June 11, 2021
Hello everyone,

The Just One Campaign was a success! Last year through Early Enrollment we only recruited four new members. This year with the structured efforts of the Just One Campaign, our local unions were able to recruit 20 new members! We held a lottery of everyone who recruited new members for a special prize and our winners are:

Lauren Holum- Howard Suamico EA
Kelly Francour- Marinette EA
Vicki Landers- West De Pere EA
Jennifer Noster- Plymouth EA
Pam Brick- Manitowoc ESP
DJ Delebreau- Luxemburg-Casco EA

Congratulations to all the Just One participants who made their unions stronger by reaching out to their colleagues and inviting them to join the union!

This year has showed us just how important our union is. We created a space to speak openly and honestly about what we're concerned about. We created action plans to influence decision makers based on those concerns. We elected a pro-public education state superintendent! We organized to keep our communities safe, we shared information and best practices, and we stood up for one another.

Getting through this last year has proved we can do anything, which is important, because our upcoming goals are securing a state budget that fully funds public education and restoring collective bargaining. For now take a breather and enjoy your summer break. Then come back in the fall ready to win!

In Solidarity,
Kristin Lytie
Regional Director
WEAC Region 3
UPCOMING EVENTS

June 22, Tuesday, Zone A Meeting, 3:30PM
 
July 15, Thursday, Zone B Meeting, 4:30PM, IN PERSON
 
July 20, Tuesday, Back to School Membership Drive Training, 3:30PM, IN PERSON or Virtual
 
July 26-28, Monday-Wednesday, Summer Leadership Academy @ St. Norbert, IN PERSON
Back to School Membership Recruitment Training

The Region 3 Back to School Membership Drive Training will take place on:

Tuesday
July 20th
@3:30PM
 
This training will teach you how to identify new hires and how to involve local union members in creating an organizing culture in your school.
 
We are currently gauging if people would prefer to meet in person or via zoom for this training. You can select your preference at registration.
Register HERE.
STATE BUDGET

Right now, Wisconsin legislatures are discussing the future of our schools and they need to hear from educators that are actually in the classroom. The ESSER and GEER funds were a much needed boost to many of our districts and will help them recover from the problems Covid-19 created for our schools but that is a one time band-aid and we can't expect that money to substitute for our state budget for the future. Right now, Region 3 is assembling teams to reach out to local politicians like Kristina Shelton in the 90th senate assembly district and Lee Snodgrass in the 57th. We are also putting together a team to meet with State Senator Devin LeMahieu. Live in one of these districts? Join our team! If you live in another, feel free to write an email to your local politicians to let them know you care about public school funding!
 
Contact your legislators HERE.

Some of the issues educators want to discuss are:

  • Broadband Access
  • Restoring Collective Bargaining
  • Fully Funding Special Ed
Federal COVID Funding For Schools: What Educators Need To Know
Congress has passed three rounds of funding through the Elementary and Secondary School Relief Act (ESSER I, II and III). WEAC has compiled information regarding ESSER into a single webpage so educators and union leaders can educate themselves on the basics of ESSER funds, like how much is your district getting and what the funds can be used for. What Educators Need To Know about ESSER Funds

Similar funding was provided to Wisconsin Technical Colleges through the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF). Information on those rounds of funding can be found here: HEERF, HEERF II, HEERF III.
Region 3 Covid-19 Updates Survey
Some districts have rewarded educators for the tremendous workload that teaching through Covid has created with bonuses and some districts have made a commitment to not make educators teach simultaneously next year.

What is your district doing?
Is your district doing something innovative that you think educators in other districts would benefit from?

Please fill out this survey to share what's happening in your district.
Registration for the 7th Annual Wisconsin Public Education Network Summer Summit, hosted by Sun Prairie Area School District and sponsored by WEAC Region 6, is now live! Visit our website at WisconsinNetwork.org/Summit to register for the August 2 Summer Summit and the post-summit dinner catered by Salvatore's at the Loft at 132 in Sun Prairie.
New contracts were issued by May 15th. While we know you are excited to turn it in, please be sure to read and review it to see if there are any changes. Some districts are adding language stating that they now have the power to lay off and non-renew outside of the timelines defined by state statute.

School budgets are secured and planned the year before so to say a district suddenly does not have the funds to keep staff on for the full school year feels disingenuous. Rather, this feels like an attempt to retract their commitment to you as an employee. Especially since so many of our districts have Fund 10's in the millions of dollars.

Even though this concerning language exists in a few contracts, we have not seen districts act on this language yet. However, it's a lot easier to remove something from your contract before it's formally put in. Once the language exists in your contract for a few years, it is a lot more difficult to remove.

If you see negative changes in your contract:
  • Contact your union leadership and Region 3 Director
  • Hold off on signing them
  • Have a union meeting
REMINDER - License Background Checks Due by June 30


Those holding teaching or pupil services licenses issued by the State of Wisconsin are required to submit a background check to the Department of Public Instruction (DPI) every five years. For lifetime or master educator license holders, the year in which you submit your background check corresponds to the year your license would have expired prior to the lifetime license law going into effect. Any license holder who last renewed their license in 2016 must submit an application for a background check by June 30, 2021. For provisional license holders your background check is due 5 years after your lifetime license begins.
 
Applications are only accepted online by logging into your Educator Licensing Online (ELO) account. The cost for a background check is $45. Not sure when your license background check is due? You can Check DPI’s online database here. For questions related to your license or the background check process please email baasj@weac.org.
2021 NEA Representative Assembly
June 30 - July 3, 2021

The 2021 NEA RA will again be held virtually the first week of July. 

Please visit the NEA RA page on the WEAC website for the latest information specific to Wisconsin Delegates - click HERE.
The NEA RA website has a page dedicated to delegate resources - click HERE.
Defense Against the Dark Arts: The Science of Happiness
Join your colleagues across the state for this blended learning opportunity examining the science of happiness. This unique course focuses on character strengths, positive emotion, resilience, purpose, positive relationships, and creativity. When educators model qualities of compassion, gratitude and mindfulness, and integrate them into lesson plans, we increase students’ joy and engagement while contributing to a healthy classroom environment.
WEA Trust Stock a Classroom Grant

Are you a WEA Trust Health Plan member and a Wisconsin public school teacher, instructor or education personnel? WEA Trust welcomes you to share how you would spend $1,000 for your instruction area for a chance to WIN a $1,000! Whether it's a classroom, library, gym or shared space your students learn in, the Trust would love to know what would make it better.

Details

  • What: To support educators buying their yearly classroom supplies
  • Who: Any public school education personnel who is a WEA Trust health plan member
  • When: May 17, 2021, to June 18, 2021
  • What: A $1,000 grant. 20 winners will be drawn at random and contacted through the provided email or phone number. Awards will be distributed in July.

Questions? Please email info@WEAtrust.com.

Plan now to attend WEAC’s flagship leadership training, Summer Leadership Academy, Monday, July 26-Wednesday, July 28 at St. Norbert College in De Pere.
Educators interested in advancing equity in Wisconsin Public Schools are invited to WEAC Leaders for Just Schools workshop. It’s a free, three-day workshop July 26-28 at St. Norbert College, De Pere.
What It Is:
Join Wisconsin Public School Educators for WEAC Leaders for Just Schools program, part of a national program to build a national network of educators advancing equitable outcomes for students. Created by educators for educators, the curriculum allows participants to:

  • Dive into understanding equity;
  • Investigate how bias impacts conditions of teaching and learning; and
  • Explore ways in which they can improve school culture so that every student has the opportunity to succeed.

The curriculum is grounded in real-life experiences, so the content is real, relatable and actionable.
What You’ll Learn:
By participating in the Leaders for Just Schools program, you will:

  • Learn to advocate for students using levers in the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) to combat institutional inequities in their schools and communities through the lens of racial justice in education;
  • Be prepared to build student-centered inclusive plans to create just and equitable learning environments for all; and
  • Have a network of support as they share what they've learned with their school communities and implement change.
Annual Labor Day Family Picnic
Monday, September 6

Mark your calendars for the return of the Annual Labor Day Family Picnic on Monday, September 6, 2021. Celebrate what our members meant as essential workers to our community to help people make it through COVID-19. Tickets are available by calling 920-432-0053.

The AFL-CIO is asking for funds to help sponsor the Labor Day Family Picnic. Please make checks payable to AFL-CIO Community Services, c/o Greater Green Bay Labor Council, 1570 Elizabeth Street, Green Bay 54302.

Volunteers are also needed to help work the event. If you want more information or to get involved, please call 920-432-0053 or join them at their next committee meeting on Thursday, May 20, 5:30PM at the Labor Temple in Green Bay.
This is an 11.0101(10)(b)(1) communication with WEAC members.
Not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s agent or committee.