Mideastern Region PSEA
April Newsletter
Our region represents the 15,168 public school educators across the 35 school districts and two intermediate units of Bucks and Montgomery Counties. Your hard work and the power of collective bargaining help to bring an exceptional education to the 195,426 students in our buildings.
Teach Happier: Small Shifts. Big Gifts.
In this interactive session on Thursday, May 6th at 5pm you will learn more about positive psychology and how we can increase our happiness at work and at home, one small shift at a time. As we strive to cultivate a healthy and happy classroom environment (whatever our mode!), you will also learn how to share these small shifts with your students. If you have attended Suzanne's sessions before, there will be brand new content such as prioritizing specific types of rest, addressing toxic positivity, and understanding the value of post-traumatic growth. To register, please visit the Act 48/Chapter 14 page of our region website.
Skip Your Summer Payments!
California Casualty’s Summer Skip policy benefit is back!
Start your summer off saving by choosing two consecutive months between May and September to skip your insurance payments with the NEA Auto & Home Insurance Program. In addition, each policy includes free ID Theft Protection, Pet Injury Coverage and Exclusive member-only rates. AND for a limited time, we are offering a $25 gift card for completing an auto quote. Click Here to request a quote today.
May is Mental Health Awareness Month
Join us for a Virtual Behavioral Health Summit hosted by the Bucks and Montgomery County Schools Healthcare Consortium and Aetna!
These one-hour sessions bring in experts in the industry and community organizations for engaging panel discussions around relevant health topics. They are open to ALL public school employees in our area.
The Telehealth Trend: Navigating healthcare through Technology
Monday, May 3rd at 5pm
The Covid-19 pandemic has transformed telehealth from a convenient perk into an essential element of care delivery. As the pandemic continues and the demand on the healthcare systems increases, how can individuals utilize telehealth to get the most value for their healthcare dollar and engage with their provider in a meaningful way? Learn about what can we expect in this new patient-provider engagement and how it is shaping the future of healthcare.
Getting to the Root: Addressing Behavioral Trends in the Youth Population
Tuesday, May 11th at 6:30pm
The rise of mental distress for our young people is at an all-time high. How can we help by taking a proactive approach to dealing with issues like anxiety and addiction, before they become even more staggering? Hear from medical professionals and local community organizations on the trends around youth and adolescents, and important tools and resources to be aware of.
Growing Your Wellness Toolbox: Mindfulness, Stress Management and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Monday, May 17th at 5pm
Living through change means learning to adapt. In this era, mental and emotional health are more of a priority than ever, and that means that self-care is vital. In this session you will learn crucial tools to add to your toolbox for overall behavioral health management.
Vaccine Clinic in Souderton
Giveaway Alert!
Are you ready to win a $50 gift card? Follow this link to be entered to win from our friends at California Casualty. Four winners will be chosen over the next two months - enter today!
Vitual House of Delegates
Thank you to everyone who joined us for our region House of Delegates this month! Below are the outcomes of our elections, ballot questions, and New Business Items:
President-Elect (1)
- Bill Senavaitis, Central Bucks EA
Resolutions Representative (1)
- Bob Guzik, Colonial EA
Legislative Representative (2)
- Brad Pawlikowski, Bristol Township EA
- Erica DeVose, North Penn EA
Legislative Representative Alternate (1)
- Dana Hernandez, BCIU EA
Council on Instruction and Professional Development Representative (IPD) (1)
- Vacant
Resolutions Alternate (1)
- Vacant
CAPS Reauthorization:
- The CAPS campaign is now funded through the end of the 2022-2023 school year.
Adopted - New Business Item 1: Support PSEA Equity Statement at PSEA HOD
Submitted by: Theresa Flood, Norristown EA
Second: Treci Butler, Lower Merion EA
Mideastern Region shall support the PSEA Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Statement at the Spring 2021 PSEA House of Delegates.
Adopted - New Business Item 2: Support Cost of Living Increase NBI
Submitted by: Carl Rieffanaugh, Montgomery County Retired
Second: Dixie Rhodes, Bucks County Retired
Mideastern Region shall support that PSEA prioritize and renew its legislative efforts to obtain a Cost-of-Living Increase for Pre-Act 9 retirees initially and eventually for all PSERS annuitants.
Adopted - New Business Item 3: Support HOP Medical Premium Assistance
Submitted by: Carl Rieffanaugh, Montgomery County Retired
Second: Dixie Rhodes, Bucks County Retired
Mideastern Region shall support that PSEA introduce and support legislation that would increase the HOP Medical Premium Assistance by a minimum of $100.00 per month for all PSERS Annuitants starting with Pre-Act 9 retirees.
Adopted - New Business Item 4: Support PSEA Candidates
Moved by: Debbie Lee, Abington EA
Second: Mike Statszkiw, Abington EAMideastern Region shall support candidates Rich Askey for PSEA President, Aaron Chapin for PSEA Vice President, and Jeff Ney for PSEA Treasurer.
Adopted - New Business Item 5: Support NEA Director Candidate
Moved By: Jordana Lacy, Abington EA
Second: Debbie Lee, Abington EAMideastern Region shall support Dawn Blaus as candidate for NEA Director.
Minority Affairs Committee Meeting
Our final Minority Affairs Committee gathering for this school year is coming up next month:
Contract Ratification
College Credit for Microcredentials
PSEA has teamed up with Edinboro University of Pennsylvania to offer you college credit for PSEA/NEA Microcredentials! For more information, check out this website: https://www.psea.org/collegecredit
Music and Arts Grant
The California Casualty $250 Music and Arts Grant is back! California Casualty has partnered with education associations for many years. We understand the importance of music and arts education for children. As a member of one of our partnering education associations, you can apply for a grant award of $250 for a music or art need at your school. Click here to apply.
Legal Alert and Attestation Form Non-Compliance
Please review the two documents below, distributed to PSEA staff and local presidents earlier this month.
Legal Alert - outlines the school district attestation process as well as important points on the documentation of non-compliance
Non-Compliance Reporting - PSEA has worked hard to standardize the reporting of school entity non-compliance, based on PDE’s recent guidance and the attestation process. Once submitted to PSEA, we will review information and forward it to PDE
PSEA is aware of school entities that are inappropriately accelerating their reopening timetables because of a loophole in state guidance. We also know of schools that are resetting their COVID-19 case counts without closing school buildings at all. This is unacceptable. PSEA is working on these and many other issues with PDE to help make sure that our students and members are safe.
Scholarship for Montgomery County Future Educators
Retired educators in Montgomery County (PSEA-Retired) annually offer scholarships to College Junior or Seniors who have graduated from a Montgomery County public high school and who plan to earn an education degree for teaching. The application is linked below. Be sure to submit it by the deadline of June 15, 2021. Please share the document with anyone who may be interested in applying!
If you are interested in donating to this scholarship fund, please make checks payable to "Montco PSEA-Retired" and send it to Montco Retired Treasurer, Anne Pass: 2 Withers Lane;
Blue Bell, PA 19422. Please include a message that it is for the Susan K Castle Memorial Scholarship fund. If you include an address, they will gladly send out an acknowledgment of the donation.
Member Benefits Spotlight: Verizon Fios
PSEA Members who are new or existing customers of Verizon Fios may be eligible to save money on qualifying Verizon Fios home television, internet, and phone services.
Member savings include:
- Save $5 per month on qualifying double play packages;
- Save $10 per month on qualifying triple play packages; and
- Standard setup charge waived.
My Deals
Have you checked out the MyDeals app lately from PSEA Member Benefits? In our area, it is currently listing:
$2 off any sub at Jersey Mike's
FREE Auntie Anne's pretzel
FREE key cut at ACE Hardware
50% off baked goods at Maryanne Pastry Shoppe
10% off membership at the Doylestown Rock Gym
20% off any purchase at Advance Auto Parts
To access savings, download the MyDeals app on your mobile device, or visit this website. To register, use 8875 + your PSEA member number (found on the back of your membership card). If you don’t know your member number, contact your local president or call 1-800-944-7732 x3001.
Virtual Social and Racial Justice Opportunities
Who are Your Beneficiaries?
Take a few minutes to make sure that your PSERS beneficiaries are up to date! It’s a best practice to update your beneficiaries when: You or your beneficiary divorces or marries One of your beneficiaries dies One of your beneficiaries has a name or address change You have a child or adopt a child A minor beneficiary reaches age 18
To check to see who you have named, visit the PSERS website.
Yard Signs
Will Nights
New dates for the spring are available! If you are interested in having a Will, Advanced Health Care Directive, and Durable Power of Attorney, consider calling 215.568.9804 to make a virtual appointment for one of the available dates. Please take a look at this document for more information.
Member-Advocate Network
Are you willing to advocate for fellow PSEA members by writing to your school board or speaking during public comment? This survey is for you! Your information will be shared with the presidents of the locals where you live. Thanks for your consideration!
Virtual Art Show Open
We are thrilled to announce the opening of our 34th Annual CAPS “Touch the Future” Art Show! This event was produced in conjunction with Montgomery County Community College and chaired by Mike Werner, North Penn EA. Two hundred students from 21 different high schools submitted works to the show. THANK YOU to all of our educators who continued to support this event in a virtual format this year. Please take a minute to view the virtual gallery and see the amazing works of our students.
Retirement Checklist
If you are retiring soon (within the next year) here are steps that you should be taking with your district and PSERS:
- Carefully read your contract for information about when you need to provide notification to your district.
-
Request a retirement estimate from PSERS. You can ask for up to two different scenarios (ex: retirement date of June 2021 or December 2021.)
- Call the Southeast Regional PSERS office in Warminster (215.443.3495) to schedule Exit Counseling.
You can also sign up to be a PSEA-Retired member if you are in year one or year 35 of your career - or anywhere in between! The earlier you sign up, the more money you will save on dues. You can enroll in PSEA-Retired FOR LIFE with a one-time dues payment of $774, or break that into four payments of $193.50 over a two-year period. This is a great way to continue to stay involved and engaged with the work of the association as well as continued use of our member benefits. For more information and to enroll, visit this website.
FREE for Educators
Enter to Win!
PSEA Center for Profesisonal Learning
Teaching Jobs in PA
Save Money
We spend a lot of time talking about how much our members earn - and maybe not enough time talking about how those earnings are spent. PSEA Member Benefits can save you and your family money on everything from insurance to hearing aids. Spend some time browsing our website today!
Stay Connected
Mideastern Region PSEA
Bill Senavaitis, President (bsenavaitis@psea.org)
Alan Malachowski, President- Elect (amalachowski@psea.org)
Sue Brown, Treasurer
Deleah Archer, Secretary
Theresa Prato, PACE Director
Kevin Deely, NEA Director (kdeely@psea.org)
Website: www.psea.org/mer
Location: 601 Bethlehem Pike, Building C, Montgomerville, PA 18936
Phone: 215.853.2100