October 23, 2020
Hello all,

We are in the home stretch! The election is less than two weeks away and early voting has started. This election is so important for public education and I don't have to tell you how much your vote matters . . . but I'm going to because we have to win this one. Please vote early. We want to make sure every educator's voice is heard in this election.

Head to MyVoteWisconsin where you can confirm:

  • You are registered to vote
  • Your polling location
  • If your mailed in ballot has been received

This election feels unlike anything we've seen in the past and we want to make sure our members are prepared. And as always, we are looking for volunteers in these last crucial days to ensure we elect pro-public education candidates for our communities.

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: November 16, 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
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.

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 28, is Google Meet. Learn how to use Google Meet to maximize whole group or small group instruction and integrate the platform into your work with students and families as well as your personal friends and family.
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. 
Restorative Practices - Back by Popular Demand
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!
On Saturday, October 24th, Pack the Polls Parades will be taking place in over fifteen communities all over Wisconsin: including Appleton and Green Bay!

Will there be a Pack the Polls Parade in your community? Find out here: https://www.facebook.com/events/641315329907539