September 18, 2020
The Wisconsin Education Association Council and the Regions are in the process of collecting data with the intent to create an information database and interactive map to track incidents of COVID-19 in school districts across Wisconsin. The goal of this project is to track the impact of the pandemic, create transparency, assess risk and keep our membership updated on COVID-19 cases in their district and surrounding areas. The intention is to make the map available to our members, providing an updated overview of the affects of the virus on school districts. Our efforts to track COVID-19 cases in Wisconsin schools largely depends on reporting from Local Education Associations. This means you – our Local Presidents, Officers, and Building Reps!

It is crucial that any confirmed cases, quarantines, or deaths associated with COVID-19 are reported to WEAC Region 3 as soon as possible.

You can report confirmed COVID-19 cases in your district by filing out our form HERE. Please include any supporting documentation, including district letters to parents or staff and news articles or media coverage. We will be sending out an email once per week to all Local leaders as a reminder to report cases.
Do not assume that this information has already been reported or is already known. Remember - this is a collective effort. We are counting on you!

You can find reported cases of COVID-19 in our region here.

In a time of uncertainty, one thing is certain: we are stronger together. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to your Regional Director.
 
In Solidarity,
Erin Karsten
Region 3 Director
Covid-19 has changed so much about our schools. The plans we created on paper are now being put into action and those of you living these plans every day have felt the flaws.

A lot of members have come forward with concerns about workload, social distancing requirements and the actual size of their classrooms, not getting their duty free lunches and more.
It has become abundantly clear that no outside agency is going to fix things for us.

This realization is what led the Region 3 Organizing Committee to create Collective Action Against Covid. This training is geared towards the COVID-related issues YOU care about. Be it health and safety, increased workload, Acellus concerns, or lunch breaks, we are here to help you come up with a plan to organize and build union power that makes a difference at your district!

Register for the event HERE.

Or check it out HERE on Facebook and give Region 3 a "like" while you're there!
Winter Recharge,
a day of member led professional development, is on the horizon!

Saturday, January 30th we will host a day of workshops and we need you to teach! Have a topic you are passionate about? Know someone that has helped others with a skill? Fill out our application to present a workshop. Last year we had Yoga, Mindfulness in our Classrooms and so much more! Fill out the form HERE.

All facilitators will be given a stipend of $200.
The Wisconsin Technical College System (WTCS) is renewing its Strategic Directions for the period 2021-2025. Please take a few moments to share your perspectives on the System’s future priorities by completing this SURVEY.

PLEASE NOTE: Can be completed by technical college and K-12 members.
Be an Educator for Joe!
No one has to tell you how crucial this upcoming election is for public education. Moving forward we need to make sure we elect pro-public education candidates for safe and funded public schools!

NEA has created Educators for Joe as a platform for us to get active on the campaign, even in the age of Covid-19. There are all kinds of opportunities from helping people request their ballots early to reporting inappropriate/untrue ads. There's tons of online events and trainings!
Absentee Voting

All voters in Wisconsin can request an absentee ballot be mailed to them for any reason. Voters must be registered before they can request an absentee ballot. Voters may request their absentee ballot in writing. To request an absentee ballot on MyVote.wi.gov click here. You must provide a photo ID with your absentee ballot request, more information on photo ID can be found here.
or click on the link to order your sign:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfaukvArheNrRSgCsFL1tdbcnMHtaPG-UnlE5wRZYlHOJbUrw/viewform
For those of you who are dues-paying members, but do not wish to contribute a small portion of those dues to the political action efforts of our union, this notice (required by Federal Law) is for you:
 
A PAC contribution of $5.00 has been added to your WEAC Region 3 dues for 2020-21.
 
The Region 3 Board of Directors utilizes these funds to make contributions to: 

  1. The political campaigns of candidates for local or state office who have been recommended by our members for election because they are friends of education; AND
  2. Committees that advocate for passage of school referenda.
 
Any member wishing a rebate of the contribution must request such in writing by November 1, 2020. Each request must be a separate letter including your name, address and local association name. All requests must be postmarked by November 1, 2020. Once a member requests a PAC rebate, no PAC dues will be drawn in future membership years unless the member specifically requests in writing to reinstate PAC dues participation.
 
For a refund of your WEAC Region 3 PAC contribution, write to: WEAC Region 3 PAC, 1136 North Military Avenue, Green Bay, WI 54303. Telephone requests, multiple requests in the same letter, letters postmarked after November 1, email requests, and letters missing any of the required information (name, address and local association) will not be honored. They will be discarded.
WEAC Join Now ONLINE
Member Sign Up
Easy, fast online feature supports your membership efforts

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
Region 3 Special Education Networking Meeting

This Special Ed Networking call will be special as it's going to be facilitated by two members from Region 3 who have extensive experience working in Special Ed. Their expertise is sure to take the conversation in a meaningful and thought provoking way!

When: September 21, 2020 @ 4:30 PM
 
Register in advance for this meeting HERE:
 
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
EDUCATION SUPPORT PERSONNEL CONNECTION CALL FOR ALL ESP'S
WEAC Region 3 would now like to invite members and potential members to these meetings. This is your opportunity, Region 3 members, to bring a non-member friend. Let's show them the value of union membership!

Region 3 created an ESP Connection Call to check in with one another, keep each other in the loop and plan our next steps. It was discovered that now more than ever ESP staff need to be in contact with each other to discuss what their districts are doing, best practices and how to implement them in their own district. The global pandemic has revealed that schools are the social safety nets for many of our communities and that those safety nets work because you do.

 
Please join us on Monday, November 9th at 4:30 pm via zoom to participate in this important conversation. 
 
 
 
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
You are Invited!
WR3's ALL-MEMBER
Weekly Virtual Gathering
Wednesday, September 30, 2020
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 are doing our best to Zoombomb-proof our meeting!

Agenda:
1) Returning to school.
2) Time for sharing! What's going on in your area?


We look forward to SEEING you!
It's a good idea to log in a few minutes early
to get the audio and video working on your device.
WEAC

Every Wednesday between 6-7 p.m. WEAC members have access to a webinar highlighting relevant teaching and learning topics. This Wednesday's is a National Board Informational Webinar. A complete listing of the webinars and the registration link can be found here.
Building a Balanced Life Registration Now Open
Educators often put the needs of others before themselves. This engaging and interactive opportunity is designed to focus on helping public school employees maintain a healthy life balance. Register here.
Region 3 has added a COVID-19 INFO tab on our webpage: https://region3.weac.org/

Clicking on that tab gives you access to a Google Drive with all kinds of updated information. We have posted a document with links and resources, recordings of virtual gatherings, an Excel version of our survey data, and more.