December 18, 2020
This holiday season the team at Region 3 wishes for good health and security for all our families. We wish you a restful period to reflect on the great adversity you've overcome this school year. It has been like no other and you should be so proud of how you've been a constant source of encouragement and engagement for your students. School is a place of safety and discovery and you've done your very best to maintain that. This whole ordeal has showed that school is more than just the building, it's the safety net of our communities that provides for the common good and you have the most important role.

The Region 3 Office will be closed December 24 to January 4 and there will be no newsletter next week.
Hello friends,

In 2021 I wish you a fully funded budget and a school board full of pro-education candidates! We can and should work together to take steps to ensure these things happen. Working as a public sector employee can be challenging, it feels like everyone from principals, to parents, to a tax payer you've never even met are all your bosses.

The bright side of this is you get to do things people working in the private sector have nearly no control over. You can be part of shaping what our budget looks like by participating in conversations with legislatures to make sure teachers' needs are heard and understood. We are looking for people to participate in these teams from the Sheboygan/Port Washington area. If you're interested in being part of this important work, please contact me.

You also get the opportunity to pick your boss! School board candidates have until January 5th to have their paperwork submitted and the directors can help you think of who to ask to run and how to run an effective campaign. We even have funds to help them!

2020 was probably the hardest year of most of our lives but it taught us how to organize and mobilize. We saw local leaders step up and accomplish things like making sure support staff were paid in an uncertain time, getting the right to work from home to ensure the safety of staff, and advocating for each other like never before. 2020 proved you are a team of dedicated educators who rise to the challenge to create warm welcoming environments for your students and each other. We at Region 3 are so proud to work with all of you. Happy Holidays friends!

In Solidarity,
Kristin Lytie
Regional Director
WEAC Region 3
Upcoming Events:
 
Thursday, December 24-Monday, January 4, WR3 Office Closed for Winter Holiday

Wednesday, January 6, Zone A Meeting, 4:30PM
 
Wednesday, January 13, WR3 Virtual Gathering, 4:30PM
 
Wednesday, January 13, WR3 Executive Committee Meeting, 6PM
 
Thursday, January 14, National Board Support Session, 5PM
 
Tuesday, January 19, WR3 ESP & Special Ed Call, 4:30PM

Tuesday, January 26, Zone B Meeting, 5:30PM
 
Saturday, January 30, Winter Recharge, All Day
Winter Recharge, has shaped up to be a well-rounded day. It's refreshing to have something fun to share. Now, let's get you registered.

You can check out the list of all workshops on Region 3's Facebook event page at:
*If you're a member and not part of the Region 3 Members Only Facebook group, you're missing out on a valuable opportunity to network with other leaders throughout the region!

And here is the link to register for specific workshops: https://forms.gle/tghDtQnPMb8MBMbr5
Trauma Informed Care

We have been hearing a lot of "catch phrases" over the past 8 pandemic-filled months. "Unprecedented times" and "We're in this together" are just a few. It is time to recognize the trauma we as educators are experiencing and how every day is a new challenge. The Green Bay Education Association (GBEA) Organizing Committee has been working diligently to organize an educational opportunity for all members. Please join GBEA members for a special professional development event featuring Ms. Jen Alexander on Saturday, February 6, 2021, from 9am-noon. Ms. Jen is a nationally known speaker on Trauma Informed Care. Her morning will focus on the trauma that educators are feeling as a part of working in this pandemic and ways to cope. Materials are being purchased through a generous grant from the National Education Association. Registration closes January 23rd, 2021!

Please use this link to sign up for this amazing Professional Development event. If you have any questions, please contact GBEA member Rachael Poppe. 
WEAC Join Now ONLINE
Member Sign Up
WEAC online member sign-up, Join Now, is now available to provide a convenient and fast way for educators to become members of our union.


In a series of simple screens, educators can enter their information to become a member. This feature is especially useful during one-on-one membership conversations. While the process is entirely online, it is recommended that organizers and leaders stay with educators through the sign-up process to answer any questions that might arise.
For an overview of the Join Now experience, click here.
WEAC
NEA
Also added is the ability for members to update payment info, phone, address, etc. See the graphic below for details.

If you have trouble logging in, it may be because WEAC revamped their website, meaning members will have to register a new account using their member ID. If you don't know that number, please contact Region 3 via email or at 920-496-2440.

Questions? Call WEAC Membership at 800-362-8037, ext. 507 or Membership@weac.org.
You are Invited!
WR3's ALL-MEMBER
Virtual Gathering

Wednesday, January 13
4:30 - 5:30 pm

Please note that you need to PRE-Register for the meeting by clicking on the link above. Then an email will be sent to you with the login link.

We look forward to SEEING you!
The conversations at our ESP Check Ins and our SpecEd Networking meetings have overlapped so much we decided to combine them in an effort to capture the most momentum and bring more people together for one monthly meeting instead of two. Moving forward, we will be having these meetings as a space for our ESP and Special Ed members to share updates, network, and brainstorm solutions! Please join us on JANUARY 19 @ 4:30PM. REGISTER HERE
On Wednesday, January 6, be sure to register for, the New York Times Learning Network. This session will highlight the strategies to access and utilize the extensive New York Times Learning Network. The presenter will feature the free lesson plans, resources and contests available to educators.

The registration link can be found HERE.

Region 3/GBEA National Board Support Sessions
WEAC, Region 3 and GBEA have organized ongoing monthly National Board Support for the 2020-2021 cycle. Sessions will be held virtually until further notice and facilitated by Sarah Johnston (Marinette).
Find the schedule with registration links HERE. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing a link to join the meeting. Please save this email. 
WEAC Scholarship Applications Due February 1

WEAC offers scholarships for future teachers, along with a variety of awards for members. The deadline for submitting nominations is February 1, 2021.
And for Our Valued ESP Members
WEAC has an opportunity for our ESP members to get financial help to enhance your skills or further your career in the education field.
WEAC is offering two ESP scholarships in the amount of $1,000 each to ESP members.

Additional information and the application to apply, along with other ESP resources, are at weac.org/esp. 
WEAC
Important Deadlines

JANUARY 15: Nominations are due by January 15 for WEAC Secretary-Treasurer, NEA Director, Seat #1, Alternate NEA Director, and MGR Alternate to the WEAC Board of Directors to be decided at the Representative Assembly in April. All persons desiring to be candidates for these positions shall file their intention in the office of the Executive Director, P.O. Box 8003, Madison WI 53708-8003. Such notice must be given no later than January 15, 2021. Please contact Ann Caruso for paperwork for filing for these positions. She can be reached at CarusoA@weac.org or 800-362-8034, extension 219.
JANUARY 15: The deadline for submitting proposed changes to WEAC Bylaws, Constitution, Standing Rules or Resolutions is January 15. Changes should be submitted to the Office of the WEAC Executive Director, P.O. Box 8003, Madison WI 53708.
The Wisconsin Labor History Society announces its Essay Contest for the 2020-2021 School Year for Wisconsin high school students (Grades 9-12). Win cash prizes up to $500. Write essays of about 750 words on the topic:

"Unions have been important to my family and my community because. . ."
SAVE THE DATE! The Wisconsin Public Education Network, in partnership with our friends at the League of Women Voters of Wisconsin, is hosting a virtual forum for the 2021 candidates for state superintendent on Thursday, January 7 at 7:00 p.m.

This forum is our chance to get to know the candidates for Wisconsin’s highest education office, hear where they stand on the issues that matter most for kids, and learn about their visions for our public schools, educational equity, and the role of the state superintendent’s office. The forum is open to the public, but you must RSVP in advance to attend.



  • We will be presenting questions to the candidates. However, if you would like to submit a question that’s on your mind, you may do so at this form.

The non-partisan state superintendent election will take place on Tuesday, February 16 (primary) and Tuesday, April 6 (general). This office is one of the last lines of defense for Wisconsin’s public schools—and the 860,000 kids who attend them—against hyper-partisan politics. An equity-minded superintendent with the courage to stand up for our public schools is critical to the success of our children and the health of our democracy.

We hope to see you there!
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