Terry’s Update

7 October 2020

1. Open Season
2. Read Across America
3. Purple Up for Military Kids
4. Certificates
5. Red Ribbon Week
6. National Day on Writing
7. National Education Association info
8. Mark Your Calendar
9. Election Information

1. Open Season — It is getting close to open season for changes in insurance etc. (November 9-December 14) and is always a good idea to check what you have and think about what you need. To get the most up-to-date information about the FEHB plans you can visit myfederalretirement.com and at opm.gov

2. Read Across America — NEA has great information on books and Read Across America and the the 20-21 Read Across America calendar page

The Book of the Month for this month is by a Supreme Court Justice.

Just Ask! Be Different, Be Brave, Be You / ¡Solo pregunta! Sé Diferente, Sé Valiente, Sé Tú
by Sonia Sotomayor; illustrated by Rafael López As kids with different disabilities create a garden together, they share that it’s okay to be different and that it’s okay to ask about those differences.

3. Purple Up for Military Kids — Lakenheath Education Association has a t-shirt to honor the military students we teach. Purple Up for our military kids! T-shirt designed by a Lakenheath Middle Schooler during the COVID lockdown to celebrate the Month of the Military Child. (Logo on right sleeve.) Thanks for all you do to support our military-connected kids! If you would like to order one, simply logon to this page

4. Certificates — There have been numerous questions about certificates and certification. This link will take you to a place to login to see your current certificate. click here for the link The link should let you see your certificate at this time when you use your CAC

5. Red Ribbon Week — — Enrique (Kiki) Camarena was a Drug Enforcement Administration Agent who was tortured and killed in Mexico in 1985. Camarena worked his way through college, served in the Marines and became a police officer. When he decided to join the US Drug Enforcement Administration, his mother tried to talk him out of it. “I’m only one person,” he told her, “but I want to make a difference.” In honor of Camarena’s memory and his battle against illegal drugs, friends and neighbors began to wear red badges of satin. Parents, sick of the destruction of alcohol and other drugs, had begun forming coalitions. Some of these new coalitions took Camarena as their model and embraced his belief that one person can make a difference. These coalitions also adopted the symbol of Camarena’s memory, the red ribbon. The National Family Partnership organized the first Nationwide Red Ribbon Campaign. Since that time, the campaign has reached millions of U.S. children and families. The National Family Partnership (NFP) and its network of individuals and organizations continue to deliver his message of hope to millions of people every year, through the National Red Ribbon Campaign. Red Ribbon Week is scheduled for October 23 through October 31. See Redribbon.org for more information.

6. National Day on Writing — What Is the National Day on Writing? Every October 20, NCTE celebrates the importance, joy, and evolution of writing through a tweetup, using the hashtag #WhyIWrite and events hosted by thousands of educators across the country. Visit WhyIWrite.us for resources, the latest hashtag conversation, and a brand new podcast series.

7. National Education Association info (NEA) — NEA provides a wealth of material for teachers and this link provides you with ideas for classroom management, and how to beat the holiday fatigue. neamb.com They also provide ideas for proven complete lessons, aligned to CCR standards with this link betterlesson.com We encourage you to visit the NEA webpages for all the information happening stateside.

8. Mark Your Calendar-
October 12 — Columbus Day
October 20 — National Day of Writing
October 25 — Europe Daylight Savings Time Change
October 31 — Halloween

9. Election Information — FEA members in Europe will elect six representatives for the NEA Representative Assembly. NEA delegates from around the U.S. and around the world are expected to gather for the next Annual Meeting and Representative Assembly from July 2 to July 6 in Denver Colorado. RA delegates will propose, debate, and take action on new business items for the Association and other association policies, and vote by secret ballot on proposed amendments to the Constitution and Bylaws. Executive Officers, Executive Committee members, and at-large members of the NEA Board of Directors will be elected. There will be 2 Representatives from each FEA Division The nomination form is attached to the email.

Terry McClain
FEA Europe
Area Director