Q. How can I get reimbursed for classes, conferences, etc.?
A. You can use this fund of eighteen thousand dollars ($18,000.00) available to NESPA members for individual staff development training that may include tuition, registration fees and substitutes. Prior approval for use of the funds must be obtained through the fund application form included in this newsletter. (2008-2010 NESPA Contract- Article 25.10 on page 20)
Consideration for approval is based on the funds available, the relationship of the class to the employee’s immediate job performance, the needs of the District, the professional growth it will add to an employee’s abilities, skills, job-related interests and the employee’s access to other professional development money.
Initially, one request for funds per member, not to exceed $200.00, will be considered. Requests are reviewed upon receipt and you are notified promptly by phone or email.
Q. How do I start?
A. You start by filling out the Professional Development Fund Application Form, which is linked on the right side of this website under Important NESPA Information. The easy-to-follow directions are right on the form but if you need further assistance,your Building Communicator can help there too.
Q. What if we want to use it to pay for a class in our school?
A. If your school would like host a training for its members, the application and approval process would be the same-with a few minor differences. Yes, you can use these funds to hire someone to come to your school to train your NESPA staff. This training can be done on work time (a non-student day, for example), or after school. (Want to get paid for attending a training on non-work time? NESPA members can also use their Professional Hours.)
Q. Is there still money available?
A. Yes, there is. By using all the money in the fund we send a message to the District on the importance of professional development among our members.
Q. Where does one find classes?
A. Check your staff room bulletin board first. Organizations like the Institute for Educational Dev. (IED); Bureau of Education & Research (BER) and Staff Dev. Resources (SDR) send mailers to schools on a regular basis. Puget Sound ESD and the area community colleges offer great professional/personal development classes as well. You could also try to Google your area of interest using words like educational seminar, workshop, or training.
Q. Whom do I contact with questions?
A. Judy Ellis, the NESPA Board member who leads NESPA’s Professional Development Committee, is the expert. She works at SAS and can be reached via email at jellis@nsd.org.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Friday, November 13, 2009
Professional Standards Program (PSP)
HOW DO 160 NESPA MEMBERS EARN $582 - $1,070 MORE EACH YEAR……
WITHOUT WORKING ADDITONAL HOURS?
NESPA members who get certificates issued by the Nat’l Assn of Educational Office Professionals (NAEOP) for education, leadership, community service, etc. receive from $582 to $1,070 per year. Also, Levels II and III employees (nurses, head start, and similar jobs) get $983 for a BA or BS degree, and an additional $983 for an ESA Certificate, and an additional $983 for a Masters Degree. Employees who work UNDER 3.5 hours daily are eligible for HALF the PSP stipend. NESPA’s Professional Standards Program (PSP) stipends are part of our negotiated Collective Bargaining Agreement, on pages 21 and 22.
Want to find out more? Or to continue to work on getting your certificates? Come to the:
Special NESPA informational meeting on PSP Stipends
Wednesday, November 18, from 4 to 6 PM
WEA/NESPA office at 18704 Bothell Way NE, in Bothell
across the street from the SAS/Anderson Building, just north of Bothell’s Main Street.
Park and enter in the back.
Questions? Keep in mind that the process of getting the certificates is a bit complex, and can’t be described over the phone. That’s why we have these meetings. General questions can be addressed to Heather Flatman (hflatman@nsd.org) or Karin Shipman (kshipman@nsd.org).
THANK YOU to Heather and Karin for leading NESPA’s PSP Committee, and helping NESPA members get these stipends!
Kraig
WITHOUT WORKING ADDITONAL HOURS?
NESPA members who get certificates issued by the Nat’l Assn of Educational Office Professionals (NAEOP) for education, leadership, community service, etc. receive from $582 to $1,070 per year. Also, Levels II and III employees (nurses, head start, and similar jobs) get $983 for a BA or BS degree, and an additional $983 for an ESA Certificate, and an additional $983 for a Masters Degree. Employees who work UNDER 3.5 hours daily are eligible for HALF the PSP stipend. NESPA’s Professional Standards Program (PSP) stipends are part of our negotiated Collective Bargaining Agreement, on pages 21 and 22.
Want to find out more? Or to continue to work on getting your certificates? Come to the:
Special NESPA informational meeting on PSP Stipends
Wednesday, November 18, from 4 to 6 PM
WEA/NESPA office at 18704 Bothell Way NE, in Bothell
across the street from the SAS/Anderson Building, just north of Bothell’s Main Street.
Park and enter in the back.
Questions? Keep in mind that the process of getting the certificates is a bit complex, and can’t be described over the phone. That’s why we have these meetings. General questions can be addressed to Heather Flatman (hflatman@nsd.org) or Karin Shipman (kshipman@nsd.org).
THANK YOU to Heather and Karin for leading NESPA’s PSP Committee, and helping NESPA members get these stipends!
Kraig
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Budget Cuts
NSD Budget Cuts Were Deeper Than Necessary
If your family budget was inadequate to meet your basic needs, and was then further reduced due to a layoff or cuts in work hours, what would you do? A) Cut your spending, but use some of your savings to limit the extent of painful cuts? Or, B) Cut your spending AND make even more painful cuts by putting more of your paycheck into savings?
If you were the Northshore School Board last Fall (October 2008), you decided to do B. In the midst of ongoing and anticipated State cuts to schools, the Board decided to change its policy, and to increase the amount Northshore sets aside in the Unreserved Reserves—the funds left at the end of each school year in the Ending Fund Balance that are not designated for anything. (They are in addition to $1 million set aside for risk and inventory replacement.)
In other words, the Board decided to put more money in the bank instead of in classrooms and compensation. They passed a new Policy which required a minimum of 3% to be set aside (2.75% this year, and 3% starting next year), an increase from the 2% that had been Board policy. NSEA, NESPA, and NEOPA opposed this, and spoke out at Board meetings. Northshore had never experienced a financial problem that necessitated putting more of our limited funds in the bank. The change in policy was and is detrimental to students, staff, and our schools.
NEW BOARD POLICY AND INACCURATE INFO LED TO DEEPER CUTS THAN NECESSARY THIS YEAR.
The School Board then proceeded to cut programs and laid off classified staff (i.e., Junior High Deans) far deeper than they needed to. This was due not only to this new Policy, but also because the administration had not provided the Board with accurate information about the funds that would be left at the end of the school year. Read on…..
Last Spring, the District went through a painful process of identifying about $5 million in cuts. NSEA, NESPA, and NEOPA agreed that cuts were necessary, but argued that $5 million in cuts was excessive.
We spoke at the School Board meetings and handed out flyers at the public budget meetings urging the Board to, “Limit layoffs and program cuts by using more reserves.” We stated, “Northshore’s budgeted Ending Funding Balance (EFB) for this year—$9.1 million—is the highest since 1997-1998 as a proportion of our budget. The actual Ending Fund Balance will likely be higher. The actual EFB has been higher than the budgeted EFB in each of the last 8 years. Based on a comparison of monthly EFB in each of the past 5 years, the WEA Research Department projected in early March that the EFB will be about $1.2 million higher than budgeted: $10.3 million.”
So, the School Board made cuts based on an administration projection of having $9.1 million left at the end of 08-09. And the WEA Research Department projected $10.3 million. So, with the 2008-2009 financial books now closed and made public, what was the actual Ending Fund Balance? It was $10.7 million. That’s $1.6 million more than the District had projected. In other words, the School Board cut programs and laid off classified staff far deeper than they needed to, because the administration had not provided them with accurate information. And because they ignored the information we provided to them.
WHY DOES THE SCHOOL BOARD MAKE DECISIONS WITHOUT ACCURATE INFO?
Unfortunately, last Spring was not an anomaly. Northshore’s budget cuts the previous year (including Nurses and Library Techs) were far deeper than necessary. Why is it, year after year, that the WEA Research Department is able to more accurately forecast the District’s Ending Fund Balance than the NSD administration? Although it is far easier, and less risky, for the administration to bank a large reserve, Northshore is not a bank.
We believe that the School Board’s first obligation is to fund our schools, and to provide decent compensation for staff. We believe that when cuts are necessary, or when staff are told that they must work another year for inadequate pay—in other words, when people are damaged—the School Board needs to deliberate with complete and accurate information. Our community pays taxes to provide the best possible schools—not to bank the funds.
Inadequate State funding makes it more important than ever to get this right. Three of Northshore’s five School Board members will be new, starting in two weeks. NSEA has begun conversations with the Superintendent and the School Board to improve the process of projecting the Ending Fund Balance so that the Board can make informed decisions each Spring about budget cuts and bargaining parameters.
If your family budget was inadequate to meet your basic needs, and was then further reduced due to a layoff or cuts in work hours, what would you do? A) Cut your spending, but use some of your savings to limit the extent of painful cuts? Or, B) Cut your spending AND make even more painful cuts by putting more of your paycheck into savings?
If you were the Northshore School Board last Fall (October 2008), you decided to do B. In the midst of ongoing and anticipated State cuts to schools, the Board decided to change its policy, and to increase the amount Northshore sets aside in the Unreserved Reserves—the funds left at the end of each school year in the Ending Fund Balance that are not designated for anything. (They are in addition to $1 million set aside for risk and inventory replacement.)
In other words, the Board decided to put more money in the bank instead of in classrooms and compensation. They passed a new Policy which required a minimum of 3% to be set aside (2.75% this year, and 3% starting next year), an increase from the 2% that had been Board policy. NSEA, NESPA, and NEOPA opposed this, and spoke out at Board meetings. Northshore had never experienced a financial problem that necessitated putting more of our limited funds in the bank. The change in policy was and is detrimental to students, staff, and our schools.
NEW BOARD POLICY AND INACCURATE INFO LED TO DEEPER CUTS THAN NECESSARY THIS YEAR.
The School Board then proceeded to cut programs and laid off classified staff (i.e., Junior High Deans) far deeper than they needed to. This was due not only to this new Policy, but also because the administration had not provided the Board with accurate information about the funds that would be left at the end of the school year. Read on…..
Last Spring, the District went through a painful process of identifying about $5 million in cuts. NSEA, NESPA, and NEOPA agreed that cuts were necessary, but argued that $5 million in cuts was excessive.
We spoke at the School Board meetings and handed out flyers at the public budget meetings urging the Board to, “Limit layoffs and program cuts by using more reserves.” We stated, “Northshore’s budgeted Ending Funding Balance (EFB) for this year—$9.1 million—is the highest since 1997-1998 as a proportion of our budget. The actual Ending Fund Balance will likely be higher. The actual EFB has been higher than the budgeted EFB in each of the last 8 years. Based on a comparison of monthly EFB in each of the past 5 years, the WEA Research Department projected in early March that the EFB will be about $1.2 million higher than budgeted: $10.3 million.”
So, the School Board made cuts based on an administration projection of having $9.1 million left at the end of 08-09. And the WEA Research Department projected $10.3 million. So, with the 2008-2009 financial books now closed and made public, what was the actual Ending Fund Balance? It was $10.7 million. That’s $1.6 million more than the District had projected. In other words, the School Board cut programs and laid off classified staff far deeper than they needed to, because the administration had not provided them with accurate information. And because they ignored the information we provided to them.
WHY DOES THE SCHOOL BOARD MAKE DECISIONS WITHOUT ACCURATE INFO?
Unfortunately, last Spring was not an anomaly. Northshore’s budget cuts the previous year (including Nurses and Library Techs) were far deeper than necessary. Why is it, year after year, that the WEA Research Department is able to more accurately forecast the District’s Ending Fund Balance than the NSD administration? Although it is far easier, and less risky, for the administration to bank a large reserve, Northshore is not a bank.
We believe that the School Board’s first obligation is to fund our schools, and to provide decent compensation for staff. We believe that when cuts are necessary, or when staff are told that they must work another year for inadequate pay—in other words, when people are damaged—the School Board needs to deliberate with complete and accurate information. Our community pays taxes to provide the best possible schools—not to bank the funds.
Inadequate State funding makes it more important than ever to get this right. Three of Northshore’s five School Board members will be new, starting in two weeks. NSEA has begun conversations with the Superintendent and the School Board to improve the process of projecting the Ending Fund Balance so that the Board can make informed decisions each Spring about budget cuts and bargaining parameters.
Monday, November 2, 2009
NESPA News
Welcome to another edition of the NESPA News! Below you will find articles by Kraig Peck, Uni-Serve Rep; Deb Murphy, Co-President; and Rosemarie Dunlop, nurse rep.
Do you have access to a computer that enables you to do your job?
Page 57 of our Agreement states, in part: “The District and the Association agree to the following:
A. In order for employees to carry out their duties most effectively, they must have confidential and convenient access to technology that will allow them to:
1) Have access to the Internet.
2) Use the District’s e-mail program.
3) Open necessary attachments that may accompany e-mail.
4) Have access to the District’s staff directory and District newsletters.
5) Utilize productivity tools such as Office Suite as appropriate to their job.
B. For instructional purposes, employees should also have ready access to technology that provides them appropriate instructional resources.
C. Employees shall be invited to have representation on or provide input to building site teams or any other group which plans the technology needs for staff and students.”
Note that each elementary school has been allocated one additional up-to-date computer for those NESPA members who may not otherwise have appropriate access. (For example, School Assistants or roving employees). Secondary schools have each two such computers.
And note that the contract language above does not mean that everyone gets their own personal up-to-date computer. But it does commit the District to convenient access to a computer that enables you to do your work effectively, as per above.
If you don’t have the computer access you need to effectively do your work----including opening attachments or any of the above—what do you do?
Talk to your Principal--or write an email to your Principal and copy in the tech committee, or tech liaison at your school—describing precisely the problem, and citing this contract language. Be sure your note explains precisely the problem and what you need. (In some schools, the Leadership Team may play the role of Tech Committee, or an individual Technology Resource Teacher might.)
· You can ask your NESPA Building Communicator for help, or your NESPA co-worker who works as a School Technology Specialist might be able to help. Ask to meet with the Principal to discuss your written concern. The Principal is the District official responsible for the implementation of the Agreement at the school level, though they may need to include others in the meeting as well, like the tech committee, etc. If you need help at any time, contact NESPA.
· If this affects several people at your school, work together on this.
· If that doesn’t get you what is needed, please contact Kraig Peck at kpeck@washingtonea.org or 425.486.7101 ext 103, or NESPA Co-Presidents Deb Murphy or Marge Mitchell. They will work with you to take this to the next step, which is described on page 57 as follows:
“Upon request, the parties shall jointly conduct a needs assessment of employees regarding software, hardware, and training needs. The assessment shall be carried out through building-level interviews upon request of the staff at specific sites. Based on the assessment, the parties will develop individual building solutions and work with building administrators and site teams in order to accomplish the recommended solutions.”
Kraig Peck
A. In order for employees to carry out their duties most effectively, they must have confidential and convenient access to technology that will allow them to:
1) Have access to the Internet.
2) Use the District’s e-mail program.
3) Open necessary attachments that may accompany e-mail.
4) Have access to the District’s staff directory and District newsletters.
5) Utilize productivity tools such as Office Suite as appropriate to their job.
B. For instructional purposes, employees should also have ready access to technology that provides them appropriate instructional resources.
C. Employees shall be invited to have representation on or provide input to building site teams or any other group which plans the technology needs for staff and students.”
Note that each elementary school has been allocated one additional up-to-date computer for those NESPA members who may not otherwise have appropriate access. (For example, School Assistants or roving employees). Secondary schools have each two such computers.
And note that the contract language above does not mean that everyone gets their own personal up-to-date computer. But it does commit the District to convenient access to a computer that enables you to do your work effectively, as per above.
If you don’t have the computer access you need to effectively do your work----including opening attachments or any of the above—what do you do?
Talk to your Principal--or write an email to your Principal and copy in the tech committee, or tech liaison at your school—describing precisely the problem, and citing this contract language. Be sure your note explains precisely the problem and what you need. (In some schools, the Leadership Team may play the role of Tech Committee, or an individual Technology Resource Teacher might.)
· You can ask your NESPA Building Communicator for help, or your NESPA co-worker who works as a School Technology Specialist might be able to help. Ask to meet with the Principal to discuss your written concern. The Principal is the District official responsible for the implementation of the Agreement at the school level, though they may need to include others in the meeting as well, like the tech committee, etc. If you need help at any time, contact NESPA.
· If this affects several people at your school, work together on this.
· If that doesn’t get you what is needed, please contact Kraig Peck at kpeck@washingtonea.org or 425.486.7101 ext 103, or NESPA Co-Presidents Deb Murphy or Marge Mitchell. They will work with you to take this to the next step, which is described on page 57 as follows:
“Upon request, the parties shall jointly conduct a needs assessment of employees regarding software, hardware, and training needs. The assessment shall be carried out through building-level interviews upon request of the staff at specific sites. Based on the assessment, the parties will develop individual building solutions and work with building administrators and site teams in order to accomplish the recommended solutions.”
Kraig Peck
Is Tuesday, November 10, a work day? And for the rest of the year?
Next week, Tuesday, November 10 is one of the five “Accountable Days” in our Agreement. The other remaining ones for this school year are January 29, March 22, and May 28. (The first day was Oct. 9.) These are work days for most NESPA members. (Employees who work Monday thru Thursday need only work on 2 of these five days. Employees who work Tuesday thru Friday need only work one of these days.) March 22 is the annual NESPA Day, a day of professional development for all NESPA members, so be sure to put that on your calendar. (Wednesday, Nov. 11 is Veterans Day---one of 11 paid holidays that NESPA members get. Teachers get no paid holidays.)
Under our Agreement, “Variations may be allowed in this schedule based on individual employee or building needs, as long as an equivalent amount of time is worked.” This means that if you and your Principal agree, you can work other days and hours instead of working on these days. Consult with the teachers you work with, examine your own work, check with the Principal, and decide what works best. Then, if you want to work alternative times, get Principal approval of this in advance.
Some staff “trade” this time so they can have department meetings on a regular basis. Or time to confer with the teacher they work with. It’s work time. You may wish to make a written record of any agreement to change days, in order to avoid a later dispute—though there is no requirement that this be done.
On our timesheets, we record our hours on the Accountable Days even if we trade them. These are the instructions per the “NESPA Additional Hours Matrix.”
There are always a couple of teacher work days that are NOT NESPA work days. This school year, the remaining ones are January 4; April 2; and June 21. You can, of course, with the approval of your Principal, change the “Accountable Days” so that you work on these days instead. Note, though, that the January 4 District-wide training for teachers is not open to NESPA members; we have checked with the Deputy Superintendents, and there is no room left at the 2 locations for the training.
Kraig Peck
Under our Agreement, “Variations may be allowed in this schedule based on individual employee or building needs, as long as an equivalent amount of time is worked.” This means that if you and your Principal agree, you can work other days and hours instead of working on these days. Consult with the teachers you work with, examine your own work, check with the Principal, and decide what works best. Then, if you want to work alternative times, get Principal approval of this in advance.
Some staff “trade” this time so they can have department meetings on a regular basis. Or time to confer with the teacher they work with. It’s work time. You may wish to make a written record of any agreement to change days, in order to avoid a later dispute—though there is no requirement that this be done.
On our timesheets, we record our hours on the Accountable Days even if we trade them. These are the instructions per the “NESPA Additional Hours Matrix.”
There are always a couple of teacher work days that are NOT NESPA work days. This school year, the remaining ones are January 4; April 2; and June 21. You can, of course, with the approval of your Principal, change the “Accountable Days” so that you work on these days instead. Note, though, that the January 4 District-wide training for teachers is not open to NESPA members; we have checked with the Deputy Superintendents, and there is no room left at the 2 locations for the training.
Kraig Peck
Are you required to have first aid training?
NESPA leaders and Human Resources have reviewed the current job descriptions, and have checked with the Special Ed Dept. The official word from the administration is that the only NESPA employees required to have first aid/CPR certification in this bargaining unit are:
Para – Head Start
Para – Preschool Program
Head Start Teacher
Preschool Instructor
Occupational and Physical Therapist Assistant
Swimming/Water Safety Specialist
Family Service Worker
Registered Nurse
There are two first aid training classes open to any NESPA employee:
· January 28th 4-7pm
· March 31st 4-7pm
If ANY training is REQUIRED, as it is for employees in the classifications above, you are paid by the District for your time. Compensation is not from your professional hours. Article 25.50 of our Agreement states, “Compensation at the employee’s regular rate of pay or release time will be provided for required District or State programs which can include first aid training and student testing.”
Kraig Peck
Para – Head Start
Para – Preschool Program
Head Start Teacher
Preschool Instructor
Occupational and Physical Therapist Assistant
Swimming/Water Safety Specialist
Family Service Worker
Registered Nurse
There are two first aid training classes open to any NESPA employee:
· January 28th 4-7pm
· March 31st 4-7pm
If ANY training is REQUIRED, as it is for employees in the classifications above, you are paid by the District for your time. Compensation is not from your professional hours. Article 25.50 of our Agreement states, “Compensation at the employee’s regular rate of pay or release time will be provided for required District or State programs which can include first aid training and student testing.”
Kraig Peck
Happy Autumn!
October has been a busy month for NESPA members. There was a wonderful dinner given on October 15th to show appreciation for the work our Building Communicator’s do and to inform them of the up-coming contract negotiation process. Many good suggestions were given about concerns and needs to begin shaping our priorities for the new contract that we will work for in the Spring of 2010. Please be part of that effort by completing and send back your suggestions for our Bargaining Committee to compile.
Your Co-Presidents, Marge Mitchell and I attended a day long WEA Annual ESP Local President Meeting on October 24th. It was filled with interesting information and good networking with other president dealing with similar issues in districts across Washington.
We met in small groups with people from WEA Communication Dept., Learning and Education Policy Center-which support issues regarding Human Rights and Accountability and Education Reform issues, Public Policy support, Research, Legal issues and Advocacy and Organizing Support. I encourage you to check out the WEA web site to get more information about the services the WEA can offer us. One service that was new to me was the legal advice that can be given to members for non-union issues. WEA has a list of local lawyers that will give 2 half-hour meetings to members to help with issues such as traffic tickets, or your own legal documents like wills.
Enjoy the crisp days and keep rested as flu season hits…
Deb Murphy
Your Co-Presidents, Marge Mitchell and I attended a day long WEA Annual ESP Local President Meeting on October 24th. It was filled with interesting information and good networking with other president dealing with similar issues in districts across Washington.
We met in small groups with people from WEA Communication Dept., Learning and Education Policy Center-which support issues regarding Human Rights and Accountability and Education Reform issues, Public Policy support, Research, Legal issues and Advocacy and Organizing Support. I encourage you to check out the WEA web site to get more information about the services the WEA can offer us. One service that was new to me was the legal advice that can be given to members for non-union issues. WEA has a list of local lawyers that will give 2 half-hour meetings to members to help with issues such as traffic tickets, or your own legal documents like wills.
Enjoy the crisp days and keep rested as flu season hits…
Deb Murphy
Sunday, November 1, 2009
H1N1 Flu - Take a breath of fresh air
(Rosemarie Dunlop is on the NESPA board as the nurse rep. She will be publishing a health article on the blog every month.)
This is the topic of the season. You have heard about hand washing, coughing in your sleeve and your shirt, washing hands frequently, getting your flu shots, turning your head and holding your breath if a student coughs in your face, staying home if you are sick even if it makes you feel guilty, and drinking plenty of fluids to keep yourself well flushed. Anyone mention the benefits of fresh air?? It is highly underrated.
We may spend up to 8 hours indoors during a typical working day. Inside air tends to be dusty and laden with germs from coughing people. This gets into our respiratory system. We spend all night in our homes. We breath in cooking fumes. All this stresses our immune system.
Have you thought of taking time out to enjoy the "great outdoors"? There are many benefits of fresh air. It can improve one's health and sense of well being. Fresh air cleans our lungs. Expect to cough a bit at first as the lungs get rid of impurities, but as you continue to breathe deeper and deeper, it will bring more oxygen to your cells. This will increase energy and bring clarity to the brain.
Exercises done outside in the fresh air benefit us aerobically. It improves our breathing technique. Fresh oxygen to the muscles reduces lactic acid build-up (which could lead to cramping) in our muscles.
It is an interesting aside to remember that in 1877, a program called The Fresh Air Fund was started in New York City for disadvantaged children to reap the benefit of fresh air in the countryside of upstate New York. My husband's family hosted some of these children during the summer at their farm in Duanesburg, New York. I guess this is nothing new to some of us.
This is the topic of the season. You have heard about hand washing, coughing in your sleeve and your shirt, washing hands frequently, getting your flu shots, turning your head and holding your breath if a student coughs in your face, staying home if you are sick even if it makes you feel guilty, and drinking plenty of fluids to keep yourself well flushed. Anyone mention the benefits of fresh air?? It is highly underrated.
We may spend up to 8 hours indoors during a typical working day. Inside air tends to be dusty and laden with germs from coughing people. This gets into our respiratory system. We spend all night in our homes. We breath in cooking fumes. All this stresses our immune system.
Have you thought of taking time out to enjoy the "great outdoors"? There are many benefits of fresh air. It can improve one's health and sense of well being. Fresh air cleans our lungs. Expect to cough a bit at first as the lungs get rid of impurities, but as you continue to breathe deeper and deeper, it will bring more oxygen to your cells. This will increase energy and bring clarity to the brain.
Exercises done outside in the fresh air benefit us aerobically. It improves our breathing technique. Fresh oxygen to the muscles reduces lactic acid build-up (which could lead to cramping) in our muscles.
It is an interesting aside to remember that in 1877, a program called The Fresh Air Fund was started in New York City for disadvantaged children to reap the benefit of fresh air in the countryside of upstate New York. My husband's family hosted some of these children during the summer at their farm in Duanesburg, New York. I guess this is nothing new to some of us.
NESPA Teaching Certification Scholarship
Check this out! If you are pursuing a degree in education, you may find some financial assistance through the NESPA $10,000 scholarship fund. This fund is designated exclusively for NESPA members seeking their teacher's certification. Last year NESPA was proud to award three scholarships.
Click here for the scholarship application and a list of eligibility requirements and criteria. The deadline is 2:00 p.m. January 15, 2010.
Good luck to all who apply!
Click here for the scholarship application and a list of eligibility requirements and criteria. The deadline is 2:00 p.m. January 15, 2010.
Good luck to all who apply!
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