Week of 1-11-2021

Inside this issue

• Chambersburg Area educators keep their community strong
• Take action now: Tell Acting Secretary Ortega and Secretary Levine what you think
• On a bright note: LDAPA donates thousands of masks to PA special ed. departments
• PSEA’s Center for Professional Learning: 2021 schedule
• Member Benefits spotlight: PSEA Visa Signature Card

Chambersburg Area educators keep their community strong

We recently heard from a member in the Chambersburg Area School District who told us about all the amazing things educators there have been doing.

Every year during Christmas the teachers at Chambersburg Area Senior High School buy gifts for the students who are sheltered at Children’s Aid Society (CAS), run by Franklin County Children and Youth. This year, through the implementation of a virtual Christmas tree, children were able to share their wishes and needs. Within hours, every wish and need was fulfilled.

Even though this is a difficult time for all, it is especially difficult for the students who are living at CAS because they are separated from their families and have been isolated since the outbreak of the pandemic.

Teachers in the district also purchased and delivered trays of assorted wraps made at a local grocery store. Those trays were delivered to the ER staff at Chambersburg Hospital, the staff at MedExpress, and to the staff at Keystone Urgent Care. Teachers also quietly carry out many selfless acts for their own students, whether it be purchasing gift cards so families can buy presents or needed items, or delivering food for families in need, among many other things that don’t get publicized.

Teachers in the Chambersburg Area School District, just like teachers all over the state and country, continue to work hard, sacrifice their own needs – especially time – to care for their students. We’re proud to count so many of them among our membership.

Before we bring more students back into the classroom during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, we need to know that every school in Pennsylvania is following the state’s health and safety guidance.

That’s the message I sent to Acting Secretary of Education Noe Ortega and Secretary of Health Rachel Levine in a letter this week. You can see a copy of that letter here. 

Let Acting Secretary Ortega and Secretary Levine know that we want the state to enforce state COVID-19 guidance before bringing more students back into the classroom. 

The Learning Disabilities Association of Pennsylvania (LDAPA) held a mask and face shield fundraiser that allowed them to donate much-needed PPE equipment to thousands of Pennsylvania special education teachers and staff members.

Nearly 7,000 N95 and kN95 masks were distributed to departments across the state, allowing five masks per person, as well as some additional face shields.

If you’d like to inquire about masks for your school, or want more information about the fundraiser, you can email the organization directly at info@ldaofpa.org.

PSEA’s Center for Professional Learning: 2021 schedule

Here’s what’s coming up at PSEA’s Center for Professional Learning, your one-stop shop for earning easy Act 48/Chapter 14 credits:

Webinars

• Creating a virtual classroom with Google Slides
  • Jan. 26, 6-7:30 p.m.
• Digital Reading Strategies
  • Feb. 2, 6-7:30 p.m.
• Building Relationships at a Distance
  • Feb. 9, 6-7:30 p.m.
• Get organized with a Virtual Classroom!
  • Feb. 16, 6-7:30 p.m.
• Using HyperDocs for Online Learning
  • Feb. 23, 6-7:30 p.m.
• Schoology in Practice: The Essentials for Intermediate users
  • March 2, 6-7:30 p.m.

Book Discussions

• Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You - Dr. Ibram X. Kendi and Jason Reynolds
  • Feb. 10, 5-6 p.m.
• Book 1 - John Lewis & Andrew Aydin
  • March 10, 5-6 p.m.
• Refugee - Alan Gratz
  • April 7, 5-6 p.m.
• Out of My Mind - Sharon Draper
  • May 5, 5-6 p.m.
• New Kid - Jerry Craft
  • May 19, 5-6 p.m.

Wellness Sessions

• Mindfulness for Members 2021-II – This session includes mindful practices for creating new experiences and experiencing self-compassion.
  • Jan. 25, 5-6 p.m.
• Mindfulness for Members 2021-III – This session includes mindful practices for experiencing love.
  • Feb. 8, 5-6 p.m.
• Mindfulness for Members 2021-IV – This session includes mindful practices for feeling connected to others.
  • Feb. 22, 5-6 p.m.
• Mindfulness for Members 2021-V – This session includes mindful practices for experiencing joy.
  • March 8, 5-6 p.m.
• Mindfulness for Members 2021-VI – This session includes mindful practices for experiencing calm in the chaos.
  • March 22, 5-6 p.m.
• Mindfulness for Members 2021-VII – This session includes mindful practices for preventing burnout.
  • April 12, 5-6 p.m.
• Mindfulness for Members 2021-VIII – This session includes mindful practices for experiencing gratitude.
  • April 26, 5-6 p.m.
• Mindfulness for Members 2021-IV – This session includes mindful practices for healthy minds.
  • May 10, 5-6 p.m.
• Mindfulness for Members 2021-V – This session includes mindful practices developing awareness.
  • May 24, 5-6 p.m.
• Mindfulness for Members 2021-VI – This session includes mindful practices for experiencing calm, joy, gratitude, self-compassion, and resilience.
  • June 7, 5-6 p.m.

Member Benefits spotlight: PSEA Visa Signature Card

PSEA has partnered with Commerce Bank to bring members the PSEA Visa Signature Credit Card offer. With this card, members can earn cash back rewards with every purchase, with no point cap or opt-in required.

• Earn 3 percent cash back on coffee shops, fast food, and ride-sharing services
• Earn 2 percent cash back on gas and restaurants
• Earn 1 percent cash back on all other purchases

Enroll in the toggle feature and add more flexibility to your PSEA Visa Signature credit card. With the toggle feature, you can:

• Choose to Pay Now by a specific category or purchase amount,
• Choose to Pay Later by a specific category or purchase amount,
• or unwind a transaction.

Check it out and get the card that rewards you and supports Pennsylvania educators with every purchase.