Schaumburg Education Association

Good Morning.

Here are some of the results from Monday’s elections. The rest of the results will be posted online soon – it was a huge document and I wanted to keep this week’s SEAside short.  (www.sea54.org) Please go online to see who will be representing you at the building level. Congratulate them and thank them J

 

The results from Monday’s NEA-RA delegate election are below.  Specific results may be furnished upon request.

 

2017 NEA-RA Delegates

Michelle Burke

Kara Zielinski

Adriana Caballero

Cynthia Dressler

Laura Valenzano

Daniel Argueta

 

2017 NEA-RA 1st Alternate Delegate

Phyllis Ardagh

 

Region 35 Representative (2 year term):

• Kelly O’Reilly
• Sandra Bostrom
• Ariel Robinson
• Victoria A. Mikos

 

Region 35 Chair (3 year term):

• Kara Zielinski

 

Region 35 Vice Chair (3 year term):

• Adriana Caballero

 

Region 35 Ethnic Minority Council Representative (3 year term):

• Daniel Argueta

 

Have a great day J

Chery

PS – Did you know ketchup was sold in the 1830s as medicine? Yum!

It’s difficult to believe that we are 2 weeks away from Spring Break and so much will follow when we return. Take the time during your break to rest and relax as much as possible.

 

• General Meeting announcement coming soon – save the date – April 17^th from 3:15 – 5:30
• Eliasek scholarship applications need to be postmarked by Monday and must be complete. Head to the website for the applications. www.sea54.org.
• Last week a team of 15 SEA/SEEO members met with each of the candidates, asked questions and listened carefully to their responses.  The team discussed, at length, those responses as well as the responses from each candidate’s questionnaire they submitted prior to the interview. We feel that we are recommending the candidates that not only have our student’s best interest at heart but will also treat members of the associations with professionalism and collaboration. We feel each recommended candidate knew the district and our associations well and also had a good grasp on the issues we are facing at the state level. They each expressed a willingness to continue the conversation that we began at their interview if they are elected to the school board. I would like to thank the members listed below for the commitment to the associations and the hours they spent in preparation and the actual interview process – Jessica Astrug, Karen Chin, Cynthia Dressler, Mariann Hrycko, Laura Kaye, Michelle Mason, Susie Mayle, Vicki Mikos, Lori Mobley, Michele Mogilinski, Jackie Robbins (our UD), Linda Stolt (retired representative) and Kara Zielinski. School Board Recommendations are on our webpage www.sea54.org and our FACEBOOK page “Schaumburg Education Association”
• We Need Your Help – Ballots counters are needed on Monday @ Addams. This is a great way to give back to your association. Please contact Kara Zielinski or Kelly O’Reilly. We really need you!!! Many hands make the work lighter!

Have a wonderful rest of the day and a great weekend – don’t forget to move clocks forward on Sunday L sorry…

Chery

PS – (before you read this begin humming the Twilight Zone theme) In the Durango desert, in Mexico, there’s a creepy spot called the “Zone of Silence.” You can’t pick up clear TV or radio signals. And locals say fireballs sometimes appear in the sky. (Repeat theme one more time for full effect!)

SEA Awards – Our General Meeting is quickly approaching! And every year we celebrate individuals who have helped our association in an extraordinary way. Below are the awards and their descriptions. If you know of anyone who fits these descriptions, please email me their name and why they should receive the award and the executive committee will take it from there. I need recommendations by March 3rd.

o   Felicia Cichy Award – This award is given to recognize SEA members who have demonstrated service and leadership in SEA, IEA, and/or NEA.  Their names appear on a plaque which is displayed outside the board room of the District Office. (Ms. Cichy passed away this year – we will honor her at the general meeting)

o   Friend of SEA Award – The Friend of SEA Award began in 1993 as a way to honor an individual who is not a member of SEA, but who has contributed or assisted members of our association in a meaningful way.

o   Lifetime Achievement Award – This award is presented to an individual who has been an integral part of SEA, IEA, and/or NEA during their career in District #54.  It is meant to show appreciation for a lifetime of dedication, leadership, and service to our members.  The award is given when the individual is retiring, or has retired, from teaching.

Plans have begun for the General Meeting on April 17^th at the Stonegate. Please put this date in your calendar and plan to be there. A flyer will be coming soon. Along with honoring our retirees, and a short business meeting there will food, fun and prizes! I truly hope you can join us!

The state required RIF email went out yesterday from Dr. Hannigan. Please log on to see where you are on the list. The list is locked and will not be changed until next November. REMEMBER – the district WILL NOT BE USING this list – it is only fulfilling the state’s requirement.

Chery

 

PS – Donald Duck comics were banned from Finland because he doesn’t wear any pants. Not sure I find that funny, but I do!

To my Fantastic SEA Members! I certainly hope that you all got outside this past week and were able to enjoy our break from winter. Fingers crossed that the worst of our winter weather is over (sorry skiers!!)

Ballot Counters Needed!  Are you looking for a risk-free way to get involved with SEA with minimal effort?  Are you looking for a way to beef up your domain 4?  Ballot counting is for you!  SEA is in need of ballot counters for our March 13th election.  Counters will meet from 3:30-5:30 at Addams to count ballots for the day’s election.  Requirements: Must be able to count to 60 and know how to operate a pencil. Treats will be provided!

SEA Awards – Our General Meeting is quickly approaching! And every year we celebrate individuals who have helped our association in an extraordinary way. Below are the awards and their descriptions. If you know of anyone who fits these descriptions, please email me their name and why they should receive the award and the executive committee will take it from there. I need recommendations by March 2^nd.

o   Felicia Cichy Award – This award is given to recognize SEA members who have demonstrated service and leadership in SEA, IEA, and/or NEA.  Their names appear on a plaque which is displayed outside the board room of the District Office.

o   Friend of SEA Award – The Friend of SEA Award began in 1993 as a way to honor an individual who is not a member of SEA, but who has contributed or assisted members of our association in a meaningful way.

o   Lifetime Achievement Award – This award is presented to an individual who has been an integral part of SEA, IEA, and/or NEA during their career in District #54.  It is meant to show appreciation for a lifetime of dedication, leadership, and service to our members.  The award is given when the individual is retiring, or has retired, from teaching.

I am out of the district the rest of the week at an NEA Leadership Summit. If you need to speak with me, please call my cell  and leave me your name and a contact number. I will call you as soon as I can. I will be back in my office at Mead on Monday morning.

Still looking for members for bargaining. The deadline is looming closer. Here is the form one more time. Thanks for thinking about joining the team.

 

Chery

PS – In 1935 a writer named Dudley Nichols refused to accept the Oscar for his movie The Informer because the Writers Guild was on strike against the movie studios. In 1970 George C. Scott refused the Best Actor Oscar for Patton. In 1972 Marlon Brando refused the Oscar for his role in The Godfather.

Happy Thursday!

1. Food policy –here are the basics. NOTE:  If your building administrator has additional rules, please abide by those.
2. No food from staff as reward or celebration
3. Kids can bring their own snacks but cannot share
4. Birthday treats should be discouraged but can be brought in as long as they are store bought and the ingredients are clearly marked
5. Allergy free zones are still in action
6. PTA can and will continue to hold hot lunch and snacks for purchase and sponsors 2 parties during the school year

(Low incidence and “life skills” classrooms will be hearing from Cassie regarding your “cooking” units)

2. Interested in being a building rep –please send your nomination forms to Kelly O’Reilly @ the RAC by the end of next week. It is the perfect way to be “in the know.” It also looks great in Domain 4 – professional leadership. (attached)
3. If you are interested in bargaining our new contract, please send me your application or contact me to let me know that you are interested. We have a couple of open spots and need YOUR input! (attached)
4. Another great opportunity – if you are interested in helping to plan our annual meeting on April 17^th, please contact me or Lori Mobley (LoriMobley@sd54.org). We always need new ideas J 2 meetings only.

 

Have a great weekend – Chery

PS – The Grammy Awards were introduced to counter the threat of rock music. In the late 1950s, a group of record executives were alarmed by the explosive success of rock ‘n roll, considering it a threat to “quality” music.

Good Morning and HAPPY GROUNDHOG’S DAY!

• Nomination forms (see below) are on sea54.org for the following positions: 2017-18 SEA Building Rep., Region 35 Council Rep., NEA-Representative Assembly Delegate (in Boston this summer!), Reg. 35 Chair, Reg. 35 Vice-Chair, and Region 35 Ethnic Minority Rep.  Nomination forms are due Feb. 21st to Kelly O’Reilly @ RAC.
• Check out the SEA Facebook page and “like us” J (search for Schaumburg Education Association)
• Bargaining applications are attached
• Executive Board Meeting on Monday – please let me know if you have any issues you want discussed.

 

That’s it for today – have a great rest of the week!!

Chery

 

PS – Super Bowl Sunday is the second largest day for food consumption in the US – Thanksgiving Day is the first. Remember – no matter how much you eat, you need to be in school on Monday! (sorry) ; 0

 

Bargaining Information

Our contract ends at the end of the school year next year (2018). This is a major part of what the union does for you so please consider getting involved in this process. You do not need to be at the negotiating table to be involved; we will have a large research team. The executive team wants to make sure that all areas of concern are represented and everyone’s input is heard. I wish I could give you a time allowance but it depends on how well we do our research and what we ask for from our school board and the district. The research team will begin before this school year ends and will work until bargaining ends. The negotiating team will be chosen from the research team and will begin in September and work until bargaining ends. If you have specific questions, please contact Chery.

Bargaining Committee explanation and application

Good Morning! I hope all is well.

Attached this week: Bargaining Committee explanation and application

 

• TSHIRT ORDERS!! Hurray enough members have ordered shirts so the shirts will only cost $6!! Please begin sending your checks made payable to SEA to LORI MOBLEY @ MacArthur. Or give them to your building reps on or before Monday – we have our rep meeting after school.
• I have heard some positive comments about winter break and the fact we had a full week after the holidays were over to rest, vacation, etc. I am glad that many are excited about the set up. It will be the same for next year. The calendar committee helps to make these decisions and meets in October for the following year. Although it is only January, if you have specific feedback and would like to email it to me, I will print it out and put it in the folder for the fall.
• Our contract ends at the end of the school year next year (2018) so bargaining information is attached today. This is a major part of what the union does for you so please consider getting involved in this process. You do not need to be at the negotiating table to be involved; we will have a large research team. The executive team wants to make sure that all areas of concern are represented and everyone’s input is heard. I wish I could give you a time allowance but it depends on how well we do our research and what we ask for from our school board and the district. The research team will begin before this school year ends and will work until bargaining ends. The negotiating team will be chosen from the research team and will begin in September and work until bargaining ends. If you have specific questions, please contact me.
• Rep meeting is on Monday and we have the final vote for our last rep and alternate to the IEA-RA in Chicago on Monday as well.

Enjoy the mild weather!

Chery

PS – Beetles taste like apples, wasps like pine nuts, and worms like fried bacon. I’m still not going to eat any of them!!!

Welcome Back! I hope everyone enjoyed their break and found time to rest, relax and gear up for the long push to the end!!

Attachments this week: Eliasek scholarship forms; NEA form to apply to win a car; Degrees not debt flyer for early career teachers, Performance group application for the IEA-RA, a flyer from TRS about an informational meeting at the Palatine office in February and early career teacher retreat form for Feb 10 and 11

As SEA/IEA/NEA members you may receive an email for a “CALL TO ACTION” to contact your legislators to ask them to vote NO for Trump’s current candidate for Education Secretary. Please check out the NEA and IEA’s reason as to why we do not want her as our Secretary of Education. Go to www.nea.org and there is information on the home page. It is, of course, up to you to decide whether you want to send the request or not. Please consider checking it out and make your voice heard if you so choose! You do not need to wait for the email to make some noise J

The IEA-RA (representative assembly) is looking for performance groups to perform at the IEA-RA in March. Attached is the form to apply.

The SEA will be holding School Board Candidate interviews with the possibility of an SEA recommendation before the election in April. If you are interested in being a part of this group, please contact me by Tuesday, January 17^th. If you need more info, you know how to find me!

There will be a run-off election on January 23^rd at every building to decide the final IEA-RA attendee and alternate. Please make sure you vote!

Enjoy the extra day this weekend!! Keep warm

Chery

PS -“Almost” is the longest word in the English language with all the letters in alphabetical order.

We made it!! Winter break is finally here.

• Eliasek scholarship information and paperwork is now available to every SEA and SEEO member’s families. If you have a child attending college, please look at the paperwork. I have attached it for your convenience.
• Attached are the elections results from Monday. Congratulations to all those who are attending the IEA-RA! And congrats to our newest SEA member on the Region Council – Michele Mogilinski J
• I have been asking you to care to confront but let’s also try to open to the “confrontation” as well. Open hearts and open minds can quickly heal the stress and tensions that others feel. If someone comes to you with a concern be open enough to listen and really hear what they have to say. Thanks.
• Finally, I wish everyone the most joyous of holiday seasons. Whether you are staying home or traveling, I hope your winter break is restful and peaceful. I wish that you will be able to be with those that mean the most to you even if only in thought. Be safe and be happy.
• Please try very hard not to take too much work home or any at all if you can avoid it. They call it Winter BREAK for a reason!!

Much love, peace and joy to you all from a very grateful friend!

Chery

 

·        PS – Holiday Blockbusters

Movies released during the holidays typically rake in big dough. The biggest one to date? Sherlock Holmes, which grossed about $24.6 million dollars on Christmas Day 2009 and set an all-time single-day record for Dec. 25. Avatar ranks first in New Year’s Day sales, having made nearly $25.3 million on Jan. 1, 2010. Also ranking high on the charts for both days is 2004’s Meet the Fockers, grossing $19.5 million on Christmas and $18.3 million on New Year’s Day. I’m excited to see a very cute movie called SING! but being a music teacher what can I say??

I hope everyone is handling the beginning of winter well. Technically it hasn’t even begun but you can’t convince me of that!

• Eliasek scholarship information and paperwork will be available to every SEA and SEEO member’s families beginning on December 19^th so expect an email from me with that attachment. I will also be sending it to every rep to post on your SEA bulletin board and will also include in next week’s SEAside. If you have a child attending college, please look at the paperwork.
• Gossip is Toxic! If you have an issue with someone, please talk to them. Take your building rep with you or a fellow staff member, but please try to refrain from talking to your admin at first. If the situation were reversed, would you want the person you offended going straight to the admin about you?
• SPARKS – for our newer staff – it’s a great overnight trip and a wonderful learning experience for everyone involved. Check out the attached paperwork – the form is due next Monday; please join us for a terrific time!!
• I will be out of the district tomorrow – Skunkworks – it’s a meeting with all the local area presidents – no idea why they call it skunkworks – I’ve asked and no one remembers! I will be available by phone so if you need me, please call – NO worries – we all walk in and out all the time – it’s actually a norm for this meeting.

Chery

 

PS – Holiday trees and the White House Holiday Traditions

Germany made the first fake holiday tress – they were made of goose feathers that had been dyed green. Electric lights for trees were first used in 1895 and the 1^st president to decorate the White House with a tree was Franklin Pierce. Oregon produces most of the holiday trees in the US and many parts of the tree are edible with the needles being a great source of vitamin C. Jimmy Carter was the first president to attend a menorah lighting ceremony and that tradition has continued. Bill Clinton began the tradition of placing a menorah in the Oval Office in 1993 and George W. Bush held the first White House Hanukkah Party in 2001. The past 3 commander in chiefs have acknowledged Kwanzaa, but the White House does not yet have an established set of customs surrounding the holiday. Here’s hoping your traditions are celebrated over Winter Break with family and friends.

 

 

Chery Anderson

SEA President

Schaumburg, IL

School District 54