Place Your Order for Free At-Home COVID-19 Tests
Jan 19, 2022
Greetings, MEA-Retired Friends!
Just in case you haven't heard about this, please be advised that residential households in the U.S. can order one set of 4 free at-home tests from USPS.com. Here’s what you need to know about your order:
- Limit of one order per residential address
- One order includes 4 individual rapid antigen COVID-19 tests
- Orders will ship free starting in late January
Just click on the link below to order your tests. Doing so is quick and safe and the tests are FREE!
https://special.usps.com/testkits
2022 NEA Retired Conference
Dec 16, 2021
Good afternoon, MEA-Retired Friends,
Happy Wednesday from Traverse City, where it's a beautiful, sunny afternoon with over a foot of snow on the ground. A lovely scene, to be sure, and gets one in the holiday mood! I could easily snowshoe today if I didn't have a seemingly endless "to do" list.
I received an email from NEA-Retired President Sarah Borgman with the news that the NEA-Retired Annual Conference will be held Wednesday-Friday, March 16-18 in Baltimore, Maryland. At this time, no hotel has been chosen for the event. Although I do not have a schedule/agenda for the conference, we have been informed that it concludes at 12:30 p.m. on March 18.
Unlike recent years, the conference is not starting a couple hours after the conclusion of the NEA Leadership Summit; it is a "stand alone" event.
Any MEA/NEA-Retired lifetime member is eligible to attend the conference. A reminder: Members of the Board of Directors, chapter presidents and committee members are eligible for partial funding; the allocation is dependent on the number of qualifying individuals attending the conference. Registration will open January 5, 2022 with onsite registration happening March 16.
I will get any additional information to you as it becomes available.
Thank you for all that you do.
Kay
Substitute teaching shortages
Dec 16, 2021
Please follow this link for more information on this topic.
“Bill to allow support staff to substitute teach for Michigan school districts” (ABC 12, Dec. 15)
School Districts throughout the state are dealing with the constant struggle of staff shortages. Now secretaries, bus drivers and cafeteria workers could be leading classrooms soon to help combat the shortages if Governor Gretchen Whitmer decides to pass bill introduced by lawmakers earlier this week.
[includes quotes from David Crim, MEA Communications Consultant]
…
MEA and NEA statement
Dec 08, 2021
Dear MEA-Retired Friends,
After last week's horrific tragedy at Oxford High School, many of us have wondered how we can help those affected.
***Both MEA President Paula Herbart and NEA President Becky Pringle released a joint statement last week:
***In addition, President Herbart recorded a statement posted on YouTube.
***At Friday's MEA Board of Directors meeting, we heard from MEA Mid-Eastern Zone Director Kevin Marvin regarding the countless helpful resources that MEA is providing to those affected. In addition to grief counseling by trauma-certified professionals off-site (a much more comfortable option for most), Marvin also mentioned assistance from additional MEA personnel and MESSA among the support opportunities being provided by MEA. "We pledge to be in it for the long run," he said. Marvin also mentioned that Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, "under the radar," attended a school staff meeting offering her condolences and support. "She was phenomenal," he added.
***If you are interested in making a donation to the Oxford Community and Memorial Victims Fund, you may click on the link below:
The link cautions people to be aware of fraudulent donation accounts and to direct all donations through Oxford Bank.
***Thanks to MEA-Retired member Ed Haynor for forwarding information regarding the Michigan Association of Administrators of Special Education (MASSE) initiative:
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1N2uCalXVDjlL6wCXky2oPOXnQzZlqFTZvMUMQZCEooI/edit#slide=id.p1
In the wake of this unspeakable tragedy, please keep those affected in your thoughts and hearts. We will keep you informed regarding any additional opportunities for support.
Thank you, and please stay healthy and safe.
Strong women LEAD, proud union staff of the mighty Michigan Education Association. Congrats MADAM president!
Nov 09, 2021
Strong women LEAD, proud union staff of the mighty Michigan Education Association. Congrats MADAM president!
“Power metrics: Under Herbart's leadership, MEA represents about 120,000 student, active and retired members and supports 1,100 MEA Locals and 550 school districts, including higher education. "I work with Michigan Department of Education, the governor's office and legislators to make sure they understand the needs of our students and members."
Biggest win: Working to get a $17 billion bipartisan school education budget passed that, for the first time, will provide equal funding for every student in the state. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed the landmark education bill in July 2021. "The MEA had a voice. We leveraged our relationships and partnerships with them so they could hear our cries. I couldn't be prouder of that."
