Week of March 22, 2021
2020 and 2021 Elections Set
COVID has caused a lot of problems for us as individuals, with our jobs, and at the Union Office. In order to put us back on track with our annual elections, we will hold both the 2020 and 2021 Elections June 1st through June 3rd through BallPoint, an online platform. The Board of Directors approved the use of this platform and the funds to pay for it for this election. Typically, we hold an annual election in the spring with half of the Executive Board and half of the Board/Unit Representatives being on the ballot. We would not hold our annual election last year and it backs into this year.
Using the online platform will eliminate the need for printing of ballots, member lists, and voting in person. This will allow any member who has registered to vote any time between June 1st and June 3rd. Voter registration will open April 5th and run through April 16th. This is an important and crucial step for us to confirm membership and get accurate contact information to provide the voting link and information in June. It will also give us time to contact members who register if the information provided doesn't work (misspelled email address, etc.).
All seven Executive Board positions and all Building/Unit Representative positions will be on the ballot in June. If you are interested in running for an Executive Board position or in representing your building/unit, please visit our Election Website for all current information, a list of duties and responsibilities, and how to run.
If you have any questions about the Election, please contact Terry Freeman (freemant@nashuatu.org). If you have any questions about running, a specific position, or responsibilities, please contact Adam (president@nashuatu.org).
Updated Election Information, a list of open positions, duties and responsibilities, and how to get on the ballot can be found on our Election Website: www.nashuatu.org/election-information.
NTU COPE
NEW UPDATES!!!
VOUCHER and RIGHT TO WORK ALERTS!!!
Upcoming Meetings: no meeting scheduled
AFT-NH Legislative Updates
Know Your Contract
City of Nashua - Insurance Audit - Reminder
As mentioned in iNews in February and March, the City of Nashua has hired a firm to do an insurance audit of the city, which includes the school district. Yesterday, I received a form in the mail from PDA-Verification Team, 17199 N. Laurel Park Drive, Suite 400, Livonia, MI 48152. The form had directions on how to submit documents and provided a number to call should you have questions signed by Carol St. Pierre, the Benefits Manager for the City of Nashua.
When everyone is hired, the district collects the employee’s birth certificate for NHRS. They don’t collect marriage licenses or birth certificates for family members until that event occurs, if it occurs, after you are hired. The district/City has some marriage and birth certificates for some employees but not all.
Regardless of whether they have it or not, they hired a third-party organization to do an audit to make sure we don’t have dependents that are over 26 or that you are covering someone who is no longer eligible. When the City is covering ineligible family members, the city is losing money on family members they shouldn’t have to cover.
I uploaded my documents and submitted last week.
If you have not received the mailing, please phone toll-free a PDA Dependent Verification Eligibility Audit representative at 888 585-5033 to speak with a trained HIPAA representative, in confidence.
Free PD from AFT
Supporting Students with Grief and Loss
Tuesday, April 20th, 4:00pm – 5:30pm via Zoom Webinar sponsored by the Nashua Teachers' Union
Join AFT national trainer Julie Taylor for an interactive webinar on “Supporting Students with Grief and Loss” hosted by Nashua Teachers Union. In 2020, AFT members made clear in a survey with New York Life Foundation: social-emotional supports for students are more important than ever. In our current circumstances, childhood bereavement is particularly pressing – and educators have an important role to play in supporting learning through grief. Participants will learn the strategies of a Grief-Sensitive Educator and receive a complementary kit.
To register, click here and complete the form.
TABATA Tuesdays
FREE Workout on Zoom
TABATA (intervals)
Every Tuesday 4:00pm - 4:30pm
No equipment needed
What is TABATA?
High intensity intervals at your own level, including strengthening and cardio exercises
Ex: 20 seconds work hard/ 10 seconds rest, repeat.
To Get the Zoom Link:
RSVP “Tabata” in the subject to Deanna Lavoie (lavoiede@nashua.edu) for the Zoom link.
Scholarship Opportunities
NTU High School Senior Scholarship - 2021
Application window: February 15, 2021 - April 9, 2021
Applications most be postmarked by April 9, 2021
The 2021 Nashua Teachers' Union High School Senior Scholarship is open to children/dependents of NTU members and retirees in good standing.
Click here for the NTU High School Senior Scholarship Application
NTU Post-Secondary School Scholarship - 2021
Application window: February 15, 2021 - April 9, 2021
Applications most be postmarked by April 9, 2021
The 2021 Nashua Teachers' Union High College Scholarship is open to any children/dependents of NTU members and retirees in good standing in an undergraduate/post-secondary program at a college, community college, university, or recognized trade school.
Click here for the NTU Post-Secondary Scholarship Application
Closing soon! AFT Robert G. Porter Scholars Program - 2021
Have an idea for the Just for Fun section? Send it to Adam (president@nashuatu.org).
Treehouse Wins
A landslide doesn't even begin to express the results of this poll. Treehouse took almost 93% of the vote! Honestly, I'm not surprised!
Spring Flowers
Spring sprung on us over the weekend. That made me start thinking about spring flowers, budding trees, (my allergies), and warmer weather. We haven't had a bracket "tournament" in awhile so why not do one with spring flowers. These are the top 8 popular spring flowers according to 1-800-Flowers (because I couldn't come up with a better site?).
Upcoming Events
- March 22nd
- March 23rd
- NTU President/Superintendent Meeting, 9:00am, via Zoom
- Internal Secretary Negotiations, 4:15pm, via Zoom
- March 24th
- Internal Teacher Negotiations, 4:30pm, via Zoom (Negotiating Team)
- March 25th
- Teacher Negotiations, 4:00pm, via Zoom (Negotiating Team)
- March 27th
- To those who celebrate, Happy Passover!
- March 30th
- NTU President/Superintendent Meeting, 9:00am, via Zoom
- April 4th
- To those who celebrate, Happy Easter!
- April 6th
- NTU President/Superintendent Meeting, 9:00am, via Zoom
- Executive Board Meeting, 3:00pm, via Zoom
- April 8th
- Teacher Negotiations, 4:00pm, via Zoom (Negotiating Team)
- April 13th
- NTU President/Superintendent Meeting, 9:00am, via Zoom
- Board of Directors, 4:15pm, via Zoom
