From the Desk of…
Diana Bourisaw, Superintendent
SLPS Staff Receive Interest-Based Bargaining Training
On December 11 and 12, forty-two SLPS staff members participated in a training session on interest-based bargaining (win-win bargaining). The training was conducted by Barbara Rumph from the Federal Mediation and Reconciliation Commission. Participants included district representatives, members of Local 420 and Local 44, and the NEA.
Interest-based bargaining (IBB) is important because it produces satisfactory outcomes for both parties. The approach is centered on jointly identifying issues and exploring the different possible solutions. Unlike traditional bargaining methods, parties do not come to the bargaining table with proposals. Instead, they present problems to be solved, and then work together to seek solutions.
The district intends to practice the IBB approach with all of our employee groups. Some issues will be common to all employees, and thus can be discussed simultaneously with all groups. Other issues peculiar to certain bargaining units or groups will be discussed individually with the appropriate parties.
IBB capitalizes on the spirit of cooperation that has begun to permeate SLPS under district leadership and various union leaders, including: Mary Armstrong, President of Local 420; Dr. Cynthia Warren, Local 44 and principal of Clark Elementary; and Graylon Brown, Uniserve Director for MNEA, which represents school nurses.
Spend the Day at SLPS!
Please join us for St. Louis Public Schools’ Open House for Legislators on Friday, January 4 and Friday, January 11. Legislators will have the opportunity to get an up- close-and-personal look at our schools and programs. Also, as part of our new reading initiative, “A Million Minutes by March,” legislators will be encouraged to read to the students during their visits. To arrange a visit, contact Kate Stewart, Marketing Coordinator, at (314) 345-4694 or kate.stewart@slps.org.
Book Your Holiday and Get a Head-Start on “A Million Minutes by March”
During the winter break, give your children a jump on their reading. Starting in January, the new family and community reading initiative “A Million Minutes by March” will challenge all SLPS students to read a minimum of twenty minutes each day outside of the classroom. You can show your support by reading to your children or listening to them read. You can also donate books to share with our schools. For more information, contact Kate Stewart, Marketing Coordinator, at (314) 345-4694, kate.stewart@slps.org, or Gale Hardeman, Supervisor of Library Services, at 345-4641, vernon.hardeman@slps.org.
If you are looking for some fun educational activities, the St. Louis City Public Library branches are busy throughout the holiday break hosting storytelling events, craft programs, book discussion clubs, free movies, and free classes for children, teens, families and adults. Visit www.slps.org and click on the calendar of library events.
Parenting Tips: Holiday Family Ideas
• Ask your children what gifts they can offer that do not have to be purchased. For instance, they could give their time or talents, or display acts of kindness.
• Plan a family “open mic” night. Using a microphone, you can sing songs and play homemade rhythm instruments. (If you have young children, fill containers with dried beans or macaroni and shake away.)
• Create a poster or scrapbook of 2007 memories, using photographs or hand-drawn pictures. Write short accounts of what happened underneath them.
• Take individual photographs of everyone in your family and then create ornaments for next year’s tree.
• Choose a family tradition in which everyone will participate, such as adopting a family in need. You can all pitch in to give them household and hygiene items, coats, food, etc.
Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader? “Classroom Club” Question Challenge
If you are a parent/guardian or teacher of a 1st-5th grader, now is your chance to be featured on national television. The popular game show, Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader?, would like for you to submit questions on behalf of your students. And if one of your questions is selected, the show may announce your name and school on the air! For guidelines and instructions, go to: http://www.fox.com/areyousmarter/.
Dates to Remember
• December 24 & 25: Christmas Holiday (No school)
• December 26 – 31: Winter Break (No school)
• December 31: Quarter 2 ends
• January 1, 2008: New Year’s Day (No school)
• January 2, 2008: Professional Development Day (No students)
• January 3, 2008: Classes resume
• January 8, 2008: MAP-A begins
• January 9, 2008: Report cards
• January 21, 2008: Dr. Martin Luther King Day (No school)
“Blessed is the season which engages the whole world in a conspiracy of love.”
~Hamilton Wright Mabie
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