The Board of Directors voted at their meeting on May 2, 2023 to adopt the proposed changes to the HTA Bylaws. The motion was made, seconded, and passed unanimously.
The new, revised bylaws can be found on this website under the Bylaws tab.
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October 2022 Common Purpose
THE COMMON PURPOSE
The monthly Newsletter of the Holyoke Teachers Association
Peter McAndrew, President; Quentin Donohue, Vice President; Brigetann Reilly, Secretary; Scott Taupier,Treasurer; Kathleen Engelson and Anne Brennan, Membership, At Large
President’s Message
By now, you have settled into the school year and become comfortable in your routine with your students. As you do, please consider what you may be able to do to contribute to the HTA and its efforts to make education in Holyoke better for her students and their teachers. Maybe you can serve as a building rep, on a committee, or maybe you simply have some ideas to share. However, you feel that you can contribute, please remember that your voice is always welcome. Reach out to your building representative or any member of the Executive Board to become involved.
TOGETHER WE CAN make a difference!
Pete and the Executive Board
UPCOMING BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING
The October meeting of the Holyoke Teachers Association Board of Directors (also known as the “Union Meeting”) was held on Tuesday, October 4, 2022 at 4:15 pm at the HTA Office, 476 Appleton Street, Suite #6, Holyoke, MA.
The November Meeting will be held Tuesday, November 1, 2022 at 4:15 pm. at the HTA Office, 476 Appleton Street, Suite #6, Holyoke, MA. If your building does not have representation, please consider joining us.
HTA REPS NEEDED!
The Board of Directors will be composed of one Faculty Representative for each fifteen members in a school. Each school shall have at least one Faculty Representative. If you or someone you know is interested in becoming a Union Rep, please join us at a meeting to see what it is all about!
Membership News
Attention all teachers!!
If you have changed your name or address within the last 2 years, please notify either Katie Engelson (kengelson@hps.Holyoke.ma.us) or Anne Brennan ( abrennan@hps.Holyoke.ma.us) as well as HR. The HTA needs to know so that MTA has your correct information and only bills for you once.
IMPORTANT RIGHTS: Your Weingarten Rights
Weingarten rights guarantee an employee the right to union representation whenever an employer’s investigatory interview could lead to discipline. The MTA has prepared some very informative reading about these rights for you. If you have any questions about your rights during any situation, always feel free to reach out to your union representative or a member of the Executive Board.
Contract Ratified this afternoon!
It’s official, the Holyoke Teachers’ Association has ratified the new contract!
The vote passed this afternoon. Thank you all who came out to cast their ballots!
President: Peter McAndrew, HHS
Contact: 413-563-4808
Vice President: Quentin Donohue, HHS
Email: qdonohue@yahoo.com
Secretary: Brigetann Reilly, Donahue
Contact: 413-210-4223; brigetreillyhta@gmail.com
Treasurer: Scott Taupier
Email: staup2000@yahoo.com
Questions, re: Proposed Contract for 2022
Several people have inquired about when the Membership will know what is in the “proposed contract” that Superintendent Soto referenced in his message to the community last week.
The HTA held an informational Zoom meeting to answer people’s questions on Monday, June 27th. This was attended by over 40 members. All questions that were brought forth were answered to the best of our knowledge at this time.
Most questions were about the changes to the school day. These were addressed. They are to the students’ days, not the teachers’. Teachers’ schedules will still follow the individual School Operational Plans. If people have individual questions, they are encouraged to reach out to their building representatives or to a member of the Executive Board, as usual.
A written summary of all proposed changes to the contract will be provided to the membership at a General Membership meeting to be held in August/September. This is what needs to be done, per the HTA bylaws. All members will be notified of this General Membership meeting through their HTA representatives, via their personal emails and through school emails.
In the meantime, know that the Negotiations Team is still hard at work buttoning up all the things that need to be done to get a comprehensive package prepared for the membership to vote on in the Fall.
Enjoy your summer.
The Executive Board: Pete, Quentin, Briget and Scott
Executive Board 2018-2020
President: Peter McAndrew, HHS
Contact: 413-563-4808
Vice President: Quentin Donohue, HHS
Email: qdonohue@yahoo.com
Secretary: Brigetann Reilly, Donahue
Contact: 413-210-4223; brigetreillyhta@gmail.com
Treasurer: Scott Taupier
Email: staup2000@yahoo.com
From Coping to Hoping @HHS Friday September 25th 4:00pm-5:30pm
Center for Youth Engagement present:
Patrick Camangian, Ph.D (University of San Francisco)
In this presentation, Patrick Camangian, Ph.D. examines interpretive case studies from his work in California schools to illustrate a pedagogical lens for how to adequately teach the sensibilities needed to deal with the traumatic stress of everyday, urban life & create classroom learning conditions that foster radical healing & critical hope. Dr. Camangian will draw from historical materialism and the health sciences (public health, epidemiology, psychology) to inform his research findings on complex traumas and urban education. This discussion will provide the opportunity for attendees to explore the relevance of these approaches to their practice as educational leaders & classroom teachers of all subject areas & grade levels.
Friday, September 25th 2015
Holyoke High School, 500 Beach Street, Holyoke from 4-5:30 pm
LSG Information
Use this link for info on the upcoming LSG meetings:
LSG Meeting Update
Local Stakeholder Group Update:
The next meeting will be on Wednesday, June 10 from 3:00-6:00 p.m at the Leslie Phillips Theater at Holyoke Community College (303 Homestead Ave; Fine and Performing Arts (C) Building). The meeting will be focused on family and community engagement.
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La próxima reunión será el miércoles, 10 de junio de 3:00 – 6:00 p.m en el teatro Leslie Phillips en Holyoke Community College (303 Homestead Ave; Fine and Performing Arts (C) Building). La reunión se enfocará en la familia y la comunidad.
First Local Stakeholder’s Meeting Wednesday May 27th Holyoke Public Library 3:00-5:00 p.m.
We must make it our responsibility to hold Education Commissioner Mitchell Chester and the receiver that he appoints accountable for the schools we have said are necessary; schools that have small class sizes and adequate resources; schools that take advantage of the community’s diversity; schools where all are respected and educators are allowed to exercise their professional judgment.
Please attend the Local Stakeholder Group meeting happening from 3 to 5 p.m. on Wednesday May 27th in the Community Room at the Holyoke Public Library.
Holyoke Teachers Association 