- Educate Voters at the Polls: Apple Ballot Poll Volunteers Needed
- It’s Vote by Mail Season!
- Thank You: Minority Scholars Program Platinum Sponsors
- Know Your Rights: Representation Updates
- Build a Union Strong School: Red for Ed Wednesdays
- Make Your Voice Heard on New Literacy Policy
- Upcoming Events from MSEA
- Grants Available Through Maryland Retired School Personnel Association
- From NEA: Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month in Your Classroom
1. Educate Voters at the Polls: Apple Ballot Poll Volunteers Needed
It’s critical for us to win at the ballot box! We need MCEA members to volunteer to cover a shift at the polls during Early Voting (October 24 – 31) and on Election Day (November 5). Our volunteers hand out our famous red Apple Ballots, helping voters understand who to support when they walk into the voting booth.
EARLY VOTING
Volunteer for Early Voting here.
ELECTION DAY
Volunteer for Election Day here.
2. It’s Vote by Mail Season!
Learn more about our candidates at https://www.mceanea.org/appleballot/
3. Thank You: Minority Scholars Program Platinum Sponsors
Above, left: MSP student films screened throughout the evening. Above, right: guests posed at the photo booth. Lower left, center: everyone looked glamorous! Lower right: President Stein addressed the crowd.
Thanks again to everyone who made our Back-to-School Ball benefiting the Minority Scholars Program a smashing success. Special appreciation goes out to our Platinum Sponsors:
MCPS Superintendent Dr. Thomas Taylor
MCEA Executive Director Heather Carroll-Fisher
Jane Stern, Past President, MCEA
Shalini Benson, Wobble
Wendy Moten, Owner and Senior Financial Strategist at Wealth Means Power
The full sponsorship list can be found here.
5. Build a Union Strong School: Red for Ed Wednesdays
How can you be a part of building a union strong school? Every Wednesday, wear RED to demonstrate union solidarity with your colleagues. Invite two or three of your closest colleagues to wear RED. We love seeing pictures of members sporting red.
You can send pictures of your Red for Ed Solidarity Day at your site to your assigned Uniserv Director or to [email protected].
6. Make Your Voice Heard on New Literacy Policy
Students and educators will be affected by a new literacy policy that the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) is in the process of developing. MSEA is engaged in helping to inform that policy by making sure that the voices of educators are heard as it is revised.
The draft policy sets an ambitious goal of ensuring that all students read at grade level by the end of third grade. While improving literacy has everyone’s support, educators understand the challenges and unintended consequences that a new policy could create. Retaining third grade students who do not read at grade level, which is one of the aspects of the policy, has the potential to exacerbate issues of workload and staffing, and retention frequently has long-term negative impacts on students.
Take a moment to sign the MSEA petition calling on the SBOE to listen to the concerns of educators as they review and modify this policy. Click here to sign the petition.
7. Upcoming Events from MSEA
- Q&A Town Hall on Pre-K Para Child Development Associate Credential: 10/3. Learn more here.
8. Grants Available Through Maryland Retired School Personnel Association (MRSPA)
The Grant applications need to be completed and returned to MRSPA by November 1, 2024. Applications will be reviewed on November 18, 2024, and winners will be notified by January 2025. Six grants of up to $500 will be awarded.
Apply here: MRSPA Classroom Grant Application
If you have any questions, please contact Maryland Retired School Personnel Association at 410-551-1517 or email at [email protected].
9. From NEA: Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month in Your Classroom
Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated annually September 15-October 15. This presentation contains information and resources from NEA so you can honor Hispanic Heritage month with your students. Learn more from NEA here.