GEA NEWSLETTER
November 2022
President's Message
Dear GEA Teachers,
As I prepare for the Thanksgiving holiday and reflect upon the last year there are so many things I am thankful for, but at the very top of that list is each of you. My heart is filled with joy and gratitude because I have the privilege of working with dedicated and passionate educators every day.
Thank you for your hard work day in and day out to serve our students and colleagues. Thank you for your generosity, your willingness to go above and beyond, and making GPS an amazing district to work. Thank you for your unwavering support and making GEA the strong, steadfast union that it is today.
On behalf of the entire GEA Executive Board, I wish you all a wonderful holiday filled with the warmth and happiness of the season. May the holiday bring you good things in abundance that stay with you all year long. Enjoy the well deserved time off with loved ones.
Happy Thanksgiving!
In Gratitude and Unity,
Lillian Perone, GEA President
HOLIDAY BEAR 2022
It is that time of year to participate in the GEA/GPS district-wide initiative, which provides holiday gifts to our students who could benefit from some extra holiday cheer. Your thoughtfulness and generosity this season will bring joy to so many. Thank you, as always, for all you do!
To Participate:
Email kristen_mulhearn@greenwich.k12.ct.us or call Kristen Mulhearn at 203-625-7406 to request access to The Wishlist Spreadsheet.
Type your name in the “Sponsor” column of the wish list you would like to choose. Each wishlist has a corresponding number/letter & includes gender, age & gift requests. If you choose a group of siblings and divide them up among colleagues, please communicate with one another in order to give equitably to each child in the family.
If you purchase clothing, please include the gift receipt.
Some sponsors choose to include a gift for the parent/guardian (supermarket, Walmart, Target gift card, etc.), but that is not required.
Wrap the gifts, place them in a bag and attach the corresponding number/letter.
Email E-Gift Cards to kristen_mulhearn@greenwich.k12.ct.us.
Contact kristen_mulhearn@greenwich.k12.ct.us to arrange for gift pick up or drop gifts off to the Board of Education Warehouse *no later than Wednesday December 14th *.
If you cannot participate by shopping but would like to make a donation toward gifts, you can do so on the GEA Website - greenwicheducationassociation.org/shop.
Click on the Holiday Bear Donation (donations in increments of $20).
If you have any questions, please contact Kristen Mulhearn at 203-625-7406.
HAPPY HOLIDAYS and THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!
Do you have what it takes to be crowned the 2023 GEA Biggest Loser?
...Stay tuned for an email on Monday!
GEA News
Current Issues
- Special Education, Speech and Language Pathologists, and School Psychologists caseloads and working conditions: Thank you for filling out our data collection surveys. We have been meeting with Dr. Heiligenthaler, Dr. Budd, Dr. Jones, and cabinet members and advocating on your behalf.
- Implementation of CT SEDS Program
- Co-teaching models
- Scheduling and staffing
- Listening Conferences & Spring Elementary Conferences
- Vetting Rubric
Vector Training - Update
GEA collaborated with the district to ensure teachers would have until the end of November to complete the Vector Sexual Harassment Prevention training.
Email any questions you have about the Vector videos to David Eisenstein, GPS Director of Human Resources and Recruiting.
Listening Conference Survey
While 63.6% felt that the calls met the district's intended purpose, we shared the following concerns with Dr. Jones based on the responses we received:
- Many teachers already had welcome materials and processes that they preferred.
- The overarching concerns among all was the amount of time it took. Since they happened during the year the calls became mini conferences or open houses.
- Teachers overwhelmingly requested release time (i.e. half days for the first 3 days of the year, no meetings on the first two Wednesdays or a full staff development day before the start of the year) to make welcome calls to only NEW families and students.
- For those teachers who see students for multiple years (PreK, ALP, SpEd), it was not helpful to parents or teachers to make calls for students they already know.
- K has a welcome meet and greet, so this seemed redundant.
- The district needs to consider solutions for families with non-native speakers, as translators were needed to assist with many calls which restricted teachers and created double work for others.
- Elementary teachers have utilized multiple ways to connect with families for years and would like to continue using those options that work best for them (ie. google form/written survey- particularly helpful for families who are non-native speakers and a method used by many already, emails, pick-up time, etc).
- SpEd and interventionists previously made welcome introductions of their own and there was an inconsistency in expectations across schools regarding these positions and calls.
- Teachers found the lack of planning and consideration for the amount of time and effort this adds on to teachers' plates disheartening and were insulted by the notion that there is free time during their prep and wrap time to spare. If the district is going to continue the requirement of welcome calls, release time (preferably ER days at the start of the year) is absolutely necessary.
GEA will continue advocating for our members in further discussions with the district regarding future listening conferences.
GEA Contract Ratification Update
On October 24th, the RTM voted on whether or not to reject our 2023-26 contract. The RTM can vote to reject the contract or postpone the vote, however they do not vote to approve. In the past, the RTM has voted to postpone the vote, letting the deadline pass and therefore our contract has automatically taken affect. This time, the RTM took an affirmative step to not reject the agreement, which is a welcome sign of support for our members from the community. The vote went 82 in favor of rejecting the contract, 110 opposed (in favor of NOT rejecting), with two abstentions.
GEA feels that many speakers at the RTM really understood what we had been through during COVID and respected the work we had done to keep our students engaged and successful. When a BET member tried to claim that inflation is not an issue for teachers and compared our contract to the police department in town meetings where GEA was not permitted to speak, it was RTM members that pushed back, taking the time to wade through the information sent to them and reply with thought-provoking questions that challenged the rhetoric. The RTM consists of 230 elected residents from each District in Greenwich so it was meaningful that we had their support.
In case you missed it, linked below is the Contract Ratification presentation that was reviewed and voted on at out contract ratification meeting on 9/15. It outlines our 2023-2026 contract.
The GEA Negotiations Team and the BOE reached an agreement on a fair economic package and we're happy we were able to address concerns for teachers regarding more self directed professional time, more flexibility for maternity and family leave, and opportunities to work together to solve some of the challenges we face as a district and community.
GEA Negotiations Team
Michele Giorlando
Kevin Krois
CEA Retirement Workshop
11/21 & 12/7 @ 4:00 pm - 6:15 pm
Register at cea.org.
Retirement questions? Email CEA's Retirement Specialist, Robyn Kaplan-Cho.
Teacher Well-Being Support Group
Register at cea.org.
Get the support you need. CEA has contracted to offer free mental health group counseling to CEA members.
Teacher Leaders for Equity Regional Forum
12/1 @ 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Old Post Tavern1418 Post Rd
Fairfield, CT 06824
Join CEA Professional Practice and Policy Teacher Fellow Faith Sweeney for an opportunity to network with other educators while hearing from CEA Legal Councel Melanie Kolek about your free speach rights. Enjoy a variety of appetizers during this informative session.
Register at https://cea.org/event/equityforum-dec1/.
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 or your admin will contact Maria Bocchino and Mary Keller. Remember to check your sick leave when you return. You should have not lost any sick days. If you have any questions, please contact Maria Bocchino Maria_Bocchino@greenwich.k12.ct.us or 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