have any books you would like to donate forthe library, please let me know. You can find the list of available books here. The list should also be available on your site's CVTA bulletin board. Happy reading!

Member Benefits: CalSTRS Counselors at the CTA Palm Desert Office: Now you can schedule sessions locally (usually we have to drive to either Palm Springs or Riverside). One way to schedule an appointment with these counselors is on the www.myCalSTRS website. You can also schedule by calling (800) 228-5453 and selecting option 3. A real CalSTRS Counselor will never send you an email advertising his/her services via District email...those are spam and are usually salespeople.

There are three options for meetings: group informational for those just getting started looking at STRS info, smallergroup for those of you 5-6 years out from retirement needing more personalized information, and individual meetings for those about to retire. Don't hesitate to call...they book up 6-8 weeks out, as space is limited.

Contractual Issues Happening Right Now Remember that the contract is an agreement between CVTA and the District and it was bargained in the best interest of students and teachers. That means that both sides agreed to abide by what is included in the contract, so when something needs to be cited from the contract, it isn't what "the District said" or what "CVTA said"... it is what was agreed to and is therefore legally binding.

Find the contract here. Here are the things we are working on:

- • Grievances at this time. • Grievances at this time.
- • need to start at the informal level. This means that you have a • need to start at the informal level. This means that you have a conversation with your immediate supervisor, whether face to face or via email, in order to give them the opportunity to remedy the situation. It is important that you actually state, "This is my informal grievance." This will begin the timeline,and will ensure your administrator understands that there is a timeline to follow.
- • Complaint Form - Some of you have asked for this form, which can • Complaint Form - Some of you have asked for this form, which can be used for complaints about facilities and textbooks or instructional materials. This form could be an option when a grievance isn't the appropriate path to deal with a situation at your site.

Here are some important dates to keep in mind:

- • 7th - School Board Meeting @DM,5:30pm • 7th - School Board Meeting @DM,5:30pm
- • 13th - Elementary Conferences 2:20-6:45 • 13th - Elementary Conferences 2:20-6:45
- • 14th - Elementary Conferences 1:20-4:00 • 14th - Elementary Conferences 1:20-4:00
- • 15th - Bargaining...please wear your CVTA shirts to support our team! • 15th - Bargaining...please wear your CVTA shirts to support our team!
- • 18th - DisctictProfessional Development Day (This is a workday!) • 18th - DisctictProfessional Development Day (This is a workday!)
- • 19th - Bargaining...please wear your CVTA shirts to support our team! • 19th - Bargaining...please wear your CVTA shirts to support our team!
- • 20th - CVTA Rep Council Mtg. 4:30 @CDALibrary • 20th - CVTA Rep Council Mtg. 4:30 @CDALibrary
- • 21st - School Board Meeting @DO,5:30pm • 21st - School Board Meeting @DO,5:30pm