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February 17, 2017
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Hello,
It's me, the democracy geek. Did you know that I work for the City of De Pere during elections? I'm one of the "little old ladies on the books," you know, the person who checks your ID, looks your name up in the registered voter list, has you sign the book, and gives you a ballot. Sometimes I'm assigned to the registration table - helping voters complete same-day registration (still legal in WI!).
I stepped up to the plate in 2008, putting my time, talents (ex-librarians are really good at the alphabet), and energy where my heart is - voting. It's very important to me that people have access to the polls and exercise their right to vote. Working for the city, I help make sure the process runs smoothly.
I'm not going to be working at the polls on Tuesday, February 21st. The city has recruited new poll workers that need to be trained, and, quite frankly, they are not expecting a big turnout. I'm a little disappointed for two reasons: I don't get to engage in this important activity, and that TURNOUT IS EXPECTED TO BE LOW!
Please prove them wrong. Don't forget to vote. Make a plan - before work? After work? Bring the kids along? Go with your significant other or a group of friends? Just vote. Thanks.
Peace
--Kathy Rohde
Regional Director |
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Technical College Recertification Voting
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I'm a member because . . .
I value the collective voice that we have together. My parents, educators at one time too, taught me from an early age the importance of being a union member.
I'm proud of the work we do!
Noelle Mudrak
Appleton EA
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Readfield Elementary
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High School
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Intermediate/Middle |
Sugar Bush Elementary
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Parkview Elementary
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Lincoln Elementary
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New London Education Day Sponsors Higher Ed Day
Teachers at New London celebrated their alma maters and raised money for a $1,000 scholarship which will go to a 2017 New London graduate that is going into the field of education. Teachers pay for the privilege to wear jeans to school AND they wear their school gear. This year's event raised $525 toward the scholarship fund.
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Coming to Sheboygan - WEAC Region 3 PDP Reviewer Support
Saturday, March 11
Mead Public Library
710 N. 8th Street
Sheboygan
PDP Writing Workshop
: 9:00 am -12:00 pm.
Learn or review how to write your PDP with the guidance of PDP reviewers. Utilize the workshop time to start creating your individual PDP.
Register now.
Free
member benefit for all Region 3 & WEAC Members
Fees apply
for Non-Members: Writing Workshop $50; Goal Approval $150; Verification $200
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3 Great Events You Won't Want to Miss
Last chance to sign up for WEAC Professional Conference, plus two leadership opportunities
We are excited to share 3 great events that you won't want to miss. If you have ever considered learning more about the Wisconsin Education Association Council and getting involved in our professional and leadership initiatives, these are great opportunities to do just that. Please forward this invitation to your colleagues - whether or not they are WEAC members.
WEAC Professional Conference
The WEAC Professional Issues Conference is March 3-5, in Madison. The registration deadline has been extended for a short time, and WEAC members get a discounted rate. From classroom management to working with parents and more, there's something for everyone - including education support professionals and aspiring educators. Sign up now.
Teacher Voice Project
WEAC is a sponsor of the Teacher Voice Project, identifying opportunities for you to build teacher voice in your school district, April 28-29, at Lambeau Field, Green Bay. The application deadline for teams of educators is February 22. From school climate, to communications and professional development, you can develop a plan for action. Learn more and register.
Summer Leadership Academy
It's time to put together a team from your local to attend WEAC's Summer Leadership Academy. The event takes place July 24-26, 2017 in Eau Claire. This event is FREE and a great opportunity for you to sharpen your leadership skills. Plus, you'll leave the academy with a plan to strengthen your local association. Mark your calendar now, read more, and look for registration information in March.
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NEA Grant Helps WEAC Promote Education Support Professionals
WEAC has received a grant from the National Education Association's Great Public Schools (GPS) Fund to build respect and recognition of Education Support Professionals. GPS Fund Grants, established by NEA members in 2013, are designed to help enhance the education profession and promote student success. WEAC was one of 22 recipients. "Support professionals have a direct impact on student learning," said Arlene Braden, a high school secretary and WEAC Secretary-Treasurer. "We're excited to lead efforts to recognize their important role and offer opportunities so they have even a more profound impact on students."
Read more
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Register a Team for Literacy Green Bay's 15th Annual Scrabble Bee
The 15th Annual Scrabble Bee is a month away! This evening of fun is Thursday, March 9, with check in at 5:30 pm at the Swan Club in Legends in DePere.
There will be a family style dinner with cash bar, bucket raffles, silent and oral auctions and two rounds of Scrabble played in a team format. This is Literacy Green Bay's main fundraiser in which all proceeds will support adult and family literacy programming in Brown County. There is still time for businesses and individuals to form a team and register to play. Corporate or team sponsorship is $600 for a table of 8 players.
Want to participate, but do not have a team to play on? Individual registrations for 1-4 players are also available. Once registered, we will place you on a team or group you with others to form a team.
Have questions? Please contact Literacy Green Bay at 435-2474 for more information. Deadline to register is March 1.
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Political Action
This is an 11.0101(10)(b)(1) communication with WEAC members
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The WEAC Region 3 Board of Directors meeting previously scheduled for February 25th has been cancelled so that all Locals can send Presidents + other interested members to the February 25th workshop in Kaukauna.
WR3 will pay the $15 registration fee for all members attending. Contact WEAC Region 3 to register!
The purpose of the Workshop is to provide information about current budget issues, the budget process in Wisconsin, and what happens at the Joint Finance Committee public listening sessions. You'll learn how to tell your individual story, you'll be able to connect with other people who want to get involved, and you'll have fun in the process.
This workshop is not just for those who plan to testify. It's for all who wish to make an impact on the budget and beyond, and share with their communities ideas on how to develop a budget that ensures strong schools and thriving communities.
Four regional workshops are planned around the state, and each has a WPEN partner on the planning team and will feature breakout sessions to plan pro-public education budget actions specifically for your region.
Wisconsin Public Education Network partners are planning to hold Testimony Tailgates at each of the four hearings, and will be coordinating efforts in each region to maximize their impact, bring people together, and ensure that testimony is as effective as possible. Details for these plans will become more detailed when the dates and locations of the JFC hearings are announced, but planning has already begun and will be coordinated at the regional Budget Action Workshops.
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Governor's Budget Plan Makes Significant Changes to Teacher Licensure
Gov. Walker's proposed 2017-19 state budget recommends a reexamination of professional licensure in our state, including significant changes to teacher and administrator licensure.
Among these changes, the Governor recommends that, rather than being subject to a five-year renewal, teaching and administrator licenses would be life licenses (i.e., perpetual), other than in cases of misconduct. (Note: In a separate change unrelated to licensure, the governor proposes repealing the existing statutory language that limits the contract term of school administrators to two years.)
Among other changes to licensure, the proposed budget plan would:
- repeal the requirement that, in order to receive a teaching license based on licensure in another state (a/k/a licensure by reciprocity), a teacher must have a job offer in Wisconsin.
- authorize postsecondary faculty (e.g., college professors or tech college faculty) to teach in high schools without a DPI teaching license if the faculty are in good standing with their employing institution and have a bachelor's degree.
- clarify that school districts may compensate student teachers under state law; and
- create a new Teacher Development Program, which supports collaborations between schools of education (in particular the University of Wisconsin and its Flexible Option Program) and school districts to provide intensive curriculum and classroom training for certain school employees to earn a teaching license. Collaborating entities will be allowed to seek project funds from Wisconsin Fast Forward, a program administered by the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development.
The governor proposes cutting 10 positions from the DPI to reflect the elimination of licensure renewals systems and cites a desire to ease administrative burdens on the DPI and school districts and to reduce the time and financial burdens on teachers and administrators. He estimates the change to perpetual or life licenses would save the average teacher about $750 over the course of their working career.
Supporting budget documents suggest the Governor intends school districts should use the educator effectiveness (EE) system to ensure excellence and accountability in the state's teaching and education leadership workforce rather than state licensure and the professional development plan framework laid out by the DPI's PI 34 administrative rules.
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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:
- 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
- WR3 Board Meeting/Budget Action Workshop - February 25 in Kaukauna
- WEAC Professional Issues Conference - March 3-5 in Madison
- WR3 Executive Committee Meeting - March 8, 6 p.m. @ WR3
- PDP Reviewer Support - Saturday, March 11 @ Mead Public Library, Sheboygan
- Zone A meeting - March 15, 5:30 PM at N18727 Sauld Street, Pembine
- Zone E meeting - March 16, 6 PM at 527 Polk Court, Sheboygan
- Summer Leadership Academy - July 24-26 in Eau Claire
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