Good morning NEA-Jurupa Family,
One week to go until a much needed three weeks off! I hope that you had a restful weekend and were able to find some time to unplug and unwind. To say that 2020 has been chaotic and crazy in an understatement. Somehow, despite the continued change and uncertainty, you have shown incredible compassion, empathy, grace, kindness, patience, and understanding. Thank you for all that you continue to do on behalf of your colleagues and students.
To our members celebrating Hanukkah, Chag Semeach!
Please know that your Association leadership is listening to the myriad of concerns and questions that you have and that we are in daily contact with the district. Ours and every district around the state/nation are grappling with how to address the myriad of needs of our staff and students. We approach each and every situation with an open mind, trying to find creative and “outside the box” solutions while understanding the complexities of the academic, mental, and social emotional issues that we are facing. The opinions and suggestions of our 950+ certificated staff are as diverse as those of our 18000+ students and their families. The anxiety and stress that we are all dealing with has taken its toll. When we return in 2021, hopefully we will be seeing the light at the end of the tunnel and can begin the process of returning to whatever our new normal will be.
For your reference, I have attached above notes and informational pieces from last week’s Rep Council meeting. Here are some of the links shared:
CTA Petition to call for Waiver of State Assessments (please sign and share widely)
Brainfuse HelpNow (online/after-hours tutoring for students)
Additional articles I’ve come across that might be of interest to you:
Dr. Cleavon gives words of advice for teachers about COVID-19
The 10 Most Significant Education Studies of 2020
Here are the links for tonight’s school board meeting:
Annual Organizational Meeting/Regular Board Meeting
Open Public Session – 6:00 p.m/ Open Public Session – 6:10 p.m.
Join Meeting: https://youtu.be/RDAyS6pRnIE (Organizational Meeting)
Join Meeting: https://youtu.be/RDAyS6pRnIE (Regular Meeting)
PUBLIC COMMENT INSTRUCTIONS
Public comments will be accepted online, the link will open one hour prior to the start of Closed Session (4 p p.m.), the comments link will close at the beginning of the public verbal comments period. A staff member will facilitate the reading of public comment submissions, consistent with the direction of the Board during “Public Comments.”
Public Comment Submission Form (English): https://forms.gle/rpwS56BQe1WCsNHX9
Oprima aquí para enviar (español): https://forms.gle/rpwS56BQe1WCsNHX9
Key Agenda Items that you may be interested in:
- Waiver of Local Requirements for Specific Seniors Impacted by COVID-19
- Adopt Resolution No. 2021/17 Resolution of the Board of Education of Jurupa Unified School District Authorizing the District to enter into an agreement with Public Agency Retirement Services (PARS) to design and administer a Supplementary Retirement Plan (SRP) for eligible Certificated Non-Management and Certificated Management Employees provided there is sufficient employee participation.
I’ve been observing the impact that the pandemic has had on the education of my son and my niece and nephew. Needless to say, they were devasted by the closure of schools in March and by the initial announcement of Distance Learning for the fall. But I have seem that turn into something else: resiliency. Although the academic portion of their current realities has not be “ideal” according to what we’re told they’re supposed to know, I have seen an increase in their creativity, independence, and responsibility. I’ve seen them thrive in other ways and learn some very important life skills. They’ve adjusted and in the long run, they’ll be OK. Maybe even better… Just some food for thought…
Wishing you all a great week. Best to you and your loved ones and please continue to stay safe and well!
In Unity-
Wendy Eccles 🙂
NEA-Jurupa President
Office Phone: 951-681-7997, Google Voice: 951-643-4076
Non-district email: [email protected]
Website: www.neaj.org
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“If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together“- African Proverb