May 31, 2020
NEWSETTE
Information is Power
Inside this Newsette:

  • Congratulations Graduates
  • Voting By Mail 101
  • Open Enrollment for Benefits
  • Opportunity to Learn Campaign
  • Scholarship Deadline Extended to June
  • MD Apple Ballot
  • Coronaviurs Updates
  • Tell Us Your Story
  • Join a committee
Dear Members,

Our County, State, and Country are being watched by the world. How we deal with the COVID 19 Pandemic and how we deal with the senseless murder of George Floyd by being kneed to death by a white police officer while four other officer did nothing to intervene. Please take a moment to read the statements by our NEA President Lilly Eskelsen Garcia http://www.nea.org/home/76172.htm and sign up for the Ed Justice Newsletter https://neaedjustice.org/ . MSEA President Cheryl Bost also made a statement click for Bost statement https://www.facebook.com/marylandeducators/.  As your President I am encouraged by our members who have engaged in nonviolent protest over the past few days. We are researching the best ways to help by directing our resources and support locally for the Movement. Black Lives Matter every day! No one should die for being Black in America.

In Solidarity,

Theresa Mitchell Dudley



Mail Your Ballot by June 2, 2020
Your ballot may have already arrived. If you do not receive your ballot please call 1-800-222-8683

You can also look up your voter info at www.elections.maryland.gov

Be sure to visit www.MDAppleBallot.com to see educator endorsed candidates.

IMPORTANT DATES:

Early to Mid-May - Ballots Received by voters in the mail
May 21-June 2 - Drop Boxes Ope n
May 27 - Voter Registration and Party Change Deadline
June 2, 2020 - Election Day (7am-8pm)
*In person voting available at select locations if unable to Vote by Mail/didn't receive ballot
June 12 (approx.) - Voters can check ballot status
CALL TO ACTION:
Demand That Every Student Has the
Opportunity to Learn

Greetings!
 
All children deserve the opportunity to learn. In the wake of COVID-19, schools nationwide have closed their doors abruptly in a desperate attempt to curb exposure. This was a necessary step in the interest of public health, but the unintended consequence is finally highlighting the divide between those who have and those who don’t among our students and educators. 
 
Online learning is only possible for children who have access to a safe and quiet space, a computer, and reliable internet. The same applies for educators who need to teach. Not all home environments are able to transform immediately into learning environments.
 
There is a simple step that would help get students back on track: Free access to the internet. 
 
And it’s within reach. Internet service providers are stepping up all over the country to help get our students and teachers back online and they should do the same in Prince George’s County. You can help us. 

As we enter Teacher Appreciation Week, we want you to know that we see you. Educators like you have gone to extraordinary lengths to adapt lessons and develop a curriculum based entirely in e-learning, but we lack a foundation that can only be provided through the support of government and private corporations; namely, no-cost reliable access to the internet. 
 
Sign our petition to the CEOs of Comcast and Verizon and to our state and federal legislators to immediately and publicly show your support. Demand free internet access to all of Prince George’s County students and educators because it is the right thing to do. If students have public education for free; they should also have internet access for free. 
 
Our voices together will get our kids learning again. We hope you will join us in this movement! 

Sincerely,

Theresa Mitchell Dudley
President
Prince George’s County Educators’ Association


Scholarship Application Deadline Extended To
June, 2020

Coronavirus (COVID 19) Updates
*PGCEA Offices will be closed March 16-TBD. Should you need help staff is available by phone 301-736-2700 and email at contacts@pgcea.org  


BLUEPRINT FOR EXCELLENCE VETOED BY GOVERNOR 
Please write your state legislators at this link. They must override this veto.  https://netdonor.net/page/60426/action/1?fbclid=IwAR1BqkSVa_0vb9thPYJ2Z7PGOAFBXQ6JC0UFwnso3-9TZFATrRZ471l3B1E


PRESIDENT DUDLEY FAC ZOOM VISITS  I want to visit with your staff! If you would like to schedule a Zoom meeting with your FAC please contact your UNISERV or email  president@pgcea.org .

KARAOKE ZOOM HAPPY HOUR FRIDAY MAY 29 
We are all missing the comradery of Friday Happy Hours. After a successful Karaoke Happy Hour last Friday, we are going to do virtual Happy Hour every Friday at 4:30! If you are interested in singing pick a song and get ready. You can have others on with you. You can also ask questions during song breaks. It is best if you prepare ahead of time and pull up your song in advance so you can share it on screen.  

STAY HOME STAY SAFE 
After 8 weeks of being home, and four weeks of Distance Learning under our belts, we are seeing positive lessons and how we must be vigilant about working conditions. With Dr. Salmon’s closing schools May 6 for the remainder of the year, it raises more questions on the last day, end of distance learning, summer school, and access to retrieve belongings. Many concerns will not be answered until after the Board of Educations meeting on Thursday, May 14. The two most important things are first our negotiated agreement is still in place and two please refer to the Distance Learning Plan (DLP) to verify your responsibilities.
As this is an emergency, we are regularly meeting with the Administration to suggest improvements and to share successes. If you have a question please check our Fact Sheet on our COVID-19 page first and ask your administrator for clarification. 
If you still are unsure, please feel free to email  contacts@pgce.org  or call 301-736-2700 for clarification between 9 AM and 5 PM.
Remember to Vote By Mail June 2, 2020
PGCEA Has Endorsed Candidates in Districts 4 and 7
School Board Races

*We also have endorsed candidates in other districts however they will not be on the primary ballot.

Tell Us Your Story
We have a request from Clinton Smith, Ed.D who Chairs, the NEA Caucus for Educators of Exceptional Children. Please provide your authentic stories.

NEA is trying to collect stories about what is happening on the ground in our school districts as distance/remote learning and IDEA procedural safeguards and timelines remain in place during the COVID19 pandemic. What problems have you had with IDEA flexibility and timelines? Are you able to adequately provide services to your students? What are your barriers? What are your successes? What type of assistance and relief is needed? What resources do you need?
Please go to this link and share your stories! Your stories will be incredibly helpful as NEA lobbies for education policy and funding requests at the federal level.

PGCEA Distance Learning FAQs

The following answers to frequently asked questions from PGCEA members are based on the current Negotiated Agreement, the PGCPS Teacher/School Staff Distance Learning Guide and responses to PGCEA from the CEO and other school system leaders. Due to the existing Covid-19 health emergency and a continually evolving situation this document may be updated as needed.
 
UPCOMING EVENTS
All PGCEA Events are Canceled
Until Further Notice

*some committee chairs may have meetings via zoom conference call.
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Get involved! Join a committee.
PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY EDUCATORS ASSOCIATION | WWW.PGCEA.ORG