| Vol. 36 | January 2007 | No. 3 |
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RALLY DRAWS 25,000 TO TRENTON ... UCEA IS WELL REPRESENTED! On December 11, 2006, Union County Education Association sent two full buses to Trenton for the 'Back Off' Rally. Union Township EA and Elizabeth EA sent buses, too. Many others from around the county applied for their personal days , got in their cars, and joined other public employees to express our dissatisfaction with the attempt of the New Jersey Legislature to solve the state's fiscal problems by attacking the quality of life of those that serve the public. NJEA leaders were joined by leaders from the organizations that represent fire fighters, police officers, NJ Turnpike workers, state workers, and others to address the rally attendees and our legislators. The rally was reported to be 25,000 strong. As a person in the middle of that throng, I can say that the group was energized and ready to do whatever will be necessary in the coming months to protect our pensions, benefits, and post-retirement benefits. But, remember we need all of our members to remain strong and unified in order to express our strength to the New Jersey Legislature. After all, this is a legislative election year. It is only through our informed involvement that we can make a difference in this state, and continue to influence our legislators. Although everyone cannot attend a rally, there are many other ways to let the politicians know that we are not going to turn our collective back on these issues that effect our quality of life in this state. CONTACT YOUR LEGISLATORS! Call them. Write them. E-mail them. Let them know that you know what is happening, and you are aware of their voting records. We can make a difference, but we cannot be silent, and we have to show up at the polls on election day! |
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READ ACROSS AMERICA - MARCH 2, 2007
REQUEST YOUR FREE RESOURCE KIT AT WWW.NEA.ORG/READACROSS The UCEA has arranged to partner with Barnes & Noble in Clark and Springfield to conduct reading activities at the stores on the evening of March 2nd from 4:30 PM until 7:30 PM. We need volunteers to serve as readers and to wear costumes. If you can give some time, please call the UCEA office, or e-mail us at ucea@comcast.net, and leave your name, e-mail address, and phone number and the store in which you would like to work. |
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Teacher of the Year Selection Process By April 1 each district Superintendents must submit the district nominee to the County Superintendent's office. The winning application for County Teacher of the Year is submitted to the state by May 1. The winning teachers will receive notification of their selection from the Office of Innovative Programs and Schools. They will also receive the criteria for state selection and timeline. The program requirements call for the submission of a video of a class lesson. The state selection committee will review all the videos over the summer and announce the winner at the October State Board Meeting. If you feel that a teacher at your school should be the Teacher of the Year, contact your district Superintendent for additional information concerning the nomination process. |
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UCEA Sponsors Municipal Alliance Volunteers of the Year Dinner On December 5, 2006, UCEA, as part of our Pride in Public Education Program sponsored a dinner to recognize the municipal alliance volunteers of the year. Awards were presented to the following volunteers for their work with individual municipal alliances: Anne Marie Francis - Cranford; Corinne Moore - Mountainside; Dennis Carovillano, Investigator - New Providence; Joseph Samuel Wynn, Jr. - Plainfield; Thomas Nugent Sargent - Roselle; Dr. Richard Sharret - Scotch Plains/Fanwood; Angelo Bonavitacola - Springfield. In March 1989, legislation created the Governor's Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse (GCADA), and the Municipal Alliance to Prevent Alcohol and Drug Abuse (MAPSA). Funding for the GCADA and the Municipal Alliances is provided by Drug Enforcement Demand Reduction (DEDR) fines. These fines are collected from persons convicted of drug and alcohol related offenses, utilized to place prevention programs back into the communities at the grass roots level. Union County has established 19 municipal alliances, representing 20 municipalities. Due to the diversity among these municipalities, the community-based alliance approach offers each municipality the opportunity to implement the drug, alcohol, and tobacco prevention program that will best meet the needs of the local population. Each municipality in Union County is eligible to receive funding to implement prevention programs in their community. These municipalities identify and prioritize the drug and alcohol prevention needs for their community into a Needs Assessment. These assessments are then approved by the County Alliance Steering Sub-committee (CASS) and endorsed by the Local Advisory Committee on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse (LACADA), and are funded by GCADA through DEDR funds and sub-contracted to each Municipal Alliance. The sub-contract contains various "prevention activities" which are to be implemented and conducted with the communities' school district, community centers, police departments, senior centers, etc. Some of the better known programs are: D.A.R.E., Project Graduation, TIGS, Red Ribbon Program, High School & Middle School Peer Leadership Programs, Keys to Innervisions, Parenting, Senior and Youth Alternative Activity Programs, 5K Family Run/Walk, and many, many more. |
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Michael Cohan - New NJEA Director; Ann-Margaret Shannon named to Executive Committee Union County is pleased to announce that our own Michael Cohan has moved on to a position with NJEA as Director of Professional Development. Michael worked in the Union School District for many years. His new position with NJEA will give him an opportunity to affect change throughout New Jersey. We wish him a lot of luck! As a result of Michael's move to NJEA, his position on Executive Committee was vacant. Ann-Margaret Shannon was named to replace Michael. We wish her much luck in her new position! |
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NJEA Legislative & Political Action Conference NJEA members played an important role in this year's Congressional races in New Jersey. Let's continue to show our presence at this year's Political Action Conference. You will have a chance to address legislators in break out sessions so, register to meet some of our state representatives and hear the latest about NJEA's proactive legislative agenda at this year's Legislative & Political Action Conference on Saturday February 24, 2007 at the Crowne Plaza in Cherry Hill. The cost is $42 and includes continental breakfast and lunch. The registration deadline is February 9th. Check with your local presidents. Most local associations will help fund members to attend. |
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The UCEA will host a Legislative Reception on Wednesday, March 21, 2007 at the Westwood in Garwood, N.J. The event will run from 4:30PM until 7:30PM. All Union County Legislators have been invited to share their ideas and positions on issues relevant to our membership. NJEA and NEA leaders will also be available at this event to present the current state and national positions on our hot topics. The cost of this event is $25.00 per person. Contact your local president or the UCEA Office for tickets.
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FEBRUARY IS BLACK HISTORY MONTH... February and March have been designated as special months in the calendar year to highlight the achievements that Blacks and Women have made in our world. Here are just a few NEA recommended web resources. For additional resources, go to nea.org and search for additional resources and lesson plans.
Thomson-Gale Free Resources This site offers a brief history of Women's History Month, biographies of significant women throughout time, a quiz based on women and their achievements, a time line of significant events in women's history, a downloadable calendar, and some activities to celebrate women's history. http://www.gale.com/free_resources/whm/index.htm Topical Resources - National Women's History Museum This site's educational resources include a self-guided tour of the museum, biographies of famous women, lesson plans, quizzes and quotes, and women's history events by state. http://www.nmwh.org/ Famous African Americans ABC Book Grades K-12 create an ABC book of famous African Americans in history. http://www.nea.org/lessons/tt060130.html Other Online Resources The Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture The Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture is a national research library devoted to collecting, preserving, and providing access to resources documenting the experiences of peoples of African descent throughout the world. http://www.ny.com/museums/schomburg.center.for.research.in.black.culture.html
African American World (PBS)
Explore the history and culture of African Americans and browse through educational resources, including lesson plans for grades 3-12.
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St. Patick's Day Parade Marchers Wanted Union County Education Association will once again be marching in the Union County St. Patrick's Day Parade on Saturday, March 10, 2007. The goal is to have a strong UCEA representation and to support our message of "Pass The School Budgets!" You can sign up by calling the UCEA office or getting a group together and speak to your local president. We will be handing out PRIDE items on the parade route. If you are available to participate, please call or e-mail the office. It would be great if we had groups from each district representing all of Union County. We need you to come stroll with us! | ||||||||
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Running unopposed, our officers have been re-elected for the 2007-09 term. Union County thanks our UCEA officer team for their willingness and enthusiasm to continue to serve our county! | ||||||||
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Nominations for NJEA/NEA Positions A Nominating Committee meeting will be held on Tuesday, February 13, 2007 at the UCEA Office at 4:00 PM. Nominations will be made for the positions of NJEA Delegate Assembly, and NJEA Delegate Assembly Alternate. There are four (4) two- year term openings, and one (1) one-year term opening for NJEA Delegate Assembly. In addition, there are seven (7) openings for Delegate Assembly Alternate. There are six (6) two-year terms. All NJEA members in Union County are eligible to run. However, with the exception of Elizabeth,which may have two delegates, only one member from a local association may serve at a time. Currently, there is one member from Elizabeth and Hillisde on the Delegate Assembly whose terms do not expire until 2008. Therefore, no one from Hillside can run for the NJEA Delegate Assembly this year. The NJEA Delegate Assembly is the policy-making body of NJEA. Union County is entitled to 8 delegates and 7 alternates. Each term is for two years. If you want to run for any of the positions, submit your name to the UCEA Nominating Committee on the form on this page by 4:00 PM on February 13, 2007 or make sure someone presents your name for nomination at the meeting. Submission of this form is not a requirement. However, if you are not nominated at the meeting on February 13th, you will have to run by petition. NEA Representative Assembly: If you desire to become a state delegate (one year term) to the NEA Convention (Representative Assembly) to be held in July in Philadelphia,PA you may nominate yourself. You must apply directly to the NJEA Elections Committee on their official form. The form can be obtained directly from NJEA headquarters, NJEA website, or by calling Rosemary Reilly at the UCEA office (732) 574-0033. You may also run as a local delegate. Contact your local president for details or call the UCEA Office. Partial funding from the UCEA and NJEA is available for local delegates. Members from Garwood, Westfield Secretaries, Westfield Support and Winfield can increase their representation at the NEA-RA by clustering together and electing delegates. For every 150 NEA members, Union County can send an additional delegate. If you are interested in running as a cluster delegate, fill out the nomination form. The UCEA will take care of all the arrangements for your special election.
MAIL TO: UCEA Elections Committee
NJEA Offices: I am interested in being a candidate for the following position(s) in the 2007 election:
All forms must be received before 4:00 pm, Feb. 13, 2007
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We urge all local associations to organize reading activities on March 2nd. Becoming involved with your local communities' police, firefighters, chambers of commerce, PTA's, Board of Education members and others can only have beneficial effects. The days of solely working in the classroom and expecting public support are over. Inviting people into the schools, linking up with community groups, and developing relationships with them can pay great dividends for you and members of your local association.
Black History Month:
Unsung Heroes of African-American History
Find two lesson ideas and dozens of online (and on air!) curriculum resources.
Women's History Month:
National Women's History Project
On this Web site you'll find official information, a downloadable poster, and other resources about National Women's History Month celebration. See the 2006 nominees for women in history — women creating community and sustaining dreams in countless ways and in myriad venues. See "The Learning Place" section for useful resources for teachers, students, and parents.