South Orange Maplewood Education Association

NJEA higher ed reopening guidance

*From the desk of Marie Blistan, NJEA President
 
As you are likely aware, the Office of the Secretary of Higher Education (OSHE) has issued guidance for New Jersey’s colleges and universities as they begin to plan for a phased reopening, which may begin on a limited basis as early as next month.
 
NJEA’s Legal Services office has prepared an advisory to help higher education leaders and members navigate the OSHE document and ensure that any reopening is done safely and appropriately. In particular, please note that the OSHE guidance anticipates that colleges’ planning should involve the faculty, staff and students.
 
As always, if you have any concerns or specific questions regarding your college’s handling of its phased reopening, please contact your UniServ field representative immediately.

This is BIG! Agreement reached on Ch. 78, ESP Job Justice

*From the desk of Marie Blistan, NJEA President
 
On June 26th, the Assembly Appropriations Committee voted to approve ALL THREE of our Ch. 78 Relief and ESP Job Justice bills.
 
Today’s votes show the power of member action. After nearly two years of member advocacy, those bills are poised to go to the full Assembly for a vote as soon as Monday. When passed by the Legislature and signed by the governor, they will provide significant health care savings for members while strengthening due-process and subcontracting protections for Educational Support Professionals.
 
Today’s committee vote was a very important step forward, but we need to make sure these bills get through the full Assembly and to the Governor’s desk to be signed.
 
Please take a minute today to contact your Assembly members. Ask them to vote YES on all three bills.

NJEA Recovery Plan

Click here to access this is a thirty-three page document that discusses Technology & Overcoming the Digital Divide, Tools for Mitigating Learning Loss, Supports for Social Emotional Learning & Mental Health Care, Professional Development on Learning Supports & Emotional Supports for Students, Health & Safety Before & After School Reruns to the Classroom, Student Access to Healthy Meals, Assistance for Students with Disabilities & English Language Learners, and Budgets & Finances.

Teachers for Black Lives Rally & March

Dear SOMEA family,
 
Our students have made their voices heard, and it is our turn to respond. It’s time for us to show them that we are listening and are standing in solidarity with them against police brutality and the murder of black people. We must show our students that they are not alone in this fight for racial justice, but rather that they have a whole community—including their teachers and school staff—who are fighting for justice with them.
 
All NJ teachers, school staff, students, parents, and all community members, please join us for our Teachers for Black Lives Rally and March! Please consider wearing your SOMEA t shirt.
 
Date: Mon, June 15
Time: 1:00pm
Start: Marshall Elementary
End: CHS back gym parking lot by steps
 
‼️ Please wear a mask or face covering and practice social distancing. ‼️
 
Frequently asked questions
 
I don’t teach at SOMSD, can I still attend?
  • Yes! This event is open to all teachers, school staff, students, parents, and community members in NJ! Please spread the word!
 
What if I can’t make it?
  • There will be a Zoom call at 5pm on 6/15 which will provide those who can’t attend and those who’d like to continue the discussion after the rally a chance to talk.
 
Is there parking?
  • Yes, there will be free parking in the lots of Marshall Elementary.
 
Who is this organized by?
  • Various K-12 teachers in SOMSD and has been endorsed by SOMEA.
 
For additional questions please contact: mapsoteachersforblacklives@gmail.com
 
Executive Board
Rocio Lopez, President
Shira Lincoln, Vice President
Phil McCormick, Secretary
Laurie Pham, Treasurer

SOMA Teacher Gets Shout Out From Gov. Murphy

 

SOUTH ORANGE, NJ — Jake Ezzo, choir director for South Orange Middle School, was lauded today by Gov. Phil Murphy in his daily press briefing. Murphy held up Ezzo as an example of a New Jerseyan making a difference for others during the coronavirus pandemic.

Ezzo is a coordinator of the group NJ 3D Printers Alliance, which combines the efforts of local folks who own 3D printers in the creation and distribution of face shields for medical staff and first responders. He posted in the group this morning, “19,113 delivered as of this am! I think we will hit 20,000 this weekend!”

The Maplewood resident said he got the governor’s attention when he posted a photo on Twitter about what the group was doing, and the @NJGov account messaged him.

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“Although I’m happy to be acknowledged, I’m happier that the entire [group] was acknowledged,” said Ezzo. “It’s not a singular effort, and the incredible team of NJ printers we are working with has made small goals of 50 and taken the group to where we are. We wouldn’t be anywhere without them. I’m thankful for my town, my community, and my state!”

Murphy also thanked Ezzo on social media with the hashtag #NJThanksYou.

Read More: Go Fund Me For S.O. Resident’s Funeral Expenses

Read More: South Orange May 7 Coronavirus Update

Read More: SOMDS School Budget Passes

Read More: Maplewood 2020 Budget Passes

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With Appreciation

Hello, SOMEA Members!
 
First and foremost, we hope that you and your families are well during this difficult and unprecedented time!
 
We are reaching out to express our heart-felt appreciation, gratitude, and to say a great, big “Thank You!” to all of our hard-working and dedicated teachers throughout the South Orange-Maplewood Education Association.
 
The work of our P/K-12 Teachers in SOMEA is critical, especially now. You play such an important role in shaping the minds, hearts, and lives, both academically and personally, of our 7,000+ young people in South Orange and Maplewood!
 
Your work is appreciated. YOU are appreciated! We wish you a great Teacher Appreciation Week and send you all virtual, socially distant hugs!
 
Enjoy the week, practice self care, be safe, and stay well!
 
Executive Board
Rocio Lopez, President
Shira Lincoln, Vice President
Phil McCormick, Secretary
Laurie Pham, Treasurer
 
Michelle Rhodes-Soriano, Member Communications

Updates from the Governor’s Office

Governor Murphy officially closes school buildings for the remainder of the 2019-2020 academic year. You can view today’s and previous press conferences from the Office of the Governor’s YouTube channel.
Other updates include information on executive orders, reopening and recovery, essential services clarification, property taxes, renter’s assistance, state budget, expansion of the Family Leave Act, assistance programs, Spanish language support, and ways to stay involved. A summary is included below. More information can be accessed by clicking the grey buttons.
Recent Executive Orders signed by Governor Murphy
 
  • Executive Order 123 Extending Insurance Premium Grace Periods. During which certain insurance companies, including health insurers, life insurers, and property and casualty insurers, will not be able to cancel policies for nonpayment of premiums. Extends minimum grace periods: A minimum 60-day grace period will be required for health and dental insurance policies, and a minimum 90-day grace period will be required for life insurance, insurance premium-financing arrangements, and property and casualty insurance, which includes auto, homeowners, and renters insurance. A copy of the Administrative order can be found by visitinghttps://nj.gov/infobank/eo/056murphy/pdf/EO-123.pdf
  • Executive Order 124 to Establish a Process to Grant Temporary Reprieve to Certain At-Risk Inmates. A copy of the Administrative order can be found by visiting https://nj.gov/infobank/eo/056murphy/pdf/EO-124.pdf
  • Executive Order 125 to Implement Additional Mitigation Requirements on NJ TRANSIT, Private Carriers, and Restaurants to Limit the Spread of COVID-19. A copy of the Administrative order can be found by visiting https://nj.gov/infobank/eo/056murphy/pdf/EO-125.pdf
  • Executive Order 126 Prohibiting Cable and Telecommunications Providers from Terminating Internet and Voice Service. Cable and telecommunications providers are prohibited from terminating Internet and voice service due to nonpayment until 30 days after the current public health emergency has ended. The order also mandates that all service downgrades, service reductions, or late fees due to nonpayment are prohibited unless they are imposed in accordance with a policy approved by the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities. Additionally, any Internet or voice service that was disconnected after March 16 due to nonpayment must be reconnected. A copy of the Administrative order can be found by visiting https://nj.gov/infobank/eo/056murphy/pdf/EO-126.pdf
  • Executive Order 127 Extending Certain Deadlines Associated with Rulemaking. Extending various deadlines associated with rulemaking for state agencies until 90 days following the end of the public health emergency. The order additionally allows for any rules or emergency rules that would expire during the current public health emergency to be extended until 90 days following the end of the public health emergency. A copy of the Administrative order can be found by visitinghttps://nj.gov/infobank/eo/056murphy/pdf/EO-127.pdf
 
Preparing for the Future
 
  • Recognizing that their states have one integrated regional economy, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy, along with leadership of New York, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Rhode Island and Massachusetts have formed a multi-state council to restore the economy and get people back to work. This announcement builds on the states’ ongoing regional approach to combatting the COVID-19 pandemic. The coordinating group – comprised of one health expert, one economic development expert and the respective Chief of Staff from each state — will work together to develop a fully integrated regional framework to gradually lift the states’ stay at home orders while minimizing the risk of increased spread of the virus. A copy of the press release can be found by visitinghttps://www.nj.gov/governor/news/news/562020/approved/20200413e.shtml
  • Social separation is key as we continue to fight the pandemic. As such, all New Jersey Schools; both PUBLIC and PRIVATE will remain closed until May 15th. The staff at NJ Department of Education will continue to monitor the situation as they take into account data & science before more insight can be provided as to when schools can re-open.
 
Frontline Healthcare Actions
 
  • Governor Phil Murphy today signed legislation (S2374), which expands protections of the Family Leave Act to allow employees forced to take time off to care for a family member during the COVID-19 outbreak with up to 12 weeks of unpaid family leave in a 24-month period without losing their jobs. Under the bill, employees will be eligible for leave to care for a family member as a result of an epidemic of a communicable disease, or efforts to prevent spread of a communicable disease. These job protections will extend to employees requiring leave to provide care or treatment for their child if the child’s school or place of care is closed in response to a public health emergency.
 
Assistance Programs
 
  • Self-Employed NJ Workers: Unemployment Benefits During the Coronavirus Emergency – Assistance is available to self-employed workers, independent contractors, gig and platform workers who are impacted by COVID-19 through Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) and possibly the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA). We have prepared two downloadable guides to help you understand what benefits are available and how to apply for them. If you are a self-employed worker, independent contractor, gig and platform worker please read them both before applying for Unemployment Insurance benefits. Please view the downloadable PDFs at the following link https://myunemployment.nj.gov/labor/myunemployment/independentcontractors.shtml
  • Governor Murphy and Superintendent Callahan Announce FEMA Approval for Non-Congregate Sheltering in Response to COVID-19. Governor Phil Murphy and Superintendent of the State Police Colonel Patrick Callahan today announced that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has approved New Jersey’s request to use emergency, non-congregate sheltering for individuals impacted by COVID-19 that do not have the means or ability to isolate themselves. More information can be found at the following link https://www.nj.gov/governor/news/news/562020/approved/20200411a.shtml
 
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