The Connection

May 1st is a historical day of remembrance for all the rights working class people have won. The spirit of those movements fuels us to imagine a new future just as people working 16 hour days once imagined a shift half that length. After all, good organizing is essentially imagining a new world. This year we are coming together across the country to demand public investment in our lives, not billionaires' profit margins!

Educators across the country are demanding:

• Stop the billionaire takeover and rampant corruption of the Trump administration.
• Protect and defend Medicaid, Social Security, and other programs working people rely on.
• Fully fund public schools, healthcare, and housing for all.
• Stop the attacks on our communities, including policies targeting immigrants, people of color, Native people, people with disabilities, and those who identify as LGBTQ+.

Learn more about what's happening across the country and find an event near you here.

In Solidarity,

Kristin Lytie

Organizing Director

WEAC

Sheboygan EA’s Brat Fry raised over $1700 on a Saturday in early April for their scholarship program! Their local typically awards a $1000 student scholarship each year to students from the SASD who are pursuing education degrees. This is the first year that they have incorporated a brat fry into their scholarship fundraising activities. Organizing Chair, Sara Landgraf, took the lead in organizing the new initiative with support from Penny Abstetar, who served up countless brats, burgers and more than a few Oostburgers. Brittany Bohman made it a family affair by recruiting her husband and her father-in-law to govern the grill for the whole day. Fueled by a classic rock soundtrack from a giant boom box they grilled hundreds of burgers and brats to perfection, at times in steady rain and stiff, biting winds. Mary Wick also took a full day shift running hundreds of brats and burgers from the grill to the Brat Hut through the rain and mud. Many other SEA members and leaders donated their time and the ingredients needed to make the event a success. In spite of the foul weather the SEA was thrilled by the outpouring of community support. Next year they are hoping to award a second $1000 scholarship.

Recruit 1 new member at your Local and be entered to win a $50 gift card! For each additional member recruited, another entry will be submitted, increasing your chances to win. There is power in numbers – the Power of One new member can make all the difference!

Sheboygan, Marinette, and Appleton represented Region 3 in WEAC's Winter Organizing Program this year. Collectively, these three Locals signed up 19 new members! Member Organizers at these Locals facilitated 141 one-on-one conversations with school district staff during the months of January - March! One-on-one conversations enable us to make connections, learn about the issues affecting staff, and build our Local Unions. Let's keep the momentum going!

• NEA's Comprehensive Immigration Guide (also attached): https://www.nea.org/resource-library/guidance-immigration-issues
• Red Cards: https://www.ilrc.org/red-cards-tarjetas-rojas
• Family Preparedness Plan: https://www.ilrc.org/sites/default/files/resources/family_preparedness_plan_v3-20170323.pdf
• Department of Education Dear Colleague Letter - Resources for Ensuring Equal Access to Education for Immigrant Students: https://www.ed.gov/laws-and-policy/key-policy-letters/dear-colleague-letter-resources-ensuring-equal-access-education-immigrant-students
• Education for All Campaign: https://education4all.us/
• Plyler and Data Collection: https://www.nilc.org/resources/plyler-and-data-collection
• Webinars about immigration rights: https://www.mobilize.us/nea/event/748428/

Spanish for Educators

Early Career Educator Resource Guide

National Board Certification

Becoming an Ambassador for Equity

Best Practices in Classroom Management

WEAC members who use WEAC Savers Club find big savings on health club memberships, weight loss programs and fitness equipment. If your resolution requires traveling, you can find savings on restaurants, water parks, hotels, rental cars and more. That is in addition to savings on everyday items you might have to buy such as school supplies, classroom needs, clothes, and technology.