ATA Weekly

The start of the year is an opportunity to reflect and set new goals. As you consider your practice and priorities, I encourage you to align your growth with our collective efforts to support one another and strengthen our association.

CTA provides conferences focused on instruction, advocacy, equity, and union leadership. These events build skills and perspectives that benefit your work both at your site and within our association. Participants often return with ideas that enhance daily practice and collective initiatives.

Current opportunities include:

• New Educator Weekend South, Feb. 20 to 22, Costa Mesa

• Equity and Human Rights, March 13 to 15, Costa Mesa

• Good Teaching South, March 20 to 22, Garden Grove

• Women’s Leadership, April 10 to 12, San Diego

As you consider attending, please reflect on one question: What will you bring back to our association? Participation includes a shared responsibility to share strategies, resources, and lessons learned. This could be through a site conversation, a brief Rep Council update, or a newsletter contribution. Sharing knowledge benefits us all.

If you are interested in participating, please review the upcoming CTA conference options. Questions? Contact the ATA office.

Ralph Hernandez

alhambrateacherspresident@gmail.com

Dear ATA Community,

My heart aches as I ask you to come together for the La Torre family. Mr. La Torre, our beloved music teacher at Fremont and Northrup Elementary, is facing an unimaginable battle. His wife’s cancer has returned, and this time, the fight feels even more devastating. They are blessed with two beautiful young children, and the weight of this situation is heartbreaking.

A flicker of hope lies in qualifying for a crucial treatment. The pain of knowing what they’re facing is beyond words—mentally, emotionally, and financially exhausting.

I humbly ask you—please open your hearts and consider supporting them in any way you can. Your donation and your voice in sharing their GoFundMe can make a difference for this family during their darkest hour.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your kindness and compassion during this difficult time.

Natali Lovera

Fremont

From October 17 through November 21, 2025, ATA unit members had the opportunity to submit their input on this year’s contract negotiations with the District. On December 2nd, the ATA Bargaining Team reviewed that input and identified contract language changes associated with that input.

Under our collective bargaining process, both AUSD and ATA may each “open” three contract articles, making those entire articles subject to negotiation. In addition, Article XXVI (Salary Provisions) and Article XXX (Fringe Benefits) are automatically reopened each bargaining cycle.

At the ATA Representative Council meeting held on January 13, 2026, representatives voted to identify the following three articles as ATA’s priorities to be opened for negotiations this year:

Article XI – Unit Member Work Year

Article XIV – Teaching Load – Classroom Teachers

Article XVII – Evaluations

Unit member action during negotiations is critical support for the adoption of our priorities. As part of that effort, ATA members will wear blue ATA shirts on February 4th, the first day of negotiations with the district.

Andrew Bitterolf

ATA Bargaining Chair

The NEA Representative Assembly is set to take place in Denver, Colorado, from July 4 to July 7, 2026. This is your chance to nominate yourself as a state or local delegate, contributing to the development of goals and policies that will shape the NEA's direction for the following school year.

State Delegate Information:

The nomination window is now open if you're interested in participating as a state delegate. You can submit your Declaration of Candidacy until January 30, 2026, at 4 pm. For more details, please visit NEA's official website and access CTA's Declaration of Candidacy page.

Local Delegate Information:

For those wishing to become local delegates, any ATA/CTA/NEA member can apply by filing a Declaration of Candidacy form with the ATA. The filing window for local delegates is from January 16, 2026, through February 10, 2026, and the ATA office must receive forms by 4:00 pm on February 10, 2026. Please make sure you submit your candidacy form on time, as late submissions will not be considered. If you would like more details, please click the link above.

Remember, the deadlines for state and local declarations of candidacy differ. Take this opportunity to shape the future of the NEA and ensure your form is submitted on time.

Click here for more information.

The Short-Term Independent Study Program (ST-ISP) is optional and follows AUSD guidance. Teachers are increasingly being told by front office staff that they must assign ST-ISP work. This direction is inaccurate.

You have two options. You may provide the assignments, or the District may provide the ST-ISP work.

When the District provides ST-ISP work, classroom grades, assessments, and participation may not be impacted for work assigned during the ST-ISP period.

As you make your decision, consider the student's current progress and the instructional support needed to bring the student up to speed upon return.

If you are asked to act outside these guidelines or need support, contact ATA for assistance.

The CTA Death and Dismemberment (D&D) Plan is an automatic benefit available to eligible CTA members at no additional cost. If an eligible CTA member dies or suffers a dismemberment (i.e., suffers a loss of limb or other qualifying injury), the member or her/his beneficiary(ies) will receive a lump-sum cash payment.

• Provided by the CTA Economic Benefits Trust
• A Death Benefit of $2,000
• An Accidental Death and Accidental Dismemberment Benefit of $10,000
• A $50,000 Benefit if the member dies or suffers a dismemberment due to an accident or assault while engaged in any activity which was in the expressed or implied terms of his or her occupation, or while acting in the capacity of an Association Leader

Although no enrollment is required for eligible members to receive coverage under the CTA D&D Plan, eligible CTA members should designate (a) beneficiary(ies). If there is no named beneficiary(ies) or the beneficiary(ies) dies before the member, benefits will be paid in the following preference order:

• Spouse/Domestic Partner*
• Children
• Parents
• Brothers and sisters
• Executor or administrator

Click here for more information..

February 2

- Grievance (4:00 pm, ATA Office)

February 3

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

- Board of Education (6 pm, Marengo West)

February 17

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

February 24

- Board of Education (6 pm, Marengo West)

March 9

- Grievance (4:00 pm, ATA Office)

March 10

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

- Board of Education (6 pm, Marengo West)

March 17

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

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/