Greetings NEA-Jurupa Family,
I hope this email finds you and your loved ones safe and well. As always, thank you for your grace, kind words, patience, and understanding as we continue to navigate through this crisis. It seems that as soon as we start to get a little settled into our new “normal”, more information comes out that creates additional anxiety and stress. This continues to create more questions than answers.
Yesterday, the Governor announced that schools could start as soon as late July (among other things). First of all, I want you to know that CTA/NEA and the District were just as shocked by his announcement as the rest of us were. I sent my thoughts to his office last night. CTA will be reaching out to him to discuss his statements from yesterday and will be outlining major concerns.
Second, unless there is some sort of Executive Order signed by the Governor, all things related to our work year, working conditions, salary, etc. must be negotiated between NEA-Jurupa and JUSD. At this time, the district has no intention of adjusting the Board approved 20-21 calendar unless directed to do so by the state. NEA-Jurupa, with the guidance of CTA, will continue to work tirelessly to advocate for the health, safety, and well-being of our staff and students as we discuss/negotiate any changes for next year. We have already began talking about the multitude of possibilities, but until the state provides further guidance/directives, we are still in a holding pattern.
In the meantime, we will continue to address your immediate concerns in a timely fashion. And remember you are doing more than enough!!! You continue to inspire me.
A couple of quick reminders:
• NEA-Jurupa Scholarship Applications are due by May 1st. We will be recognizing our Scholarship Recipients at our May 13th Representative Council meeting.
• If you haven’t already, please consider submitting a nomination for Rep of the Year. Your site representatives are extremely dedicated and work tirelessly on your behalves. We will be honoring them at our May 13th Representative Council meeting. Nominations are due by Monday, May 4th. Please send them to Stacey Goldberg at sgoldberg@neaj.org.
Again, I would like to leave you with some inspiration and humor today…
A message from CTA President E. Toby Boyd thanking our members for all that we are doing.
This article shares a fantastic perspective from a Superintendent for Education after the pandemic:
“Now is the time for our school leaders to generate a new compelling philosophy of education and an innovative architecture for a just and humane school system. We must refocus our energy on a foundation built on a sense of purpose, forging relationships and maximizing the potential and talents of all children. Let’s take advantage of the possibility that our nation’s attention can shift 180 degrees, from obsessing over test scores and accountability to an entirely different paradigm of physical, mental, and emotional well-being for students and staff.”
Thank you all for all that you do to support our members, students, and communities. You are truly appreciated.
Please take care of yourselves and your loved ones and stay well !!!
Best to you all,
Respectfully-
Wendy Eccles 🙂
NEA-Jurupa, President
Office Phone: 951-681-7997
Non-district email: president@neaj.org
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