September 11, 2020
Face Mask 2
Hello all,

School has been in session for a very short time and we are seeing Covid-19 cases pop up all over the region. Some of our members have expressed concern over lack of information. It's also apparent that our county health officials are going to be swamped.

So to better help everyone stay in touch with what's happening, Region 3 has started collecting data from members and news articles about outbreaks. If you are experiencing an outbreak in your school please fill out this FORM.
No names or emails will be shared from the data collection.

As we move forward, it's important to remember that your local union can file grievances about health and safety concerns.
  • Do you have enough PPE?
  • Does your PPE fit well/cover the area it is intended to?
  • Do you have hand washing stations?
  • Is there enough full time nurses?

These are the kinds of things we can talk more about to ensure everyone is working safe! We also have a Covid-19 tab on our website where you can review more information. As always, please reach out if you have any questions or concerns.
 
In Solidarity,
Kristin Lytie
Region 3 Director
Concerns over Online Learning Platform Acellus
Is your district using the learning program Acellus? All over the country educators and parents have found incredibly racist and sexistcontent.

Here's an article about some of the problematic content.

We have a duty to our students to provide a safe space to learn free from biased, racist content. If your district is using this program please contact your Region 3 Director.
Be an Educator for Joe!
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!

NEA has created Educators for Joe as a platform for us to get active on the campaign, even in the age of Covid-19. There are all kinds of opportunities from helping people request their ballots early to reporting inappropriate/untrue ads. There's tons of online events and trainings!
Flexibility provisions for schools released

Hours of instruction, third Friday counts, attendance and more addressed

New provisions for hours of instruction, open enrollment, attendance and more have been released by the Department of Public Instruction. The COVID-19 Regulatory Flexibility Framework Provisions for the 2020-21 School Year provide explanations, along with examples of how the provisions will be implemented.

Among the new guidance included in the document:

  • The DPI will require school districts to record attendance this school year for in person, virtual, or remote instruction.
  • Related to third Friday enrollment counts, there is no special flexibility required for districts to count students who are being served with virtual or blended instructional models on or around the count date.
  • Educator Effectiveness waivers are available for districts that are unable to fulfill the six minimal implementation requirements.
WEAC Join Now ONLINE
Member Sign Up
Easy, fast online feature supports your membership efforts

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

This Special Ed Networking call will be special as it's going to be facilitated by two members from Region 3 who have extensive experience working in Special Ed. Their expertise is sure to take the conversation in a meaningful and thought provoking way!

When: September 21, 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 9th 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, September 16, 2020
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.
We are doing our best to Zoombomb-proof our meeting!

Agenda:
1) Returning to school.
2) Time for sharing! What's going on in your area?


We look forward to SEEING you!
It's a good idea to log in a few minutes early
to get the audio and video working on your device.
WEAC

Every Wednesday between 6-7 p.m. WEAC members have access to a webinar highlighting relevant teaching and learning topics. This Wednesday's is a National Board Informational Webinar. A complete listing of the webinars and the registration link can be found here.
Building a Balanced Life Registration Now Open
Educators often put the needs of others before themselves. This engaging and interactive opportunity is designed to focus on helping public school employees maintain a healthy life balance. Register here.
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.
Women and retirement: 6 challenges to a secure future
The journey to financial security is different for women, so being aware of potential obstacles will help you prepare for and overcome the hurdles. While not every woman will experience the same challenges, it is likely that most will face more than one. Women need to be aware and prepare.