Desert Views California Retired Teachers Association Desert Roadrunner Division 43

Desert Views California Retired Teachers Association Desert Roadrunner Division 43 http://div43.calrta.org

May/June 2019 President’s Message Maggie Hamilton, President We support local theater! Here's a Advocacy Day in Washington, D.C. group of us with the cast from Real Women Joy Bugg, Editor First time in 20 Have Curves. Two of the actors are former years!! ~~~~~~~~ students from Indio High School! • 30% of CalSTRS [email protected] retired teachers were CalRTA members. That's Contact Information: down to 20% now.  CalRTA: 1-916-923-2200 or • We are down to about 37,500 members-- 1-800-523-2782 from over 50,000. Yikes http://calrta.org • Presentation by AARP, learning to help Membership number is your seniors avoid becoming victims of identity user ID; last name in lower CalRTA does have talent! The Talent theft--go to www.aarp.org/ case is your password. Show and Fundraiser for CalRTA's fraudwatchnetwork 877-908-3360  Area IX website: Educational Foundation were a success! • Jim Jones and Karen Linder gave a http://area9.calrta.org workshop on Facebook 101 Singing, folk dancing, joke-telling, and skits Director, Ron Breyer • David Walrath, our legislative advocate, with an emcee brought in  Desert Roadrunner webpage: gave us an update of the bills CalRTA is http://div43.calrta.org from Indio's Heritage supporting and opposing. He said with  Facebook: CalRTA Division 43 Palms Country Club made March 2020 Primary by February, you will  CalSTRS: www.calstrs.com for a very entertaining receive mail-in ballots. Postage will be  Medicare: evening! paid by California. He said the 2020 www.medicare.gov I think that Linda Stowells, Census is very important. Everyone  HICAP: 1-800-434-0222 Susan Golden, Janet Benavidez, Helen should be counted. • The" Koffee Smith, and Jim Jones all feel that Inside this Issue: Desert Roadrunner Division 43 was Klatches" were a new, innovative idea. You President’s Message 1 well represented at the Convention could go have coffee, and have brought back lots of ideas to "hang out" and chat or Your Medicare & Birthday 2 make our Division and CalRTA even ask questions from any Div. 43 2nd Paint Nite 2 better than it already is. Here are- of the State Chairs. 2019 Slate of Officers 3 Convention Highlights Thanks to Wendel • $1/month dues increases will begin Morten (BTSA Buffet Luncheon in August 3 January 1, 2020. Mentor) of DSUSD for Day of the Teacher Bags 3 • Action Alerts are working! Do your his idea to make Membership Update 3 part and call your rep. Find your rep goodie bags and place at www.house.gov them with the retiree Teacher Award Season 4 • HR 860 needs to include repealing apple awards at the WEP/GPO Reporting a Death 4 Desert Sands Teacher • We sent 900 postcards to enact HR Student Scholarships 2019 5-7 141--repeal WEP/GPO. We have 169 co- of the Year/Retiree Banquet, and here is sponsors. We need 290 so the bill can the photo he sent to me. I made 60 bags Division 43 Directory 7 move forward. with Linda's helpful ideas. Upcoming Free Webinar 7 CalRTA held a WEP/GPO workshop for • Maggie Hamilton, President Congressional representatives on CALSTRS Demographic Survey 7

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• Just note that if you change your plan to one with

Medicare Supplement benefits less than what you currently have; you will Plan- Birthday Rule not be able to go back to the prior plan that had Last month I received a letter from my Medicare more benefits. Supplement plan provider (Anthem Blue Cross) Stay healthy! informing me that being a resident of California I have a -Frank Encinias - Insurance chance to change my Medicare Supplement once a year. If I like my plan, I don’t have to do anything or make any Father’s Day is Coming, so change. But If I do want to make a switch, I can do so please enjoy this sweet without a review of my health history and status. They Father's Day Story by will guarantee me a Medicare Supplement plan if it has member Betty Morgin benefits equal or less than what I have with my current plan. My father, I. K. But wait! My chance to switch plans depends on where I Ishimatsu, had three deep passions- family, agriculture currently reside, my age and my birthday. What? and politics. He gathered all our relatives when World In California there is a birthday rule in which you War II broke out and led them out of California before can make a change. This is a guaranteed issue (GI) right they became interred into concentration camps. In that you have in certain situations which allows you to Cedar City, Utah, he found farm work for everyone who purchase a Medicare Supplement insurance policy from didn't join the military. He told the councilmen of the any company without regard to your health condition. city he would get men out of the concentration centers During the 30 days after your birthday each year, you can to save the state's peach crop- which he did. After the switch from a Medigap plan to another plan of equal or war, when we were allowed to come back to California, lesser benefits without underwriting (going through a he decided to start a farm in Mecca to grow tomato review of your medical history). Switching Medicare plants. To get the farmers to buy his plants, he went supplement plans allows residents here to continually door to door, pitching the quality of his plants. The farm stay insured at the lowest possible premiums. thrived after a while. Eventually, he had to give it up So here are the conditions that in general all California because of mechanization. Tomatoes were being picked Supplement Providers follow: by machines. As for politics, he became determined to • If you currently reside outside the state of California, get Japanese Americans interested in running in local as a non-California resident you cannot submit a new elections for mayor or city council with the ultimate goal Medicare Supplement Application to switch to a of seeking an office in Washington. He was also determined to get acquainted with prominent officials, different California Medicare Supplement plan. But to listen to his plea not to intern another group of you can keep the plan you enrolled in while a resident people, ever again. For his efforts, he was awarded the of California. highest award from the Japanese government. See • If you are younger than 65, you have 30 days from picture above. your birthday to change your Medicare Supplement plan. You have to choose one that is offered to those under 65 and has equal or lesser benefits than your current plan. • If you are turning 65 this year, you can make a change starting on your 65th birthday. But you will need to make the switch within six months. During Desert Roadrunner this time you can choose any Medicare Supplement budding artists on our plan Anthem Blue Cross offers. very fun and successful • If you are older than 65, you have 30 days from your Second Annual Paint Nite. birthday to change your Medicare Supplement plan. Right, you can see out You will need to choose one with benefits equal or fearless leader member less than what you currently have. Peggy Long teaching.

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PLEASE HELP US! Gmail is giving us lots of problems in getting Desert Roadrunner Division 43 Leaders information to you through email. Please be sure you add or already have added BOTH of Margaret Hamilton, President these email addresses to your own contacts list: [email protected] and [email protected] Thank you very much! You’ll be helping us keep the information coming to you!

Dues are Increasing! At our CalRTA Convention, May 14 -18, several important changes were made. Most urgent was the passage of the dues increase. Beginning January 2020, dues will increase from $54 to $66 per year and Divisions will now receive 1/3 of the total dues income, a tremendous increase. Hopefully, this will buy all of us more time to reverse our declining membership problem. -Ron Breyer, Area IX Director

WALK WITH DIVISION 43!! Walk with us in support of the Desert Cancer Foundation's 13th Annual Paint El Pa- seo Pink. We start at The Gardens on El Paseo, Sat. Oct. 12, 2019- Registration, 7 am; Walk begins 8 am; $25 entry fee. https://desertcancerfoundation.org

Please join us for a “NOT Back to School!” or “Now Eve- This is early, but plan to attend our Fall CalRTA Workshop ry Day is a Saturday” Buffet Luncheon. Let’s celebrate scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 19, 2019. It's listed on our our retirement status and enjoy the company division's website under Coming Events: of our fellow retired educators. Thursday, Au- https://div43.calrta.org/ Click on Get driving directions for a map gust 22, 2019 11:30 a.m. - until you feel like and directions . leaving!! Cost: $21.00 (includes beverage, tax and gratuity) Fantasy Springs Casino Resort 84245 Indio Springs Dr, Indio, CA Please RSVP to reser- [email protected] by August 15. We need an accurate count so we do not have to pay for no shows. Send checks to CalRTA Desert Roadrunner-Div 43, P O Box 2188, Palm Desert, CA 92261-2188. Thanks, Membership Update for June 2019 and hope to see you there! We extend a gracious welcome to the following new members of our division: Division 43 Celebrates Day of the Teacher The week of May 6-10, Desert Roadrunner  Jesusita Diaz, who retired from College of the Desert Division 43 representatives delivered granola bar goody  Marcelino Diaz, also retired from College of the Desert bags to more than 2,700 teachers at 64 school sites in  the Coachella Valley USD, College of the Desert, Desert Denise Magee, retired from Desert Sands USD Sands USD, Palo Verde College, and Palo Verde  Estella Palacio, retired from Coachella Valley USD USD. Many thanks go to Jenny Braithwaite and Peggy We are so happy to have you with us and look for- Long, who created the sign on the bags; to Linda Stow- ward to seeing you at our functions! ells, who purchased all those granola bars; and to We extend our condolences to the family of W. Louise Alford, Janet Benavidez, Judy Bowlin, Terry Ceja, Craig Backhus, who passed away recently. He joined our Frank and Sherry Encinias, Cathee Fields, division in 2000. Susan Golden, Nancy Haas, Maggie Hamil- Suzan Wilkinson has recently moved away and re- ton, Marlene House, Jim Jones, Jan Kau- signed. kola, Patsy Meister, Marcella Thomas, We currently have 369 active members. That does and Alice Young, who distributed the bags not include the 23 members on our “lapsed cash dues pay- to school sites. They were an awesome ment” list. We hope to be able to count those members team! again soon. Have a restful summer. Helen Smith, Communications Chair -Susan Golden, 2nd VP, Membership

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It’s Teacher Grant Season! Robert Varga is all smiles after receiving his Grants won by Madison School (DSUSD) check at Mountain Vista Elementary teachers Nanci Fujio and Julie Wealand pre- School in Coachella (CVUSD).

sented by member Janet Benavidez.

Member Cathee Fields gives Sarah Antonio Abawag and Alexandra Pentony and Kamariya Smith their Zanovitch of Johnson School in Indio (DSUSD) checks at Van Buren Elementary School.

show their checks.

Christine Jaffe of Franklin Elemen- tary in La Quinta (DSUSD) receives Ciara Gross From Monroe Elementary School her check from member Jim Jones. Gladys (DSUSD) receives her check from member Judy Bowlin. Young from Valley View Kathy Wilmovsky from Truman (DSUSD) also won awards.

Sherry Encinias didn’t forget that administrators Cristine Gonzalez from Val- were teachers too! Here she presents Tara Hin- ley View School (CVUSD) being presented chen, Interim Principal at John Kelley, a treat bag. with her grant check by Jim Jones. Edda Castillo from Jefferson Stay Connected and Informed! Middle School (DSUSD) being presented with her There are many ways help CalRTA can help you! grant check by member Jim Jones. Closest at hand is our own Division 43 website: https:// Rosa Perez being div43.calrta.org. Here you’ll find coming events with presented her times, dates, and even maps and directions, interesting grant check by things in the Resources and Updates sections. Wander member Frank Encinias in front around in our website. You’ll find lots more! of Interim Principal Tara Hin- On the right side of our website, there’s a link chen at John Kelley in Thermal. to CalRTA’s Info Exchange – https://info.calrta.org. This is where you can find information on just about any- Erica Chase-Wesson of Mountain Vista School thing. Simply use the Search box or click on a word in in Coachella (CVUSD) being presented her the blue bar across the top. grant check by member Frank Encinias. At the bottom of our webpage are Gloria Christopoulos of Earhart links to CalRTA’s website as well as to School in Indio (DSUSD) receiv- CalSTRS’s, AARP’s, and NRTA’s. These will ing her check from member Susan Golden. help give you up-to-date information at all levels. And be sure you make your own my- Kathryn Santos of Washing- CalSTRS account, too, if you haven’t already! ton Charter Elementary School (DSUSD) with Jim Jones. Reporting a Death Stephanie Feist of Carter Elementary in Palm CalSTRS should be notified as soon as possible of the Desert (DSUSD) receives her check from death of a member, retiree, option beneficiary, or member Jim Jones. payee receiving CalSTRS benefits. This can be done by writing to CalSTRS at PO Box 15275-C, Sacramento, CA Member Patsy Meister gives Julie 95851, or by calling CalSTRS at 916-229-3870 or toll- free at 1-800-228-5453. Dale her check at Saúl Mar- tinez in Mecca (CVUSD). CalSTRS will need the following information:  Deceased person’s name and Social Security number Member Patsy Meister gives Tonya Jacob-  Date of death  Individual’s status — retired, disabled, a member in sen her check at Palo Verde High School in active teaching status, an option beneficiary, etc.; and Blythe (PVUSD). Your partner in pension protection

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sance Program, helping to plan student recognition events at Class of 2019 Scholars her school. She volunteers in numerous community programs The CalRTA Division 43 Annual Scholarship Luncheon especially through her church. She volunteers as a gymnastics was a huge success. Ken Blake Co-Chair of the Scholarship Com- coach and assists with cheerleading for special needs students. mittee did a wonderful job of introducing and reading a bio for Erin is interested in a variety of universities. Her top each of the scholarship winners. It was also a pleasure to hear a choices are Boise State, Seattle Pacific, Liberty and Penn State. few words from each of the recipients. Our scholarship win- She would like to work with children, either as a teacher or in ners are: Mikaela Ceja, Evan Diza, Juliana Gaytan, Adam Hou- pediatric medicine. ston, Vanessa Mendivil, Erin Morden and Marguerite Wallis. We congratulate Erin, of whom a teacher says, “Her Congratulations to another fine group of graduates! As the academic and athletic achievements are mirrored by her out- school year comes to an end, the 2019 scholarship recipients standing character…” We hope she chooses to join us as a have been recognized at their respective high schools’ Senior fellow educator! Parent: Glenda Morden; Counselor at Shad- Awards Night. Representatives from our CalRTA Division #43 ow Hills High School, Board made presentations at each of the local high schools’ awards assemblies. We wish the students the best in their col- Juliana Gaytan and mother Gloria Gaytan lege career! Juliana Gaytan will graduate Again, the Scholarship Committee would like to thank from Desert Mirage High School and all of the CalRTA Division #43 members who have participated hopes to pursue her 2 passions: science, throughout the year by donating to our fundraisers. Without especially biology, and the performing your help we would not be able to award these scholarships. arts. She hopes to study back east at Princeton University or Bernard College in NYC or stay in the west and attend UC s in LA or San Diego. Juliana served as a volunteer at the Birth Choice of the Desert since she was in the 8th grade. During that time she was inspired to experience the support given to families or individuals in crisis. She is motivated to become an obstetri- cian or gynecologist. She worked for Congressman Dr. Raul Ruiz as an intern in his campaign. She was also a Youth Ambassador for the Desert Town Hall program, which has the goal of culti- vating a community of student leaders.

Standing: Terry Ceja, (Co-Chair Scholarship Committee), Wen- Her love of theater has helped her find her voice and del Morden, Glenda Morden, Mary Wallis. Anthony Diaz, Mag- learn time management as well as public speaking skills. She gie Hamilton (President), Frank Ceja, Lorelei Ceja, Gloria Gay- was chosen Rising Star Actress and Best Actress awards during tan, Maria Mendivil, Ken Blake (Co-Chair Scholarship Com- her freshman and sophomore years. mittee) Sitting: Erin Morden, Marguerite Wallis, Evan At DMHS, Juliana was a cheerleader all 4 years with 2 Diaz, Mikaela Ceja, Juliana Gaytan, Vanessa Mendivil years being selected team captain. She was also in the Na- tional Honor Society and the Principal’s Student Council, and Erin Morden with parents, Wendel the Theater Arts Club. Juliana has 4 year letters in academics and Glenda Morden and athletics as well as being an AP scholar award winner. Erin Morden is an exemplary Parent: Gloria Gaytan; Counselor at Desert Mirage High School. student and amazing gymnast from Shadow Hills High School. Both of her Marguerite Wallis and mother Mary endeavors require full time attention Wallis and participation, but Erin has managed to maintain a 4.5 Marguerite Wallis is a senior at weighted GPA in challenging courses while reaching the highest Palm Desert High School with a weighted level of national gymnastics competition. GPA of 4.44. She plans to pursue a ca- She has actively participated in school organizations reer in education at UC Riverside, Cal such as the California Scholarship Federation which she served State Fullerton, Cal State San Bernardino or San Diego State. as president in 2018-19. She is being mentored by community At Palm Desert High, Marguerite has participated in women in the Ophelia Project and is a key member in Renais- Link Crew as a mentor to freshmen, Track and Field and Girls’

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Varsity Soccer. Marguerite is an AVID tutor, grading ber 1 in her class of 507 students at Shadow Hills High schoolwork, leading class discussions and facilitating tuto- School. She is a passionate, driven individual who ques- rials. Her AVID coordinator, Nathan Taylor, states that tions social inequality and strives to lead others to make Marguerite “demonstrates the qualities necessary to be a changes. She aspires to continue volunteering in the po- caring, supportive teacher.” litical arena while working towards a political science As a head member of the Palm Desert Youth degree with a concentrations on international relations. Court, Marguerite has defended her peers, who have Ultimately, she hopes to become a corporate attorney. committed misdemeanor crimes around the valley. She She has applied to UCs in Los Angeles, San Diego, Berke- interviews the defendants, parents and teachers to pre- ley and Riverside as well as San Diego State. sent reduced community service sentences to the presid- Vanessa honed her leadership skills through vari- ing judge at the Larson Justice Center. She wants to con- ous associated student body offices and also founded a tinue to work with students to improve themselves. new club on campus. She was yearbook editor and par- For fun, Marguerite has also volunteered as a ticipated in a variety of dance classes. This, while never camp counselor at the YMCA Camp Oakes for three sum- earning below a 4.0, being enrolled in a rigorous AP Cap- mers and enjoys painting, photography and video editing. stone Program and earning AP Scholar with Distinction Parent: Mary Wallis, Kindergarten teacher at Madison Award. She has also worked and performed many hours Elementary School of community service. We congratulate Vanessa, who will certainly continue to work with compassion and con- Mikaela Ceja with parents viction for societal change. Frank and Lorelei Ceja Parent: Maria Mendivil is at Shadow Hills High School

Mikaela Ceja is a 4 Evan Diaz with father Anthony Diaz year honor student from Shadow Hills High School who challenged herself with Evan Diaz will graduate honors and AP classes all four years. She has been very from La Quinta High School this active in school activities including cheer, Link Crew and June with a 4.6 weighted GPA. Rotary Interact Club. He plans to study aerospace Outside of school, Mikaela enjoys giving back to engineering at USC, UC San her community by volunteering for so many organizations Diego or Berkeley, or possibly Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. that it is impossible to list them here. Her favorite and He believes advancements in space exploration and most meaningful experience has been working with spe- travel will benefit humanity as a species. cial needs students at Old Town Artisan Studio in La Quinta. Evan has been awarded an Academic Achieve- Mikaela plans to pursue a career in sports medi- ment Award all 4 years at La Quinta High and partici- cine and would like to eventually earn a doctoral degree. pated in the marching band and wind ensemble. He plays She has already been accepted to 6 of the 7 universities French horn, piano, guitar, drums and the mellophonium. to which she has applied. She hopes to continue serving He was also actively involved in the Key Club for three her local community, but is open to providing medical years and also created a new club on campus called ”The care in underserved countries. Free Thinkers”. We offer congratulations to Mikaela, who has He spent many hours volunteering at Martha’s been described as a consistently positive, witty, intelli- Kitchen and Village as a cook and server. Congratula- gent person…“a winner in every sense of the word.” tions, Evan on your accomplishments. Parent: Lorelei Ceja, Administrator at CVUSD district Parent: Cheri Diaz- teacher at Peter Pendleton Elemen- office tary in Coachella

Adam Houston was unable to attend the luncheon, no Vanessa Mendivil and photo is available. mother Maria Mendivil Adam Houston, is graduating from Palo Verde

High School with a GPA of 4.31. Adam has applied to Vanessa Mendivil is University of California schools, Arizona schools, as well currently ranked num-

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as Harvard and Stanford universities. He plans to major in Division Directory Biology and pursue a career in medicine. His goal is to Please let us know if you have not received a return to Blythe to provide well-deserved medical care to Division 43 Directory. Contact us at his hometown community. [email protected] to get your copy.

Academically, Adam has been a member of the National Honor Society, Principal’s Honor Roll and Student Be a Student Teacher or Intern Su- Board member on the Palo Verde Unified School District board of directors. In addition to his Honors classes, Adam pervisor for Brandman University! has successfully completed AP classes in English Language/ Bored? Broke? We are especially in need of retired Composition, Calculus, Biology, Psychology and Physics. teachers with a Special Education Credential for Adam has been an enthusiastic member of the Mod/Severe to support/observe students pursuing Palo Verde cheer team for 3 years. He is a 4-year swimmer the Special Education Moderate/Severe credential. on the PV High School swim team, and is the team captain Email: [email protected] Thanks! this year. During the summer, Adam is a lifeguard, swim instructor and coach with the Youth Swim Program. Upcoming Free Webinar Adam’s commitment to his community is signifi- Microsoft Word Tips & Tricks- This 1-hour cant. He is involved with community development, volun- webinar will show you a variety of tips and tricks you teering for clean-up days, collecting non-perishable food should find useful when creating a document in MS items for Blythe Food Pantry and participating in the Adopt Word -- whether it's a newsletter, report, flyer, etc. -A-Teacher program helping in the classrooms. Adam is a Suggested prerequisite: some experience using Word highly motivated, well-rounded student/athlete. or WordPerfect. Click the link below to sign up for Parent: Teresa Houston, Palo Verde High School this free online webinar on one of the following dates: Monday, June 10 -- 10 am OR Thursday, June 12 -- Div. 43 Convention Team- front: Susan Golden, 1 pm https://forms.gle/ MGUJCi7YBMhGEkXg9 Janet Benavidez, Helen Smith, Linda Stowells, Jim Jones, Ron Breyer (Area 9 Director), Maggie Hamilton CalSTRS Demographic Survey The CalSTRS research team is surveying members to better understand the de- mographics of California educators. The survey asks about a variety of topics — from your age and marital status to your cultural identity and career history. They will use the information gathered to improve their ser-

vices.

The survey takes about 10 minutes to com- Treasurer’s Report plete. Responses are confidential. Deadline is June 21, 2019. Balance - March 18, 2019: $16,740.03 Income: $3,461.77 CalSTRS Survey Link. Expenditures: $12,902.27 Balance - May 24, 2019 $7,299.53 Convention Photos Teacher Grant Account Balance: $356.61 Here's a shortened link that'll take people Scholarship Account Balance $2,861.35 to the photos of our convention delegates. Teacher Longevity Award Account $355.43 https://tinyurl.com/2019delegates Scholarship CD Balance $24,995.83 It can also be described as findable at https://div43.calrta.org under the Pho- -Janet Benavidez, Treasurer tos tab.

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California Retired Teachers Association NON-PROFIT Desert Roadrunner Division # 43 ORGANIZATION PO Box 2188 US POSTAGE PAID Palm Desert, CA 92261-2188 PALM DESERT, CA PERMIT NO. 408

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Name ______Division # 43 Address:______City ______State______Zip:______Phone: ______Email ______Year of Retirement: ______District Retired from ______

Please check your selected payment method: □ Cash: $54 annually per person □ Dues Deduction $4.50 (self) $9.00 (self and spouse) Spouse name ______Social Security # (ONLY if signing up for dues deduction) Self ______Spouse ______I authorize the California State Teacher’s Retirement System (CalSTRS) to deduct my association dues. Should the amount of dues be adjusted as deemed necessary by CalRTA, I authorize that the adjusted deductions shall continue unless I notify the CalRTA business office in writing to the contrary. Did you know … that if you get this newsletter in your email, all the websites Signature ______Date ______and email addresses are “live”? Click on any Return Form to us at the address at the top left of this page. of them, and your computer will take you to that website or help you send an email. Your partner in pension protection