Terry’s Update

6 January 2021

1. Martin Luther King Jr Day
2. NEA Read Across America Grants
3. Social Security Deferral Info
4. Learn and Earn with FEA’s Book Clubs
5. Mark Your Calendar

1. Martin Luther King Jr Day – is an American federal holiday marking the birthday of Martin Luther King Jr. It is observed on the third Monday of January each year, which is around King’s birthday, January 15. The holiday is similar to holidays set under the Uniform Monday Holiday Act. King was the chief spokesman for nonviolent activism in the Civil Rights Movement, which successfully protested racial discrimination in federal and state law. The campaign for a federal holiday in King’s honor began soon after his assassination in 1968. President Ronald Reagan signed the holiday into law in 1983, and it was first observed three years later. At first, some states resisted observing the holiday as such, giving it alternative names or combining it with other holidays. It was officially observed in all 50 states for the first time in 2000. NEA provides great lessons for this day here.

2. NEA Grants for DoDEA Schools — Congratulations to Hohenfels ES, Vogelweh ES, Liberty IS, Graf ES, Landstuhl ES, Sembach ES, Kaiserslaughtern ES, Baumholder ES (X2), Ramstein ES, Ramstein IS, and Patch ES for attaining Read Across America Grants from NEA. Because of the wonderful work of our colleagues at these schools they have received money to fund Read Across America projects at their schools. It is worth the time to write a proposal for grants, and hope others will take the chance for the great ideas DoDEA teachers have.

3. Social Security Deferral— The Social Security Deferral program that was initiated in 2020 has now stopped. However, in this week’s LES they are now taking back what was not taken in 2020. Another reason to check your LES,
and more information is provided at this link. Your election during Open Season should also be shown in this LES.

4. Learn and Earn with FEA’s Book Clubs — Connect with a community of teachers while you refine your teaching skills and get approved for higher pay! The University of San Diego’s Project READ for DoDEA/Int’l Educators hosts independent study courses (usually 1 credit each) that can be taken anytime and are approved by DoDEA for recertification and salary increases. FEA is seeking members in each region (stateside, Europe, and Pacific) to act as hosts for these book clubs, which we expect to be no more than ten members each. Clubs will discuss chapters every two weeks over Zoom, share key lessons and analyze how to apply them to the classroom. Hosts will manage Zoom meetings, send reminders, and help foster discussion. Interested in participating in a book club or becoming a host? Write to Robert Forristal, Member Communications and Development Specialist Federal Education Association. rforristal@nea.org

5. Mark Your Calendar-
January 4 —- School Resumes
January 14 — End of Second Quarter and First Semester
January 18 — Martin Luther King Holiday
January 18 — Winnie the Pooh Day (The Birthday of Winnie’s author A.A. Milne)
January 23 — National Handwriting Day (re-introduce ourselves to a pen or pencil) also John Hancock’s birthday
February 2 — Ground Hog Day
February 1-5 — National School Counseling week