Thursday's Thoughts
PSTA Weekly News
Vol. 27 March 11th, 2021
Email: info@palmettoteachers.org
Website: palmettoteachers.org
Location: 220 State Street, West Columbia, SC, USA
Phone: 803-256-2065
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PalmettoTeachers/
Twitter: @PSTAnews
Legislative Update
PSTA staff have been active at the State House this week. On Tuesday, staff met with several legislators to discuss policy priorities and offered testimony and written feedback on legislation reviewed in multiple committees. Staff were at the State House again on Wednesday when the House concurred with Senate amendments to H. 3609, which sends this PSTA legislative priority to the Governor's desk. With his signature, this legislation will retroactively award step increases to eligible teachers for the 2020-21 school year. Make sure to check out tomorrow's Legislative Alert Network email for further details on H. 3609 and other legislative action from the week!
We still have open spots for our Virtual EdCamp!
Click here to register!
By participating in this event, you will earn 3 recertification hours.
Happy #NBCTweek!
Happy #NBCTweek to all PSTA members who are National Board Certified Teachers! We want to join the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS), South Carolina National Board Network (SCNBN), districts, and schools across the state in this celebration. For 2020-21, the SC National Board Network is offering FREE membership to all South Carolina NBCTs. Click on the link below to join! For more information, email scnationalboardnetwork@gmail.com. #nbctweek #nbctstrong #scnbn
Join SCNBN for FREE: www.tinyurl.com/SCNBNfreemembership
Teacher Clothes Closet
We were excited to host a Teachers Clothes Closet event at the PSTA office on Monday (March 8th, 2021). Thank you to all of our donors and our staff who made this possible!
If you would like to donate to the Teacher Clothes Closet, please email Toni Chewning or call our office at 803-256-2065.
Member Recruitment Program
Click here for more information.
Resources for teaching Women's History
Women’s History Month is celebrated each year in March. SCETV offers a wide variety of digital resources for classroom teachers. These educational materials are designed to the extend learning about women’s history and engage all learners.
Click here for more information.
Contracts for 2021-22 School Year
As we move into the second half of the school year, it is almost time for 2021-22 contracts to be issued. Last week, Superintendent Spearman sent a memorandum to all S.C. school districts regarding contract dates, which is provided below. Pursuant to S.C. Code Ann. § 59-25-410, written notice regarding an educator’s employment status for the following school year must be issued before May 1 (i.e., by April 30). If a contract is not issued by that date, a continuing contract teacher is deemed to have a contract for the following school year. Furthermore, S.C Code Ann. § 59-25-420 states that teachers have until before May 11 (i.e., by May 10) to turn in their contracts for the following school year. A district cannot legally require an educator to turn in his or her contract before that date. If you have any issues at all regarding contracts, please contact us at legal@palmettoteachers.org or (803) 256-2065.
Memorandum from Superintendent Spearman: https://ed.sc.gov/newsroom/school-district-memoranda-archive/educator-contracts-for-the-2021-22-school-year/educator-contracts-for-the-2021-22-school-year-memo/
Professional Development Opportunites
Links for APEC Workshops
- Bridging the Discipline Divide
- Reflective Practices for Responsive Teaching
- The Wonders of Writing Workshop
- Basic Foundations for Behavior Management
- Using Case Studies to Promote Active Learning In the Science Classroom
- It Isn’t All About Me
- What Every Teacher Needs to Know About the Benefits of Using Sign Language in the Classroom
- Adverse Childhood Events: How DoesTrauma Travel to Your Classroom?
- Student Led IEP Meetings
ENROLL TODAY: Palmetto State Teachers Association's Discount Marketplace
We appreciate you for being a member of Palmetto State Teachers Association and we thank you! That's why we’re excited to offer a discount program through Working Advantage, your one-stop shop for savings with brands you know and love, discounts on local experiences, curated offers just for our organization, and new deals added weekly.
It’s cost-free and easy to enroll. Just visit https://psta.savings.beneplace.com and begin saving today on items like:
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Health and wellness products and memberships
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Food and beverage delivery
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Electronics and apparel
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Financial and educational services
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Home goods and home office supplies
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Flowers and gifts
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Attractions, shows, concerts, and sporting events
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Hotels and rental cars
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& so much more!
COVID-19 FAQs
Click on the image below to view the COVID-19 FAQs.