevitable. Safety of our students, families, and our members remain our top priority. We are negotiating for robust safety measures and procedures, as well as a reasonable schedule of instruction.
The return to in-person instruction would be implemented through a phased-in approach. While in the purple tier, the grade levels to return first would be TK-2 general ed. and TK- 5 SDC. Targeted groups in grades 3- 6 would also return with support provided by substitute teachers. Targeted groups include foster, homeless, and students who are not engaging in remote learning.
Grades 3-6 general ed. would return to in-person learning once L.A. County has been in the red tier for one week. This return would include 6th grade at the middle school level. ECE, 7th and 8th grades would remain virtual for the remainder of the 20/21 school year.
No one would be returning to in-person instruction before spring break.
We will continue to communicate with you when we have concrete information. You will be voting on the proposed MOU when it is finalized.
TAL Negotiations Team
Kym Hickman
Bill Clark
Marshall Zaun
Wendy Perry
If you cannot get an appointment through https://myturn.ca.gov for a COVID vaccination, check back here often as we will post other vaccination appointment options regularly.
YouTube recording of 3/2/21 meeting:
COVID / Workers' Comp
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URGENT: IF YOU HAVE NOT DESIGNATED YOUR OWN DOCTOR FOR WORKER'S COMP, YOU NEED TO DO IT IMMEDIATELY.
RISK MANAGEMENT EMAILED US THE FORM ON 02/25/2021. IT IS TAL'S UNDERSTANDING THAT YOU ONLY NEED TO FILL OUT THIS PAPERWORK ONCE, NOT YEARLY. CHECK WITH THE D.O. TO SEE IF YOUR FORM IS UP TO DATE |
From Danielle Gates at Risk Management on 2/26/21:
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02/24/2021
Dear TAL Members, The Negotiations Team met with the district today regarding the procedures that must be in place to ensure the safe return of staff and students. The safety concerns discussed included plexiglass shields, HEPA filters, portable sinks, cleaning of bathrooms, classrooms, and common areas, temperature checks, vaccinations, and COVID testing. In addition, we asked to see the individual site plans for the management of students who refuse to wear masks, won't stay in their seats, procedures for arrival and dismissal, isolation room management and location, protocol for students who are not picked up after school, as well as other concerns. The district responded to these concerns by citing LA County Department of Public Health guidelines, which say:
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Sick leave was discussed, and at this point the district's position is that if someone is exposed to COVID or contracts the virus, they will have to file a workman’s compensation claim. We asked the district for 3 days to set up our classrooms. At this point, they are offering 1 day in the classroom and 1 day of in-service on safety procedures. The district proposal is a phased-in approach that starts with TK-K on April 5. First grade and TK-6 SDC mild/ moderate would return on April 12. Second grade and TK-6 SDC moderate/severe would return on April 19. Grades 3-6 targeted would return on March 29 (with subs). Targeted students are foster, homeless, and students who are not successful in virtual learning. General ed grades 3-8 would return as flexibility is made available by LACDPH. Teachers will be given one week notification if there are changes to their teaching assignment. At this point, we have not agreed to any of the above. In addition, the district is proposing teacher-led live in-person instruction for all grades TK-6 from 8:30-11:00 and lunch from 11:00-11:50. In the afternoon, TK-K would teach online 11:55-1:45, with an intervention block from 1:45-2:55. This intervention block would contain the same responsibilities we have now during that time. First-sixth grades would teach online from 11:55-2:00, with an intervention block from 2:00-2:55, again with the same responsibilities we have now during that time. Currently, there is no district plan for middle school (7/8). We have not agreed to the district TK-6 In-Person/Virtual Learning Proposal. At this time, the district has very limited information as to how many students will be coming back. We have over 14,000 students in our district, and only 800 families took the district survey. Only 50% of those who responded indicated a desire to return. The team feels it is important that you understand what the district is proposing at this time. As we went through Survey #10 results, we know that there are members who wish to return in person and those that are more comfortable remaining virtual. Of the members who responded to our latest survey, 16% are willing to return now. In an effort to respect the wishes of all of our members, we are sending out another survey to determine how we will proceed with our counter-proposal. We strongly urge all members to take this survey. It will be posted soon on TalNewsOnline.org, the TAL website. We will be presenting the district with our counter-proposal next Wednesday, March 3. Kym Hickman, chair Bill Clark Marshall Zaun Wendy Perry |
Survey #10 results:
Survey #9 results:
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February 17, 2021
Good evening TAL Members, Things did not go as planned today during Negotiations. We were not treated like family or respected as professionals. We will be meeting with the district again on Wednesday, February 24 for an all-day session of negotiations. Please respond to the latest survey on the TAL website (talnewsonline.org). It is survey #9. Please know that I will represent and defend all members. In Unity, Whip |
February 10, 2021
Dear TAL Members, Your TAL negotiations team met with the district today. Our team showed up prepared to have a meaningful conversation in order to provide a safe and reasonable solution for navigating through this pandemic. We expected that at the conclusion of today’s meeting we would be able to provide assurance and lessen anxiety for our members regarding the remainder of the school year 20/21. We recommended extending the MOU at least through spring break. The district, on the other hand, did not come to this meeting with the authority to bargain. We will meet again on February 17, 2021. Please know that we are working hard for you, your family, our students, and our community. As you know, the current MOU is expiring on February 28, 2021. Sincerely, Kym Hickman Bill Clark Marshall Zaun Wendy Perry |
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RA Delegate - CTA
January 29th was the deadline for Declarations of Candidacy forms to be submitted online for the local and state delegates to the assembly. CTA notified us on February 8, Gina Whipple was the sole candidate. According to the NEA RA Election Guidelines and Procedures, “ An election can be waived, and the candidate/s declared elected ...if “the number of candidates is equal or less than the number of delegate positions to be filled,” Therefore, Gina Whipple is declared elected as our local/state delegate to the assembly, This saves our local $$ outsourcing an online election. Congratulations, Gina! Thank you for your service on behalf of the Teachers Association of Lancaster. |
Executive Board Elections:
The Elections Committee on behalf of TAL is cancelling the 2021 election for the Offices of Unit Vice-President and Unit Treasurer. We received three Declarations of Candidacy. One candidate later revoked their declaration. In the interest of our local, we will follow the CTA guidelines. The terms will roll over. We will save our unit appr. $500.00. |
LA County's Covid-19 Dashboard can be found here
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12/15/20 board meeting:
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12/1/20 board meeting
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Black Lives Matter Legal Advisory:
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Members, please check your junk / spam email boxes in case you did not receive your digital CTA membership card.
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How to fill out the Async Log in PowerTeacher:
-Teachers are reponsible for creating these async assignments in PowerTeacher starting 9/28/20.
- See Joint Communique below for details (this document was emailed to you 9/28/20).
-Teachers do NOT need to go back and change assignment categories to Distance Learning for work prior to 9/28/20.
-Async work does not apply to SDC Teachers since their students attend AM/PM every day.
- See Joint Communique below for details (this document was emailed to you 9/28/20).
-Teachers do NOT need to go back and change assignment categories to Distance Learning for work prior to 9/28/20.
-Async work does not apply to SDC Teachers since their students attend AM/PM every day.
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Joint Communique for Async / Engagement Log
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Here is the async log that Tony Thurmond's office created for us that we DID NOT think was the best for us (hence we opted for doing the async log in PowerSchool):
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WE DO NOT HAVE WEEKLY TUESDAY MINIMUM DAYS DURING DISTANCE LEARNING.
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TAL Survey #6 is now closed. Please read the FAQs and MOU below.
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Reopening Schools/Distance Learning MOU (which expires 2/28/21) download:
| memorandum_of_understanding.docx.pdf |
July 2020 MOU pages 1-2:
July 2020 MOU pages 3-4:
July 2020 MOU pages 5-6:
July 2020 MOU pages 7-8:
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Welcome to all the new teachers in Lancaster School District!
We look forward to meeting you and supporting you. |
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From Gina 07/27/2020:
Good evening TAL members, This has been and continues to be an arduous task. We are NOT finished with Negotiations. I always want to get information to you as soon as possible. Please keep in mind that the team and I are mentally and physically exhausted. Read the information thoroughly and take some time to process. If it isn’t on the list, we haven’t finished discussing and don’t have a solid agreement. This is clearly not our optimal return. We must adapt to the situation and meet the needs of our students and our own families. We are doing all that we can to ensure a smooth transition to distance learning. We have all learned a lot since March: what worked and what didn’t. Let’s keep an open mind and positive outlook as we embark on this new reality that is education. In UNITY, Whip |
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Elementary Schedule:
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Middle School Schedule:
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From Gina 07/14/2020:
Thank you TAL members, parents, and yes- STUDENTS who logged into the LSD board meeting! There has been a lot of work, stress, frustration, and anxiety involved in putting this plan together. I appreciate your willingness to take an interest and support all of us. It takes courage to make difficult decisions. I look forward to seeing my students next month- even if it is virtually. More so, I hope to see them in my classroom in January! We will get through this together! In UNITY! Whip |
From Gina 07/08/2020:
The situation we are currently in is not optimal— we are professionals and must adjust to this crisis. I have tried to ease the burden for all of you by working on this every day and only giving updates when there is new information; I want you to enjoy your break as much as possible. First of all, I created that schedule along with Amy Keller. We had many factors to consider and had teachers’ and students’ best interests at the forefront. This schedule is intended for teachers who are able to return to school in a physical capacity. Also keep in mind there is a real possibility that we will begin the year virtually. This schedule supports 15 students per block to account for social distancing. We have requirements to meet in order to receive funding and that is foundational and cannot be ignored. Amy and I were sure to include all of our members, including PE and Elective teachers, those with medical limitations, Speech, RSP, Sped, Coaches, and all grades TK-8. That schedule includes lunch and a prep each day, as well as time to connect with students and parents. You will also notice that Pink Tuesdays are not included. You’re welcome. Please remember that we can only control things to a certain extent. CSEA will sanitize rooms and restrooms. They will negotiate their own conditions to return. Many questions in regards to issues surrounding cleanliness should be brought to the Board meeting at 5pm this Tuesday, the 14th. We will get through this ordeal. Please take some time to think about our upcoming year. I will try to focus on how exciting it will be meeting my new class of students. In UNITY as always, Whip |
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Proposed Elementary Schedule 2020-21:
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Proposed Middle School schedule 2020-21:
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URGENT - CA Assembly Bill 1384 (AB1384) - read the full text here regarding liability for COVID-19-related injuries at schools.
Accomodations during COVID for employees:
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| cfra_fmla_pdl_leave_chart.pdf |
Click here to see the CDC's guidance on opening schools (as of February 2021)
Know your Weingarten Rights
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Site Rep - SPED Cheat Sheet
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Click here for California Collaborative for Educational Excellence (CCEE) Distance Learning Resources for SpecialEd
2020-2021 Calendar
| 2020-2021_student_calendar_board_2-4-2020.pdf |
Ed. Code - Suspensions & Assault on Employees
48910 & 44014
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What Makes a Work Environment Hostile?
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Social Networking and how it can affect your life: |
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Black Tuesdays
El Dorado is united for school safety and discipline!
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Mariposa STANDING strong, for school safety!
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Lincoln united for safety in OUR schools, for ALL!
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Sunnydale: we stand united today for teacher and student safety in all schools!
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Sunnydale showing our support for staff and student safety.
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Joshua kinder representing!
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