NEWSETTE
Information is Power
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Inside this Newsette:
- Bargaining Platform
- Status Report Needed
- Mental Health Assistance
- Upcoming Events
- Nominations Elections and Credentials Committee (NECC)
- PGCEA Election Time
- Updates
- Call to Action
- PGCEA in the News
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Join Us on February 17th, 2022 |
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At the February 8th session PGCPS gave response to our proposals from January 20th. . See respective links below:
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The bargaining team also presented proposal on professional autonomy, educator voice, and evaluation (See proposals above). The proposals were heard by the school system, they will respond at the next session and or present counter proposals.
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Nominations Elections and Credentials Committee (NECC) |
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Nominations Elections and Credentials Committee (NECC) upcoming election calendar for members to review in case you want to run for office.
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Changes to the 2021-2022 School Calendar
The Prince George’s County Board of Education has approved changes to the 2021-22 school calendar. As Juneteenth is a federal and county holiday, it has been added as a new holiday on Monday, June 20. The Monday, March 7 professional development day is now a regular instructional day for students. The last day for both students and teachers will be Thursday, June 23.
Additional inclement weather days may be virtual learning days to ensure the last day for students is no later than Friday, June 24.
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LET YOUR VOICE BE HEARD
Are you interested in testifying before the county council or the board of education on issues that matter most to you? We want you to join us and ensure that our school system and county leadership understand how the decisions that they make impact us in the school building every day. We will have a series of trainings and workshops to prepare those interested to testify before the council and the Board of Education.
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CALL TO ACTION:
Education Money Missing from Hogan’s Proposed FY23 Budget
In a disappointing replay of disastrous education policy, Gov. Hogan left out nearly $140 million in education funding from the budget he proposed for fiscal year 2023. Among the damaging omissions was the education effort adjustment that the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future called for the state to fund to help Baltimore City and Prince George’s County cover new local Blueprint FY23 program costs. His move, which may not be legal, would result in a $99 million cut for Baltimore City and a $26.5 million cut for Prince George’s County. That and another $14 million missing from Hogan’s budget (SB 290/HB 300) squarely hit the historically underserved populations that the Blueprint particularly intended to lift up. Blueprint advocates fought hard to include the education effort funding in the final legislation, and House Speaker Adrienne Jones (D-Baltimore County) was quick to call out Hogan’s omission.
Hogan’s attempted cuts come from an often-used play in his playbook of trumpeting funding levels in his pre-budget release press announcements to mask real cuts that he has proposed to expected school funding levels. This move dates back to his very first budget as governor, where he proposed more than $100 million in cuts, and spans to two summers ago, when he proposed more than $300 million in cuts amid the pandemic. Now, Hogan is again trying to cut off Blueprint funds before it even gets started.
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2022 MSEA LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES
Download and share MSEA’s legislative priorities for the 2022 General Assembly Session. This document is a tool to support MSEA’s advocacy to build on the successful passage of the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future (Kirwan Commission), addressing continuing issues that were exacerbated by the pandemic, such as non-academic supports for students and escalating workloads and staffing shortages for educators. This session will also be an opportunity for us to continue our advocacy for social justice and workers’ rights. The General Assembly session runs from January 12 – April 11, 2022.
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STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION UPDATE
Maryland State Board of Education Agenda January 25, 2022.
NATIONAL BOARD CERTIFICATION AND IDENTIFIED LOW PERFORMING SCHOOLS
Within the Blueprint, NBCTs can earn an additional $7,000 if they teach at a low performing school. At the most recent State Board meeting, MSDE identified a floor and ceiling for eligible schools. Local school districts will have some flexibility in setting the final list of schools. Currently, fewer than 5% of NBCTs teach in low performing schools and are eligible for the additional funding.
NEW COLLEGE AND CAREER READINESS GOALS
The Blueprint outlines new goals in high school when students will test on CCR standards to access a variety of college and career pathways. This initiative in the Blueprint will truly change what high school looks like for students in the future. MSDE is seeking to push back some implementation dates since the Blueprint was vetoed and the AIB is slow to get started. The exhibit provides a good explanation of the changes outlined in the Blueprint.
State Board Strategic Planning Process
The State Board is engaging in a strategic planning process and teacher member, Rachel McCusker is on the internal committee. All Marylanders are being asked to take part in their survey at www.marylandpublicschools.org/survey.
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Status Reports Needed:
PGCEA is in need of information to provide to PGCPS regarding masks, at-home test kits, and heating issues. Names and email addresses are collected for internal follow-up as needed, but will not be shared with PGCPS.
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For immediate mental health assistance:
PGCPS Employee Assistance Program:
By phone: 1-800-346-0110 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Username: PGCPS
Password: PRINCE
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Do you know your UniServ Director?
Our UniServ directors (UD's) are here to assist you with any of your school-based issues or contract compliance needs. To find out what UD is assigned to your school click the button to see their school assignments.
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PROFFESSIONAL LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES
MSEA BLUEPRINT AFFILIATE GUIDES
Download three MSEA affiliate guides to support you with Blueprint implementation. These guides were created specifically for affiliate officers, staff, and chief negotiators; messaging from these documents can be shared with members.
o Blueprint Implementation guide focuses on areas of the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future that may require monitoring, informing, and/or organizing membership, or engaging in negotiations for items that are subject to collective bargaining. Section One of this guide highlights possible implementation or focus areas of the Blueprint and their corresponding timelines. Section Two provides links to resources such as one-pagers for members providing broad overviews of aspects of the Blueprint as well as webinars conducted by the Center for Education Policy and Practice (CEPP) to support affiliate leaders, members, and staff.
o National Board Certification and the Blueprint guide provides affiliates with an overview of the National Board Certification process and its connection to the Blueprint. It includes frequently asked questions and responses that can be shared with members.
o Upcoming Policy and Practice Webinars
Topic: Center for Education Policy and Practice (CEPP) Affiliate Implementation Guides Presentation
Audience: HQ Staff, Local Officers, Field Staff
Date/Time: Thursday, February 17, 2022 - 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
The CEPP team is ready to assist you as you work internally to address the highlighted focus areas. Any questions about the Blueprint can be sent to CEPP@mseanea.org, Subject line: Blueprint Guides and Support.
STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION UPDATE
Maryland State Board of Education Agenda January 25, 2022.
NATIONAL BOARD CERTIFICATION AND IDENTIFIED LOW PERFORMING SCHOOLS
Within the Blueprint, NBCTs can earn an additional $7,000 if they teach at a low performing school. At the most recent State Board meeting, MSDE identified a floor and ceiling for eligible schools. Local school districts will have some flexibility in setting the final list of schools. Currently, fewer than 5% of NBCTs teach in low performing schools and are eligible for the additional funding.
NEW COLLEGE AND CAREER READINESS GOALS
The Blueprint outlines new goals in high school when students will test on CCR standards to access a variety of college and career pathways. This initiative in the Blueprint will truly change what high school looks like for students in the future. MSDE is seeking to push back some implementation dates since the Blueprint was vetoed and the AIB is slow to get started. The exhibit provides a good explanation of the changes outlined in the Blueprint.
State Board Strategic Planning Process
The State Board is engaging in a strategic planning process and teacher member, Rachel McCusker is on the internal committee. All Marylanders are being asked to take part in their survey at www.marylandpublicschools.org/survey.
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Get Valuable Educator Perks Just for Union Members
Whether you’ve joined your education association at the local, state or national level, you belong to the NEA and have access to educator perks through NEA Member Benefits. Watch this video to see how it works.
Why NEA Member Benefits Is Dedicated to Serving Educators
NEA members are at the core of everything we do – from negotiating on your behalf to offer valuable benefits with trusted partners, to supporting your personal needs in each stage of your life and career. Find out more about why you inspire us and how we can help you.
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Across the region's schools, a wildly varied treatment...
Throughout the pandemic the use of masks as a tool to help mitigate the spread of covid-19 has been part of the conversations and decisions surrounding how to educate students safely in schools, but there is no consensus on how they are used, if...
Read more
www.washingtonpost.com
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Prince George's County students return to in-person...
Families will still be issued weekly testing kits. PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY, Md. - The big spike in COVID-19 cases in the DMV region appears to have peaked, according to figures from the region's health departments. The COVID spike crested in...
Read more
www.wusa9.com
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PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY EDUCATORS' ASSOCIATION| WWW.PGCEA.ORG
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