February 5, 2024
- The SPFE bargaining team met with district management and our mediators on Wednesday. Our next two scheduled dates for Mediation are 2/5 and 2/6.
- Read the latest Bargaining Newsletter, linked here and on the SPFE Website
- Watch our Costing Corner videos on the SPFE Website and look at our Guide to SPPS Finances
- Watch for text updates! If you are not receiving them and would like to, please reach out to Lynne@spfe28.org with your correct phone number.
SPFE Internal Elections We are seeking candidates for the following roles: delegate for EdMN, NEA or AFT conventions, Treasurer, Vice President, Director of Non-Licensed Personnel or a member of the SPFE Executive Board. If you are interested, fill out this form by Friday, February 9, 2024 to be voted on at the February member meeting.
One of the many benefits of being an Education Minnesota member is access to financial seminars. Education Minnesota ESI will be holding “When Can I Afford to Retire?” seminars for SPFE members in February. Regardless of how long you have been an educator, attending this seminar will help you understand how your pension, Social Security and other savings, such as a 403(b), all contribute to your financial and retirement plan. Click here to register.
- Tues., Feb. 13(St. Paul Teacher)(For members covered by a SPTRFA pension plan)
- EdMN St. Paul Office 41 Sherburne Ave. St. Paul, MN 55103 4:30 – 5 p.m. Registration 5 – 6:30 p.m. Seminar/boxed lunch/prizes
- Thurs., Feb. 15(St. Paul ESP)For members covered by a PERA pension plan) EdMN St. Paul Office 41 Sherburne Ave. St. Paul, MN 55103 4:30 – 5 p.m. Registration5 – 6:30 p.m. Seminar/boxed lunch/prizes
EMAC Summit: The Ethnic Minority Summit will be February 16-17 in Brooklyn Center. This conference pulls together BIPOC educators from across the state for workshops, speakers and networking. This conference is for SPFE members of color and is hosted by EdMN. If you are interested, see details and register at this link.
SPFE Parent Meeting: Our next parent meeting will be February 7th from 6:30-7:30 on Zoom. If you are a member and an SPPS parent, please join us to hear more about negotiations and how to support our contract campaign. Please RSVP at this link.
Black Lives Matter in Schools Week of Action Feb. 5-9: The theme this year is “Celebrating and Centering our Collective Values.” If you are interested in taking part in BLM in Schools week of Action, please go to the link for resources and to sign up that your classroom will be participating. The link for resource is here.
Skills to Win: Are you interested in learning the skills to become an organizer? The National Education Association(NEA) will be hosting their Skills to Win organizer training. The training will be led by the University of California-Berkeley Labor Center. It will be every Tuesday starting February 13-March 19 via Zoom. If you are interested please sign up at this link. Any questions, please email Jay Wahi at jay@spfe28.org
January 29, 2024
Bargaining Updates:
- SPPS Married Couples: Please join us for a quick Zoom Meeting with updates on the Married Couple Insurance Premium Contributions. We want to give you updates on the SPFE Proposal and next steps we all can take to keep this benefit. If this impacts your family, please come Thursday 2/1 5-5:30 on Zoom to get updates! RSVP here and a link will be sent on Wednesday morning.
- The SPFE bargaining team met with district management and our mediators on Wednesday. Our next two scheduled dates for Mediation are 2/5 and 2/6.
- Read the latest Bargaining Newsletter, linked here and on the SPFE Website
- Watch our Costing Corner videos on the SPFE Website and look at our Guide to SPPS Finances
Contract Action Team Updates– This week is all about completing our strike vote petition. Due date for the petition is this Friday, February 2nd. Please get all petitions to your Area CAT or organizer by Friday. As a reminder, this petition is to show our executive board members that SPFE members are willing to continue to fight for the contract we deserve. SPPS’ current offer is not good enough and we want to take a strike vote to show the district that we are serious about our demands. In a year of record funding for our public schools, there are no excuses for why we can’t provide the resources that our educators, students and schools need.
The SPFE store is open again! Any members wanting more RED as negotiations ramp up can order at the following link: https://spfeshop.itemorder.com/shop/home/
It is a short window so we can get gear early in March. Order by Friday, Feb. 2!
SPFE steward save the date– Monday, January 29th (TODAY!) from 4:30pm-5:30pm via Zoom we will be having an optional advanced steward training. This training is geared at stewards who would like more training in representational work on behalf of their colleagues. In this training we will go over the Seven Tests of Just Cause and discuss tools for supporting your colleagues during investigative meetings. RSVP here.
SPFE Climate Action Team
- The next SPFE Climate Action Team will be on 1/29 (4:30pm) at the link below. Excited to share that we will hear from one of our very own SPFE members, Sofia Cerkvenik, who recently attended the COP 28 conference. meet.google.com/mna-gdcv-uvm
- On Feb 7th (at 3:30) we will be having our monthly Sustainability Collaboration meeting between SPFE members and leadership from SPPS Facilities and Nutrition Services. The meeting will be at the SPFE offices AND there will be a virtual option. If interested stop on by or contact Tom Lucy for more details.
SPFE Scholarship application is now available for the graduating class of 2024. Applicant’s parent(s) or legal guardian must have maintained Local #28 union membership. prior to September 1, 2022 in order to qualify for this scholarship. Applications are due April 26, 2024. Please email Jeannie receptionist@spfe28.org for the application.
SPFE Internal Elections We are seeking candidates for the following roles: delegate for EdMN, NEA or AFT conventions, Treasurer, Vice President, Director of Non-Licensed Personnel or a member of the SPFE Executive Board. If you are interested, fill out this form by Friday, February 9, 2024 to be voted on at the February member meeting.
January New Educator Event: Join us for our next New Educator event this Wednesday January 31st from 5 to 7pm at the East Side Freedom Library. Highlighting how SPFE contract language has changed the educational landscape, both in MN and the US, Trivia w/ 3 rounds, and a History of SPFE presentation by Peter Rachleff. Join us for an evening of fun and reflection. RSVP here à https://forms.gle/mRvfMkUTM6aGctCV6
EMAC Summit: The Ethnic Minority Summit will be February 16-17 in Brooklyn Center. This conference pulls together BIPOC educators from across the state for workshops, speakers and networking. This conference is for SPFE members of color and is hosted by EdMN. If you are interested, see details and register at this link.
Black Lives Matter in Schools Week of Action Feb. 5-9: The theme this year is “Celebrating and Centering our Collective Values.” If you are interested in taking part in BLM in Schools week of Action, please go to the link for resources and to sign up that your classroom will be participating. The link for resource is here.
January 22, 2024
School Board Rally! This Tuesday, January 23rd from 4:30pm-5:30pm. We will be having a rally outside of the school board meeting and deliver our petitions. This will be the first school board meeting with our newly elected school board members. Now is the time to let them know that it is urgent that the board expand their financial parameters for our contract. We are worth more than 1%. RSVP Here.
CAT Members– Reminder that there is an all CAT meeting this Monday, January 22nd at 6pm following the general membership meeting. We will be finalizing logistics for the school board rally and discussing next steps. We highly encourage you attend in person if you can. If you need to join virtually, please RSVP here and a Zoom link will be sent to you.
SPFE Nurses and Health Assistants: Do you have questions about what your SPFE bargaining team proposed for nurses and health assistants in our mental health team proposal? Please join us for a Zoom meeting on Thursday, 1/25/24 from 4:30-5:00 to get your questions answered! Please RSVP here.
SPFE Scholarship application is now available for the graduating class of 2024. Applicant’s parent(s) or legal guardian must have maintained Local #28 union membership. prior to September 1, 2022 in order to qualify for this scholarship. Applications are due April 26, 2024. Please email Jeannie receptionist@spfe28.org for the application.
SPFE Internal Elections We are seeking candidates for the following roles: delegate for EdMN, NEA or AFT conventions, Treasurer, Vice President, Director of Non-Licensed Personnel or a member of the SPFE Executive Board. If you are interested, fill out this form by Friday, February 9, 2024 to be voted on at the February member meeting.
Bargaining Updates
All members received a short update on personal emails on Friday, January 19. If you have members who did not receive it, please make sure we have their personal email. Our next two sessions with the district are this week Wednesday and Thursday. Questions or comments can be sent to bargainingteam@spfe28.org.
SPED Due Process Day Tuesday, January 23rd from 8:30-3:00pm at SPFE(23 Empire Dr.)
Attention Special Education Teachers and related service providers — per our Licensed Staff Contract pg 41, you are entitled to take “paperwork days” to complete necessary paperwork and other work related to due process. This year, SPFE will be hosting SPED Due Process Days with SPPS. Members of the SPPS Compliance Team will be available and onsite at SPFE to support you with due process. Questions? Please reach out to Clara Dockter, clara@spfe28.org.
Special Education Ed Plan Goal Survey: In collaboration with the Office of Specialized Services, input regarding goals in the new updated EdPlan is being sought by our special education teachers who use the system most. As part of our new contract with PCG, The Office of Specialized Services will be updating the “EasyIEP” platform on EdPlan. This is the section of EdPlan that helps staff create all SpEd documents (IEPs, ESR, 504s, IFSPs, PWNs, etc.). There may be minor changes to the “EasyTrac” system (where related service providers document services for billing) but the majority of changes will be in EasyIEP. This is the first major update to EdPlan in 20 years. We would like to gather input on the goal section of the IEP. Please complete the survey by February 1st.
Here is the link for the survey: https://forms.gle/S3twNTU8MsVie99d8
SPED EAs there is another survey that the Office of Specialized Services is seeking input on in regards to what professional development is most helpful and relevant. This has been sent out to all SPED EAs and SPFE encourages participation from our members.
January New Educator Event: Join us for our next New Educator event Jan 31st from 5 to 7pm at the East Side Freedom Library. Highlighting how SPFE contract language has changed the educational landscape, both in MN and the US, Trivia w/ 3 rounds, and a History of SPFE presentation by Peter Radcliff. Join us for an evening of fun and reflection. RSVP here à https://forms.gle/mRvfMkUTM6aGctCV6
Climate Action Updates
- Next SPFE Climate Action Team meeting is on 1/29 at 4:30. meet.google.com/mna-gdcv-uvm
- Next SPFE/SPPS Sustainability meeting is Feb 7th at 3pm, at SPFE.
- Electric Buses!!!!
- ED MN Eco Caucus meeting, stay tuned.
- Clean Heat MN/SPFE
SPFE Members of Color Affinity-Come celebrate the start of the new year by bowling and building connections with other SPFE Members of Color. We will be bowling at Saxon Lanes(61 Little Canada Rd West, St. Paul) on January 25th from 4:30-6:30.
SPFE steward save the date– Monday, January 29th from 4:30pm-5:30pm via Zoom we will be having an optional advanced steward training. This training is geared at stewards who would like more training in representational work on behalf of their colleagues. In this training we will go over the Seven Tests of Just Cause and discuss tools for supporting your colleagues during investigative meetings. RSVP here.
January 15 2024
School Board Rally! Mark your calendars for Tuesday, January 23rd from 4:30pm-5:30pm. We will be having a rally outside of the school board meeting and deliver our petitions. This will be the first school board meeting with our newly elected school board members. Now is the time to let them know that it is urgent that the board expand their financial parameters for our contract. We are worth more than 1%. RSVP Here.
Wednesday, January 17th is a statewide Day of Action: Education Minnesota is calling on all affiliates to participate in a day of action proclaiming “We’re worth more”. SPFE will be participating. A CAT from each building should come to SPFE on Tuesday, January 16th to pick up a “We’re worth more” sticker packet for your members in your building or program. Please ask your colleagues to wear red on this day and wear their sticker.
Contract Action Team– We will be having a CAT check-in on Wednesday, January 17th from 4:30pm-5:30pm via Zoom. We also will be having an in-person CAT meeting following the membership meeting on Monday, January 22nd. We will use the meeting on the 22nd to prepare for our board rally on 1/23. Please make sure to complete your petitions and send your turnout to the rally list to your organizer or Area CAT.
Bargaining Updates
We need some input from EAs on a proposal from SPPS regarding how building cuts and reassignments happen in Article 15. If you’d like to hear about the proposal and offer your thoughts to members of the bargaining team please sign up here and join us on Tuesday, January 16 at 5 pm on zoom.
We need some input from SCSPs on a proposal from SPPS regarding a new transfer process. If you’d like to hear about the proposal and offer your thoughts to members of the bargaining team please sign up here and join us on Wednesday, January 17 at 5 pm on zoom.
We will be providing updates after sessions- so check the emails, website and with your Contract Action Team leader for more info. Our current January dates are: January 18, 24, 25. Questions for the bargaining team can be sent to bargainingteam@spfe28.org
SPED Due Process Day Tuesday, January 23rd from 8:30-3:00pm at SPFE(23 Empire Dr.)
Attention Special Education Teachers and related service providers — per our Licensed Staff Contract pg 41, you are entitled to take “paperwork days” to complete necessary paperwork and other work related to due process. This year, SPFE will be hosting SPED Due Process Days with SPPS. Members of the SPPS Compliance Team will be available and onsite at SPFE to support you with due process. Questions? Please reach out to Clara Dockter, clara@spfe28.org.
Special Education Ed Plan Goal Survey: In collaboration with the Office of Specialized Services, input regarding goals in the new updated EdPlan is being sought by our special education teachers who use the system most. As part of our new contract with PCG, The Office of Specialized Services will be updating the “EasyIEP” platform on EdPlan. This is the section of EdPlan that helps staff create all SpEd documents (IEPs, ESR, 504s, IFSPs, PWNs, etc.). There may be minor changes to the “EasyTrac” system (where related service providers document services for billing) but the majority of changes will be in EasyIEP. This is the first major update to EdPlan in 20 years. We would like to gather input on the goal section of the IEP. Please complete the survey by February 1st.
Here is the link for the survey: https://forms.gle/S3twNTU8MsVie99d8
January New Educator Event: Join us for our next New Educator event Jan 31st from 5 to 7pm at the East Side Freedom Library. Highlighting how SPFE contract language has changed the educational landscape, both in MN and the US, Trivia w/ 3 rounds, and a History of SPFE presentation by Peter Radcliff. Join us for an evening of fun and reflection. RSVP here à https://forms.gle/mRvfMkUTM6aGctCV6
SPFE Members of Color Affinity-Come celebrate the start of the new year by bowling and building connections with other SPFE Members of Color. We will be bowling at Saxon Lanes(61 Little Canada Rd West, St. Paul) on January 25th from 4:30-6:30. Please RSVP at this link.
SPFE Parent Meeting- Are you an SPFE member with a student that attends an SPPS school? Our parent group will be meeting Thursday, January 18th from 6:30-7:30 We would love to have our members to join our parent group. Come learn more about our contract campaign and how to involve other parents. Please RSVP to get the virtual link at this link.
SPFE Climate Action Team
- The next SPFE Climate Action Team will be on 1/29 (4:30pm) at the link below. Excited to share that we will hear from one of our very own SPFE members, Sofia Cerkvenik, who recently attended the COP 28 conference.
- Also, AWESOME news!!!!! We just heard that through the Federal governmentSPPS will be getting funds for 10 electric buses. Thanks to all in SPFE and the community for pushing forward on that goal!
SPFE steward save the date– Monday, January 29th from 4:30pm-5:30pm via Zoom we will be having an optional advanced steward training. This training is geared at stewards who would like more training in representational work on behalf of their colleagues. In this training we will go over the Seven Tests of Just Cause and discuss tools for supporting your colleagues during investigative meetings. RSVP here.
Please spread the word- Take Action Minnesota is seeking student participants in their youth organizing fellowship. Students can learn to lead powerfully through community organizing. Deadline to apply is January 18th. For Questions, please contact Cierra at 612-440-9147 or Cierra@takeactionminnesota.org. The application for students to apply is at this link.
January 8, 2024
As always, Wear Red on Thursdays!
Join SPFE’s LGBTQIA+ Affinity Group for a duo-purpose happy hour at the Nickel joint!
Come to the Nickel joint, a Frogtown favorite, to celebrate the holidays, our return to school, and rally for the school year’s second half! We will be hanging out in the Nickel Joint’s back party room. Stop by to connect with other LGBTQIA+ members over a drink, a dance and a slice of pizza!
WHERE: Nickel Joint, 501 Blair avenue, Saint Paul, 55103
WHEN: Thursday, January 11th from 5 to 7pm
Bargaining Team Updates
Your bargaining team is back at this month working towards a strong contract. We are beginning our work with a mediator this month, which means we are now holding non-public negotiations sessions. However, we will be providing updates after sessions- so check the emails, website and with your Contract Action Team leader for more info. Our current January dates are: January 18, 24, 25. Questions for the bargaining team can be sent to bargainingteam@spfe28.org
CAT members: Please make sure to be passing around our petition and having all of your colleagues sign on. Completed petitions can be given to your organizer. Don’t have a petition but need one? Reach out to your organizer and they will get you one. We also have a digital version available for itinerant programs.Mark your calendars for Tuesday, January 23rd from 4:30pm-5:30pm. We will be having a rally outside of the school board meeting and deliver our petitions. This will be the first school board meeting with our newly elected school board members. Now is the time to let them know that it is urgent that the board expand their financial parameters for our contract.
SPFE COPE Drive We had a lot of wins in 2023 – including a new School Board, and we are going to need to work to protect them in 2024. We can’t do this work without the financial support of SPFE members. We would like to end our COPE drive at the start of Winter Break, but can’t if we don’t hit our targets. If you need more COPE forms, or to confirm the number of contributors needed for your building, please email lynne@spfe28.org.
New School Board! The new school board will be sworn in and seated tomorrow (Tuesday, January 9) at 4:30 pm. Please consider supporting and celebrating them by being at 360 Colborne (in your best SPFE red) for the ceremony!
Our Next CAT meeting is Monday, January 22nd following our general membership meeting.
Free Books! We have extra SECONDARY level books available from our amazing Reading Opens the World event! If you would like books for your classroom please stop by the office! A huge thank you to all the members, other unions, students, parents and other volunteers that helped to make this event such a success!
January New Educator Event Join us for our next New Educator event Jan 31st from 5 to 7pm at the East Side Freedom Library. Highlighting how SPFE contract language has changed the educational landscape, both in MN and the US, Trivia w/ 3 rounds, and a History of SPFE presentation by Peter Radcliff. Join us for an evening of fun and reflection. RSVP here –> https://forms.gle/mRvfMkUTM6aGctCV6
SPFE Climate Action Team
- Interested in figuring out how to incorporate climate education into your classroom. https://climategen.org/teach-climate-network/
- Our next Climate Action Team meeting will be on January 29th from 4:30-5:30pm. Please join us at meet.google.com/mna-gdcv-uvm
Special Education Ed Plan Goal Survey: In collaboration with the Office of Specialized Services, input regarding goals in the new updated EdPlan is being sought by our special education teachers who use the system most. As part of our new contract with PCG, The Office of Specialized Services will be updating the“EasyIEP” platform on EdPlan. This is the section of EdPlan that helps staff create all SpEd documents(IEPs, ESR, 504s, IFSPs, PWNs, etc.). There may be minor changes to the“EasyTrac” system(where related service providers document services for billing) but the majority of changes will be in EasyIEP. This is the first major update to EdPlan in 20 years. We would like to gather input on the goal section of the IEP. Please complete the survey by February 1st.
Here is the link for the survey: https://forms.gle/S3twNTU8MsVie99d8
Additionally, for SPED EAs there is another survey that the Office of Specialized Services is seeking input on in regards to what professional development is most helpful and relevant. This has been sent out to all SPED EAs and SPFE encourages participation from our members.
Intervention Specialists- You have the right to attend your monthly professional development. There is one scheduled for this Friday, January 12th. Administrators should find coverage for your building so you can attend. You can see more information on page 30 of the SCSP contract.
Licensed Staff- Reminder that if you hold multiple licenses January 15th is the deadline to hide a license. You must notify Human Resources of your decision to hide a license.
Please spread the word- Take Action Minnesota is seeking student participants in their youth organizing fellowship. Students can learn to lead powerfully through community organizing. Deadline to apply is January 18th. For Questions, please contact Cierra at 612-440-9147 or Cierra@takeactionminnesota.org.
We have a really exciting event coming up on January 9th. Bargaining for the Common Good – a national organization that helps labor and community connect and leverage their demands – is hosting a panel featuring our outstanding work of organizing across both the private and public sectors to win contracts that benefit our whole community. Check it out and register here:
Party for UAW workers! There will be a party with food, music, speakers and labor leaders from the Twin Cities on Saturday, January 13th from 2-4:30 at the Minneapolis Regional Labor Federation(312 Central Ave SE, Minneapolis). Come celebrate their historic contract and connect with other labor leaders. Please RSVP at this link.