NEWSETTE
Information is Power
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Inside this Newsette:
- Concurrent Instruction
- Inclement Weather Announcement
- Legislative Priorities
- Letter Writing Campaign
- Bargaining Platform
- Tuition Reimbursement
- Need PRAXIS Prep Support?
- Parent Involvement
- Mental Health Assistance
- Upcoming Events
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Concurrent Instruction Important Pay Dates From PGCPS
First Semester Lump Sum Payment - Friday, December 10, 2021
Second Semester Lump Sum Payment - Friday, June 10, 2022
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Important Announcement: Inclement Weather Days
Inclement weather days will remain as they have previously. They will not be used as virtual learning days. We will keep you updated should there be any suggested changes to this policy.
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2022 MSEA LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES
Download and share MSEA’s legislative priorities for the 2022 General Assembly Session. This document is a tool to support MSEA’s advocacy to build on the successful passage of the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future (Kirwan Commission), addressing continuing issues that were exacerbated by the pandemic, such as non-academic supports for students and escalating workloads and staffing shortages for educators. This session will also be an opportunity for us to continue our advocacy for social justice and workers’ rights. The General Assembly session runs from January 12 – April 11, 2022.
SCHOOL MASK MANDATE
What is now being referred to as Face Coverings in School Facilities Regulations were passed by the State Board on December 7. The regulations will now go to the AELR for approval as both emergency and standard regulations in order to eliminate a gap when the current regulations end February 25, 2022. Emergency regulations will fill the gap and standard regulation approval allows them to remain in place through June 30, 2023. The regulations outline three off ramps with set criteria which would allow each district to then make local decisions on the wearing of face coverings or lifting of the requirement.
The State Board also revised their policy on Bullying, Harassment, and Intimidation and local districts have until February 25, 2022 to update their model policies to align with MSDE policy. Preliminary MCAP and KRA results from the fall administration were shared. It is not surprising that proficiency levels dropped using a new assessment tool and testing during a pandemic. These scores will be shared on the website and students will receive individual data. It is important to put this baseline data in context and continue to move forward the best we can in very tenuous circumstances.
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MSEA MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. CELEBRATION: DEADLINE JANUARY 3
Join MSEA on January 15, 2022, as we gather in-person and virtually to celebrate the life, the work, and the legacy of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Through artistic performances, award presentations, and the sharing of MSEA programs and resources, we will highlight our collective racial and social justice efforts and accomplishments across our state. We are excited to announce that this year’s keynote speaker is Emmy Award-winning filmmaker, literary scholar, journalist, cultural critic, and institution builder Dr. Henry Louis Gates, Jr. He has authored or co-authored 24 books and created 21 documentary films, including Wonders of the African World, African American Lives, Faces of America, Black in Latin America, Black America since MLK: And Still I Rise, and Africa’s Great Civilizations. Finding Your Roots, his groundbreaking genealogy series is now in its sixth season on PBS. Dr. Gates will address our theme for this year’s celebration: Knowing Our Roots: The Importance of embracing our history and teaching it truthfully. To register, click this link.
PROFESSIONAL LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES
BLUEPRINT POLICY CHATS AND CHEWS: DECEMBER 20
Topic: Blueprint Funding Formula and ARP/ESSER Funds
Description: CEPP will provide monthly check-ins for members, MSEA staff, and officers to meet with members of the CEPP policy team and discuss all things Blueprint. This will be an opportunity for staff and members to come with questions and concerns about Blueprint implementation and necessary policy updates. Feel free to bring your lunch, dinner, or a snack! In December, the Chat and Chew will focus on funding in and around the Blueprint.
Audience: Member Leaders, Local Association Leaders, & MSEA Staff
Date: Monday, December 20, 2021 - 1:00pm-1:30pm
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PGCEA Representative Assembly approves our bargaining platform as we begin negotiations with the board of education for our next contract. |
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Call to Action: A Holiday Wishlist for Educators
Our educators have experienced an overwhelming workload this year. In an effort to get the Board of Education to support reducing the crushing workload, we released a petition and then held a rally at the last school board meeting. As a result of your efforts, our voices were heard loud and clear and the Board of Education voted unanimously to give our members more than 15 hours of additional leave time.
We are excited about this victory but there is still much that the Board of Education can do to assist in reducing workloads for educators. This campaign is an email letter writing campaign to share our Educator Holiday Wishlist with the BOE, County Council, and County Executive.
Join us by emailing our elected officials our Educator Holiday Wish List!
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Calling All Unit 1 Members In Special Education & Student Services!!
Thank You to all of the Special Education and Student Services Unit 1 Members who completed our Negotiations Issues Survey! The survey is now closed. The random drawing for one of four available $25 gift cards is being conducted and you will be contacted if you are one of the winners.
Thanks, Josh!
-Kristi Maslak
Co-Chair, PGCEA Special Education & Student/Related Services Committee
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MSEA COLLECTIVE BARGAINING COUNCILS
Historically MSEA has had four regional collective bargaining councils (CBCs). CBCs meet throughout the year and are chaired by local presidents in the region. What has been previously referred to as the Urban Bargaining Council will now be renamed and referred to as the Central Bargaining Council. Please make note of this change.
West Bargaining and Organizing Council- Chair Missy Dirks
Central Collective Bargaining Council- Chairs Jennifer Martin and Colleen Morris
South Bargaining Council- Chair Sarah Penrod
East Bargaining Council- Chairs Katie Holbrook and Lori Hrinko
LET YOUR VOICE BE HEARD
Are you interested in testifying before the county council or the board of education on issues that matter most to you? We want you to join us and ensure that our school system and county leadership understand how the decisions that they make impact us in the school building every day. We will have a series of trainings and workshops to prepare those interested to testify before the council and the Board of Education.
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Get Valuable Educator Perks Just for Union Members
Whether you’ve joined your education association at the local, state or national level, you belong to the NEA and have access to educator perks through NEA Member Benefits. Watch this video to see how it works.
Why NEA Member Benefits Is Dedicated to Serving Educators
NEA members are at the core of everything we do – from negotiating on your behalf to offer valuable benefits with trusted partners, to supporting your personal needs in each stage of your life and career. Find out more about why you inspire us and how we can help you.
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Do You Know Any Parent Leaders at Your School? |
We have some great initiatives and sessions lined up for parents this year, but to be successful we need your support!
Help PGCEA increase our parent engagement efforts this year by identifying people who are involved in Parent Teacher Associations and Organizations at your schools or individual parent leaders who are not affiliated with a formal organization. We greatly appreciate your support!
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For immediate mental health assistance:
PGCPS Employee Assistance Program:
By phone: 1-800-346-0110 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Username: PGCPS
Password: PRINCE
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Do you know your UniServ Director?
Our UniServ directors (UD's) are here to assist you with any of your school-based issues or contract compliance needs. To find out what UD is assigned to your school click the button to see their school assignments.
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CONTRACT ENFORCEMENT COMMITTEE:
Responding to Workplace Bullying
Unfortunately, too many PGCEA members face incidents of workplace bullying. This behavior takes many forms, but can lead to tremendous job dissatisfaction, unnecessary stress, and even physical or mental illness. This informative training session will focus on ways Unit I members can respond to bullying behavior at their work site. The goal of the training is to provide the knowledge and tools members need to document and address bullying behavior from administrators or other colleagues.
When: January 19, 2022 5:00 PM on Zoom
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BLUEPRINT POLICY CHATS AND CHEWS
Topic: Blueprint Funding Formula and ARP/ESSER Funds
Description: CEPP will provide monthly check-ins for members, MSEA staff, and officers to meet with members of the CEPP policy team and discuss all things Blueprint. This will be an opportunity for staff and members to come with questions and concerns about Blueprint implementation and necessary policy updates. Feel free to bring your lunch, dinner, or a snack! In December, the Chat and Chew will focus on funding in and around the Blueprint.
Audience: Member Leaders, Local Association Leaders, & MSEA Staff
Date: Monday, December 20, 2021 - 1:00pm-1:30pm
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A CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS:
A Celebration of Black Lives Matter at Schools Week
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The Restorative Practices and Racial and Social Justice committee is hosting an arts showcase to celebrate black lives matter in school week. The showcase will be held on February 4th from 6:30-8:00 at the PGCEA building. The theme this year is “A Year of Purpose” and our goal is for our K-12 students to showcase their skills and talents and celebrate black and brown lives in our community. The creative works may include spoken word, poetry, original art, dance, pottery or original composition. The original work can be aligned to one of the four national demands, which include 1. End zero tolerance 2. Mandate Black History and Ethnic Studies 3. Hire more black teachers 4. Fund counselors, not cops. In order to preserve the essence, prizes will not be awarded to participants. We want our students to showcase an original work of art.
We hope you will encourage students to submit original pieces of artistic expression for display on Friday, February 4th. Special guests will include artist-activists from across the country.
Deadline to complete the application is December 15th, 2021 then students will submit and upload original work into the google classroom between January 7-13th. January 13th is the final day to submit original work.
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Nominations Elections and Credentials Committee (NECC) upcoming election calendar for members to review in case you want to run for office. |
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PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY EDUCATORS' ASSOCIATION| WWW.PGCEA.ORG
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