JFT Update & COVID Q&A

COVID-19 Q&A

By: Larry Samuel, JFT General Counsel

JFT members have asked excellent questions about how the school district is supposed to handle certain situations involving COVID-19. This is the second of a series of articles responding to the questions. If you have additional questions, email: info@jft.org.

If a teacher is sent home because of a fever is that a sick day or a COVID-19 day?

RESPONSE: If the school directs you to go home because of a fever, ask it is because of a COVID-19 concern. If so, ask the school to be sure to code your absence as COVID-19.

Some people are routinely wearing masks below their noses or below their chins in my school. What is the proper response?

RESPONSE/RECOMMENDATION: Politely suggest that they raise their mask so that it covers their nose and mouth. If that does not work, ask the principal to send reminders. If that does not work, report this on the JFT reporting form found on the JFT website.

When I was out with COVID-like symptoms, a coworker knew what my specific symptoms were although I only told the nurse and principal. What should I do?

RESPONSE: This should not have happened.

RECOMMENDATION: Discuss with the school nurse and principal and place it on the JFT reporting form. If you are not satisfied, with their response, please email your concern to info@jft.org to discuss next steps.

JFT Elections April 2021

The Nominations and Elections Committee is announcing that elections for JFT Officers and Executive Council members will be held in April of this year.

JFT Election Procedure and Timeline

January 28: Blank Petitions and Nominations and Election Procedure Packets available at the JFT Office, 2540 Severn, Suite 301, Metairie, LA 70001, for persons wishing to run for office. Completed petitions may be submitted at any time prior to the deadline.

March 15: Deadline for submission of nomination petitions by 5:00 p.m. to Rittenberg, Samuel, & Phillips, LLC, c/o JFT Election Committee, 1539 Jackson Avenue, Suite 115, New Orleans, LA 70130.

March 18: General Membership Meeting for Nominations

5:30 p.m.

Zoom

March 24: SAMPLE ballots will be mailed to members in good standing as of January 1, 2021.

Week of April 5: Preparation of Official Ballots.

April 12: BALLOTS will be mailed out to members in good standing as of January 1, 2021.

April 29: By close of business, ballots MUST be received.

April 30: Ballots will be opened and counted. Only ballots received by close of business on the previous day will be counted.

Week of May 3: Results of the election will be distributed

JFT Scholarship Opportunity

JFT offers two (2) college or university scholarships. Each scholarship will be in the amount of $500 per year over a period of four years, for a total scholarship of $2,000 each. Children of JFT members, who are graduating high school seniors, are eligible to apply for the scholarships.

Children of JFT members, who are graduating high school seniors, are eligible to apply. Please email lmarino@jft.org for more information.

Stipend Update

At the February board meeting, the board approved a one time stipend in the amount of $500 for certificated staff and $250 for support employees. More details are forthcoming.

At the same meeting, JFT spoke about the need for support staff to receive compensation for class coverages.

Virtual PD Conference

Join us March 23-25 for this free, for-credit conference—Share My Lesson’s biggest professional development event of the year. We are welcoming anyone who works with preK-12 students, including teachers, school staff, paraprofessionals, instructional coaches and parents, and offering more than 30 high-quality webinars covering topics like virtual learning, hybrid strategies, mental health and trauma-informed practices, current events and racial justice.

Pre-register now for the 2021 AFT Share My Lesson Virtual Conference, and you will be entered for a chance to win a virtual learning care package!

LFT Winter Conference 2021 (Virtual)

Saturday, March 13, 2021, 9:15 a.m.

All JFT members are invited to attend

There is no registration fee.

Email lmarino@jft.org to register.

Vaccine Update

Louisiana has finished Phase 1A of the vaccine rollout plan and is currently vaccinating people in Phase 1B, Tier 1. Teachers and school employees are scheduled to receive the vaccine in Phase 1B, Tier 2 (the next group), but our state-union, the Louisiana Federation of Teachers and School Employees is advocating for school personnel to immediately receive access to the COVID-19 vaccine. Last week, Governor Edward's office decided to add certain groups of high-risk individuals to Phase 1B, Tier 1 -- and Senator Cleo Fields joined teachers and school employees from across the state in requesting that K-12 educators be made a top priority as well. Click here to see the latest statement from President Larry Carter responding to the Senator's letter.

Continue to use the JFT Reporting Form to document the concerns at your school.

JFT REPORTING FORM

https://forms.gle/RqQaiozkbvrCcxJo9

JFT T-Shirts

Show your solidarity by ordering your JFT fleur di Lis t-shirt!

S-XL $10

XXL-XXXL $12

Email lmarino@jft.org to order

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