The Seattle Education Association is the voice for educators standing with our students united to address the needs of our community and to transform our district into an anti-racist school system where every student thrives. |
Masking Changes and Bargain
As many of you are aware, Public Health still recommends wearing masks indoors and has left it to the discretion of each school district to determine their continuing masking policy. Unlike some school districts, SEA will be bargaining with the District to reach agreement on any changes to masking policy. We are proud of the work of our SEA Bargaining Team that anticipated a change to masking when negotiating the 2021-22 Health and Safety MOU. It means educators in SPS have a strong voice in our working conditions and schools.
We have the heavy responsibility not only to try to make the right decision (both for ourselves and our entire school community), but also to do so in a way that brings us and our school community together rather than divide us. We have seen how controversial and divisive this issue can be in other parts of the state and country, and the masking issue will only get more contentious here as masks are lifted in other settings.
No matter what our collective decision, it must be one our school community will support. To get there, we need to engage with each other and our community in meaningful and compassionate ways. We also need to work hard to center equity in our decisions and conversations while being mindful of our own biases and what we don’t know. We encourage you to talk to your colleagues about the pros/cons of continuing a mask requirement, what conditions merit removing the mask requirement, and what it means to center equity in that decision.
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SEA WEAPAC Phone Drive - March 6-14, 2022
The Washington Education Association Political Action Committee (WEAPAC) is our voice in elections. Almost everything about our school day is impacted by the decisions made by elected state officials from class size to curriculum, instructional hours, staffing, and pay and benefits. Joining together to exercise our collective voice through WEAPAC provides educators a say in who makes these decisions. Thanks to current WEAPAC members, we’ve had big wins including the funding for the McCleary decision for higher educator salaries, to removing high stakes testing as a barrier to graduation, and increased funding for Special Education and other support services. We also now have six educators in the legislature representing educator voice in Olympia and we helped elect the most diverse legislature in state history.
The NEA Fund for Children and Public Education is our voice in Washington DC and is fueled by educators like you, coming together to fight for pro-education and pro-labor leaders at the federal level regardless of political party. The NEA Fund also supports pro-public education candidates in gubernatorial and other important state races as well as making independent expenditures asking people to vote for or against candidates based on their position on public education.
Beginning Sunday, March 6 and continuing through March 14, we will be calling SEA members with information on both and asking each member to join and contribute to this important work. You can join today or increase your contribution by going to WEAPAC Join.
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Know Your Rights: Frequently Asked Questions about Budgets |
Enter the Virtual Giveback Raffle to Win $50 Gift Card |
Our local California Casualty representatives, Erica and Michelle, want to show their support for educators with a Giveback Raffle this month. They will be awarding SIX SEA members with a $50 gift card of their choice**. Please click HERE to enter anytime between Friday, March 4 through Friday, March 18. Winners will be announced Monday March 28th!
**We ask that the gift card choices prioritize local unionized, women or BIPOC owned businesses to align with our SEA values. Thank you!
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Join Disability Justice Coalition this Wednesday, March 9, 5 PM! |
Join the Disability Justice Coalition or DJC’s quarterly meeting to connect with other disability justice advocates in our union. Register in advance for this meeting: https://tinyurl.com/mrytm4w9
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More Upcoming Engagement Opportunities
Saturdays in MARCH. SEA Blueprinting Meeting for Upcoming 2022 Bargain. SEA is heading into an open bargain this spring. It is critical we hear from as many members as possible to determine our collective priorities for the bargain.
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Please register HERE to join the Priority Schools in the morning session from 9AM – 12PM.
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Please register HERE to join Educational Staff Associates in the afternoon session from 1PM – 4PM.
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Saturday, March 12:
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Please register HERE to join the Librarians and Visual & Performing Arts in the morning session from 9AM – 12PM.
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Please register HERE to join Zones 7, 8, 9 Schools in the afternoon session from 1PM – 4PM.
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Saturday, March 19:
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Please register HERE to join the Alternative Learning Experience, CTE, and Athletic Coordinators in the morning session from 9AM – 12PM.
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Please register HERE to join Multilingual Department and New Hires in the afternoon session from 1PM – 4PM.
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Saturday, March 12, 9:30 - 10:30am. Women and Money Workshop. With so many unknowns these days, we want to help members plan a more secure financial future that supports your personal goals. This workshop focuses on unpacking the challenges women face in saving for retirement, and then teaches a six-step financial strategy designed to combat these challenges and help women secure a confident, comfortable future. Click here to register today. A Zoom link will be emailed after you register.
Saturday, March 19, Saturday, March 26 8:30 - 11:30am. Taking Charge of Your Future: A WEA Pre-Retirement Seminar. Developed and presented by WEA-Retired members, this training is designed to give information on preparing for retirement, the paperwork process and what to expect from four educators who are living it now. Come learn how to prepare for life after school and negotiate the path to retirement. Cost: FREE, but you MUST be a SEA Member to register. Registration and more information: https://www.seattlewea.org/retirement-info/
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