OHS Future Educators and WSU Chapter of FEA Read for the Record

On Thursday, Oct. 2, 2008, the OHS chapter of the Future Educators Association will be assisting the nation wide effort to break the Guiness Book of World Records. Our local goal is to read to 1500 children that day. The local chapter of the UEA purchased the books for us to read to the children. We will be reading at Polk Elementary, Horace Mann, Discovery Playhouse Daycare, Headstart and other preschool and daycares in Ogden. Jumpstart's Read for the Record wants to bring national attention to early education programs and the need for books in the homes of our children. This year we will be reading Corduroy from Penguin Young Readers.

Read for the Record

Suzy Davis, FEA advisor at Ogden High, has organized a "Read for the Record" event for October 2. Students will be reading the book "Corduroy" to hopefully 1000 children as part of the Future Educators Association worldwide event to bread the Guiness Book of Record. We purchased 20 books and helped with the event through the use of a NEA grant.

Membership Campaign in Full Swing

Ogden hired almost 120 new teachers and Weber has hired over 180 new teachers this year. We had 40 or 50 members retire last year and many others leave the district. We have signed up over 60 new members in Ogden and over 70 new members in Weber. Each one of you can help say positive things about membership to the new teachers. Thanks for your help in maintaining our strong membership.

Special Session of Utah State Legislature Meets Today

A special session of the Utah State Legislature is meeting today and Friday, Sept. 26 to hammer out some budget cuts because of the revenue shortfall of $272 million reported this month. Legislative leaders have promised to "hold harmless" public education, but cuts in human services and higher ed could be tough.

OEA Spotlight on Sherrie Dame

Sherrie Dame is a great fifth grade teacher at Polk Elementary. She also serves on the OEA Executive Board, Negotiations Team and Membership Committee. Sherrie is an expert on New York City since her boy lives there and is involved in the theatre business. She can tell you where the best places to see and stay. We love Sherrie for her willingness to stand up for the association and support the teaching profession.

Association Rep Spotlight: JOAN HEAP

Our spotlight today shines brightly on our Building Rep at North Ogden Junior High, Joan Heap.
Joan teaches English and was chosen as our Utah Teacher of the Year a couple of years ago. She also starred in many of the anti-voucher tv commercials that help us win that battle. She is an excellent role model of a professional educator and we thank her for her service to the association and to students in North Ogden. Thanks Joan

Utahns for Public Schools Asks for Ethics Pledge

Utahns for Public Schools, the coalition that successfully defeated vouchers, has challenged Utah legislators and candidates to sign an ethics pledge. Utah has some of the weakest reporting laws (in the nation) for campaign donations. Go to www.utahnsforpublicschools.org for more information.