June 18, 2021
Hello friends,

I hope you're enjoying the start of your summer. Take your time to rest and recharge so you can come back ready to organize! Covid-19 showed us how valuable the union is as a space to speak openly and honestly with your coworkers about what you're concerned about. It also showed us the connection between unions with high membership and the ability to discuss those concerns with administrators in a meaningful way.

We have opportunities over the summer to strengthen relationships within your union, the Region and throughout the state. Please consider attending the Summer Leadership Academy which will be in our region this year at St. Norbert's Academy. It's a great space to meet and learn from union leaders throughout the state!

Region 3 will be conducting a Back to School Membership Drive Training to help you plan your union's New Hire orientation event on Tuesday July 20th at 3:30. We are currently trying to decide if people want to attend in person or virtually. Let us know what you think! (More info directly below.)

On Monday, June 21st at 4pm, we have a very important day of action. We are encouraging members to come out to Houdini Plaza in Appleton to show their support for fully funding public education in the state budget. (Details below.)

Want help with building membership in your union or have an idea for a workshop? Your director is always here to help!

In Solidarity,
Kristin Lytie
Regional Director
WEAC Region 3
UPCOMING EVENTS

July 15, Thursday, Zone B Meeting, 4:30PM, IN PERSON
 
July 20, Tuesday, Back to School Membership Drive Training, 3:30PM, IN PERSON or Virtual
 
July 26-28, Monday-Wednesday, Summer Leadership Academy @ St. Norbert, IN PERSON
Back to School Membership Recruitment Training

The Region 3 Back to School Membership Drive Training will take place on:

Tuesday, July 20th @3:30PM
 
This training will teach you how to identify new hires and how to involve local union members in creating an organizing culture in your school.
 
We are currently gauging if people would prefer to meet in person or via zoom for this training. You can select your preference at registration.
Register HERE.
Turn out MONDAY, JUNE 21ST to support
funding public education!
The proposed 2021-23 state budget for education, approved by the Joint Finance Committee, does not meet basic inflationary benchmarks for funding K-12 schools. Since the proposal also does not meet the requirements of U.S. COVID relief packages, $2.3 billion in federal relief funding is now at risk.

New revenue projections are $4.4 billion higher than previously estimated, according to the nonpartisan Legislative Fiscal Bureau. The state now has $5.8 billion available for the 2021-23 budget. With these new revenues, lawmakers can now invest in students by funding general and per-pupil aid, special education, broadband, and mental health.

JOIN US in a Fox Cities Rally to urge lawmakers to act! 
  • 111 W. College Ave. at Houdini Plaza, Downtown Appleton
  • 4 – 5 pm, Monday, June 21
  • Rain or shine
  • Bring a sign if you can. Otherwise FCA4PE will provide one for you.
Links:
School districts and their boards in South Milwaukee, Beloit, Wauwatosa, Green Bay, La Crosse and Superior also issued resolutions and letters.
WEAC’s call to action on the state budget remains to demand our legislators in the Assembly and Senate scrap the JFC budget plan and embrace the governor’s Badger Bounce Back Budget, including collective bargaining for educators and investments in public education. See WEAC' Our Action Alert!

Stand up for our public schools by taking local action on the budget with the Wisconsin Network for Public Education on June 21.

Federal COVID Funding For Schools: What Educators Need To Know

Congress has passed three rounds of funding through the Elementary and Secondary School Relief Act (ESSER I, II and III). WEAC has compiled information regarding ESSER into a single webpage so educators and union leaders can educate themselves on the basics of ESSER funds, like how much is your district getting and what the funds can be used for. What Educators Need To Know about ESSER Funds

Similar funding was provided to Wisconsin Technical Colleges through the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF). Information on those rounds of funding can be found here: HEERF, HEERF II, HEERF III.
Region 3 Covid-19 Updates Survey
Some districts have rewarded educators for the tremendous workload that teaching through Covid has created with bonuses and some districts have made a commitment to not make educators teach simultaneously next year.

What is your district doing?
Is your district doing something innovative that you think educators in other districts would benefit from?

Please fill out this survey to share what's happening in your district.
Registration for the 7th Annual Wisconsin Public Education Network Summer Summit, hosted by Sun Prairie Area School District and sponsored by WEAC Region 6, is now live! Visit our website at WisconsinNetwork.org/Summit to register for the August 2 Summer Summit and the post-summit dinner catered by Salvatore's at the Loft at 132 in Sun Prairie.
REMINDER - License Background Checks Due by June 30

Those holding teaching or pupil services licenses issued by the State of Wisconsin are required to submit a background check to the Department of Public Instruction (DPI) every five years.
For lifetime or master educator license holders, the year in which you submit your background check corresponds to the year your license would have expired prior to the lifetime license law going into effect. Any license holder who last renewed their license in 2016 must submit an application for a background check by June 30. For provisional license holders your background check is due five years after your lifetime license begins. 
Applications are only accepted online by logging into your Educator Licensing Online (ELO) account. The cost for a background check is $45. Not sure when your license background check is due? You can check DPI’s online database.

2021 NEA Representative Assembly
June 30 - July 3, 2021

The 2021 NEA RA will again be held virtually the first week of July. 

Please visit the NEA RA page on the WEAC website for the latest information specific to Wisconsin Delegates - click HERE.
The NEA RA website has a page dedicated to delegate resources - click HERE.
Defense Against the Dark Arts: The Science of Happiness
Join your colleagues across the state for this blended learning opportunity examining the science of happiness. This unique course focuses on character strengths, positive emotion, resilience, purpose, positive relationships, and creativity. When educators model qualities of compassion, gratitude and mindfulness, and integrate them into lesson plans, we increase students’ joy and engagement while contributing to a healthy classroom environment.
Come to WEAC Summer Leadership Academy
Plan now to attend WEAC’s flagship leadership training, Summer Leadership Academy, Monday, July 26-Wednesday, July 28 at St. Norbert College in De Pere.
Educators interested in advancing equity in Wisconsin Public Schools are invited to WEAC Leaders for Just Schools workshop. It’s a free, three-day workshop July 26-28 at St. Norbert College, De Pere.
What It Is:
Join Wisconsin Public School Educators for WEAC Leaders for Just Schools program, part of a national program to build a national network of educators advancing equitable outcomes for students. Created by educators for educators, the curriculum allows participants to:

  • Dive into understanding equity;
  • Investigate how bias impacts conditions of teaching and learning; and
  • Explore ways in which they can improve school culture so that every student has the opportunity to succeed.

The curriculum is grounded in real-life experiences, so the content is real, relatable and actionable.
What You’ll Learn:
By participating in the Leaders for Just Schools program, you will:

  • Learn to advocate for students using levers in the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) to combat institutional inequities in their schools and communities through the lens of racial justice in education;
  • Be prepared to build student-centered inclusive plans to create just and equitable learning environments for all; and
  • Have a network of support as they share what they've learned with their school communities and implement change.
Live Webinars Scheduled for July 2021

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 our webinar page to learn more about any of the following sessions.

  • Newly Retired? What to Expect
  • Overview of the Wisconsin System
  • Beneficiary Designations - What Happens When I Die?
  • Preparing for Your Retirement
Annual Labor Day Family Picnic
Monday, September 6

Mark your calendars for the return of the Annual Labor Day Family Picnic on Monday, September 6, 2021. Celebrate what our members meant as essential workers to our community to help people make it through COVID-19. Tickets are available by calling 920-432-0053.

The AFL-CIO is asking for funds to help sponsor the Labor Day Family Picnic. Please make checks payable to AFL-CIO Community Services, c/o Greater Green Bay Labor Council, 1570 Elizabeth Street, Green Bay 54302.

Volunteers are also needed to help work the event. If you want more information or to get involved, please call 920-432-0053 or join them at their next committee meeting on Thursday, May 20, 5:30PM at the Labor Temple in Green Bay.
This is an 11.0101(10)(b)(1) communication with WEAC members.
Not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s agent or committee.