A new school-year is upon us, well....upon you!  If this will be the only 'aziseeit' item that you read, it is THE one to read!

1.     The State of Arizona has legislated the ban of unhealthful foods/drinks, depending upon grade level, during various times of the day.  Know what the law is for your school, so that you do not compromise your personal liability, by supplying illegal treats for classroom incentives or program fundraisers.

2.     Just say, "NO!"  You will soon be asked(again) to participate in, or chair, any number of committees/activities.  These responsibilities will take time from your family, as well as from your instructional preparation time, further hindering your ability to better teach your students(After all, that IS what they had intended that you do, when they issued you a contract, isn't it?)  You are under NO obligation to participate in any of these activities - even if you are involuntarily assigned - if they will occur either before or after your professional day(only if during contractual time, then you must.)  

     The big activity, of late, is the A+ Schools designation.  Been there, done that!  It is a great PR move to have that designation - but it is only a glorified 'coloring contest!'  The A+ program has no connection with student performance/achievement that cannot otherwise be obtained without the enormous amount of documentation, time and effort that go into attempting to gain its designation.  Student achievement is NOT a factor in determining whether or not a school may receive the A+ designation! 

     In actuality, if a school utilized its resources to improve itself, by inclusion of all of the techniques/programs/resources, etc., that it must document for A+, then it would be able to ensure student success, and not have to worry about an arbitrary award.  The award will not gain the teaching staff any particular rewards or important individual recognition.  It will not make it any easier to obtain a salary/benefit increase for your own family/children.  It will make it easier for your Administration to receive acclaim for your efforts(teachers rarely benefit from good PR), thereby gaining upward mobility that is not accessible to teachers.  Say, "NO!"  Then go home to be with your family!

3.     Say, "YES!"  Donate to your school's extracurricular programs, via the Arizona's School Tax-Credit program.  A donation of $200(single) or $400(married) can immediately impact your school, and provide you with a dollar-for-dollar tax credit from the State.  And, if you are a coach or program sponsor, what better way to infuse money into your own interests?

4.     Say, "NO!"  Education Foundations will be asking for donations.  They will tell you that your contributions are tax-deductible, and that they can easily be drafted from your pay/account, on a monthly basis.  They will attempt to convince you that your district/school will benefit from these contributions - but they are not telling you the entire truth!  The TRUTH is that your particular school may NEVER see a dime from these foundations, as it is granted wherever and whenever the foundation leaders deem it to be necessary(Kind of like the U.S. Congress, only less accountable and more deceitful!)  The TRUTH is that if you have money to spare(after your $200/$400 tax credit contribution - and don't ALL teachers have extra cash lying around?), then it would make sense to donate to these organizations.  But, if you really want to make an immediate impact on your school, then convince everyone that you know to take advantage of the Arizona School Tax-Credit program first - and donate directly to your school(all taxpayers can participate!)

5.     Say, "WHAT?"  Recent retirees were not recognized, as such, by the Deer Valley Unified District, if they will be returning as SmartSchoolsPlus employees.  This is regrettable, although should have been expected, because these teachers have given their all, for decades - and had to officially retire with the ASRS - in order to apply for this phased-retirement program.(My retirement was not recognized, because I did not attend the 'official' Board meeting, where others received a certificate and some little trinket, thanking them for their years of receiving Administrative abuse.)

6.     Can you say, "GOTCHA?"  Not too long ago, I 'pressured' the DVUSD into re-establishing a celebratory luncheon, honoring retirees and those having been District employees for at least 25 years.  This had been traditional, for many years, but had since been eliminated for a number of years.  Your Superintendent(McElyea) had, at that time, assured me that the 'tradition' would now continue - but, alas, was only 'smoke and daggers,' as it has not occurred since(three years), and will probably not ever!

7.     Many districts have discontinued offering medical/health benefits to their recent retirees(if they could end benefits for all, they certainly would), and others are soon to follow.  Some local districts' officials have publicly declared that they have not even discussed this money-saving option, while private conversations have exposed the TRUTH!  If you are offered any style of phased-retirement, or early-retirement buyout, etc., please consider the cost of remaining under contract, and having to purchase personal health benefits through the ASRS, or privately, should this occur, before making your decision.

8.     Everyone has a photographic memory - some just don't have any film!