Peninsula Education Association, 5209 Point Fosdick Dr NW Ste 203, Gig Harbor, WA (2022)

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Educators: we got a new printer last weekend so have ink from our old printer I'd love to give to one of you. Pick up from our porch. It's Epson 676 ink. Let me know and I can private message our Gig Harbor address.

Anyone speaking at school board meeting...please read this
https://www.facebook.com/112498138784261/posts/3701322246568481/

https://www.facebook.com/100000421440091/posts/3600191126671567/

Borrowing from someone else’s post (you know who you are, thanks) “Kindergarten and first graders in our district have the option of going back to class next Monday. The teachers who pull this off our absolute rock stars in my opinion! All the learning centers and choice time activities are packed away. These littles will be learning from their desks 6 feet away from friends! Stay safe! “

Hi All - any creative childcare options floating around there? Not for me, but for my colleagues.

https://www.facebook.com/1121284222/posts/10217125645429535/

My friend who teaches in Texas just sent this to me. This is happening in Texas now!

This was just sent to me! Wow!!!

Callie Conti did you see what California teachers association wrote??

California cannot reopen schools unless they are safe.

The following letter was sent to Governor Gavin Newsom, Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon, Senate Pro Tem Toni Atkins and Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond:

Honorable California Leaders,

We write on behalf of the 310,000 members of the California Teachers Association and the more than nine million students we serve regarding the pending reopening of schools and colleges throughout the state. We appreciate your leadership and efforts in meeting this extraordinary challenge. We understand the dramatic impact of the pandemic on the state budget and appreciate all efforts to protect public education, while recognizing that the budget relies on $13 billion in deferrals and additional federal funding. It is why, looking forward, we believe the state must have additional revenues to address the growing needs.

Since schools closed in March, CTA has said that the health and safety of our students and educators must always be our top priority and our guiding principle during this crisis. Much is still being learned about the COVID-19 virus. The recent surge in the infection rate and the closure of indoor activities in 26 counties gives us pause around the state’s preparedness for safe in-person school instruction in a short six- to eight-week time frame. In this current situation, we believe that the “Precautionary Principle” should guide us. This means taking the most preventative action in the face of uncertainty to protect students, educators, and our communities. Simply said, California cannot reopen schools unless they are safe.

Unfortunately, many local districts and communities don’t have the necessary resources or capacity to maintain even the most basic prevention measures of six feet physical distancing and limiting contacts, much less the other important preventative actions such as personal protective equipment (PPE), testing and tracing, or adequate ventilation and cleaning supplies.

While no one method of prevention by itself is 100 percent effective, layered strategies boost prevention with each measure knocking off some percentage of exposure and potential infection. This includes a clear and manageable plan to implement measures like physical distancing of six feet, reducing the number of contacts, face coverings, handwashing, daily health screening, support for sick and at-risk people to stay at home, robust testing, good ventilation (with absolutely no recirculated air), and cleaning and disinfecting.

We should be clear-eyed about this reality. How can we physically reopen schools with lower thresholds of safety than we currently have for restaurants or hair salons?

Safe school reopening will require the state to coordinate consistent public health department operations that offer a uniform symptoms checklist and safety protocols; data transparency and accessibility; increased testing dedicated to schools for students and staff; rapid case notification and contact tracing; isolation support and medical care for our most vulnerable students and families; and health monitoring of students to serve as early understandings of transmissions in schools and warnings of any school-based outbreaks. We also ask the state to direct the California Department of Public Health to coordinate with CalOSHA to develop and implement training for all school districts on safety protocols and to direct that Illness and Injury Prevention plans be updated and adopted prior to the first day of in-person instruction.

As educators, we too want to be back with our students doing the work that we love, but we cannot ignore science, facts, and safety. Absent a specific plan for each school that includes a clear line of responsibility and accountability we have two options:

1. A high-risk in-person opening, even under a hybrid model.
2. Start the new school year under robust distance learning protocols until the virus is contained in local communities and proper safety measures can be put into place.

It is clear that communities and school districts have not come close to meeting the threshold for a safe return to in-person learning, even under a hybrid model. In fact, with recent health orders issued in 26 counties impacting nearly 85 percent of Californians, we are going backwards. How can we reasonably expect hundreds of students, and in some cases more than 1,000 students, to come together on one campus for an entire day without putting their health and the lives of every adult on that campus at risk? Federal and state guidance regarding a phased reopening have focused on a sustained downward trajectory of COVID-19 cases for 14 days or no more than 1 COVID-19 case per 10,000 in the past 14 days. From a public health perspective, the best course of action would be to focus on improving our ability to provide robust, quality distance learning until the virus is marginalized and safety measures are addressed.

Just yesterday, on July 7, President Donald Trump implored the nation’s schools to physically open amid a new wave of COVID-19 diagnoses. In doing so, he pointed to other countries’ abilities to reopen their schools as evidence that America’s schools needed to do the same. President Trump ignores the fact that these other countries invested heavily in PPE, health and safety protocols for education and testing – the very resources that he is threatening to withdraw. We have joined you in lobbying the federal government for more money for California to aid in the COVID-related budget impacts. We are deeply concerned that politics are being played with the lives of children and the educators who serve them.

Safe school reopening and equity for our communities requires funding. While the recent budget agreement certainly buys a bit of time, it is not the investment needed to meet this critical crisis. California remains in the lower tier of school funding in this nation. At best, the billions of dollars in deferrals and structural deficit simply put off the day when our school budgets are slashed. We are a state of great innovation and wealth with the fifth largest economy in the world. We should not have to put our students and staff in harm's way. We should not compromise on funding or school safety in the home of the greatest number of billionaires in the country, who have increased their net worth by 25 percent during the first three months of the pandemic. We encourage you to adopt additional revenues, such as suspending corporate tax credits and exemptions or imposing a tax on the wealthiest billionaires to help our communities survive.

We need safe, equitable, and well-funded public schools and colleges – this is what California’s students deserve.

Sincerely,
CTA President E Toby Boyd
CTA Vice President David Goldberg
CTA Secretary-Treasurer Leslie Littman

Teachers need to be part of the conversation on reopening schools. We made this video to implore administration to think outside the box, especially with our most vulnerable students!

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfowSpWn1NVo1pSKkTrEgHnkgHsEtOHXQX8g1XLl4yMSwqBqA/viewform

With it being Dyslexia Awareness month...I came across this free self-paced course and really enjoying it. My principal approved it as a self-direct hours. I know my some of peeps at Vaughn K-3 have signed up for it as well.

ATTENTION MEMBERS IN GIG HARBOR!!
Peninsula Education Association South Kitsap Education Association

Please contact your local Council members to tell them NOT to pass the Open Bargaining resolution at tonight's city council meeting!

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1NbO7Jyhc7YnWKeprE2Cbf2555eUS7TCHRAdQI2sFAU4/edit

Peninsula Education Association (PEA) represents certificated employees of the Peninsula School District working in Gig Harbor and the Key Peninsula.

Operating as usual

03/29/2022

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️3.29.22 ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

03/16/2022

Don’t forget to wear RED tomorrow!

03/15/2022

Timeline photos

Did you know that e-books on Libby have a feature to help people with dyslexia? Download the app and check it out! http://downloads.pcls.us

03/04/2022

Learning music helps students achieve success in other content areas. During the month of March, Music in Our Schools Month® highlights the importance of music education and excellence in local school music programs.

Learn more here: https://wea.mobi/MusicInOurSchools

02/28/2022

PEA is holding listening sessions this week! Look in your email for dates and times for different grade levels, job-a-likes & interest groups.

02/26/2022

PEA members check your personal email for an important survey. We need your voice!

02/21/2022

CSI

PEA members and friends of education please take action by 4 PM today!
The Senate's operating budget proposal being heard in Ways and Means today gives a 1.99% COLA. Through the McCleary lawsuit, the legislature promised the Court to raise salaries annually by the IPD which is nearly 6%. Here is the link to voice your opposition.

CSI This system is used as a roster to show who has registered and wishes to state their position on a bill. The information you provide will be made available to legislative committee members and staff of the committee, and will be included in the legislative record for bill and meeting archival purpos...

01/21/2022

Sharing!

Do you know a talented teen artist or writer? Encourage them to enter the Our Own Expressions Teen Writing and Art Contest. Entries will be accepted through Feb. 28. http://expressions.pcls.us

01/18/2022

Make sure you share with our legislators, school boards & community. It is critical we increase staffing in these areas for our students!

01/15/2022

Welcome! You are invited to join a meeting: How Kids Can Act for Racial Justice: Annual MLK Day Virtual Event for Kids and Grown-Ups!. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the meeting.

Please share.

Welcome! You are invited to join a meeting: How Kids Can Act for Racial Justice: Annual MLK Day Virtual Event for Kids and Grown-Ups!. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the meeting. Join us for our annual MLK Virtual event for the whole family! All ages welcome - we will have something for everyone! Join Erin Jones & Dr. Mollie for a kid-friendly conversation about how to, in the spirit of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., find ways to act for racial justice in age-appropriate ways!...

12/16/2021

People Magazine Names All Teachers “People of the Year” and Heck Yes, We Deserve it!

People Magazine got this right! Our educators are amazing & deserve to be recognized for all they do to support students, families, and our community.

People Magazine Names All Teachers “People of the Year” and Heck Yes, We Deserve it! It's been a year.

11/27/2021

Teachers are asking for extra holidays and mental health resources to fight burnout

Teachers are asking for extra holidays and mental health resources to fight burnout Scott Simon speaks with Sobia Sheikh, a math teacher in northwest Washington state, about teacher burnout.

11/24/2021

WEA's Inclusionary Practices Project and Special Education Support Center (SESC) are providing professional development via Zoom. Courses are free and clock hours are available for each session. Register early as space is limited. Learn more at https://bit.ly/3FY2NlV.

11/23/2021

11/21/2021

No class schedule disruptions, but Peninsula teachers 'overwhelmed' from filling gaps - Gig Harbor Now

No class schedule disruptions, but Peninsula teachers 'overwhelmed' from filling gaps - Gig Harbor Now “People say they were ‘December tired’ in October.” — Carol Rivera, president Peninsula Education Association

11/18/2021

We ❤️ our PE Specialists!

𝙇𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙄𝙣 𝘼𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 | Collaboration, togetherness, and inspiration! Peninsula School District elementary physical education staff meet together at least once a month to share ideas, grade-specific activities, problem-solving strategies, and more.

In job alike roles, the collaboration meetings provide opportunity to share with others in the same roles at schools across the district.

Similar to classroom teaching staff meeting with grade level teams at school buildings for collaboration and support, this elementary physical education group values the importance of connecting with one another as PE specialists in our district. The sense of community and empowerment result in education strategies and ideas to positively impact student experiences.

The group has been meeting for years with long-time attendees, and also invites new physical education staff as they join the district to build community and offer fresh perspectives.

Pictured in this photo are some of our amazing elementary PE staff during the start of a recent collaboration session. In this picture alone, more than 80 years of collective teaching experience is represented!

From L to R - David Aston at Voyager Elementary, Kristina Waage at Swift Water Elementary School, Catherine Walloch at Purdy Elementary School, Darryl Bradshaw at Vaughn Elementary School, and David Rucci at Harbor Heights Elementary.

11/17/2021

Travel Grants for Educators

Travel Grants for Educators NEA Member Benefits

Photos from Stand Up For Peninsula Schools's post

10/22/2021

Thankful our community came together to do so much good for kids!

10/20/2021

Recognizing students and adults may have invisible disabilities that impact their daily lives. How can we support them in schools, communities, and workplaces?

“I had never heard of the phrase ‘invisible disabilities,’ until I became involved with the NEA IDEA Resource Cadre, which is a group of educators who provide professional development and resources to help other NEA members improve their students’ academic success. I learned that invisible disabilities are conditions—such as physical, mental, or neurological—that you can’t see but impact your learning or ability to work. Previously, I thought you either have a disability or you don't; you either meet a qualification for a disability or you don’t.

As educators, we need to know people might be dealing with something we can’t see.

We know IEPs and 504s are available for students. But, what about the adults? Our disabilities don’t go away when we finish or graduate from school.

When my husband was diagnosed with brain cancer—which up to a certain point was an invisible disability—he still wanted to work. He was a high school government and history teacher, and a basketball coach.

We worked with my union to get him ADA accommodations and other resources he needed for his battle to get back some normalcy. He just wanted to get back to teaching, and these accommodations would help him make it through the school day, but he never made it back to the classroom.

He deteriorated quickly and it’s almost been five years since he passed away.

He taught us all that you should not be limited based on visible or invisible disabilities and you should be able to maintain your job with the necessary accommodations—and he fought for that until the end.

I could not speak more highly of the leadership within my union. They listened to him and helped get the services he needed, and then linked him with the Ohio Education Association's attorney services.

Advocating and fighting for my husband opened my eyes to the fact that we, as teachers, can have ADA accommodations. This doesn't mean we should be pigeonholed into what we are able, or not able, to do. I’ve been diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder and depression, and the sky’s the limit for me.

We are in a pivotal moment to reshape this generation, and one way to do it is when we talk about diversity, inclusion, and equity to not forget the people with disabilities in that conversation. There's potential in every human being, and while it might not always look the same, we all have it and deserve the opportunity to pursue it to the fullest.”

Traci Arway, Special Education Coordinator, Columbus, OH

Don't forget to share this Member Monday with an educator you know that does a great job supporting students and educators with disabilities that you can’t see or tag them in the comments below!

10/17/2021

Timeline photos

We are excited to share that PSD is offering a Transitional Kindergarten program! If you have a child with a Sep 1, 2021 - Aug 31, 2022 5th birthday, this program may be of interest to you.

Interest Form » http://ow.ly/q6Ua50GstGo

Full details on our website, including a video overview, at http://ow.ly/byiw50GstGn.

10/08/2021

10/01/2021

NPR Exclusive: Troubled Public Service Loan Forgiveness program will get overhaul

Student loan forgiveness

NPR Exclusive: Troubled Public Service Loan Forgiveness program will get overhaul The program's confusing requirements led to crowds of frustrated borrowers being denied debt relief. The department is expected to make immediate, retroactive fixes and to simplify the overall rules.

10/01/2021

Here we go. FREEE for Friday October 1st only (and today if you see this post on Troll in a Bowl Apps), "Witch's Brew" for Articulation. All 22 articulation decks, the reinforcer. Hansel & Gretel have returned to the Witch's house to get the magic jelly bean. They had better hurry because the witch is using a magic wall to try and trap them. In the bundle there is also, as a bonus, "The Witch's New House" Boom Card Book. Halloween has always been my favorite holiday and no.... October 1st is not too early to start decorating for it. Have fun. https://wow.boomlearning.com/store/bundle/eaZfP2aA4QrcrAn4c?ref=self

09/26/2021

Review this position, and other district openings, on our website at WWW.PSD401.NET/DEPARTMENTS/HUMAN-RESOURCES

09/06/2021

Jill Biden: A Tribute to Classroom Heroes

Jill Biden: A Tribute to Classroom Heroes "I have never been prouder to be a teacher...Thank you for being the heroes we needed," First Lady Dr. Jill Biden writes

09/05/2021

A message from WEA Vice President Janie White

07/20/2021

Agenda link embedded in the post.

The Peninsula School District Board of Directors will be holding a business meeting on Thursday, July 22, 2021 beginning at 6:00 p.m. in the Community Room at Swift Water Elementary School.

Agenda: http://ow.ly/jPE250FAbu1

Check the agenda for how to submit public comment and health and safety protocols for attending in-person. Community members are also invited to view the live stream of the meeting on our website or YouTube Channel.

07/06/2021

❤️❤️❤️

Today is the day we've been waiting months for. We kicked off our Free Summer Lunch in the Park program. Our volunteers prepared and packaged 140 lunches to distribute. Don't they look yummy?

Where to find us:
Gateway Park (off 302 on the Key Peninsula)
Tuesdays and Thursdays until Aug 26th
Noon until all lunches are distributed

Photos from Peninsula School District's post

06/17/2021

Hugh is a champion of education. What a great tribute.

06/16/2021

California Casualty Music & Arts Grant

Any educator is eligible to apply for this Music & Arts grant. I’d love to see PEA member be awarded this grant!

The California Casualty Music & Arts Grant was established to provide support for K-12 public schools negatively impacted by reduced budgets. 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 on this link or the graphic below to enter into the CalCas Music and Arts Grant.

https://www.calcasmusicartsgrant.com

California Casualty Music & Arts Grant The California Casualty Music & Arts Grant was established to provide support for K-12 public schools negatively impacted by reduced budgets.

06/09/2021

This is an important decision members need to make. Contributions will be part of a payroll tax that takes effect next fall/winter. There is an waiver if you have your own long term care insurance. Be informed so you can chose what works best.

Join us for a webinar next Wednesday to learn more about Washington’s new long-term care insurance plan and NEA member benefits’ plan. Get your questions answered!

05/26/2021

Timeline Photos

The Peninsula School District Board of Directors will be holding a business meeting on Thursday, May 27, 2021 beginning at 6:00pm in the Community Room at Pioneer Elementary School.

Agenda: http://ow.ly/EHFf50EVdI2

Check the agenda for how to submit public comment and health and safety protocols for attending in-person. Community members are also invited to view the live stream of the meeting on our website or YouTube Channel.

05/21/2021

Timeline Photos

The PSD Nutrition Services Department will have free meal kits available for children up to the age of 18 during summer break running from June 24, 2021 through September 2, 2021.

Interest Survey & More Details » http://ow.ly/QsrS50ERLKX

If you plan to pick up meals through the Summer Meal Program, please complete the survey. This information will assist the Nutrition Office with planning to ensure there are enough meals at meal sites and along meal routes. Thank you!

04/21/2021

Thank you lawmakers for voting to eliminate the EdTPA!

04/18/2021

Shout out to our PEA delegation! WEA Rep Assembly was held virtually April 15-17th. It also fell over spring break and the best weather of 2021. I am grateful for their dedication to our union and the students we serve. ❤️

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