Labor Management - The next Labor-Management meeting will be held on February 8 at Central Office. Representing the SVFT will be the officers, Rick Tanasi, Pat Keavney, Ed Lang, and Ed Leavy. Additional Committee Members in attendance will be Jean Ann Buck, English Teacher at Kaynor and Daniel Thibault, Collision Repair Department Head at Wolcott. Our agenda items will be sent to Central Office by February 1 and publicized shortly after.
Outreach - The first meeting of the newly formed Outreach Committee took place at the SVFT office on 1/24 at 4:00. Members who volunteered to serve on that committee are: John Kraigenow, Ed Leavy, Linda DeSousa, Ed DeSousa, Kevin Bendell and Bob Bullard. An action plan was developed. For more details look for the February Vocational Instructor.
School Visits - Rick and Pat are visiting all of the Title I schools within the next few weeks to explore the unique issues facing these schools as they prepare to begin CAPT. So far they have visited Prince (1/17), Eli Whitney (1/24), E.C. Goodwin (1/28), common concerns in both schools revolved around staff morale and feelings of insecurity. The frequent changes and top-down management style have left teachers feeling disenfranchised and stressed. It is enormously satisfying to visit shops and classrooms and see the wonderfully creative work being done. Students are engaged and productive. Pat and Rick will be at J.M. Wright on 1/30 and at Bullard-Havens on 2/4.
Exploratory Program Survey- The survey has ended and the results are being analyzed. They will be published shortly. In short, those who responded were opposed to shortening the phase 1 and phase 2 exploratory cycles. While visiting the schools, Pat and Rick asked several students for their opinions as well and were not surprised to hear that the students are not in favor of shortening the cycles either.
Sabbatical Applications Available Contact Pat Ciccone at Central Office. Deadline for completed application is March 27, 2008. There is a voluntary technical assistance session scheduled for February 22, 2008; again you must contact Pat Ciccone if you wish to attend.
Survey Committee Formed- The Council approved the formation of a Survey Committee to formulate the topics and questions of future surveys. Members who have volunteered to serve on this committee are Marco Kinsella, Bristol Tech, Ed Leavy, Bullard-Havens and SVFT Treasurer, and Will Arpaia, Wilcox and SVFT Communications Coordinator. If you are interested in serving on this committee please contact Pat Keavney at the SVFT office ASAP.
SVFT to host "OPEN HOUSE" On Friday, February 8 from 3p.m. to 6 p.m. at the new office location. Everyone is welcome to see the new office, chat with friends and enjoy refreshments. Please RSVP to Irene Sheades (800-378-8020) by Monday Feb 4, 2008 if you plan to attend.