Challenges, Collaboration and Cooperation

As the 2009 - 2010 school year begins, Northshore School District has been hit with budget cuts and layoffs. No one likes this situation. So....just how are we going to cope with all of this?

First, we have to realize that each employee is one person. Cloning is not a possibility, yet. We must continue to work to the best of our ability. We need to keep in mind "working to the contract". This is always a difficult balance.

Cooperation is a big part of this equation. This includes working with other employees, administrators, students, parents and community members. Your first reaction may be "this will never work". With a little patience and a "give it a try" approach, things can improve and success can happen.

Be sure to access resources though the NESPA union. If a situation is a problem for you, it's likely someone else is having the same struggles. A union member can help support you in a meeting with a colleague or administrator. There is mediation available through the union. Kraig Peck, the union rep, is available for information and support.

The NESPA union is here to work for its members. Support is not limited to contract negotiations.

Get involved with NESPA. The more ideas and energy we gather, the more support and strength we create.

Marge Mitchell
NESPA Co-President

Swine Flu Prevention

Many people are expected to get Swine Flu in the coming weeks and months. According to the Centers for Disease Control, “The symptoms of swine flu in people are expected to be similar to the symptoms of regular human seasonal influenza and include fever, lethargy, lack of appetite and coughing. Some people with swine flu also have reported runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.” Fortunately, it is not life-threatening (for most people) as was first thought. But it’s a serious flu, and there are things we can do to limit its spread—and to protect ourselves.

The swine flu vaccine is not yet ready for mass distribution. It is likely to be out in mid-October. The recommendation is that if you are in one of the risk groups, you should get the vaccine when it becomes available. It requires two doses. You should also get the vaccine for the seasonal flu. According to the CDC, “Groups at higher risk for influenza related complications are similar to those at higher risk for seasonal influenza complications and include: children younger than 5 years old; adults 65 years of age and older, pregnant women, people of any age with certain chronic medical conditions (for example, asthma, diabetes, lung disease, people with weakened immune systems, etc.) and people younger than 19 years of age who are receiving long-term aspirin therapy. For children younger than 5 years of age, note that the risk for severe complications from seasonal influenza is highest among children younger than 2 years old.”

Swine flu precautions:

• Wash your hands with either soap and water or alcohol gel. Regular washing with soap and water is always best, but use the gel if you don’t have access to soap and water. (We have asked the District about providing alcohol gel in all classrooms. They are in the process of getting an epidemiological opinion on whether this is expected to make a difference worth the substantial cost.)

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick. When you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick too. Stop the practice of shaking hands as a greeting.

• Stay home when you are sick. You’ve heard of absenteeism. “Presenteeism” is the new term used to describe when workers come to work ill.

• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing or do it in the crook of your arm, then wash your hands. It may prevent those around you from getting sick.

• Practice other good health habits. Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious food. Get your immune system into good shape to help fight any illness. A person's overall health impacts their body's immune system and can affect their ability to fight off, or recover from, an infectious disease.

• In case of an emergency, including a flu pandemic, keep a supply of food, water and medical supplies on hand.

· Teach your students not to share drinks, food, and utensils. To sneeze and cough in the crook of their arm. And to avoid touching their faces.

· OSHA is recommending employers encourage school staffs to practice social distancing by maintaining a separation of at least six feet from other staff, students and the public. This will obviously be difficult in a classroom situation, but see what you can do.

For more information on how to maintain a healthy classroom visit the CDC’s site.

Sick Kids in your classroom? Not sure?

· Send them to your School Nurse. If they have flu symptoms, they will be sent home. They should be kept home for 24 hours after the symptoms end, without fever-reducing meds.

· Schools are trying to set up separate waiting areas, for sick kids to wait for parental pick up. Masks for them are also available.

Are YOU sick?

· Tell your School Nurse your symptoms, so she can track what is happening at your school, re flu, virus, etc this winter.

Visit our website: nespablog.blogspot.com

Northshore Educational Support Professionals Association 425-486-7101 ext 103

Improved Personal Leave!

We are delighted to report on an improvement to our Personal Leave. Please read this complete email, for how to ACCESS this improved personal leave.

In late Spring, at one of our monthly “Labor- Management” problem-solving meetings with Jeff Sherwood, we (Deb Murphy and Marge Mitchell, NESPA Co-Presidents, and Judy Ellis, Bargaining Team Chairperson, and me) suggested a change to the NESPA Agreement, to make it similar to the NSEA Agreement and to new Board Policy on personal leave.

This proposal was accepted, and ratified by the NESPA Board. As a result, personal leave can now be used for ANY personal matters. No reason needs to be given. (The previous language stated that personal leave was not to be used for “recreational purposes.”)

In addition, the blanket restriction on using personal leave adjacent to a break or holiday weekend have been removed. Now, up to 15 NESPA members—the first 15 requests--may use personal leave on a day adjacent to a holiday or vacation break. (A similar limitation, though higher, is in the NSEA Agreement. We all want to ensure that there is adequate staffing in our schools, and sufficient substitutes to cover absences. The Human Resources Dept. is working on ways to implement the 15 person limit; you do NOT need to contact HR or the sub office about whether you qualify under this limit. If you are not one of the first 15 on such a day, you’ll be informed of that.)

Please note that we must continue to COMMUNICATE IN ADVANCE our intention to take a leave. Whether your school requires that you schedule leaves with your principal, vice principal, or the office manager, you do need to schedule it at least one week in advance, except in cases of unanticipated circumstances. Please continue to use this professional courtesy and required process. Personal leave continues to be recorded on your time sheet.

Here is the actual REVISED contract language:

33.10 The District shall grant each employee two (2) days of personal leave, figured at the actual hours worked per day, with pay for personal reasons.

33.20 Personal leave can be taken in half-day increments and may be used for personal matters. No more than fifteen (15) employees may use personal leave on a day adjacent to a holiday or vacation break. Only the first fifteen (15) such requests on any given day shall be granted.

33.30 Personal leave shall be cumulative to a maximum of six (6) days.

33.40 Personal leave, except in cases of unanticipated circumstances, will be scheduled at least one week in advance.

NESPA appreciates the cooperation of HR Director Jeff Sherwood, HR Executive Director Laurie Ferwerda, and Supt. Larry Francois in making this possible.

BALLOTS MUST BE POSTMARKED BY TUESDAY.

Dear NESPA Colleague,

This Tuesday, August 18 is the last day to vote in the Primary. There are at least 2 key races whose outcome will impact Northshore educators and our community.

For NORTHSHORE SCHOOL BOARD, all 3 educator groups—NSEA (teachers), NESPA, and NEOPA (office staff)---recommend JULIA LACEY. She will bring a much-needed fresh perspective to our School Board. Info here http://northshoreea.blogspot.com/2009/06/nsd-school-board-primary-lacey.html and here http://www.julialacey4nsd.com/ . Please tell your family and friends, as they’d probably want to know who Northshore educators support.

For COUNTY EXECUTIVE, WEA members from throughout King County interviewed the candidates, and WEA is recommending both Dow Constantine http://dowconstantine.org/index.php and Larry Phillips http://larryphillips.com/welcome/. You can get important info on this race---including the other candidates at http://www.ourvoicewashingtonea.org/recommendations/kingcoexec.php . This site explains what educators have to gain and lose in this race.

Ballots must be postmarked by Tuesday.

It’s a democracy. Be sure your voice and vote count. Elections matter.

Kraig Peck

Benefits

Open enrollment started yesterday, August 10, and continues through September 10. Benefit changes will be effective on October 1. If you are interested in enrolling in the Section 125 plan, a representative from American Fidelity will be available in the Administration Center from 9-3 during open enrollment dates.

We are encouraged to attend the Benefit Q&A on September 1 from 2:30-5:30 at the Administration Center, Ricketts Board Room. There will be someone there to answer all your questions and assist with filling out forms.

2009-2010 NESPA board

Your 2009-2010 NESPA board is already hard at work planning for a great new school year. They are:

Co-Presidents: Deb Murphy (nurse, Woodin)
Marge Mitchell (CSS, Bothell)
Vice President: Bharati Khandekar (special ed para, Bothell)
Treasurer: Suzanne Ducotey (special ed para, Woodmoor)
Secretary: Karen Kohler (STS, Hollywood Hill)
Nurse Rep: Rosemarie Dunlop (Frank Love)
Special Ed Rep: Judy Ellis (SAS)
Special Ed Rep: Donna Smith, (NJH)
Special Ed Rep: Lucy Antonio (Kokanee)
Special Ed Rep: Liz Gordon (Woodmoor)
School Tech Rep: Karen Kohler (STS, Hollywood Hill)
Title/LAP Rep: Joanne Allen (LAP, CPJH)
Ell Rep Elem: Janice Seino (ELL tutor, Lockwood)
ELL Rep Secon: Suzanne Fujinari (ELL tutor, NJH)
Jeani Schwenk (Interpreter, WM)

Elect your School Board!

THE SCHOOL BOARD PRIMARY ELECTION IS HAPPENING NOW THROUGH AUGUST 18! ELECT YOUR SCHOOL BOARD!

We've all received a ballot in the mail for Northshore's School Board elections. The School Board governs the District, makes budget decisions, and is the group that decides what the District will agree to when we negotiate to improve the quality of Northshore's education and to improve our work lives.

We have until Tuesday, August 18 to return our ballot.

NESPA, along with NSEA and NEOPA, is recommending support for JULIA LACEY, who is running against 3 others. NESPA leaders, along with NSEA and NEOPA leaders, interviewed candidates, reviewed questionnaires, and reviewed the incumbent's record. They worked hard to determine who would best serve Northshore and decided that JULIA LACEY is the best candidate for Position #1. She is the only candidate we are recommending in the Primary.

Below is a statement from Julia and a link to her website: http://www.julialacey4nsd.com/. Please ask your family and friends to vote for Julia Lacey!

NSEA, NESPA, NEOPA School Board Candidate Questionnaires
Click on the name of the candidate below to see how they responded to our questionnaire:

District 1
Sue Buske
Arthur Hu
Julia Lacey - recommended by NSEA, NESPA, NEOPA)
Jeff Warrick

District 2
Todd Banks
Cathy Swanson

Click here to see all candidate responses to the NSEA/NESPA/NEOPA questionnaire. Note: Sandy Hayes is running unopposed for District No. 4. NSEA/NESPA/NEOPA leaders did not ask Ms. Hayes to complete a questionnaire, nor was she interviewed. NSEA/NESPA/NEOPA will meet with Ms. Hayes this fall.

Message from School Board Candidate, Julia Lacey -

Northshore Teachers, Staff, and Nurses:

My name is Julia Lacey. I am emailing to tell you that I am running for a director position on the Northshore School Board and to ask for your support. I came to my decision to run because of my experience as a teacher and deep commitment to this community. I know I have a lot to contribute and would be a strong school board member.

I am very appreciative of the endorsements that I have already received from the employee professional associations: NSEA, NEOPA and NESPA and hope to continue fostering a strong, open relationship with them once elected.

How to support my campaign:

Vote for me, twice! Once you receive your primary ballot, those of you that live in the district, please vote for me. Historically, few people vote in primaries so every vote is very important. Assuming I win the primary, I'll need you to do it again for the November General Election.

Spread the word. Tell everyone you know about the Northshore School Board election, the August primary, and ask them to vote for me. Forward this email to anyone you know that lives in Northshore and who values education.

Get Involved. There will be opportunities to help with phone-calling, door-belling, and putting up signs. Any support is always appreciated.

Please go to my website to read more about why I am running, my experience, and what I would bring to the board at www.julialacey4nsd.com.

Thank you for your support,
Julia Lacey
Candidate for Northshore School Board, District #1