Vol. 35

April, 2006

No. 4

Annual UCEA Legislative Dinner is a Success! On March 16th, UCEA hosted it's annual Legislative Dinner at the Westwood in Garwood. More than 220 educational employees from Union County attended the dinner to hear from NJEA executives and our State Legislators. Our President, Herb Levitt, stressed the importance of continuing our attention on the voting habits of those who represent us in the State House in Trenton. Legislators in attendance included: Representative Michael Ferguson and Assemblypersons Jon Bramnick, Joe Cryan, Jerry Green, Dr. Eric Munoz, and Linda Stender. The issues of our Pension and post-retirement Benefits were mentioned by all of our legislators. They reported on the impact of NJEA's mobilization efforts concerning these issues. The post cards, phone calls, and e-mails from our members have been reaching our legislators, and they are responding. This is an example of democracy in action. Finally, we also heard from Wendell Steinhauer our NJEA Secretary-Treasurer.

Read Across America On March 2, 2006, UCEA again sponsored an exciting Read Across America celebration coordinated by Colette Bapst. This year we were able to have programs at The Barnes & Noble stores in Clark and Springfield. Although the weather worked against us with an onslaught of ice and snow, our readers and listeners were not deterred. UCEA provided each child with a goodie bag and purchased $800.00 worth of books that were raffled off at both stores. There also were activity sheets and refreshments. The children and the volunteers had a wonderful time!

Candidates for NEA Representative Assembly, NEA-RA Monority Concerns, and NJEA Delegate Assembly Michael Cohan - Union Experienced, Committed, Articulate NEA RA, 22 yrs., NEA Board of Directors, Resolutions and Professional Standards/ Practice Committees, NEA Member Benefits Board, NJEA Executive Committee and D.A., NJ Professional Teaching Standards Board. I know the issues and will continue to advocate for NJ educators. Catherine Francis - Hillside Dedicated, Experienced, Dependable Experience: Hillside EA Rep, Publicity Chairperson, Negotiations Chairperson, Vice President, and President. UCEA Representative, NJEA DA Rep., NEA RA Rep. Jacinta Kay Scotch Plains- Fanwood Responsible, Dedicated, Enthusiastic I've been an ESL teacher and active member of my association for 15 years. I'm on the NJEA's Constitution Review and Certification, Evaluation and Tenure Committees. I'm also a member of the Union County Professional Development Board and participated in the development of the NJ English Language Proficiency Standards. Gudalupe Ferreiro - Elizabeth Trustworthy, Insightful, Determined During my 15 years experience as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, I have advocated bringing legislation and critical issues for meeting students needs in today's challenging environment. It is my goal to empower student to identify and achieve their optimal academic and social/ emotional growth. Thank you for your support. G.Terry Franklin - Hillside Dependable, Action Taker, Concerned I have been elected before by my peers to represent them at the NEA-RA in prior years and I pledge if elected to represent my peers again in Orlando and to keep them informed of major issues discussed at the convention that will greatly impact my local membership. Minnie Mozee - Elizabeth Experienced, Knowledgeable, Trustworthy A member of EEA, UCEA, NJEA, and NEA for 25 plus years! Presently, Executive Board, Public Relations, Elections, Scholarship. I am aware of the issues we are facing concerning No Child Left Behind. I am an advocate for member's rights. I'm asking for your continued support. Lee Flanagan - Plainfield Organized, Advocate, Dedicated Experience: PEA Executive Committee, PEA Negotiations Committee, PEA Health and Safety Committee, State PERS Board Member, NJEA ESP Committee Chairperson, attended ten NEA RA's. Frank Furino - Union Co. Vo-Tech Enthusiastic, Motivated, Dependable Experience: Vice President UCVTEA, President Vocational Cosmetology Educators of NJEA, UCEA LAT, UCVTEA Negotiations, Grievances and Legislation Committees, NJ State Board Examiner for Cosmetology Rosemary Reilly - Cranford Concerned, Committed, Conscientious This will be my 7th RA. They are always informative. NJEA Election Committee - 10 years, UCEA Rep - 17 years, NJEA Environmental Ed. Committee - 5 years, LAT - 5 years, local rep - 20 years. Thanks for your consideration.

TPAF Elections to be Held The annual meeting of the Union County Members of the Teachers' Pension and Annuity Fund, for the purpose of electing delegates to the State TPAF Convention, will be held on Tuesday, May 16, 2006 at the UCEA Office, 77 Central Avenue, Clark, NJ 07066. Delegates and alternates will be elected. The meeting will be held on Saturday, October 14th, 2006 at 10 am in the Masonic Temple, Trenton, NJ.

Union County Professional Development Board Vacancies Two vacancies exist on the Board at this time. We are seeking nominations for the positions. The Union County Professional Development Board is composed of fifteen members, seven teachers (nominated by UCEA), two college representatives, two district administrators, two school board members, and two members of the general public. The Board has the delegated authority of the Commissioner of Education to: Review and approve the inservice professional development programs of local school districts under the standards established.Initiate and direct district self-evaluation programs so that there is a constant dialogue between and among all those with a stake in the professional development of and/or inservice for teachers.If you are interested in being nominated, please contact the UCEA Office. An application form will be sent to you. UNION COUNTY EDUCATION ASSOCIATION 77 Central Avenue, Suite 201 Clark, N.J. 07066 Phone (732) 574-0033 ucea@comcast.net

Good Work, Pilar Fiano The Union County Commission on the Status of Women is celebrating the event entitled "Women of Excellence" at their 14th annual dinner. This event is held in honor of women who have made significant contributions in their chosen occupations and/or in their communities. This year Pilar Fiano of Elizabeth is being lauded for her service in the area of Education. She has a long history of tireless contributions to the students, parents, faculty, and staff of the schools in Elizabeth.

Summit Middle School Renamed in Honor of Lawton C. Johnson An unprecendented half century of service deserves nothing less than an unprecendented tribute, and that is exactly what Summit Middle School office manager Lawton C. Johnson received when the Board of Education elected to change the name of the school to the Lawton C. Johnson Summit Middle School.

Unclaimed Pension Funds The UCEA continues to provide service even after you may leave the education field. Following the annual Teacher’s Pension and Annuity Funds meeting, we received a listing of all pension accounts that have been inactive for the fiscal year July 1, 2004 to June 30, 2005. For your information, any pension account with assets that remains inactive for a two year period is turned over to the N.J. State Treasury. Prior to the end of the two year period you must contact the division of pensions and decide on the final fate of your account assets. If you have started teaching in another state you may be able to apply your NJ credit to their plan. At the very least you should request a refund of your contributions. At the UCEA office we have sent letters to the last known address of the owners of the unclaimed accounts informing the owners of their rights. If you know anyone on the list below, please mention this article to them, and urge them to call our office. We would like to offer some final service. Shahida Anwar - Elizabeth Donna Lee - Plainfield Rebekah Serra - Roselle Cindy Carracino - Elizabeth Sharon McRae - Plainfield Nancy Ortiz - Westlake Paul Carroll - Elizabeth Tracy Pawlowski - Plainfield Leeann Ryden - Westlake Diana Castano - Elizabeth Ethel Ross- Plainfield Melissa Bauer - Scotch Pls/ Fanwood Janice Cerdeira - Elizabeth Tamesha Sumpter - Plainfield AnnMarie Rizzo -Scotch Pls/ Fanwood Leigh Doninger -Elizabeth Joseph Trapani - Plainfield Christine Welsh -Scotch Pls/ Fanwood Precious Duho - Elizabeth Brigitte Weigel - Plainfield Amy Callahan - Springfield Lovie Fenner - Elizabeth Paul Wusow - Plainfield Alana Fichtelberg - Springfield Ari Fishtin - Elizabeth Kevin Thier - Clark Douglas Keiles - Springfield Jennifer Moran - Elizabeth Mindi Isaacson - Cranford Denise Murray - Springfiled Shani Robbins - Elizabeth Colleen Feeley - Garwood Jill Abel - Summit Justin Ross- Elizabeth Theresa Miles - Hillside Betty Landi - Summit Kerri Rubenstein - Elizabeth Nancy Antonelli - Linden Phyllis Lupini - Summit Flor Utria - Elizabeth Ellen Dalton - Linden Catherine Roberts - Summit Sherl Wilsher - Elizabeth Christine Dansereau - Linden Teresa Shapiro - Summit Lorraine Forzani - Calla Charter Michelle Kilbashian - Linden Alfredo Agsalud - Union Township Patrice Ryan - Calla Charter George Lepsky - Linden Sara Fischer - Union Townhip Sara Bednar - Plainfield Constance Perkins - Linden Casi Healey - Union Township Rebecca Bick - Plainfield Lisa Ware - Linden Alexa Root - Union Township Jennifer Condit-Rojas - Plainfield Lindsay Zoccolante - Linden Nicole Carfano - Westfield Mary Ferraez - Plainfield Aida Dunne -Berkeley Hghts Jennifer Develde - Westfield Sheldon Harris - Plainfield Denise Karp - Berkeley Hghts Marcia Dinorscio - Westfield Renee Kingsberg - Plainfield Noelle Laurita - Berkeley Hts Dorea Ferris - Westfield Arlene Krieger - Plainfield Andrea Vako - Rahway Shannon Hockswender - Westfield