Volume 36, Issue 2 IN THIS ISSUE A Message from Our President 1-2 Calling All EBEA Members 2 News from Our Committees 3-5 Contract Corner 6 Employee Assistance (HCAMS) 6-7 Congratulations to … 8 Wall of Honor 8 Resources for ESP’s & Teachers 9 Social Security Information 10 Negotiations 10 Cheers and Tears 11 SAVE THE DATES January 20th EBEA Workshop: Stress Relief January 21st MCEA Workshop: Developing & Working With PDPs January 27th MCEA Workshop: XYZ’s Of Retirement February 25th MCEA Workshop: SCIP Committees March 9th - 7pm NJEA Google Hangout March 27th - 28th NJEA Conference: Winter Leadership United in Excellence Winter 2015 As we embark on a new year, we need to remember the wise words of Eleanor Roosevelt, “With the new day comes new strength and new thoughts.” During this New Year we need to be strong as we face the challenges ahead and work collectively to develop solutions. The newly mandated PARCC testing occurring this spring will certainly bring new stresses, however, if we work together providing support for our colleagues in our respective buildings, we can overcome the obstacles. We need to be vigilant about the impact of the PARCC testing on our careers, our students, and our community. This mandated test is underfunded by our government and we must remember to take action when called upon to voice our concerns: PARCC testing impacts teachers’ scores, and therefore, our professional futures. PARCC testing is underfunded by New Jersey. Our district was required to administer a test without the proper funding necessary, thereby causing our district to use substantial funds. Without a doubt this money could be used in other areas within our schools in order to aid East Brunswick Public Schools in maintaining the excellence we have all come to expect. PARCC testing adds unnecessary stress on our students. Many of the youngsters are concerned about taking a test on a computer and not testing the way they typically learn. Students worry about the impact of this test on their futures. PARCC testing takes valuable teaching time away from our students. It hinders creativity and provides too much focus on the importance of state testing. Additionally, our underfunded pension system has many of our veteran educators and ESP’s deeply concerned as they face retirement. Our pension system was raided over 20 years ago by Republican Governor Christie Todd Whitman. Most recently in 2014, Governor Christie decided to skip the annual payments to the pension fund, adding injury to insult. The newest projections predict the pension fund will go broke in 13 years. The teaching profession could experience a lack of attractive candidates with such looming concerns. We must find the strength to ban together, and fight the government officials who have determined those in the field of public education can be the scapegoats for funding other initiatives. On December 10, 2014 the Pension Board filed suit against the state! Together we are sending a powerful message: Governor Christie doesn’t get to pick and choose what laws he has to obey. However, we must stay vigilant. On December 18, 2014 the Senate was going to vote on an override of Governor Christie’s veto of S2265, a bill that would have required the state to make responsible quarterly pension payments. The bill did not pass. It is a reminder that we cannot take anything for granted on pension funding. We must continue to fight every day to force the state to meet its obligations. The NJEA will continue to pursue aggressive legal action against Governor Christie and to work with responsible Continued on page 2 Volume 36, Issue 2 EBEA Newsletter Page 2 Continued from page 1 legislators from both parties, including Senate President Sweeney, who posted the bill to override the veto. The EBEA encourages our members to stay knowledgeable by checking the EBEA and NJEA websites regularly in order to hold Governor Christie accountable. Together we can make a difference. The new teacher evaluation system continues to worry teachers as the second year of AchieveNJ will be complete this June. There is much concern about how SGOs, SGPs, and numerous evaluations using the Danielson model will affect educators’ professional futures; this concern is creating distress and anxiety. However, being proactive and learning to advocate for oneself empowers our members. Many of our EBEA members have participated in the Evaluate IT workshops offered this fall. We look forward to even more participation of future evaluation workshops during the second half of this year. Clearly the nature of education is doing more with less. I applaud you, those who are working harder to ensure the best possible education and educational services for our students, those of you who do more in less time, and those of you who have been required to embrace change and have done so with eloquence. So, for this New Year I hope each new day will bring our members strength, unity, and new initiatives, so we can overcome the obstacles bestowed upon us. Remember to check the EBEA website often for information on underfunded reforms, to demand our government give back what is rightfully ours, and to empower yourself through future EBEA educational and social experiences. May 2015 bring the members of the EBEA strength, unity, and new visions. In Unity, Dana Zimbicki EBEA Newsletter Volume 36, Issue 2 Page 3 PRIDE - EBEA Proud! Teacher Evaluation Advisory For the past several years, the goal of the Together for Success Committee was to help pass the annual school budget and to encourage staff attendance at Board of Education meetings in an effort to forge a positive relationship between the staff and the community. Because East Brunswick residents no longer vote on the school budget, there was a need to reform this committee. This past summer, Dana and I got together to brainstorm new ways to “get the word out” about all the great things happening in our classrooms on a daily basis. The result was the new PRIDE Committee, the goal of which is to highlight the accomplishments of East Brunswick students and staff through student presentations at monthly Board meetings and EBEA sponsored community activities that show PRIDE (Partnerships Result in Dynamic Education.) The Teacher Evaluation Advisory Team (TEAT) is a new committee that has been working hard to assist and support certificated staff members to better understand AchieveNJ. AchieveNJ is the regulatory evaluation system adopted by the state. We have had three successful “Evaluate It” workshops which taught approximately 230 members more about the Danielson Framework. Each building has a PRIDE captain whose responsibility it is to reach out to staff and coordinate student-led presentations at Board of Education meetings. Additionally, the PRIDE Committee has sponsored several activities involving not only students, but the East Brunswick community as well (East Brunswick Community Day, Math night at Hammarskjold, a Frozen Photo Shoot party at the High School, are some of the many examples). At each activity, staff members wearing red EBEA PRIDE polo shirts can be seen enthusiastically sharing the accomplishments of their students with the East Brunswick community. Parents who participate in these activities receive PRIDE drawstring bags, “Who We Are” pamphlets, and other token “give aways” donning the EBEA PRIDE logo as a thank you and a reminder of the PRIDE we have in what we do every day. The PRIDE Committee welcomes volunteers and new ideas. Please see your building captain if you would like to get involved in this EBEA initiative. Jo-Anne Bijas PRIDE Chair An Evaluation Database has been set up on the EBEA website (myebea.org). We are asking you to enter your evaluation scores so the Advisory Team can examine trends and patterns of evaluation results throughout the district. The Association assures complete confidentiality and will use this data to make sure all our members are being evaluated properly and to determine future workshop topics. Your input will remain totally anonymous. Please login to our “Members Only” area and do this today! If you have any questions regarding this please contact me at [email protected], or the EBEA office directly and we will try to answer any questions you may have. Be proactive and help yourself. On March 9, 2015 at 7pm the EBEA will be participating in a Google Hangout sponsored by NJEA. Both Dana Zimbicki and I will be panelist discussing teacher evaluation. Please check the EBEA website for the link to join us during this live event. Diane Heilman TEAT Chair Volume 36, Issue 2 EBEA Newsletter Page 4 Nominations/Elections Health/Benefits In accordance with the EBEA Constitution, the offices of Vice President, Director of Support Staff, and Secretary shall be filled in odd number years. The offices of President and Treasurer shall be filled in even number years. Did you know that each building has a representative that serves as the contact person for questions and issues related to your benefits? Therefore, the Nominations/Elections Committee is now seeking out, screening, and nominating candidates for the following elected positions: 2014-15 Benefit Committee Members Vice President Director of Support Staff Secretary Delegates to the NEA-RA The filing deadline for election to one of these offices is February 27, 2015. Look for a memo in your school mailbox in early February with more details. The slate of candidates will be presented to Representative Council on March 18, 2015. This year’s elections will take place on Wednesday, April 1, 2015. Watch for further announcements in your building. These members attend regular meetings and can assist you with questions regarding claims, explaining benefits, and providing information about your benefits. EBHS CJHS Hammarskjold Bowne-Munro Central Chittick Frost Irwin Lawrence Brook Memorial Warnsdorfer Admin Ellen Gieser Charlene Delaney Diane Heilman Joanne Ficke Teresa Kominkiewicz Ronnie Schreyer Kathy Kowal Lily Ladman Lynn Seligman Dot Demetor Diane Hassell IlaCaffrey Benefit information is also now available at on the EBEA website at www.my-ebea.org. Once on the Home page select the “About” tab, select “Committees,” select “Member Benefits.” There are links to all of our benefit providers’ websites where you can get information and download forms to process a claim. Member Benefits Online System (MBOS) is a set of internet based applications that allow registered members quick and easy access to pension information. All information regarding service and pension is now only available online. Statements are NOT mailed home anymore. ALL MEMBERS SHOULD BE REGISTERED WITH MBOS using the link www.state.nj.us/treasury/pensions/mbosregister.htm. If you need help to register please see the rep in your building or you can call the MBOS Help Desk 609-7770534. Charlene Delaney Benefits Chair EBEA Newsletter Volume 36, Issue 2 Page 5 Social Affairs Negotiations On December 2, 2014 the EBEA hosted its first “Winter Wonderland” at the Ria Mar in South River. The evening was a huge success with 164 members in attendance. The food was delicious and the dancing was non-stop. On December 16, 2014 the EBEA negotiation team met with the Board’s team to begin the negotiations process. Our current contract will expire on June 30, 2015. It is the desire of the Association to reach a fair and equitable settlement before that date. EBEA is currently planning the next event for March 24, 2015. If you have any ideas for future events, please call or email the EBEA with information. This information will be passed on to Melissa Bertok, EBEA Social Committee Chairperson. After each negotiations session with the Board, a purple update sheet will be sent to each member. The EBEA negotiations team would like to thank you for your support during this process. The Association is looking forward to more wonderful events with our members! Dana Zimbicki, Ed.D. Negotiations Chair FUNDRAISER “BRIDGE TO ASIA” The EBEA has received a request from the Vice President of the East Brunswick High School Asian American Studies Club. This club, as part of a community service project, is looking to provide books for underprivileged children in China and Southeast Asia with the purpose of encouraging children to pursue a higher education. The club is collecting higher level books and reference materials (preferably high school and university level) for the "Bridge to Asia" organization. The Bridge to Asia organization has donated to over 1,000 libraries in China. The EBEA will be collecting books at the EBEA office to help facilitate the efforts of the High School Asian American Studies Club. If you have any high school and/or University books, please drop them off at the EBEA office or give them to your building representative. Please view the website www.bridge.org for more information. As well as Reference books (encyclopedias, dictionaries, almanacs, atlases), below is a list of desired books: Agriculture Anthropology Area Studies Computer Science Economics Education Engineering English Fine Arts Foreign Languages Geography History History Literature Management Mathematics Medicine/Health Minority Studies Natural Science Performing Arts Philosophy Physical Science Political Science Psychology Sociology Volume 36, Issue 2 EBEA Newsletter Page 6 1. All members are encouraged to read their contract. Remember, when you feel the contract has been violated you must file a grievance within 20 school days. Our contract indicates, “Any employee who has a grievance shall discuss it first with his/her Principal or immediate supervisor within twenty (20) school days of occurrence of such grievance in an attempt to resolve the matter informally at this level.” Please notify your chief building representative or the EBEA office with questions and/or concerns. 2. For those who are planning to retire this year, “the employee may opt to receive the reimbursement of sick leave payment in the tax year he/she retires or to receive payment January 15 of the proceeding tax year, provided such deferral is permitted under IRS rules. To be eligible for payment for unused sick days, an employee must take an early retirement, a disability retirement, or a service retirement, and must have completed ten (10) years of service within the district. Any employee who has tenure or who is continuously employed for more than three (3) years who submits his/her resignation for the purpose of retirement to the Board by January 15, effective the following June 30, shall receive the following additional compensation at the time of his/her retirement on June 30: for certificated staff, if notice is timely: 2012-13 $1,318, 2013-14 $1,318, 2014-15 $1,318, and for non-certificated staff, if notice is timely: 2012-13 $549, 2013-14 $549, 2014-15 $549.” 3. For certificated staff, “any written evaluation made after an observation by a supervisor shall be submitted to the employee within two (2) calendar weeks after such evaluation was made. An employee shall be given a copy of his/her written evaluation report and be asked to sign it. This signature shall indicate only that the employee has seen the completed evaluation report. The employee has up to fifteen (15) school days to return the evaluation.” As another school year begins all over America, the staff at HealthCare Assistance with Member Support (HCAMS) understands that our members in New Jersey schools are facing more difficult issues this year than ever before. Contract changes, evaluations, higher health insurance contributions, increased workloads, and other outside forces may be affecting the way that you approach your job and the world beyond your work environment. If stress and anxiety are affecting your already complex daily routines, there is help available to our members. HCAMS offers a confidential no cost, Employee Assistance Program (EAP) to all our members and their families 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It’s important to recognize the signs and symptoms of stress, which, when left untreated, can have a negative impact on an individual’s health and job performance. Stress affects every aspect of your life – professional, social, and family. HCAMS is available, so you don’t have to work through it alone. The HCAMS staff has over 90 years of combined experience working with education associations including support staff, and is ready to assist with issues such as: Stress and Anxiety Related Conditions Job Protective Employee Assistance Drug and Alcohol Dependencies Depression and Anger Management Grief and Loss Counseling DUI Advocacy Hostile Work Environment/Bullying Job protection is their number one goal particularly in these difficult times. Don’t let “stressors” affect your job security. Call 1-888-828-7826 or go to www.unionsupport.org for more information. Volume 36, Issue 2 EBEA Newsletter Page 7 Volume 36, Issue 2 EBEA Newsletter Page 8 Joan Hickman: MCEA 2015 Education Support Professional of the Year! On November 19, 2014 we celebrated Joan Hickman as she was awarded the ESP of the Year for Middlesex County. The night was a complete surprise for Joan as she was surrounded by hundreds of MCEA members and 54 EBEA members. Joan has been the secretary in the high school nurse’s office for 26 years and has been the EBEA Director of Support Staff for 17 years. Her greatest attribute, as stated by many of her colleagues, is she is incredibly caring. As the famous Chinese Philosopher Lao Tzu, said, “From caring comes courage,” and Joan certainly has developed great courage to tackle issues head on. Joan Hickman’s biggest goal for our ESP members is to advocate for all of them. In fact, Joan has been on the Contract Writing Team, Bargaining Council, and the Negotiations Team representing our members. The needs of the ESP’s are a top priority for Joan. Since 1997, Joan has been negotiating for their rights and protecting the interests of the ESP’s. She is often called upon to be a mediator in order to resolve conflicts between our members. Joan has an open door policy and is always there when needed. The words of Margaret Mead sum up Joan Hickman well, “Never believe that a few caring people can't change the world. For, indeed, that's all who ever have.” Joan has been a beacon of light to all those she has come in contact with; her guidance, her passion, and her true sense of caring have comforted so many, especially during difficult times and times of crisis. Joan has left her mark on the EBEA and we applaud her accomplishment as the 2015 Middlesex County ESP of the Year! Congratulations Joan! The Wall of Honor in the Board of Education meeting room recognizes individuals who have made a significant and/or extraordinary contribution to the East Brunswick Public Schools. Individuals selected for the Wall of Honor are chosen by the Recognition Committee, composed of representatives from the EBEA, the EBPSA, the Board of Education, and chaired by the Director of Human Resources. The following guidelines have been provided for you in order to nominate individuals for the Wall of Honor: The eligibility time period for retired or deceased employees and Board members begins one and one half years following the June 30th of the retirement year and ends three and one half years later. Individuals nominated should have made a significant and/or extraordinary contribution to the East Brunswick Public Schools. The Recognition Committee will meet to review all recommendations and utilize the established selection procedure. Nominations should be well documented and lengthy enough to give the Recognition Committee a well-rounded view of the individual being nominated. All nominations will be kept confidential by the Recognition Committee. The list of those individuals who are eligible this period will soon be available through the Human Resources Department and nominations are due in Human Resources no later than January 30, 2015. Retirees interested in nominating individuals for the Wall of Honor are encouraged to call the EBEA office at 732-390-6600 or check our website for the list of eligible candidates. Inquiries can also be directed to the Human Resources Department at 732-613-6710. EBEA Newsletter Volume 36, Issue 2 Page 9 Education Support Professionals The Education Support Professionals Virtual Career Resource Center is available to all NEA members. It currently contains ESPQ publications, research data, and an array of useful links to other websites and ESP specific resources. You can search the center by title, topic, publisher, author, date, job title, or keyword. Publications can be viewed online or downloaded and printed. Sample topics include: □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ Bullying Health Care Privatization School Transportation Worker Health and Safety Grants Green Schools ESP General Job Family Information Useful Link resources include: □ □ □ □ □ □ □ Food Service Standards and Guidelines Resume Writing Resources Trades Test Preparation Technology and Technical Services Grants and Standards Security and Safety Plan Samples and Resources Paraprofessional Assessment Test Resources Clerical Training Programs, Requirements and Skills Testing Practice The ESP Virtual Career Resource Center is a work in progress. New publications and resources are continually being added. NEA members and staff are urged to send in recommendations for additional topic areas and/or resources to share. 1. Log on to www.neaespcareercenter.net 2. Register your name and password. 3. A system administrator will check your credentials and approve you within three days. 4. Start exploring this valuable resource. Teachers Are you looking for some new ideas to incorporate into your classroom? Are you interested in reading about new educational teaching strategies? Here are some great links to “give you a spark” during this dreary winter season. □ http://www.weareteachers.com/hot-topics □ □ □ http://www.schoolimprovement.com/topics/ http://www.teachhub.com/news/hot-topics http://www.tolerance.org/professional-development/strategies Volume 36, Issue 2 EBEA Newsletter . Effective August 1, 2014, the Social Security Administration stopped providing mailed Social Security statements. Members of the public can get an instant statement online with a personal MY SOCIAL SECURITY account. You can create a MY SOCIAL SECURITY account to access your Social Security Statement, to check your earnings, and get your benefit estimates. If you receive benefits, you also can: Get your benefit verification letter; Check your benefit and payment information and your earnings record; Change your address and phone number; and Start or change your direct deposit. Even if you do not currently receive benefits, you can: Get your Social Security Statement Estimates of your retirement, disability, and survivors benefits; Your earnings record; and The estimated Social Security and Medicare taxes you have paid Page 10 THANK YOU EBEA MEMBERS Dear Friends, Thank you for participating in East Brunswick’s 2014 Annual Holiday Food & Gift Basket Program by adopting a family for both Thanksgiving and the winter holidays. Your kindness and compassion made the holidays much brighter for a less fortunate family in our community! On behalf of The Township of East Brunswick and the Department of Recreation, Parks and Community Services, I extend sincere gratitude for your generosity and continued participation in our program. With the support of adopters like you, we are able to continue to help the needy families in our community. My best wishes to you and yours for a happy & healthy New Year! Sincerely, Sandi Catarzi Coordinator of Community Services There is no fee to create a MY SOCIAL SECURITY account, but you must have an email address. Log on to www.socialsecurity.gov/myaccount to get started. Contact Dot Heinze at (732) 257-5754 for additional information. Volume 36, Issue 2 EBEA Newsletter Page 11 Congratulations to: Dee Contreras, retiree, on the birth of her granddaughter Quinn Marie (in August) Cecilia Cortes-Fabrizio, EBHS Spanish teacher, on the birth of her twins Nick and Lucy (in September) Jessica Gorman, Bowne Munro teacher, on the birth of her daughter Hayley Paige (in October) Linda Caputo, Admin secretary, on the birth of her grandson Anthony John (in October) Barbara Alexander, Admin secretary, on the birth of her grandson Cooper James (in October) Anthony Alexander, Irwin teacher, on the birth of his nephew Cooper James (in October) Maria Cisnero, EBHS math teacher, on the birth of her granddaughter Lily (in October) Bess Greenberg, EBHS consumer science teacher, on the marriage of her son (in October) Sarita Robertson, HMS math teacher, on the birth of her daughter Zoey (in November) Janet Fessel, CJHS instructional assistant, on the birth of her grandson Grayson David (in November) Matthew Orlando, Admin technical specialist, on the birth of his son Tyler Matthew (in November) Gail Burnett, EBHS secretary, on the birth of her granddaughter Marley Jordyn (in November) Joan Hickman, EBHS secretary, on being awarded the "2015 MCEA Educational Support Staff of the Year" (in November) Diana Delleani, Lawrence Brook teacher, on the birth of her grandson Luca Peter (in December) Cassandra Namio, Irwin teacher, on the birth of her son Gianluca (in December) Johanna Troshane, Frost instructional assistant, on the birth of her granddaughter Brielle Rafferty (in December) Joshua Becker, HMS music teacher, on the birth of his son Jeremy Patrick (in December) Jose DaSilva, HMS head custodian, on the birth of his grandson Patrick Manuel (in December) Elenor Hannum, HMS special ed. teacher, on the birth of her granddaughter Maura Antoinette (in December) Katelyn Orlando, Bowne-Munro teacher, on the birth of her son Leo (in December) Dorothy Demetor, Memorial nurse, on the birth of her granddaughter Zoe Sophia (in December) Condolences to: Greg Baron, Chittick teacher, on the death of his father-in-law (in October) Susan Chibbaro, Warnsdorfer teacher, on the death of her brother (in October) Roseann Bartolone, Admin secretary, on the death of her father (in October) Rosemary Chimento, EBHS aide, on the death of her father (in October) Christine Carroll, CJHS nurse, on the death of her father-inlaw (in October) Toni Hablawi, Lawrence Brook aide, on the death of her sister (in October) Anthony Gugliotta, Supervisor math, on the death of his father (in October) Silvia Colls, HMS computer technician, on the death of her mother (in October) Elaine Zullo, HMS PE teacher, on the death of her mother (in October) Melissa Grigal, CJHS health teacher, on the death of her father (in November) Allison Curry, Central teacher, on the death of her father (in November) Bobbi Tu, CJHS media specialist, on the death of her fatherin-law (in November) Mark Collura, Admin maintenance helper, on the death of his brother-in-law (in December) Denise Katzen, HMS teacher, on the death of her father-in-law (in December) Margaret Gilson-Coy, HMS nurse, on the death of her father (in December) Patricia Whipkey, retiree, on the death of her mother (in January) Curt Philipczak, board member, on the death of his mother (in January) Get Well Wishes to: Candace Gaudio, Admin secretary Kathleen Ambrosy, Lawrence Brook instructional assistant Kathleen Hassan, retiree Kenneth Wnorowski, Admin groundsman EBEA Newsletter Volume 36, Issue 2 Page 12 PLANNING AHEAD NJREA’s too! New Jersey Education Association Entertainment Discounts for Members! Planning that summer vacation? Want to bring the family to a theme park? How about a dinner date and a Broadway show? Visit the Members Benefits section of the NJEA website to view discounts for the many entertainment discounts available to NJEA members and their families. And don’t forget about savings on Auto/Home/Life Insurance, Legal Assistance, Cell Phones, Eyewear/Contact Lenses and so much more! https://www.njea.org/Members/Member-Benefits-Public/Member-Benefits Have your membership card handy as you are required to login with your PIN# (located on your membership card) and your password (last four digits of SS#, unless you have changed it) to access all the benefits that your membership entitles you to. THE EBEA NEWSLETTER Official Publication of the EAST BRUNSWICK EDUCATION ASSOCIATION PARC Cranbury 575 Cranbury Road, Suites B1 & B2 East Brunswick, NJ 08816 (732) 390-6600 www.my-ebea.org EBEA OFFICERS President: Dana Zimbicki, Ed.D Vice President: Mike Wildermuth Support Staff Director: Joan Hickman Secretary: Beth Berzanskis Treasurer: Norma Comerford Editor: Bobbi Tu
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