Category: SEAside with Chery

Ratification Meeting is scheduled for Monday, April 9^th @ Eisenhower – in the gym – there are 2 sessions – one @ 2:45 and another @ 4. Please consider carpooling. If you cannot attend, please contact someone in your building who can relay the information to you. We cannot send out materials or detailed information by any means so it is imperative that you ask someone help you understand the changes that are being proposed. I will do my best to answer all questions that you have before Thursday, April 12^th when you will be asked to vote to ratify the new contract.

With that thought in your mind – we need ballot counters on April 12^th at the PLC room 101

Attached is our building reps for 18-19 – congrats! Thanks for offering your service to the association. Thanks to those who are moving on – we appreciate your hard work for us all.

General Meeting is just right around the corner, April 16^th so if you haven’t written your name on the list, please see your building rep TODAYJ

BUILDING REPS – don’t forget to send Lori your RSVP numbers by the end of the school day today. We need to make sure you get your tickets on time!

Hope to see many of you @ Eisenhower on Monday!

Chery

EXCITING NEWS – WE HAVE REACHED A TENTATIVE AGREEMENT WITH THE SCHOOL BOARD FOR OUR NEW CONTRACT. The team is busily preparing a power point and information sheet that will come out after spring break. We feel it is a good contract with many advances for our members. Watch your email for the date, time and place for the ratification meeting and the vote.

 

For those working on Taxes – SEA dues 16-17 were $749 w/$10 donation to FCPE (if you donated more or less you’ll need to adjust that number).

 

Below are the results of our elections from Monday. We do not have final totals for building reps as yet, Kelly is contacting the write-ins for confirmation. You will receive those ASAP. J

 

I wish that everyone has a fantastic spring break and finds the time to rest and relax as we push to the end of this school year. I know there is a ton of teaching and learning left and I know we will all reach higher than we ever have before and achieve the goals we set for ourselves at the beginning of the year.

 

Attached is the invitation to the General Meeting on April 16^th at the Stonegate. That will also be the day that we will be voting at each building on ratification of our contract. If you attend the meeting, you will be among the firsts to find out if it passes. J I sincerely hope you can be there – food, prizes, 50/50 drawing, tons of information, a FANTASTIC SPEAKER – ERIC BROWN for the NEA, and just plain fun!!

 

Results:

March SEA Election Results

Election: March 13, 2017

 

Thank you to our wonderful ballot counters that gave up a good portion of their Monday evening to help count!!! It was greatly appreciated!

 

Ballot Counters: Bridget Smith, Ashley Houston, Stephanie Krizmis, Michelle Mason, Rosemary Hulina, Kara Zielinski

_____________________________________________

 

RESULTS

*Tally totals available upon request

 

2076 NEA Representative Assembly Delegates:

• Cynthia Dressler
• Daniel Argueta
• Kelly O’Reilly
• Carolina Arroyave
• Victoria Mikos
• Sandra Bostrom
• Dan Levin (WI)

 

2017 NEA Representative Assembly 1^st Alternate Delegate:

• Colleen Grady (WI)

 

Region 35 Representative (2 year term):

• Deanne DiDomenico
• Michelle Mason
• Cynthia Dressler
• Michelle E. Burke
• Laura Valenzano (WI)

WI = Write-In

 

Yours in Unity,

Chery

PS – Nothing but to tell you to have a restful and relaxing spring break

It’s almost spring so naturally Mother Nature decided to grace us at least one more time with snow. I’m sure she will have other surprises in store for us – but hold on…the warm weather will be here soon!!

 

We have a rep meeting on Monday – Please pass on any questions or concerns you have to your building reps. AND…We need ballot counters on the 19^th.  Here is a link to RSVP if you can help: https://goo.gl/forms/EHXmTYmB95jFEEBh2

 

VOTE VOTE VOTE – you get to vote twice in one week!! Monday we have elections in our buildings for building reps and NEA-RA and Region 35 positions. And then on Tuesday is the Primary for many races across Illinois – Don’t forget to voice your choice by voting both days!!!

 

MESSAGE FROM ISBE ABOUT RECERTIFICATION!! This year, more than 200,000 educators will have licenses up for renewal. To put this number in perspective, approximately 60,000 educator licenses are normally up for renewal in a given year. The 2018 renewal year is much larger than usual because it is the first year that educators who were issued a substitute teaching license (SUB) or educator license with stipulations endorsed for paraprofessional (ELS-PARA) in the 2013 certificate-to-licensure exchange will be able to renew these licenses. As we approach this licensure renewal season, we are focused on educators having the best experience possible with the Educator Licensure Information System. To prevent the system from overloading due to increased user traffic, ISBE will stagger renewal periods for educators according to license type.   Educators who hold a PEL and ELS-CTE license, with an expiration of 6/30/2018, may renew beginning April 1, 2018.

 

As a busy NEA member, your journey through life offers new adventures at every turn: enriching students, finding work/life balance and giving back to your community. We appreciate all that you do!

Our Wherever Your Journey Takes You…We’ll Be There campaign gives educators – like  you – the chance to win a new 2018 vehicle and ride in style courtesy of California Casualty, the endorsed provider of the NEA Auto & Home Insurance Program. Click here to enter: www.TakeAJourneyWithUs.com.

 

Volunteer at Feed My Starving Children – SEA and SEEO invites all employees of SD54 to join us Monday, May 14^th from 6:00 – 7:30 – see the attached flyer to register!

 

Have a great St. Patrick’s Day!!

Chery

Happy March 8^th!! I hope everyone is well and your 3^rd trimester has begun well.

 

For those working on Taxes – SEA dues 16-17 were $749 w/$10 donation to FCPE (if you donated more or less you’ll need to adjust that number).

Resumes for those that are running for office for next year are on the members only page of our website – if you need the password, please speak to your building rep – we do not allow the password to be given through email J

We need ballot counters on the 19^th.  Here is a link to RSVP if you can help: https://goo.gl/forms/EHXmTYmB95jFEEBh2

We are bargaining today, so think great thoughts. If we make any decisions or tentatively agree on anything new I will send an email to let you know to check it. We are bargaining again on Monday!

Thank you for your patience with the surveys regarding records day. I sincerely hope you understand that we are trying to get as much input from you as possible. Everything is going well with bargaining but when we are offered something new, we want to make sure we are representing you appropriately. If we need to do another survey and I will make sure that I send out not only the google link but also an alternate way to access the poll.

GENERAL MEETING – SAVE THE DATE! April 16^th at the Stonegate – Please put this in your calendar!! It looks to be a great time – free food, prizes and a great speaker!

Have a great Thursday and a fantastic weekend!!

Chery

PS – Daylight saving time, which starts its annual eight-month run at 2 a.m. Sunday, was first enacted by the federal government March 19, 1918, during World War I, as a way to conserve coal. The U.S. Department of Transportation is in charge of time in the U.S., including time zones and daylight saving time. While twins born at 11:55 p.m. and 12:05 a.m. may have different birthdays, Daylight Saving Time can change birth order — on paper, anyway. During the time change in the fall, one baby could be born at 1:55 a.m. and the sibling born ten minutes later, at 1:05 a.m. In the spring, there is a gap when no babies are born at all: from 2:00 a.m. to 3:00 a.m.

Morning and Happy Thursday to all!

I hope all your conferences went smoothly and you enjoyed the long weekend.

We have a rep meeting on Monday, so if you have any issues, please pass them on so we may help with some solutions.

Bargaining with the board will be on Wednesday, please show your support by wearing your SEA t-shirt. Please send good vibes to the negotiation team. Update will be posted on Thursday or Friday – some details might be possible at that time.

I have attached (for the last time) the forms for building reps, NEA-RA and Region positions – Monday is the final day to turn in nomination forms for building rep, NEA – RA, Region 35.  Electronic versions of the forms are acceptable as long as they are followed up by the original.  You can email them to kellyoreilly@sd54.org or interoffice mail them to Kelly O’Reilly at the RAC. Your voice is needed – don’t leave the decision making process up to someone else! We have 5 forms for 6 slots for NEA-RA

We have 3 forms for 5 slots for R35

Here are the number of nomination forms I have gotten for building reps

ELC 3        Keller 3             Blackwell 2    Dooley 2     Fox 2    Hale 2    LP 2    Hanover 2   Nerge 2

RAC 2    Addams 1    Aldrin 1    Frost 1    Mac 1    Mead 1    Muir 1    Collins 1

Armstrong 0   Campanelli 0   Churchill 0   Dirksen 0   Einstein 0   Enders 0   Fairview 0

Hoover 0   Lakeview 0   Link 0   Stevenson 0

Also attached is the Rally info for Saturday. Please consider joining the team downtown! Let me know if you plan on attending – we are just trying to see how many voices from Schaumburg will be there!!! SEA STRONG!

For those working on Taxes – SEA dues 16-17 were $749 w/$10 donation to FCPE (if you donated more or less you’ll need to adjust that number).

The building administrators are beginning to have conversations with staff about staffing plans for next year. This includes conversations with those that are being released. Unfortunately, there is no way to put this delicately so I apologize, if you are one of those individuals, please seek out your building reps for help and advice for decisions on applications, resignations and recommendation letters from admin. The SEA will support you in every way we can through this difficult time.

 

A special note:

As we get ready to close February my fondest hope is that you are well and things have gone smoothly over the past few weeks. The days have been hectic and at times I’m sure it seems like things will never get done. Reach out to your team, to your colleagues and to your administrators and ask for help and support each other. We are truly all in this together trying (and achieving) the same goal – to do what’s best for our students and communities. We are all saddened by the tragic events that unfold around us and that is when we pull together as outstanding educators and leaders in our communities to try and help our students, and each other, wrap our heads around the unrest. I cannot be more proud of you and your weekly, daily, and moment by moment unconditional love and support you show for your kids and fellow employees. This is what makes District 54 and the SEA GREAT and STRONG – each other!! As Kathi Griffin always says – we are STRONGER TOGETHER! ALL OF US! I am sending you much love and respect today and every day!!

Chery

PS:

We are not a team because we work together. We are a team because we respect, trust and care for each other. Afshar

Unity is strength…when there is teamwork and collaboration, wonderful things can be achieved. Skepanek

I can do things you cannot, you can do things I cannot; together we can do great things. Mother Teresa

 

 

Chery Anderson

SEA President

Schaumburg School District 54

Schaumburg IL

Best of Luck on conferences tonight and tomorrow J

 

I have attached the nomination forms for Region 35 reps, NEA-RA (In Minnesota this summer) and Building Reps. We still need MANY building reps. It’s important to help represent your building and let your members voices be heard. Please consider running for this VITAL position for your building. We can’t be a strong voice without you. Here is the list of buildings that need your leadership.

Aldrin, Armstrong, Campanelli, Churchill, Collins, Dirksen, Einstein, Enders, Fairview, Hoover, Keller, Lakeview, Lincoln Prairie, Link, MacArthur, and Stevenson. We need additional reps from Addams, Fox, Frost, Mead and Muir. Thanks to all those who have turned in nomination forms!!

On February 24, 2018, working people from across the state of Illinois are coming together to stand up for our rights and freedom to organize and participate in our unions. Unions built the middle class. Unions make our country strong. Will you join us in Chicago as we stand in solidarity with others through the Illinois Working Together coalition? See the attached flyer. There is a bus that leaves from Conant High School at 10:30am. Please contact me if you plan on attending! Here is the link for the Conant bus – https://actionnetwork.org/events/schaumburg-area-bus-to-chicago-rally

Volunteer at Feed My Starving Children – SEA and SEEO invites all employees of SD54 to join us Monday, May 14^th from 6:00 – 7:30 – see the attached flyer to register!

Early Career Staff our next Early Career Event is on Feb 22^nd – if you need information contact Kelly O’Reilly.

 

Enjoy your long weekend! Good luck to the USA Olympic Team!! Go for the Gold!

Chery

Olympic Trivia – did you know – Gandhi once covered the Olympics as a newspaper reporter… Gold medals haven’t been pure gold in 96 years… The top prize at the first modern Olympics was the silver medal (1896)… In 1900, in France, winners got paintings instead of gold medals!

Good Morning! I hope everyone is surviving the weather!

On February 24, 2018, working people from across the state of Illinois are coming together to stand up for our rights and freedom to organize and participate in our unions. This is a part of a nationally coordinated effort, to show our unity as the Supreme Court of the United States hears arguments over a case called Janus v. AFSCME. This case threatens to strip us of our freedom to come together in strong unions, build power, and have a voice at work.
We need to stand up for our unions. Unions make sure every child has access to a high-quality public education.  Unions built the middle class. Unions make our country strong.
Will you join us in Chicago as we stand in solidarity with others through the Illinois Working Together coalition? See the attached flyer.

Volunteer at Feed My Starving Children – SEA and SEEO invites all employees of SD54 to join us Monday, May 14^th from 6:00 – 7:30 – see the attached flyer to register!

Early Career Staff our next Early Career Event is on Feb 22^nd – if you need information contact Kelly O’Reilly.

I have attached the nomination forms one last time for Region 35 reps, NEA-RA (In Minnesota this summer) and Building Reps. If you want your voice heard and want to be in the know about all things union, these positions are what you want!

 

Bargaining has begun. Yesterday we reviewed some simple language changes and deletions of some unnecessary documents. Next Monday we will begin the task of exchanging proposals. Please wear your SEA t-shirts on Monday to show your support and solidarity for our association! Take pictures of your groups and send them to me – we will get them posted on our webpage and on our FACEBOOK page!!

Don’t forget to ask you building rep for the “members only” password so you can keep up to date on our bargaining process. It will be updated next Wednesday.

 

Enjoy the day!

Chery

PS – In Idaho a citizen is forbidden by law to give another citizen a box of candy that weighs more than 50 pounds. That’s a lot of sugar – Happy Valentine’s day!

Welcome February J Can you believe it? It’s February!!!

Last Friday you received an email from Dr. Hannigan regarding the SB7 update here in Schaumburg. The site closes tomorrow, February 2, 2018.

The confirmation process must be completed by Friday, February 2, 2018 at 4:00 pm.  If staff members do not confirm their qualifications and summative ratings by Friday, February 2, whatever information is on file will stand.  HR will not make any exceptions and make changes to employees’ qualifications and/or summative ratings after February 2.  Lastly, HR will work with staff on leave or other extenuating circumstances that do not have access to a District issued computer to ensure their information is accurate. Remember, the district has no intention of using the RIF list, it is a state regulation to create such a list.

 

Do you want to help make decision for your organization? Fill out a nomination form for any of the following positions: 2018-19 SEA Building Rep., Region 35 Council Rep., and NEA-Representative Assembly Delegate (in Minneapolis this summer!),  Nomination forms are due Feb. 26^th to Kelly O’Reilly @ RAC. All forms are available on our webpage www.sea54.org but I have also attached them for your convenience. These are all great ways to be “in the know” about your district, local association, state affiliate and national organization. It also looks great in domain 4!

 

This is the new date for the Degrees Not Debt presentation at the Palatine Office –  Feb 22. click on the link to register.

 

We are also looking for “readers” for our scholarship applications. It’s easy, you let me know you are interested and I will contact Linda Stolt. Linda will send you the applications to read and directions on how to score each application. We have anywhere from 3 – 10 applications every year. Your help is greatly appreciated. This is a wonderful way to be involved in your association (under the “radar”) and help college students get the funds they need for college. All the scholarships go to our members families!! Let me know if you can help J

 

Phew! That’s enough info for today. Have a great rest of the week and enjoy your weekend as well.

Chery

Welcome Back – I hope everyone had time to relax and not think about school at all!

 

The registration is live for the NEA Leadership Summit to be hosted in Chicago over St. Patrick’s Day weekend.  The spots for the Summit fill up quickly, so the Region will be accepting the first 7 members who apply for funding through the Region 35 Funding Request form found on sea54.org under the Region tab.  If selected for funding, you will be reimbursed up to $650 to cover registration, ½ day sub, double occupancy hotel, parking, and meals not provided at the event.  Please look at the sessions carefully to decide if you would like to attend.  The offerings are somewhat different than years past.  You can find the session offerings, registration, and other specifics here: http://www.nea.org/leadershipsummit – contact Kara Zielinski or Chery Anderson for more information. (Flyer attached)

 

Here is the link for our 2^nd bargaining survey – the number were so very close regarding records day that we pulled out 1 option – it is IMPERATIVE that you vote so your voice is heard. We only had 550 out of 1350 members vote the last time – it is only 1 question and can be done right this second J I want to make sure we ask for the appropriate day. Record’s Day Survey

 

Bargaining update – the team is meeting as a full group one more time next week and then the negotiations team will head to the bargaining table. I will be giving the building reps directions on how to access the member’s only site to see the updates. Thank you to all who sent in proposals and thank to all our bargaining team – they have done great work over the past many months!!

 

Bylaws help – the SEA is in the process of updating our bylaws according to the new IEA model. It is almost done but we need a few members to help read through the document and work with Michelle Burke and me to clean it up. If this is something of interest to you, please contact me or Michelle Burke (Hale Speech Path). You do not need any union experience or have any special knowledge just a keen eye and good reading skills. This is a great way to get involved “under the radar.” I will attach the new and improved bylaws for everyone’s perusal sometime in February. It is the document that governs our association, please glance through it when it comes out.

 

Have a great day and enjoy the long weekend!!

Chery

 

PS – Hyperthymesia is the condition of remembering every single event in your life. I’m glad I don’t have this – there are things I’d like to forget…like my hairdos from the 80’s!!

We made it! I hope that your first half(ish) of the 17-18 school year was a successful one for all! I also hope you enjoy your next 2 weeks off and can relax and unwind a bit before we return.

 

Eliasek Scholarship paperwork is attached. It is also posted on our webpage. All family members of SEA and SEEO members are eligible.

 

Election Results J Congrats to all who were elected and thank you for your willingness to represent our members at the IEA-RA!!

 

Thank you to our wonderful ballot counters: Kara Zielinski, Bridget Smith, Kim Smith, Vicki Mikos, Rosemary Hulina, Keith Lange, Stephanie Krizmis, Sandy Bostrom, Maria Ayala, and Chery Anderson

 

2018 IEA Representative Assembly Delegates (SEA):

• Victoria Mikos
• Daniel Argueta (will attend as the minority rep)
• Michelle Mason
• Cynthia Dressler
• Kelly O’Reilly
• Sandra Bostrom
• Maria Barba (write-in)
• Stephanie Krizmis (write-in)
• Rachel Rosone (write-in)
• Iris Santiago (write-in)
• Zach Miller (write-in)

 

2018 IEA Representative Assembly First Alternate (SEA):

• Deanne DiDomenico (write-in) (will attend in Dan’s place)
• Chyrel Moore (write-in)
• Phyllis Ardagh (write-in)
• Michelle Burke (write-in)
• Sara Husnick (write-in)

 

2018 IEA Representative Assembly Delegate (SEEO)

• None

 

2017 IEA Representative Assembly Region 35 Ethnic Minority Delegate:

• Daniel Argueta (SEA member)

 

Region 35 Council Representative (2 year term)

• Bethany Dunphy Noel (SEEO Member) (write-in for two year position)
• Janet Green (SEEO Member) (write-in for two year position)

Automatic attendees due to elected executive board positions:

• Region Chair – Kara Zielinski
• SEA President – Chery Anderson
• SEA Vice President – Lori Mobley
• SEEO President – Kathy Jesuit

 

That’s all I have for you today. Here’s wishing you a wonderful holiday season. I wish you safe and well over winter break.

Chery

PS – December comes from the Latin word decem, meaning “ten” because this was the tenth month of the early Roman calendar.

• December 6 is Saint Nicholas Day. St. Nicholas, the patron saint of children, inspires traditions around the world from hunts for presents to stockings or shoes filled with sweets.
• December 7 is National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day.
• Bodhi Day: 8 December – Day of Enlightenment, celebrating the day that the historical Buddha (Shakyamuni or Siddhartha Gautama) experienced enlightenment (also known as Bodhi). New Years
• Hanukkah begins at sundown on Tuesday, December 12, and ends at sundown on the 20th.
• December 13 is St. Lucia’s Day, which has long been associated with festivals of light. Before the Gregorian calendar reform in 1752, her feast day occurred on the shortest day of the year (hence the saying “Lucy light, Lucy light, shortest day and longest night”).
• December 21 is the Winter Solstice  also called “Yule” —the astronomical first day of winter in the Northern Hemisphere and first day of summer in the Southern Hemisphere.
• Festivus: 23 December – a parody holiday created by Daniel O’Keefe and made popular by Seinfeld as an alternative to Christmas
• December 25 is Christmas Day, a Christian holiday commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ.
• Boxing Day: 26 December – Day after Christmas.
• Kwanzaa: 26 December–1 January – Pan-African festival celebrated in the US.
• On the last evening of the year, December 31, kiss the person you hope to keep kissing!

 

 

HAPPY WINTER BREAK!!! ENJOY

Chery Anderson

SEA President

Schaumburg School District 54