ATA Weekly

As we head into the final week of the 2025–2026 school year, I want to thank each of you for what you’ve carried this year.

You supported students through long days, constant demands, and changing expectations. You taught, counseled, assessed, coordinated services, responded to crises, supported families, managed caseloads, covered campuses, solved problems, and kept our schools moving forward. Much of that work happened quietly and behind the scenes. It still mattered.

Take a moment to recognize the difference you made this year. Students will leave our schools with more than academic growth. They leave with encouragement, stability, relationships, and experiences that shape how they see themselves and their future.

ATA’s strength comes from the people behind it. Our progress depends on members who stay informed, speak up, support one another, and remain engaged in the work ahead. Your participation matters. Every conversation, every question, every site meeting, and every act of solidarity strengthens our ability to advocate for educators and students alike.

Next year will bring challenges. Declining enrollment, rising costs, and ongoing financial pressures continue to affect public education across California. Those realities make our unity and involvement even more important. Strong associations are built before difficult decisions reach the table.

As we head into Memorial Day weekend, we also pause to honor those who gave their lives in service to our country, along with the families who carry that loss. Their sacrifice deserves reflection and gratitude.

Thank you as well to the Board of Education, Superintendent Jaramillo, Executive Cabinet, and our colleagues in CSEA for their continued partnership throughout the year.

I hope this summer gives you time to rest, reconnect with family and friends, and return with renewed energy for the year ahead. Thank you for the work you do every day for students and for one another.

Ralph Hernandez

alhambrateacherspresident@gmail.com

As the school year comes to a close, we know everyone is balancing a great deal right now. Still, taking a few minutes to complete this survey will help ATA begin preparing early for next year’s negotiations.

Your feedback will help identify priorities, concerns, and emerging issues before bargaining begins. The stronger our participation, the better prepared we will be heading into the new school year.

2026-27 ATA/AUSD Negotiations Input

As the school year comes to a close and everyone shifts into end-of-year mode, ATA wants to remind unit members of the required AB 130 training.

Under state requirements, unit members must complete one hour of AB 130 training this year. This information, along with the PRISM training flyer, was previously shared earlier this year.

We recognize the significant demands staff are balancing right now, including grading, promotions, performances, IEPs, report cards, and year-end responsibilities. Before summer begins, we encourage members to verify that this requirement has been completed in order to avoid complications at the start of the 2026–2027 school year.

If you are unsure whether your training has been completed, please check with your site administrator.

A reminder that the deadline to enroll in the Catastrophic Leave Bank, or CLB, for the 2026 to 2027 school year is Friday, May 29.

Because the bank has fallen below 600 days, another round of contributions is required under our contract. Unit members who want to maintain or establish enrollment must complete the District Google Form by the deadline. This contribution will not be deducted from your current sick leave balance. Instead, one day will be deducted from your new sick leave allotment at the beginning of next school year.

If you are a temporary employee and are unsure about your status for next year, you should still complete the form. If you return next year, you will remain enrolled. If you do not return, no day will be deducted.

If you did not receive the form, contact Karen Lucero in Human Resources at 626-943-3072.

AUSD Student Support Services invites input from unit members on student cell phone use and current instructional practices involving cell phones in grades 5–8 and high school classrooms. Educator feedback will inform ongoing discussions and help shape the District’s cell phone policy.

All survey responses are anonymous and will be used solely for planning and decision-making.

The survey should take about 3–5 minutes to complete and will remain open until Thursday, May 28th.

Please complete the survey link corresponding to your grade span:

• 5th-8th Survey - Use of Cell Phones in the Classroom

• High School Survey - Use of Cell Phones in the Classroom

Taking a few minutes to review your retirement plan now could make a big difference later. Even a small drop in fees—like 1%—could mean thousands more in your account over time.

The CTA-endorsed 403(b) Retirement Savings Plan is designed to help educators keep more of what they save:

• Compare your current plan:
  See how fees may be affecting your long-term savings.

• Keep more of your money invested:
  No commissions or hidden fees—so your contributions go further.

• Automatic adjustments over time (if you choose the default target date fund option):
  If you select the default target date fund option, your investments are professionally managed and adjust as you get closer to retirement, so you don’t have to worry about it.

We know educators are busy, that’s why the CTA 403(b) Retirement Savings Plan is straightforward, low cost, and easy to manage.

Enroll online.

Or

Schedule a meeting with a fiduciary advisor today.

We're here to help,

The CTA 403(b) Plan Team

August 4

- Board of Education (6 pm, Marengo West)

August 17

- Grievance (4:00 pm, ATA Office)

August 18

- ATA Board of Directors (4:00 pm, ATA Office)

August 25

- ATA Rep Council (4:00 pm, ATA Office)

- Board of Education (6 pm, Marengo West)

The Alhambra Teachers Association (ATA) exists to protect and promote the well-being of its members; to improve the conditions of teaching and learning; to advance the cause of free, universal, and quality public education; to ensure that the human dignity and civil rights of all children and youth are protected; and to secure a more just equitable and democratic society.

Email: ataoffice3030@gmail.com
Website: www.alhambrateachers.org
Location: 3030 West Main Street, Alhambra, CA, USA
Phone: (626)289-1933
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AlhambraTeachersAssociation/