The Education and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) requires core teachers to be highly qualified by June 30, 2006. The District has been communicating directly with teachers on their status.

In April and May elementary and intermediate core teachers were invited to meetings concerning the Highly Objective Uniform State Standard of Evaluation (HOUSSE). Thus far more than 300 teachers have qualified for highly qualified status under HOUSSE. Their verification paperwork will be returned to each of them by Human Resources in the near future. In addition, almost 300 core teachers have completed exams which qualify them for highly qualified status. The “sign-off” forms will be available at school via the site secretaries for completion by designated teachers.

In addition, two additional elementary and intermediate HOUSSE meetings have been scheduled for Monday, June 7 and Thursday, August 12. Both meetings will be held at 3:30 p.m. at Suva Intermediate School. Also, any core teacher who is eligible for HOUSSE can call the credential techs for an appointment to complete the paperwork at District office.

The high school core teachers will receive letters from Human Resources late this summer indicating the District’s records concerning individual highly qualified status. Most credentialed core teachers will either be asked to complete paperwork indicating they are highly qualified or will be eligible for HOUSSE.

There will be four HOUSSE meetings scheduled. Core teachers may pick any of the following meetings to find out more about HOUSSE.

Vail High School Mon., August 23 at 2 p.m.
Bell Gardens High School Mon., September 27 at 3:30 p.m.
Montebello High School Tues., September 28 at 3:30 p.m.
Schurr High School Thur., September 30 at 3:30 p.m.

For more information on highly qualified teachers go to montebelloteachers.org and click the ESEA button.

And How Do I Get My
Five-Year Stull?

Bargaining Unit members who completed their Stull Bill evaluation this spring with ten consecutive years experience within the District and have not been referred to PAR will begin a five-year cycle in 2004-2005.

In order to be eligible for the new Stull Bill contract language (Goldberg) Bargaining Unit members must be NCLB (highly) qualified. Therefore, those elementary and intermediate teachers who have been informed that they are eligible for highly qualified or HOUSSE forms should complete the paperwork as soon as possible in order to enter the five-year cycle.

Head Start teachers, infant toddler teachers, support staff, and subject matter teachers not involved in the highly qualified law are considered NCLB highly qualified for the purpose of the 2004-2005 Stull year. High school teachers and special education teachers will receive more information next year concerning highly qualified for the 2005-2006 school year.

Congratulations
Diane Kissas Wins César Chávez

Diane Kissas (CCE) and her student Leonardo Gomez have been selected by the California Teachers Association as recipients of the 2004 César Chávez Memorial Education Awards Program. Diane and her student both win $500.

James Sams Rotary
Teacher of the Year

James Sams (WIE) was honored as Rotary Teacher of the Year at a luncheon Wednesday, May 12. He accepted $400 from the Rotary Club of Montebello and certificates from Congress Woman Grace Napolitano, Assembly Member Ron Calderon, and Montebello Mayor Norma Lopez-Reid.

MTA Budget Is Set for Approval

The first reading of the MTA budget was Tuesday, May 18. The final reading was set for the Tuesday, June 8 Council meeting. Contact your Building Rep, the MTA office, or check online at montebelloteachers.org for a copy of the budget. No raise in MTA dues is recommended.

Any questions or concerns should be directed to Treasurer Kathy Reyes (BGI) or Executive Director Kathy Køhn prior to June 8.