Week of September 6, 2021
Message from the President
I hope you had a great first few days of school. I was able to walk through a few schools last week. It was really nice to see people, hear students in the halls and in the classrooms. Last week was the first time I was able to spend a considerable amount of time in schools since I left on March 13, 2020. That seems like a lifetime ago. Unfortunately, it isn't a lifetime ago, and we're all still dealing with the impacts and ramifications that COVID is having on our community. This year is starting out much differently than last year, it almost felt normal. While it is far from what we remember as normal, I can honestly say it's nice to back in a somewhat normal routine. And if I'm being honest, I don't miss Zoom at all. I see it as a tool that we will continue to use on occasion, but I'm hoping the days of using it all day are behind us.
The school year is always busy with lots of different events and activities, and this year seems to be no different. Back to school time seems to be especially busy for everyone. With the said, I have schedule two important meetings for the end of September. The first is a meeting for all members who work under the teachers' contract. That meeting with be September 22nd at 4:30pm at Nashua High School South in the auditorium. I hope to spend about an hour giving updates, answering questions, and getting direction from the membership. The other meeting is a ratification meeting for all members who work under the para-educator contract. This contract has been a long time coming. Para-educators are encouraged to come on September 27th at 4:00pm at Nashua High School North to hear about proposed changes and then to vote on the contract. More information about the proposed changes will be sent out prior to the meeting.
We have made it through the first week, albeit it was a short one. I wish you all a great school year.
Pay Check Gap Reminder
As announced in iNews, there will be an extra week between paychecks for teachers who elected 26 pay checks. This does not impact any employee who receives a weekly paycheck.
All teachers will be paid on June 16, 2022. The next pay check for teachers will be July 7, 2022.
For more information, please click here to review the memo sent out from Human Resources and Payroll from June 17, 2021.
Vacancies on the Board of Directors
The following positions are vacant on the Board of Directors. Vacancies are either a one or two year term (see date next to each position for when the term expires). The Board of Directors meetings monthly to discuss Union related issues, actions, and other business as needed. Board members also help disseminate information from the Union Office, meet with administration for questions about contracts, and assist members with questions, concerns and when meeting with administration. Members of the Board Directors are supported by the Grievance Chairs and the Executive Board. If you have any questions, or are interested in one of the vacant positions, please contact Adam (president@nashuatu.org).
Amherst Street
Teacher Representative (2022)
Para-Educator Representative (2022)
Bicentennial
Para-Educator Representative (2023)
Broad Street
Teacher Representative (2023)
Dr. Crisp
Para-Educator Representative (2022)
Main Dunstable
Teacher Representative (2023)
New Searles
Teacher Representative (2022)
Teacher Representative (2023)
Sunset Heights
Teacher Representative (2022)
Elm Street
Para-Educator Representative (2022)
Title I
One (1) Representative (2022)
Food Service
One (1) Representative (2022)
NTU COPE
Next COPE Meeting: Monday, September 20th at 4:00pm at the Union Office
Nashua Goes Back to School 2021
Nashua Goes Back to School was held on Thursday, August 26th at the Nashua Public Library. The NTU handed out nearly 3,000 books to excited students and families. Thanks to our friends at First Book and AFT for helping us get the books. While it was extremely hot and humid at the event, the excitement on faces of the kids when they found out they could pick their owns books was worth it.
Know Your Contract
Using School Email
It is very common for staff to communication with parents, colleagues, the Union, and school district administration through school email, especially during remote learning. As public employees, any email you send using your nashua.edu or nsd42.net account is subject to the Right to Know laws under RSA 91-A. I would remind all staff that school email should be used for school purposes only. Those purposes could include communicating with administrators, parents, students (see POPPs Policy GBEBD), and colleagues about school-related topics. Your school email should generally not be used for personal business (see POPPs Policy EHAA). General Union business can be sent through school email including meeting announcements, updates, the Monday Morning Message, etc. If you are seeking advice regarding a concern you may have with your administrator, you should use your personal email or call the Union directly. It is safe to assume you can respond to the Union on your school email if we have emailed you directly. Please be mindful of how you are using your school email. If you have any questions, please contact the Union Office.
Divisive Concepts Town Hall
Save the Date!
Thursday, October 14th at 4:30pm
AFT-NH will be hosting a virtual Town Hall on the Divisive Concepts Law. We will have national as well as state experts on where the controversy came from, what the law and guidance say and what your rights and responsibilities are as an educator. There will be a chance to ask questions as well as share what you are seeing in your schools.
I will send information on how to access the Town Hall when it becomes available.
Employee Assistant Program
We all know that our jobs can be stressful, now more than ever! Add on top of that the responsibilities we all have outside of school, it can sometimes seem overwhelming. Over the past year, there have been more and more stories about employees reaching their breaking point and not knowing what to do. The City of Nashua, through Anthem, offers, a FREE and CONFIDENTIAL service call the Employee Assistance Program (EAP). This service is open to all district employees, regardless if you have insurance through the district. The service is in place to offer assistance for a variety of challenges you may be facing: the stress of your job, being behind on bills, looking for daycare, etc. This service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. To access this information, please visit www.anthemeap.com. Under "Members" click Login; then type City of Nashua.
Have an idea for the Just for Fun section? Send it to Adam (president@nashuatu.org).
Upcoming Events
- September 7th
- Executive Board Meeting, 4:00pm
- September 9th
- Teacher Negotiations, 4:00pm, Nashua High School North
- September 13th
- BOE Human Resources Committee, 5:30pm, Nashua High School North
- Board of Education, 6:00pm, Nashua High School North
- September 14th
- Board of Directors, 4:15pm, Location TBA
- BOE Finance and Operations Committee, 6:00pm, Nashua High School North
- September 20th
- COPE Meeting, 4:00pm, Union Office
- BOE Curriculum and Evaluation Committee, 6:00pm, Nashua High School North
- September 21st
- Food Service Negotiations, 3:00pm, via Zoom
- BOE Policy Committee, 6:00pm, Nashua High School North
- September 22nd
- Teacher Contract Negotiations Update, 4:30pm, Nashua High School South Auditorium
- September 23rd
- Teacher Leaders Program Info Session. 4:00pm, Union Office
- September 27th
- Para-Educator Contract Ratification Meeting, 4:00pm, Nashua High School North Auditorium
- BOE Human Resources Committee, 5:30pm, Nashua High School North
- Board of Education, 6:00pm, Nashua High School North
- September 28th
- Food Service Negotiations, 2:00pm, via Zoom
- September 29th
- AFT-NH Board of Directors, 4:30pm, via Zoom
