October 16, 2020
Hello all,

It seems no one knows exactly when they will go virtual or what the metrics are for determining when it's safe to return to face to face instruction.

We have districts RIGHT NEXT to each other that have opposing plans. It's left a lot of us feeling powerless and lost. This isn't sustainable and it's become apparent we have to be the ones to solve it.

We have been working collectively through all the regions of WEAC and the urbans to create this statewide organizing plan. It is our hopes that this plan of pressuring state administrative agencies and elected officials to develop a uniform and effective statewide response to COVID-19 in schools.

But we can’t do anything without you!

If you are concerned about COVID protocols and policies in your district and want to get more ideas on how to represent the needs of your students and members, this session is for you. We’re having one hour sessions starting next week to strategize and discuss how we roll this out. I urge you to sign up!

Click on your preferred date to get started!






In Solidarity,
Kristin Lytie
Region 3 Director
What do you think of the Region 3 newsletter?

We want the newsletter to be a useful tool in connecting members to what is happening in the Region. Please take the survey and let us know anything we could change to make it even better!
NEW:
PRIVATE FACEBOOK GROUP FOR REGION 3 MEMBERS!

Region 3 now has a PRIVATE GROUP for members only. We are hoping this will serve as a space for members to check in across the region on what their districts are doing, get updates and get to know one another a bit more!
Please be sure to answer all the application questions and your membership will be approved!
2020 VIRTUAL Professional Development Institute
Saturday, November 7th
9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
WEAC is pleased to announce that author and professor Dr. Anton Treuer will serve as the 2020 Professional Development Institute keynote speaker. Dr. Treuer is professor of Ojibwe at Bemidji State University and the author of 19 books including Everything You Wanted to Know About Indians but Were Afraid to Ask. His equity, education, and cultural work has put him on a path of service in the Midwest, the nation, and the world.

To register and view the agenda and breakout sessions, click HERE.
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.
WEAC Join Now ONLINE
Member Sign Up
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

When: October 19, 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 9 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, October 28
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.

The Agenda will include discussing the statewide plan for safe schools.

We look forward to SEEING you!
WEAC WEEKLY WEBINAR WEDNESDAY

Every Wednesday between 6-7 p.m. WEAC members have access to a webinar highlighting relevant teaching and learning topics. This Wednesday, October 21, is Seesaw Basics. Practice Seesaw skills in this interactive session just as your students might. You will learn the basics of how Seesaw works for student and family engagement.
A complete listing of the webinars and the registration link can be found HERE.
Region 3/GBEA National Board Support Sessions
WEAC, Region 3 and GBEA have organized ongoing monthly National Board Support for the 2020-2021 cycle. Sessions will be held virtually until further notice and facilitated by Sarah Johnston (Marinette).
Find the schedule with registration links HERE. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing a link to join the meeting. Please save this email. 
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.
Political Action
This is an 11.0101(10)(b)(1) communication with WEAC members.  
“Should the Wisconsin Legislature create a nonpartisan procedure for the preparation of legislative and congressional district plans and maps?” That question is on the November 3rd ballot for residents of Brown and Door Counties. It may appear on some municipal ballots as well. 
 
The resounding answer is YES! 
 
That referendum question is on the November 3rd ballot in eleven counties, including Brown and Door. To date, the referendum has passed in all 17 counties that have presented the question to voters. In addition, 55 of the 72 county boards across the state, as well as more than a dozen municipalities, have adopted resolutions in support of a nonpartisan redistricting process.
 
The fact is Wisconsin is one of, if not the most, gerrymandered state in the country. For example, in 2018 the Democrats won every state-side election, with Tony Evers beating Scott Walker 51% - 49%. However, the Republicans won 63 of 99 (64%) of the state’s Assembly seats in that same election. That was a direct result of the last redistricting maps drawn in 2011 by the Republicans. WI needs a redistricting procedure conducted by a neutral body, rather than one created by attorneys and analysts of the party in control, to ensure fair maps for all voters. For more information on the importance of redistricting and fair elections, please see these sources: League of Women Voters of Brown County message and JSOnline article. 
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!

If you want to volunteer to get pro-public education candidates elected in Wisconsin check out more information HERE!
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.

LOOK HERE to find early voting locations and ballot drop-off locations.
On Saturday, October 24th, Pack the Polls Parades will be taking place in over fifteen communities all over Wisconsin: including Appleton and Green Bay! Look for more details in an upcoming issue of The Connection! Building Unity Wisconsin is a nonpartisan project that works to build democracy, peace, justice, and sustainability in Wisconsin.