Reposting from Diane Ravitch — How Far Will a Michigan Charter School Go to Prevent Teachers from Joining a Union?

This is the story of an enthusiastic young teacher who eagerly sought a position in a Michigan charter school, only to be disillusioned by the administration’s indifference to teachers and their views about their work.

When teachers in the charter school became frustrated by their powerlessness, they decided to form a union. Bad idea. The enthusiastic young teacher was out of a job and out of teaching.

The story is bigger than just one person, however. http://dianeravitch.net/2015/11/04/michigan-how-far-will-a-charter-school-go-to-prevent-teachers-from-joining-a-union/

THE BIG “BRUCEAPALOOZA ART SALE & SILENT AUCTION”

THE BIG “BRUCEAPALOOZA ART SALE & SILENT AUCTION” – Ruin Your Decor and wear your best loud Bruce colours. It’s both Saturday AND Sunday,  November 7 and 8 at Saugatuck Brewing Company, 2948 Blue Star Highway.   The sale begins at 12 noon each day and features Bruce’s art and other artists’ work he collected, some for instant sale and some in a silent auction with bidding closing Sunday at 2 pm. All items must be picked up by 6 pm Sunday. Nothing will be shipped after.   Rebecca Crane says: “Bruceapalooza is going to be the ultimate my friends! Partly a “Ruin your Decor” art sale, part “Super Holiday Art Show”. It’s a chance to celebrate our beloved friend and there will be something for everyone. Don’t miss this. This stuff is too much fun! Please share and spread the word!” This is this Saturday and Sunday so feel free to forward this on to other friends too. This event will not be repeated and everyone is welcome. Thank you, The Cutean Family Here’s the poster. All this week, pics of art featured this weekend will be posted on Bruce’s Facebook page “bruce thirdstoneart cutean”.

REPOSTING from CURMUDGUCATION: “Dear Board of Education, I AM NOT QUITTING!”

CURMUDGUCATION

A grumpy old teacher trying to keep up the good classroom fight in the new age of reformy stuff.

Wednesday, November 4, 2015

A Not Quitting Letter

It has become its own internet genre– the “why I am quitting” teacher letter. It is apparently on the rise again, because lately lots of folks have been forwarding examples to me. And I don’t want to seem unsympathetic– it has to suck to feel so backed into the corner that quitting looks like your best option. 

But still, I long to read something different. Something feistier. Something more like this:

Dear Board of Education:

You MUST read this letter here  —- http://curmudgucation.blogspot.com/2015/11/a-not-quitting-letter.html — and then SHARE with your teacher friends, past – present – future!

To my fellow Retired MI Public School Employees

2016 MPSERS Healthcare Changes

FAQ

Plan Changes for 2016

Q: Is my plan changing for next year?

A: If you are enrolled in Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan for your health insurance, there are some changes to your plan.

• Medicare –
  • The deductible is increasing from $650 to $700.
  • The Annual Coinsurance Maximum is increasing from $800 to $850. This will bring the Annual Out-of-Pocket Maximum to $1,550 (Deductible + Annual Coinsurance Maximum = Annual Out-of-Pocket Maximum).
  • The Emergency Room Copay is increasing from $50 to $75.
  • Call BCBSM at 1-800-422-9146 for more details.

• Non – Medicare –
  • The deductible is increasing from $850 to $900. Members that participate in the LivingWell program can lower their deductible to $700.
  • The Annual Coinsurance Maximum is increasing from $800 to $850. This will bring the Annual Out-of-Pocket Maximum to $1,750 (Deductible + Annual Coinsurance Maximum = Annual Out-of-Pocket Maximum).
  • The Emergency Room Copay is increasing from $50 to $75.
  • Colonoscopy coverage is being expanded to include preventative screenings.
  • Coverage for the flu vaccine is being added.
  • Licensed Master’s Social Workers are being added as a covered provider.
  • The deductible requirement for hospice care is being removed.
  • Call BCBSM at 1-800-422-9146 for more details.
• Catamaran Rx
  • “Me-too” drugs are being excluded from the formulary
    • A “me-too” drug is structurally very similar to already known drugs, with only minor differences.
  • Call Catamaran Rx for more details.
    • Medicare members – (855) 577-6517
    • Non-Medicare members – (866) 288-5209

• Dental
  • Coverage for dental implants is being added.
  • Contact Delta Dental at 1-800-345-8756 for more details.

For more detailed information follow this link – http://www.mea-retired.org/index.php

Electablog… REPOST: Michigan Republicans pass road bill that punishes the non-wealthy while not actually fixing our roads any time soon

Eclectablog has posted a new item, ‘Michigan Republicans pass road bill that
punishes the non-wealthy while not actually fixing our roads any time soon’, at
Eclectablog

You may view the latest post at
http://www.eclectablog.com/2015/11/michigan-republicans-pass-road-bill-that-punishes-the-non-wealthy-while-not-actually-fixing-our-roads-any-time-soon.html

We’re going to get work right away on those road repairs… by 2021 for sure

Well, Michiganders our state GOP legislators decided everyone needs to pay more “…a 20 percent rise in license plate fees in 2017 — bringing in $200 million — averaging $20 more per passenger vehicle, along with special additional fees for hybrid and electric vehicles…” and by about 2021 there will be almost enough to fix potholes, roads and bridges when all the finagling is said and done.

Roads plan sent to Governor Snyder for signature

By JAKE NEHER michiganradio.org/post/roads-plan-sent-governor-snyder-signature

After years of gridlock, state lawmakers have sent Governor Rick Snyder legislation to boost road funding.

The legislation would increase the state’s gas tax by seven cents a gallon and boost vehicle registration fees by twenty percent starting in 2017. It raises taxes by 600 million dollars starting in 2017. It also eventually shifts 600 million dollars from other areas of the state budget.

The Republican plan passed by the narrowest of margins in the Senate and the House after a marathon session that went late into the night.  Governor Rick Snyder says he expects to sign the bills quickly.  Boosting road funding by more than a billion dollars a year has been one of Snyder’s top policy goals for years.  Democrats criticized the plan for not specifying areas in the budget that will lose funding.

Underage Drinking in the Home… what every parent should know

What does state law say?

It is a violation of the law to knowingly allow possession or consumption of an alcoholic beverage or controlled substance by an underage person.

DEFINITIONS WITHIN THE LAW:
“Social gathering” is defined as an assembly of two or more individuals for any purpose, unless all of the individuals attending the assembly are members of the same household or immediate family.

SETTINGS COVERED:
Settings covered by the law are premises or residences. “Premises” is defined as a permanent or temporary place of assembly, other than a residence, including, but not limited to, any of the following: 1. a meeting hall, meeting room, or conference room; 2. a public or private park. “Residence” is defined as a permanent or temporary place of dwelling, including, but not limited to, any of the following:  1. a house, apartment, condominium, or mobile home; 2. a cottage, cabin, trailer, or tent; 3. a motel unit, hotel unit, or bed and breakfast unit.

What happens if an adult breaks the law?

Adults who are charged with this violation face a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for not more than 30 days or by a fine of not more than $1,000, or both. For a second or subsequent violation the person is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for not more than 90 days or by a fine of not more than $1,000, or both.

Can adult do anything to rescind the violation?

A host may attempt to rebut the presumption that the they
allowed the consumption or posession of an alcoholic beverage or controlled substance and:
1. had control over the premises, residence, or other real property.
2. knew that a minor was consuming or
3. failed to take corrective action.

Can the adult be sued?

The State of Michigan has not enacted a law regarding civil penalties for social hosting.  In the absence of a statute, case law has established civil liability in the case of social hosting of minors.  In Longstreth v Gensel, the Supreme Court based the social host cause of action on negligence principles based on the prohibition of furnishing alcohol to a person who is not at least 21 years old. In Reinert v Dolezel, the Court of Appeals held that the social host must actually provide the alcoholic beverages.  However, the Reinert court suggested that the result might be different if the imbibers were under age 18 because the parents would then have a duty to supervise their minor children.

http://socialhost.drugfree.org/state/michigan