When Our Children Need Us Most

             I am taking a one-week hiatus from the ongoing discussion on retirees’ healthcare to talk about another matter of critical importance.  The idea came to me when I visited my ‘teaching alma mater,” McAllen High School, Monday. 

            As I walked to my car, I saw my friend, Michelle Cortez Gully.  I first met Michelle when her son, Ian, was a student at McHi.  Michelle and her husband, Jason, could often be found around the campus, helping wherever they were needed.  Now their daughter, Jae, goes to McHi, and it seems like whenever I stop by, Michelle is there, working on one project or another to help the school.

            Michelle and I stood outside talking for quite some time.  We talked about Project Celebration, the graduation-night party held as a way to keep graduates engaged in drug-and-alcohol-free celebrations, Jae and her fellow McHi cheerleaders, PTA, and other activities around the school where the help of parents is so desperately needed.

            I told Michelle about a speech I had read some years back that I saved because it was profound and, sadly, true.  I told her I would look for it and send it to her.  As soon as I got home, I started searching through my journals where I save quotations, speeches, and other written words that strike me, and I found it.  It is an excerpt from a speech by Dr. James P. Comer, the Maurice Falk Professor of Child Psychiatry at the Yale University School of Medicine's Child Study Center.  Here it is:

            When our youngsters were in the elementary school, we lived in a community

            that greatly valued education.  When we went to an open house, we had to go

            very early or we couldn’t find a parking place.  It was just packed.

            When we went to an open house in middle school, we didn’t have to go early

            because there were plenty of spaces. When we went to the high school open house,

            there was an empty parking lot.

            At their point of greatest need in our complex society, we abandon our children.

I still get the chills every time I read it.  I think of how shocking it is for me when I look back on the last few years of my teaching career.  Remember that the campus had over 2000 students and yet there were but a handful of parents involved in the school’s PTA, a sharp and disturbing contrast from what you tend to see in the same type of organization at the elementary schools.  And McHi is by no means unique in this.  Unfortunately, the same can be said about schools across our area, our state, and our nation.  How can that be?   Dr. Comer is on point when he says, “At their point of greatest need in our complex society, we abandon our children.”

            I find it strange that so few parents of seniors work at Project Celebration.  Many expect the school administrators and teachers to plan it, prepare for it, and run it.  I respectfully disagree with this mentality.  It seems to me that the parents should do all of those things and that school personnel should chip in to help because they want to celebrate graduation night with the students they have taught and nurtured throughout their time in high school.

            Parents, I have to ask--How many of you are active, engaged members of your children’s academic or athletic booster clubs?  How many of you volunteer at your children’s schools, from elementary through high school?  How many of you help raise funds for your children’s schools, especially today when the Texas Legislature continues to cut much-needed funding?

            I loudly applaud parents like Michelle Cortez Gully and all of those who give tirelessly to their children’s schools, who wouldn’t dream of “abandoning” them “at their point of greatest need.” 

            The night of open house, your child’s choir concert, his/her track meet, the school’s beautification event, Project Celebration….is YOUR car in the parking lot because YOU’RE there to help? 

Chris Ardis retired in May of 2013 following a 29-year teaching career. She now helps companies with business communications and social media and works as a sales coordinator for Tony Roma's and Macaroni Grill. Chris can be reached at cardis1022@aol.com. (Photo by Sarina Manahan)

Texas Legislators—How Could You?

As I walked out of the Hynes Event Center in Mercedes Monday, October 23, I felt sick.  Literally.  I also felt angry….and sad…and worried.  How could Texas legislators do this to public school employees who spent years teaching our state’s children, caring for their physical and emotional needs, feeding them, keeping the facilities clean, answering the phone and greeting parents and community members, and doing everything else school district employees do?

            I had just left a Texas Teacher Retirement System session about the changes to our healthcare plans, compliments of the 85^th Texas Legislature.  For those of us who are under 65, our plan is called a “High Deductible Health Plan.”  Healthcare.gov describes an HDHP like this:  “A plan with a higher deductible than a traditional insurance plan. The monthly premium is usually lower, but you pay more health care costs yourself before the insurance company starts to pay its share (your deductible).”  Perfect description.

            I already knew the 85^th Texas Legislature raised our deductible from $400 to $1500.  I also knew I would no longer have a co-pay.  What does that mean?  It means that now when I go to the doctor or pharmacy (That’s right!  I no longer have a pharmacy co-pay, either.), instead of paying approximately $25, I will pay the full bill until I reach my $1500 deductible.  No problem.  As a wealthy retiree, $1500 is chump change.  Oh, wait!  I am a retired teacher.  Fifteen hundred dollars is a lot of money.

            Once I reach my $1500 deductible, Aetna will pay 80 percent of my medical bills and prescription drugs, if I use an in-network doctor.  When I have paid $5650 out of pocket to in-network facilities, physicians, and pharmacies, Aetna will pay 100 percent of my in-network medical costs.

            The more the presenter talked, the sicker I felt.  I couldn’t imagine how retired public school employees whose spouse is covered under their TRS healthcare must have been feeling.  For them, grim couldn’t even begin to describe their situation.  The deductible for public school retirees with two or more family members on their healthcare plan is $3000.  You would think that means $1500 for the retiree and $1500 for the spouse, but that’s not the case.  Thanks to our Texas legislators, those retirees must pay 100 percent of their medical and prescription costs until they have spent $3000 out of pocket.  So even if the retiree has already paid $1500 for medical and pharmaceutical bills, he/she has to keep paying until $3000 has been spent.  However, when it comes to the family’s maximum-out-of-pocket, that is figured on an individual basis rather than by family.  Go figure.

            Texas Legislators, how well do you know the statistics?  According to the Texas Retired Teachers Association, TRS has more than 375,000 retirees whose average monthly pension is $2035.  But what’s even worse…much worse…is that 30 percent of TRS retirees, roughly 105,000, receive $1000 or less per month.  How in the world do they expect these dedicated public school retirees to afford the healthcare they have subjected us to? 

            But why should they worry?  After all, remember--they kept all other state employees, whose healthcare is covered by the Employees Retirement System of Texas rather than by TRS, at a $0 deductible.  And don’t forget—that includes retired legislators who have served at least eight years.  So I served the children of this state for 29 years, and I have a $1500 deductible with no co-pay, and they can serve eight years and pay a $0 deductible?

            Texas Legislators, how could you?

(Note:  Last week, Eloise Montemayor, community relations/public sector associate with United Way of South Texas shared information with me about FamilyWize, a United Way partner that reduces the cost of prescription medicine through agreements with pharmacies nationwide.  FamilyWize is for individuals with and without insurance, there is no cost to use FamilyWize, and there are no income qualifications.  Go to familywize.org and print out a card or download the app.  For any prescription medication you need to purchase, visit their site and find the local pharmacy that will give you the best deal.  When you go to pick up your prescription, show them your card.  At this point, every penny counts.)

Chris Ardis retired in May of 2013 following a 29-year teaching career. She now helps companies with business communications and social media and works as a sales coordinator for Tony Roma's and Macaroni Grill. Chris can be reached at cardis1022@aol.com. (Photo by Sarina Manahan)

Attention Texas Retired Public School Employees!

This week, I decided to write about changes/sessions/organizations my fellow public school retirees should know about:

1.         As you should know by now, the Texas Legislature worked diligently during the 2017 legislative session to turn our healthcare upside down.  For those of us under 65, our deductible is going from $400 to $1500.  We will no longer have a co-pay for prescriptions.  Instead, we will pay 100 percent of our prescription drug cost until we reach the $1500 medical deductible. After that, the plan will pay 80/20.  The exception to this?  A list of standard, generic medications that will be completely covered by our new-and-significantly-reduced healthcare plan. (Find that list by clicking here.)  To learn more about all of our prescription drug coverage changes, click here. 

            For those who are 65 and over, you will still have a co-pay through your Medicare prescription drug plan.  You can click on the link above, too, to learn more about the changes taking effect January 1.

2.         Why did the Texas Legislature increase our deductible to $1500 and significantly increase our premiums over the next four years while continuing to provide healthcare to all other state employees (INCLUDING retired legislators) at a $0 deductible and $0 premium?  I believe what many others have said—because Texas teachers have been a proverbial sleeping giant, many not voting during state elections and most not involved in organizations fighting for our benefits like other groups--like police officers and firefighters--do. 

            One of the first things I recommend is joining the Texas Retired Teachers Association.  The annual membership fee is just $35, and TRTA worked tirelessly to restore what the Texas Legislature did to us during the regular session.  (They originally increased our deductible to $3000. After “the sleeping giant” awakened, they reduced it to $1500 during the special session, still $1100 more than we paid previously and not restoring our prescription drug coverage.)  Imagine if TRTA and some of our teachers’ associations hadn’t gotten involved!  To learn more about TRTA and to join, go here.

            TRTA also has local units that meet on a monthly basis and work to get more public school retirees involved in educating other retirees, networking, getting out the vote, and lobbying on our behalf.  Local membership is $10 per year.  Getting involved in my local unit is a commitment I made because of what the Texas Legislature has done.  To find the local unit nearest you, click here.

3.         In case you haven’t heard, TRS is currently holding informational sessions about all of the changes we can expect to our healthcare plans.  You must register to attend.  For more information on sessions near you and to register, click here.

            If you live in McAllen, one morning session in McAllen has been added.  It will be held October 25.  If you prefer to attend the McAllen session but already registered for one of the sessions in Weslaco/Mercedes, be sure to cancel that registration and register in McAllen.  Don’t wait or you will miss out.

4.         Become a member of Texans for Public Education.  This membership is free, and this is how the group is described on the TfPE website:  We're a group of people who are sick of what the politicians are doing with our school system, so we're taking it back using something they understand very well. We're block voting, and that's a very personal decision with which we want every member comfortable. 

            TfPE is non-partisan.  A research crew is diligently combing through the voting records, campaign contributors, media releases, and other critical information of each elected state official (House, Senate, and State Board of Education).  Once opponents join the races, they will also be thoroughly researched.  The committee then votes to move each candidate to “friendly” or “unfriendly” status.  Members are then provided with the rating and the research to back up that rating, and there is a process to challenge the rating.  I strongly urge you to not only visit the TfPE website but to become a member of the closed group on Facebook.

            When election time rolls around, TfPE members will work tirelessly to get fellow Texans who support public education to block vote according to the candidates’ final status.  This group is not only about public school employee benefits.  It’s about supporting public education in our state.

5.         Finally, on a much lighter note, for those retirees who live in the Rio Grande Valley and who want to get informed on a wide range of health topics, join us for monthly DHR Retired Professionals Committee meetings.  The meetings are held the first or second Friday of each month, depending on the availability of the Edinburg Conference Center at Renaissance. Lunch is provided.  For more information about this group, which is actually open to all retirees, not only those of us who retired from the public school system, please send an email to me at cardis1022@aol.com

            Throughout the year, I will be updating retirees on important news.  AWAKEN, SLEEPING GIANT!

Chris Ardis retired in May of 2013 following a 29-year teaching career. She now helps companies with business communications and social media and works as a sales coordinator for Tony Roma's and Macaroni Grill. Chris can be reached at cardis1022@aol.com. (Photo by Sarina Manahan)

Are YOU a Survivor?

TIM

CODY

I am.  I have been a survivor since July 29, 2002, when I lost my 30-year-old brother, Tim, to suicide.

            Many of you know about Tim—my family’s only blond, blue-eyed child, a former high school and college football stand-out—a son, a grandson, a brother, a husband, a father, an uncle, and a friend.  I miss him every single day of my life. 

            I am the survivor of another loss, as well.  October 17, 2013, I lost my former student, Senior Airman Cody Hooks, to suicide.  Like Tim, Cody had a smile that spread across his face and a personality that drew people to him.  Like Tim, Cody hid his suffering.

            Saturday, November 18, International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day Rio Grande Valley will take place at the McAllen Public Library, 4001 N. 23^rd Street, from 9:45 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.  Although last year was the first time the event was held in the Rio Grande Valley, it began in 1999 after Sen. Harry Reid, who lost his father to suicide in 1972, introduced a resolution to the U.S. Congress.  Originally, the event was named National Survivors for Prevention of Suicide Day; later, other countries followed suit, and the name was eventually changed to International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day.  The event is held each year the Saturday before Thanksgiving.

            International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day is a day where those who have lost a parent, a son, a daughter, a brother, a sister, an aunt, an uncle, a niece, a nephew, a cousin, a friend, a student, or another loved one to suicide come together to learn how to cope, to learn how to hope, to meet other survivors, and to discover peace.  For many, it brings the realization, for the first time, that they are not alone.

            The Rio Grande Valley event is under the direction of Missy Garcia Moreno.  Missy lost her brother, Father Ricardo Garcia, a beloved priest in Brownsville, to suicide in February of 2011.  Missy’s friend, Melissa Hinojosa-Zamora, asked Missy to chair the event.  Melissa brought the Out of the Darkness Community Walk to the Rio Grande Valley and was instrumental in the formation of the American Foundation of Suicide Prevention South Texas chapter.  She is also a survivor, having lost her father to suicide.

            Missy enlisted the help of a group of dedicated volunteers to organize last year’s event.  That same group, along with a few additional volunteers, has been working on this year’s program, which includes the screening of The Journey:  A Story of Healing and Hope, a documentary produced by AFSP that traces the grief and healing journey of a diverse group of suicide loss survivors.  AFSP describes the documentary like this:  The film shows how those left behind navigate the aftermath of their loved one’s suicide to find meaning and even joy and takes an intimate look at how their healing journey evolves over time.  More information on this year’s schedule will be released soon.

            The event is limited to 80 people, and pre-registration is required.  You can register now at afsp.org/survivor_day/mcallen-texas.  This year, teens (13-17 years old) are welcome if accompanied by an adult, and there will be sessions geared specifically to them.

            For more information about International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day Rio Grande Valley, contact Missy at afsprgvsurvivorday@gmail.com or by calling 956-821-6539.  You can find the event page (2nd Annual International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day) on Facebook.

            I am a survivor.  At the International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day, I have the opportunity to share Tim and Cody with others who understand.

           

Chris Ardis retired in May of 2013 following a 29-year teaching career. She now helps companies with business communications and social media and works as a sales coordinator for Tony Roma's and Macaroni Grill. Chris can be reached at cardis1022@aol.com. (Photo by Sarina Manahan)

Texas Education Code and Lesson Plans - Part II

           I received a message after last week’s blog post from a former teacher who expressed that she had no idea Texas has had a Paperwork Reduction Act on the books since 1997. Funny, I thought; it seems there are countless administrators in the state who don’t know, either.  (Shout out to those who do and who follow it!)

            In Part I on this topic, I addressed the 2015 Ysleta ISD. v. Porter, et al. case heard by the Texas Court of Appeals and the analysis of the case by attorney Martha P. Owen, who also serves as general counsel for Texas AFT.

            The three teachers involved in the case, Edith Porter, Jennifer Adams, and Rita Vasquez, argued that the list of components required on their lesson plans—TEKS (Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills) objectives, TAKS (Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills, the state’s standardized test, which has since been replaced by the STAAR) objectives, lesson objectives, lesson activities and strategies, assessment and cognitive level, differentiated activities and/or modifications for special populations, and homework—went well beyond the Paperwork Reduction Act’s requirement that high school lesson plans consist of a “brief and general outline.”  (Originally, the teachers had to write out every TEKS objective, but later, the district decided they only had to write the number of the objective, which weakened this argument.)  Owen wrote in her analysis about the Court of Appeals’ decision that “…it determined that a school district may only require that a teacher write a plan that ‘outlines the information presented, which by definition includes what is taught and the activities used to teach the lesson.’”   Thus, the teachers based their second argument in their appeal on the fact that some lesson plan components administrators required them to include did not meet the standard of “information presented.”

            Owen explained that the teachers lost their first argument because their lesson plan template was electronic, allowing them to “cut and paste” some required elements.  The court also rejected the teachers’ argument that proper interpretation of the state statute regarding the Paperwork Reduction Act (TEC Sec. 11.164 ) indicates that teachers should decide what goes in the lesson plan, not administrators, and that the district could not require them to use a template.

            However, the Court of Appeals sided with the teachers regarding some of their required lesson plan components.  Owen’s analysis explained the court’s ruling that TEKS and TAKS objectives could be required “because there was evidence that these objectives were taught to the students.”  Resources the teachers needed for the activities could also be required.

            The components the district could not require, the Court of Appeals ruled, because they do not meet the standard of “information presented” were assessments, differentiated activities and/or modifications for special populations, and cognitive level.

            Last year, a teacher sent an email to me asking if her school/district could require her to write the ELPS (English Language Proficiency Standards for English Language Learners) in her lesson plans.  I contact Texas AFT for an answer to this, and received a response from Jamie Womack, later confirmed by Owen.  Jamie wrote that because “ELPS are considered part of the TEKS,” they could be required. Owen agreed, though she wrote, “…it does seem like a fairly close question, and I can understand the argument going both ways.  However, I go back to the core holding in the lawsuit, which is that the district may not require the inclusion of information that is neither taught nor describes the activities that will be used to teach the subject matter. So, as Jamie said, since ELPS are part of the required curriculum, it seems like, on balance, a challenge to the ELPS inclusion requirement would likely not succeed.”

            In the final analysis, according to the court decision, what can and cannot be required in a Texas teacher’s lesson plan?  Remember the standard:  Is it presented/taught to the students in class and/or is it an activity used to teach the students in class?

TEKS and STAAR (the TAKS replacement) objectives?  Yes

Lesson activities, strategies, and resources?  Yes

Assessment and cognitive level?  No

Differentiated activities and/or modifications for special populations?  No

Homework?  The court did not address this in it’s decision; however, I would say it does not meet the standard of “information presented.”  Thus, I would say NO!

Chris Ardis retired in May of 2013 following a 29-year teaching career. She now helps companies with business communications and social media and works as a sales coordinator for Tony Roma's and Macaroni Grill. Chris can be reached at cardis1022@aol.com. (Photo by Sarina Manahan)