Schaumburg Education Association

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

Have you ever wondered how you can get involved with the SEA without a big time commitment?  Can you count to 50? If you answered yes to both of those questions, we can use you to help count ballots on December 18^th at 3:45 at the RAC.  It’s a fun and easy way to help out our organization and there will be free snacks.  If you’re available, click here (https://goo.gl/forms/a14pORS6YzZ68MFZ2) to let us know you’re coming and we will forward out details as we get closer to counting day.  Thank you!

I wanted to take some time to remind all members how AESOP works when you enter an absence in AESOP.  First, your assignment will be visible to the subs on your preference list who are not already working that day. If no one accepts the position then the system will go to the building preference list, and then the general pool of substitutes to try and fill the absence.  In the event that your absence is created less than 24 hours before the start of the job, AESOP will make the assignment immediately visible to all qualified substitutes. With that being said, on occasions there are absences that are not picked up by a substitute.  In situations when there is a vacancy and no substitute to cover the assignment, the building administration reserves the right to reassign SEA, SEEO and substitute assignments to ensure there is sufficient coverage for all students.  This means, building administration can reassign a paraprofessional with a teaching license, pull resource staff (SST, Social Worker, Literacy Coach, Art, Music, PE, etc.), or reassign a substitute’s assignment to ensure students are attended to at all times. Anyone who covers for an absent teacher and misses their plan time or lunch will be compensated by completing an internal sub coverage timesheet which can be found in all main offices. The district is doing everything they can to recruit and employ substitutes with the skills necessary to do the job, but we all know there is no substitute for you! There is no perfect answer, so please also understand building administration will use their best judgement to fill the open spot. I know that this is concerning for some especially if you are the one that gets the call to cover another class. You will not be evaluated on your ability (or in my case lack thereof) to teach math if you are a music teacher. Every substitute’s first job is child safety and classroom management. As always, if you have questions, contact your building rep. I am always willing to listen and help problem solve with you, too.

Next Monday, your exec team is meeting. If you have concerns you want discussed, please let me know and I will make sure we respond to you.

 

Have a great Thursday, Keep warm!

Chery

 

PS – In the last century, the east coast of the United States has moved 8 feet further away from Europe! Interesting!

Have you ever wondered how you can get involved with the SEA without a big time commitment?  Can you count to 50? If you answered yes to both of those questions, we can use you to help count ballots on December 18^th at 3:45 at the RAC.  It’s a fun and easy way to help out our organization and there will be free snacks.  If you’re available, click here (https://goo.gl/forms/a14pORS6YzZ68MFZ2) to let us know you’re coming and we will forward out details as we get closer to counting day.  Thank you!

If you ordered an SEA t-shirt they are being delivered this week.  We have about 15 extras available first come-first serve, sizes Medium through 2XL.  Send an email to Lori Mobley at lorimobley@sd54.org if you are interested in purchasing one for $7.

Bargaining Planning Sessions are going well. Very soon we will open the password protected information page on our website. We will have at least one survey that will be coming out. I know you are busy but this is crucial for your team to get the best contract we can. Please respond to the surveys. We will keep them short and to the point.

Funderwear is coming to your building. The community closet is in need or personal items particularly underwear and diapers for all ages. The drive is moving to the following schools – next week your building reps will place a box in convenient place, please do your best to fill it!

Schools for December and January: Addams, Dooley, Campanelli, Einstein, Hanover and Fox.

 

That’s it for today. I hope MAP testing is going well.

Chery

PS – In 1980, the Wile E. Coyote finally caught the Road Runner. He then held up a placard and asked the audience “Now what do I do?” HA!!

Good Morning – I hope everyone is doing well!

I also hope that your first trimester is coming to a successful close.

1. Attached is the bargaining proposal form. If you have any suggestions they need to be to me before Thanksgiving. The team is already working on proposals. Send it to my personal email or through interoffice mail. cheryanderson@comcast.net
2. If you are interested in professional development, keep reading J Please submit funding request form (found on SEA54.org) if you would like to attend with Region funding for registration, lodging, and meals. Professional Development Conference (Springfield Dec. 1-2)

https://ieanea.org/events/iea-professional-development-conference/

Session topics include special education, student engagement, classroom technology, retirement planning, classroom management, supporting trans and gender expansive students, ESSA, ACEs, STEM, mindfulness, cultural responsiveness, and many more!

1. Sign up for the Illinois Educators Action Network – Are you interested in learning more about what is going on at the state level in regards to educators?  Are you interested in taking action on education issues?  Join the IEAN today!  A brief, online registration can be found at the link below.

https://actionnetwork.org/forms/join-the-illinois-educators-action-network

Happy Veteran’s Day J

Chery

It’s Fall and it feels like it.

    Membership cards are late

Due to a delay in printing at the printing company, membership cards are late in being distributed this year. Please know that you can access your membership card digitally and download it to your mobile device by visiting the Members Only section of the IEA website. If you or your members need assistance doing this, please contact IEA Connect through the “Let’s Talk” button on the IEA website, at 844-IEA-1800 or at IEAConnect@ieanea.org

 Nomination forms for our next election are due to Kelly O’Reilly at the RAC by November 20.  If you’re interested in running for Region council, or representing SEA as an association rep or an Ethnic Minority rep at the 2018 IEA Representative Assembly April 19-21.
The Village Tavern is again offering all D54 members a 20% discount on their meal for the whole month of November in honor of American Education Week. Please show your ID when presented with your personal bill and the discount will be honored.
Wellness Screenings are being offered again in district. Please take a look at the attached flyers if you are interested.
Our bargaining proposal sheet is attached.  You may use this one or go to our website fill it out and it will go straight into the folder online – for only my eyes. You do not need to have all the information that is being asked on the form to fill it out. www.sea54.org
* LASTLY – PLEASE CHECK OUR WEBPAGE FOR WAYS THAT YOU CAN HELP THE PALATINE ESP’s AND SUPPORT THEM!  www.sea54.org
Have a great weekend – keep warm and dry and if you celebrate Halloween – have a safe and fun Day J

Chery

PS – You guessed it, Halloween facts:

• Orange and black are Halloween colors because orange is associated with the fall harvest and black is associated with darkness and death.
• Jack o’ Lanterns originated in Ireland where people placed candles in hollowed-out turnips to keep away spirits and ghosts on the Samhain holiday. (Samhain pronounced Sow-in – it’s Gaelic)
• Pumpkins also come in white, blue and green. Great for unique monster carvings!
• Halloween was brought to North America by immigrants from Europe who would celebrate the harvest around a bonfire, share ghost stories, sing, dance and tell fortunes.
• Tootsie Rolls were the first wrapped penny candy in America.

 

Good Morning. Happy Conferences!!

2 concerns came up at our Executive Board Meeting this past Monday that I wanted to highlight for you. They are as follows and may pertain to the elementary staff more than the jr high. These are direct answers from Dr. Knoll; she was, as always, very helpful and if anyone has questions she asked they please call her.

1 – Accessibility to Science Assessments:

• The science assessments were originally on CD’s (we were so much lower tech when we made that textbook purchase) but we have added the software to the D54 Software Library so staff no longer needs the CD.  Below is a link to the software library and helpdesk directions to access.  Once logged in, folks can access science and all other software programs.

 

Software Library:  https://kbox01.sd54.org/

 

Directions:  https://staff.sd54.org/Helpdesk/_layouts/WordViewer.aspx?id=/Helpdesk/Shared%20Documents/D54%20Software%20Library%20Instructions.docx&Source=https%3A%2F%2Fstaff%2Esd54%2Eorg%2FHelpdesk%2FSitePages%2FHome%2Easpx&DefaultItemOpen=1

 

If anyone needs support with accessing and pulling questions from the software, the helpdesk folks can certainly support.  If anyone needs instructional support, Jim Vreeland could certainly support.

2-Changing PDF assessments into word documents so you may modify them:

• We want teams to be able to modify the assessments to match the needs of their students so this is something we want to clear up.  Below are the directions we have found folks use to modify the PDF’s without taking a lot of time to modify into Word:

1. Save the PDF from Benchmark to your desktop.
2. Open Word
3. In Word, select “open” and open the PDF from your desktop into Word. By doing so, Word will automatically prompt you to agree to convert.
4. Enable editing and save the converted Word doc to your desired file location.
5. Reformat (You do have to open Word though before opening the PDF or it won’t work.)

 

I (Dr. Knoll) will work with the helpdesk regarding the formatting once in Word so there isn’t a great deal of time wasted modifying.  Ideally, they would be able to cut and paste directly from the Word document.  Again, I’ll work with the helpdesk to make sure this is the case.  Keep you posted on what I find out.

1 – Degrees Not Debt Program – this is the information and work day at the Palatine Office – although I know some are waiting for Danielle Rovner to come to their buildings this training session will help you fill out paperwork and give you details Danielle might not have. https://www.cvent.com/c/express/95b3fa57-3965-4f18-a5b2-e1cd592b765c

2 – SCORE grants – this is money for you to use with your classes or a club, etc. There needs to be a new employee involved in the grant writing – a new SEA or SEEO member – the NEW DEADLINE is November 3^rd – please consider this – I can also get you contact info for someone from the Palatine Office to help you write the grant. They extended because they didn’t have enough applicants! It could be a way to help you get more books in your classroom, new supplies for a project, play equipment, etc. Please consider this!

3 – For those who are thinking about retirement, here is a list of local TRS meetings. You should attend one meeting close to your retirement date – it’s great information – I learned so much last year when I attended.

That’s it – you are the BEST EVER!!

Have GREAT conferences today and tomorrow. And enjoy your extended weekend.

Chery

PS – Are you getting your “Fun 15?” Are your students? More info on this later J

 

Happy (almost) Fall! Not much like fall weather but we will get there I’m sure.

Not much today!

• Confidentiality – taking a colleague instead of a building rep with you to a meeting with an administrator is not the best idea. Building reps are trained and have information that other members do not.
• Your membership information is with your building reps. Please make sure you examine it carefully, make any changes necessary and initial that you have done so. If it is correct, you still need to initial by your info.
• If you are interested in ordering an SEA shirt – your building reps have the info, please see them!

Enjoy the great weather.

Chery

PS – Netflix has invented a ‘Netflix and Chill’ button that can be programmed to automatically order food, dim the lights, silence your phone, and put Netflix on the TV. That’s my kind of button!!