THE GLUE Official Publication of the Kenosha Education Association Teachers Substitute Teachers Education Support Professionals Noon Hour Supervisors KEA Member Susy Siel to be Honored over her tenure there, which she was able to To Receive AAUW’s Educational Excellence Award out and new furniture transformed the facility. By Scott Farnsworth, GLUE Editor She returned to UW/Milwaukee for library certification after deciding to take on a new Bradford Library Media Specialist and role as a library/media specialist at Southport KEA member Susy Siel will be given the Elementary in September of 2001. Since the American Association of University Women’s building was undergoing expansion, a new li- (AAUW) Award of Educational Excellence at brary design had to be completed and she made an event next Thursday, May 7th, 7 p.m., at the most of the opportunity. She worked most Gateway’s Madrigrano Conference Center on of the summer planning and consulting with the Kenosha campus. the district’s construction crew. In the AAUW’s release on the award, turn into reality. Soon, a completely open layBeyond service to her students and colleagues, Susy has been promoting the value of literacy through Freedom to Read, Inc., a nonprofit organization she founded in 2012. By providing hundreds of donated and discarded books each year, several community and school libraries on Eleuthera Island in the Bahamas now have the means to increase literacy to an underserved and remote population. She has also devoted weeks of her time over the past three summers to oversee distribu- That experience earned her a role on tion and organization of these collections on Kenosha Branch President Mary Modder wrote the design committee for Nash Elementary the following: School, followed by the opportunity to oversee Eleuthera. Her training of staff in those various libraries has also led to two volunteers being Susy Siel has been a literacy advocate upgrades to the Stocker Elementary library. In since she started teaching 4th grade at Jeffrey 2013, a great career opportunity came her way Elementary in 1989. She began coaching at Bradford High School (where she’s been the Battle of the Books teams in her first year and Library Media Specialist since 2009). Fund- has continued to do so ever since. Soon, she tion of the important service and quality work ing suddenly was available to re-design the was teaching by day and pursuing her Masters performed by Susy Siel. We give our thanks Bradford library, but a complete plan had to be Degree by night at UW/Milwaukee, which she to Susy for all of her fine work that led to this submitted immediately or the funding would be earned in 1993. recognition, as well as our congratulations on lost. She had formed many ideas in her mind this well-deserved award. hired by the Bahamian Ministry of Education. The KEA wishes to extend our thanks to the AAUW Kenosha Branch for their recogni- You’re Invited! What: KEA-R Retiree Reception Where: UAW Local 72, 3615 Washington Rd. When: May 12, 4:30-6:00 p.m. Please join us for pizza, cake, soft drinks and a cash bar as we welcome you to retirement. RSVP to Scott Farnsworth: scottfarnsworth@sbcglobal.net or 654-2127 Vol. 43, Issue 32 kea.weac.org www.nea.org www.weac.org May 1, 2015 Where Do You Go? By Scott Farnsworth, GLUE Editor may all be thinking of a different school, or a different staff person – and you would all be right. principal at staff meetings, at parent meetings, Where do they go? recognized before colleagues, for all the extras To the KEA, quite simply. Whether it is s/he has achieved for the school. S/he is the because they can get the profession represen- pressures and frustrations of the job seem to “apple” of the principal’s eye, and everyone tation they need to protect themselves from build with the school year. Thus it is that the knows it. unwarranted discipline, or because it is a safe As is often the case in our profession, the return from Spring Break sees issues coming to Then, however, the uncertainties of place to air their grievances and work through a head in any number of areas, and this year is life intervene – accidents, illnesses, family an action plan, or even because just being able proving the same. See if what follows sounds circumstances and needs, simple exhaustion to express their frustrations and being told that at all familiar: – pick a reason – and that same staff person they are neither unreasonable nor crazy is a can no longer perform at the same exceptional, relief and a help – they come to the KEA. There is the school where the staff has become exasperated by the lack of support beyond-the-call-of-duty level. Suddenly, s/he Where do non-members go? from administration. Students have become so is no longer the “apple” of the principal’s eye, Well, as recent events might indicate, accustomed to the lack of enforcement of rules, but instead becomes the focus of unduly harsh options are few and limited in scope. Rep- and referrals have so frequently gone unpro- treatment; nitpicking, annoying demands; held cessed (or disappeared entirely!), and teachers resentation must be bought independently up to ridicule; and targeted for finding fault in are more likely to face a reprimand for a stu- and, while some may have the means to do so everything s/he does. without hardship, they, too, are few and limited dent’s inappropriate behavior than the student Where does that staff person go? him/herself, that a genuine concern for one’s There is the staff person who has a long safety and that of other students and colleagues and successful career, known to be a strong in the building becomes overwhelming. Re- advocate for his/her profession and personal peated attempts to address these concerns with professionalism – as well as for speaking up administration have led, not to steps to improve when s/he feels there are problems in the build- the situation, but to repercussions on those who ing. Suddenly, s/he finds her/himself placed brought their concerns to light. Attempts to upon a Professional Improvement Plan, based make this inappropriate response to the atten- primarily on unsupported “opinion” of her/his tion of central administration has met with inef- administrator. When voicing her/his belief that fective or even counter-productive intervention the PIP is meant to be punitive and disciplinary, – or did so, so recently in the past, that no one s/he is repeatedly reassured by building, central trusts “going through channels” again. and Human Resource administration that such in scope. Others, who do not have the private resources, must accept whatever consequences are offered – justified or not. Additionally, even if their efforts are successful, the application of that success is rarely shared with others. Why would it be? There is no “we” represented. It is not that the KEA can resolve an issue – not as a non-profit entity, not as a building on 55th Street. The KEA can resolve an issue because it represents a “we,” an association of educators, a union of colleagues, with shared interests and concerns for which they are will- Where does this staff go? is not the case. Then, one day, s/he is called There is a school where a staff person in and issued a written reprimand for violation ing to take a united stand – with either the law devotes him/herself to the program and the of the “non-disciplinary” plan, or is threatened on their side or the power of collected reason to students – far and above “the call of duty.” S/ with non-renewal. support their position. Both are equally force- he is seen by the principal as a workhorse, one Where does that staff person go? who can be counted upon to do whatever is How many of you recognize this situation? ful – neither can be ignored. “We” will not be ignored; “we” will not asked or required of her/him to finish whatever How many think you do? The reason I don’t give up the fight; “we” will go on and, in the job needs to be done. S/he is lauded by the give specifics is because, unfortunately, you end, prevail. The Glue Page 2 May 1, 2015 ANNOUNCEMENTS Calendar of Events Regular School Board Meeting Mon., April 27 (5:30 p.m., ESC Board Room) Kenosha School Funding Forum Tues., May 5 (6:30 p.m., UAW Local 72 Hall) KUSD Standing Committee Meetings Tues., May 12 (5:30 p.m., ESC Board Room) KEA Board Meeting Thurs., May 14 (4:30 p.m., KEA Office) Early Release Day Fri., May 22 Half Day for Students and Staff Memorial Day Mon., May 25 No School - KEA Office Closed KEA Election Fri., May 29 (Nomination Papers Available, KEA Office) Association Representative Assembly Meeting Thurs., May 28 (4:30 p.m., KEA Office) PLEASE NOTE DATE CHANGES! Nominate Now! KEA Election May 29 We have reset the dates for when nomination papers are due and the election will be held because of a change in the date of the May AR meeting. All dates have been extended by one week. It is time for the annual elections for KEA Officers and Board of Director seats. Nomination papers for these positions are available now and are to be returned to the KEA Office by Monday, May 18. The elections will be held Friday, May 29; the winners will take office on Saturday, June 13. Officers: President – 1-year term Vice President – 1-year term Treasurer – 1-year term Board of Directors: 2 High School Reps – one 2-yr. term; one 1-yr. term 2 Middle School Reps – one 2-yr. term; one 1-yr. term 3 Elementary Reps – two 2-yr. terms; one 1-yr.term In addition, all Association Rep (AR) seats will be up for election or reelection. There shall be at least two (2) Association Representatives elected in each building/unit in the Kenosha Unified school system where members of the Association are assigned, or if there shall be more than thirty (30) Association members in any building/unit, one (1) Association Representative shall be elected for each additional fifteen (15) members or major fraction thereof. AR nomination papers are not necessary. The Election Committee requests a list of candidate(s) for each school by Monday, May 18, 2015. Elections for ARs will also be held on Friday, May 29, 2015. If you have any questions concerning eligibility for a position or total numbers of ARs for your school, contact the KEA office, 654-2127. CLARIFICATION FOR EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANTS AND NOON HR. SUPERVISORS: If any ESP Active member in your building is interested in having his/her name on the KEAESP AR ballot, please notify the KEA office, 262-654-2127, by Monday, May 18, 2015. Last Week to Return KEA Scholarship Applications Applications are now available for the annual KEA Scholarships. A scholarships in the amount of $1,500 will be awarded to a student entering into a four-year college/university program; a $500 scholarship will be awarded to a student entering a two-year associate degree or technical school program. Scholarships will be awarded based on scholarship, service, leadership and citizenship. Any KUSD high school senior is eligible to apply, excluding students who are eligible for or are receiving the Governor’s Wisconsin Academic Excellence Scholarship. Also, students receiving full tuition scholarships at any institution are ineligible. Applications may be obtained from high school guidance offices as well as from the KEA office. The deadline for application is Friday, May 8th, 2015. The Glue Page 3 May 1, 2015 Wisconsin’s AILING Formula Kenosha School Funding Forum Tuesday, May 5, 2015 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. UAW Local 72 Hall, 3615 Washington Road, Kenosha Join Wisconsin Department of Instruction's (DPI) Communication Officer Thomas McCarthy and local State Representative Peter Barca, Senator Robert Wirch and Representative Tod Ohnstad as they address the funding crisis for Wisconsin public education and what it means for Kenosha schools. Parents, community leaders and organizations are strongly encouarged to attend! The presentation will point out the most obvious flaws in the funding formula, as well as a policy that provides a path forward for keeping the top tier public education system thriving. And most importantly... What you need to do to help. The Glue Page 4 May 1, 2015
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