South Orange Maplewood Education Association

Update 4/12/2021

Dear SOMEA,
 
As more grades prepare to return to buildings, there are a few things to keep in mind.
 
In the March 16 Court Order, Judge Alper ordered the district to adhere to the sidebar agreement previously made between SOMSD and SOMEA.
 
In addition, the only other resolution SOMEA has come to with the district is the use of air purifiers for rooms without mechanical ventilation. The NJEA approved air purifiers, Medify MA 40, clean 840 square feet every thirty seconds. The fresh air component is still a requirement in all worksites.
 
All other directives-such as return dates, combining cohorts, 3 feet social distancing instead of 6 feet and 5 days of in-person instruction-have not been negotiated with SOMEA.
 
Please contact your building Head Rep and/or PRRC Rep if you find yourself placed in a room without mechanical ventilation, an Odorox machine, and/or an air purifier, and/or lacking the fresh air component.
 
As temperatures begin to warm, it will also be important to remember that air conditioning units without HEPA filters should not be used. If your room temperature falls outside of the agreed upon range, you should request a room change and contact your building Head Rep and/or PRRC rep.
 
In Unity and Solidarity,
 
#IAMSOMEA
 
Executive Board
Rocio Lopez, President
Shira Lincoln, Vice President
Phil McCormick, Secretary
Laurie Pham, Treasurer
 
Michelle Rhodes-Soriano, Member Communications

SOMEA is the inclusive union that represents more than 750 South Orange-Maplewood Public School employees, including transportation & maintenance personnel, secretaries, IT specialists, athletic trainers, child study teams, social workers, counselors, librarians, nurses, and teachers.

Reminder-Please Vote! Ballots are due Thursday

NJEA & NEA Elections

Ballots due by Thursday, April 15

 
Hello SOMEA members,
 
You should have received the 2021 Election Ballot from NJEA, accompanied by a pre-paid return envelope. Ballots must be received by noon on April 15th.
 
The following SOMEA members are running for office:
  • SOMEA President, Rocio Lopez for NJEA Delegate Assembly
  • SOMEA Secretary, Philip McCormick for State Delegate to the NEA Representative Assembly
  • SOMEA PRIDE Chair, Kristie Thomas for State Delegate to the NEA Representative Assembly
  • SOMEA Member Communications Chair, Michelle Rhodes-Soriano for State Delegate to the NEA Representative Assembly
  • SOMEA Building Rep, Sabina Ellis for State Delegate to the NEA Representative Assembly, NEA Representative for Ethnic-Minority Concerns, and NJEA Delegate Assembly
Additionally, SOMEA supports Montclair Education Association President, Petal Robertson, running for NJEA Secretary-Treasurer and State Delegate to the NEA Representative Assembly.
 
Members can also find voting information online by going to njea.org/njeaelections.
 
Your continued support is appreciated.
 
Executive Board
Rocio Lopez, President
Shira Lincoln, Vice President
Phil McCormick, Secretary
Laurie Pham, Treasurer
 

Michelle Rhodes-Soriano, Member Communications

SOMEA is the inclusive union that represents more than 750 South Orange-Maplewood Public School employees, including transportation & maintenance personnel, secretaries, IT specialists, athletic trainers, child study teams, social workers, counselors, librarians, nurses, and teachers.

NJEA & NEA Elections

Hello SOMEA members,
 
Please keep an eye on your mail box. You should receive the 2021 Election Ballot from NJEA. This will also be accompanied by a pre-paid return envelope. Ballots must be received by noon on April 15th.
 
The following SOMEA members are running for office:
  • SOMEA President, Rocio Lopez for NJEA Delegate Assembly
  • SOMEA Secretary, Philip McCormick for State Delegate to the NEA Representative Assembly
  • SOMEA PRIDE Chair, Kristie Thomas for State Delegate to the NEA Representative Assembly
  • SOMEA Member Communications Chair, Michelle Rhodes-Soriano for State Delegate to the NEA Representative Assembly
  • SOMEA Building Rep, Sabina Ellis for State Delegate to the NEA Representative Assembly, NEA Representative for Ethnic-Minority Concerns, and NJEA Delegate Assembly
Additionally, SOMEA supports Montclair Education Association President, Petal Robertson, running for NJEA Secretary-Treasurer and State Delegate to the NEA Representative Assembly.
 
Members can also find voting information online by going to njea.org/njeaelections.
 
Your continued support is appreciated.
 
Executive Board
Rocio Lopez, President
Shira Lincoln, Vice President
Phil McCormick, Secretary
Laurie Pham, Treasurer
 

Michelle Rhodes-Soriano, Member Communications

SOMEA is the inclusive union that represents more than 750 South Orange-Maplewood Public School employees, including transportation & maintenance personnel, secretaries, IT specialists, athletic trainers, child study teams, social workers, counselors, librarians, nurses, and teachers.

NJEA’s Awards for Excellence in Communications

We’re reaching out to share some excellent news with you all to start your Spring Break! Among many things, this year has taught us of the importance of clear, effective, and efficient communications in any successful organization.
 
With that said, we’d like to announce that SOMEA has received three separate recognitions (including a first place award!) through NJEA’s Awards for Excellence in Communications:
 
-First Place for Best Website
-Award of Distinction for Most Effective Use of Communications Tools
-Award of Distinction for Best Newsletter
 
Have a healthy and safe break and we’ll look forward to connecting with you soon!
 
SOMEA PRIDE

Essex County is Vaccinating Teachers

In Unity and Solidarity,
 
#IAMSOMEA
 
Executive Board
Rocio Lopez, President
Shira Lincoln, Vice President
Phil McCormick, Secretary
Laurie Pham, Treasurer
 
Michelle Rhodes-Soriano, Member Communications
 
SOMEA is the inclusive union that represents more than 750 South Orange-Maplewood Public School employees, including transportation & maintenance personnel, secretaries, IT specialists, athletic trainers, child study teams, social workers, counselors, librarians, nurses, and teachers.

Vaccination Survey 3/17/2021

Dear SOMEA,
 
Please complete the following survey ASAP:
 
 
In Unity and Solidarity,
 
#IAMSOMEA
 
Executive Board
Rocio Lopez, President
Shira Lincoln, Vice President
Phil McCormick, Secretary
Laurie Pham, Treasurer
 
Michelle Rhodes-Soriano, Member Communications

SOMEA is the inclusive union that represents more than 750 South Orange-Maplewood Public School employees, including transportation & maintenance personnel, secretaries, IT specialists, athletic trainers, child study teams, social workers, counselors, librarians, nurses, and teachers.

Update 3/17/2021

Dear SOMEA,
 
We are hereby sharing the results of the most recent Middle School walkthroughs conducted by our Reps. High school walkthroughs are being conducted this week. Reports will be shared once they are available. Additionally, please find the recent court order attached. There will be a follow-up court hearing on April 19. We will continue to share updates as we necessary.
 
 
In Unity and Solidarity,
 
#IAMSOMEA
 
Executive Board
Rocio Lopez, President
Shira Lincoln, Vice President
Phil McCormick, Secretary
Laurie Pham, Treasurer
 
Michelle Rhodes-Soriano, Member Communications

SOMEA is the inclusive union that represents more than 750 South Orange-Maplewood Public School employees, including transportation & maintenance personnel, secretaries, IT specialists, athletic trainers, child study teams, social workers, counselors, librarians, nurses, and teachers.

SOMEA Press Release Court Order 3-16-21

Dear SOMEA members,
 
The following is being released to the press in response to the Court decision.
 
South Orange-Maplewood Education Association
For Immediate Release
 
Following the hearing today, March 16, before the Honorable Jodi Lee Alper, Presiding Judge of the Chancery Division, Essex County, Superior Court of the State of New Jersey, the association is pleased with the results and looks forward to a safe return. In the decision, it was affirmed that the association’s actions to remain remote did not count as a strike, and indeed, Jude Alper agreed with SOMEA that its members “are working harder than ever.” In addition to denying the district’s requests for injunctive relief, the Court ordered the district to “assign classrooms to sixth and ninth grade teachers” based on SOMEA’s determination of fit classrooms following its walkthroughs, and that district comply with the terms of its Sidebar Agreement with SOMEA. The association’s members look forward to seeing their students and colleagues.
 
“This is a win for the association, the community, and the district,” said SOMEA President Rocio Lopez. “This has never been about a challenge to the district; this was about having our concerns and ideas heard, respected, and able to put into action so that schools could open safely.”
 
The South Orange and Maplewood Association
SOMEA is the inclusive union that represents more than 750 South Orange-Maplewood Public School employees, including transportation & maintenance personnel, secretaries, IT specialists, athletic trainers, child study teams, social workers, counselors, librarians, nurses, and teachers.
 
In Unity and Solidarity,
 
Executive Board
Rocio Lopez, President
Shira Lincoln, Vice President
Phil McCormick, Secretary
Laurie Pham, Treasurer
 
Michelle Rhodes-Soriano, Member Communications