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It's simple
As another school year comes to a close, you can make a difference by cyber lobbying Congress and urging them to pass the education jobs fund and requesting they craft an ESEA reauthorization bill that provides the resources and supports to help all students, educators and schools succeed.

Edupourri
Here you'll find non-WEA-sponsored grant opportunities, award contests, scholarships and more. Check out what's new.

Facebook and YouTube
Lots of new stuff! If you haven't checked the WEA Facebook and YouTube page lately -- go ahead!

A note from John Okamoto
It is with deep sadness that I inform you that our friend Brian Lindquist passed away last night after a long and courageous battle with cancer.

Big in stature and big of heart, Brian cared passionately for the ongoing work of his beloved Seattle Education Association and the WEA. Even during the toughest days of his illness, Brian was focused on the members he represented, working diligently for all Seattle educators.

We will remember Brian for his generosity and his good humor. Importantly, we will remember Brian for his ability, whether in a small meeting, at a WEA Board meeting, or on the floor of the Representative Assembly, to accurately and fairly sum up a variety of perspectives and then achieve unanimity.

Over the past week, Brian's hospital room looked out over Husky Stadium and his beloved alma mater. From his room he could see the campus and the place where he spent many happy hours with family and friends.

The loss of any WEA member is always a loss to the bonds that unite us as educators and as an association. Brian was taken from us far too soon, but I know the impact of his life and work will continue.

Our deepest sympathy, thoughts and best wishes go to Brian's family and to his aunt, WEA President Mary Lindquist, at this difficult time. I will keep you informed on arrangements as they are made.

2010 Select Plans Renewal Summary
The WEA Benefit Services Advisory Board and WEA Board of Directors are pleased to announce the 2010-11 WEA Select Benefit Plan renewals.

With the passage of the historic and unprecedented National Health Care Reform Law in March, we faced many uncertainties in working through the renewals this year -- especially medical.

The combined impact of a difficult economy, concerns over layoffs and some angst over health care reform in general, has resulted in our claims cost remaining at higher levels for the past 18 months than we have seen in several years. We have also observed a 20 percent jump in claims $100,000 and higher.

The good news is that the medical rate increase is tempered by a higher increase in benefit funding from the state, and overall rate decreases on both the WEA Select Dental and Vision Plans. The "net" result of those factors reduces the overall impact of the medical rate increase by as much as 1.7 percent to 6.5 percent (depending on the plan and number of dependents covered on the plan).

Even though these are tough economic times, the WEA Benefit Services Advisory Board and WEA Board of Directors are pleased that, for the fourth year in a row, they have been able to mitigate part of the needed rate increase for many of the sponsored programs.  

You'll find the detailed summary here. Many of you will also receive a print copy in your home or work mailbox. Questions or concerns? E-mail Aon Consulting or call 206-467-4646.

WEA supports, opposes ballot measures
The WEA Board of Directors has taken positions on seven measures likely to make it on the fall ballot. All of them will have a huge impact on public education if they pass.

I-1053 / Two-thirds supermajority legislative vote to approve new state taxes (Tim Eyman). WEA position: Oppose
I-1082 / Privatization of worker's compensation insurance. WEA position: Oppose
I-1098 / $700 million a year in new education funding, tax reform, high-earners income tax. WEA position: Approve.
I-1100 and I-1105/ Privatization of state liquor stores, loss of $300 million in state revenue. WEA position: Oppose
I-1107 / Repeal of hundreds of millions in new state revenue, including taxes on candy, soda and bottled water. WEA position: Oppose
R-52 / $505 million healthy schools construction bond. WEA position: Approve

Several school districts are running November school levies at the new levy lid (4 percent higher), thanks to the levy capacity bill.

Annual WEA membership requests
Local associations should report their 2010-11 local dues amounts to WEA, UniServs, Premera and their employers by Aug. 1. Certificated employees, use this form. Classified employees, use this form.

Local associations should report the names of any 2010 retirees to WEA by June 30.

Local associations should also report the names of their current (and future, if known) officers and building reps.

And the winners are …
The awards were presented; the pizza was enjoyed by many -- it's a wrap, as they say. The 17th annual student essay contest "A Teacher to Remember" finished up the final pizza party this week; four Human & Civil Rights awards were presented last month in their respective locales, and the 2010 WEA ESP of the Year was honored at the Representative Assembly. Read the winning essays, and see why Truman High School students call Maribeth Steincipher "mom" in her video. The WEA 2010 awards program winners can all be found here.

Just weeks away: National Education Association Representative Assembly
Delegates from state affiliates across the United States will gather June 26 through July 6 at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans, Louisiana for the Association's 89th Representative Assembly.

Whether you're a delegate or not planning to attend, you can view the tentative agenda, sign up for Tweet feeds or learn more about new business items by clicking here.

WEA night with the Mariners
You can help the WEA Children's Fund while enjoying a special outing with family and friends. Join educators from throughout the region at the Washington Education Association night at Safeco Field on Tuesday, Aug. 3, and see the Mariners take on the Texas Rangers!

• Reserved seats are $15 (normally $20) for all families and friends, and $7 per ticket will go to the WEA Children’s Fund.
• Field seats are $35 (normally $40) for all families and friends, and $10 per ticket will go to the WEA Children’s Fund.
• Purchase tickets for this event here. The password is WEA. You can select seats and print tickets at the same time. To order more than 25 tickets, contact Liz McCloskey. Groups of 40 or more will receive two complimentary tickets and the name of the group will appear on the scoreboard.

2010 Jump Start Renewal
WEA's Renewal Jump Start is a one-day training that provides key information to NBCTs who are engaged in the National Board Certification renewal process. Renewal Jump Start helps candidates consider their growth and experiences since becoming an NBCT, and how they relate to the renewal process. The seminar cost is $50 for WEA members. Non-members may also attend for $200. All participants are responsible for travel, lodging, and if applicable, substitute costs.

For information about the June 30 -- Washington State University (Spokane Campus) or the Aug. 4 -- Edmonds-Woodway High School (Edmonds) seminars, contact Sheila Beaver or click here.

Announcing the 2010 Jump Start Take One!® seminar
WEA's Take One!® National Board Jump Start is a new, two-day seminar to provide early support to educators participating in the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards' Take One!® process. Take One!® Jump Start was designed from WEA's highly-acclaimed four-day Jump Start Seminar for full candidates. Each of this year's events is co-located with the full candidate Jump Start seminars. Take One!® Jump Start will take place during the full candidate events on June 30-July 1.

Take One!® Jump Start is intended to complement yearlong candidate support provided by university and district programs and will be taught by a dynamic and fun team of National Board Certified Teacher (NBCT) Jump Start trainers. Tuition is $125 for WEA members and $500 for non-members. Participants are responsible for their travel, lodging and, if applicable, substitute costs.

For information about the June 30-July 1 -- Washington State University (Spokane Campus) or the Aug. 4-5 -- Edmonds-Woodway High School (Edmonds) seminars, contact Sheila Beaver or click here.

2010 WEA National Board Jump Start
Jump Start is a four-day training that provides early support to new National Board candidates to be successful in the certification process ahead. Designed and led by a fun and dynamic team of National Board Certified Teachers (NBCTs), Jump Start is intended to complement yearlong candidate support provided by university and district programs. Those who are committed to starting the National Board process in spring, summer or fall of 2010 should attend. 

For information about the June 28-July 1 -- Washington State University (Spokane Campus) or the Aug. 2-5 -- Edmonds-Woodway High School (Edmonds) trainings, contact Sheila Beaver or click here.

WEA ProTeach Jump Start
This year, WEA Representative Assembly delegates voted to support the creation of an optional pre-candidacy support program for members beginning the new ProTeach portfolio process. The ProTeach portfolio is the improved, streamlined process by which Washington teachers attain their professional certification.

WEA is developing a four-day "ProTeach Jump Start Seminar" training pilot. This program will complement year-long candidate cohort groups run by colleges, universities, districts and other providers. The training will be run by practicing WEA member-teacher leaders.

The WEA ProTeach Jump Start seminar pilot will take place Aug. 2-5 in Edmonds. You may learn more or register here.

National Education Association grants for locals
The NEA Urban Grants program has supported local associations since 1985 by providing funds to develop education reform leadership programs. Each year, 25 grants in the amount of $5,000 are awarded to local affiliates to support such programs.

The deadline is Sept. 30. Application guidelines and additional details can be found online.