Virtual Membership Meeting Wednesday, May 31st-Check your SPS email for details
Attention SPS students and familes:
We have had the privilege of seeing what Home Grown Springfield does when we were able to tour their facilities! They'd really like to get student and family feedback and we are happy to help spread the word!
Please see below for details on their survey.
As the school year comes to a close, the culinary and nutrition program, Home Grown Springfield, asks students and families to provide feedback on breakfast, lunch, cafeteria experience, and customer service. The Home Grown Springfield team will use this feedback to adjust the menu and meals for next school year. We appreciate and thank you for your participation.
Survey Link: https://forms.office.com/e/3eP7XjGuWE
A medida que el año escolar llega a su fin, el programa culinario y de nutrición, Home Grown Springfield, pide a los estudiantes y a las familias que den su opinión sobre el desayuno, el almuerzo, la experiencia en la cafetería y el servicio al cliente. El equipo de Home Grown Springfield utilizará estos comentarios para ajustar el menú y las comidas para el próximo año escolar. Apreciamos y agradecemos su participación.
Enlace a la encuesta: https://forms.office.com/e/3eP7XjGuWE
Help Pass the Thrive Act! An education bill filed on January 20, 2023, has the potential to transform the educational landscape for generations to come, bettering the lives of students and harnessing the knowledge and assets of local communities to improve schools, according to AFT Massachusetts President Beth Kontos and other education leaders.
The bill, An Act Empowering Students and Schools To Thrive (or the Thrive Act, for short), would equip local communities with the tools and resources that students and schools need to succeed, and dramatically reduce the harm caused by the high-stakes, punitive use of standardized tests, such as state takeovers and denying students high school diplomas.
“This bill is about lifting up students, lifting up schools, and lifting up communities,” says Kontos. “And it’s about freeing students and educators from the shackles of punitive, high-stakes standardized testing.”
Use our advocacy tool to email your state senator and state representative to ask them to co-sponsor An Act Empowering Students and Schools to Thrive:
https://aftmassachusetts.tiny.us/PasstheThrive
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Local Member of the Month
May 2023
Harriet Lizardi
Harriet Lizardi has been a member of the Federation since she began working as a Para-educator in the Springfield Public Schools January 27, 1999. Harriet works at Talmadge Elementary School.
Ms. Lizardi was nominated by Building Representative, Patricia Gregoire. Pat writes, "Harriet or “Miss Harriet” as she is fondly referred to, works primarily with our LINKS students. She is a dedicated, hard working member of our school staff and is an amazing advocate for her students. Harriet is always ready to step in to assist in the classroom and provide coverage for the lead teacher. Harriet is a dedicated, hardworking, thoughtful, compassionate person. She works tirelessly with our students to ensure that they receive the best possible education and are safe in their classroom and school setting. Talmadge is fortunate to have her as part of our team. Congratulations!"
Lisa Johnson Classroom Teacher, writes, "It is with great pleasure I am writing this letter on behalf of Miss Harriet. I have had the opportunity to work closely with Harriet for many years. Harriet has been a paraprofessional in the Special Education LINKS program for many years, working with a diverse population of Autistic students. Harriet uses a student-based approach that fosters expression, communication and growth. Harriet does her job without reservation and has a wonderful rapport with students and staff. I feel very fortunate to have Harriet as part of my class, she is worthy of this well-deserved honor”
Shalimar Colon, Talmadge Principal writes, “Ms Lizardi is a dedicated staff who has worked with students with Autism most of her professional life. Her care, patience, and commitment to her students, her team, and her teacher shines through day in and day out!Even though most May find her timid or shy, her professionalism is exhibited in every aspect of her job; whether it’s advocating for the needs of the classroom based on presentations by the students and their needs or advocating for support for a family, or speaking up for herself and her teammates if something warrants more attention or needs a more fine-tuned approach, her professionalism shines! Her resilience through this pandemic has also not gone unnoticed! She comes to work and is always ready for what’s to come! In a classroom where the best laid out lessons can fall to the wayside due to the students and their overall needs, she’s ready, she willing, and she cares!! It is for that, and many more reasons that I may not have captured here that we honor Ms Lizardi this month! You are a star, and we see you shine!! Thank you from the bottom of your students' hearts, staff, and families!”
Congratulations Harriet and thank you for Making A Difference!
#ParasRock #ProudParas #RespectUsRespectOurWork
Nominate a Local 4098 Member to be the Member of the Month
Do you know a member of our unit who goes above and beyond? Would you like to nominate that person for recognition within our local?
We would like to acknowledge a single member of our unit on a monthly basis for their contributions to our members and our local.
Use this link to nominate a member and tell us a little about why you think we should recognize them as the "Local 4098 Member of the Month ".
You can watch the School Committee Meetings live on Comcast-Channel 17 in Springfield or on YouTube on the Focus Springfield Channel Focus Springfield Community TV - YouTube
