School Reopening 2020

From Susan Morris

Snowline Teacher's Association President

This is the only topic on everyone’s mind. Due to Governor Newsom’s decision, we will now be re-opening our schools starting with distance learning. As such, the bargaining team has been working overtime to ensure that your working conditions are fair and equitable to the situation. I am going to give you the high points and then summarize for you.  We have entered into an MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) with the district to outline the working conditions you as teachers will be expected to follow. There is a piece of legislation that was quickly put into effect for this school year regarding distance learning: SB98. 

Many of you have expressed a concern that you want the option of working from home. Well, congratulations, we were able to negotiate that for you!

(See the entire MOU text attached, below.)

So, what does all of this mean to you?

1. You have the right to work from home or your classroom.  -This means that should you work from home, you MUST have an area that is free from distractions (no kids, pets or other noises), you have to get dressed (no PJ’s, swim suits, etc…) and you have to be available during regular business hours - there is no “happy hour” before close of business. Do not do live classroom sessions from your bedroom or bathroom. (seriously, I do need to tell people this). AND - if you work from home, you CANNOT complain that you don’t have adequate Internet or equipment to do your job. ALSO - You have to work from your home - you cannot work from the beach, a hiking or biking trail or another state. You have to get PRIOR APPROVAL if you need to work from somewhere other than your home. 
2. Regardless of the platform that you are going to use (Nearpod, Google Classroom, Canvas, etc..), your administrator has the right to access it.
3. If you want to work from your classroom/worksite you are supposed to notify your administrator so that your room can be adequately cleaned.
4. You have to take attendance - site administrators will go over their requirements for you.
5. You have to do a LIVE session - this is in accordance with SB98. AND be able to provide adequate work for your instructional minutes. - The specific schedule will come from site administrators and will vary from site to site based upon needs.
6. You MUST teach content appropriate material. You MUST give assessments. 

That is the MOU and a brief summary.

A word of caution - This is in no way trying to censor you or what you post online. Should you decide to “leave” early one day and take some mental health time, without calling in the absence - DO NOT POST IT ON SOCIAL MEDIA. Keep it to yourself. If you are caught, you can face reprimand and then be required to come to work everyday.

Also, if you are not performing as well as the administration thinks you should be - you aren’t keeping accurate attendance, not enough work, too much busy work, no assessments, not enough grades, poorly attended live sessions or whatever, the administration can, at that time, require you to come to work daily.  

These were the items we had to concede to for the district to allow teachers to work from home. Please don’t abuse it. 

As always, if there is anything you want information on or need assistance with, please talk to your site rep or you can contact me directly. 

Dr. Susan Morris
STA President

Email: yourvoicesta@gmail.com
Phone: 760-868-5400 extension 51061 or classroom: 52107

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sta-sjusd_remote_learning_mou_2020-2021.pdf
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sta-sjusd_covid-19_mou_2020-2021.pdf
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