May 28, 2021
The Region 3 office will be closed
Monday, May 31 in observance
Hello friends,

I hope you have a wonderful Memorial Day with your loved ones. I was researching Memorial Day and found numerous articles discussing recent historical discoveries around the roots of Memorial Day.

In the late 1990s historians learned about a Memorial Day commemoration organized by a group of Black people freed from enslavement less than a month after the Confederacy surrendered in 1865. It was the first recorded Memorial Day and it took place in Charleston, South Carolina, at a former planters’ racetrack where Confederates held captured Union soldiers during the last year of the Civil War. At least 257 prisoners died, many of disease, and were buried in unmarked graves, so Black residents of Charleston decided to give them a proper burial.

Even though every Union state had adopted Memorial Day in some way by 1890, Memorial Day would not become federally recognized until 1971.

This new information is an opportunity to reflect on the contributions that built this country and how we have an active hand in shaping history. (Well new to me, I'm sure many of our members were already in the know!)

Happy Memorial Day to all, past and present, who have given their lives in service to our country and our freedoms.

In Solidarity,
Kristin Lytie, Regional Director
WEAC Region 3
UPCOMING EVENTS
All Meetings Virtual

June 3, Thursday, Organizing Committee Meeting, 4PM

June 9, Wednesday, Executive Committee Meeting, 6PM

June 22, Tuesday, Zone A Meeting, 3:30PM

July 15, Thursday Zone B Meeting, 4:30PM

July 21, Wednesday, Summer Organizing Training

July 26-28, Monday-Wednesday Summer Leadership Academy @St. Norberts
IN PERSON
Jennifer Peer is 2021 Education Support Professional of the Year.

The Wisconsin Education Association Council (WEAC) has named WEAC Region 3 member Jennifer Peer as the 2021 Education Support Professional of the Year. Peer, a paraeducator at Lincoln Elementary School in the Port Washington – Saukville School District, was selected for the honor by a committee of Wisconsin Public School educators.


Congratulations Jennifer!
Registration for the 7th Annual Wisconsin Public Education Network Summer Summit, hosted by Sun Prairie Area School District and sponsored by WEAC Region 6, is now live! Visit our website at WisconsinNetwork.org/Summit to register for the August 2 Summer Summit and the post-summit dinner catered by Salvatore's at the Loft at 132 in Sun Prairie.
Region 3 Covid-19 Updates Survey
Some districts have rewarded educators for the tremendous workload that teaching through Covid has created with bonuses and some districts have made a commitment to not make educators teach simultaneously next year.

What is your district doing?
Is your district doing something innovative that you think educators in other districts would benefit from?

Please fill out this survey to share what's happening in your district.
The Just One Campaign successfully recruited 18 new members!!!

Just One is a membership drive that utilizes early enrollment while rewarding current members
for their organizing efforts! 

The Just One Campaign will conclude at the end of the day May 31st.  A drawing will take place shortly thereafter. Winners of a gift card will be notified via email and featured in our weekly newsletter and Members-Only Facebook Page. The Just One Campaign is wrapping up, but that doesn’t mean that the important work of growing our Local Unions stops! Early Enrollment will continue to be offered as an incentive to new members through September 1st.


Potential members can still sign up with early enrollment
HERE until September.  
New contracts were issued by May 15th. While we know you are excited to turn it in, please be sure to read and review it to see if there are any changes. Some districts are adding language stating that they now have the power to lay off and non-renew outside of the timelines defined by state statute.

School budgets are secured and planned the year before so to say a district suddenly does not have the funds to keep staff on for the full school year feels disingenuous. Rather, this feels like an attempt to retract their commitment to you as an employee. Especially since so many of our districts have Fund 10's in the millions of dollars.

Even though this concerning language exists in a few contracts, we have not seen districts act on this language yet. However, it's a lot easier to remove something from your contract before it's formally put in. Once the language exists in your contract for a few years, it is a lot more difficult to remove.

If you see negative changes in your contract:
  • Contact your union leadership and Region 3 Director
  • Hold off on signing them
  • Have a union meeting
Are you retiring this year? Do you know someone who is retiring this year?
 
The WEAC membership year is September 1st through August 31st, and even though you are "leaving" active employment in June, there is an obligation to continue paying dues through the end of August.
 
Not only does this commitment to membership support your active colleagues, it provides you with access to union resources and support to ensure you are treated fairly and that your employer upholds its commitments related to your retirement. 
 
Here are some resources to share with the newest class of retirees:  
 
Retiree Resources
 
  • Cancellation of your current WEAC membership requires a signed letter sent to the Membership Department. Here is a sample letter that needs to be mailed to the address on the letter. This letter MUST include the date and your signature!
  • Retirees should consider enrolling in WEAC-Retired. Membership can be a one-time payment. Here is a brochure detailing the benefits and an enrollment form. 
  • Term life insurance offered through NEA can be increased at a very competitive rate and remains in place as long as you are an active or retired member. If you would like to review this and other member benefits afforded to WEAC & NEA members, please visit www.weac.org/memberbenefits. 
2021 NEA Representative Assembly
June 30 - July 3, 2021

The 2021 NEA RA will again be held virtually the first week of July. 

Please visit the NEA RA page on the WEAC website for the latest information specific to Wisconsin Delegates - click HERE.
The NEA RA website has a page dedicated to delegate resources - click HERE.
Defense Against the Dark Arts: The Science of Happiness
Join your colleagues across the state for this blended learning opportunity examining the science of happiness. This unique course focuses on character strengths, positive emotion, resilience, purpose, positive relationships, and creativity. When educators model qualities of compassion, gratitude and mindfulness, and integrate them into lesson plans, we increase students’ joy and engagement while contributing to a healthy classroom environment.
WEA Trust Stock a Classroom Grant

Are you a WEA Trust Health Plan member and a Wisconsin public school teacher, instructor or education personnel? WEA Trust welcomes you to share how you would spend $1,000 for your instruction area for a chance to WIN a $1,000! Whether it's a classroom, library, gym or shared space your students learn in, the Trust would love to know what would make it better.

Details

  • What: To support educators buying their yearly classroom supplies
  • Who: Any public school education personnel who is a WEA Trust health plan member
  • When: May 17, 2021, to June 18, 2021
  • What: A $1,000 grant. 20 winners will be drawn at random and contacted through the provided email or phone number. Awards will be distributed in July.

Questions? Please email info@WEAtrust.com.

Plan now to attend WEAC’s flagship leadership training, Summer Leadership Academy, Monday, July 26-Wednesday, July 28 at St. Norbert College in De Pere.
Educators interested in advancing equity in Wisconsin Public Schools are invited to WEAC Leaders for Just Schools workshop. It’s a free, three-day workshop July 26-28 at St. Norbert College, De Pere.
What It Is:
Join Wisconsin Public School Educators for WEAC Leaders for Just Schools program, part of a national program to build a national network of educators advancing equitable outcomes for students. Created by educators for educators, the curriculum allows participants to:

  • Dive into understanding equity;
  • Investigate how bias impacts conditions of teaching and learning; and
  • Explore ways in which they can improve school culture so that every student has the opportunity to succeed.

The curriculum is grounded in real-life experiences, so the content is real, relatable and actionable.
What You’ll Learn:
By participating in the Leaders for Just Schools program, you will:

  • Learn to advocate for students using levers in the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) to combat institutional inequities in their schools and communities through the lens of racial justice in education;
  • Be prepared to build student-centered inclusive plans to create just and equitable learning environments for all; and
  • Have a network of support as they share what they've learned with their school communities and implement change.
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Annual Labor Day Family Picnic
Monday, September 6

Mark your calendars for the return of the Annual Labor Day Family Picnic on Monday, September 6, 2021. Celebrate what our members meant as essential workers to our community to help people make it through COVID-19. Tickets are available by calling 920-432-0053.

The AFL-CIO is asking for funds to help sponsor the Labor Day Family Picnic. Please make checks payable to AFL-CIO Community Services, c/o Greater Green Bay Labor Council, 1570 Elizabeth Street, Green Bay 54302.

Volunteers are also needed to help work the event. If you want more information or to get involved, please call 920-432-0053 or join them at their next committee meeting on Thursday, May 20, 5:30PM at the Labor Temple in Green Bay.
This is an 11.0101(10)(b)(1) communication with WEAC members.
Not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s agent or committee.