Mideastern Region PSEA

Welcome to the Mideastern Region newsletter! Each month we will be featuring information to help our members stay informed, get involved, and advocate for our profession.

Our region represents 15,219 public school educators across the 35 school districts, two intermediate units, one comprehensive technical high school, healthcare worksites, and a virtual charter school. Thank you for being a member!

The Advocates for Children and Education (ACE) training equips PSEA members with the necessary tools they need to establish and sustain relationships with legislators and how to effectively influence public education policy. The training aims to educate members on lobbying strategies, emphasizing the significance of building relationships, understanding the impact of the ACE program, and equipping them with the skills needed to run effective meetings with legislators. Upon completion of the training, participants will be ACEs and join PSEA’s advocacy network. Click here to register to join us on Thursday, February 13th at our office in Montgomeryville.

PSEA will be holding a one-hour virtual UniServ Information Session on Tuesday, February 4 at 5pm via Zoom. This session will provide the opportunity to learn more about the nature and demands of this job and how the selection process works. Please RSVP by calling Rhonda Hake in the Human Resources Division at 800-944-7732, ext. 7033 or sending an email to rhake@psea.org

You can find out more about the UniServ hiring process, additional information sessions, and other job postings for PSEA at www.psea.org/jobs

Registration is now open for the PSEA Spring Leadership Conference being held at the Omni William Penn in Pittsburgh on March 7-8! This event hosts our Minority Leadership Training, Women’s Leadership Training, Urban Conference, and Ed Justice Conference.

For additional details and to register: https://www.psea.org/.../spring-leadership-conference/

If you plan on attending, make your reservations sooner than later! This event will fill up quickly.

If retirement is on your horizon, our pre-retirement workshops are a must! There are only TWO sessions left for this school year. In-person events are held at our office in Montgomeryville beginning at 5pm and virtual sessions are hosted via Zoom and also begin at 5pm. Register today!

• February 6 – virtual
• March 11 – in-person

Edutopia has a wealth of resources for you to help celebrate Black History Month with your students! Check out their website for additional details.

Calling all EA and ESP local leaders and PACE chairs! Whether your local is thinking about making candidate recommendations for the first time, or you have done it in the past and want to stay current on best practices, this information night is for you. Join other local leaders to hear the basics of reviewing your local school board candidates, supporting your recommended candidates to win, and ensuring your local is supporting PACE. The event will be on Thursday, February 27 at 5:30pm at our office in Montgomeryville.

To register: https://www.psea.org/mer/school-board-training

The Minority Affairs Committee (MAC) is a BIPOC-led space where allies are welcome. We explore the unique experiences and priorities of our members of color and work in concert to improve cultural responsiveness and representation in our unions.

The Mideastern MAC meets on the dates listed below at 5pm - members may join us at the region office in Montgomeryville or remotely via Zoom. Click here to register for the February 12th meeting - and be sure to "check out" at the end of the process even though the cost is zero.

2025 Hybrid Meeting Dates:

• February 12th, 2025
• March 5th, 2025
• April 2nd, 2025
• May 7th, 2025

The NEA Legislative Committee invites NEA members to attend the committee’s 2025 listening sessions as the 119th Congress begins!

February 19 Registration: https://nea-org.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_9bT8x9aIS42extK3mmC_9A#/registration

March 24 Registration: https://nea-org.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_PQB5oYx6QEy5jYDsL6QodA#/registration

CTE celebrates work based learning- (WBL) enables students to learn about careers, build connections with industry professionals, and develop and practice technical, academic and employability skills needed for career success. Research shows that WBL helps students apply and extend classroom learning, gain motivation, and establish critical understanding of the work environment. WBL happens in multiple formats, ranging from short term experiences like workplace tours and guest speakers to more sustained activities like internships and apprenticeships. WBL is just another way to prepare students for future successes through CTE.

We all have unsung heroes at our jobsites - let's take a few minutes to highlight their great work! If you know of a member who deserves kudos for their contributions to our public schools, please take a minute to submit their information here. CAPS congrats will be featured on our CAPS social media platforms.

Author Tiffany Schmidt is coming to town on Thursday, March 6 and would like to visit TWO of our area schools! If you are interested in hosting an assembly or small group meeting with this author on that date, please complete this application by February 12.

We will also be hosting an educator workshop at our office in Montgomeryville with Tiffany on March 6 at 5pm:

Meeting reluctant writers where they are: The use of fandoms and fan fiction to increase engagement with reluctant writers

The hardest part of engaging reluctant writers can be making them care or feel connected to an assignment. But why not meet them where they are? From Dante’s The Divine Comedy to Percy Jackson to Wicked, it’s all fan-fiction. Whether your reluctant writer is obsessed with the Eagles, Taylor Swift, or Minecraft — there’s a way to increase their engagement by integrating their passion into the core content material. After all, it worked for the best-selling novel Pride and Prejudice and Zombies…

Register for this workshop today!

Stretch your dollars with the MyDeals app from PSEA Member Benefits! You can use the program to search by location - take a look at the deals currently available:

• Free key cut at ACE Hardware

• Save 10% at Manhattan Bagel

• Save 25% at AMC Theatres

• Save 20% on one entree at Bay Pony Inn

• Buy 3 hoagies, get one FREE at Lee's Hoagie House

• And much more!

To access savings, download the MyDeals app on your mobile device, or visit the website below. To register, use 8875 + your PSEA member number (found on the back of your membership card). If you don’t know your member number, contact your local president or call 1-800-944-7732 x3001.

https://psea.accessdevelopment.com/home

February is the Month of Love… and Smart Planning! While you’re celebrating love this month—whether it’s Valentine’s Day, Presidents’ Day, or even just cozy nights by the fire—don’t forget to show your *peace of mind* some love too! Now’s the perfect time to review your insurance policies:

✅ Are your coverages up-to-date?

✅ Have there been any life changes like a new home, car, or family member?

✅ Are your valuables, like jewelry, properly insured?

Let Comparion Insurance Agency help you stay covered so you can focus on what matters most. As part of your PSEA Member Benefit, Liz will make sure you have the best auto and home insurance protection at the best price. Share your current insurance coverage securely: https://app.usecanopy.com/c/comparion-comparion-newtown-elizabeth-gillman. You may also call her directly on her mobile phone: 267-278-1432.

The retired educators in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania (PSEA-Retired) offer scholarships to rising college juniors or incoming seniors who have graduated from a Montgomery County public high school and are planning to work towards an education degree for teaching.

For additional information and application instructions, please view this document. The deadline for submission is June 15, 2025.

Vita Education Services provides adult education services to Bucks County through English as a Second Language (ESL) classes, Adult Basic Education (ABE) GED and high school equivalency prep, and education in the county’s correctional facilities. Vita is seeking part-time ESL instructors and ESL and ABE volunteers. Learn more at the links or contact Heather Giampapa at hgiampapa@vitaeducation.org or 215-345-8322.

Two-thirds of active PSERS members do not have a named beneficiary. (Yes, you read that correctly!!) What does that mean? Aside from possible additional uncertainty of your survivors, they could also have a significant state tax liability where there would have otherwise been none. From the PSERS website:

"You should keep your beneficiary information up to date to ensure that benefits are paid according to your wishes. If you do not name a beneficiary or if your named beneficiary predeceases you, your benefit is paid to your estate. PSERS benefits paid to your beneficiary are exempt from state and local taxes if the beneficiary resides in Pennsylvania. Benefits paid to your estate are taxable for state and local purposes upon being distributed from the estate. Both direct payments to your beneficiary and payments to your estate are subject to federal taxes."

There are lots of resources on the PSERS website to assist members with this task.

Is your elementary, middle, or high school producing a drama or musical this school year? CAPS would love to help support you, your students, and the arts! Simply complete this form for consideration of a $500 sponsorship. Funds are limited and restricted to one production per school per school year. The deadline to apply for a grant is Friday, February 28th. Break a leg!

These reporting guidelines have been prepared by the PSEA Legal Division and are current as of June 5, 2015. Please review the information in this critical alert to ensure you are properly following the reporting guidelines for the following four laws:

• Child Protective Services, 23 Pa.C.S. § 6301 - § 6386
• Educator Discipline Act, 24 P.S. § 2070.1a - § 2070.18a
• Criminal Conduct, 24 P.S. § 1-111.1(e), (f.1)
• Employment History Review Act (Act 168 of 2014), 24 P.S. § 1-111.1

Each of the guidelines includes a description of the law and definitions of terms appearing within the reporting obligations to ensure complete understanding. If you have any questions about a reporting obligation, please call your PSEA UniServ representative, who will refer you to the appropriate PSEA attorney.

The "Dolores McCracken PSEA ESP Member of the Year" Award is presented to a PSEA member who demonstrates outstanding accomplishments and reflects the contributions of Education Support Professionals to public education. The recipient of the award will then be nominated for the National Education Association ESP of the Year Award. For additional information and to make a nomination, please review this document: SKM_C360i24090911560

The Los Angeles wildfires continue to impact thousands of educators and Southern Californians.

To help our union brothers and sisters in need, please visit the California Teacher Association's Los Angeles Wildfire Relief and Disaster Relief Funds at cta.org/LAwildfires.

Now is the time to start preparing! As part the PSERS Countdown to Retirement Series, view the checklist below to ensure you stay on track to retire.

• Purchase Service
• Submit A Domestic Relations Order (DRO), if applicable
• Foundations for Your Future (FFYF)
• Research
• Set Aside Living Expenses

Learn more:

Retirement Checklist | Public School Employees' Retirement System | Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

CAPS wants to thank YOU for your work in our public schools! Provide your information here by 8am on Monday, February 10 and you may be randomly chosen as a winner. What do you get if you win? You and all PSEA members at your jobsite will have pizza for lunch later this month from a local establishment delivered by our region president, Bill Senavaitis.

Join your special education colleagues on April 25th and 26th at Eden Resorts and Suites in Lancaster for the annual PSEA Special Education Board Conference! Registration information will be available soon.

Through the NEA Foundation Global Learning Fellowship, public school educators develop the knowledge and skills to integrate global competency into their daily classroom instruction, advocate for global competency in their schools and districts, and help students to thrive in our increasingly interconnected world. Fellows transform their classrooms to give students a global perspective.

For more information and to apply: https://www.neafoundation.org/educator-grants-and-fellowships/global-learning-fellowship/

There are tons of opportunities available through PSEA's Center for Professional Learning! Details below. If you are looking for a book discussion, webinar, or other activity for Act 48, Chapter 14, or even graduate credit, you've come to the right place!

https://www.psea.org/webinars

https://www.psea.org/act48bookdiscussions

https://www.psea.org/prolearning

https://www.psea.org/collegecredit

Our region calendar has been updated for the second half of the school year - take a look for details on region, state, and national Association events!

Calling all ESP members! PSEA will be hosting ESP Lobby Day on Tuesday, March 25th in Harrisburg to advocate for support staff wages, benefits, and working conditions. To register for this event please visit this website.

Is it time to update your PSEA profile? Consider taking a minute to provide your updated information if:

• PSEA emails are going to your school email and not your personal email (huge )

• PSEA emails are going to an old email address that you no longer check regularly

• Issues of The Voice magazine are going to your parent's house or a former apartment because that's where you lived when you first began working for a public school

• The landline you got rid of six years ago is still listed as your primary phone number

• You're at a different school or teaching in a different subject area than you were when you began working

To update your profile, go to www.psea.org and follow these steps:

• Click on "My PSEA Log In"
• Log in using your credentials
• Scroll down and click "My PSEA"
• Click "Edit" on your profile and confirm it's you
• Update anything that is need of an update
• Click "Update"

Thanks for taking the time to make sure your information is accurate and up-to-date!

The PSEA Education Foundation provides financial assistance to PSEA members who are experiencing dire hardship through illness, disability, and/or financial need. Applications are submitted to the PSEA Retirement & Welfare Committee, which reviews the applications and makes recommendations to the PSEA Education Foundation.

For more information or to apply, please scroll to the bottom of this page.

PSEA Member Benefits help save you a significant amount of money on everything from a rental car to a new refrigerator. If you haven't been on their website in a while, take some time to check it out!

PSEA has a Personal Legal Services Program for members and their families. The program provides discounted rates and two 30-minute consultation sessions free during each membership year with the designated law firms below. The areas of concentration are:

• Personal Injury (Cordisco & Saile)
• Workers' Compensation (Cordisco & Saile)
• Domestic Relations (Susan Levy Eisenberg, Esq)
• Criminal Law (Neff & Sedecca)
• Wills & Estates (Martin Herring)

There are multiple ways to stay connected to our organization. If you're not yet a member of our private Facebook group, please consider joining (be sure to answer the question and let us know the name of your local). Our website is also a great place to get information about upcoming events. Please also like and follow the CAPS (Council for the Advancement of Public Schools) public Facebook page!

Bill Senavaitis, President, Central Bucks EA

Bill McGill, President-Elect, Perkiomen Valley EA

Debbie Lee, Vice President, Abington EA

Sue Brown, Treasurer, Wissahickon EA

Nicole Peirce, Pennsbury EA

Alan Malachowski, Past President, Montco Retired

Theresa Prato, PACE Director, Bucks County Technical High School EA

Maria Bennett, NEA Director, New Hope-Solebury ESPA

Colleen Brodbeck, NEA Director, Pennsbury EA

Website: www.psea.org/mer
Location: 601 Bethlehem Pike, Building C, Montgomeryville, PA 18936
Phone: 215.853.2100
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/PSEAMER

This message is intended for PSEA members and members of their immediate households.