Greetings NEA-Jurupa family,
Happy February (and Friday)!!! I hope your week has gone well! To those who celebrate, Happy Lunar New Year! Gong Xi Fa Cai!
Thank you again to all of you for your continued compassion, empathy, grace, kindness, patience, and understanding as we’ve navigated this past month (and almost two years).
February is Black History Month! Here are some resources for those who are interested.
Updates:
Masks: Each site should have received a supply of both N95 (hard) and KN95 (soft) masks. Please reach out to your site admin for more information. Masks are required in all public spaces until at least February 15th.
Negotiations: Both the Association’s and District’s Initial Proposals will “sunshine” at the February 7th and February 22nd school board meetings. Once approved by the board, official negotiations can begin. In the meantime, the Bargaining Team will continue to go through the surveys and begin the process of crafting proposed contract language. Both initial proposals are attached for your reference.
NEA-Jurupa’s Negotiations Team:
David O’Rafferty, Chair- JMS
Diana Castelo- SSE
Amber Geldien- RHS
Kelly McArdle- JVHS
Daniel Schaefer- DSA
Jessica Schmidt- DSA
State Budget: The Governor’s budget proposal was by far the most we’ve ever seen for Public Education. It included a proposed 5.33% COLA, ongoing funds for Child Nutrition, Expanded Learning, and Special Education, as well as lots of one-time monies for programs such as: additional Expanded Learning Opportunities, Community Schools, Early Learning (including TK expansion), Facilities, and Transportation.
There will be lots of conversations/negotiations in the legislature prior to the May Revise and the finalized budget in June. We normally find that the final budget is better than the proposed one!
Important Dates:
- February 7th: JUSD School Board Meeting at 6 p.m. at the Ed Center. Agenda and Meeting Link can be found here. The 2022 School Board Meeting Calendar has been attached for your reference.
- February 9th: Representative Council at 3:45 via Zoom. The Tentative Agenda is attached. Please reach out to your site reps, area directors, or me if you have questions or concerns.
- February 13th: SUPER BOWL LVI!!! Let’s Go RAMS!!!
- February 14th: No School- Lincoln’s Day Observance and Valentine’s Day!
- February 21st: No School- President’s Day
- February 22nd: JUSD School Board Meeting
- March 21st-25th: SPRING BREAK!!!
I hope you find time this weekend to relax and rejuvenate, and to unplug and unwind. Best to all of you and your loved ones. 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: president@neaj.org
Website: www.neaj.org
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Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
“If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together“- African Proverb
CTA Mission Statement: * The California Teachers Association exists to protect and promote the well-being of its members; to improve the conditions of teaching and learning; to advance the cause of free, universal, and quality public education; to ensure that the human dignity and civil rights of all children and youth are protected; and to secure a more just, equitable, and democratic society.*