Welcome, New Members!
New PSEA members in their first five years of employment in public school and their mentors are invited to a New Member Event at the region office on Wednesday, October 16th at 5pm. The evening will feature dinner, a quick overview of our organization, and some tips on navigating the rest of your career in public education. Register today! Be sure to "check out" at the end of registration, even though there is no cost for this event.
Fall Leadership Conference at Skytop Lodge
Registration is open for our Fall Leadership Conference at Skytop Lodge in the Poconos on November 15-17! Please see this document for information on the schedule for the weekend and session descriptions. Participation in the conference is either self-funded or funded via your local. If you would like to attend, please be sure to register via the PSEA conference system AND by calling Skytop, or another local hotel, to book your room by October 14th. We hope to see you there for a great weekend!
Science Explorers Activities at Your School Sponsored by CAPS
Last year CAPS generously sponsored Science Explorers assemblies for ten elementary schools in the region - and this year we may be headed to your building! If your classroom or building is interested in being one of the 12 classrooms or schools we randomly select to participate in the program this year at no cost, please take a few minutes to provide your information here by Monday, October 14th.
PSERS Beneficiaries
Two-thirds of active PSERS members do not have a named beneficiary. (!!!) 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.
CAPS Night at the Michener Museum
Join Museum Curatorial and Educational staff on Wednesday, November 20 from 4-6pm as we explore artwork as primary source material. Using several works in Monuments and Myths and other related pieces, participants will learn tools to investigate the narratives embedded within public art, from the power of patronage to the artistic choices around body language and symbolism. Approaches for facilitating art-based historical inquiry and culturally responsive discussions in the classroom will also be included. Although workshop content is highly applicable for Social Studies, all interested K-12 educators are welcome. Register today!
Election 2024
As we approach another historic national election on November 5th, remember you can always check and share PSEA-PACE recommendations at www.SchoolHouseBallot.com, Many members have already stepped up as Election Defenders to volunteer for pro-public education candidates up and down the ballot. Join them by using this link to tell PSEA how you wish to spread the word, then look for volunteer opportunities that match your interests.
Postcard Writers Unite!
Mideastern Region is hosting a postcard-writing night at our office (601 Bethlehem Pike, Building C, Montgomeryville) for recommended candidates on Wednesday, October 9th from 6-8 pm! Use this link to sign up to join us OR to request postcard materials to complete on your own.
Save Money!
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:
15% off a purchase of $100 or more at Kohls
20% off one entree at the Bay Pony Inn
10% off entire purchase at Men's Warehouse
10% off a trial package at Doylestown Rock Gym
10% off at Domenic Graziano Flowers
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.
Minority Affairs Committee
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 October 9th meeting - and be sure to "check out" at the end of the process even though the cost is zero.
2024-2025 Hybrid Meeting Dates:
- October 9th, 2024
- November 13th, 2024
- January 8th, 2025
- February 12th, 2025
- March 5th, 2025
- April 2nd, 2025
- May 7th, 2025
Retirement Estimates
PSERS can calculate your retirement estimate to show the potential monthly benefit you would receive at retirement through the normal, early, vested or disability benefit. Staff-prepared estimates are available to all members within one year of retirement. Fill out the Request for Estimate Form today!
Liz Will Shop Insurance Rates for You!
Insurance doesn’t have to be scary. In fact, as part of your PSEA Member Benefit for auto and home insurance, Liz can help you dust off your policies, chase away the bats and ghosts, and leave you with better coverage and savings! Share your current insurance coverage securely: https://app.usecanopy.com/c/comparion-comparion-newtown-elizabeth-gillman. You may also call Liz directly on her mobile phone: 267-278-1432.
2024-2025 Pre-Retirement Workshops
If retirement is on your horizon, save the dates for our pre-retirement workshops this year! In-person sessions are held at our office in Montgomeryville beginning at 5pm and virtual sessions are hosted via Zoom and also begin at 5pm. Registration for the VIRTUAL sessions is now open. Registration for the in-person events will open next month.
October 17 – virtual
November 12 – in person
December 9 – virtual
January 7 – in-person
February 6 – virtual
March 11 – in-person
Scripps Regional Spelling Bee sponsored by CAPS
Elementary and middle schools in Bucks and Montgomery Counties are invited to participate in our 2025 Scripps Regional Spelling Bee taking place on Saturday, March 22nd at Wissahickon High School. Participants may be in any grade through and including eighth. A discounted enrollment rate applies to any school that registers prior to October 31. For more information, please view this document. The winner from our regional bee will move on to the national bee in Washington, DC!
CTE Corner
As many newly hired educators across the state are beginning their journey into a career in education and their first experiences as part of a local labor association, the role of educating these new members falls to the more experienced leaders and association officers. It's a slightly different experience for newly hired CTE teachers. After many years of work experience within their trade area and the likelihood of their previous membership in an associated trade labor association, these new educators have chosen to share the wealth of their knowledge and experience not only with fellow teaching colleagues but also with the next generation of tradespeople. Knowledge + work experience + life experience = the CTE teacher.
Guidelines for the Practice of Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy in Educational Settings
During this session, Dr. Geddes will highlight the main points of the Guidelines for Practice of Occupational Therapy (OT) and Physical Therapy (PT) in Educational Settings. She will summarize the Guidelines and provide practical application suggestions. Participants will move into breakout rooms and discuss specific questions. Afterwards, participants will return to the main room to review the outcomes of these discussions. Join us for in-depth knowledge building and understanding of the Guidelines and have your questions answered.
Date: October 17, 2024; 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm
Target Audience: Special Education Teachers
Credit: Act 48 clock hours; OT, PT
Cost: There is no cost for this course.
Registration Information: Please register online by visiting the PaTTAN website at https://www.pattan.net/events/
Contact Information:
- For general registration information and questions, please contact Michael Stagemyer, PaTTAN Central at mstagemyer@pattan.net
- For content related information and questions, please contact Beth Konde, PaTTAN Central at c-ekonde@pattan.net
Celebrating Excellence
Do you know a friend, colleague, or community member or organization who you think deserves special recognition for their contribution to public education? PSEA is now accepting nominations for the Celebrating Excellence “Adler Friend of Education” and “Human & Civil Rights” Awards.
For more information and to make a nomination: Celebrating Excellence (psea.org)
Pizza with the President
CAPS wants to thank YOU for your work in our public schools! Provide your information here by 8am on Monday, October 14 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.
NEA Representative Assembly 2025
If you are a member interested in being a state delegate for the NEA Representative Assembly in Portland, Oregon July 2-6, please complete this form.
PSEA Center for Professional Learning
There are tons of opportunities available this fall through PSEA's Center for Professional Learning! Details below.
https://www.psea.org/act48bookdiscussions
CAPS Year in Review
If it feels like you have seen CAPS all over the place - it's probably because you have! We had an amazing 2023-2024 school year supporting the work of our students and members. Check out this brochure for a wrap up of all the ways we are proud to be a partner with all public school entities in our region.
Region Calendar
Our region calendar for the 2024-2025 school year is now available - take a look for details on region, state, and national Association events!
Update Your Information with PSEA
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!
PSEA Welfare Grants
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.
How Much Are You Saving?
Special Program: PSEA Personal Legal Services
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)
Stay Connected
Mideastern Region PSEA
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