McAllen AFT Page

12/09/2020

Texas AFT

Texas AFT

12/09/2020

Welcome! You are invited to join a meeting: December Wellness Wednesdays. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the meeting.

Mental Health America will have a session on Educator Self-Care and Burnout tonight at 6 PM. Participants learn about the risks of burnout, treating burnout, caring for oneself, and maintaining a work/life balance.

Register in advance for this meeting:

https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJErf-6vrjsrGtw3DEDEXxcXYBSb_hEaoMtA

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Mridula Kamra will lead us through meditation sessions on December 2nd and December 16th. On December 9th, Mental Health America will have a session on Educator Self-Care and Burnout. Participants learn about the risks of burnout, treating burnout, caring for oneself, and maintaining a work/life bal...

12/09/2020

Join and participate tonight! #protectpublicschool

Reminder: We'll be live on Facebook tomorrow for a town hall on charter school transparency. Join us for a discussion with Texas lawmakers on holding this second school system to the same standards as our public schools.

RSVP & info: https://www.mobilize.us/texasaft/event/365210/

12/07/2020

Will school employees be in the first wave to receive a COVID-19 vaccine? - Texas AFT

Texas AFT are urging state officials to put school employees on the list of the first front-line workers who can receive the vaccine.

Initial word is that educators will be considered front-line workers prioritized for vaccines, but Texas AFT will be fighting to ensure that plan continues With the delivery of some 1.4 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines to Texas expected in mid-to-late December, school leaders and Texas AFT are urg...

12/05/2020

Most recent McAllen ISD Covid-19 Update as of 12/4/20.

12/05/2020

This campaign needs you now

Please sign and share!

Cancel the STAAR test for the 2020/2021 school year

12/03/2020

Thank you Ruben Cortez!

Today I asked Governor Greg Abbott to prioritize Public School Employees as frontline workers.

Dear Gov. Greg Abbott,

Like many Texans, I am encouraged by the news that a safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine will soon be available to help us fight this deadly virus.
The guiding principles established by the Expert Vaccine Allotment Panel (EVAP) appropriately prioritize making vaccines available to frontline workers and vulnerable populations who voluntarily choose to be vaccinated. While some school employees have been empowered to transition to virtual settings, many have been meeting face-to-face with students, parents, and other staff since the summer. Many, if not most, school employees had no say in the matter, yet these community heroes have faithfully staffed our campuses every day, even as case counts soared.
Public school employees are clearly frontline workers and deserve protection as such. For this reason, I urge you to include them in the official EVAP definition of frontline workers and ensure that public school employees who voluntarily choose to be vaccinated are given priority access.

Ruben Cortez

Texas Board of Education
District 2

12/02/2020

Public Affairs Live Stream: 2021 Texas Legislative Forum

LEGISLATIVE FORUM! As state lawmakers are gearing up to head back to Austin, they’ll be making important decisions on the coronavirus pandemic response, the state budget, and issues that will impact our business community. This virtual forum offers a chance to hear from your representatives’ legislative and policy priorities. Now, more than ever, it’s important for you to be able to hear directly from your legislators. Don’t miss this exciting opportunity! Register to attend!
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/public-affairs-live-stream-2021-texas-legislative-forum-tickets-130323353659

Join us on December 3, 2020, at 10 A.M

12/01/2020

Hispanic Federation

We’re proud to partner with the Julia de Burgos Performance and Arts Centerand the DYCD Youth Connect to present El Barrio Latino Children's Film Fest. This year the festival will be virtual, but it will still expose our kids and their families to films that will stimulate imagination, pride, and laughter.

Register for FREE at: elbarriochildrenfilmfest.com/index.html

11/30/2020

Check your email for Zoom link. Please RSVP. https://bit.ly/38Zx2va

11/21/2020

Our McAllen AFT Treasurer!

Love what Morris is doing!! Great job!!

It's Throwback Thursday and today we are celebrating an AMAZING Morris MS teacher, Ms. Nidia Canales! She has been a teacher at Morris for 10 years and a teacher for 36 years! Thank you for being a wonderful Spanish teacher and for putting your heart into everything you do! We appreciate you!!!
🎉🎊😊👏
#MorrisPride
#mcallenisd
#weareready

11/21/2020

No premium increases for TRS retiree health premiums next year - Texas AFT

No premium increases for TRS retiree health premiums next year - Texas AFT

But change in plan requires you to check provider coverage The Texas Teachers Retirement System of Texas (TRS) recently announced that TRS-Care will have no premium increases next year. Prescription drug benefits will also remain at the same level. Another noteworthy change announced by TRS was that...

11/20/2020

11/20/2020

Teaching in the Time of COVID-19: Reassessing How to Keep Students Safe, Well and Engaged

You will be eligible to receive two hours of professional development recertification credit for participation in this webinar if you complete all the poll questions, survey, and actively watch the webinar.

Teaching in the Time of COVID-19: Reassessing How to Keep Students Safe, Well and Engaged lesson plan template and teaching resources. Randi Weingarten, President, American Federation of Teachers Saturday, November 21, 2020 12:00PM EST

11/20/2020

#WorldChildrensDay #ProtectOurChildren #childrenarethefuture

11/19/2020

Hidalgo County

Hidalgo County

LIVE: Judge Cortez and special guests discuss the latest on the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

11/19/2020

Hidalgo County

Hidalgo County

LIVE: Judge Cortez and special guests discuss the latest on the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

11/19/2020

Local educators worry about TEA’s funding guidelines for this school year

Our McAllen AFT Vice President - Clarissa Riojas!

MCALLEN, Texas (KVEO) — The Texas Education Agency (TEA) and Governor Greg Abbott announced a $420 million reimbursement program for Texas schools. The program is intended to give back the money sp…

11/19/2020

68 members of the Texas House call for STAAR exams to be canceled this year

68 members of the Texas House call for STAAR exams to be canceled this year

The state has yet to decide how the STAAR exam will be administered and used to rate school districts as the pandemic continues.

11/19/2020

Texas AFT Bridges Institute for Professional Development

Texas AFT Bridges Institute for Professional Development

The COVID-19 pandemic has had far-reaching implications for teaching and learning, particularly for children with disabilities and special health care needs who have experienced new levels of disconnection from their schools and disruptions in critical health services. For this reason, the Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs and Child Trends are recruiting general and special educators, paraprofessionals, school nurses, school counselors, and school psychologists to participate in an initiative to develop a comprehensive statement of principles to guide states in better supporting the health of children with disabilities and children with special health care needs. Participants would take part in a virtual expert panel to help us determine the necessary scope of this statement and shape the content of the principles. The 90-minute virtual panel will take place Friday, November 19, 2020, from 5:00p – 6:30 EST. Please RSVP with Kristen Harper, [email protected].

11/18/2020

Governor Abbott, TEA, TDEM Announce $420 Million Reimbursement Program for Texas Schools To Continue Supporting Remote Learning During COVID-19

Governor Abbott, TEA, TDEM Announce $420 Million Reimbursement Program for Texas Schools To Continue Supporting Remote Learning During COVID-19. .

Governor Greg Abbott today announced a $420 million reimbursement program to cover costs incurred by Texas public schools that purchased Wi-Fi hotspots and/or eLearning devices (such as laptops, tablets, and Chromebooks) so students could learn remotely during the COVID-19 pandemic. The program, jo...

11/15/2020

Cortez: Cancel STAAR for 2020-21 school year

Cortez: Cancel STAAR for 2020-21 school year

As Texas continues to fight the COVID-19 pandemic and the state is experiencing a troubling increase in new cases, it is critical that we support our students and educators who must cope with unprecedented challenges to the learning process. In October, Congressman Vicente Gonzalez pointed out that....

11/13/2020

Be kind today and every day! #worldkindnessday2020

11/13/2020

In this San Antonio classroom, a teacher divides her time between "roomies" and "zoomies"

In this San Antonio classroom, a teacher divides her time between "roomies" and "zoomies"

Third grade teacher Abigail Boyett is responsible for simultaneously educating 10 students in person and 11 at home. It's a challenge many Texas teachers face this fall as schools adapt to the pandemic.

11/11/2020

Brownsville native named to Biden education transition team - The Monitor

Brownsville native named to Biden education transition team - The Monitor

Brownsville native Norma V. Cantú, a University of Texas law school and education professor, has been named to President-elect Joe Biden’s 20-member education transition team, her office confirmed Wednesday. Cantu served eight years as the Assistant Secretary of Education for Civil Rights in the ...

11/11/2020

Thank you Ruben Cortez for Texas!

Today I asked the Governor and the Commissioner of Education:

Dear Gov. Greg Abbott, and Mike Morath
Texas Education Commissioner

As Texas continues to fight the COVID-19 pandemic and the state is experiencing a troubling increase in new cases,
it is critical that we support our students and educators who must cope with unprecedented challenges to the learning process. Thank you for making the right call in canceling the STAAR test this spring. We know that any test results obtained under current conditions will be of questionable validity. Today I ask that your office waive administration of STAAR, T-TESS, and TELPAS for the
2020-21 school year.

Ruben Cortez
Board of Education District 2

11/11/2020

Thank you!

11/10/2020

With DeVos out, Biden plans series of reversals on education

With DeVos out, Biden plans series of reversals on education

The first task will be addressing schools’ needs in the pandemic.

11/07/2020

AFT - American Federation of Teachers

11/04/2020

Face-to-Face Instruction (starting Nov. 9th)

Return to School Survey! MISD employees PLEASE participate and share! https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ZQJ2V2Y

Take this survey powered by surveymonkey.com. Create your own surveys for free.

11/04/2020

Election Results: Where to Find National, State, and Local Numbers

Election Results: Where to Find National, State, and Local Numbers

Let's be careful about sharing election results this year. Remember: the election isn't over until every vote is counted.

11/04/2020

Hidalgo County polls will be open until 8 p.m. VOTE!

11/03/2020

Today is Election Day!! Let your voice be heard!!

11/03/2020

It's Election Day! All polling locations will be opened from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Let your voice be heard today. VOTE! #yourvotematters #YourVoteYourVoice #publiceducationmatters

11/02/2020

Safety Protocols for Return to Traditional School Phase-in Plan | McAllen ISD

Safety Protocols for Return to Traditional School Phase-in Plan | McAllen ISD

MITV is the television station owned and operated by the McAllen ISD. Watch McAllen ISD on Spectrum Digital Channel 1301. ► Subscribe to McAllen ISD: https:/...