CMS is in the process of sending letters to members regarding any Health Enhancement Program (HEP) compliance issues. Click MORE for details.

On May 15th the students in Ingrid White's and Jane Wolfrom's classes released the trout they raised from eggs into the Stony Clove Creek.  We were able to take a field trip in the fall to the New York State Hatchery in Livingston Manor and pick up 200 eyed brown trout eggs for each class.  Over the course of the year students were responsible for caring for them, checking water temperature, and learning about the creatures they eventually released into the wild.

The competition took place on May 28^th in the middle/high school library.  The three competing teams were cheered on by classmates, parents, and several middle school staff as they answered a slew of jeopardy-style questions about ten different books from this year’s list.  The line-up included award winners such as The Graveyard Book, by Neil Gaiman; The Boy in the Striped Pajamas, by Joyn Boyne; Counting by 7s, by Holly Goldberg Sloan; and Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Raven.”

Congratulations to retiring music teacher David Laks, who was inducted into New York State's Blues Hall of Fame on June 1st!  Check out his slamin' jamin' retirment party photos on the "News/Photos" drop down menu above.

Retirement Spotlight:

The Spinning Wheel:  1985-present:  Music Teacher (all schools); I’ve taught in the Onteora District for 29 years (30 years of teaching, total)

On April 15th, the students of Ms. Mastrangelo’s class hosted a luncheon at the Landmark Grille for their parents, teachers, and several district administrators.  The luncheon was designed to show off the cooking skills students have been learning throughout the year.  Mrs. Hodder had opened up her middle school kitchen to Ms.

Click MORE for the latest details on the Rowland 2003 Layoffs settlement .

Congratulations to the following people who have been elected to serve as Education Austin Officers and Executive Board Members:

Officers:

President -- Ken Zarifis

Vice President for Certified Employees -- Montserrat Garibay

Vice President for Classified Employees -- Trasell Underwood

Treasurer --  Karen Barnes

Recording Secretary -- Victoria Finnegan

Executive Board:

Classified

Steve Coyle

Alex Dubon

Linda Fleming

Eva Gonzalez

Lisa Pannell

USM Campus Report 2014

Michele Cheung, Harlan Baker – May 25, 2014

It’s been an eventful year at USM. The two biggest pieces of news involve follow-up on the AYA grievance from last year and the faculty and program cuts this April.

AYA Update:

From UMS Human Resources:

Dear Colleague: We are pleased to inform you that the University of Maine System and the Maine Part-Time Faculty Association, American Federation of Teachers Local #4593 recently ratified collective bargaining agreement provides wage increases for the contract period September 1, 2013-August 31, 2015.

Fellow Mainers: