President’s Report FEA Member Wins Grant page 2 page 5 From the Exec Katrina Relief Efforts page 3 JOURNAL page 6-7 HCR Program Grants Managing Stress page 4 page 11 Dec., 2005 www.feaonline.org Vol.49 No.2 Helping Hands

FEA Members and their Students Reach Out to Hurricane Victims pages 6 & 7

Students at Taegu American School in South Korea proudly show off the amount they raised for hurricane victims with their Math-a-Thon. 2 FEA JOURNAL Dec., 2005 Notes from the President Sheridan Pearce

SMS – Without a doubt, the one issue that I have heard about more than all others since the school year began is the ongoing troubled implementation of the Student Manage- ment Solution (SMS). I, along with all schools. No action was expected to be FEA Area Directors and other leaders, taken on the recommendation to shut continue to pass along to DoDEA all down several DDESS schools so long of the complaints we hear about. At the as the BRAC process was ongoing. That time of this writing, I expect very soon process has been completed now, but to have a signed agreement with DoDEA so far there seems to be no interest in to provide extra time for our educators to raising the issue of transferring DDESS Sheridan Pearce make up for the time they have lost while schools. Hopefully, those who insist trying to deal with SMS. on periodically raising this issue have sends out The problem seems to have been concluded that it can only hurt military electronic updates caused by the contractor who was hired dependents and burden local schools, and twice a month on to create the SMS system. Apparently have decided against pushing the issue issues of concern they made some promises they could any further. We will, of course, remain not live up to. Of course, DoDEA must vigilant. to FEA members. also accept some of the blame for go- ing through with a system that was not NSPS – See the report on page three You can sign up to tested. from FEA Executive Director/General have these updates Please continue to pass along prob- Counsel H.T. Nguyen about the recent lems you are having with SMS so we can developments in this issue. sent directly to your make sure management is aware of them. personal Email WEB SITE – I hope by now all of our address by going BASE CLOSINGS – Incredibly, despite members have visited our revamped to the the fact that the school year is nearly Web site at www.feaonline.org and are half over, there has still been no “iron taking advantage of the members-only FEA Passport/ clad” announcement from DoD about information posted there. As always, we Information Updates the future of the troops (and our schools) are anxious to hear your suggestions for in Europe and around the world – this ways to improve the site. Also, please let section on in spite of the stories we have all seen us know if you are having any diffi cul- www.feaonline.org about the possibility of massive troop ties accessing any of the features. Please withdrawals as early as fall 2006. At this send your suggestions and comments to point, it seems inconceivable to me that [email protected]. DoD could even consider pulling thou- sands of school-age kids out of Europe GOOD NEWS – Between the hardships and dropping them into just a handful we are facing in the form of NSPS and of stateside public school districts next uncertainty about our schools’ futures, year. However, a lot of things DoD has and the natural disasters we have seen done lately have seemed inconceivable and read about over the past year, it is to a lot of people. We continue to closely easy to forget there is still good news to monitor this situation and will let our celebrate. Be sure to look at the infor- members know whenever we have con- mation on pages six and seven of this fi rmation of any developments. newsletter for some positive news about how our members and DoDEA students DDESS STUDY – It remains a case of have been going above-and-beyond to “no news is good news” in the matter help hurricane victims in the Gulf states. of the study into whether to transfer control of DDESS schools to local public Have a great holiday break! 3 Association Business H.T. Nguyen FEA Executive Director

NSPS: An Overview and a Look Ahead Where We Are Supreme Court in a case brought forth by In other words, NSPS was not Any attempt by the government to FEA in the early 1990s. conceived in reaction to the attacks on implement the so-called National Secu- • In recognition of that right to bargain, America as a way to fi x some perceived rity Personnel System (NSPS) has been DDESS employees should be exempted shortcoming in our national security – in- put off until at least February 1, 2006, to from the pay-for-performance and pay stead, the attacks were used as a smoke- give a judge time to rule on complaints banding provisions in NSPS. screen and an excuse to force through fi led by FEA and other unions represent- • Excluding DoDEA civilian employees changes the far-right had long sought but ing DoD civilian employees. from NSPS on the grounds that educators could never have made in a “normal” On November 1, the Department of do not play a combat support role. environment. The Bush administration Defense and Offi ce of Personnel Man- • The NSPS statute does not amend, even hired Nesterczuk to shepherd his agement offi cially issued their regulations modify or repeal the two existing statutes personnel plan through OPM. for NSPS. As we have long suspected, that govern both DDESS and DoDDS, Nesterczuk’s blueprint, by the way, the proposed system seeks to wipe out therefore NSPS does not apply. was also used to create the personnel sys- collective bargaining rights, drastically As always, we remain cautiously op- tem for the new Department of Homeland weaken employee due-process protec- timistic about our chances of prevailing Security (DHS), which has been struck tions, and give managers the power to in our lawsuit, although there are never down twice by a judge here in DC as decide who gets pay raises and how any guarantees when you go to court. violating the will of Congress. much those raises will be (DoDDS is not The administration is now attempting covered by the pay plan, and FEA will How Did We Get Here? to peddle the same blueprint to Congress argue against DDESS being affected by In the wake of the invasion of Iraq in as the future of personnel policy for ALL it, as mentioned below). the spring of 2003, Secretary of Defense federal employees – despite the fact that At the time of this writing, Congress Donald Rumsfeld went to Congress seek- most federal workers have nothing to do is in the middle of its 30-day period to ing permission to create a new civilian with national security issues. review the NSPS regulations. Despite personnel system. Are you beginning to see how the many protests and intense lobbying from Rumsfeld told Congress a new shell game the administration is playing FEA/NEA and other unions representing system was needed to give DoD more works? Start off by saying some radical, DoD civilian employees, Congress is not fl exibility in a post 9-11 world. He ideologically-driven plan is needed for expected to do anything to stop NSPS claimed that national security made the “national security” and then gradually – even though the plan violates the will elimination of the old personnel system a start to spread it everywhere. of Congress by not protecting collective necessity. FEA and other employees unions bargaining and due process rights, as However, a look at the history be- have been fi ghting NSPS steadily for the stipulated in the law that fi rst authorized hind NSPS shows this to be nothing more past 30 months. Despite a Congress that creation of a new personnel system. than a cynical attempt to use the tragedy only recently has shown any willingness By the time this newsletter is mailed of September 11 and the high public sup- to stand up to the administration we have to you, FEA will have fi led a lawsuit port the administration then enjoyed after slowed the progress of NSPS consider- against the government in an attempt the toppling of Saddam Hussein as yet ably and we hope to fi nally put a stop to to stop our bargaining units from being another way to push through the adminis- it in the courts. harmed by NSPS. Thirteen other federal tration’s ultra-conservative agenda. Perhaps then the administration unions have already fi led a joint lawsuit The blueprint for NSPS was drawn would be willing to openly and honestly against NSPS. FEA is fi ling a separate up by a man named George Nesterczuk work with employees to develop a mean- complaint to deal with our own unique and published by the far-right Heritage ingful new civilian personnel system that claims. Those claims are: Foundation in an article entitled “Taking will help both management and employ- • Protection of DDESS employees’ right Charge of Federal Personnel” PRIOR ees while not sacrifi cing anyone’s rights to bargain pay, as determined by the TO the attacks on September 11. in the name of “national security.” 4 FEA JOURNAL Dec., 2005

Get ‘Works 4 Me’ Working For You Save Those Receipts! The tax code wonʼt ever be supplies is $443. Such a teacher as hot a read as Dan Brownʼs would likely be able to claim a latest, but it can help you earn full $250 deduction, effectively back some of the cash you reducing his or her income by spend on your class (and we that amount. If the educator Each week, Works4Me subscrib- know itʼs a lot.) were in a 25 percent tax bracket, ers receive an E-mail message Did you know that teachers that would amount to a signifi - with practical classroom tips get a special tax break? Qualify- cant savings of $62.50. submitted by the real education ing educators (and others work- Learn more at www.irs.gov experts: your colleagues. ing in school systems) who buy and www.bankrate.com/brm/ To join the mailing list, simply send an E-mail message to: materials for their classes may itax/tips/20030213a1.asp. And [email protected] deduct up to $250. keep an eye out for develop- (no subject or message needed). Qualifying items include, ments—thereʼs a bill in Con- To submit a tip to Works4Me, books, lesson plans, software, gress aimed at broadening the send it in an E-mail message to: fl ash cards, and crayons. Better deduction and upping it to $400. [email protected]. still, you can claim the deduc- And if you havenʼt done so Be sure to include where and tion right on your 1040 without yet, make up a tax folder and what you teach. If they use your tip, you’ll receive a small gift. having to itemize. round up those receipts for sup- An archive of past Works4Me A recent NEA survey found plies you buy through the end of tips can be found at: that the average out-of-pocket this year. www.nea.org/works4me/ amount teachers spend on class

FEA Gets Human/Civil Rights Grants Read Across America FEA’s Human and Civil Rights Program has been awarded $20,000 in grants for Coming March 2 the current school year to provide training to FEA members. The grants were awarded by NEA’s Human and Civil Rights (HCR) program. Now is the time to start plan- Wanda Beatty, FEA’s HCR Coordinator, led the effort to obtain the grants. ning your celebration of Dr. “We are extremely grateful to NEA HCR for the funding they’ve given us,” Seuss’s birthday. Beatty says. “We have big plans for these grants.” The NEA’s annual cel- Beatty and a Blue Ribbon Task Force will administer the grants. There are ebration of all things read- two areas of training the grant money will be used to fund. ing related will take place on Some of the money will be used to provide opportunities for training in the March 2, 2006. areas of diversity and sensitivity. The remainder will be used to develop and en- Numerous materials courage successful minority leaders throughout all levels of FEA. to help you plan and pro- The task force meets in December to make further plans for the implementa- mote your reading events tion of the training. In addition to Beatty, members of the Blue Ribbon Task Force are: are available at NEA’s Read • Cynthia Francis, President of the Fort Jackson Association of Educators. Across America Web site: • Dr. Joan Montgomery, Fort Bragg. www.nea.org/readacross • Shelia Vines, Fort Bragg Please be sure to send • Norma Sanders, HCR Coordinator for Lejeune Education Association. FEA a note to let us know Congratulations and thank you to the task force members for their hard what you will be doing on work thus far and the work they continue to do. March 2. 5 Grant Money Comes With Strings Attached ccomplished musician and teacher, class he will Achoir leader to an American Idol take will help fi nalist, and now NEA Foundation Grant him prepare his Winner – Cary Sand is making quite a concert choir name for himself. for a 2007 per- Sand, an FEA member who teaches formance at the band, choir and strings at London Central Royal Albert High School, was recently awarded a Hall in London, $2,000 Learning and Leadership Grant as part of the from the NEA Foundation for the Im- Buckingham- provement of Education. shire County The grant will allow Sand to attend Youth Concert. classes at Oxford University, where he Sand will study techniques on various stringed learned about instruments, such as the violin and cello, the NEA Foun- and choral works from the 18th and 19th dation grants centuries. through NEA Cary Sand received $2,000 to study string and choral techniques. “The content of these courses will Today magazine. See the box below for information on grants you can apply for. be of great benefi t to my teaching,” says “DoDDS Sand, who oversees one of only three hasn’t offered much in the way of profes- State for 38 years and his mother was string programs sional development a private piano teacher. Sand has been in all of DoDDS “Y , he had the hair back then, too...he for music in recent teaching music for 23 years, including Europe. “Violin years, and I was eight years in Washington before coming was not one of my was a great guy back then and it looks looking for a way to London Central High School in 1991. major instruments like he hasn’t changed a bit.” to get some high Among his fi rst accomplishments af- at university, so – London Central Music Teacher and NEA Founda- quality training on ter joining DoDDS was to recruit a future tion Grant Winner Cary Sand on one of his former receiving ad- my own. The NEA pop music star: Bo Bice, runner-up in last students, American Idol finalist Bo Bice. vanced instruction Grant offered a season’s American Idol contest. on this instrument will be of great benefi t great opportunity to do this.” “He was the fi rst male to join my both to myself and my students.” Music is defi nitely in Sand’s blood. concert choir back in 1991,” Sand ex- In addition, Sand says the choral His father taught music in Washington plains. “Bo had been playing alto sax in my concert band and I talked him into NEA Foundation Offers Grants Throughout the Year joining the choir at the semester. Until The NEA Foundation for the Improvement of Education has two grant programs, he joined, the choir had been all girls. He both of which accept applications year-round and award grants three times a year. sang and played his guitar at my annual The next review period for applications is coming up in February. Grant amounts talent show and was the star of the show are $2,000 and $5,000 in each category below: both years. “He left LCHS in 1993 and I hadn’t Innovation Grants support collaborative efforts by two or more colleagues to heard any more about him until I started develop and implement project-based learning and break-the-mold innovations that getting Emails from alumni in his class significantly improve achievement for under-served students. These grants enable telling me that he was on American Idol. educators to create innovative projects for the classroom, share with their col- It was really fun both for myself and my leagues, experiment with new ideas, and grow professionally. students to follow his progress all the Learning and Technology Grants provide opportunities for educators, either indi- way to the fi nals.” vidually or in groups, to engage in high-quality professional development and lead Apparently Bo hadn’t changed very their colleagues in professional growth. Grantees are required to share their new much since Sand had last seen him. learning with their colleagues in order to improve practice, curriculum and student “Yes, he had the hair back then, achievement. too,” Sand recalls. “He was also the same laid-back, nice guy you saw on American Applications are reviewed each year in September, February, and June. For more Idol. He was a great guy back then, and it information, including a downloadable application, visit www.neafoundation.org. looks like he hasn’t changed a bit.” 6 FEA JOURNAL Dec., 2005 A Storm of Support DoDEA Schools Reach Out to Help Victims of Hurricane-Ravaged Gulf Region

hen hurricanes Katrina and Rita Students at Darby Elementary School Wripped through the southern U.S. in Japan donated one dollar per day to earlier this year, FEA members and Do- wear a hat to school and raised $1,080 in DEA students took quick action, raising the process. thousands of dollars in relief aid and sup- In one weekend, students at Giessen plies to help those whose lives were turned High School in Germany collected over Right: Students at upside down by Mother Nature. $2,000 from their local community. The Kinser Elementary “Our members and the military fami- donation was matched by the Andrews School in Okinawa col- lies we serve have witnessed and experi- Federal Credit Union and sent to the Red lected over $1,300 from enced a lot of personal tragedy, so it’s no Cross. the local community, surprise that they would be moved to go Congratulations to all FEA members including this table set above-and-beyond in their efforts to help and DoDEA students, parents and staff for up at an Open House hurricane victims,” says FEA President their selfless acts. night. Sheridan Pearce. Some examples: Right: Students at Edgren High School Students at Fort Jackson schools in Misawa, Japan, pack some of the collected Teddy Bears to be distributed to more than 15 boxes full of school sup- young victims of the storms. plies they have collected for hurricane FEA Member Pat Lehmann’s kinder- victims. Below: The Junior ROTC at Wuerzburg garten class in Baumholder, Germany, col- American High School presents a check lected change to donate to the relief effort. in the amount of $6,824.25 to the Ameri- Faith Middle School on Fort Benning can Red Cross. The money was col- raised over $1,300 for hurricane relief lected from the Giebelstadt, Wuerzburg, through various fundraisers. They also Kitzingen and Schweinfurt communi- collected food, school supplies and other ties and the total was matched by the items to help the victims. Andrews Federal Credit Union.

Below: Air Force Junior ROTC Unit GR- 71 at General H.H. Arnold High School in Wiesbaden, Germany, collected $4,215.34 in six hours from the base community.

Above: First Graders at Bob Hope Primary School in Japan receive congratulations from a Red Cross representative for raising over $800 to help hurricane victims. 7

As of press time for the FEA Journal, the NEA was on the verge of meeting its goal of collecting $1 million to help hurricane victims. You can continue to contribute by looking for the donation button (above) on the NEA Web site at www.nea.org.

FEA Retired Member Gives More Than Money

or Louisiana native Ralph Blake, a retired member of FEA/ NEA now living in England, the effects of hurricanes Katrina Fand Rita hit home all too literally. When the opportunity pre- sented itself to use his background as an educator to help the victims, Blake jumped at the chance. “I had been working at one of the relief centers in Shreveport when a friend called me an said that since we have so many more students in the city as a result of Katrina, his principal was going to hire a couple FEA/NEA Retired Member Ralph Blake extended his of social studies teachers,” Blake explains. summer visit to his hometown of Shreveport, Loui- Blake quickly interviewed for the job and was hired. He says he siana, in order to help the local school system take sought the job as another way to help the relief effort. care of the infl ux of students it saw as a result of Already, Blake has seen a number of students move into and out of hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Here Blake poses with the system as they are relocated. He says everyone is doing all they a new friend: the stuffed alligator that serves as can to make sure the students are coping with what has happened, mascot to Captain Shreve High School, where while still making sure the curriculum is covered. Blake is now teaching Social Studies. Blake Blake plans to continue teaching in Shreveport until the plans to continue teaching in Shreveport end of this school year. for the rest of the school year. Well done, Ralph! 8 FEA JOURNAL Dec., 2005 Holiday Shopping? MEMBER BENEFITS Don’t Take a Holiday from Savvy Online Shopping From NEA Member Benefits and the Federal Trade Commission – Bureau of Consumer Protection

Call NEA Member The holiday season is right around the corner, and shopping on the Internet can be a convenient way to take care of your gift list. The Federal Trade Commission Benefits Toll Free (FTC)- the nation’s consumer protection agency - says sizing up your finds on the Internet is a little different from checking out items at the mall. The NEA Member Benefits program provides many If you’re buying items from an online retailer or auction website, the FTC offers programs and services to this advice to help you make the most of your shopping experience: FEA members. Please con- • Know who you’re dealing with. Confirm the online seller’s physical address and tact Member Benefits with phone number in case you have questions or problems. If you get an Email or pop-up questions about any of their message while you’re browsing that asks for personal or financial information, don’t services using the following reply or click on the link in the message. Legitimate companies don’t ask for this infor- mation via Email. toll-free numbers in appli- cable areas: • Know exactly what you’re buying. Read the seller’s description of the product closely, especially the fine print. Words like “refurbished,” “vintage,” or “close-out “ may indicate that the product is in less-than-mint condition, while name-brand items Stateside with “too good to be true “ prices could be counterfeits. •Know what it will cost. Check out Websites that offer price comparisons and then, 1-800-637-4636 compare “apples to apples.” To get the best consumer protection, pay with a credit card. Factor shipping and handling - along with your needs and budget - into the total cost of the order. Do not send cash under any circumstances. Overseas • Check out the terms of the deal, like refund policies and delivery dates. Can you return the item for a full refund if you’re not satisfied? If you return it, find out who First dial the AT&T Direct Access Code pays the shipping costs or restocking fees, and when you will receive your order. An FTC rule requires sellers to ship items as promised or within 30 days after the order In Germany and UK date if no specific date is promised. 0800-2255288 • Keep a paper trail. Print and save records of your online transactions, including the product description and price, the online receipt, and copies of every Email you send or In Japan receive from the seller. Don’t Email personal or financial information. Read your credit 00539-111 card statements as you receive them and be on the lookout for unauthorized charges.

Then dial Member Benefits at • Don’t Email your financial information. Email is not a secure method of transmit- 800-893-0396 ting financial information like your credit card, checking account, or Social Security number. If you initiate a transaction and want to provide your financial information through an organization’s Website, look for indicators that the site is secure, like a lock icon on the browser’s status bar, or a URL for a Website that begins “https:” (the “s” And don’t forget the Mem- stands for “secure”). Unfortunately, no indicator is foolproof; some fraudulent sites ber Benefits Web site. You have forged security icons. can access information on • Check the privacy policy. It should let you know what personal information the all of NEA-MB’s programs, Website operators are collecting, why, and how they’re going to use the information. get current rates on CDs and If you can’t find a privacy policy - or if you can’t understand it, consider taking your investment funds, and sign up business to another site that’s more consumer-friendly. for other services. For more information about protecting your computer and your personal information online, visit www.ftc.gov/infosecurity. The FTC works for the consumer to prevent fraudulent, decep- tive, and unfair business practices in the marketplace and to provide information to help con- www.neamb.com sumers spot, stop, and avoid them. To file a complaint or to get free information on consumer issues, visit www.ftc.gov or call toll-free, 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357); TTY:1-866- 653-4261. 9 3010-8630 12/05 Web Site FEA 7” x 9.5” PDF (for December issue)

Visit the enhanced neamb.com for exclusive benefits and services.

(Plus, enter to win our FREE giveaway to boot.) Check out the exclusive www.neamb.com Web Site today. It is easy to find out about all of the great products and services, giveaways, and information available to NEA members. Log on to the Site today for: •Faster and easier navigation with better access to information • Tools & Tips section with many different financial calculators and a wealth of consumer information developed exclusively for members • Enhanced pages for Insurance, Financial Services and Member Discount Programs •Expanded Free for Members section featuring the popular monthly giveaway and other free member-only offers •Online account access, online quotes and more Visit www.neamb.com and register to win our monthly giveaway.

For more information, write to NEA Member Benefits at 900 Clopper Road, Suite 300, Gaithersburg, MD 20878-1356, Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. (or Saturday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.) ET WS681205 10 FEA JOURNAL Dec., 2005

Explore the Possibilities of JA Economics for Success Junior Achievement’s newest middle grades pro- Ideas gram helps students look at careers and make real-world financial decisions through fun, practical, hands-on learning. A Junior Achievement volunteer will come to your classroom to help reinforce the curriculum and JA Economics for Success students For You! get exclusive access to the JA Student Center’s on- line career assessment. For information, go to: Two Ways for Educators to Learn www.ja.org/programs/programs_mid_econ_suc- and Travel in the Amazon cess.shtml Teachers who bring a group of six students and their family members can qualify to have all of their expenses paid for an 8-day Amazon Rainforest Got2BSafe Awards Contest workshop. Experience a 1/4 mile rainforest canopy Got2BSafe, a program developed by the National walk, get involved in a village service project, Center for Missing & Exploited Children and Hon- and see how indigenous cultures use the forest eywell to help teachers and parents educate chil- for medicine, food and shelter. Workshops begin dren on ways to avoid situations that could lead to June 15, June 25 or July, 5, 2006. Land cost for child abductions, is sponsoring an awards program students and families is $1798, plus airfare. For to recognize the best teaching plans that incorpo- information on how teachers can travel free, go to: rate the program’s four rules to preventing child ab- www.travel2learn.com duction. Five winning teaches will receive a class- Additionally, you can sign up for the 14th room makeover and more than 100 other winners annual Amazon Rainforest Workshop, specially will receive gift certificates for school supplies worth designed for K-12 educators, scheduled July 7-16, as much as $1,000. The deadline for entries is De- 2006. This 10-day event, co-sponsored by Selby cember 31, 2005. For more information, go to: Botanical Gardens, is a professional development www.honeywell.com/got2bsafe opportunity for teachers to work side-by-side with a spirited faculty of scientists. Academic credit and an extension to Machu Picchu are available. Land Learn to Make a World of Difference... cost for this educator workshop is $1,998, plus Again air. For expedition information or funding ideas The Institute for Persons Who Are Hard of Hearing call Dr. Frances Gatz at 1-800-669-6806, Email or Deaf (IHHD) can help you bring your expertise [email protected] or visit www.travel2learn.com. and knowledge to a unique population: infants, chil- dren, and youth who are hard of hearing or deaf, New Web Site Aims to Help With and their families. IHHD is dedicated to reducing Military Students’ Issues barriers and improving the quality of life for indi- FEA members know that military dependents face viduals who are hard of hearing or deaf. IHHD pro- a lot of unique issues, particularly when it comes to vides a range of online professional development frequent moves to new locations around the coun- opportunities to professionals who want to improve try and around the world. The Department of De- service delivery for this population, including early fense recently created a Web site to help parents, childhood, special, and regular educators, psychol- students, and even educators, cope with the issues ogists, speech-language pathologists, and others. “Army Brats” face, and to ease some of the prob- All month-long courses are delivered online. For lems associated with switching schools. Go to: more information, visit: www.militarystudent.org http://cha.nu.edu/IHHD/About.html Your Professional Development 11

How Are You Handling Stress? Here Are Some Routines That May Help By Marian Brovero, retired teacher, Waldrick, New Jersey - published on www.nea.org/teachexperience

Feel like you are slipping out of the educational loop? Stress and the way you handle it may be the culprit. Re- Ongoing Routines duce all that additional tension by setting some routines in Establish ongoing routines for areas of your day where stress may continue to different areas of your day. strike a sneaky blow. A mental pep talk puts you in the right frame of mind. • Organize Your Classroom -- Make one day a week your stay-after day. Get Start feeling your inner strength return. Concentration will your room in order and maintain it. be easier to maintain. You are half way there. • Keep Centers Going -- Two or three are ample for now. If each center can Remember you are a role model for your students. accommodate three students, that’s nine all set each day. Hopefully, you have They may have left home this morning with no breakfast, a small library, a computer, and a listening station with books, and tapes or no one seeing how they looked or checking their home- CDs. All you need is an art area. Centers keep your students happily involved work, and not a soul giving them a kiss good-bye. Put a while you are leading group or individual instruction. smile on your face -- and that will put a smile on theirs. • Plan Ahead – Train yourself to be more of a forward planner. For example, as you start a science unit, start to think ahead. What lessons might be a good New Daily Routines follow-up? Gather those materials also. Now you are well-prepared. • End units on a Thursday. Let Friday be a-breath-of-fresh-air day. Allow Stop at that classroom door. Do not enter UNTIL: learning to settle in. Remember, each unit is one more building block for your • Your Mind Is Ready to Focus on What Is Ahead -- Get class. Start a new bulletin board as a teaser of what comes next. Curiosity is a your house and family in order. Keep your errands and after- great teacher’s aid. school activities out of school. Make a “to do” list for your • Check Papers -- If you can manage it, review papers with each child a half time after dismissal and leave it in your car. Only make calls hour before school ends. Kids really need to know how they are doing. They of importance at lunch time. Save the rest for later. Other- will be asked that dreaded question, “What did you do in school today?” Help wise, please, turn off your cell phone. Problems will find you them answer it. quickly enough. • Plan for Tomorrow -- Take thirty minutes at night to plan for tomorrow. • You Take a Deep Breath -- You have set aside all external Then sit with your family. Before bed, walk around the house. Neat enough? distractions. Good for you. Breathe in deeply one more time. Clothes for work set? Throw in a wash and call your mom or a best friend. You are almost ready for the day ahead. Someone who always makes you feel better. • You Put a Smile on Your Face -- Start tomorrow and the • Go for a Morning Walk -- As you are taking an early AM walk (please try), rest of your educational life by arriving at school fit. Get a sort out the day’s priorities. This puts in motion your positive mood for the day. decent night’s sleep, some breakfast, and a hug from each • Keep “The Summer Notebook” -- Set aside a special notebook to list those family member. (Pets are included.) Your face should be projects and ideas that require more time to consider. Writing things down will reflecting the new, improving you. lift one more stressful burden off your shoulders. Develop your ideas in the summer, when you have more time to create. • Use Stress as a Motivator -- Divert your urge to gripe and let it perk up your Marian Brovero taught second grade in Waldwick, New Jersey, for natural creativity. 31 years. She now volunteers as a Learning Partner for United Way, • Be a Pal to Your Next Door Colleague -- Begin to develop a reputation working with fi rst and second graders to encourage their love of learn- ing. Brovero has written several books, including her latest book, The as a cool, calm, resourceful person. See you feel better already. Nurturing a Right Way Is the Only Way (Publish America, Inc. 2005) an interac- kindly attitude will keep you from placing blame on your class or the parents or tive guide for promoting mutual respect. the principal (most of the time).

Federal Education Association F E A Gary Hritz, Editor Sheridan Pearce, President H.T. Nguyen, Executive Director Edward “Ted” Carlin, Vice President Linda Callender, Secretary/Treasurer JOURNAL Contributions, letters, photographs and Trudy Pollard, NEA Director other submissions to the FEA Journal are Wanda Herrin Beatty, HCR Coordinator FEA Journal is the offi cial publication of the Federal Education Association. welcome and should be sent to the editor’s Roseann Drydale, Europe Area Director It is published quarterly during each attention at the address below. Chuck McCarter, Europe Area Director school year. Jan Amend, Pacific Area Director Caroline Myers, Stateside Area Director Federal Education Association l 1201 16th St. NW, Suite 117 l Washington, DC 20036 l 202-822-7850 l Fax: 202-822-7867 l www.feaonline.org 12 FEA JOURNAL Dec., 2005 Calendar of Events December 12 Health Insurance Open Season Ends

19 Winter Recess Begins January 3 Classes Resume

26-27 Mid-Atlantic Minority Leadership Conference Philadelphia

27-28 Members of the Kaiserslautern Area Education Association enjoy a wine tast- Mid-Atlantic Regional Leadership ing seminar and museum tour at the Kupferberg Terrasse in Mainz, Germany. Conference KAEA organizes numerous activities and public service projects for its members Philadelphia throughout the year. If you have a photo or story about an activity organized by your FEA local, please send it to [email protected].

1201 16th St. NW • Suite 117 • Washington, DC 20036 Indicia

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FIRST CLASS MAIL Use this ID Number to Log in C = to www.feaonline.org