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The Connection
1136 N. Military Ave.
Green Bay, WI 54303
920-496-2440
800-472-5582
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Hello friends,
Sometimes I look at the calendar and can't believe it's only been a week since I last wrote the newsletter. So much is happening it feels like Thanksgiving was two months ago!
One thing has become abundantly clear. We have to advocate for ourselves if we want to keep our students and communities safe. The governor has not heard from enough of us to issue statewide criteria to determine when districts should move between teaching models. Right now districts not following any metric are just randomly closing classrooms and buildings due to outbreaks in a way that gambles with everyone's health. But no one knows there's a problem unless YOU (who actually does the work everyday) makes it known. Please continue to lobby Evers and Palm HERE.
OR BETTER YET:
Attend the People's Listening Session on Wednesday December 16th at 6pm and advocate for public education and safe working conditions. You can register HERE. Your voice as an educator is so important to the budget conversation. I urge you to attend and bring a friend!
. . . But we don't have to wait for the governor to help ourselves. Many locals are organizing members to have a say on their working conditions. When we organize and speak out, we can make gains at the local level! In Pulaski, the district had planned to remain virtual until mid-January but the school board decided to take a non-publicly posted vote to return to face-to-face instruction on December 10th. Pulaski educators and parents that value the safety of the community turned out to a special meeting to make their opinions heard and they were able to move the board to rescind their vote and stay on the course to remain virtual until mid-January! Congrats to all the hard work the PEA put in advocating for the safety of everyone!
These conversations can be uncomfortable. Plans for face-to-face education in a global pandemic don't always include the little things like helping kids put on snow pants or tie shoes. Social distancing is a mitigation tactic that works but yet when members have voiced this concern they were told, "Oh fine. I guess we'll just have to find someone that cares about kids to do it." Don't be gas lit against advocating for yourself. You have a right to ask that the district enforce it's own publicly stated mitigation techniques. If you see someone being bullied into something you know they aren't comfortable with, be there for them. If you see something, say something.
The past few months have been a wake-up call for the April elections. Many school board seats will be up and you have the amazing opportunity to get those seats filled with people who value public education, understand schools aren't businesses, and understand public schools exist for the common good. We need to elect school board candidates that recognize public schools are a resource we have to protect. Do you know people who hold these values? Reach out to them today about running for school board! Your directors WOULD LOVE to help you with this. Their paperwork has to be submitted by January 5th so we still have time! We even have some possible funds for them to use in their campaign.
There's a lot on our plate right now but I'm confident we can do it if we stick together.
In Solidarity,
Kristin Lytie
Regional Director
WEAC Region 3
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Upcoming Events:
Tuesday, December 15, Zone B Meeting, 5:30PM
Thursday, December 24-Monday, January 4, WR3 Office Closed for Winter Holiday
Wednesday, January 13, WR3 Executive Committee Meeting, 6PM
Saturday, January 30, Winter Recharge, All Day
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Appleton East Educators Doing Good Work
Fox Valley schools are exploring vertical hydroponic farming with the help of two Region 3 members, Ryan Marx and Tom Wanamaker.
See the Appleton Post Crescent article here.
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Winter Recharge, has shaped up to be a well-rounded day. It's refreshing to have something fun to share. Now, let's get you registered.
You can check out the list of all workshops on Region 3's Facebook event page at:
*If you're a member and not part of the Region 3 Members Only Facebook group you're missing out on a valuable opportunity to network with other leaders throughout the region!
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Trauma Informed Care
We have been hearing a lot of "catch phrases" over the past 8 pandemic-filled months. "Unprecedented times" and "We're in this together" are just a few. It is time to recognize the trauma we as educators are experiencing and how every day is a new challenge. The Green Bay Education Association (GBEA) Organizing Committee has been working diligently to organize an educational opportunity for all members. Please join GBEA members for a special professional development event featuring Ms. Jen Alexander on Saturday, February 6, 2021, from 9am-noon. Ms. Jen is a nationally known speaker on Trauma Informed Care. Her morning will focus on the trauma that educators are feeling as a part of working in this pandemic and ways to cope. Materials are being purchased through a generous grant from the National Education Association. Registration closes January 23rd, 2021!
Please use this link to sign up for this amazing Professional Development event. If you have any questions please contact GBEA member Rachael Poppe.
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WEAC Join Now ONLINE
Member Sign Up
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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.
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Also added is the ability for members to update payment info, phone, address, etc. See the graphic below for details.
If you have trouble logging in, it may be because WEAC revamped their website, meaning members will have to register a new account using their member ID. If you don't know that number, please contact Region 3 via email or at 920-496-2440.
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You are Invited!
WR3's ALL-MEMBER
Virtual Gathering
Wednesday, January 13
4:30 - 5:30 pm
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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!
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On Wednesday, December 16, be sure to register for, Deeper Learning In 4K: The Foundation of Success in Every Grade. Take a virtual tour of a 4K classroom to discover how the principles of deeper learning are used to guide the planning process, create the learning environment, and scaffold student learning. Make connections between the foundation of deeper learning in 4K and learning in subsequent grades.
A complete listing of the webinars and the registration link can be found HERE.
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Region 3/GBEA National Board Support Sessions
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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). |
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WEAC Scholarship Applications Due February 1
WEAC offers scholarships for future teachers, along with a variety of awards for members. The deadline for submitting nominations is February 1, 2021.
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Important Deadlines
JANUARY 15: Nominations are due by January 15 for WEAC Secretary-Treasurer, NEA Director, Seat #1, Alternate NEA Director, and MGR Alternate to the WEAC Board of Directors to be decided at the Representative Assembly in April. All persons desiring to be candidates for these positions shall file their intention in the office of the Executive Director, P.O. Box 8003, Madison WI 53708-8003. Such notice must be given no later than January 15, 2021. Please contact Ann Caruso for paperwork for filing for these positions. She can be reached at CarusoA@weac.org or 800-362-8034, extension 219.
JANUARY 15: The deadline for submitting proposed changes to WEAC Bylaws, Constitution, Standing Rules or Resolutions is January 15. Changes should be submitted to the Office of the WEAC Executive Director, P.O. Box 8003, Madison WI 53708.
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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.
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The Wisconsin Labor History Society announces its Essay Contest for the 2020-2021 School Year for Wisconsin high school students (Grades 9-12). Win cash prizes up to $500. Write essays of about 750 words on the topic:
"Unions have been important to my family and my community because. . ."
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If you're having trouble logging into your WEAC members only account to access the WEAC Savers Club, because WEAC revamped their website, members will have to register a new account using their member ID. If you don't know that number, please contact Region 3 via email or at 920-496-2440.
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5 Basic Steps to Your Retirement
Thinking about retiring in the next 12 months? ETF will walk you through the process.
You’ll learn how to:
- Choose a termination date.
- Request a retirement estimate.
- Read the retirement estimate.
- Schedule a retirement appointment.
- Submit a retirement application.
Wed, Jan 6, 2021 12:00 p.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Thu, Jan 14, 2021 11:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Wed, Jan 20, 2021 6:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Fri, Jan 29, 2021 12:30 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.
To register, go to:
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WEAC Region 3
1136 N. Military Ave.
Green Bay, WI 54303
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