Desert Sands Teachers' Association (DSTA)

06/05/2017

Just a reminder: The Rerunning of the Runoff Election for the CTA State Council position is still going on. Heard from Elections that we only have had under 450 vote so far. Please check your personal email to make sure you got your ballot. If not contact DSTACommunications or [email protected] and Simply Voting will be sent your information. All you need to include is your name, email address and school site. If you send an email, it's much faster and easier for it to be forwarded to them (less chance for error). Thanks and happy voting!

05/16/2017

From Mona Davidson DSTA President:
AMEN!!! Teaching is the PRIORITY--not testing!

05/15/2017

Parents, educators and community members weigh in on the privatization movement by Betsy DeVos and the Trump administrations! http://educationvotes.nea.org/2017/05/10/listening-parents-educators-lawmakers-reject-private-school-vouchers/?utm_source=EdVotes&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=051317EdVotesEmail&utm_content=Vouchers

Despite what you hear Betsy DeVos say...vouchers are bad for students, public schools, and entire communities.

05/12/2017

So many wonderful things happening around Teacher Appreciation! Here's what the parents did for the teachers at Reagan Elementary!

05/06/2017

Several people have made posted their concerns about the posting of the Run Off Election Results.
On behalf of the The Elections Committee:
We have total autonomy when it comes to when to release the official election results as long as it is within 5 business days. This also applies when it comes to what statements we release and when, as long it is within the time required in the bylaws. The Elections process has many steps and it would be appreciated if members would keep in mind that when we agreed to take on these positions, we were not provided any additional time in our day but have only 24/7, and just like you we have full time jobs and a personal life. The candidates involved have been notified.
We would appreciate it if people would stop implying there are suspicious activities and give us the time we need to complete this process accurately and fairly. Remember, that with the exception of a handful of paper ballots, the elections are locked and the report comes to the chair in a PDF, so there is no need for this type of speculation.
Thank you,
Elections Committee

04/29/2017

The Run Off for the position of President of DSTA will begin at 6 am on Monday, along with the run off for CTA State Council Representative.
If you don't get your ballot, be sure to check your spam. If it's not there, email Rosie Borgetti at the DSTA office and be sure to include your name and email address so it can be forwarded to Simply Voting for a ballot. Remember, Simply Voting is on the East Coast, so you must request a new ballot by noon on Wednesday, May 3rd.
You may also come to the DSTA office during normal business hours and vote with a paper ballot.
Just make sure to VOTE!!!

04/21/2017

Voting is now open for the following positions:

DSTA President
DSTA 1st Vice President
DSTA High School Director
DSTA Middle School Director
DSTA Elementary Director
DSTA Ethnic Minority
CTA State Council
CTA State Council Alternate

On-line voting begins at 6:00 a.m. on April 21st and will be open until 5:00 p.m. on April 25th. Voting can also take place at the DSTA office from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., April 21st, 24th, and until 5:00 p.m. on April. 25th.

Access to online voting is provided through the member's personal email (not .dsusd). The sender information looks like this.....

from: Desert Sands Teachers Association
reply-to: [email protected]
to: (personal email; not .dsusd)
date: Fri, Apr 21, 2017 at 6:01 AM
subject: Executive Board and State Council Election

Opportunity to get involved: I am looking for two more members to be active on the Elections Committee. Their assistance is needed periodically when an election or vote ends. We meet at the DSTA Office at 5 pm on those dates to certify the results. It is fairly quick now due to E voting. They can contact me at [email protected].

Thanks!
Cheryl Powers
DSTA Elections Committee Chair
Carter Elementary

03/30/2017

Don't forget to vote!

03/29/2017

Certainly true!

Teach by Kiddom empowers teachers to create personalized learning experiences for students.

03/28/2017

This is just one of the many great opportunities CTA provides for teachers in their classrooms. DSTA 1VP, (Tricia) Patricia Borer Schoenfeld, has received multiple grants from them and has helped others write and receive grants from CTA. She held a Grant Writing Workshop right at the DSTA office that was very well attended and has offered to do more of them as needed. Just let us know!

"Want more innovative teaching? I know the secret sauce. Find teachers who already innovate, get out of their way, give them a little money, and invite them to share the results with other teachers. That's what I witnessed last week at a gathering of the Institute for Teaching." So says Professor Charles Kerchner in Education Week. http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/on_california/

03/22/2017

Congratulations to the following people who were elected to represent DSTA at the National Education Association's Annual Representative Assembly in Boston this summer. Thank you for being willing to forgo a week of your summer break to represent your colleagues.
The delegates are: Mona Davidson, Patricia Schoenfeld, David Parsons, Reginald Powell, Debra Rios, Tricia Pearce, Bonnie Stefan, Jose Rios and Anna Harris.
Several of these people are also on the ballot for the San Gorgonio Service Center Council as a State Delegate, so it's possible that they will be opting to go that way, which would open up more spots from our local. Stay tuned!