NJEA-Honoring Our Past, Imagining Our Future

February 2012

Dear Colleagues,

Happy New Year!

As marking period 2 comes to a close my admiration for all of you grows by leaps and bounds. No matter what changes come your way you stay focused on students!

Public education has been scrutinized by politicians, for-profit education providers and everyone else who feels he or she has an expertise in teaching. You have been very instrumental in keeping politicians focused on what is real and not the inflammatory, self-serving comments of those who wish to destroy public education. Your contacts to legislators have made a difference. Great job on that!!

The grassroots organization called Save Our School NJ (www.saveourschoolsnj.org ) is working similarly to raise public awareness about the impact of proposed “reform” bills.  SOSNJ is most involved in legislation concerning Charter Schools.  The fact not often shared by “reformers” is that NJ has an excellent public school system, that income predicts levels of academic success, that school budgets are negatively impacted by mandated charter schools, and that local control regarding charter schools is necessary. Please visit their website, read about the group, join their mailing list, but most importantly sign their petition to require that districts have local control of charter schools.

We are halfway through the school year and it is extremely impressive to see how inspirational you have been to your students! You have guided students to winning academic and athletic competitions, you have donated time and money (and pajamas J) to those in need, and you have helped each other by providing support when difficult personal and health issues arise. You are getting degrees, presenting workshops and working with your colleagues to become even more refined in your craft. Thank you for being the role models students need and for helping each other!

Please remain active in the WWPEA. Consider being a “helper” to your building VP, think about becoming a delegate to represent us at the NEA convention in Washington DC, join our newly forming Philanthropic Committee, throw your hat in the ring for an Executive Board position, follow through when an LAT action is announced and have fun with us at Happy Hours and at the Trenton Thunder game on May 31st.

You are such a bright and caring group of teachers! I am always proud to work for you and represent you!

All the best,

Debbie Baer

WWPEA mini