Burlingame, CA...California Teachers Association President Eric Heins issued the following statement today in support of the Calaveras Unified Educators’ Association’s strike over unresolved disputes concerning class sizes, school safety issues and professional pay.
CUSD Elementary Schools Reopening on Monday, October 23
Posted by: thepinetree on 10/20/2017 11:12 PM
San Andreas, CA...All elementary school sites will be open effective Monday, October 23. There will be sufficient staffing in place, using CUSD staff as well as substitute staff, to provide a safe, secure and productive learning environment for our elementary students. We are also working to re-open our middle school and high schools as soon as possible, once we can secure sufficient staff to do so.
Calaveras Teachers Remain on Picket Lines; Will Canvass Community for Support to End Strike
Posted by: thepinetree on 10/20/2017 07:09 AM
San Andreas, CA...Calaveras teachers are back on the picket lines today after talks Wednesday failed to settle a fair contract for teachers. “We thought we had a deal on Wednesday, we came in ready to settle this and not strike based on what we heard from Superintendent Mark Campbell and the school board. And it didn’t happen. This is another example of the district saying one thing, and doing something else,” said Calaveras Unified Educators’ Association (CUEA) President Lorraine Angel. “It’s disrespectful.”
Due to Teachers Strike all Calaveras Unified Schools to Remain Closed on Friday
Posted by: thepinetree on 10/19/2017 04:13 PM
San Andreas, CA...Given the ongoing uncertainty regarding available teaching and support staff due to the teachers strike, and the resulting inability to secure sufficient staffing to operate safe, secure and productive schools, all CUSD schools will be closed on Friday. We are working to determine who will be reporting to their assigned positions and what degree of substitute staff we can secure in order to resume operations on Monday.
Striking Teachers Forcing All CUSD Schools to Close Thursday & Probably Friday
Posted by: thepinetree on 10/18/2017 11:32 PM
San Andreas, CA...Update on Calaveras Unified Negotiations (CUSD and CUEA-Teachers) and the Teachers Strike. District officials and teacher leaders engaged in informal negotiations late into Wednesday night, yet were unable to reach a resolution to the contract negotiations. CUSD Teachers, as communicated on Tuesday, plan to start their official strike on Thursday, October 19. The length of the strike has yet to be communicated.
Mark Borchin, Picture of Health Wary of Stress ~ Men's Health Feature from Sandie Lema
Posted by: thepinetree on 10/18/2017 04:31 PM
Mokelumne Hill, CA...Mark Borchin of Mokelumne Hill is the picture of health – blessed with low blood pressure and high metabolism. To keep it that way he is an active runner, plays basketball every week and hikes with his wife. But, he is always aware that stress looms as a big health threat. Mark is sharing his personal experience as a spokesperson for the local “Tackle Your Health” awareness campaign during Men’s Health Month in November. This public education effort is co-sponsored by Mark Twain Medical Center and the Mark Twain Health Care District.
Commission on Aging Recognizes 2017 Senior Volunteers
Posted by: thepinetree on 10/18/2017 01:07 PM
San Andreas, CA...On October 11, 2017, the Calaveras County Commission on Aging celebrated the annual selection of the Senior Volunteer of the Year with four top awards on behalf of the Calaveras County Board of Supervisors. Lifetime of the Year award was presented to King McPherson of Murphys, Senior Volunteer Man of the Year was Al Duncan of Valley Springs (picture attached), Senior Volunteer Woman of the Year was Sue Friedman of Murphys (picture attached) and Senior Team Volunteers were Becky and Tom Hall of Mountain Ranch. Each of the winners were nominated by another community member, who had glowing reports of the countless hours each nominee had contributed in a volunteer capacity, working unpaid under all kinds of obstacles and schedules. Two County Supervisors, Gary Tofenelli, District 1 and Mike Oliveira, District 3 were present at the luncheon to award the Certificates of Appreciation to the honorees.
Calaveras Unified Educators Set October 19th Strike Date
Posted by: thepinetree on 10/17/2017 06:27 AM
San Andreas, CA...The Calaveras Unified Educators Association (CUEA) has set a strike date of Thursday, October 19, 2017. While we are close to agreement on most items and issues being negotiated, the most significant gap appears to be with teacher compensation. We have offered a 2% salary increase and they have proposed a 6.5% salary increase and $100 increase to monthly benefit cap. Additionally, even as we face significant budget challenges, we have been able to address the following areas of mutual concern: Lowered average TK-3 class sizes to 26:1 this year and to 24:1 in 2018/19 (which is happening no matter the status of negotiations) Proposed increase to salaries of Career Technical Education teachers and Interns Increase compensation to teachers with class sizes over district maximums Initiate the formation of a districtwide safety committee
Men's Health is Workshop Focus for the Month of November
Posted by: thepinetree on 10/16/2017 01:41 PM
San Andreas, CA...Men’s health is the topic of a free workshop on Nov. 9 at Mark Twain Medical Center. “Tackle Your Health” is the theme for the 10 a. m. to noon event focusing on lifestyle and health resources for men. A variety of presenters and health resource organizations will be featured and lunch is included. There is limited seating. Call 754-5919 for reservations and information. “Tackle Your Health” is part of MTMC’s ongoing series of “A Plan 4 Me” free planning workshops. It is co-sponsored by MTMC and the Mark Twain Health Care District. The district is providing a donated San Francisco 49ers DeForest Buckner laser-engraved football valued at $50 to be awarded at the workshop along with “Tackle Your Health” tee-shirts.
Crossing California, Sierra to the Sea, October 8 through November 26 at Petroglyphe
Posted by: thepinetree on 10/14/2017 08:02 AM
Mokelumne Hill, CA...Crossing California, Sierra to the Sea, Dale Laitinen. Reception - Sunday, October 8, 2017 from 2-5 pm. Exhibition runs October 8 through November 26, 2017 At Petroglyphe Gallery 8317 Main Street, Mokelumne Hill Crossing California, Sierra to the Sea is a celebration of Dale Laitinen's favorite places seen while crisscrossing the great state of California. Laitinen states, "Twenty years ago my wife and I chose Mountain Ranch, uprooting home, studio, family and pets to a beautiful place tucked away in Calaveras County. The now infamous Butte Fire swept through our area and destroyed all that we had built for those years. Crossing California is a rising from the ashes exhibit as a way of moving forward from catastrophe."