Happy November!

Thanks to those of you who were able to attend last month’s chapter meeting. It was great to see you there, and I truly appreciate your support! Come check out our November meeting, and bring a friend!

During site visits we have been working to sign new members and to share benefits information with ALL members. There have been some great conversations happening! It has been so wonderful to have member organizers Lesly and Matt accompany field rep Kim Bonner and executive board members as we make these site visits. When we come your way, we will be sure to let you know. Please stop by and give us a “Hello!”

This month I also wanted to highlight one of our classifications—Secretaries! For anyone who has ever step foot in a school, or any other district building, you know how important secretaries are! They support administrators, teachers, students, and really, ALL of us! From answering phones, running the health room, tracking attendance and immunizations, enrolling students, and even behavior management to being that first point of contact for anyone who comes in the building, our secretaries are truly invaluable. They keep our schools running! Check out this great article about secretaries, and be sure to thank a secretary today--

https://schoolleadersnow.weareteachers.com/school-front-office-positive-impact/

As always, please do not hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or concerns. I am always happy to help however I can!

Kristen Croft

OSEA Beaverton Ch 48 President

We have heard many people ask about making chapter meetings more accessible. We have night custodians, bus drivers, and others who are still on the clock when our chapter meetings take place. Because of this, we are working to hold a mini-meeting of sorts during the day. This would likely take place mid- or late-morning to allow chapter members who work in the evening, to participate in a meeting either during a break between split shifts, or before their work day starts. Keep an eye out for more information in the next chapter newsletter!

Your President - Kristen Croft will be visiting buildings with another member of the executive board, field rep - Kim Bonner and an OSEA organizer the following days.

Tuesdays November 6, November 20, December 11 and December 18. If you have any questions this is a great time to chat with our local OSEA leaders.

Our very own Brad Harvey - Campus Supervisor at Beaverton High School accompanied 3 Beaverton High School students to the Student Gun Violence Summit. Students and AFT members from all around the nation convened at the Student Gun Violence Summit to create and ratify a Students’ Bill of Rights that addresses gun violence and ensuring safer schools and communities. The summit was meant to create a space for the students’ activism and their leadership. Throughout the entire process, AFT members and leaders worked tirelessly to help their students engage in thoughtful conversations on topics such as the faces of gun violence, the evolution of the Second Amendment and the need for mental health supports.

Brad was on the School Safety committee where he ran four break out sessions on that topic.

This Bill aims to protect students, teachers and their communities and prevent gun violence by offering solutions to the many issues students see in and out of school that give way to gun violence.

Show your support, and your commitment to reducing gun violence, by signing on to the Student Bill of Rights for Safer Communities.

Way to go Brad Harvey - OSEA member/Campus Supervisor, Camila, Camerson Monfared, and River Rain - BHS students, for taking this opportunity provided by OSEA/AFT 6732 to be participants in such an important Summit.

We will showcase at least one benefit monthly that can save you and your family money,

for being a member of OSEA 48 /AFT 6732.

Check them out below or click on the Benefit Button to view to all.

For high school seniors and undergraduate students of OSEA members

John Brown Undergraduate Scholarship
Deadline: Jan. 15, 2019
Click here to download an application
The John Brown Undergraduate Student Scholarship is a scholarship started by OSEA to provide assistance to college juniors and seniors who are related to an OSEA member in good standing.

Guy Davis and Past Presidents’ Scholarship
Deadline: March 1, 2019
Click here to download an application
The Guy Davis Scholarship for graduating seniors awards $1,250 to each recipient. The Past Presidents’ Scholarship is a statewide, $1,500 award. To be eligible, applicants must have a relative who is an OSEA member and have a minimum high school cumulative GPA of 3.0.

For OSEA members

Lou Gerber Scholarship
Deadline: March 1, 2019
Click here to download an application
The Lou Gerber Scholarship provides additional funding to those members who wish to further their education at an accredited school. OSEA sponsors two $1,000 scholarships for each of the seven zones in Oregon.

For High School seniors and undergraduate students of OSEA Chapter 48 members

Student Scholarship

Deadline: April 4, 2019

Click here to download the application

Applicants must be a child or grandchild of and OSEA Chapter 48 member

For OSEA Chapter 48 members

Deadline: April 4, 2019

Click here to download the application

Since 1991, the Union Plus Scholarship Program has awarded more than $4.3 million to students of working families who want to begin or continue their post-secondary education.

Eligibility

Current and retired members of participating unions, their spouses and their dependent children (as defined by IRS regulations). At least one year of continuous union membership by the applicant, applicant's spouse or parent (if applicant is a dependent). The one year membership minimum must be satisfied by May 31, 2019.

Evaluation Criteria

This is a competitive scholarship. Applicants are evaluated according to academic ability, social awareness, financial need and appreciation of labor. A GPA of 3.0 or higher is recommended. The required essays can account for up to half your total score. Scholarship applicants are judged by a committee of impartial post-secondary educators.

Application Timeline

Applications are available starting in mid-June, and a complete application must be received on or before 12:00 p.m. (Eastern Time) on January 31, 2019. Applications received after this deadline will not be considered.

The Beaverton School District offers the ParaPro Assessment test to employees and substitutes that do not possess an Associate's Degree. By passing the ParaPro test you are eligible to be hired as a Paraeducator I, Paraeducator II, or a Technology Instructional Assistant. This will allow you to work in any school in the District, both title and non-title schools. The cost of the test is $55.00.

Please contact Human Resources Dept. - Jan Sakala at 503-356-4396

or email janice_sakala@beaverton.k12.or.us

OSEA members can get discounted tickets for select Portland Trail Blazer games at the Moda Center.

OSEA School Employee Association nights will be held from late October through December.

Visit rosequarter.com/groupnights to get information and order tickets.

Tickets must be purchased at least 30 days before the game.

Use promo code OSEA to get the discounted price.

MEMBER ASSISTANCE FUND

The Member Assistance Fund is a program within OSEA that provides emergency assistance to members in need due to death, serious illness, injury or disaster.

To apply, print the form, fill it out, have it signed by a chapter officer and scanned by them to the OSEA State Office.

MEMBER ASSISTANCE FUND

The Member Assistance Fund is a program within our OSEA Chapter that provides emergency assistance to our members in need due to death, serious illness, injury or disaster.

To apply, print the form, fill it out, have it signed by a chapter officer and scanned by them to Dianna Hess

Print, Complete and Send this by inter-department mail to Dianna Hess @ SPED office

OSEA Field Representative Kim Bonner will highlight a section of our contract monthly.

In our collective bargaining agreement, we have language that allows for swing shift employees to attend chapter meetings! Article 2, section I says:

“Contingent upon the daily needs of their buildings, swing shift employees shall be allowed

to attend Association meetings during their working hours. Time missed shall be mutually

rescheduled within the workweek with the supervisor prior to the leave. It is recognized that the

security of the building and pre-scheduled events have priority. Supervisors reserve the right to

determine how many employees may be gone at a time.”

What does this mean? Chapter members who work the swing shift can work with their supervisors to attend chapter meetings! Before work time is missed for meeting attendance, the missed time needs to be rescheduled within the workweek, as mutually agreed upon by the employee and supervisor.

As always, please reach out to let us know if you need help navigating the contract, or have concerns about contract violation.

Please send the information including photos where possible in by the last Wednesday of the month, so we can send out the newsletter the first Friday of every month. We will get it added to the Chapter 48 newsletter as this is dedicated to "Our Voices"

dianna_hess@beaverton.k12.or.us or diannah@osea.org

How many of you know what the Hearts and Cards Program is in Chapter 48?

We have a wonderful volunteer who heads up this committee, Nancy Klepper who is the Principal's Secretary at Cooper Mountain. She gets emails or calls from members letting her know that someone at their site is needs a touch of love from their OSEA Community. Thus a card is sent to them with LOVE from all of us!

Anyone can email Nancy and request a card to go out to a member who needs a little love. If we all watch out for each other we are healthier and happier, sharing sorrow can be strengthening as well. If you'd like to help out the Hearts and Cards committee, email Nancy for more information.

We are trying to get ideas of what folks would like for the

Classified Appreciation Week - March 4-8, 2019.

If you want to be on the committee to help plan this event or just give ideas of what we should look at for an activity, please contact Kristen Croft .

Website: http://48.osea.aft.org
Location: Beaverton
Phone: 503-356-3931
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OSEABeavertonChapter48/