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From the Lawyer’s Desk

By Larry Samuel, General Counsel
Jefferson Federation of Teachers
 
We can’t make this stuff up.
 
So, here is the setting. A school board meeting in California is about to begin, by Zoom. Before the meeting, the school board members were talking amongst themselves. Or so they thought.
 
Turns out, the mic was on and the public was already listening in.
 
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Over the last few months, JFT has been working with our state affiliate, the Louisiana Federation of Teachers, to broaden vaccine eligibility to include teachers and school employees. Today, the Governor announced that he would do just that: On Monday, all teachers and school employees will be able to start receiving the vaccine.

"This is long overdue. Educators have given so much of themselves this year. They've risked their own health and that of their families, not to mention the mental and emotional toll that simultaneous virtual and in person teaching takes their lives. This announcement

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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
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COVID-19 RELIEF FUNDING

Louisiana school districts are poised to receive nearly 4x more COVID-19 relief funding under the latest federal relief plan. This aid does come with restrictions in how districts may allocate the funds, but it is a much needed and long overdue step towards a reprieve for our educators and students who have been ‘making it work’ for far too long. We are excited about the possibilities this funding presents, but it is vital that teachers

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“COVID 19” Days Update

JFT addressed the Jefferson Parish School Board at the December meeting, urging them to be proactive in extending The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA), which expired on December 31, 2020. The FFCRA provided paid sick leave and expanded family and medical leave.  
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The following is a letter written by Superintendent James Gray to JFT President Kesler Camese-Jones. He is writing in response to a letter sent by President Camese-Jones to Dr. Gray on December 18, 2020 ― you can read that letter here.

 
Dear Ms. Camese-Jones,
 
Thank you for reaching out to us with your recent letter
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JFT Update

December 21, 2020

 

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.
 
How are we supposed to keep our facilities clean? Our maintenance staff is already pretty strained?
 
RESPONSE: Each school should have a well-established protocol.
 
RECOMMENDATION: Speak with administrator to determine what protocols have been established. If the
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On Friday, the Jefferson Federation of Teachers sent the following letter to Dr. Gray to highlight the concerns of JFT members and request that the district immediately move to virtual learning. You can read this letter in it's entirety

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General Membership Meeting

Jefferson Federation of Teachers & School Employees is holding the December General Membership Meeting on Zoom:
 

Thursday, December 17th

5:30 P.M.

 
 
You must register by 4:00pm on Wednesday, December 16th. Once we have verified your membership, we will send login information to your personal email address on Thursday before the meeting.

COVID Follow Up Survey

As we enter into the last few weeks of the year, we all know that COVID-19 continues to plague our schools and classrooms. So much of our work

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FROM THE LAWYER’S DESK

By: Larry Samuel, JFT General Counsel

COVID-19 Q&A

JFT members have asked excellent questions about how the school district is supposed to handle certain situations involving COVID-19. This is the first of a series of articles responding to the questions. If you have additional questions, email: info@jft.org.
 
1. What is the protocol when someone has symptoms but has not (yet) tested positive for COVID-19? For example, a class and the homeroom teacher are quarantined for two weeks because of concerning symptoms. Many of the students - whose families we know are not insured
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