CVEA Newsletter

If you total the three years the amount comes to $218,015. This is the amount of money over the last three years that the District budgeted for and should have gone into teacher paychecks. If you look at the progression and project the amount for 04/05 it seems likely that the four year total will exceed $300,000 of lost salary for our teachers.
This is not the District’s fault. They are not obligated to seek employees out and remind them to apply for the pay. It appears that many of our members are not aware of this benefit. Although information regarding voluntary days is found in the contract (Section 1, p. 39) and was mentioned in our October newsletter, the Association must do a better job than we have in urging members to apply for these days.

I am urging all members to apply for this extra pay. If you have not applied for these days and do so soon it could mean $500-$600 added to your May or June check. I am going to request that all Building Reps remind the staffs in their building to apply for these days before the end of the year. I will also send several email reminders to everyone regarding this information.

In most buildings the head secretaries keep track of these days. They also have the time sheets that are to be filled out. However, the procedures vary from building to building so you should ask your Building Rep or a veteran (the ones with the wrinkles around the eyes and the drool on the chin) what the process is in your building. You will have to identify what activity you spent your time on (developing new curriculum or new lesson plans is suitable) and the Principal will have to give his/her approval. I have never been told that building principal turned down a request. You must indicate that you have spent seven hours on the activity to qualify for a full day. You may also do it in half day (3.5 hours) increments. These days can be applied for any time during the contract year. That includes any days up until August 31, 2005. If you spend time getting your room ready in August this would be a great time to apply for the days. Along with the extra day pay for orientation day a teacher could receive three extra days pay on his/her check at the end of September.

If you have questions please call (926-0201) or email me at cvea@aol.com.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

CVEA SCHOLARSHIP

My name is Sarah Ferris and I was one of the recipients of the Central Valley Education Association Scholarship in 2002. I am writing to say thank you for awarding me the scholarship, as I have put it to good use over here at Western Washington University in Bellingham.

I am currently a junior and have been admitted into the Woodring College of Education for about a year now. I am majoring in Interdisciplinary Child Development and plan to graduate in the fall of 2006 with an endorsement in elementary education (K-8), and an additional endorsement in TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages).

Having the opportunity to attend a school like Western is something that I am thankful for each day. I feel that I am gaining tremendous amounts of teacher preparation and experience through the required classes and the practicums in local elementary schools, in addition to my interactions with outstanding professors.

I have been inspired over here in ways that I did not even think were possible before. I would like to someday receive a PhD in epistemology (as a result of a current philosophy of education class I am enrolled in) and become a college professor in a teacher eduction program.

Again, I am writing to say thank you for the scholarship because I have known my whole life that I have wanted to be involved in education. This award has helped me in my studies over here at Western Washington University, and I wanted to let you know how much I appreciate your support.

President’s Note: Each year the Central Valley Education Association awards a $1000 scholarship to two graduating seniors who plan to become teachers. Sarah Ferris is a 2002 graduate of University High School.

ELECTION RESULTS

Elections for the Executive Board of the Central Valley Education Association were held last month. A special thanks to all who chose to throw their hats in the ring to represent fellow members. It is a big commitment and their willingness to serve is appreciated. CVEA Officers for the 2005-2006 school year are as follows:

WEA-RA DELEGATES

The following CVEA members have been chosen to attend the Washington Education Association Representative Assembly to be held in Spokane, May 12-14.

Congratulations to all and thank you for being willing to represent your fellow members.

NEA/RA DELEGATES

The following members have been chosen to attend the National Education Association Representative Assembly to be held in Los Angeles in July. Congratulations!

FOR SALE

The Central Valley Education Association has some used computer equipment for sale.

If you are interested in purchasing any of the above, please send a sealed bid to the CVEA office by April 1. For more information call (926-0201) or email the CVEA office at cvea@aol.com

CALENDAR

Building Visitation Schedule

I plan to be in the following buildings during lunch to meet members and answer questions. kr

	01/02	02/03	03/04
Days	283.15	308.85	355.44
Value	$63,179	$72,159	$82, 677

A Publication of the Central Valley Education Association

C.V. Educator

March 2005

THE $218,015 GIVEAWAY

This is your money, go get it! kr