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Mideastern Region PSEA
June 2024 Newsletter
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!
Learn-Engage-Lead
Our region Learn-Engage-Lead program is back! Designed for members looking to gain knowledge of our organization and strengthen their leadership skills, this cohort will meet several times next school year. This program is a great fit for those looking to get more involved and/or take on a greater leadership or advocacy role in your local. If you are interested in this great opportunity, please reach out to PSEA UniServ Dustin Mott (dmott@psea.org) by Monday, June 3rd.
Join Us for Advocacy Day in Harrisburg!
Advocacy Day in Harrisburg for our region is on Tuesday, June 25!
Here's the scoop:
Drive to Harrisburg the evening before (or on the day of - PSEA will pay your room and mileage in accordance with fiscal policy)
Meet at PSEA headquarters in the morning to learn the issues of the day
Head directly across the street to meet with your PA House Representative or Senator (the appointments are made for you). You likely will not be meeting alone - there will be other people from the region there who have the same elected officials.
Head back over to PSEA headquarters to tell us how it went.
Go home - and maintain a relationship with your elected officials!
Yes, if you are attending from our region you must attend on June 25 and not the other days - the feedback that we have from legislators is that they do not want to have four meetings about the same thing, which we can appreciate. Click here to register!
Volunteer at the NEA Representative Assembly
Professional Book Study: The Anxious Generation
Jonathan Haidt’s newest book, The Anxious Generation, throws a spotlight on the alarming rise of anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues among today’s youth. It delves beyond mere observation, offering a compelling analysis that lays the blame at the feet of a societal shift — the “Great Rewiring of Childhood.” The book outlines the belief that the challenges confronting our children, schools and our families are solvable. However, addressing these challenges requires understanding the traps we have fallen into, so we can see the escape routes. The main escape routes are four new norms that become much easier if we can coordinate and act together. The book and the website (anxiousgeneration.com) are designed to facilitate discussion among friends, family, book clubs, and communities, in order to change these norms and reclaim human life for all generations.
This event is being held at our office in Montgomeryville on Monday, July 8th from 9-11am. Hot breakfast will be provided.
Instructor: Christie Besack, Central Bucks EA
Act 48 Hours: 12.5 Total; 10.5 for reading the book and an additional 2 for attending the workshop. Members must attend the workshop in order to receive Act 48 credit. Support staff members: chapter 14 pre-approval should be coordinated with your school entity.
Click here to register! This workshop is limited to a total of 50 members.
Professional Book Study: Making Americans
Let's jump back into the history of our nation's education system to explore how schools and educators have shaped the experience of non-English speaking students in the United States. Participants can pick up a free copy of Making Americans by Jessica Lander prior to the end of the school year. Educators will read/annotate the book prior to the in-person workshop. We will meet for two hours to process the key takeaways and consider how this relates to our modern-day classrooms!
Instructor: Denise Miller, Central Bucks EA
This event is being held at our office in Montgomeryville on Monday, July 8th from Noon-2pm. Lunch will be provided.
Act 48 Hours: 16 Total; 14 for reading the book and an additional 2 for attending the workshop. Members must attend the workshop in order to receive Act 48 credit. Support staff members: chapter 14 pre-approval should be coordinated with your school entity.
Click here to register! This workshop is limited to a total of 50 members.
Calling all NEA-RA Delegates and Mideastern Region/Division Host Committee Members
If you are serving as a delegate or helping out on the host committee, we have a backpack of supplies and non-perishable snacks for you! Please check your email for additional details regarding the pickup window for these items.
Retiree Yard Signs and Social Media
Do you know a PSEA Mideastern EA Region or ESP Division member who will retire this school year? If so, we’d love to recognize their years of service and honor them on our CAPS social media accounts. Simply fill out the form here and we will do the rest!
We also have yard signs available at the region office. To obtain one for a retiring colleague or many for your local, please send me an email: bsenavaitis@psea.org
SOS Update
The Solidarity Organizing Squad (SOS) thanks all the members who have volunteered to collect temperature data in their learning spaces. To date, volunteers from 24 different locals have submitted over 1100 data points from 96 different buildings. What an impressive data set to be building as we head into the warmest days of the school year! Please continue to submit data through your last day of work. Local leaders and volunteers will receive summary data once it is analyzed over the summer.
You can learn more about the importance of safe learning environments on the CAPS website. Also, PDE and the Department of Community and Economic Development have grant money available for School Districts to offset some of the costs of updating HVAC systems and addressing environmental hazards. Application deadlines are rapidly approaching, so be sure to remind your district administrators to take advantage of these opportunities right away!
CTE Corner
As teachers and students across the state prepare for a relaxing summer vacation, the world of CTE is buzzing with activity. They are busy arranging employment opportunities for summer work, establishing contact with a variety of stakeholders like OAC, industry partners and the like. CTE teachers are engaged in the research of new and trending ideas, concepts and attainment of equipment so that the next school year provides incoming students with relevant, current and challenging experiences in the world of work. CTE; the world of work keeps working!
PSEA Summer Leadership Conference
Registration for the PSEA Summer Leadership Conference at Gettysburg College is now open! It begins on the evening of Sunday, July 21 and wraps up on the afternoon of Thursday, July 25. Choose from the following schools for your participation in the event:
- Organizing/Communications
- Government Relations
- Grievance
- Leadership
- Negotiations
- Building Strong Locals
- ESP Core School
- New and Early Career Educators
- Higher Education
Scholarships and funding may be available via your local or our region. For additional information on the conference and to register, please visit www.psea.org/gettysburg
All In: Creating Responsive Multi-Tiered Systems of Support
June 17 & 18; 9:00-3:00 (virtual)
For schedules, session descriptions, Act 48 credit, and contact information: https://tinyurl.com/mciumtss24brochure
Anyone can attend for all or part of the conference! Participants will have access to keynotes and all sessions until December 31, 2024. To register: https://learn.mciu.org/mtss24/
PSEA Center for Professional Learning
There are tons of opportunities available this summer 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've had an amazing 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!
PSEA Member Benefits Helps You Shop for Insurance
Dust off those insurance policies! Liz works hard to find you the best insurance coverage, for a price that meets your needs. Check out your PSEA Member Benefit savings by safely sharing your current insurance coverage with Liz here. Or, give her a call directly on her mobile phone: 267-278-1432. You won’t regret it!
Who Are Your Beneficiaries?
Nominating and Updating Beneficiaries
Have the circumstances of your life changed recently? Or maybe in the 20+ years since you first completed PSERS paperwork? Take a few minutes to make sure that your PSERS and life insurance beneficiaries are up to date.
It’s a best practice to update your beneficiaries when:
- You or your beneficiary divorces or marries
- One of your beneficiaries passes away
- One of your beneficiaries has a name or address change
- You have a child or adopt a child
- A minor beneficiary reaches age 18
Additional information from PSERS: https://www.psers.pa.gov/Active-Members/Pages/ChangingBeneficiaries.aspx
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!
How Can I Transfer My Old VHS Tapes?
The Bucks IU W.O.W. (We're Outstanding Workers) Program can convert your older media to DVDs or thumb drives!
Students participating in this Bucks IU Life Skills Transition Program receive job training by providing various services throughout the school year. All services are provided under supervision as part of the student being able to learn and practice employment skills they can use in the future.
Save your memories and get your old photos and materials transferred to DVD or thumb drive!
- Photographs or slides - $10 per 100
- Documents - $10 per 100 1-sided pages
- VHS, 8mm film, mini tapes - $5 per tape/film
To order, please email the program at WOW@bucksIU.org or call 215.529.2601. All orders will be available for drop off/pick up at the Bucks IU Perkasie Square, near Landis Market (529 Constitution Ave, Perkasie, PA).
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
Jen Dan LoStracco, Secretary, Bucks County IU 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.