News, Alerts & Events

Press Release
For Immediate Release
January 31, 2022

BTF CALLS FOR INVESTIGATION AND ANALYSIS OF THE CLAIMS THAT SCHOOLS ARE NOT WHERE COVID IS SPREAD – THEY ARE SAFE AND FEBRUARY ONE WEEK RECESS – CAUTION


“How it can be said that COVID is not spread in the schools when, for example, on:

 

         Report Date                      School                  Students (Identified)    
 1/26/2022  18  17
 1/25/2022

 18  1
 1/25/2022  95  7
 1/24/2022  95  9
 1/11/2022

 95  13
 1/24/2022  195  7
 1/21/2022  195  9
1/20/2022 195 4
1/11/2022 195 51
1/20/2022 93 10
1/11/2022
93 11
1/11/2022 304 12
     
District Reports Attached (Click Here)
 

 

Our students come from all parts of the City. These are not neighborhood schools where COVID would be spread among friends in the neighborhood.

 


Indeed, in the winter there is little mingling among students while not at school.

 


The Buffalo Teachers Federation calls for a Federal, State and County investigation and analysis of these and other similar statistics so that appropriate actions can be taken to halt the spread of COVID and keep our students, parents, staff and community safe”, stated Philip Rumore, President.

 


“The BTF also called for caution prior to removing any school mandates as many districts will be having one week mid-winter recess (most from February 21 to February 28, 2022). A significant increase in positive cases has occurred after such recesses”, concluded Rumore.

 

Important Information

  • The Annual Professional Performance Review (APPR) Information 

    The APPR is a process by which teachers are evaluated in NYS. The intent of APPR is to assist educators to improve the quality of instruction in schools and to improve students' performance for colleges and careers. District APPR plans must meet strict state guidelines and be negotiated with local unions. Under state guidelines, APPR takes into account classroom observations and student performance. Teachers across NYS receive an overall effectiveness rating every year.

     

    APPR is complex and can often be overwhelming.  Click here to keep up to date on all the current APPR information.

  • Opt-Out Information 

    Teachers and parents share deep concerns about the standardized tests used by NYS for accountability purposes that include; stress on students, in-appropriateness and lack of validity of the Common Core-aligned tests, loss of learning time, and lack of transparency on state test content. Parents who decide it is not in their children’s best interests to take these assessments are part of an “Opt-Out” movement. BTF fully supports parents’ right to choose what is best for their children.

     

    Click here to keep up to date on the "Opt-Out" movement and other information.

  • COVID-19 Information


    For our members, BTF has collected COVID-19 resources from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, World Health Organization, as well as our affiliates, NYSUT, the American Federation of Teachers and the National Education Association. Together we must, and will, be proactive to ensure that Coronavirus does not infect and spread to our students, staff and community.
     
    Click here to view recent information and writen correspondence. The BTF will post more information as it becomes available.

Buffalo Teachers Federation

 officers 2023
 
The Buffalo Teachers Federation is the professional union that represents over 3800 contract, probationary and temporary teachers of the Buffalo Public Schools.

 The BTF is proud to be a member of New York State United Teachers and affiliated nationally with the National Education Association and American Federation of Teachers.
          
 We invite you to explore our website for information and resources specifically for our members and retirees.

Calendar

 March 2025
 13   Executive Committee Meeting - 5:30 pm
 13    Council of Delegates Meeting - 7:00 pm      
 25   BTF Retirement Seminar
 
 April 2025
  11   BTF Office Closed at 4:00 pm
14-21   Spring Recess       
  24   Executive Committee Meeting - 5:30 pm   
  24   Council of Delegates Meeting - 7:00 pm      
     

Office Information

Mailing Address:
Buffalo Teachers Federation
271 Porter Avenue
Buffalo, New York 14201
Phone: 716-881-5400
 
Supplemental Benefit Fund:
Phone: 716-881-5462
Fax:     716-881-0580
 
Hours of Operation:
Monday to Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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