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!

Do you know a colleague, 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, a look at last year's winners, and to make a nomination: Celebrating Excellence. Nominations must be received by December 31, 2024, at 4:30 p.m.

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. Break a leg!

Thank you to our staff and members who attended and contributed to the success of our Fall Leadership Conference at Skytop Lodge last month! For everyone planning ahead, our conference will be at that venue for at least two more years: November 7-9, 2025 and November 6-8, 2026. We hope to see you then!

Stretch your holiday 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 at Bath and Body Works

• 15% off at Jiffy Lube

• 10% off entire purchase at Men's Warehouse

• 15% off at JCPenny

• Buy one, get one at Auntie Anne's

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

If you are headed to the PSEA House of Delegates on December 13-14 in Philadelphia, don't forget to consider a donation to the Minority Affairs Commitee's Books, Toys, and More drive! You can drop off donations at that event or donate online.

Join your fellow IU EA and ESP members at the IU Caucus at the PSEA House of Delegates in Philadelphia on December 13! For additional information and to sign up, please complete this form. The meeting will take place at the Sheraton in Salon 3/4 from Noon-1pm. For a rundown of all events and meetings that weekend, visit www.psea.org/HOD.

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 January 8th meeting - and be sure to "check out" at the end of the process even though the cost is zero.

2025 Hybrid Meeting Dates:

• January 8th, 2025
• February 12th, 2025
• March 5th, 2025
• April 2nd, 2025
• May 7th, 2025

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.

Around the state many CTE's have established educational foundations that support student scholarship to offset the cost of tools, professional certification, curriculum materials and workplace experiences such as field trips and industry visits. In many cases these foundations are funded through the generosity of former CTE students and often have directing boards comprised of these former CTE students as well as industry stakeholders. Just another way that CTE benefactors can pass along future opportunities for students, increase industry recognition and bolster a competitive workforce of highly trained individuals!

Thank you to the 150+ people who joined us last month at our Fall House of Delegates at The Warrington! Our next region House of Delegates is on Thursday, May 8th at 5pm at Pine Crest Country Club.

Gratitude is in the air! This season, Liz is giving a big shout-out to all our amazing educators and support staff who inspire, guide, and make a difference every day. Your dedication lights up classrooms and hearts alike. Thank you for everything you do! 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.

Calling all high school art teachers in the region! Our CAPS "Touch the Future" Art Show registration will be hitting your inboxes this month. We look forward to seeing you and your students at the opening and awards on Sunday, March 2 at Noon at Montgomery County Community College!

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.

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!

The PSEA Local Leader Tool is a system available to every EA and ESP local officer in the region/division. On Thursday, January 9th at 5pm we are hosting a training in our office which will include:

• Functions of Leader Tools
• How to update member information/status
• Using the email utility to send messages to members

Please bring a laptop to the presentation so that we can help you access the resources available to you and your local. Dinner will be provided.

To register: psea.org/Events/Cart/Index/1688

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.

PSEA will be holding a one-hour UniServ Information Session in Philadelphia at the House of Delegates on Friday, December 13, 2024 at 3:30 pm in Salon 10. This session will provide the opportunity to learn more about the nature and demands of this position and how PSEA’s UniServ Selection Process works and is intended for individuals considering a career as a UniServ Representative. 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 no later than Wednesday, December 11, 2024.

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

Join guest artist Jane Ramsey at the Michener Museum in using mixed media techniques to transform industrial subjects into colorful and vibrant artworks. Enjoy a private tour of the special exhibition Charlotte Schatz: Industrial Strength and practice suggested classroom applications in the Museum studio. Teachers of all content areas welcome. Dinner provided! To register: Educator Workshop Registration

If retirement is on your horizon, our pre-retirement workshops are a must! 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 ALL sessions is now open!

December 9 – virtual

January 7 – in-person

February 6 – virtual

March 11 – in-person

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. For more information, please view this document. The winner from our regional bee will move on to the national bee in Washington, DC!

CAPS wants to thank YOU for your work in our public schools! Provide your information here by 8am on Monday, December 9 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.

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

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.

Our region calendar for the 2024-2025 school year is available now - take a look for details on region, state, and national Association events!

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.