Hi,
The MTA has asked local presidents to put this request out to members.  After a couple of MTA meetings held this past week to discuss the decision by Governor Baker and DESE for the full return to in-person learning there is a very clear realization that there are some school systems that are not ready to return to in-person learning.  MTA is requesting a Red for Ed Day.  Here is the message that was asked to be shared with members:
Red for Ed Day, Friday, March 26th
All locals and members are invited to participate in the regional Red for Ed action on March 26th. This day is part of the statewide action to postpone full in-person learning until on or after April 26th for those districts that cannot be ready on April 5th and so that all educators have the opportunity to be vaccinated. Members in your local can wear red shirts and/or use the attached #BackWithTheVax virtual background. 

I spoke with Katie Adams this past week.  She is the mom that has offered to help make vaccination appointments for Marlborough teachers who don't have the time to be online for hours.  She has helped 15 teachers and other staff members secure appointments.  This is wonderful news!  Also, Katie let me know that several teachers just reached out to simply say thank you to her for doing this!  This is greatly appreciated.  If you would like Katie's help please contact her.
The Negotiations Team had a second meeting with the district on Thursday night and have another meeting scheduled for this coming Friday.  We are working on the full return plan for the elementary buildings at the present time.  After a plan is solidified we will start working on a plan for the middle school.
As always, thank you for all you are doing!
Best,
Eileen Barry

Dear Members,
This is a link to a one question survey about MEA members having received their COVID vaccination.  Please take a moment to complete it so that we may have current information about how many of our members have been able to obtain a vaccination. The survey will be open until Wednesday, March 24th at 5pm.
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2JK2LS6
If you are in need of help in getting a vaccination appointment please refer to the email sent out last Saturday, March 13th with information about the Marlborough parent who is willing to schedule an appointment for anyone that needs the help and doesn't have the time to be online for hours trying to schedule.  If you need her email again please reach out to me and I will pass it along (leenybarry@gmail.com).
The MTA has asked local presidents to forward this link to members.  It is a petition to call on Governor Baker to push back the reopening of schools to students full-time to at least April 26th.  The MTA is hoping to have 10,000 signatures for this petition in the next 10 days.  Please take a look at it and sign if you are in agreement.
Call on Governor Baker to Schedule the Full-Time Reopening of Our Schools on April 26 – And Not Before - Action Network
Just another reminder about the PCR testing that is available at all the schools.  Talk with your school nurse about scheduling a weekly test.  The PCR testing is available to all teachers for the remainder of the school year.
Any member that was interested in having a face shield available to them should have let one of your building reps know by the end of today.  If you did not do that, please do this by Friday so the order can be put in soon.
Eboard elections will happen in the spring.  If you are interested in running for an office, you need to contact Jess Hey (jessheymea@gmail.com) by April 1st to let her know what position you are interested in running for.  Positions on the ballot are President, Vice President, Treasurer, Membership Chair, Recording Secretary, Corresponding Secretary and Webmaster.  
Some have asked about notes from the Labor Management Committee meetings.  The committee has had two meetings so far this year.  The majority of the discussions have been COVID related and the information had already been disseminated by building reps from Eboard meetings.  There is a meeting next week and notes from this meeting will be forwarded to the membership.
Enjoy the upcoming weekend!

Best,
Eileen Barry

Dear Members,

I hope you are enjoying your weekend!

I was approached recently with an amazing offer.  A parent from the district has offered to assist teachers in scheduling vaccination appointments.  Her name is Katie Adams and she has 3 elementary school students at Goodnow.  Her children attended Richer previously.  

Knowing teachers do not have the time to be on a website waiting for hours in order to schedule appointments she is willing to do this for anyone that needs the help.  Katie has already scheduled appointments for several teachers.  She has other parents who would be willing to assist her if the response for appointments is more than one person can handle.

Some personal information may be needed as some of the sites ask for insurance information (company, ID number, subscriber name).  This all depends on the sites that are used.  Kaite is finding that she can bypass the insurance information on most sites but there are some that do require it to make the initial appointment.  

After talking with Katie we thought initially any interested teacher could contact her directly through email.  If there is a large response to this then we might need to set up a Google form or Sign-up Genius page to make sure everyone is taken care of.  

Katie's email address is kadams710@gmail.com.  Please contact her if you would like help in scheduling an appointment.  

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions at leenybarry@gmail.com.  

This is the link to a story about the Adopt a Teacher for Vaccine Appointments that sparked Katie's interest.
https://boston.cbslocal.com/2021/03/06/adopt-a-teacher-brookline-helps-educators-register-covid-vaccine-appointments/?fbclid=IwAR1-oxv616hOPdsUMsbEMRxKnXjgHgMZTvFS0jFYeNlc_yMmLr1i1r-hGQ0

Take care and be well!

Best,
Eileen Barry

Dear MEA Members,

I hope this email finds you well!

Here are a few updates for you.

• There is a negotiations meeting for this Thursday, March 11th to start discussing what students returning full-time will look like for MPS.
• If you would like a face shield for yourself to use for when students return in April please let your building reps know before March 17th.  An order will be put in and delivered to you once the order comes in.
• Spring voting for Eboard positions is coming up.  If you are interested in running for any position you need to notify Jess Hey by April 1st through her personal email address.  You need to let her know your name, school and what position you are interested in running for.
• Positions on this ballot are for: President, Vice President, Treasurer, Parliamentarian, Membership Chair, Corresponding Secretary, Recording Secretary and Webmaster.
• February Raffle Winners were Maura Jones (Kane), Nicole Majowicz (Jawoorek), Shauna Delaney (Whitcomb) and Doug Tocio (High School).  Gift cards were given to Kennedy's Market.  March's raffle will be done within the next couple of weeks.
• This is just a reminder that staff can do a PCR test on a weekly basis.  Any member is able to set up a time each week with the nurse in your building to have a COVID test done.  If you are asymptomatic you are able to have the PCR test or if you are not feeling well you can have the Bynex and then the PCR.
  

Thank you for all you are doing!  Hope everyone enjoys the nice weather that is forecasted for this upcoming week!

Take care!

Best, 
Eileen Barry

Dear Members,

I hope everyone had a restful week off!

I don't have any real information over the announcement DESE made regarding students returning to school full-time in April.  I spoke with the Superintendent on Tuesday and we have started to discuss reconvening the negotiation teams to begin talking about how this DESE decision affects MPS.  As more information is known it will be communicated.  Our MTA field rep has already reached out and is ready to assist us when needed.  

The MEA February raffle was gift cards to Kennedy's Market in Marlborough.  The winners were Maura Jones (Kane), Nicole Majowicz (Jaworek), Shauna Delaney (Whitcomb) and Doug Tocio (High School).  There will be another raffle in March.

The March Eboard meeting is scheduled for next Tuesday, March 2nd.

Take care!
​
Best,
Eileen