We hope that you have a wonderful and restful spring break!
We appreciate your continued support and investment in each student's success!
EPEA NEWS:
PRESCHOOL LANE CHANGES DUE TODAY:
Today marks the deadline for any preschool educator to have submitted their paperwork for a lane change to be accurately represented on the EPEA salary schedule. If you have not done so yet, please reach out to Brenda Nielsen in HR.
ROUNDS OF HIRING:
Today marks the end of ROUND 1 (tenure teachers transferring to a different position in the same site). After Spring Break, the highly anticipated ROUND 2 begins. Any tenured staff member may apply for a position for which they hold an appropriate license.
ROUND 2: March 25 - 29
- Eligible: internal, continuing contract "tenured" educators
- Purpose: transfer to an open position at another site/building
- Process: 4 -5 question online form (linked form from HR to all educators)
ROUND 3: April 8 - until filled
- Eligible: all educators
- Purpose: apply to remaining open positions at any site
- Process: 4 -5 question online form for internal candidates; full application for external candidates
EMAIL SIGNATURE CHANGE:
The district's communication department has asked that EPEA members change their email signatures to honor the major "100 Year Celebration" events coming this spring. The Communications department would like there to be a "vein of coming back together' after our season of negotiations.
If you would like to shift back to the “100 Year” logo, please do so. If you would like to use the joint image pictured below, please use the resources found here to do so: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1IDpDFIdSu-NLko4hH-Zlo2fvpx1y9LmY/edit
Please consider changing your email signature by April 1, 2024.
SEEKING POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE MEMBERS and SCHOOL BOARD SCREENERS:
The EPEA is cognizant of the upcoming elections and the impact there can be on public education in Eden Prairie. EPEA Leadership has already been working to be proactive to set the stage for candidates who are mindful of the importance of public education funding and policies.
So, the EPEA leadership team would like to form two Political Action Committees to promote positive moves to support pro-public education candidates. We now need EPEA members to walk alongside us. One committee will focus on the open MN House seat (49A). The other committee will focus on 3 School Board seats.
The Committee that focuses on the MN House seat will work with the Minneapolis Regional Labor Federation, Minnetonka Federation of Teachers, EdMn, and Charles Cooper to screen, select, and support a candidate for the November election. Some committee work will begin this spring.
The committee that focuses on the School Board seats will work with EdMN and Jessica Premo to screen, select and support those school board candidates who will best represent the students, community, and teachers moving forward.
If you are looking for a way to be more involved in the EPEA and have a political interest, please reach out to Charles Cooper/Jessica Premo. A stipend is available for this work.
PRESIDENT’S POSITION:
For the 24-25 school year, our current President Dominic Kirkpatrick will be taking a leave of absence from Eden Prairie Schools. In accordance with the EPEA Constitution and Bylaws, in the absence of the President, the Vice President assumes the responsibilities of the President. So beginning July 1, 2024, Charles Cooper, current EPEA VP, will serve the third year of Dominic’s 3-year-term.
Hours of preparation for the transition are already underway so that membership will experience a similar level of service next school year. During the remainder of this spring, Rep. Congress will go through the established Constitution and Bylaws process to appoint and approve a VP to fill in for Charles during the 24-25 school year. EPEA Treasurer Brent Bovitz (EPO) and Secretary Jessica Premo (PV) will continue in their roles next year.
GUIDANCE from YOUR MEMBER RIGHTS ADVOCATE:
If you are in need of support at an administration meeting, believe there is a contract violation, or have a performance/conduct-related support request, please
connect with Carla Thompson (Lead MRA) cthompson@edenpr.org or 952-240-6577)
UPDATE from EDUCATION MINNESOTA
MN LEGISLATIVE SESSION:
The 2024 MN Legislative Session is alive in making progress in the area of education. Currently, the Education Policy Committee, chaired by EP representative Laurie Pryor is discussing many topics. The following topics are a few of them:
School Counselor Ratios: HF4512
Four-day school Week: HF1242
Driver Education Access: HF3360
Hours of required Instruction: HF3363
Minimum Time for Lunch : HF3556
PD GRANT Money:
If you forgot to apply for an Education Minnesota Foundation Professional Development Grant in the fall, there's still time to apply for the spring round of funding. ESPs and teachers may request up to $2,000, and higher education faculty may request up to $3,000.
Applications are due Friday, April 5. Visit here to learn more and apply!
VARIOUS TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES:
RACIAL EQUITY TRAINING:
Register now for an in-person or virtual racial equity training hosted by the Equity Literacy Institute.
6 p.m.
Thursdays, March 7-28 & Tuesday, April 2
Zoom meeting
In-person trainings will be offered April 25-27 in the Twin Cities metro. More information, including registration, can be found here.
Indian Education Gathering:
The Minnesota Humanities Center is hosting a spring gathering for anyone connected to American Indian education or students.
11 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
Wednesday, March 20
Minnesota Humanities Center
CAIR-MN Muslim trainings
The Minnesota chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations offers trainings to help support Muslim communities in our state.
Offerings include:
How to Provide a Religious Accommodation
Islam 101
Know Your Rights for Muslim Youth
Understanding Somali Culture
MEMBER BENEFITS
ESI PerksConnect - discounts to area activities and restaurants
NEA Discount Marketplace - discount tickets and travel program
SAVE THE DATE: EPEA “RETRO” CELEBRATION
EPEA Leadership will be hosting our EPEA “Retro” Celebration on Friday, May 10 from 4:30 - 8pm. We wish to honor and celebrate all that came together for our successful outcome of our 23-25 contract. We plan to have food, games, prizes, and musical entertainment to enjoy while enjoying some fellowship with colleagues from across the district.
Please mark your calendars for Friday, May 10. An RSVP will be forthcoming to ensure we have enough food and door prizes to go around!
"A little progress each day adds up to big results." -Satya Nani
In Solidarity,
Dominic Kirkpatrick, EPEA President
Charles Cooper, EPEA President
Brent Bovitz, EPEA Treasurer
Jessica Premo, EPEA Secretary
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