THE GLUE Official Publication of the Kenosha Education Association Teachers Substitute Teachers Education Support Professionals Noon Hour Supervisors Time to Teach By Steve Urso, Interim Executive Director The school board election on April 7th will result in 3 of 7 seats being filled for the next three years. This election is important to students and parents, because the state has made it clear that they do not intend to put more money into public education and, instead, prefer to put dollars into private schools. That is unfortunate, considering the millions that have been invested in public schools in Kenosha in the past. The end result of the ongoing attack on adequate funding for public education means teaching will continue to take a back seat to politics, testing and assessment. The KUSD School Board must do the right thing and put teaching back into the forefront. Studies abound that suggest the single most important element in student achievement is the person who stands at the front of the room and delivers instruction. The emphasis on testing and preparing for tests, grading tests and doing assessments, has taken teachers away from their professional responsibilities and pushed them into the role of mass production supervisors. A progressive, forward thinking Board will have an opportunity to make a difference, reverse that trend, and restore the role of teachers to that for which they were trained and hired – to be professional educators. When YOU vote on April 7th for the School Board, think about whom among the candidates has demonstrated that they are likely to make that happen and cast your vote. Students are not widgets; teachers are not robots; and School Board members are elected and work for the voters. Choose wisely. VOTE! VOTE!! VOTE!!! Don’t forget to vote next Tuesday, April 7 Vote for up to three candidates you wish to see elected to the Kenosha Unified School Board. Don’t forget that Carl Bryan has withdrawn from the race even though his name will still appear on the ballot. KEPAC has endorsed the four remaining candidates in the race. Vote to re-elect Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Ann Walsh Bradley (WEAC Endorsed). Vote NO on the proposed Amendment to the Wisconsin State Constitution. (This is a Wisconsin Statute 11.29 communication with KEA members) Vol. 43, Issue 29 kea.weac.org www.nea.org www.weac.org April 2, 2015 ANNOUNCEMENTS Calendar of Events KEA SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS NOW AVAILABLE Spring Recess Begins Fri., April 3 - Sun., April 12 Applications are now available for the annual KEA Scholarships. A scholarships in the Easter Sun., April 5 associate degree or technical school program. Scholarships will be awarded based on VOTE! Spring Election Tues., April 7 Any KUSD high school senior is eligible to apply, excluding students who are eligible for or 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 scholarship, service, leadership and citizenship. are receiving the Governor’s Wisconsin Academic Excellence Scholarship. Also, students receiving full tuition scholarships at any institution are ineligible. KUSD Standing Committee Meetings Tues., April 14 (5:30 p.m., ESC Board Room) KEA Board Meeting Wed., April 15 (4:30 p.m., KEA Office) KEA Association Representative Assembly Meeting Thurs., April 16 WEAC-RA Fri., April 17 - Sun., April 19 (Milwaukee) 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. SAVE THE DATE! Kenosha County Democratic Fundraiser Dinner May 30th The Kenosha County Democratic Party is holding their main annual fundraiser dinner in May this year. Please mark the date and plan to attend. Details of the evening’s events have not yet been released, but this is the current information: Where: Bristol Oaks Country Club, Bristol, WI Regular School Board Meeting Mon., April 27 (6:30 p.m., ESC Board Room) When: Saturday, May 30th (Weekend AFTER Memorial Day) Labor Day Fri., May 1 Price: $55/person 5:00 p.m. – Social 6:00 p.m. – Dinner 2016 will be here sooner than you think! (This is a Wisconsin Statute 11.29 communication with KEA members) KEA Spring Break Hours The KEA Office will be closed for Spring Break from Friday, April 3rd through Sunday, April 12th. If you have an emergency and need to contact KEA staff, you may call the KEA Office at 262.654.2127 and leave a message at Ext. 10 for Jan Studey, the KEA Staff Assistant. She will be checking messages periodically. Alternatively, you may email Scott Farnsworth at [email protected]. The KEA Office will reopen at 8:00 a.m., Monday, April 13th. On behalf of everyone at the KEA, we wish you a very pleasant and refreshing break! The Glue Page 2 April 2, 2015
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