Merry Christmas

As this winter storm blows in from the north, I wanted to wish all of you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. I am looking forward to seeing grandchildren and family in the Phoenix area. Yes, Dorothy, there are golf courses in Scotsdale. 63 degrees looks pretty good when we compare it to the forecast here for this weekend. I know we all need a break and it will be a good time to recharge our batteries and finish off the year. We are meeting this morning with two of our legislators, Brent Wallis (District 10) and Richard Greenwood (District 12). Susan Kuziak, one of UEA's lobbyists (retired Exec. Director of UEA), is coming down to meet and talk about the upcoming session. We will impress upon them to limit any reductions in public school funding. It will be a tough session for all state government.

Enjoy your time with family and friends and again thank you for all you do to make WEA and OEA so strong. It is an honor and a pleasure to work for you. Rick

UEA Board of Directors

The governing board of the Utah Education Association makes decisions that affect the way your UEA dues are used. Each UniServ unit elects one representative to the board. We also elect a Minority representative. We are lucky to have Mary Courney (OEA President) and Barbera Wayment (Washington Terrace teacher) serve in those capacities. They attend meetings each month and represent our 1600 members very well. We appreciate the dedication and sacrifices that all of our leaders make in serving you.

Last Chance to enter the December Blog Contest

HI, enter today for your chance at winning some neat prizes at our AR meetings in January. The blogmeister will be taking a short vacation (in warmer climes) until after Christmas. Just email rick@ogdenweber.org and use the word "Huntsman" in the message.

Huntsman and the legislature differ on how to deal with the shortage of tax revenue. The legislative leaders want a special session and Gov. Huntsman says no. The legislature wants to meet and make more cuts out of this year's programs (including education). The governor thinks we should wait the five weeks until the session opens Jan. 26, 2009. I think this is a perfect time for the Governor to use some of that political capital he has earned with an landslide victory and 75% approval rating. Plus it is fun to see the political battle.

New Education Secretary Announced

President-elect Obama has selected Arne Duncan, Chicago public school chief, to be his new Secretary of Education. Mr. Duncan has reformed the Chicago School system over the past few years, improving teacher quality and closing down under performing schools. He seems to be a friend of NEA, but also acceptable to the reform movement.

Governor Huntsman is resisting calling another special budget session to address the diminishing revenue projection. Both the Republican House and Senate Caucus called for a session to cut more out of this year's budget.

Christmas Savings

Yes, it is the time to buy those Christmas gifts. Boost the economy through all of your many purchases. As a member of UEA and NEA you have some places to look for savings to stretch those valuable dollars. Visit the www.utea.org site and check out the savings for members only at the access site. Also, check out www.neamb.org and look for the members only savings on the "click and save" site. You just need to use your membership card number and register. Have a great holiday and use all of the value your membership brings you. Rick

Searching for the real meaning of Christmas...

I made the leap into Christmas spirit today...I set my XM Satellite radio on "Traditional Christmas Music"...you know Dean Martin, Frank and the boys...oh you were born after I graduated from college in '76...well never mind then. Oh, by the by...who was the first person to use "xmas" instead of "Christmas"...must have been someone having a really bad day. Christmas to me is seeing my little grandchildren as excited as I was when I was little. Now my wife has to put up the tree and I say "bah humbug" more than in the summer. Sen. Buttars is trying to get us all in the right spirit...go for it Senator...at least you aren't messing up education. Hope you all have a great "holiday" break...Rick

"Reasonable and Prudent"

One of the worries that we all have in teaching young people is knowing what to do if a student shares personal information that leads us to believe that some abuse or molestation has taken place. What do I do? Who should I report it to? Should I try and get more information from the student? At what point am I in trouble if I don't report it? In law enforcement the terms "reasonable and prudent" show up when deciding if we have acted correctly. I looked up "reasonable" and the definition states: "possessing sound judgement". I looked up "prudent" and found: "a": "marked by wisdom or judiciousness". My opinion then, would be to let your supervisor and/or counselor know whenever the "red flags" appear in a conversation with a student. The DCFS (Division of Child and Family Services) needs to be notified at the proper time. You can be in jeopardy of disciplinary or legal action if you fail to report. Listen to your administrators and stay safe. That is a CYA strategy. C=Cover Y=Your A=Behind (I know that makes sense) If you have a question please let me know. It is important to be there for the students.

The "password is" DCFS. Email me rick@ogdenweber.org to enter the contest. (prizes to be drawn for in January AR meetings)