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• YOUR     REWARD•  


CREDIT: What it is and how it works
Credit reports, credit ratings - is it all a mystery? It's too important not to understand.

In cooperation with the State Treasurer's office, DSEA is co-sponsoring a free, two-hour informational workshop just for school employees and their families.

January 9
5-7pm
DSEA Dover Office, 136 E. Water St., Dover
and
January 11
5-7 pm DSEA Newark Office, 4135 Ogletown-Stanton Road, Suite 101, Newark

Refreshments will be served.
RSVP: Seating is limited so please reserve your spot now, by calling the State Treasurer's Office at 302-672-6700.

Defensive Driving Workshops
Save up to 15% in Delaware on your car insurance by taking both Basic and Advanced Defensive Driving. Many insurance companies give you a 10%-15% discount for taking Basic Defensive Driving (six hours). That discount is normally good for three years, at which point you can take Advanced (three hours: it's like a refresher course) for another three year discount.
DSEA is proud to offer these workshops once again, for only $12 – valued at up to $40. Refreshments will be served.


Basic Defensive Driving
 DSEA Newark Office
March 28 and 29

Advanced Defensive Driving
DSEA Newark Office
May 15

Basic Defensive Driving
DSEA Dover Office 
April 24 and 26

Advanced Defensive Driving
DSEA Dover Office
April 19

All sessions are from 6-9pm.
You must reserve your spot. Please contact Tammy Wagner by e-mail or by calling toll-free, 1-866-734-5834.
Send in your check, made payable to DSEA, c/o Tammy Wagner, DSEA, 136 E. Water St., Dover, DE 19901 .

 

 

 
 
    
• YOUR VOICE •

We win Red Clay PERB decision regarding employee dress code
Late last week the Public Employment Relations Board of Delaware rendered a favorable decision to the members of the Red Clay Education Association/DSEA.

The decision supported our position that the dress code is a mandatory subject of bargaining. The District has until 12/27 to request that the full PERB review the matter, but we expect that the decision will hold up under a full review.

The district had tried to mandate an employee dress code. Our position is that, as an area of working conditions, it is a mandatory subject of bargaining. Yet to be resolved is whether or not an Unfair Labor Practice occurred given the specific facts of this case. 

For all of you not in Red Clay, this puts dress code in play for negotiations and should prohibit districts from attempting to impose dress codes on our members. 

It also overturned a 1993 Seaford case in which the PERB held that employee discipline was a matter of inherent managerial policy that public school employers could not be required to bargain. The PERB decision in Red Clay provides that “employee discipline is a mandatory subject of bargaining."

Want to weigh in on Vision 2015? …Or learn more about this education reform and advocacy group’s recommendations?
DSEA is sponsoring three Member Forums early next year:

February 6, DSEA office in Dover, 5-7 pm
February 15, North Georgetown E.S., 5-7 pm
February 20, DSEA New Castle Office, 5-7 pm

No RSVP is necessary. What you tell us at these forums will help us articulate our message. To read the Vision 2015 recommendations, go to www.vision2015de.org. Or check out the extensive information in the December issue of ACTION!
Click here, and then click over to pages 11-15.

Take time to file your application/petition to run for a DSEA governance position during break

In early February, members will elect DSEA Exec. Board members, NEA RA delegates for two years, and also an NEA Director, to represent DSEA members on the NEA Board of Directors. Would you like to run? Click here for more information: The deadline to file your application to run for office and have your name on the ballot is coming up soon - January 5.

• YOUR SUPPORT •

Winter Advocacy Retreat coming in February

February 23-25, 2007
This weekend event for all DSEA union leaders and future leaders will replace Summer Academy next year. We’re looking for a location at or near the beach.

Please mark your calendars now. More soon!

Just a reminder about the annual NEA Mid-Atlantic Regional Conference...
It's not too late to sign up for this annual conference which DSEA is hosting at the Hotel DuPont in Wilmington, from January 26-28. Join hundreds of other members from Virginia, Ohio, Kentucky, West Virginia, the Federal Education Association, and, of course, Delaware.

For more on the conference and to register, click here. Registration is $150 by December 29, and $170 by January 17


• YOUR CALLING •

The Cat in the Hat turns 50

NEA's Read Across America isn't the only one celebrating. The Cat in the Hat turns 50 in 2007, and "Project 236" commemorates the 236 words that became the groundbreaking book, The Cat in the Hat, with a national read-aloud to benefit NEA partner First Book. For more information, go to www.catinthehat.com or http://www.seussville.com/CITH_50th/.

Student RAA 2007 billboard contest underway 
Would you like your students to create a billboard, financed by DSEA, in conjunction with NEA’s Read Across America? Click here for all the specifics. 

Beware of offer of free books
Once again the Literacy Empowerment Foundation is offering “free books” to NEA members while using NEA’s Read Across America name without the Association’s permission. Those receiving the free books are subject to shipping and handling charges, and, we’re told, the books are of poor quality.

Beware Number 2: anti-NCLB online petition
A group of education advocates/activists, calling themselves the Educator Roundtable, has posted an anti-NCLB petition online. The petition is also circulating on several email lists. While well-meaning, it does not represent NEA’s views, nor is it consistent with NEA’s Positive Agenda for ESEA or our messaging. NEA is advising us to NOT sign or promote it. A message from President Weaver about this issue will be sent in the very near future.

DSEA Award Nominations now due
Click here for nomination forms and information about DSEA’s annual awards which will be presented at our Celebration Dinner, March 23, 2007:ESP Award; Susan C. Roushey Advocacy Award; Helen D. Wise Award; Community Partner Awards; and our Legislative Friend of Education Award.

Celebrating Service to Others Student Contest now open Students can win $100 U.S. Savings Bonds by entering the 2007 Celebrating Diversity through Community Service Art and Writing Contests. Click here for more information.   

 

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Delaware State Education Association
136 E. Water Street • Dover, DE 19901 • tel 1-866-734-5834 • fax 302-674-8499