In this Issue: HEA Executive Board Mid-Year Retreat Topics
- Nominations OPEN for HEA Executive Board Positions
- Workforce Turnonver Report Listening Session
- The Good, The Bad and The Ugly in Olympia!
- February & March Events
- Highline Schools Foundation Gold Star Bash - Congratulations to the Nominees!
- QUICKLINKS !!!
- Substitute Data Fill Chart
February 23, 2023
Dear Supporter,
Tomorrow, the HEA Executive Board will hold its mid-year retreat. There we will dive into a long-awaited HR Workforce Turnover Report (described in #2), develop input for the upcoming HPS strategic plan, learn more about how data on school culture and climate will be gathered this spring, and prepare for a rep council training addressing injuries and threat assessments in our schools.
In addition, our Joint Committees have been busy this year, and the board will hear updates. I have been working with WEA to post committee members on the HEA website. Thank you to those who are serving our members as chairs and members of these committees:
- JET-Joint Evaluation Team
- DL Elementary Leadership Team
- DL Secondary Study Team
- HAT-Highline Assessment Team
- JIST-Joint Inclusive Services Team
- SBSC-Student Behavior Support Committee
- HEART-Highline Equity and Antiracism Team
- WA-Kids-Joint Kinder Assessment Work Group
Many thanks to VP and Finance Chair Jeb Binns, Secretary Veronica Fairchild, Specialist Rep Shawna Moore, Secondary Reps Amanda Stanley & Christian Tautua, and Elementary Reps Brandice Tranholt & Katie Reka. Additional thanks to our RUC board members Leslie Sokolik (WEAPAC Chair), Edissa Jaramillo (RECN), Deb Strayer (Guest Teacher Rep), and Stephanie Nelson. The work of HEA could not be accomplished without them along with our terrific staff: Portia Robinson, Elizabeth Beck, Lori Fleck, and Lani Nguyen. Together this team rocks!
Best wishes,
Sandy
PS And many thanks to the WEA RA delegates who are participating in our orientation-more information coming next week!
PPS "We Out Here!" Saturday, Feb. 25, starting at 7 p.m. at the Teamsters Hall, 14675 Interurban Ave. S., in Tukwila. Join fellow MLK Council members for a celebration of diverse leadership, in honor of and in solidarity with AFL-CIO Constituency Groups during Black History Month. There will be food and drinks from around the world, music and a dance floor. We're seeing immense enthusiasm for organized labor, especially among youngerr workers from increasingly diverse generations. To support current and future union members, to be a welcoming home and an effective movement for building worker power, we must understand that people closest to the problem are also closest to the solution. This will be a free event filled with joy and justice. RSVP here.
1. Nominations Open for HEA Executive Board
Nominations for the HEA Executive Board leadership positions listed below will remain open until the March 6 Rep Council Meeting. These officer positions are two-year terms, with elections held in odd-numbered years. Email Amanda Stanley to nominate yourself or encourage someone else to do the same.
- President-all members eligible to run.
- Vice-President-all members eligible to run.
- Elementary Representative-Elementary Teachers eligible to run.
- Middle school Representative-Middle School Teachers eligible to run.
- Specialist Representative-All ESAs, Central Office, Non-classroom Educators, Substitutes, Music/PE/Librarian Teachers eligible to run.
You are invited to join a Candidate Zoom Forum on April 24 at 4:30. The link will be provided to all members through a future EFocus. All candidates will also have the opportunity to address the Representative Council for two minutes at the May 1 monthly Rep Council Meeting. Only HEA members will be allowed to vote. Elections are carried out through personal email with your unique ballot emailed on May 15 and tabulated on May 19 by BallotPoint.If you have ideas for promoting election participation, please email Amanda. The Executive Board will be spending time on this as well this weekend.
2. Workforce Turnover Report Listening Session
All staff are invited to join HR for a community conversation and listening session about the recently released Workforce Turnover Report and data. This report is based on the 2021-22 school year and presents the experiences of staff who exited our system.
This report is designed to act as a launch pad for systems improvement at all levels. The HEA Executive Board will be reviewing the findings on Saturday and will advocate for targeted action plans to positively influence staff retention. We expect these action plans to address concerns raised by exiting employees.
Please join the Human Resources Department for an in-person community conversation and listening session about the report and the turnover data described.
March 7, 4:30 - 5:30 p.m.
Health Services Building, Puget Sound Skills Center
18010 8th Ave. S, SeaTac 98148
3. The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly in Olympia
WEA Staff make it easy to follow those bills we should shout out or thumb down. By clicking on the WEA Advocacy Blog you will see quick responses you can register (pro and con). Register for the blog and you will get these in a timely manner. And who knows, you may see a bill you really wish to zoom into a committee meeting to speak for or against.
***Look for Event Flyers Posted on your Staff Room HEA Bulletin Board***
1. SPECIAL EDITION! HEA Executive Board Hybrid Retreat—February 25 (9AM) overlapping with New WEA RA Delegate Training (2PM-5PM). All members invited to zoom in starting at 2:00 to learn more about the RA and the Delegate role. Eboard meetings are open to all members except when in Executive Session. Email HEA Secretary Veronica Fairchild for the link or address.
2. NEW! All schools are required to revise and refresh their Emergency Substitute Folders by March 1, 2023. This was a request by guest teachers which was bargained into the CBA. Emergency Substitute Folders need to include information such as classroom rules, daily schedule, lesson plans and seating charts. For a detailed Emergency Substitute Folder Checklist, please see Appendix F on Page 187 of the HEA CBA.
3. NEW! HPS School Board Work Study Session—March 1 (4:50PM-5:50PM). Observe or attend in person to learn more about findings on Work Force Turnover for the 2021-22 SY. Attendees may listen and observe but not comment or interact with the board during work study sessions. Get access to the link and meeting materials HERE.
4. HPS School Board Meetings—March 1, 15 and March 29 (6PM in person or listen in via zoom). Schedule your public comment by calling 206-631-3070 starting on Monday 9AM through Wednesday 9AM the week of the meeting. Be sure to leave your name, contact number, personal email and your topic. Public Speakers have up to two minutes with priority going to those speaking on agenda topics which are listed starting the Friday before.
5. Rainier Rainbow Educators Monthly Meetup: March 2, 2023 (4PM) Hybrid! REGISTER HERE. ALL educators welcome! Dinner will be provided to in person participants. Be sure to RSVP! Zoom link will be sent out March 2, 2023. Your Rainer UniServ Council has created an LGBTQ+ sub committee of our Equity Team (RECN Rainier Educators of Color Network) that is working on supporting educators in creating safe spaces for LGBTQ+ students and staff for their schools, offices, or campuses. This group will be presenting/co-presenting trainings, intervening when LGBTQ+ issues come up, and supporting student clubs. This committee meets monthly, both in person and via zoom. Our in person location is at the Rainier UniServ Council Office. Questions ? Requests for agenda items? Email us here. First Thursdays of the month @ HEA office/zoom.
6. HEA Rep Council Hybrid Meeting: March 6 (4:30-6:15PM) in-person at Highline High School and on zoom. Meetings are open to all members except when in Executive Session. Email HEA Secretary Veronica Fairchild for the link or room number.
7. NEW! Workforce Turnover Report Listening Session–March 7 (4:30-5:30 in the PSSC Health Services Building). Join a community conversation hosted by HR on the Workforce Turnover Report released on February 22 and presented to the school board at the March 1 Work Study Session.
8. SPECIAL INVITATION! HEA’s Introduction to Transforming Classrooms through Community and Connection—March 10 (9:00AM-4:00PM in the Sylvester Library) Registration will open March 1 in Frontline (Earn 6 clock hours) This is a secondary SLC day-if you are not hosting SLCs, talk with your administrator about attending. Elementary, this is a non-paid day so talk with your administrator about an ESC. Register HERE!
9. NEW! HEA’s Guest Teacher Social returns: March 17 (4:00-5:30PM at Angelo’s Restaurant, Burien). RSVP HERE!
5. 2023 Gold Star Bash
This year’s Gold Star Award winners will be announced at the annual BASH hosted by the Highline School’s Foundation. TICKETS cost $25 each and include appetizers, dessert, and one drink ticket (good for a beer or glass of wine). Non-alcoholic beverages are available for free with additional drink tickets available for purchase. Due to venue restrictions, tickets will not be available at the door, so pre-registration is necessary. Must be 21+ to attend.
Wednesday, March 8th, 2023
Doors open at 5:30pm, program from 6-7pm
Burien Community Center, 14700 6th Ave SW
21+ event
6. QUICKLINKS
WEAR BLUE ON TEAMSTER TUESDAYS!
WEAR HEA RED FOR ED ON WEDNESDAYS!
7. Substitute Data Fill Rates:
2/21/2023- 02/24/2023
