March 10, 2017


Hi all,
I'm heading out this afternoon to Eau Claire, helping the folks in Region 1 facilitate a workshop very similar to Region 3's Listening Project. Yes...the idea that TALKING and LISTENING to our members and potential members can affect dramatic and positive change in our Locals is taking hold across the state.

Region 3's April workshops have been cancelled  - - but YOU should seriously think about joining us in August - dates TBD, but we think it will be the 2nd week - for our next Listening Project event. Start thinking about it; start talking about it with your friends. 

Peace
--Kathy Rohde
Regional Director
What's YOUR Best Story?

  
I'm a member because . . .

My voice is louder when we speak together as a union.


 
Mike Fogerty   
Freedom EA 

  
WEAC Launches Major Effort to Promote, Support Education Support Professionals
 
WEAC is launching a major effort this year to raise awareness about the value of Education Support Professionals in Wisconsin public schools.The multi-year campaign is designed to demonstrate appreciation for the critical role ESP play in schools, and to support them in developing their skills, with the ultimate goal of further helping children succeed.

A Design Team comprised of experienced WEAC ESP leaders has been established to develop, lead and evaluate the project. The team includes two Region 3 members:  Sue Smits (DePere ESP), and Kay Hansen (Denmark UE).

Read More 
 
Nominations Open

  
Nominations Open for the 2017 NEA Social Justice Activist Award

Do you know an educator who demonstrates the ability to lead, organize and engage fellow educators, students, parents and the community to advocate on social and racial justice issues? Do you know an educator who impacts the lives of students, fellow educators and their communities as an activist and leader? Nominations are open for the 2017 Social Justice Activist Award.  Read On
 
Professional Development
PDP Writing WorkshopClick here to register now! 
 
Learn or review how to write your PDP goal, objectives, plan activities, and plan assessments. Discuss the overlaps between PDP & EE. Receive assistance with utilizing the QEI software to store and submit your PDP. Time dedicated to work individually.

When? 
Who Should Attend? 
What to Bring? 
Non-Members 
Saturday, May 6, 2017

9 AM-12 PM 
Initial & Professional Educators looking for help or feedback in writing their plan for goal approval or finishing up their 5-year plan in preparation for verification.  Computer, QEI login  $50 
 


PDP Goal Approval or VerificationClick here to register now!   
 
Do you have your goals written and need them approved?  Is your 5-year plan completed and ready for verification by a team of reviewers? We'll put together your in-person PDP reviewer team. Register for your individual appointment.


When? 
Who Should Attend? 
What To Bring? 
Non-Members 
Individual 20-30 minute appointments only. Scheduled 3 weeks prior to the date, between 8:30-1:00

Saturday, May 6, 2017 
OR 
Saturday, May 20, 2017 


Initial and Professional Educators with complete goals or plans and in need of a PDP team for reviewing. Computer, QEI login  Goal Approval $150

Verification $200 

 
Political Action
This is an 11.0101(10)(b)(1) communication with WEAC members
Wisconsin Spring Election!
Tuesday, April 4 
 
Find all the answers to your questions about the April 4th Spring Election in Wisconsin: Are you registered? How can I vote absentee? Who's on my ballot? Do I need photo ID?

This 2-sided flyer can be distributed and posted at school because it is non-partisan. It doesn't tell you WHO to vote for, just HOW to vote. 

Read the Latest Budget Updates 
 
The 2017-19 state budget debate is now under way at the Capitol. To make sure you stay up to date on all the developments and insights, sign up for email alerts.

The tentative dates and locations for the Joint Finance Committee budget hearings have been announced , and the Legislative Fiscal Bureau has released its analysis of the governor's budget.
Taxpayer-Subsidized Private Schools Don't Improve Education & Have Significant Downsides, New Study Concludes  
 
From the Economic Policy Institute - I n  a new report, Stanford professor and Economic Policy Institute research associate Martin Carnoy finds that voucher programs that promote private schooling have not delivered on promised improvements in educational outcomes. Rather, they tend to divert effort away from investments in public education that have been shown to improve educational attainments.

Carnoy reviews evaluations of voucher programs in cities including Milwaukee, Dayton, and Washington D.C. and states including Indiana, Louisiana, and Florida to show that vouchers do not significantly improve student achievement.

In Milwaukee, which has been a total "choice" district for 20 years, students can select among traditional public schools, public magnet schools, and charter schools. However, only one in four students attends his or her neighborhood school. With one of the highest number of school choice participants in the country, Milwaukee's African American students rank second to last for eighth grade math scores and last for reading scores.

"If we want to give parents a real 'choice' of quality schools, we should invest in neighborhood public schools with a menu of proven policies," said Carnoy. "All of these yield much higher returns than the minor gains that have been estimated for voucher students."

Carnoy recommends investing in early childhood education, after-school and summer programs, and implementing high standards in math, reading, and science curricula in order to improve student achievement.

"Betsy DeVos, the new U.S. Secretary of Education, is a strong proponent of allowing public education dollars to go to private and religious education, " said Carnoy. "It's up to her to set the tone for Congress to value public education and educators."

ETF 
Live Webinars Scheduled for March
 
ETF is offering a series of 30-minute, live, interactive webinars designed to increase your understanding of Wisconsin Retirement System benefits. Individuals can also ask questions at the end of these sessions. Visit their webinar page to learn more about any of the following sessions.  
  • Retirement Annuity Options
  • Newly Retired? What to Expect
  • WRS Retirement Benefit Calculation Methods
  • WRS Benefits: For New and Mid-Career Employees
  • WRS Annuity Adjustments and Effective Rates
Retired Travel
Travel Tips  Thomas Kreif, WEAC-FV Retired Member & Traveler
 
According to statistics, 75% of weather-related vehicle crashes occur on wet pavement. As spring approaches, the weather is changing all the time and so are the road conditions. Here are some tips to keep in mind the next time you are to drive in the rain.

Schedule It!
 
Click HERE to see our Region 3 Calendar. It includes WEAC and Region 3 governance meetings, Professional Development events, and many other workshops, meetings, and events sponsored by our office.

Here's the other stuff:

 
  •  PDP Reviewer Support - Saturday, March 11 @ Mead Public Library, Sheboygan

  • Zone A meeting - March 15, 5:30 PM at Paris in PembineN18727 Sauld Street
 
  • WEA Member Benefits Financial Planner, Thursday, March 16 from 9-5 at the Region 3 office. To make an appointment contact:  Brenda Echeverria 1-800-279-4030, ext. 3300

  •  Zone E meeting - March 16, 6 PM at 527 Polk Court, Sheboygan

 

 

  • Tony Evers, Sunday, March 26, 3 PM @ Paradigm Coffee House, 1202 N. 8th St., Sheboygan
 
 

WEAC Region 3
800-472-5582
rohdek@weac.org
www.region3.weac.org