To:  RHTA Membership

From:  Lori Cebelius & Michelle Bartha

Re:  Update on Extended Closure

It has come to our attention, that many of you still have several questions, as do we. We understand that with the situation changing minute by minute questions may continue to emerge.  Here is what we can address so far.

1. Can we use sick days for Monday March 16th & Tuesday March 17th?

If you are sick, use a sick day.  If you have a family member who is sick that you are caring for, use a family sick day. Monday and Tuesday are considered contractual workdays.

2. Can we work from home Monday March 16th & Tuesday March 17th?

Dr. Zito is going to be flexible in that people should use their own judgement, in whether they are going to work from home or come to school.

However these are considered contractual work days and there will be two requirements:

1.) Every certified teacher must have a chrome book at home with them.  If you do not have your chromebook at home, or it is not working, please email Jahala.  (There will be no penalty for admitting yours is not working or that you do not have one.  It is imperative that you have one, it is not a choice you MUST have one).

2.) Everyone needs to become proficient with google hangouts.  This will be the vehicle the district, administrators, department heads and grade level coordinators use to contact you.

3. How does working the two extra days on Monday March 16th & March 17th affect our 186 days.

You are not working two extra days.  You will work 186 days.  At this point in time, we have done 6 PD days, two more Monday and Tuesday, therefore students will only go 178 days, not 180 days. We will not go over 186 working days.

4. What if this is long term and being out of work is longer, would we still get paid?

At the meeting held on Friday March 13th, Dr. Zito stated that teachers would receive their full salaries and the payday schedule would remain unchanged.

5. How does this affect our personal vacations already scheduled for June?

At the meeting held on Friday March 13th, Dr. Zito was very clear that teachers should be prepared to be in school until June 30th, thereby fulfilling their contractual obligation.

It is always risky for a teacher to plan to go on a vacation in June, because of snow and other weather related events.  If your plans cannot be changed, you will need to write to Dr. Zito to request that time off, but expect that he may deny, approve or approve the time without pay, depending on the circumstances.

If you have vacation plans scheduled for June, we strongly urge you to contact the airline, hotel, etc to make the necessary changes while they (the airlines etc) are being flexible given the current situation.

6. What is it going to look like?

If and when we transition to distance learning, those days will be counted as contractual work/school days.  Teachers will be expected to give assignments, provide feedback on assignments, and answer emails.  Therefore, expect to be available during normal school hours.  Darlene, Mary and Paige are working this evening to possibly put together work packets, especially for the younger grades, that parents may have to pick up.  Keep in mind, as we traverse this road, issues will still come up that will need to be worked through, nothing is perfect.

We realize this is unchartered territory from the government down to the local schools.  There may be questions that we nor they have answers to, and possibly some questions that will not be answered until this situation evolves and unfolds. We would like to note that it has been clear in our conversations with Dr. Zito and the BOE that they are doing their best in these difficult times to be as fair and as flexible as can be.

May you and your families remain safe.