*PGCEA Offices will be closed March 16-TBD. Should you need help staff is available by phone 301-736-2700 and email at contacts@pgcea.org
May 10, 2020
Greetings!
The COVID 19 Emergency Shutdown Continues-Public Schools Closed until the end of the school year. Board of Education will adopt a new calendar on Thursday, May 14, 2020. The County Council is having a budget hearing Monday, May 11, 2020. Here is the link to watch and submit written testimony
https://pgccouncil.us/458/Public-Hearing-Notices-Sign-Up-to-Speak
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BLUEPRINT FOR EXCELLENCE VETOED BY GOVERNOR
PRESIDENT DUDLEY FAC ZOOM VISITS
I want to visit with your staff! If you would like to schedule a Zoom meeting with your FAC please contact your UNISERV or email
president@pgcea.org
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KARAOKE ZOOM HAPPY HOUR FRIDAY MAY 8
We are all missing the comradery of Friday Happy Hours. After a successful Karaoke Happy Hour last Friday, we are going to do virtual Happy Hour every Friday at 4:30! If you are interested in singing pick a song and get ready. You can have others on with you. You can also ask questions during song breaks. It is best if you prepare ahead of time and pull up your song in advance so you can share it on screen.
STAY HOME STAY SAFE
After 7 weeks of being home, and four weeks of Distance Learning under our belts, we are seeing positive lessons and how we must be vigilant about working conditions. With Dr. Salmon’s closing schools May 6 for the remainder of the year, it raises more questions on the last day, end of distance learning, summer school, and access to retrieve belongings. Many concerns will not be answered until after the Board of Educations meeting on Thursday, May 14. The two most important things are first our negotiated agreement is still in place and two please refer to the Distance Learning Plan (DLP) to verify your responsibilities.
As this is an emergency, we are regularly meeting with the Administration to suggest improvements and to share successes. If you have a question please check our Fact Sheet on our CORVID 19 page first and ask your administrator for clarification.
If you still are unsure, please feel free to email
contacts@pgce.org
or call 301-736-2700 for clarification between 9 AM and 5 PM.
SPECIAL EDUCATION
Special shout out to our special educators who have been working tirelessly to meet the demands of the implementation of the DLP.
PGCEA held a second town hall Thursday, May 7 to share action steps to address concerns. We have set up a Special Education Page on PGCEA for you to get information on how Special Educators and Related Services can write letters about your story and share with Your principal, elected officials, and the NEA Legislative Committee to assist in Lobbying on the federal level to have greater flexibility with IDEA SPED regulations. Here are the big findings:
- The USDE has not relaxed the timely completion of IEPs.
- The ICLPs were not mandated by the MSDE.
- Special Educator Case managers are responsible for determining whether there is enough data to complete an IEP.
- Special Educators face an unrealistic expectation to complete IEPs and continue to complete lessons for each student they serve.
- We need to address this with our federal elected officials as this is going to be very problematic.
In solidarity,
Theresa Mitchell Dudley
PGCEA President
