NEA MEMBER BENEFITS

The NEA Member Benefits representative, Snookie Krunbiegel, visited northern New Mexico during February giving presentations about financial decisions during tough times. One conversation she had with Connie, an NEA member, highlights the content of what she said to many members during formal and informal presentations. Listen to the audio podcast for ideas that you will find useful.

POJOAQUE SCHOOLS HAVE MUCH TO GAIN FROM SUFFICIENT STATE FUNDING

The school employees of Pojoaque’s public schools are contacting their representatives to make sure the New Mexico State Legislature passes a new funding formula, in addition to the tax revenue to pay for it. Sufficient funding, or the lack of it, has important implications for the district.

The schools in Pojoaque would receive close to two million dollars if the district is funded sufficiently. This means significantly improved educational programs, student services and much more.

Sharon Morgan, president of NEA-NM, has been traveling around the state on a listening trip to gather feedback from school employees in districts large and small. Morgan says she is in touch with NEA leaders and members in Pojoaque. She reports hearing many concerns about the implications of a lack of a stable funding source for public schools, the possible reduction of medical benefits for school employees, and the urgent need to hold public schools harmless from any additional present or future budget cuts.

NEA-NM is a member of New Mexico Education Partners which has been working closely with policymakers and elected representatives to make certain that a reliable funding source is found to prevent the annual difficulties during the annual legislative session to fund public schools adequately. “It makes sense to have a stable source of revenue,” Morgan added. She says that lawmakers agree about the importance of funding public education sufficiently which is a guarantee in the state constitution. Agreement on the revenue source, however, remains under discussion.

“School employees in Pojoaque realize what’s at stake. Education cuts don’t heal. And the administrators, school board members, school employees and parents represented in New Mexico Education Partners are expressing a level of determination that is unprecedented in all the years I’ve been involved in public education.”

SCHOOL BOARD ELECTION OUTCOME A SURPRISE!

There are two new school board members in office --Sharon Dogruel and Jon Paul Romero. The story of the campaign which provoked an editorial in the SF New Mexican, and the voters' decision for a change are detailed in this article.

POJOAQUE NEA REORGANIZING

We met in January to begin the process of reorganizing our NEA local. There was discussion about continuing with officers or creating a leadership team of people who would represent elementary, middle and high school. Either way, we need to join together to get the work done. It’s also high priority to monitor what’s happening in the state legislature. And it’s essential for some of us to take advantage of the trainings NEA-NM has to offer.

We can send delegates to the Fall Delegate Council that will be held in Albuquerque on April 25, 2009. And on April 24, 2009, there’s a Spring Training where great sessions are available in school district budgets and how to understand them. In June, there are Summer Leadership Trainings. And if you’re thinking of getting more involved in NEA in the future, there an emerging leaders cade. Applications are being accepted. Go to the nea-nm.org web site for more information.

OUR NEXT MEETING: February 18, 2009. 4:30-5:45 p.m. Join us for dinner at the Sopapilla Factory in Pojoaque.

HAVE A GREAT THANKSGIVING!

TEH STAKES ARE HIGHER THAN EVER BEFORE DURING THIS UPCOMING LEGISLATIVE SESSION. GET READY TO PARTICIPATE. THE OUTCOME DEPENDS ON US AT THE GREASSROOTS!

DISCOUNT FOR NEA MEMBERS

The ClubHouse Inn and Suites of Albuquerque has provided a negotiated room rate of $79 plus tax, single/double for NEA-New Mexico members. The rate includes a full hot breakfast buffet and evening cocktails. So, if you are planning a trip to the Albuquerque area and need a place to stay, here is an option for you to try.

OUTSTANDING SCIENCE TEACHER AWARD

The New Mexico Academy of Science is soliciting nominations for their annual Outstanding Science Teacher Award -- one for an elementary teacher and one for a secondary-school teacher. Anyone in the district can make the nomination and submit it with supporting evidence to our Awards Committee. The winning teachers will receive an engraved Nambe plate, $250, and other gifts. The deadline for the nomination process this year is Friday, October 10, 2008. Call 505-762-0878 for more information.

DID YOU KNOW?

• In 1986-1987 the public schools in New Mexico were appropriated 51.60% of the state’s total recurring budgeted revenue.
• 1990-1991 was the last year the Legislature funded public schools at 50 percent of the state’s total recurring budgeted revenue.
• In 2000 – 2001 public schools in New Mexico were receiving 46.37% of the State’s total recurring revenue budget.
• In 2007 – 2008 public schools in New Mexico are receiving 43.8% of the State’s total recurring revenue budget.
• For the 2008-2009 school year, public education’s share of the state’s total recurring revenue fell to 43.3%, with only 36% of new dollars being appropriated to public schools. •

NEXT NEA MEETING IN SEPTEMBER

The next meeting of NEA-Pojoaque will be held on September 11, 2008 at 3:30 p.m. at the high school at 3:30 p.m. in Room 117. The topic will be Member Benefits.

WELCOME BACK TO SCHOOL!!!

NEA-Pojoaque will be on the front lines of welcoming new and returning employees back to school this year. Today, we'll have a table at the new employee orientation and sponsor breakfast. Tomorrow, all employees will return for a gathering at the Ben Lujan gym. We'll see you there, while our Political Action Coordinator Carlene Carey preps everyone on how we'll be working hard over the next few months to support a sufficiency funding campaign to make sure public schools get the funding we so desperately need. Be on the lookout for the August/September issue of our newsletter which spells out everything. Contact Carlene if you want to be part of the lobbying team.

ESSAY CONTEST: PASS THE WORD!

Weather Channel is an environmental essay contest for high school students. The contest is sponsored by the Weather Channel’s Forecast Earth Summit, a conference for environmental experts and high school students in Washington D.C., and twenty high school students will be selected for free trips to attend the summit. Consult their web page for more information: https://www.forecastearthsummit.org/index.php

NEA MEETING: AUGUST 2008

The first membership meeting for the 2008-2009 school year will be held on Tuesday, August 19, 2008 at 11:30 a.m. at Pojoaque High School, Room 117. Pizza and soda will be served. Find out about the sufficiency campaign for more public school funding in the next legislative session and elect offices for the upcoming year. See you there!

SCHOOL BOARD MEETINGS ARE WHERE THINGS HAPPEN!

Attending school board meetings is an excellent way of finding out what's going on. Are you aware of the district's board policy? If not, click on this link

You'll find a form to fill out for public participation!

Welcome to new NEA members who joined during October when we had a meeting at the high school. If you have any questions, call 505-670-3124.

What Does NEA Do for ME?

Subject: A day of professional workshops & exhibits sponsored by NEA-New Mexico and Los Lunas Schools

Professional Development is one thing - See Below - What a list of workshops!

REGISTER ONLINE - SOON - Classes are filling up fast!

Go to our web site : www,nea-nm.org to register for the Fall Professional Conference in Albuquerque. This is an opportunity to take classes in fulfillment of PDP's and to add to your portfolios. In some districts, the locals have arrangements so members can take a professional leave day to attend this conference. In others, individuals either work out an arrangement with their administrators, or folks take personal days to attend. It's worth it!

Friday, October 19, 2007 At the Albuquerque Convention Center
401 2nd Street, NW Albuquerque, NM Light Lunch will be Provided
Registration: 7:30 am - 8:30 am Sessions: 8:30 am - 4:00 pm
Registration Fee: Early: $25 (by October 11, 2007) Regular: $30 (after October 11, 2007)

MEETING AT THE HIGH SCHOOL

Drop into the high school lounge this Thursday, October 4, 2007 for pizza and fellowship to meet Marguerite Kearns from NEA-NM headquarters to answer your questions and sign up as members.

If you have any questions, call 505-982-1916.

DISTRICT GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE

The school district policies are available in the office of every school. However, it isn't always convenient to go there and make a copy. That's why we're making certain policies and procedures available on our NEA blog. If you need to know more about the district grievance procedure: click on this link

FIRST MEETING OF THE YEAR!

At our first meeting of the school year yesterday, we started planning events from now until the winter break. Our first excursion will be to attend the NEA-NM Fall Delegate Council in Albuquerque. Travel with your colleagues from Pojoaque and meet people from around the state. Make decisions about our organization! Fall Delegate Council is set for October 20, 2007 at the DoubleTree Hotel, 201 Marquette NW, Albuquerque, NM Let us know if you are interested. Registration forms are due October 5, 2007.

ORIENTATION AND EVALUATIONS!

NEA-Pojoaque had a table at the gym on Thursday, August 9th when all employees gathered for a program initiating the start of the school year.

A hearty welcome to seven new NEA members!

One of the purposes of the NEA blog is to make information available about current policies that might be applicable to your situation.

If you have questions or concerns about the district evaluation process: click on this link. If you have questions or concerns about the district evaluation process: send us an email

FIRST MEETING OF YEAR FOR NEA-POJOAQUE

The NEA-Pojoaque local will have its first meeting of the 2007-2008 school year on Wednesday, August 22, 2007 in Room 202 at the high school at 4 p.m. Come prepared to make important decisions.
================================================
Get the Pojoaque NEA News delivered to your email box. You don't have to think about visiting the blog. It comes automatically when something new is posted. Sign up below or at the top of the right-hand column.

Enter your Email





Preview | Powered by FeedBlitz

WELCOME BACK TO SCHOOL!!!

NEA will have a table at the all-employees orientation on August 9, 2007 starting at 8 a.m. Stop by the table in the high school gym and visit us. And check the district's web site by clicking here


To stay up to date on NEA-Pojoaque, enter your email in the space in the right column. News will automatically be delivered by email.

Things are happening in our sister locals in Espanola and Santa Fe. Check their online newsletters to see what's going on there:

Espanola NEA blog
Santa Fe NEA blog

LITERACY CELEBRATED AT PABLO ROYBAL ELEMENTARY

On the surface, the event was an awards ceremony much like similar recognitions throughout New Mexico. But scratch the surface, and the similarities disappear. On May 23, 2007, 130 students at Pablo Roybal Elementary School in Pojoaque received certificates and Crystal Apple Awards to honor their gains in reading.

Children were also ranked the highest for each grade, as well as one high achiever for the entire school. The awards event was a joint project of the Pojoaque school district, the Christopher Montalvo Memorial Fund, the National Education Association-NM and its partner Horace Mann Insurance.

Two individuals, both integral to this celebration, were greatly missed at the event: the late Pojoaque High School student Christopher Montalvo and the well-known New Mexico author Rudolfo Anaya. Without the involvement of Montalvo and Anaya, the literacy awards ceremony would not have had the resonance, the deep meaning and spark that is now inspiring literacy to take on more significance in the Pojoaque school district. Rudolfo Anaya is the NEA-NM Read Across America honorary chair for 2007. In this capacity, he promotes literacy throughout the state.

The Pojoaque awards were in memory of Christopher Montalvo who was born December 28, 1987 in Espanola. He was a Pojoaque Elk and a member of the 2006 class of Pojoaque Valley High School. In 2005, Chris died in an auto accident on his way to school at the start of his senior year at Pojoaque High. He was a three-sport letterman, enjoyed soccer and cross-country, but loved basketball the most. His father, Michael Montalvo, is one of Pojoaque High School's assistant basketball coaches.

Chris’s family established The Christopher Montalvo Memorial Fund in 2005 to support Pojoaque Valley students through a scholarship program, educational programs, and athletic events such as basketball tournaments and youth soccer clinics. The fund was set in motion by Michael and Maryrose Montalvo. Donations from friends and family members have expanded to a greater geographical area. Last year, two scholarships were awarded to graduating seniors, followed by scholarships also awarded this year. Fundraising efforts have included a youth soccer clinic and a recent golf tournament (cosponsored with the PVHS Boys Soccer Program).

A total of 33 classroom teachers in grades K-4 participated in this year-long reading effort. Diane Katzenmeyer-Delgado said, “Awards ceremonies like this provide invaluable feedback to students that reading is important and that progress in this important area is worthy of celebration. One of our teachers shared with me that the students were truly impressed by the reading gains that students made because they understood how the gains were measured and achieved. We want this celebration to become an annual event in our school.” Assistant Gerry Washburn, assistant principal, added, “We are fortunate that groups like the NEA and Horace Mann are supportive of the efforts of Rose Montalvo and her family in providing a quality reading celebration for our students.”

Noted Eduardo Holguin, NEA-NM president: "NEA-NM is happy to assist the Montalvo family in keeping Chris' memory alive by celebrating literacy in the Pojoaque Schools through our Read Across America program. There is no better way to honor such an outstanding individual than through the continuation of his service to the area's youth."

Read more about this special event in the September "Back to School" issue of The Advocate's Voice, the NEA-NM statewide publication.

NEA MEMBERSHIP AND LEGAL COVERAGE

Important liability insurance for problems associated with your employement is available with your NEA membership. This is in addition to two free sessions of legal consultation about situations unrelated to your work place. If you have any questions, send an email. See link above.

POJOAQUE NEA

POJOAQUE LOCAL OF NEA-NM:
EVERY STUDENT DESERVES A QUALITY EDUCATION

WHO WE ARE:

We are the education professionals working in the Pojoaque Valley Public Schools. We are teachers, custodians, paraprofessionals, counselors, nurses, maintenance, therapists, drivers, secretaries, and other employees of the district. We're growing fast so "get on the bus," and join today. We have come together as the Pojoaque-NEA, a local affiliate of the 2.7 million strong National Education Association, and the National Education Association - New Mexico.

Current leaders include: Deborah Cordova, President and Gloria Martinez, Secretary/Treasurer. Carlene Cary is actively helping, and we've members in every Pojoaque school building.

UPCOMING ACTIVITIES IN POJOAQUE: Join Speaker of the House Ben Lujan and other area officials Wednesday, December 7, 2005 from 3:30 to 4:30 for "Partnerships for Quality Schools: Every Student Deserves A Quality Education," a public forum sponsored by our local. Following statements and an open question and answer session, join us for our Holiday Reception. Tune back in for location information.

YOU BELONG:You belong in your professional association. It's the right thing to do for your career, for your family and for public education. If you aspire to help maintain and improve the quality of education for Pojoaque students through being the best professional you can be, then you belong.

HOW YOU CAN ENROLL:
Becoming a member is simple and easy. In just a few minutes you can be a member. Contact the Association Representative in your building, or download a form today. Directions for completing the form and sending it to NEA-NM are provided for you here.

ABOUT THE NEA AND WHY YOU SHOULD BE A MEMBER:

Join NEA whether you are a public school teacher, faulty member, education support professional, retired educator or a student preparing to become a teacher, NEA and its state and local affiliates have a place for you in our 2.7 million member strong organization.

We invite you to join...

Advocates & programs to help you reach your professional and financial goals:

Promoting excellence in education Securing professional wages and benefits including through Collective Bargaining here in New Mexico and we hope, even in Pojoaque.

Protecting your career and your rights as a public school employee.

Building community support

Lobbying for funding & other decisions that affect our schools

Providing other member services

When you join the 2.7 million women and men of the National Education Association, you'll be part of a strong, united team -- a team that's making a difference for America's children. Advocating for excellence in education is what NEA is all about. Your membership and involvement is a positive investment in the public schools of America.

When you join the National Education Association, you become a member of our unified family at the local, state and national levels. Our NEA affiliate organizations are in more than 13,000 local communities in every state. There are different categories of membership, described below, to fit your needs.

Active Professional/Certified

This membership is for those who are employed in public education in a certified position in a public school district or institution of higher learning or whose job is primarily education. This includes classroom teachers, faculty, counselors, librarians, nurses, school administrators and others with a teaching certificate who work for a public education institution. Active Education Support Professional

(ESP)/Classified

This membership is for those who are employed in public education in a support position in a public school district or institution of higher learning or whose job is primarily in education. This includes secretaries, classroom aides, paraprofessionals, technicians, custodians, maintenance workers, bus drivers, food service and other support personnel who work for a public educational institution. NEA-New Mexico has an annual ESP conference and information tailored to ESP.

THE LATEST PROFESSIONAL NEWS FROM NEA-NM:For the latest news, links and resources available to education professionals, click here.

CLICK HERE to receive email updates on state and federal legislation affecting you and public education.

MEMBERSHIP PAYS

The services offered to members are many and diverse. Many members recover more than the cost of their membership through the many savings, insurance and countless other services available to members only so click here today to find out what services are available to you.