June 4, 2010
RTA wants you to know . . .
RTA will hold it’s final Board meeting of the year this Saturday. If you have any questions or comments for the Board, please notify your Site Rep today.
If you are interested in CTA’s recommendations for candidates or initiatives in Tuesday’s election, they are now posted on RTA’s website. CTA voted to only ‘Support’ or ‘Oppose’ initiatives that would directly affect teachers. For additional information you can go to CTA.
Thanks to all of the teachers that updated their home e-mail address.
June 2, 2010
RTA wants you to know . . .
There may be a lot going on in the summer regarding the budget and negotiations, RTA plans to send out updates to teachers through our HEART home e-mail system. If you have a new e-mail address or wish us to send the information to a different address than we may already have on file, please take this opportunity to update your e-mail address by replying to this ‘Ramblings’.

May 26, 2010
RTA wants you to know . . .
RTA thanks the election committee for their work in the RTA board election. Mike Jordan, Laurie McBride-RHS; Darren Smith, Gina Helms-HE; Heather Pebly-JD; Linda Kubinak-RE; September Tamburrino-MW; Stacy Gill-RCS; Andrea Marootian-OPMS; Terry Tennebaum-MHS
May 25, 2010
RTA wants you to know . . .
RTA congratulates retirees, Mike Harrelson, Eileen Tierney and Dave Schmale and acknowledges them years of service given to us as past RTA presidents. Jane Curtan (negotiations, insurance and election committees), Leanne Plunkett (site rep) and Dobbie Wahl (site rep) are also leaving us and we thank them for the time and commitment they have given to RTA.
May 21, 2010
RTA wants you to know . . .
The results of the RTA Election were presented to the RTA Board yesterday. These positions were re-elected: Donna Braye-Romero –President, Goldie Kakacek-V.P/Grievance, Stephanie Hurst-Secretary/Membership, and Jeanine Hawkins-Treasurer; Site Reps: Grant McNiff-JD, Beth Koegel-HE, Kristi Moore-RE, Cori Mcdonald-OPMS, Bruce Tobias-MHS, Mike Jordan/Laurie McBride-RHS.
We would like to welcome three new Site Reps: Peggy Powell-MW; Ashley Mathews-BE and Carrie Budd-RCS. Both Ashley and Carrie stepped up at the last minute to assume their respective site rep positions. We want to especially thank the site reps, who are leaving their positions for their service and dedication to the teachers of Ramona. Leanne Plunkett, who is retiring, has served as site rep for MW off and on for most of her long and illustrious career. Bruce MacGurn has served RTA over the last 20 years as site rep, member of the negotiating team and the crisis team. Stacy Gill has served as site rep at RCS for the last two years. Please give them your ‘Thanks’ when you see them.
May 18, 2010
RTA wants you to know . . .
The RTA Election for Officers and Site Reps ends today. If you have not yet voted, you have until the end of the school day today to do so.
May 17, 2010
RTA wants you to know . . .
The RTA Executive Council is meeting this Thursday @ 3:45 in the RTA office. Please contact your site rep with any questions or comments for the Board.
The RTA election ends tomorrow.
RTA encourages you to attend the recognition ceremony for our 2010 Teachers of the Year and our 2010 Retirees this Thursday at 7:00pm in the Wilson Gym at the District Office
May 17, 2010
RTA wants you to know . . .
We are looking for photos of the following events for the upcoming issue of ‘Teacher Times’:
Padres’ Teacher Appreciation Night, April 16
Start the Day for Students, Morning Rally, March 4
Read Across America, March 2
Mt. Woodson, Distinguished School
Special Concerts, Events
Retirement Parties
Teacher of the Year Award, any other teacher award ceremonies.
Any special events at your school site that are noteworthy.
Please e-mail your photos to me by this Friday, May 21. Include the name of the event, location and the names of the teachers included in the photo. Thanks!
May 14, 2010
RTA wants you to know . . .
CTA is looking for people to assist with phone banking at the San Marcos RRC on Wed. May 19 for Torlakson as State Superintendent of Public Instruction. I will be there to assist with this cause and I would love to have a few more people from Ramona there as well. If you would be willing to help out, please let me know this weekend by e-mailing dbraye@ramonausd.net .
May 12, 2010
For RTA Members,
The RTA Election of Board Officers begins today. Ballots will be placed in your box and a ballot box will be placed in a convenient location. You can vote for all executive officer positions but you can only for your school’s site representative. When you vote you must sign the roster that is placed next to the box.
Each school has a teacher who has generously volunteered to run the election at their site. They will be posting signs and/or sending you an e-mail as to where the ballot box is located. You have until next Tuesday, May 18 to cast your vote.
RTA appreciates your support.
May 4, 2010
RTA wants you to know . . .
Elections for RTA positions are being held this month. Nominations are now being requested for all board positions: President, Vice President/Grievance Chair, Treasurer, Secretary/Membership Chair, and Site Representatives. If you are interested in running for a position on the RTA Board, please fill out the nomination form that is being placed in your box today and return it to me at BE by Friday May 7. A form is also attached to this e-mail and you may be able to return it via e-mail. The site reps at RCS and MW are stepping down, so we especially need someone to step into that position at those sites so all teachers can be adequately represented. RTA works hard on your behalf and your involvement in the teachers Association is strongly encouraged.
April 26, 2010
RTA wants you to know . . .
As a result of the Reduction in Force (RIF) Hearings, held on 4/14/2010, nine (9) teachers have had their RIF notices rescinded.
April 23, 2010
RTA wants you to know . . .
Negotiations between the Capistrano Unified Education Association (CUEA) and the Capistrano Board of Education have broken down. The School district is asking their teachers to take serious, permanent cuts in salary and benefits and are refusing to discuss the issues the teachers have brought to the table.
Please read the attached Media Advisory for details on their situation.
Capistrano teachers unanimously support CUEA’s position and, as of yesterday, have gone out on strike. CUEA is anticipating a prolonged strike and is asking for financial support, for financially strapped teachers, from education associations across the southland. The RTA Board voted yesterday to pledge $500 to support their teachers in the case of a prolonged strike situation.
What is happening in Capistrano could happen here, and in other districts, if the Capistrano School Board succeeds in breaking the strike without a reasonable settlement. Please support the Capistrano teachers by sending them expressions of support through this link http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/RZPCJSJ and/or with private contributions via Pay Pal at www.cuea.org.
April 23, 2010
RTA wants you to know . . .
The CTA Institute for Teaching has established a competitive grant program to support strength-based, teacher driven reform for students and public schools. Individual educator grants of $5000 are being offered. If you have an innovative idea, you may qualify for this grant. You must act fast, however, because applications are due at the end of April. For more information go to www.teacherdrivenchange.org or go to the new CTA website (it’s pretty cool).
April 20, 2010
RTA wants you to know . . .
The RTA Executive Council will meet Thursday @ 3:45. Please contact your site rep with any questions or concerns to be presented to the RTA Board.
April 16, 2010
RTA wants you to know . . .
A CTA-sponsored measure that would increase accountability at the state’s charter schools is headed for a crucial test on Wed., April 21, in the Assembly Education Committee. The LegAlert (attached) will provide you with background on the issue and details about the actions that are needed. RTA encourages you to contact your State Representative on this issue.
March 23, 2010
RTA wants you to know . . .
The RTA Executive Council will meet Thursday @ 3:45. Please contact your site rep with any questions or concerns to be presented to the RTA Board.
March 15, 2010
RTA wants you to know . . .
It is very important to attend the meeting with the RTA Bargaining team when it is at your site. Both salary and benefits are open for negotiation and changes could be made in one or both areas. Your input is crucial. The remaining Bargaining Team meetings are as follows:
Montecito H S: Monday, March 15 @ 2:30pm in the Library
Mount Woodson: Tuesday, March 16 @ 3:30pm
Barnett Elementary: Wednesday, March 17 @ 3:30pm
Hanson Elementary: Tuesday, March 23 @ 3:30pm
Ramona H.S.: Thursday, March 25 @ 2:30pm in the PAW
OPMS: Monday, March 29 @ 2:30pm
Ramona Elementary: Tuesday, March 30 @ 3:15pm
March 10, 2010
RTA wants you to know . . .
HE and JD now have volunteers for the RTA Elections committee. Every site needs a volunteer to run the election at their site. (RTA officers and site reps cannot run the election) Again, it is a temporary commitment to sit on the Elections committee and run the RTA Election at your site in late May. If you are interested, please contact your site rep.
March 9, 2010
RTA wants you to know . . .
The RTA Negotiations team will be visiting each school site to survey teachers as to their priorities during negotiations. If you cannot attend the meeting at your site, feel free to attend any of the other scheduled meetings. Below is the schedule of site visitations:
RCS: Today, Tuesday, March 9 @ 2:45pm
James Dukes: Thursday, March 11 @ 3:15pm
Montecito High School: Monday, March 15 @ 2:30pm
Mount Woodson: Tuesday, March 16 @ 3:30pm
Barnett Elementary: Wednesday, March 17 @ 3:30pm
Hanson Elementary: Tuesday, March 23 @ 3:30pm
Ramona High School: Thursday, March 25 @ 2:30pm
OPMS: Monday, March 29 @ 2:30pm
Ramona Elementary: Tuesday, March 30 @ 3:15pm
BE and RHS/MHS: Day and Time TBA
March 9, 2010
AN IMPORTANT MESSAGE FROM THE R.T.A.
Today every employee will receive an email from David Ostermann, Assistant Superintendent of Administrative Services requesting that they complete a Dependent Status Audit form. The dependent audit process was approved for distribution by all members of the RUSD Insurance Committee including the Ramona Teachers Association. This is the second time employees have been asked to complete and return the audit forms. Very few people responded to the first request. It is important that we have maximum participation. A fully complete dependent audit saves us money and will assist us when we market our district during premium renewal time. RTA asks that all teachers who have not complied with the request to complete and return the Dependent Status Audit forms do so once they receive the email from Mr. Ostermann. We thank you for your cooperation.March 3, 2010
Teachers,
Wear blue tomorrow and get to school early to pass out flyers at your site. We want to present a solid show of support for our students as we protest continued cuts to education.
March 2, 2010
RTA wants you to know . . .
Today is national ‘Read Across America’ Day. What special reading activities are you doing to honor this day in your classroom?
March 1, 2010
RTA wants you to know . . .
CTA is launching their updated and improved website today. Check it out at 'www.cta.org'
February 26, 2010
RTA wants you to know . . .
“Start the Day for Students”, this coming Thursday, March 4th, is an important statewide day of protest against the budget cuts to education proposed by the State. Before school informational flyer distributions are being planned at all school sites in Ramona. Please attend the planning meeting being held at your site for information on this important event.
February 23, 2010
RTA wants you to know . . .
RTA is looking for a volunteer at each school site to run the election of RTA officers at their site. This person cannot hold an elected position with RTA, therefore it has to be someone other than your site rep. We also need someone to step up and Chair this Elections Committee. If you are interested please respond to this e-mail or contact your site rep. RTA elections typically take place toward the end of the school year.
February 11, 2010
RTA wants you to know . . .
A Pre-Retirement Workshop is being offered by CTA and the San Diego Service Center Council on Saturday, February 20th, from 8:30-11:00am. For more information, call the CTA/San Diego RRC office at (619) 683-3990.
February 10, 2010
The following teachers were selected at random from those that responded with correct answers to the newsletter contest. Each will receive a Starbucks Gift Card. Congratulations to: Cathy Harrington (BE); Susan Simpson (HE/RCS); Ingrid Forbes (OPMS)
February 5, 2010
Hot off the digital presses! RTA’s Newsletter ‘Teacher Times’ is now available. Please take a look.
Thanks to contributors: Donna Braye-Romero, Lisa Abbot, Laurie McBride, Stephanie Hurst, Leanne Plunkett, Mike Jordan, Beth Koegel, Kristi Moore and Bruce Tobias for taking the time from their busy schedules to write an article for our ‘award winning’ newsletter. And a special thanks to Lisa Abbot for assisting with the proofing and layout.
February 2, 2010
RTA wants you to know . . .
In response to some questions regarding credential renewal. Dr. Annicharico has sent us these clarifications:
The SD County Office of Education provides a reminder notice on the paystub of any employee needing to renew TB or a credential, 3 months prior to the due date and each subsequent month. In addition, the final 2 reminders state “urgent”. So that’s a 90 day notice for each. These ‘paperless’ notices and paystubs are only provided online through the County Office of Education. The easiest way to access this information is to go to the RUSD website homepage and click on Paystubs Online. The county does not send out reminders via standard mail.
RUSD’s HR or Payroll Depts. do not receive that notification at all. HR is notified approximately 2 weeks before any check is in jeopardy of being held by the county due to credential nonrenewal or if the TB has expired. RUSD dos not keep a running record of such. It is the credential holders’ responsibility, just like a drivers license renewal is the driver’s responsibility, to renew their credential in a timely manner.
If a teacher is delinquent in renewing their credential then the district is required by the CCTC to complete a form stating that the District was not irresponsible by having a non-credentialed teacher in the classroom. The completion of this form is to assure that the county will pay teachers for the days they were not credentialed.
Both RTA and Dr. Annicharico hope that this clarifies the process.
February 1, 2010
RTA wants you to know . . .
Linda Kubinak sent this timely message to her fellow teachers at RHS:
“I just want to give you a heads-up on what COULD happen to you. If you have a credential that needs to be renewed every ___ years, PLEASE check the expiration date on in. RENEW it on time (very easy, online) because no one will send you a friendly reminder to do so, as they might have in the past. If it is not renewed before it expires, you will need to do so online, and also go to the DO to sign a form from the state, which then gets faxed to the county, stating why you are so irresponsible. At some point, someone will deem it acceptable to release your paycheck to you, however you may need to repay the part covering you when you were ‘teaching without a credential’.” P.S. Linda did get her paycheck in the mail on Saturday.