Distance Learning Webinars for K-12 Teachers and SPED Teachers

A Message from CTA:

In order to meet the needs of CTA members, the IPD department has expanded the weekly webinar offering to ten webinars this week. Teachers can go to https://www.cta.org/IPDTrainings for our calendar of events where they can register. The webinar descriptions, titles, and registration information are all in the calendar. Additionally, the CDE will be hosting a webinar this Thursday at 3pm. The webinar is titled, “SSPI Distance Learning Innovations for Special Education.” The registration and description are in the Events Calendar at the link listed above. Some of the "hot topics" are listed below:

• Using Nearpod
• Middle School Math,
• For Primary Teachers: A K-2 Lesson Example
• Online Math Assessments,
• K-8 Block Schedule Instruction,
• K-8 Block Schedule Instruction,
• Teaching Specialized Populations in Distance Learning, Elementary Focus
• Teaching Specialized Populations in Distance Learning, Secondary Focus

Please refer to the flier for specific dates and times:
 Instruction & Professional Development Distance Learning Seminars 
SGTA Zoom Meetings:

The week of April 6th, SGTA will be holding Zoom meetings for Elementary, JMS, GAB & Del Mar. Your site reps will be letting you know when and the time. Please continue to read the FAQ as we have been updating the answers often. .

Teachers Frequently Asked Question During School Closure: 

Q1: When may I go to my classroom to collect materials I need to plan and teach from home?

A: Contact your site administrator.

Q2: What is the plan for students to collect non-technological materials needed for coursework (art materials, musical instruments, etc)?

A: Contact your site administrator regarding access and equity needs for your students.

Q3: I was wondering if there’s a chance that we will extend the school year since ed code says a district cannot?

A: This would need to be bargained. Per prior communication, this is highly unlikely.  

Q4: Why can’t we give out grades for Distance Learning assignments?

A: District administration is currently following CDE and LACOE guidance (see email from J. Symonds on March 19, 2020.) Contact your site administrator for further information.

Q5: If teachers depend on summer teaching positions, and we are still shut down, what are their options?

A: First, summer teaching is never guaranteed. Second, this will be a situation we will be monitoring as we navigate the COVID-19 emergency.

Q6: What happens if a teacher gets sick during closures, who will take over for him/her?

A: SGTA Exec Board will consult with HR Assistant Superintendent Ross Perry on this question.

Q7: While using an app like Zoom and a student uses it inappropriately, and it involves another student, who is liable?

A: Consult your site administrator..

Q8: What happens if families do not participate in distance learning?

A: Consult your site administrator.

Q9: At the elementary level, how do we provide equity instruction when some teachers are skilled at online instruction, video lessons, etc. and other teachers are not? There is concern that parents will talk, compare, and complain.

A: Parents discuss and compare whether we are in distance learning mode or traditional mode.  In addition, Distance learning does not mean only online instruction. Distance learning can also include hybrid assignments as well as paper packet assignments. We have to be careful not to equate distance learning with only online instruction.

Q10: How closely are we expected to follow district curriculum such as My Math and Wonders?

A: Consult your site administrator.  

Q11: Kinder Teacher: I'm concerned about the fact that we weren't able to send home math worksheets, journal paper, or anything for our kids to use. I'm asking for guidance to help kids maintain fine motor skills.

A: Consult your site administrator.

Q12: I have heard about repurposing schools as daycare for low income families (Governor Newsom). Is there any talk of that with SGUSD?

A: SGTA has been in close contact with the DEC through this process. I imagine the DEC would give us a heads up if one of our sites was designated as daycare center.

Q13: I noticed (in an email about contracts from Dena) that we could be called on to do other duties as government workers. Is there talk of that? Or are we still doing our job as distance learning continues?

A: First, this is not addressed in the MOU. Second, we should not be putting out that we can called upon to be government workers. If we were called upon to be disaster service workers, that order would need to come from a city, county, or state. We would then need to look at what our bargaining unit members are being asked to do, what the impact would be on our terms and conditions of work, and whether such is subject to bargaining with SGUSD.

Q14: What would happen (worst case scenario) if we couldn’t reopen in August?

A: Any impact of the continuing pandemic on the 2020-21 school year would need to be bargained.

Q15: Is our instruction to be solely online, or is it okay to ask families to print pages and do work with paper and pencil?

A: Consult your site administrator.

Q16: Will there be any further guidance from the district as to how much, how often, and what type of work is expected from teachers?

A: Consult your site administrator.

Q17: On the MOU, regarding Evaluations, can you define "Reasonably Completed"?

A: In the event we return to school by April 6th it may be reasonable, but if we return back to school at a later date, it may not be reasonable.

Q18: How does this affect a possible non-re-election situation?

A: All non re-elect teachers were already notified prior to March 15th. This is the responsibility of HR. 

Q19: If teachers are too sick to teach from home, how will students receive online instruction?

A: SGTA Exec Board will consult with HR Assistant Superintendent Ross Perry on this question.

Q20: Are subs being assigned if teachers cannot perform Distance Learning?

A: SGTA Exec Board will consult with HR Assistant Superintendent Ross Perry on this question.

Q21: What about the attendance piece?

A: Consult your site administrator.

Q22: Are Collective Bargaining Contracts null and void in a state of emergency?

A: Per Tom Pinkava, CTA Representative, the CBA remains intact.It is not  “null and void.”

Q23: What happens if a family chooses not to participate in distance learning?

A:: Consult your site administrator.

Q24: Can a Zoom meeting be held with all Elementary at once?

A: Thank you for this suggestion. SGTA Exec Board will schedule after spring break.

Q25: What about non union members?

A: Non-union members are always contacted regarding contractual issues. 

Q26: What are the roles of the counselors?

A: Consult your site administrator and Dr. Brian Murray.

Q27: ALL teachers have to post assignments for distance learning. What if we have a teacher who doesn’t?

A: Consult your site administrator.

Q28: What will happen to all the Probationary 2? 

A: We are still teaching. Probationary 2 teachers will be made permanent at the end of year unless they have already been otherwise notified. Tom Pinkava noted that Admin should have notified teachers by March 15th. 

Q29: What do I do if I do not have strong enough Wi-Fi where I live? 

A: Consult IT and and your Site Administrator

Q30: Do I have to use my own phone to call parents?

A: No, please go online and to learn how to block your number. For further guidance, consult your site administrator. Google Voice help can be an additional resource if needed.
 If your question(s) were not answered, please use the following form to ask your question(s). Please note that we are able to answer CBA and MOU questions, but cannot address issues under district and site administrator purview.

Continue to submit your questions on the SGTA Member Forum