PWFT Advocate
Prince William Federation of Teachers
February 2015
Meet and Confer Report PWFT met with administration representatives this year to relay member concerns. Although only one was submitted, it was an important one. We addressed the encroachment of meetings on teacher lesson planning time. Please see the attachment for the text of our proposal and the administration’s response.
Member of the Month Margaret “Meg” Holt has been in PWCS since 1990. After several years as a French Teacher at C. D. Hylton High School, she became coordinator of their specialty program, Center for International Studies and Languages (CISL). This program provides students with the opportunity to follow a comprehensive interdisciplinary program of study in pursuit of global awareness. Students are able to advance their understanding of global issues, both in the classroom and through a wide range of co-curricular activities, including exchange programs with France, Germany and Italy. Two CISL seniors have just been accepted for full scholarships to travel and be part of the High School Diplomats Program in Japan this summer.
Because of the CISL program, Hylton offers a wide range of world languages including Arabic, French, German, Latin, Italian, Russian, Spanish and beginning in 2015-16, Korean. All students in the CISL program participate in the Advanced Placement Program which gives them the opportunity to earn credit or advanced standing at the college level. Those students who successfully complete the program receive a CISL certificate to accompany the advanced studies graduation diploma. Currently there are more than 600 students in this program, approximately 25% of the school’s students.
(Published By Member Request) Political Contribution Credit You may qualify to claim this credit if you made contributions to political candidates in a primary, special, or general election for local or state office. The election must be held in the year in which the contribution is made.
The Virginia credit is equal to 50% of the political contributions made to candidates for state and local offices, not to exceed $25 for an individual taxpayer or $50 for taxpayers filing a joint return. The credit is non-refundable and unused credits cannot be carried forward to subsequent years.
Complete Schedule CR, Part XXIII, to claim this credit. If this is the only credit you are claiming, you may omit Schedule CR, and fill in the Political Contributions Credit oval on your income tax return.
Reference: Virginia Code 58.1 - 339.6. (Source: Virginia Department of Taxation Website)