ATA Weekly

Follow-Up on Parent Meeting Expectations and Support

Following my recent newsletter about the need for a district-wide Parent Meeting Code of Conduct, I have an important update. The District has clarified that Board Policy 5020: Parent Rights and Responsibilities already includes provisions to help ensure civility and protect educators during interactions with parents.

It is understandable that many of us are not fully familiar with every Board Policy. This leads to an important question: If this policy has existed since June 2018, why do so many educators remain unaware—particularly given how often we face challenging parent interactions? Time and again, members have attended difficult meetings without realizing they had the right to excuse themselves. Unfortunately, District leadership has not made a direct effort to communicate this crucial information, which has perpetuated the lack of awareness among staff.

To summarize, BP 5020 states that the District “expects civility from all who engage in school activities” and that employees “shall not be subjected to harassment, inappropriate behavior, or interference.” It further clarifies that staff are not expected to remain in a meeting where prohibited behavior occurs and that such incidents should be reported to a site administrator. A similar civility statement also appears in the parent/student handbook.

As the first semester ends and meetings and conferences increase, I encourage you to communicate proactively with your site administrator if you have concerns about a scheduled meeting, especially if previous interactions have been difficult. Administrators are responsible for setting the tone, ensuring respectful discussions, and supporting staff throughout the process.

ATA will continue to advocate for a clear, districtwide Parent Meeting Code of Conduct to ensure consistent expectations. In the meantime, you have protections in place. Do not feel obligated to remain in an unsafe or unproductive meeting.

Your well-being matters, and you deserve a working environment—including parent meetings—where respect is the standard.

Ralph Hernandez

alhambrateacherspresident@gmail.com

The Bargaining Team has shared proposed contract language reflecting your fall feedback via email today. As the Rep Council prepares to select three articles for ATA to open at our January 13 meeting, your input is vital.

Please look over the email and proposed changes, and let your representative know of your top priorities. Strong member engagement leads to stronger negotiations.

Q: Is it okay—or even legal—for students to grade each other’s papers as a class? I’ve heard different opinions about FERPA, and I just want to make sure I’m doing things by the book.

A: Great question—and one that comes up often in classrooms everywhere. The short answer: yes, peer grading is allowed, and it doesn’t violate FERPA.

This was made clear by the U.S. Supreme Court back in 2002 in Owasso Independent School District v. Falvo. In that case, a parent argued that having students grade one another’s work—and sharing those grades out loud—was a violation of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). The key issue was whether those graded papers counted as protected “education records.”

The Court unanimously said no. Student-graded papers don’t become “education records” until the teacher collects and records the grades. Because they’re not kept by the school or part of an official record, they aren’t covered by FERPA’s privacy rules.

The justices also noted that Congress never intended FERPA to interfere with normal teaching practices. So, as long as you’re using peer grading as part of learning—not to embarrass or single anyone out—it’s perfectly fine.

What this means for you:
You can keep using peer grading, whole-class review, or other collaborative assessment activities without worrying about breaking FERPA rules. Just keep the process respectful, supportive, and focused on learning.

According to the California Education Code, teachers have the authority to assign grades to their students. The grade assigned by a teacher for any course taught in a school district is considered final, unless there is evidence of clerical or mechanical mistakes, fraud, bad faith, or incompetence. If a parent, student, or administrator challenges a grade assigned by a teacher, the teacher has the right to defend their grade with the support of a representative from the Association, who should be present during such discussions.

Are you planning to travel soon? If you are a Blue Shield member, it's crucial to be aware of your insurance benefits. Whether you're traveling within the United States or abroad, it's important to take the necessary precautions to ensure your health and safety.

If you're traveling within the United States, call your Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) company to find out what your benefits cover while away from home. Always carry your current BCBS ID card, and to find nearby doctors and hospitals, call BlueCard Access at 1-800-810-BLUE (2583) or visit the Blue National Doctor & Hospital Provider Finder. If you require precertification or prior authorization, refer to the phone number located on your Blue ID card.

If you're traveling abroad, verify your international benefits with your Blue Shield Plan before leaving the United States. Alternatively, you can purchase a GeoBlue plan. Always carry your Blue ID card, and in case you need to locate a doctor or hospital or require medical assistance services, hotlines are available 24/7. You can reach the BlueCard Worldwide Service Center at 1-800-810-BLUE (2583). Stay safe and healthy while traveling!

CTA Access to Savings is an exclusive benefit for CTA members, featuring the nation’s largest private discount network. You’ll find savings up to 50% on everyday things such as food, clothing, car care, travel, entertainment, home and garden and more. During this unpredictable time, our number one priority is to ensure the safety and health of our members. Although we don’t always deliver these types of offers, we know they are very much needed at this time. We want to help you shop for those life essentials while saving you some money too.

December 16

- Board of Education (6 pm, Marengo West)

January 5

- Grievance (4:00 pm, ATA Office)

January 6

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

January 13

- 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/