GEA NEWSLETTER
February 2023
President's Message
To all my GEA teachers,
I want to thank you all for what you do everyday for our students.
There have been many changes and demands placed on us all and at times it feels as if GPS just doesn’t make it easy for us but...
WE GEA teachers make it look easy and make it happen through all our hard work, collaboration, and doing what is best for our students.
I hope that over the break you will make space to do what feels right to you to renew and recharge. I hope you have the opportunity to relax, reconnect with your friends and family, and enjoy this break.
You all deserve it!
Thank you,
Lill Perone
GEA President
HOLIDAY BEAR 2022
Wow! We have the most incredible district, with the most generous and caring staff. Through our Holiday Bear program this year, we were able to provide gifts to approximately 295 students and families! We raised close to $26,000, which will certainly bring joy to the households of many this holiday season. A huge, heartfelt thanks to the Umbrella Club, who once again gave a large donation, covering 71 students! This wonderful opportunity to give would not be possible without the mental health staff in each building, who work tirelessly to collect wish lists and follow up with and deliver gifts to families, so THANK YOU! GOSA went above and beyond by sponsoring 26 students! Thank you GOSA! A big shout out to the schools who ran their own Holiday Bear Program (WMS. CMS, CC, OG)! Always willing to offer space and support are Roger and David at the BOE warehouse, thank you guys! The biggest thank you goes to the members of the GEA and the executive board, as we would not be able to do Holiday Bear without each and every person who chose to sponsor a student. Our families who receive are so grateful and at times tearful as they collect their beautifully wrapped gifts to bring home for their kids. It takes a village and we sure do have an amazing one. Thank you SO much to everyone who participated!
In addition to Holiday Bear, Diane's Books, right here in Greenwich, donated over 475 brand new books to our title I elementary schools. Each book came individually wrapped, with an ornament to help identify the grade level reading. This is a tradition that has been ongoing for years and we are so thankful to be the recipients of educational and fun gifts. We will have a lot of little readers enjoying their new books over break!
Wishing everyone a healthy, happy, restful break, happy holidays and a happy new year!
All the best,
Kristen
GEA News
Current Issues
- Special Education, Speech and Language Pathologists, and School Psychologists caseloads and working conditions: The Special Education Committee is up and running, spearheaded by GEA Secretary Courtney Powers. GEA PR&R Chair Chuck Costello and CEA Uniserv Rep David Eng-Wong are making productive gains in obtaining monetary compensation for psychologists and certain PPS staff in shortage areas who have been completing evaluations/work outside of contractual hours due to open vacancies. Keep an eye out for more email communication soon.
- Implementation of CT SEDS Program
- Pacing Calendars
- Vetting Rubric
Elementary Spring Conferences
To ensure that parents had report cards ahead of time, GEA worked with district to adjust important dates, including the close of the marking period, when grades would be due, and when report cards would be available to parents in Aspen. The results of our collaboration were sent to elementary teachers in a recent email from the district and are outlined below.
- The 2nd Marking Period will close on 2.27.23
- Teachers will receive the full 90 minutes after school in lieu of a faculty meeting on 3.1.23 to prepare for conferences. Any pertinent information will be sharedvia email by your principals. Teachers should remain on campus for the duration of time.
- All report cards will be submitted for final administrative review by 5 pm on 3.6.23
- Report cards will go home on 3.10.23 so parents can review them before their conference date.
CEA News
CEA Workshops
ONE (Opportunity, Networking, Empowerment) Young and Union: Empowerment Through Knowledge Series
March 4th @ 4:00-5:30 pm
Location: Groton Town House Restaurant
RSVP to Kathy Sholes at kathys@cea.org.
Free for all CEA members and geared toward teachers with 0-5 years of experience.
Public School Educators Legal Boot Camp, Part Two
Learn about Free Speech, use of Technology, and how Social Media impacts your professional life.
Please join CEA Organizing and Training Specialists, Chris Teifke and Gloria Dimon in these relevant and engaging sessions so that you have the legal information you need to enhance your work as a professional educator in Connecticut.
CEA Retirement Workshop
March 7 @ 4:00 pm - 6:15 pm
Register at cea.org.
Retirement questions? Email CEA's Retirement Specialist, Robyn Kaplan-Cho.
Early Career Educator Conference
March 25 @ 8:00 am - 2:00 pm
Location: Foxwoods Resort Casino
Whether this is your first year in the classroom or your sixth, CEA’s Early Career Educator Conference will help you grow as a professional, connect with colleagues from around the state, and learn from veteran teachers who have been there, done that, and navigated the new normal alongside you.
Designed specifically for early career educators but open to all CEA members and CEA Aspiring Educators, this professional learning day will help you become more confident in your skills as a teacher and an advocate for your students. Plan to attend this free, information-packed conference. Continental breakfast and lunch will be provided.
Family Medical Leave Act and Other Important Leave Provisions
ONE (Opportunity, Networking, Empowerment) Young and Union: Empowerment Through Knowledge Series
May 2nd @ 4:00-5:30
Location Groton Town House Restaurant
RSVP to Kathy Sholes at kathys@cea.org.
Are you confused about the federal, state, and local leave benefits for Connecticut educators working in public schools? This helpful overview should provide a general understanding before you may actually need that time off from work.
Please join CEA Organizing and Training Specialists, Chris Teifke and Gloria Dimon in
these relevant and engaging sessions so that you have the legal information you need
to enhance your work as a professional educator in Connecticut. The series is free for
all CEA members and is geared toward teachers with 0-5 years of experience.
***GEA also hosted a Leaves of Absence Workshop last year, which we recorded and posted to our website. You can find it here if you are taking a leave of absence soon and would like a better understanding of the process.
Reminders!
- Class Coverage Data Form: If your administration requires you to cover another class/duty, please fill out this form. The GEA Executive Board uses this valuable data in our meetings with Dr. Jones and cabinet members, as well as negotiations. THIS FORM IS ALWAYS AVAILABLE ON OUR WEBSITE.
- Covid Days Reminder:
We still have Covid days that should not be taken from your sick leave. If you are out due a confirmed positive Covid test, you should contact Mary Keller first. She will gather the necessary information and relay your days to HR. Remember to check your sick leave when you return. You should not have lost any sick days as they are supposed to be reimbursed. If you have any questions about the reimbursement of your sick leave, please contact Susana Valenzuela Susana_valenzuela@greenwich.k12.ct.us in GPS HR.
Follow us on Social Media!
- @gea_teachers on Instagram and Twitter
- @GreenwichEducationAssociation on Facebook
- You can also find us by searching Greenwich Education Association, or just click below.
In Closing...
Greenwich Education Association Executive Board
Contact Us
Lillian Perone, President: president@greenwicheducationassociation.org
Lori Mulligan, VP Secondary: vpsecondary@greenwicheducationassociation.org
Melissa D'Amato, VP Elementary: vpelementary@greenwicheducationassociation.org
Chrissy Distel, VP of Communications: communications@greenwicheducationassociation.org
Jessica Punchatz, VP of Membership: membership@greenwicheducationassociation.org
Courtney Powers, Secretary: secretary@greenwicheducationassociation.org
Chuck Costello, PR&R Chair: prr@greenwicheducationassociation.org
Lori Mulligan, Interim Treasurer: treasurer@greenwicheducationassociation.org
PAC/BOE Chair, Aaron Johnson: pac@greenwicheducationassociation.org