From KEA President Eddie Campbell:

Dear Member:

Election for statewide delegates to the NEA RA is extended through Friday, April 17th

Each year, KEA Active members across the state elect some of their colleagues to represent them at the NEA Representative Assembly, which is scheduled to occur in Atlanta, July 1 through 6. The NEA Representative Assembly brings together elected representatives from every state in the nation to elect national union leaders and to determine NEA's course of action over the next year.
Now more than ever, it's important for you to elect representation to the NEA RA that will carry your concerns to your national union. Please take this important opportunity to let your voice be heard in the governance of your national affiliate.

The election for KEA's statewide delegates to the 2020 NEA Representative Assembly is now open and will remain open through Friday, April 17th at 11:59 p.m. (EDT). All Active KEA members are eligible to participate in this statewide, online election. (KEA Retired and Aspiring Educators elect their delegates separately.)
An individualized voter code was included above your name and address on your copy of the March 2020 KEA News. If you did not receive a copy of the KEA News, no longer have your copy of your KEA News, or did not receiv

a voter code and you are an Active member, call 1-866-384-9978 to obtain a code.
Active members with a valid code can vote by visiting www.KEAVotes.com before Friday, April 17th at 11:59 p.m. (EDT). To request a paper ballot or if you need assistance with the online voting process, call 1-866-384-9978 or email help+KEA@yeselections.com.

COVID-19
Resources for Educators/Parents

General Coronavirus Information and Resources

• NEA Guidance and Resources
• Coping With Stress During Infectious Disease Outbreaks
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19),
• Handwashing and Hand Sanitizer Use at Home, at Play, and Out and About
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Resources for Teaching and Learning

• ABCmouse - This is a subscription service.  There is a 1 month free trail.  Offers an online curriculum for ages 2 to 8 covering numerous core subjects including math, reading, and science. 
• Adventure Academy - This is a subscription service.  There is a 1-month free trail.  From the creators of ABCmouse, this online curriculum is for ages 8 to 13 and features gamified learning for Math, Reading, and Science. 
• Answer Pad - A free visual- and student-based response platform that allows educators to blend learning and flip classrooms in real-time on browser-based devices. Students can interact with teacher-developed resources from home.
• BrainPop and BrainPop Jr - Free access for closed schools.  This site also has free family access. Delivers online learning opportunities in various subjects by showing animated videos and then following up with brief assessments and quizzes. 
• Buncee - Subscription site with some free items. A versatile learning tool that provides a digital canvas for multiple educational needs. The Ideas Lab showcases learning resources to be used remotely. 
• Classhook - Free access for teachers.  Chock full of educational videos and premade playlists that can be assigned to students to view from home.
• DOGOnews - Create reading assignments for students in grades K-8 that can also be integrated into Google Classroom. Features a curated, COPPA-compliant database that provides assessment and language/speech options.
• EDpuzzle - Useful for flipping a classroom or lesson. Educational videos can be viewed remotely and followed up with assessments to gauge learning.
• Explania - Offers hundreds of animated explanation videos, on subjects from biology to social media, that can be embedded and shared. 
• Glogster EDU - The Glogpedia features multimedia posters covering more than 80 topics across nine disciplines, such as math, social studies and science.
• Home Safari – Students can join the Cincinnati Zoo for a home Safari each day.  The Cincinnati Zoo will share a Facebook Live segment each weekday at 3pm ET where they will highlight one of our amazing animals.  Includes an activity your students can do from home.  Miss the Facebook Live video or don’t have access to social media? No worries! All videos will be posted to the Cincinnati Zoom Home Safari webpage and to the zoos YouTube channel shortly after the Facebook Live ends.
• iKnowIt - Interactive math practice for grades K-5 that offers an easy-to-use interface and tracks student data.
• Kahoot - One of the most used game-based learning platforms that allows educators to create their own content-related quizzes and games.
• Knoword - A fast-paced vocabulary game site that also allows teachers to choose from existing work packs or develop their own. You can also track student progress.
• Nearpod - A mobile learning tool that supports student engagement and collaborative learning. Also recently posted how to use Nearpod at home during school closures.
• NeoK12 - This is a subscription site.  A teacher-curated trove of educational videos, lessons, quizzes and games.
• RoomRecess - More than 140 teacher-developed games for kids involving math, reading, literacy, typing, and more.
• SuperTeacherWorksheets - Hundreds of worksheets and activities that can be printed for home use, ranging from math and science to literacy and phonics.
• TeachVid - With this platform, ESL, ELL and foreign language teachers can flip a lesson and have students work at home with the help of numerous videos and activities.
• Vocab Victor - A free mobile app for building vocabulary skills that assesses and adapts to a student’s vocabulary level in real-time.
• Virtual Museum Tours - Get a little culture and education from home.  Tour over 2500 museums and galleries from around the world. 
• WatchKnowLearn - A free site with an abundance of K-12 videos on a wide variety of subjects.
• YouTube Teachers - Dozens of educational videos covering topics that range from vector quantities to plate tectonics. 

Other Resources

• A comprehensive list of recommendations from NEA on digital learning. (PDF)
• Resources for Online Learning During School Closures (NEA)
• Interim Guidance for Administrators of US K-12 Schools and Childcare Programs (CDC)
• Schools and Coronavirus: What You Should Know (from NEA)

How to Talk to Children About the Coronavirus - Resources for Parents

This can be a very stressful, confusing and uncertain time for everyone, but it can be an especially scary time for children. Here are great resources about how you can talk to kids about the virus and the response.

• Talking with children about Coronavirus Disease 2019: Messages for parents, school staff, and others working with children (CDC)
• Talking to Children About COVID-19 (NASP)
• How to Talk to Your Kids About Coronavirus (PBS)
• Just For Kids: A Comic Exploring The New Coronavirus (NRP)
• Talking With Children: TIPS FOR CAREGIVERS, PARENTS, AND TEACHERS DURING INFECTIOUS DISEASE OUTBREAKS  (SAMHSA)

 Kentucky COVID-19 resources: 

• Kentucky COVID-19 homepage
• Kentucky COVID-19 Hotline: (800) 722-5725

 California Casualty’s Response to COVID-19

California Casualty is dedicated to preserving the health and safety of KEA Members and our employees. We are monitoring this ever-changing public health situation by the hour. This is an unprecedented time for everyone - a time that, for many, is filled with uncertainty. Our hearts and thoughts go out to each and every one of you.

Our primary focus is to minimize disruptions to our policyholders as we respond to concerns about the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19). California Casualty remains committed to doing everything we can to serve your members, while keeping our employees safe.  

KEA Members can expect to continue to receive excellent service from California Casualty. Click HERE for more information.

JCTA Members:

• Check the JCTA NEWS for Educator and Parent Resources related to the COVID -19 Crisis.

• Go to the JCTA Website "Members Area" Section for Union updates, resources, and other helpful information related to the COVID-19 Crisis.

JCTA President's Update re: Current Situation (3.16.2020)

Last week, Dr. Pollio held a press conference and responded to media questions. At the press conference he said during the next two weeks JCPS will be following a snow day protocol, which means that unless you are directly instructed otherwise, the next two weeks will be just the same for teacher as if the district had closed due to snow.

If any of this changes, the district will have to provide specific guidance to everyone and they will have to work out any contractual details with JCTA. We do not anticipate that being the case during the next two weeks.

Jefferson County Public School district is continuing to promote equal opportunities. As a result, a LGBTQ Advisory Committee was formed to provide perspective to JCPS related to LGBTQ matters impacting students, parents, faculty, staff, and other constituents. Advisory Committee chairs invite interested individuals to join the following sub-committees: Best Practices, Training, and Student Supports.

A brief description of each sub-committee is provided below. Members are sought who are passionate, purposeful, and can work well on a team to move forward in positive direction. If interested in joining one of the sub-committees or for further information, please contact Dr. Monica Lakhwani at monica.lakhwani@jefferson.kyschools.us

• Best Practices Sub-Committee - this group is about understanding state and national best practices as it relates to LGBTQ issues, from district practices to school procedures. We will be locating resources, suggesting language and best practices, and identifying where support may still be needed. This may include suggestions on practices to put in place locally based on what may already be in place within our school district and/or elsewhere in schools and districts that work to support LGBTQ students, staff, and families.

• Training and Curriculum Development Sub-Committee - this group's focus will be on identifying training and professional development needs within the district regarding LGBTQ issues. We will collaborate with others to develop and provide appropriate training opportunities to help support our LGBTQ students, staff, and families. These may include topics such as positive school culture, building resilience, and embracing diversity of all kinds. Additionally, this group would investigate ways to make curricula (literature, science, social studies, history, psychology, health/sex education, etc.) more inclusive of LGBTQ individuals.

• Student Supports Sub-Committee – The focus of the Student Support Subcommittee centers on supporting the needs of JCPS students who identify as LGBTQ as well as those students who support LGBTQ students, friends, and family members. This subcommittee will work with schools and other agencies to collect data on issues faced by students who identify as LGBTQ, so as to drive the decision making and actions of this subcommittee. Foreseeable actions of this subcommittee may include, but are not limited to, supporting JCPS GSAs/Alliances, developing student leadership and voice within JCPS, developing partnerships with community members that support JCPS students, etc. Students will actively participate in this subcommittee, from providing perspectives and ideas to planning and implementation.

In recognition of the passage of the 19th Amendment and the 55th anniversary of the Voting Right Act, The League of Women Voters, the Louisville Metro Office for Women, and the Frazier History Museum have joined forces with over 100 community partners to coordinate the celebration of these two milestones!

"A Celebration of Women' is to lead the Kentucky Derby Festival Pegasus Parade that takes place on Thursday, April 30, 2020 at 5:00 PM.  The parade starts at Campbell and Broadway and ends at 9th and Broadway (1.7 miles). A Celebration of Women is divided into three segments, including  "History (1848-1960):  Celebrating the Women Who Labored for the Right to Vote." 

One woman who will be celebrated is Dr. Mary Ellen Britton, a civil rights activist and suffragist.  She was an organizer, a member, and a leader in the Kentucky Negro Education Association (1877) and the Kentucky Association of Colored Teachers in Louisville (1887). The parade committee is hoping to have 10-20 teachers to walk in the parade behind the Individual who represents Dr. Britton.  A few might be needed to carry signage.  The dress will be in appropriate 1880's attire, seasoned and professional.

If you are interested in participating as a volunteer in the parade, please contact JCTA-Retired member Joyce Redd at 502-429-0014.

The Census is coming.  Are you ready?

The 2020 census is THE most important thing that will happen this year.  Why you ask? The data collected during the census will help determine Congressional districting and federal funding levels for housing, healthcare, transportation, employment, and public education for the next ten years.  With $675 Billion in federal funding at stake, it’s crucial that we get a fair and accurate count of every person. 

The 2010 count came up short.  

An estimated 1 million pre-school aged children were undercounted during the last census.  Those children are in our public schools now, and our schools are not receiving the federal funding allotment for them.  Undercounting our children, especially our pre-school children, is a costly mistake that we cannot afford. 

How can we make sure that every child is counted?  

We need every family to fill out their census form.   Filling out the census is safe and confidential. Federal law protects your census responses.  The information you provide can only be used to compile statistics. Your information may not be shared with immigration or law enforcement agencies, and it may not be used to determine your eligibility for government benefits.  

How and when will the Census take place?

Calling All Student Artists for illustrations for an upcoming children's book:
 
BLUEGRASS BOLD: STORIES OF KENTUCKY WOMEN  
A children’s book of Kentucky’s bold civic leaders, past and present, illustrated by Kentucky artists.  See more at http://bluegrassbold.com/;  See the full
Call for Artists here.

Bluegrass Bold will showcase women of Kentucky who actively contributed to bettering the Bluegrass and beyond. Profiling a diverse group of Kentuckians, each page provides a brief story of the individual, coupled with a portrait created by a Kentucky artist.

Eligibility:

• Because the project gives voice to Kentucky women that have largely been left out of the history books, the authors also want to lift up the women artists that are helping to shape the art and culture of our state. Professionals or pre-professional, young and old, let's see your work!
  
  
• The authors are encouraging contributions from diverse female artists. Because Bluegrass Bold will tell an inclusive story of Kentucky, we also want to ensure that artists involved in the project reflect the diversity of the women featured in this book.  
  

• Eligible artists must be women living in, or have a history with, Kentucky.  K-12 students are encouraged to apply!

Your Voice, Our Future...Get Involved, Starting Today!

Right now, candidates are deciding which issues they'll run on. Let's make sure public education is at the top of their agenda. The first step to getting involved is to click this link:  Strongpublicschools.org

How to use the Cohn Trust for Professional Development

Rationale: The Martin H. Cohn Trust is for the benefit of social studies teachers of Jefferson County Kentucky public schools for the purpose of providing educational and travel grants to teachers of middle school children in Jefferson County, which will reward them for their efforts, refresh them during their summer and provide them with additional insight in the efforts to educate their students. Martin H. Cohn was a former public school teacher who passed away on September 18, 2000.  This trust is for middle school social studies teachers to travel for conferences and to bring information/new ideas to their students.  There is a total of $15,000 in the Martin H. Cohn trust and each applicant is eligible for up to $1500 to use toward professional learning. 

Procedures: 

●      Teachers will submit an application that describes their learning opportunity and how they will bring the information back to the JCTA Board, JCPS Social Studies Lead, and their students.

●      Applications will be reviewed by the JCPS Social Studies Lead, a deeper learning Resource Teacher, and one member of the JCTA board that is not a district resource teacher, instructional coach, or instructional lead.  The application review team will have two weeks to review applications and to submit the names of teachers who are approved. 

●      Teachers who are approved will receive their funds accordingly. 

●      All receipts and vouchers will be turned in within 45 days of the end of the conference.  If receipts and vouchers are not submitted timely, the teacher is responsible for reimbursing the funds requested back to the Association. 

●      Teachers who were approved for funding will present their information learned and how they will use the information with students to the JCTA board and the Social Studies Instructional Lead at a future JCTA Bd of Directors meeting.

Application

Scoring Rubric

Examples of Uses:

●      C3 Teachers: College Career & Civic Life