Category: Uncategorized

After a grueling shift, exhausted nurses and doctors walk out hospital doors, their tired faces red and raw where masks have rubbed against their skin for many long hours. But when they’re met by a chorus of cheers and salutes from firefighters, police, and EMTs, those tired faces break into smiles, and, a lot of the time, tears.

Among them is Sue Weimer, the school nurse from Shawnee High School in Burlington County, New Jersey. Now she’s on the front lines, caring for the surge of coronavirus patients as a per diem nurse at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, where she had been working part time as an ER nurse on weekends during the school year.

NEA will be hosting a live webinar, Student Loan Relief: What the COVID-19 Relief Law means for Student Loan Borrowers, on Tuesday, April 14 at 7 p.m. ET (4 p.m. PT).

Educators, and particularly educators of color, have been burdened by student debt for far too long. And the COVID-19 crisis risks making that debt even more burdensome.

Congress has enacted the CARES Act, a COVID-19 relief law that includes big changes to those who have student debt.

These changes include a suspension of interest and payments for borrowers who have federal student loans from April 10, 2020 to September 30, 2020. NEA is still fighting for a more expansive and more extended suspension of payments. And NEA is also fighting to cancel some or all of our members’ federal student loans.

Join NEA for a Zoom webinar to discuss:

1. Details on the student loan provisions in the CARES Act;
2. What it means for you and what you should be thinking about doing with your student loans during the suspension period;
3. The support available to NEA members to help them manage their loans; and
4. What you can do to fight for broader suspension and cancellation.

Cafeteria workers need to be recognized with labor protections for risking their own health to continue serving free meals to students

“These essential workers deserve a federal guarantee that they will earn at least $15 per hour, have access to paid-sick leave and affordable healthcare, and retire with dignity. The pandemic has shown us just how important ‘lunch ladies’ are, and we owe it to them to remember this lesson when school is back in session.” #rESPect #WeLoveOurESP

The halls of K-12 schools across the country are eerily quiet, as teachers and students stay home to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Yet cafeteria workers are reporting to work, figuring out innovative ways to serve children free, nutritious school meals in the middle of a pandemic that has caused unprecedented job loss and economic upheaval. Click to read more.

Save the Date! Presenters Needed!! Do you or do you know of someone who is an “expert” on a topic that would benefit ESP. The ESP Council is looking for presenters for the next One Conference, 2nd-3rd October 2020.

Do you have something that you’re passionate about? Do you teach yoga (self care)? Do you have special tips and tricks in your job category? How about presenting the benefits of an ESP mentoring program? There are countless topics that would benefit ESP. Share your talents with others.

Please submit your proposal! Deadline is April 20th. Please contact me if you have any questions.

This had tears running down my checks. Finally someone gets it!! When you feel respected and valued, it makes all the difference in the world. Please know today, your union family sees how amazing you are, knows that what you do (at home or in school) is vital to our students and communities. As we navigate these next few weeks and months we are here for you to remind you that you are smart, brave, vital, and together we can face anything!

I hope this makes you smile!!!

Union Work in the Time of COVID-19

From safety and pay issues to professional supports, local and state associations are quickly addressing urgent workplace issues.

Yes! We Still Need to Support the Census Here’s how you can help make sure your students and communities will get the resources they need, even during school closures.

“We are critical in helping the students and families we serve get through this crisis,” says special education paraprofessional Andrea Beeman.

What’s Included in the COVID-19 Stimulus Package? A six-month suspension of student loan payments, rental assistance, money for ESP pay, and more. But educators are still fighting for additional help.

Meet the Holderness Family

I hope you enjoy!! 🙂