Hello SEA Members,
Well, it has been quite a school year! As we anticipate our hybrid students returning April 6th, there are a few messages that I would like to share with all of you. I cannot express how creative, hardworking and adaptable educators have been during the continuing pandemic. Each of you continue to persevere as we continue to work cooperatively to make any situation successful for our students and families. We have had challenges that we have never encountered before this last year. In a profession that has an overload of terms and acronyms, we now have new terms: hybrid, hy-flex, remote, social distancing, arm bumps, digital learning, and quarantine. In addition, there is the melding of grade levels, curriculum changes, parent contact changes, transportation challenges and the list can go on and on.
Through all the changes, many of you have expressed your fears, accomplishments, and hopes that the situation this year is temporary. Hopefully, as vaccine numbers increase for those receiving it, a semblance of safety and normalcy will return in the next school year. Your AR’s have received a document of commonly asked questions and how those questions are covered in the current SEA contract. The SEA AR’s met last week by school level to discuss issues that have come up since the Return to Learn on April 6th was announced. SEA leadership will continue to provide assistance, support, new ideas and keep communication open and current. The document that was discussed last week has been sent to each of you through Mail Chimp, so check your spam mail as well. This week I will be visiting the schools that I have not been to yet. I will also be re-visiting schools to talk to educators and see how the students are adapting to the new normal.
In closing, as a 30 year teaching veteran, I have been continually impressed by each school that I visit. Each educator that I have spoken with comments how each of you play a crucial role in our student’s lives. SEA is here to protect teacher rights, support teacher professionalism, keep a check on Administrative decisions and provide a safe learning environment for our students, teachers and staff.
Check with your building AR to confirm your correct mailing address and personal email . You can also contact Treva Grant at the SEA office at 217-787-7060 or at treva.grant@ieanea.org
I look forward to discussing issues and ideas with you in the near future.
Angie Meneghetti
Acting SEA President