Week of November 16, 2020

Message from the President

Changes to Remote/Hybrid Schedule

As you probably are aware, last Monday night, the Board of Education approved going remote for all students, teachers, para-educators and secretaries starting November 23rd through December 11th. On December 14th, those grades and programs that have already been hybrid will return to hybrid. The request to go to this schedule came from the building principals and assistant principals. As I mentioned last week, we have staff who will have to travel outside of New England during Thanksgiving for family obligations - picking up college students and caring for elderly parents or grandparents. Of all the calls I took, none of them were traveling because they wanted to, it was because they had to travel.

The proposal form the principals also asked for a similar schedule after the December/holiday break. That motion was not approved, but instead, the calendar for that as well as accelerating hybrid after the December/holiday break was sent to the Curriculum and Evaluation Committee. That committee is scheduled to meet on Tuesday, November 17th at 6:00pm via Zoom. I did ask that the committee have public comment so those who wish to express an opinion can do so. You can also give your feedback to the committee via email. The Board members on the committee include Ms. Brown, Ms. Johnson, Ms. Timmons; Ms. Bishop is the alternate (Board of Education contact information). I do expect most of the Board to be at the meeting and anything decided in the committee will ultimately have to be approved by the full Board. To email the entire Board, use boe@nashua.edu. Please note that any email sent to the full Board or any Board member is a public email and subject to the Right to Know law. I will continue to provide updates as I have them.

Know Your Contract

Negotiations Update

As of last edition, we knew when the Para-Education Negotiations would continue and we knew that the Teacher Negotiations Team was having an internal meeting. We have a few updates.

Para-Educator Negotiations

The Para-Educator Negotiations happen today at 1:30pm via Zoom. In anticipation of needing a meeting of the membership to ratify a tentative agreement. I have been working with AFT National and AFT Legal on how we proceed with a remote meeting. I am optimistic about our options and making sure everyone who wants to participate has access.

Teacher Negotiations

The Teacher Negotiations team will meet for an internal meeting on November 23rd. Last week, we confirmed that our first negotiations session with the district will be Thursday, December 10th at 4:00pm via Zoom.

Toys for Tots Drive

Toys for Tots Drive - now until December 1st

Toys can be dropped off at the Union Office Monday through Friday 8:30am - 4:00pm. If you prefer to send a monetary donation, make checks payable to Nashua Teachers' Union and send it to:

Nashua Teachers' Union

Toys for Tots Drive

7C Taggart Drive

Nashua, NH 03060

Thank you in advance for your consideration.

NTU COPE

For the latest information and updates from NTU COPE, click here.

Upcoming Meetings: no meeting scheduled

On A Positive Note

All comments/posts have been shared somewhere in Nashua about a staff member or school.

Favorite Thanksgiving Side Dish Showdown

We are done to the final two and I'm sure there is no surprise. Stuffing will take on Mashed Potatoes. Cranberry Sauce and Green Bean Casserole never stood a chance. Both were smoked and received less than 30% of the vote. I'm going to be honest, if I had to choose, I would be struggling right now!

Have an idea for the Just for Fun section? Send it to Adam (president@nashuatu.org).

The Most Popular Side in Every State

How to Cook a Thanksgiving Turkey

When I was teaching 1st grade, I would ask my students how to cook a Thanksgiving turkey. Each student wrote their own recipe for cooking a turkey. I have never laughed so hard in my life reading their recipes. Here are 2 new recipes from November 2010.

For the NTU calendar, click here

For the BOE calendar, click here

For the BOE agendas and minutes, click here

Upcoming Events

  • November 16th

      • Para-Educator Contract Negotiations, 1:30pm, via Zoom

  • November 17th

      • Board of Directors Meeting, 4:15pm, via Zoom

      • BOE Curriculum and Evaluation Committee Meeting, via Zoom (agenda)

  • November 18th

      • BOE Policy Committee Meeting, 6:00pm, via Zoom (agenda)

  • November 23rd

      • Remote Learning Day for all students and staff

  • November 24th

      • Remote Learning Day for all students and staff

  • November 25th - November 27th

      • No School; Happy Thanksgiving!!!

  • November 30th

      • BOE Human Resources Committee Meeting, 5:30pm, via Zoom

      • Board of Education Meeting, 6:00pm, via Zoom

  • November 30th - December 11th

      • Remote Learning for all students, teachers, para-educators and secretaries

  • December 1st

      • Executive Board, 4:00pm, via Zoom

  • December 3rd

      • Internal Food Service Negotiations, 2:00pm, Union Office

  • December 8th

      • Board of Directors Meeting, 4:15pm, via Zoom

  • December 10th

      • Teacher Negotiations, 4:00pm, via Zoom

  • December 14th

      • Teacher Leaders via Zoom

Questions? Comments? Need Assistance? Contact a member of the Executive Board

Trying to email Adam? Make sure to use president@nashuatu.org