Greetings NEA-Jurupa family,
I hope you had a restful weekend and that your week is off to a good start! My apologies in advance for the long email… Again, thank you all so much for your continued compassion, empathy, grace, kindness, patience, and understanding. It’s crazy to think that we are just about at the two year mark of the pandemic. But it looks like the sun is starting to shine again. Especially with Spring Break less than two weeks away…
The Association continues to work collaboratively and diligently to address concerns with the District and to come up with resolutions to the issues brought forward. We are so grateful to Dr. Hansen for taking the time to listen to the concerns regarding workload (this was after many years of pushing back against the constant additions) and are pleased with the announcement he made last week.
The Tentative Agenda for Wednesday’s Rep Council meeting is attached. If you have specific concerns, please let your site reps, area director, or me know so that we can address these with the District as necessary. We have a standing meeting on Wednesdays before Rep Council.
On Behalf of the NEA-Jurupa Equity Committee:
Black History Month Nominees
NEA-Jurupa’s Equity Committee is proud to present the nominations submitted for Black History Month. Congratulations to everyone that was nominated!!! In addition, we’d like to thank everyone for your submissions. Your time and thoughtful responses are greatly appreciated. Please take the time to view the slides for the nominees here.
Women’s History Month
The month of March is Women’s History Month, and Tuesday, March 8th is International Women’s Day. In celebration of Women’s History Month, we would like to honor the many AMAZING women teachers, staff members, district personnel, and board members within JUSD. Please consider completing this Women’s History Month Nomination Form to nominate someone you feel the NEA-Jurupa Equity Committee should recognize. The deadline to submit nominations is Friday, March 11th.
In addition, you will find resources to share with your class about Women’s History Month here.
On Behalf of the NEA-Jurupa Organizing Committee:
Our NEA-Jurupa Bargaining Team has begun its bargaining run. They will be in bargaining sessions with JUSD on Tuesday, March 8, and Thursday, March 17. We are asking that you wear red in solidarity and support for our team. Please send pictures of your site staff wearing red so we can post these on our NEA-Jurupa website. The team members’ names are below if anyone would like to send words of encouragement.
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
Updates:
Masking Guidance: An email was sent out from Daniel Brooks last week regarding new state guidelines. Here is the information for your reference:
“Governor Newsom today announced beginning Monday, March 14, students and staff will not be required to wear masks at school, but may do so voluntarily. You can read the Governor’s announcement here. The revised guidance applies to all individuals, regardless of vaccination status. Please note that masks will continue to be required at school through Friday, March 11 and local public health departments can decide if stricter guidelines are necessary. As a reminder, students and staff should stay home if ill. Thank you, as always, for your support.”
The change is only applicable to masking. There have been no changes to the weekly testing or proof of vaccination requirements at this time.
CTA Grant and Scholarship Opportunities:
Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta Awards Program deadline is March 18th.
CTA IFT (Institute for Teaching) Grant submission date is March 31st.
LGBTQ+ Safety in Schools Grant and Scholarship Program application deadline is May 31st.
CTA Human Rights Cadre Program:
To learn more about becoming a trainer, there is an informational session tomorrow from 4-5 p.m. You can register here. Click here for more information on the program and how to apply to be a trainer.
From California Casualty Insurance:
Our local California Casualty Field Marketing Manager, Charlene Rowens, is providing NEA-Jurupa an easy way for members to check her auto insurance rates and receive a $25 gift card via email simply for receiving the auto insurance rate quote. It takes 1 minute to scan and enter now. The quote will come later and will take an additional 10 minutes. Scan the code in attachment or click Charlene’s Personal Website. Thank you!
Jurupa Mountains Discovery Center has gone through some major improvements. Please click on the link for information about the available opportunities and programs. Additionally, they’re having a dinosaur design contest for the refurbished Triceratops! Information can be found on the link. I’ve also attached contest guidelines for those of you who may want to provide this to your students, your family, or do this yourself!
Important Dates:
March 9th: NEA-Jurupa Rep Council at 3:45 via Zoom
March 14th: JUSD School Board Meeting at 6:00 p.m. @ the Ed Center
March 21st-25th: SPRING BREAK!!!
Phew… I think that’s it for now. I hope you all have 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: president@neaj.org
Website: www.neaj.org
Follow us on Facebook
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.*