CTA offers the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Scholarship to members and their dependents who are from the following defined ethnic minority groups: African American, American Indian/Alaskan Native, Asian/Pacific Islander, or Hispanic. The applicants must be pursuing a college degree or credential for a teaching-related career in public education in an accredited institution of higher learning. Applications are available at the MTA office and must be postmarked no later than Thursday, March 15.

Is Your Site Considering MOUs in 2007-2008?

The District and the Association have developed joint memorandum of understanding (MOU) forms, banking minutes forms and staff development day site specific waivers. 2007-2008 MUSD Calendars are expected to be available next month.

There is one form for both the Faculty Club Chairperson and the site Principal to complete and return to District Office. The form will then be forwarded to the MTA office. MOU requests are due Friday, April 27. Forms are available at montebelloteachers.org, the MTA office, and the Instructional Division @ ext. 7924.

Teachers May Suspend Students

Education Code 48910 states that a teacher may suspend any pupil from the teacher's class, for any of the acts enumerated in Section 48900, for the day of the suspension and the day following. The teacher shall immediately report the suspension to the principal of the school and send the pupil to the principal or the principal's designee for appropriate action. If that action requires the continued presence of the pupil at the school site, the pupil shall be under appropriate supervision, as defined in policies and related regulations adopted by the governing board of the school district. As soon as possible, the teacher shall ask the parent or guardian of the pupil to attend a parent-teacher conference regarding the suspension. Whenever practicable, a school counselor or a school psychologist shall attend the conference. A school administrator shall attend the conference if the teacher or the parent or guardian so requests.

The pupil shall not be returned to the class from which he or she was suspended, during the period of the suspension, without the concurrence of the teacher of the class and the principal.

A pupil suspended from a class shall not be placed in another regular class during the period of suspension. However, if the pupil is assigned to more than one class per day this subdivision shall apply only to other regular classes scheduled at the same time as the class from which the pupil was suspended.

A teacher may also refer a pupil, for any of the acts enumerated in Section 48900, to the principal or the principal's designee for consideration of a suspension from the school.

Governor Sponsors
Fitness Challenge

The K-12 school in each region with the highest percentage of students to complete the Governorís Fitness Challenge will be named the regional award winner, receive $1,000 for school physical equipment, and becomes finalists for the grand prize. One overall winner will be awarded a brand new fitness center for the school. For additional information go to www.CalGovCouncil.org. The deadline for participation is May 31.

Contact Lawmakers Regarding NCLB

CTA has established the ESEA Reauthorization Campaign Strategy Task Force. A lobbying plan has been developed in order to ensure that the voices of California educators are heard loud and clear during the reauthorization. Members are asked to write or email your Congress Member.

Please do not sign the NCLB Petition from Educator Roundtable. The petition is not consistent with NEAís Positive Agenda for ESEA.

More information is available at www.NEA.org and from NEA Director Margie Granado (MTA President) at the MTA office.