July 24, 2020
Hello friends,

Remember when July was your vacation time? A lot of you have been busy working with your districts to create plans for back to school this fall. A lot of districts are non-committal while some are saying "back to school like normal." We all know there will be nothing normal about back to school this year.

Now more than ever people need to be part of the union. Memberships across the region have been coming together to hold listening sessions with members to capture the questions they want answered. They then send out surveys to capture answers on the questions people were most concerned about. I know districts have surveyed you to death, but people are going to be honest on the union survey. The union is a space where people can speak honestly without fear of retribution.

Once we have the data and the people who support it, we can present our demands to the school board. I know a lot of people are uncomfortable with the word "demand," so call it whatever you want, just do it.

I know this is overwhelming, but if we work together we can do it.

Break it down into small steps:

  1. Listening session with members
  2. Survey sent out to members with the questions they identified
  3. Take that data to the decision makers

Potential members will see you taking action and they'll want to be part of that team. Ask them to join you.

In Solidarity,
Kristin Lytie
WEAC Region 3 
Fall 2020 Back to School Plans

The purpose of this survey is to compile and share the return to school plans, given the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, for Districts within Region 3. Please answer a few questions and upload your plan, if possible.  
WEAC
WEAC Tele-Town Hall with State
Health, Public Instruction Departments

Join The Wisconsin Education Association for an informative tele town-hall meeting with the Wisconsin Departments of Health and Human Services and Public Instruction from 4-5 p.m. Wednesday, July 29.
WEAC will host representatives of the Wisconsin Departments of Health and Human Services and Public Instruction in a phone forum, during which concerned members can hear updates and share their ideas. Get first-hand information from state officials and answers to some of the most pressing questions about the pandemic and education.
 
WEDNESDAY, JULY 29
4-5 p.m.
WEAC MEMBERS ONLY

How do I join in the tele-town hall?
WEAC will place calls to the primary phone number on file for our members just before 4 p.m. on Wednesday, July 29. All you have to do when you receive the call is stay on the line to participate. If you are unsure if we have your correct phone number on file, use their online form and ask them to check.
WEAC Legal Guidance on Reopening Schools

WEAC believes any reopening schools plan must ensure the health and safety of students and staff, and also prioritize long-term strategies on student learning and educational equity. 
No one knows better than an educator how much students benefit from face-to-face instruction and interactions with their peers, but parents and educators agree we must have the time and resources to reopen safely.  NEA  and  WEAC  have put forward plans which mitigate risk, but they require funding from policymakers to ensure social distancing, rigorous cleaning and disinfecting standards, PPE, testing and contact tracing and access to internet and devices for all students. 
Understandably, educators have many questions and concerns about reopening schools safely. To address questions and concerns, WEAC Legal has  created a FAQ document (password:  WEACCOVID2020 ). For guidance on specific individual issues, please contact your region director.

Important! You will need this password to open the file: 

WEACCOVID2020


Be sure to choose August 5 th  date in drop down box.
Region 3 Special Education Networking Meeting

During our weekly Region 3 zoom meetings, it became apparent that what is happening in one district with Special Ed varies wildly from district to district. It was decided that these educators could benefit greatly by strategizing, sharing best practices and asking each other questions. So, let's do it!
 
When: August 10, 2020 @ 4:00 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 Tuesday, August 18 at 4 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, August 5, 2020
4:00 - 5:00 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) Latest updates on school closings.
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.
Sign up now for annual WEAC Leadership Academy 
There are educator-leaders within each local union, moving our profession forward. WEAC Leadership Academy empowers locals to build skills and connect with other advocates. Watch the latest video from a local leader about the value of this opportunity, then commit to join us for this free, online opportunity July 27-28.  Read about the Academy and sign up now .
Join Early at No Extra Cost
When you become a member of your local association, WEAC and NEA,
by completing an early enrollment membership form, you pay nothing
until September 1 and immediately receive:

  • $1 million in coverage under the Educator Employment Liability (EEL) insurance to protect you if a student or parent sues you during the course of employment

  • Discounts and savings through NEA Member Benefits (www.neamb.com)


At the start of the school year, you will enjoy the full benefits of membership
including:

  • Representation through your local and region in employment disputes

  • Eligibility for assistance through the WEAC Legal Services Program in matters related to your employment

  • Access to the Attorney Referral Program that provides for two, free half-hour consultations with a participating attorney every year


BECOME A MEMBER TODAY
by contacting Region3@weac.org !

WEAC
NEA
Region 3 has added a COVID-19 INFO tab at the top of 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.
If you have a question about other meetings, check WEAC's webpage:
WEAC is committed to ensuring the health and safety of our members and the students they serve and will continue to provide resources and support as they become available.