Tomorrow is seven weeks since school began and being back in a building for the first time in 18  months (Not counting the 29 days this past summer). Tomorrow we start, or have we already. start checking on students mental health? What about teachers mental health? Mulgrew is going to Impact Bargaining. Again. Too many questions on the quiz.

For those 18 months I missed my routine. Leaving my house early, getting my sausage burrito and black coffee, looking for parking, the whole shebang. It's good in a way not to be home every day. 

What do I miss? The ease. The ease of classroom management there was for 18 months. No ticky tack little BS to deal with. 

So on that spirit, what are some things we as professionals might  be dealing with? Got to nip these things in the bud or it'll really manifest when these students are adults.

For instance; no whining about being first. First on line. First to the bathroom. First to lunch. First, first, first. I can understand why the students we work with want to be first, but hopefully they will and should outgrow such pettiness when they get older. It's sad to see an adult who insists on being first. 

The meltdowns are back. There weren't any meltdowns to deal with virtually. The students were at home and weren't in the same physical space as students and/or teachers. Now, with the slightest provocation there is a meltdown. I can understand why a student will meltdown, I empathize with a student that does. I am there for that student. They should and will get over reacting when something doesn't go their way when they get older. It's pathetic to see an adult act in the same manner. 

The lying is back. I understand why students lie. They feel inadequate about who and what they are as well as what they have. They need to make themselves feel bigger. They'll grow out of it when they get older. It's sad to see an adult who still hasn't figured it out yet.

The lack of empathy is back. The ability for a student to put themselves in somebody's shoes, to understand how another person feels. Social interaction has been missing for 18 months. But the students will come around. We have great students in my school and across the city. Will they still be like this when there are adults? Hopefully not. 

Most of all I understand the students feeling a sense, as well as a fear, of abandonment. Not just with everything that has gone on with their lives the last 18 months but just being a child with so much uncertainty. Abandonment can suck, and sometimes it can manifest itself in a self fulfilling prophecy when the students get to adulthood. 

Let's hope that the DOE's 43 question mental health check finds out sooner, rather than later, what might happen down the road.

Boy, do I feel like a schmuck. I tried to thread a needle. It didn't work. The UFT, the union to whom I give $120 of my hard earned money to dropped the ball. And I am about to get screwed for it. 

Now to clear things up, this isn't a blog post against anyone at 52 Broadway or a chapter leader. Let's just say it has more of a local flavor. 

This synchronous vs asynchronous learning is awash in ambiguity. No one really knows it seems what the guidelines are or aren't. We should expect the administrators to be clueless but not the UFT.

Our story begins on February 22 right after this incident (And boy do I have something more to say!!). A teacher was to be out a week, and I was to cover her 4th grade class. OK, no problem. Up to that time I was teaching with two other teachers. We had 27 students or so and we split them up and we went straight from 8:50-Noon. The students had lunch, and we were asynchronous for the rest of the day. Work would be put up on Google Classroom, and we would be available through Dojo, text, email, GC, etc... In fact at a meeting, the principal had no problem with the schedule. 

So on the Feb 22 when my first day with this class I adhered what I knew. I did 179 minutes. I assumed the rest of my day was asynchronous. No, I was told. In the afternoon I was told that I must be sitting in front of the computer with Meets on and to wait for students to come by if they needed help. After 30 minutes of staring at my face and with my thumb up my ass, I decided to give up and plan for the next day.

NO! I was told, and I met with said person to hash out a schedule. I was told that my asynchronous time was to be concurrent whilst on screen whilst the students are doing their independent work on screen. Not only that, after teaching synchronously for 190 minutes that I must meet afterwards in small groups with students. But, I thought, there are only 9 students in the class. Isn't that already a small group?

At this point I decided to contact the local higher up the food chain UFT. I was told that yes, admins can make you do small groups during your asynchronous time. "Wait!" I said. I have already taught 190 minutes. For 4th grade in February it is recommended that synchronous time should be between 150-210 minutes. Aren't I already doing that I ask? No, I am told by the local higher up the food chain UFT. That is recommended only for students. But if it is only recommended for students would not a teachers screen time be equal to the same screen time as the students? Here is the document I get  referred to all the freaking time. Said document appears contradictory to what I was being told. 

While we are at it, I had been under the assumption that remote teachers can set their schedule in consultation with admins. I was told I was incorrect (Someone care to clarify?). But, about 15 minutes ago I came across this.

Working remotely necessitates using time differently from a traditional period by period school day. 

In consultation with school administration, school staff must use professional discretion to determine how to work remotely.

My scheduler foisted my schedule upon me. My schedule gave me periods. One, two, three, and so on. What gives?

So off I go to my local upper echelon UFT. Yes, I am told, asynchronous means working live with small groups. I go to my CL. Nothing against CL, but the CL was getting bad information.

I go way up the food chain. I'm told something completely different. In fact the opposite. That asynchronous means you don't have to be on screen that you just be available. Oh, and that the UFT has been successful in complaints regarding this. 

A light bulb moment!! I go back to the local upper echelon UFT. "Let's file an operational complaint!" I was told to go back to my CL. But the tone I got was less than enthusiastic. I put it off.

But in the meantime, the teacher I was covering came back. She had a routine and I guess a schedule and I followed her lead. She did the reading and the math and I covered the writing. But, we had different schedules. I assumed, because my scheduler never said the schedule was for the remainder of the year that the original was null and void. I must work with my co-teachers schedule.

It made sense. The scheduler had me working in small groups from Noon-1:30, however the students had lunch at Noon. That wouldn't work.

So back to the UFT.

I even went as far as having an exec board member ask Mulgrew to clarify synchronous and asynchronous at the March 22 exec board meeting. No dice. Got a twelve word answer.

Finally Saturday night I got the answer I was looking for. But it was too late. Had a meeting with the scheduler and my CL today (I will get into more details about this another time). If the UFT wish to be proactive this could have been taken care of in February or early March.

Or it could have been taken care of if I was one of the callers picked by Rashard during a DA or town hall. I don't have that kind of juice.

I always say I would rather have a dysfunctional union than no union, and I still stand by that. I still stand by paying dues. But the UFT is still acts in a reactive manor instead of grabbing the bull by the balls and not letting go. I am sure I am not the only teacher looking for clarification about synch and asynch. 

The  UFT works for the rank and file not the other way around. We are the customer. Treat as if we are important. It's amazingly simple.

This past Sunday on the ICE Blog, James Eterno wrote a very well thought out and lucid piece on
what he sees for the UFT in 2016.

His crux for the piece, and as he says NYC Educator beat him to it, was how under the renewal schools teachers will be brought to the altar to be sacrificed. That the UFT is basically selling us out.

He talks of an alternate universe in which Mulgrew is ousted;

"...there is a real union leader as president, things would change in a hurry. Besides cleaning house by dismissing most of the loyalty oath signing Unity faithful and opening up union positions to senior, qualified people (like comp time) and having elections for the District Representatives, we would need to change the whole conversation around education as quickly as we can"

One can immediately notice that James did not prophesize that there is a grand mystical plan that he will be the next UFT president nor has he written as if he is entitles to that role. He sees the UFT as something larger than him that the word "I" need not be used.

James goes on to share what he has seen and what needs to be fixed throughout the system. Not once is he electioneering or tooting his own horn. He is laying out the facts as he sees them. Nothing more, nothing less. UFT Solidarity UFT Solidarity UFT Solidarity UFT Solidarity UFT Solidarity

In fact, I disagree with him with the so-called truth commission he advocates. Yeah, it would be nice for it to happen. In fact it should happen, but how to you compel people to come to testify? Will there be subpoena power? Will testimony be under oath? Will immunity be granted?

Truth should have been out by now. Three years ago on these pages I questioned where is the Daniel Ellsberg, the Pentagon Papers of the education world?

But wait a minute. The Crack Team just reminded me of something. How can it be that James writes such a vision when he is nothing more than a chef in a restaurant and not a real star like the owner of said restaurant?

To catch those who don't understand what is being said,  XXXXXXX XXXXXXXX has claimed that James Eterno is nothing more than a chef, probably a failed chef at that when what we need as a union is one who manages a 5 star restaurant. XXXXXXX XXXXXXXX believes that only such a manager can right the sinking ship of the UFT. But questions persist. 

First, which guide is this so called 5 star restaurant based on? Mobil? Michelin? Zagat? Yelp? TripAdvisor? Inquiring minds want to know.

But who goes to a restaurant because of the manager. No one. We here at SBSB can't think of one reality show that espouses to find the best manager of a restaurant. All the restaurant based reality TV shows are all looking for the best chef. Wouldn't it be better to have a Master Chef instead of someone who isn't even able to be Master of their Domain? 

In fact, we have spoken with one of New York's leading chef's and he has shared his expertise. He told The Crack Team that for a 5 star restaurant, the chef is the most important person, not the manager. 

Anybody can manage a restaurant. Last week driving back and forth through Pennsylvania and the Southern Tier of New York we came across many Arby's. I am sure that at each Arby's the managers were top notch. But no one even goes to Arby's because of who the manager is.

It is easy to manage a restaurant. You hire the people, you seat people, you pay people, but think about it, if your chef sucks ain't nobody coming back to your restaurant unless you have the seniors early bird special or you have the 2 for 1 coupon in the Entertainment book. 

Let's see what job is more difficult. The restaurant manager (Telling the waiter to push the malt wine) or the chef? 

The kitchen and the person who runs the kitchen are what makes a restaurant.  

UPDATE JULY 30, 2015 @12:22 AM THIS JUST IN TO THE SBSB NEWSROOM:

From our NYC leading chef groupie: In fine dining, without a clear vision of the food, and someone to maintain quality and consistency, the reputation sours quickly.

Also food and labor costs are the highest in the business, and the chef is fiscally responsible for controlling them.

People also tend to forgive bad service before bad food  

Interesting read today on the ICE blog by James Eterno. James lays the case out very well and makes some very salient points. Most of the comments on the blog supported James as well as some who threw hissy fits.

But James got me thinking. Who else is there--other than any presently declared candidate(s)--that can do the job of UFT president, do it well, do it for the rank and file and not for glory, have the EQ for the job, and truly be able to influence and play nice with those in power?

Actually to tell you the truth I had been asked this last week by a wayward ATR who has been buying packets of Kool-Aid for when the Big Day comes. It was a pleasant enough conversation though the ATR was shocked that on July 1, 2015 (Nine months before the election) there were no other candidates.

So The Crack Team assembled and came up with a list of capable UFT members who can do the job of UFT President better than whom is in office or a candidate for office. Oh, and someone who is not afraid to walk into a school uninvited o stick up for a teacher.

It was a long and arduous 10 minutes for The Crack Team but they decided just in time to be able this afternoon's Judge Faith.

So in no particular order and not saying anyone is better than anyone else here is a list of possible.

Patrick Walsh  Calm and well spoken but won't be afraid to ride his bike up the steps of a school and stick up for a teacher. Besides, old school Irish. We know he will fight the good fight.

Chaz The Blogger Very, very knowledgeable  and knows a lot of people. Speaks to people at the UFT without having to intimidate them.

Norm Scott Uncle Normy. Need anymore be said?

Peter Lamphere NOW, this is someone I know will know will not be one iota hesitant to walk into a school. This is all you need to know about Peter. In my RR this year there was an extreme Right-Wing ideologue who told me that of all the people in the NYCDOE if he was ever in trouble again the one person he would want at his side would be Peter.

Mike Schirtzer Yeah, Mike. I have had differences of opinion but I see things differently. I was so so wrong. 

Julie Cavanagh If you don't know why it is sad.

Arthur Goldstein Very well know. Very well spoken. Many of a lot of respect for him. Has been on the big stage writing guest columns for the Daily News. He is out there. Leads a school of about 2000 teachers. Dislikes Ruben Brosbe.

James Eterno Has run before know how to go about it. Thinks the problems through. Is not rash in decisions.

Camille Eterno I want to apologize for sitting in front of your club sandwich at the diner. I just had a brain fart. But I think you would make a great UFT president.

Mindy Rosier I have never seen someone fight for so many at so many different places. How the heck does she do it? 

Carmine Ragguzi The retired phys ed. teacher from my school. We need a paisan as a union leader.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard No, not really him but the teacher at the last DTOE meeting I had attended that showed up dressed as Picard and had the odor of a Klingon. Hey, this guy can win if he keeps thinking he is Picard.


Fredo Corleone He's smart. He's not dumb like some people say. He just wants something for himself.

Sparkles My cat

My Rubber Room Anyone there would qualify. 

Bruce Springsteen Now there is a true boss. Even though I think he is overrated.

So what we got? 15 names or so? And let's not forget about 79,884 other UFT members out there.

Yes, we here at SBSB have not been to kind to UFT President Mike Mulgrew in the past. We don't
think it has ever been personal, just business. Yes, an argument can be made to tone down the snarkiness and sarcasm, but that is what makes this blog so neat.

But as was told an SBSB groupie yesterday, we will defend Mulgrew when he needs defending, as when "lawyer" Joy Hochstadt decided to rope in a naive teacher, Andrew Ostrowsky, and sued Mulgrew. We vehemently defended Mulgrew and exposed Hochstadt. The Crack Team is not aware of what became of the suit, but with Joy leading the legal team, one can only assume...

 So now is another time we here will defend Mulgrew for remarks he made at the UFT Delegate Assembly last week as reported with a great deal of hyperbole in this past Friday's New York Post, "A Union Boss Confesses."

Now, we here at SBSB while having no qualms with taking advantage of recording those affiliated with the Dark Side of the DOE, we do have qualms with whomever recorded the DA and passed it along to Chalkbeat from whence the Post got it's story. We at SBSB do not care for airing our skeletons and dirty laundry to outsiders and emphatically chastise those that do. Tape a DA fine, don't give it to the Post or Chalkbeat. There are plenty of NYC education blogs to share recordings with and that is where it should have stayed.

Mulgrew was quoted as saying in referring to the edict, or rather the sword of Governor Andy holding $290 million over the DOE's head to put in place a new evaluation system that he was going to;

 “gum up the works”

Well good for him! Our only complaint is that we wish he said this (Maybe not in those words) publicly to the rank and file and all of planet Earth last year!




And what happened? See for yourself;

@SoBronxSchool @NYGovCuomo Puhleez. Blah, blah, blah Bloomy, Cuomo, Rhee. We only care about the $290 MILLION, UFT SABOTAGE COST OUR KIDS!
— NYC Parents Union (@NYCParentsUnion) May 9, 2014

I like Mona. I have met her and talked with her and find her passionate and smart. But this time I must disagree with her.

Mona seems to have a short memory and forgot how in 2011 Bloomberg proposed cutting $350 million from the DOE budget. Or how Bloomberg wished to cut monies for special ed students to attend private schools which are their right under federal law. Or how in September 2012 Bloomberg; 

....ordered the Education Department to cut 1.6% in the current year’s budget and 4% in the following year’s spending plan.

Where was Mona's outrage then? 

Mona shared that each school was out about $200k which could have gone to the arts, to music, to AIS. But those monies were gone already and we have too many principals ignoring student's IEP's and not giving the services that are mandated by federal law. Where's Mona's outrage?

Do we know if the $290 million that Governor Andy promised would have found its way into the classrooms or have gone to pay incompetent and corrupt vendor after vendor for curricula that is irreverent and impossible?

Mona needs to understand that Governor Andy has no true care for the students of NYC. He only cares for himself and his presidential aspirations. He wanted us to whore ourselves to him to make him look good, for him to be the savior of the boys and girls of color, so that he, and only he, can run in a few primaries and raise gobs of cash which he will wind up keeping. And chances are there is some too weird Oedipal thing happening with him as well.

Mona, The Crack Team has speculated, believes Coumo when he said he was the "children's lobbyist," but nothing could be further from the truth when he pulled out all the stops of a street walker and caved to Eva and her minions and signed a bill that will force the NYCDOE to pay for charter rent in outside buildings and not to charge rent inside DOE buildings.

The charters stand to get about $40 million a year from the DOE for rent payments. Is that not monies that can be spent on the arts, music, and AIS? Again, where is Mona's outrage? What about the other 97%???

Gideon Stein, Eva's little apologist, sycophant, and boy, put it best in a New York Times op-ed in March when he came up with a great idea on what to do with the rent monies paid by charters;

Rather than paying rent to the DOE’s general fund, payments should go to the school or schools with whom the public charter is co-located.

Great idea! Perhaps each school could have received $50k from a co-located charter school? I mean we're guessing here and of course it's safe to say the co-located charters would have been paying on a sliding scale, but that still would have been monies for school for music, art, and AIS. Right Mona? Again, where is the outrage?

Mike Mulgrew was right in what he said and how he said it, and proud that he did not run away from his comments and took ownership of them. We at SBSB wish for him to continue to make such comments but in public. Not only to the rank and file, but the press, the parents, the governor and all of mankind.

Sorry about the lack of blogging. In my last had entitled, "Randi Weingartens Testicle's," I had promised to reveal some of Randi Weingarten's empty promises, or as I like to call them, lies.

Back when I started this blog, I blogged this about a student on September 12. Now mind you, this is two weeks into the school year. I received this email from Ms Weingarten in response to the blog posting:

On Sat, Sep 13, 2008 at 8:27 AM, Randi Weingarten wrote:

Which school-and we will send our safety people in

Wow! Randi is coming to the rescue! I mean I already knew what was going on. Now Randi knows! Yippee! But I told her to hold off because I did not want to go over my chapter leader's head.

November 3rd comes, the situation is getting worse and I get this email from Randi:

On Mon, Nov 3, 2008 at 11:30 PM, Randi Weingarten wrote:

You are absolutely right that I read it and I have asked what school. If you told me, I missed it. Now I am asking again. I want to visit. Randi

Notice the key words there? "I want to visit." Wow! A state visit to our little school. But is it to be? Was it to be? Well, we need to wait for tomorrow's episode to find out more. Tune in!

Oh why am I doing this? Because Randi is not a labor leader. Nor will Mulgrew be. Simple.