January 28, 2022
Hello friends,

We are excited to offer a special workshop, Building Trauma Informed Schools, on Saturday February 19th via zoom from 9am to Noon.

With the pandemic and everything accompanying it, high stress is common for students and staff. It’s affecting how everyone at school feels and it’s also increasing behavior problems and changing relationships.

In this session with educator, trauma expert, and author of Building Trauma-Sensitive Schools Jen Alexander, educators will review what trauma is and learn how it is impacting staff and students right now. Specifically, Ms. Jen will help participants differentiate between regulated and dysregulated arousal states. She will also introduce her River of Feelings visual–a practical tool for students of all ages. Leave ready to use the presented strategies to help yourself and your students better understand why they’re reacting in the ways they are right now and importantly, how to get better regulated using a trauma-informed approach.

As a result of this session, participants will be able to
  1. Define trauma 
  2. Identify ways that trauma may be impacting students and staff at school right now
  3. Differentiate between regulated and dysregulated arousal states in self and others 
  4. Learn how to utilize the River of Feelings visual with students of various ages 
  5. Link use of the River of Feelings visual to one's self-care plan as an educator


Kristin Lytie
Regional Director
WEAC Region 3
Upcoming Events:

January 31, Monday,
 
February 8, Tuesday,

February 9, Wednesday, Executive Committee Meeting, 4:30PM

February 17, Thursday, NBCT, 5PM

March 1, Tuesday, Region 3 Roundtable, 6PM

March 9, Wednesday, Zone A Meeting, 4:30PM

April 13, Wednesday, WEAC Pre-RA, 5PM

April 13, Wednesday, Executive Committee Meeting, 6PM

April 30, Saturday, WEAC RA, Marriott Madison Hotel

May 14, Saturday, Region 3 RA, 10AM
Next Region 3 Roundtable
March 1st, 6pm
This year, CPI is set at 4.7%, which provides Locals with an opportunity to win more at the negotiations table than in past years. Now's the time to gear up and develop a game plan with your Meet & Confer/Negotiations Team. Join us for a conversation on total base wage negotiations, CPI, and creative proposals.
Union Dues No Longer Deductible

WEAC Region 3 has received a couple of questions regarding the deductibility of union dues. To ensure that everyone is aware of one of the changes that took place under the Federal Tax Cut and Jobs Act of 2017:
 
Union dues are no longer a deductible expense for those people who itemize on their personal tax return for tax years 2018-2025. 

Check with your municipal clerk for specific dates and times for registering to vote, requesting an absentee ballot, in-person early voting, and election day voting.

Spring Elections Are
Right Around the Corner!

Help elect the candidates for local school boards who will fight for healthy, safe, and well-funded public schools and the educators that make those schools great!
 
 
A UA400 apprenticeship can put you on that career pathway today!

UA offers paid apprenticeships.

  • No college debt
  • Endless career opportunities
  • Hands-on training with the latest technology
  • World-class training facility and UA certified instructors
  • Great salaries and benefits
Next Region 3/GBEA National Board Support Session - February 17
 
WEAC, Region 3 and GBEA have organized ongoing monthly National Board Support for the 2021-2022 cycle. Sessions will be held in person at the WEAC Region 3 office but with a virtual option and facilitated by Sarah Johnston (Marinette) and Ellie Hinz-Radue (Green Bay).
 
Do you like politics?
If so, the Region 3 Legislative Committee has openings for a Committee Chair and Committee Members.

As public employees, Region 3 members are tremendously impacted by politics, the political process, and the decisions made by legislators, legislatures, and school boards. If you are looking for a way to contribute to Region 3, the Legislative Committee needs your passion, experience, and knowledge to formulate plans, identify priorities, and generate a sustainable voice for members in the political process.

The Committee generally meets a couple times each year with at least a virtual option. For in-person meetings, food and mileage reimbursement will be provided. If interested email Region 3.
 
Nominations are being accepted for several prestigious awards to honor union activists, humanitarian activities, education support professionals and teachers, union staff and friends of public education. Find the nomination criteria and online submission form at weac.org/awards. The deadline for all award nominations is February 1. 

Are you an education support professional looking to enhance your skills or further your career in the education field? WEAC offers two ESP scholarships in the amount of $1,000 each. The deadline to apply is February 1, 2022.


The WEAC Representative Assembly will be held April 30, with a virtual or in-person option. The in-person meeting will be in Madison. With two options to participate, local associations are encouraged to send delegates to help shape the future of our union.
Local presidents will receive emails to report delegates in early March. The deadline for delegates to register is April 20. 

WEAC RA information can be found at HERE.
The NEA Representative Assembly is July 2-6 in Chicago, with in-person and virtual options. NEA will send local presidents the number of delegates their locals will be allowed sometime after January 15.
Getting involved in the state and national annual meetings is one way local leaders can better understand what's happening at the state and national levels, allowing you to better describe to potential members the value of union membership."
WEAC Webinar Wednesday

On Wednesday, February 2, be sure to register for Advocacy and Collaboration with the Community. The resources in our communities are bountiful. You’ll learn strategies to tap into this trove of community assets to help engage in community problem solving and build your classroom resources. You’ll learn ways to increase connections to community agencies and services to better meet the needs of children and families.

 Registration HERE.
Don't Miss Out

Time is running out to enter NEA's new Read Across America sweepstakes! Your chance to win a very special virtual author visit ends this coming Monday, January 31. 

It is more critical than ever that students are encouraged to read a wide range of books, featuring characters as diverse as the students who read them. NEA's Read Across America program introduces readers of all ages to stories about kids from all walks of life. 
Now, for the first time, the sweepstakes prize consists of one virtual visit with one of the authors of those books. If you're the lucky winner, you will receive a virtual visit from a Read Across America author to the public school of your choosing! 
The NEA Complimentary Life Insurance Program offers eligible NEA members life insurance protection for their families at no additional cost.

Beginning January 1, 2021, the NEA Members Insurance Trust has modified the program so that any NEA member who is in the program and whose death occurs any time after January 1, 2021, will receive the full $1,000 death benefit, regardless of the number of years that the member has been an NEA member. This program modification is a permanent enhancement.

Please be sure to register your Complimentary Life beneficiary to ensure that the benefit amount is paid to the family member or person you stipulate. You may register at www.nea.com/complife.
FEBRUARY/MARCH WEBINARS
Annuity Options
Mon, Feb 7, 2022 11:00 am – 11:30 am
Wed, Feb 16, 2022 6:00 pm – 6:30 pm
Thu, Feb 24, 2022 1:00 pm – 1:30 pm
Thu, Mar 10, 2022 6:00 pm - 6:30 pm
Wed, Mar 16, 2022 11:00 am - 11:30 am
Tue, Mar 22, 2022 1:00 pm - 1:30 pm

Overview of the Wisconsin Retirement System
Wed, Feb 2, 2022 1:00 pm – 1:30 pm
Tue, Feb 15, 2022 11:00 am – 11:30 am
Thu, Feb, 17, 2022 6:00 pm – 6:30 pm

Variable Fund
Wed, Feb 9, 2022 6:00 pm – 6:30 pm
Wed, Feb 23, 2022 11:00 am – 11:30 am
Mon, Feb 28, 2022 1:00 pm – 1:30 pm

WRS Effective Rates and Annuity Adjustments
Tue, Mar 8, 2022 11:00 am - 11:30 am
Thu, Mar 17, 2022 1:00 pm - 1:30 pm
Wed, Mar 30, 2022 6:00 pm - 6:30 pm

WRS Retirement Benefit Calculations
Wed, Mar 2, 2022 1:00 pm - 1:30 pm
Mon, Mar 14, 2022 6:00 pm - 6:30 pm
Tue, Mar 29, 2022 11:00 am - 11:30 am

Preparing for Your Retirement
Tue, Feb 8, 2022 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Thu, Feb 24, 2022 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Thu, Mar 10, 2022 11:00 am - 12:00 pm
Thu, Mar 24, 2022 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm
If you have recently moved, gotten a new phone number or email address, changed schools or banking information, please contact Region 3 staff assistant Debbie Armitage or Sue Clauss. They will be able to make any changes to your records. This information helps us ensure that we are able to stay connected with you.
 
They can both be reached by phone at 920-496-2440. 
 
Debbie can be reached through email at ArmitageD@WEAC.org. 
 
Sue can be reached at ClaussS@weac.org.
This is an 11.0101(10)(b)(1) communication with WEAC members