important information

New Ruling by IRS went into effect early fall of 2005. It will allow you to defer your federal tax on your sick leave buy back. This must be done properly to be effective. If you do not need your sick leave buy back at the time that you retire and wish to defer paying federal tax on it, please email me at mardito@retireesunited.org and I will have someone knowledgeable about the process contact you. In the year you retire, if your sick leave buy back is a good amount, you may have federal tax implications. If you retire June 30 of a given year, you will collect 1/2 year of full teacher's salary plus 1/2 year of your pension.(You collect pension for the months of July and August). Plus if you take on a full or part time job you will have that income as well. If you do the long form for taxes, you will have a very high salary if you add a high amount of sick leave buy back to the above two or three amounts.

New interest rates were assessed to buy-back service after July 1, 2005. Contact me at mardito@retireesunited.org if you need assistance in transferring funds from your annuities or 403 accounts to pay forcreditable service buy back.. Be sure to include home phone number.

New calculation for Option C and Option B. Click on Senior Information on home page; Preretirement information on next page, and retirement allowance and it will provide you with the information you need. Contact me at mardito@retireesunited.org if you wish to have someone sit down with you to calculate your approximate benefit under each of the options so you can make an informed decision.

What You Should Be Aware of in Drawing Down you IRA. 403b

The Commonwealth of MA began allowing Tax Sheltered Annuities (TSA's), 403b's etc, to be taken out on a pretax basis in January of 1998. Up until that time you paid state taxes on your contirbution to the fund. Make sure you take out the part that you already paid taxees on first and then the rest, including interest which will be taxed. You will ahve to file two W-4's with your financial institution--- one telling them to take federal tax out-- the other telling them not to take state tax out. When you have exhausted your contribution amount--- subit a new W-4 telling them to start taking state tax out. Contact me at mardito@retireesunited.org if need further clarification.

Wanted: Retirees for Part Time Employment

INSTRUCTIONAL CONSULTANTS
MIDDLE AND SECONDARY TEACHERS

Class Measures is seeking qualified National Board Certified Teachers or Teachers with a Masters Degree to act as Instructional Consultants for the PERFORMANCE REVIEW PROGRAM FOR INITIAL LICENSURE for Middle and Secondary Teachers. (approved by the Department of Education)

The consultant’s main responsibility will be to evaluate the candidate’s ability to meet Massachusetts Professional Standards for Teachers and to incorporate the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks into their practice. They will be required to review the candidate’s portfolio at the beginning and end of the program, conduct three classroom observations over a 12-week period, and participate in a pre and post observation meetings as well as give written feedback and guidance along the way.

As part of the Consultant’s professional development plan, he/she will obtain 15 Professional Development Points along with an honorarium of $900 per teacher candidate upon completion of the program.

If you are interested in acting as an Instructional Consultant for the Performance Review Program for Initial Licensure, you must meet the following requirements:

1. Hold Middle or Secondary Teacher Professional License with a Masters Degree or National Board Certification
2. Attend one training to be conducted by Classs Measures.
3. Submit resume,copy of certification, and letter of reference from current Principal/Supervisor along with completed application

For application:
Contact: Program Director Lisa Demoulias lisa@classmeasures.com
Class Measures 38 Montvale Ave. Suite 220 Stoneham, MA 02180 781-481-9025
www.classmeasures.com

Greater Lawrence Community Action Council, Inc.
DIVISION: Child Services
PROGRAM: Community Partnerships for Children Program
POSITION TITLE: INTERVENTIONIST

WORK WEEK/HOURS: 4 hrs/day, 5 days/wk, 46 wks/yr

QUALIFICATIONS: B.A. level certification or higher in field, with reading endorsement or certification preferred. Minimum of three years experience in primary grades or early childhood instruction. Proven ability to work cooperatively and collaboratively. Knowledge of scientifically based reading research. Knowledge of Breakthrough to Literacy, preferred.

DUTIES: The Interventionist will attend all appropriate Early Reading First professional development and will work on extended contracts during the summer as needed. They will provide intervention strategies for struggling 3 and 4 year old children using Breakthrough to Literacy curriculum, SFA's Curiosity Corner's intervention strategies, and other SBRR strategies. All intervention strategies will be provided in-class and interventionists must work cooperatively with the literacy coach and classroom teacher. Early Reading First training will be ongoing and will occur during the summer and throughout the year. Provide feedback to teachers, the literacy coaches, the school, and the stakeholders. Record and analyze achievement data. Monitor ongoing reading progress and make decisions based on the continuous progress of the student and teacher data. Facilitate coordination of Pre-K and MA standards with intervention resources. Complete and file reports for the Early Reading First evaluation.

Call Gayle Williams @ 978 681 4996 X440 or E-mail gwilliams@glcac.org

PROFESSIONAL LICENSURE COACH-ELEMENTARY

Class Measures is seeking qualified Elementary Teachers with a Masters Degree or National Board Certification to act as Professional Licensure Coaches for the LYNN DISTRICT-BASED PROFESSIONAL LICENSURE PROGRAM. This program is approved by the Department of Education for Elementary Teachers in Lynn Public Schools and surrounding schools systems.

The coach’s main responsibility will be to evaluate the candidate’s ability to meet the requirements for Professional Licensure. They will be required to review the candidate’s portfolio, conduct at least three classroom observations over a course of a year with pre and post observation meetings, review the teacher’s journal and two video-tapings of classroom teaching, and provide written feedback and guidance along the way. The candidate undergoes an interview with Professional Licensure Coach as an assessment of his/her knowledge at the beginning of program and prior to recommendation for professional licensure.

As part of the Coach’s professional development plan, he/she will obtain 15 Professional Development Points along with an honorarium of $900 per teacher candidate which is awarded when the candidate completes the program.

If you are interested in acting as a Professional Licensure Coach for Class Measures’ District-Based Professional Licensure program, you must:

1. Hold an Elementary Professional License with a Masters Degree or National Board Certification.
2. Submit resume, copy of certification, and letter of reference from current Principal/Supervisor along with completed application
3. Attend one training session which will be conducted by Class Measures

For application:
Contact: Program Director Lisa Demoulias lisa@classmeasures.com
Class Measures 38 Montvale Ave. Suite 220 Stoneham, MA 02180 781-481-9025
www.classmeasures.com

Working Title: Early Reading First Literacy Coach (Lawrence)
Official Title ERF Literacy Coach
Qualifications:
o Hold a master's degree in reading or early childhood education w/reading endorsement
o Have a minimum of three years experience teaching preschool and/or early childhood
o Have proven ability to communicate with students, faculty, parents and the community
o Have proven ability to work cooperatively and collaboratively
o Have successful leadership experience within a school faculty
o Have proven knowledge of literacy assessment and diagnostic screening instruments (preferably DIBELS, IGDI, PPVT-III, PALS-Pre-k); Pre-LAS
o Have proven knowledge of scientifically based reading research
o Have proven ability to work with adult learners in providing professional development
Responsible To: ERF Project Director
Performance Responsibilities:
o Align the reading curriculum with MA's Early Learning Standards
o Provide feedback (written and oral) to teachers, the school, and the stakeholders
o Analyze achievement data
o Monitor ongoing reading progress and make decisions based on the continuous progress of the student and teacher data
o Facilitate coordination of preschool curriculum
o Facilitate coordination of preschool to kindergarten activities
o Provide professional development training for Early Reading First faculty in study groups, in-class coaching (80% of time), assessment meetings
o Plans and supervises professional development training for area day care providers in scientifically based reading research
o Select, order, and organize materials purchased with Early Reading First funds
o Complete and file reports for the Early Reading First evaluation
o Coaches will be required to attend all ERF professional development and work on extended contract during the summer

Early Reading First literacy coaches will have the expertise, time, and authority to work collaboratively with teachers, other instructional staff, administrators, day care providers, and other relevant stakeholders.
20 hours a week, 46 weeks @ $30 an hour

Call Gayle Williams @ 978 681 4996 X440 or E-mail gwilliams@glcac.org

Gain experience with a professional assessment tool!

Get to work with children!

Earn money!

PRESCHOOL CLASSROOM OBSERVATIONS

EDUCATION DEVELOPMENT CENTER, INC. is hiring Data Collectors to complete classroom observations and teacher interviews in the Lowell area using the revised Early Language and Literacy Classroom Observation (ELLCO). Training will be held in late September (one day of training - approximately 6 hours). Data collection will run from late September through early October.

Required education/skills:
a) Prior experience in early childhood or elementary educational settings
b) Knowledge of early language and literacy development
c) Organized, observant, excellent communication skills

Applicant should live in the greater Lowell area and MUST HAVE A CAR.

Hours:
Observations will be conducted in the mornings, with intensive data collection from late September through early October. Future data collection opportunities in Spring 2009, Fall 2009 and Spring 2010.

Compensation:
Data collectors will be compensated $90 for each observation and interview (approximately 3 hours).

Professional Development Opportunities:
As a Data Collector, you will be part of a government-funded study aimed at strengthening literacy training for teachers. You will be trained by nationally recognized researchers in the field of education.

If interested, please email your resume and a cover letter to eboisjoly@edc.org

Important health benefits information

BenefitsCheckUp helps thousands every day to find programs for people ages 55 and over that may pay for some of their costs of prescription drugs, health care, utilities, and other essential items or services.

Save money on prescriptions
By Gail Liberman & Alan Lavine/Family Finances
Sunday, February 29, 2004, Boston Herald
The cost of prescription drugs is hurting families.Here are some ways you can save money:
Free samples. Major drug companies are giving doctors millions of drug samples nowadays as part of promotional efforts. Some doctors will give you ongoing free samples if you ask.
Generics. Be sure to ask your doctor to prescribe generic drugs when possible. Generics can save you a fortune when compared to brand-name drugs. Also ask your doctor if an older drug on the market might be as good - but cheaper - than one of the heavily advertised new drugs.
Buy in bulk. Consider buying prescriptions in bulk. Talk to your
pharmacist about how much you could save, for example, by purchasing a
three-, six- or even 12-month supply. Be careful, though. You don't want to
use medication after it expires.
Discount cards. Low-income seniors and other Medicare beneficiaries
can get discounts ranging from 20 percent to 40 percent on more than 200 drugs through discount cards. Warning: In your search for savings, beware of phony prescription cards. They've become an area for scams.
Special help. You might be able to obtain state, federal or local assistance with medical costs.
If your income is low enough to meet certain thresholds, you might also qualify for drug cards with a copayment of just $2 to $15 directly from drug manufacturers.
Such programs include Eli Lilly and Co.'s ``LillyAnswers'', Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corp.'s and ``Care Card Select''
Bigger is better. Consider cutting the cost of your drugs by having your doctor prescribe a stronger strength.Then, pick up a pill splitter for a few dollars in the drug store and
split the pill very carefully. For example: If you need to take a 20 milligram tablet, get your doctor
to prescribe a 40 milligram tablet. Then (only if you can do this flawlessly) split it in half.
Canadian connection. What about buying drugs from Canada? In some cases, you can save more than half of the cost of drugs bought in the United States. But buying drugs from Canada is controversial - and in certain states, illegal.
You need to be absolutely certain that you deal with a reputable pharmacy so that the medication you receive is correct.
( Gail Liberman and Alan Lavine, husband and wife, are authors of ``More Rags To Riches: Motivating Stories of How Ordinary People Achieved Extraordinary Wealth'' (Dearborn). You can contact them at mwliblav@aol.com