ROCK THE VOTE!

Don't forget to vote here:  www.mymea.org/on-linevoting/

Saginaw PRIDE Pepsi Grant Opportunity- WE NEED YOU!

Calling all SEA members to action!  We need to vote to get to the top ten to receive $50,000 in grant money for PX2 implementation in our community.  This money will fund a transformation for Saginaw, with the opportunity for our teachers, students, and community to become transformed through positive thought and action.  

See below for a overview of the grant, and click on the link below to vote for this money to come to OUR COMMUNITY!  Many of our teachers and students went through this training over the past three days, and we can't wait to implement our positive goals and ideas here in Saginaw!  Get involved!  You want change, and we can make it happen. 

Goals

• Get Saginaw off of the FBI violent communities list by improving PRIDE
• Have a positive impact on internal beliefs and ability to dream
• Create a self sustaining culture of youth and adults in Saginaw
• Utilize proven success of materials to help create new reality
• Increase teen confidence and moral decision making

Overview

This project engages untapped potential of the youth and young adults in our community. By increasing P.R.I.D.E. in Saginaw youth and the adult systems we develop a safe, flourishing community, eliminating our FBI distinction as the most violent city per capita in America (since 2003). The Pacific Institute curriculum PX2 is proven successful in increasing hope worldwide and reducing violence dramatically in U.S. cities: Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and New York. L.A. reduced homicides in city parks by 87% their first summer. The project targets at risk youth while concurrently training adult support systems. We solve issues at the ROOT cause thereby increasing hope and curbing violence and crime. We are making Saginaw a "Sagin-awesome" community where people thrive, are safe & feel valued. Our community agencies, business, education and churches are energized and fully engaged in a partnership, committed to the success of this program.  Grant will fund training delivery.

How will the 50K be Used? $ 50,000 Will be used to fund high school aged youth and facilitator training
Budget Notes: Budget will not cover student or volunteer facilitator time, student transportation

Saginaw PRIDE Pepsi Grant

General Membership Meeting

Come and discuss!

On the agenda:  Race To The Top, Current SEA business.

Refreshments Provided!!

Thursday, Jan 21st at 4pm 
Saginaw High Auditorium

Race To The Top?

Do you think we should sign a blank contract?  See what the fuss is really about:

MEA President Iris Salters Speaks Up

Read here to see what the current reform bill will do.

ed.gov's explanation of Race to the Top

From Michigan.gov website- The 6 goals of Race to the Top here in Michigan...  (eta: Bold Print- shouldn't it be there?)

Michigan’s Race to the Top
In order to successfully compete for Race to the Top funds, Michigan must first commit to reform and enact legislation that positions us to take full advantage of this important opportunity. Over the next three weeks, the Michigan legislature must take up and pass bills to accomplish the following:
1. Require school principals to be certified. (Today, Michigan is alone among the states in not requiring this certification, a distinction that can only hold us back in the Race to the Top.)
2. Create high-quality alternative routes to certification for both teachers and administrators to help bring more of our best and brightest into education.
3. Give our state superintendent clear authority to intervene in low-performing schools.
4. When failing schools are clustered in a few school districts, we must have the power to bring about the systemic changes needed to make individual school turnaround possible.
5. Find ways to increase the number of high-quality charter schools in the state.
6. Require an annual evaluation of teachers, principals, and other leaders that uses student growth data along with other factors.

And, last but not least- some very dreary and lengthy reading, but worth it to know exactly what we're debating:  THE Funding Opportunity Announcement

Happy Thinking!

PAC Training Workshop

Try to make it to the Political Action Conference and Training Workshop in Bay City on November 19th!

5:30 – 8:00 p.m.

Local 362 UAW Hall

4427 Wilder Road ~ Bay City

[Located .3 miles east of Bay City Mall on north side of road.]

As most of you are aware, education has reached a crisis stage in Michigan. School funding is unstable which is affecting all school districts.  The ball is in our hands wherein all school employees need to become involved by talking with Legislators in Lansing and Washington, D.C. to help resolve this dilemma.

The MEA Region 11 & 12 Workshop will give you the knowledge and tools to facilitate the task at-hand.  Therefore, we would like participation from every MEA Local in these Regions.  There is no cost to attend; a catered meal will be provided for all participants.

• Who are our Legislators and how do we elect “Friends of Education?
• Once elected, how do we lobby to ensure they remain our “friends”?
• How do we make our educational agenda known to Lawmakers?
• How do we conduct PAC drives and why is this important to education?

Plan to join us for an insightful and educational evening that will give you the tools and confidence you need to keep our Legislators “on track”!!!

Registration deadline is Friday, November 13 by 5:00 p.m. Call the

12-D MEA Office to register for this conference:  1-800-914-6444

IF YOU PLAN ON ATTENDING AND ARE INTERESTED IN CARPOOLING, PLEASE EMAIL ME AT rmeister@spsd.net

Rep Council Meeting

Don't forget about the meeting tomorrow! All are encouraged to attend.

Where: Saginaw High Media Center
When: Thursday, October 15th @ 4 p.m.

Check your school email for a full agenda of the meeting!

Capital Chaos Update

To download the word document released on October 12th regarding the $165 cut per student, please click on the link found on here: SEA Website.

Retirement Workshop

Saginaw School District

Retirement Workshop

All School Employees and Spouses Welcome

RESERVATIONS REQUIRED

E-MAIL: sea@spsd.net, or

Phone: 799-4030

Date: Monday, November 9, 2009

Time: 4:00 p.m.

Location: Instructional Staff Development Center

Room A

1505 Ottawa Street (corner of Ottawa and Elm)

S.E.A. PR Upcoming Summer Activities
(Wear your SEA “green” shirts if possible to display your pride and commitment to our membership)

Lawn chair Film Festival

What: Children’s Movie Night-“Madagascar”
Children activities from 6-8:30
Movie starts at dusk (9:00)

When: August 2nd

Where: located in parking lot
on the corner of Ames and
N. Hamilton

Cost: FREE

Bring: lawn chair, family and friends


Friday Night Live: Family Night

What: Family night with a variety of musical performances
FOOD Vendors, FUN children’s games and activities,
Adult refreshments available

When: August 7th from 5-9 p.m.

Where: located in Morley Plaza
in downtown Saginaw next to the Temple Theatre

Cost: FREE

Bring: lawn chair, family and friends

Back to School Bash

What: SEA’s welcome back bash for members

When: August 27th from 4 to 10 p.m.

Where: F.O.P. Hall located on Niagara off of Gratiot

Bring: Dish to pass, BYOB, lawn chair, lawn games, board games, card games, etc…
$$$$ for 50/50 raffle


Volunteers are needed and greatly appreciated for any of the listed activitiesJ
Contact: Teresa or Kristi
tmccully@spsd.net or 989-213-1277
kweber@spsd.net or 989-868-4094

End of the Year Blowout

There is nothing that builds community better than sharing…so bring your favorite dish to share at the “End of the Year Blow Out”!

Where: F.O.P. Hall
1120 S. Niagara
Saginaw
When: Friday, May 29th
Time: 5 p.m. – 10 p.m.
BYOB
&
bring a dish to pass
(sign up sheets at the SEA office or see your building representative)

SEA Members,

The year is nearing end and we would like to invite you to come relax, rejoice or reconnect with your fellow members. The SEA PR Committee is throwing an "End of the Year Blowout"!
Please read the attached flyer for information regarding the party.

Please RSVP by May 21st to tmccully@spsd.net
Any questions please email me as well.
Hope to see you there:)

PR Committee

Rep Council Party-May 14th

YOUR INVITED TO THE REP COUNCIL PARTY!




WHEN? Thursday, May 14, 2009

TIME: 4:00 P.M. – 5:30 P.M.

WHERE? Andersen Enrichment Center
120 Ezra Rust Drive, off Court Street.

BRING: Another member

We will be providing finger foods and soda. As always, we will have door prizes.

PLEASE RSVP TO THE SEA OFFICE VIA EMAIL AT sea@spsd.net or call 799-4030 by Tuesday, May 12th.


SEE YOU THERE!!!!

Great Lakes Loons Outing

S.E.A. Great Lakes Loons Outing



When: Saturday, April 18th, 2009 at 6:05 p.m.
Where: Dow Diamond
825 E. Main St
Midland, MI 48640
Cost: $9.00 per ticket/kids welcome

Contact Information: email tmccully@spsd.net
Money due no later than Tuesday, March 31st by 4:30 p.m.
Pay at S.E.A. office

SEA General Membership Meeting

When: March 19, 2009 at 4pm

Where: Arthur Hill High School Auditorium

Why Should you attend:
Valuable information will be given out regarding bargaining.
Arch Lewis, MEA Financial Advisor, will be presenting a really cool power point.
There will be snacks and drinks.
You could win a door prize.
What else do you have to do on a Thursday afternoon?

S.E.A BLOG Purpose

S.E.A. BLOG Purpose:



1. To inform members of current S.E.A. informational items

2. This BLOG does not belong to Saginaw Public Schools therefore it is our own private entity to dissmenate and/or convey information

3. Please do not use district’s email to pass any of the information posted on the BLOG to others. Use home/other email.

4. The BLOG will be maintained by the BLOG master

5. Any information members would like posted on BLOG will be processed by Blogmaster and the S.E.A. office. Send request and information you would like posted to saginaweducationassociation@gmail.com

6. Additional ideas and suggestions for the S.E.A. BLOG may be emailed to the above email address as well.



Thank you,

BLOGmaster

SPARKS #2

Well,SPARKS certainly did more for me than I expected. I actually had a million reasons in my head to call at the last minute and cancel, but ultimately the biggest reason came down to my poor morale about my workplace. We all want to connect in our buildings, but often find it so difficult with things being so busy and everyone has a life outside of school, so as soon as 3:35 comes...we're on our way home....SPARKS gave me a feeling of camaraderie without the sarcasm, friendship without the politics, and fun without the bells ringing or clocks ticking for lunch time to be over!

First, the True Colors assessment has really changed my life. The assessment determines levels of four personality types identified by 4 colors: Blue, Gold, Orange, and Green. I think everyone should do this, including our students to learn about themselves and acceptance of others. I remember how things would really hurt my feelings if people weren't relational and friendly about things and were "all about the facts". It made me feel like they didn't like me or I did something wrong. (I'm a "BLUE.") But now I can see some other things in a personality to determine that he or she is a "GREEN" so being scientific and direct comes very naturally, and being "relational"--does not. So, not only can I determine it is simply their personality, but I can see how to work better with that person; if it is a student, I can determine what students might work well together, or how to explain something better to a student, simply by being able to identify their general personality type.

Second, I actually also had a chance to remember how good it felt to excercise with our stress reliever session in our ZUMBA Latin Dancing class, but also got my excess fill of great food while at the training. So, I have joined a local fitness club, started eating better, and have lost almost 10 lbs since SPARKS. I feel great. It's also amazing how much more relaxed you feel when your pants aren't too tight!!! ;) Just another added benefit.

I'm not sure why I ended up going with a million reasons not to go, but I'm so glad I did. I made a lot of connections throughout the district between so many different people with so many different strengths. This was a great intensive learning experience with a lot networking and friendship in the mix!

Emily Garlinghouse
Speech Pathologist

SPARKS Training #1

As a teacher that is in her first year teaching, and a survivor of the recent layoffs-this training was absolutely invaluable to me. I learned immense amounts about topics which I was previously clueless: insurance information, retirement plans and how they work, tenure, grievances and most importantly-how important our union is, and our role in it. I really couldn't have spent a weekend having more fun, and getting more applicable information. Now I know what those veteran teachers are talking about around the staff lunge table!

Rose M. Meister
2009 Sparks Attendee
SASA Science/English MS/HS Teacher

Midland County Education Assoication Rally

The MCEA Bargaining Team would like you to join them in a RALLY!

WHEN: Monday, February 16, 2009 from 6-8 p.m.

WHERE: United Steelworkers Hall
Local 12075
3510 James Savage Rd
Midland, MI 48642

WHY: To let Midland teachers know we support them!


"Come for food, fun, music, and a great chance to visit!!!!"

Welcome

Welcome to the first post on Saginaw Education Association's blog. Come back and visit soon. We should have some helpful information for you to read.