PESPA PRIDE - January 8, 2010

 PESPA ELECTIONS

The 2010 election process is underway, and you have the opportunity to nominate and elect a PESPA President, Vice-President, Board of Directors, and delegates to NEA and AFT conventions. Nomination forms are available on on the back of this newsletter and on our website at www.pcta-pepsa.org.

If you are dedicated to improving the working conditions of support professionals in Pinellas County, I encourage you to join us. We are your central line to the District. This is your career, there is no reason you should not be a part of us. We need PESPA members willing to speak with one STRONG VOICE on behalf of support professionals and help increase our membership. We encourage your participation as a nominee and voter for this election. All members have an opportunity to affect the direction of PESPA through the election of your officers, board members, and representatives. Consider running for one of the vacant offices.  Take this opportunity to “Make our Schools A Priority!”

PESPA nominations are due February 2, 2010 at 5:00 pm and elections will be held March 17, 2010.

JOIN US AT THE MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. PARADE

In what has become an annual tradition, members of PCTA and PESPA will be marching in the Martin Luther King Day parade on Monday, January 18th in St. Petersburg. Marchers will distribute pencils to children along the parade route. It is great fun, good exercise and helps our community celebrate Dr. King’s legacy. Get a group together from your school. Please let me know if you are interested in the MLK breakfast, we are sharing a table with Human and Civil Rights (HCR) committee this year. Tickets are limited. For more information or to sign up, contact Pamela Brown at 727.585.6518.

SICK LEAVE BANK DONATIONS

Due to unusually high rates of illness and leaves, the PCSB Support Professionals Sick Leave Bank is much lower than anticipated. The Bank guidelines require additional days be requested if the Sick Leave Bank balance drops below 15% percent of the participants. We are quickly approaching that number and additional days will be requested from all Sick Leave Bank participants. In addition, those who are not currently members of the Bank are encouraged to join. If you are able to donate, please complete the Sick Leave Bank application available from your school secretary. Keep in mind that many of your colleagues experiencing serious medical conditions have benefited from the Bank over the years.

JDRF
Gather your team and put on your running shoes. It’s time for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Fund (JDRF) Walk to Cure Diabetes. PCTA-PESPA is partnering with PCSB to form a team of educators to walk and raise funds for this worthy cause. The JDRF Walk to Cure Diabetes will be held, Saturday, March 13, 2010 at Ft. DeSoto State Park. Look for those colorful sneakers to appear in your school beginning next week.

HIGHLY QUALIFIED (NCLB)
The 2010-2011 school year is quickly approaching and new NCLB requirements state that ESE Associates in non-Title I schools should become highly qualified. All ESE Associates are strongly encouraged to take the Para Pro Test or submit transcripts to the district showing completion of the required 60 college credit hours to become a Paraprofessional.