November 2021

The NJEA Convention returns in person to Atlantic City on Nov. 4-5. The convention will also include virtual professional development sessions to enable members who wish to participate remotely yet still benefit from much of what the NJEA Convention has to offer. Your Region 9 Field Reps will be inAtlantic City working to make convention a success. November brings the end of the first marking period and the beginning of the State's implementation of mandated Covid 19 testing. If you have any questions when it comes to your options, please speak to your local leaders and if they need the help of their UniServ rep, we are only a phone call away.

NJEA Central Zone

Region 9 is part of the NJEA Central Zone. A Facebook page has been created to keep members in the Central Zone up to date on happenings in our zone. Make sure you click on the link below and follow the NJEA Central Zone Facebook page for the latest information.

Westside Plaza

3301 Route 66 Suite 103

Bldg. A

Neptune, NJ

Upcoming Events

Please join us for these upcoming events. For more information

and to register, please click the link:

NOV 1: HEALTH AND SAFETY WORKSHOP (VIRTUAL)

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/health-and-

safety-workshop-virtual-tickets-170367959152

NOV 15: Ed Puzzle Workshop

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ed-puzzle-workshop-tickets-170369375388

NOV 16: Wealth Steps Workshop

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/wealth-steps-workshop-tickets-175662550417

NOV 17: Collective Bargaining Council Meeting (Virtual)

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/collective-bargaining-council-tickets-189914759157

DEC 7: LAT Meeting

DEC 10: MCEA Social Event - Holiday Trivia Night (Virtual)

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/mcea-

social-event-virtual-holiday-trivia-night-tickets-170376723366

Let our Monmouth County members explain why PAC is so important. Please click on the links below to watch the videos made by Monmouth County Members!

To read more about the PAC process and to view all NJEA PAC endorsements, both republicans and democrats who are good for public education, click on the link below.

Are you interested in a teacher leader endorsement to be attached to an instructional certificate? Then this informational session might be for you.

Monmouth County Members of Color

*Sign up for the Bi-weekly digital newsletter - email  moc@njea.org

Virtual Pension Consultations

Pension consultation appointments are now being conducted via the Zoom platform. That means members are still afforded a one-on-one experience but now in the comfort of their own homes, avoiding travel and personal contact. Previously, members had to wait 18 months after an appointment to be seen again, but now all members are eligible for consultation and can address new questions regarding their retirement that may have arisen in the last few months. The Pension Consultation schedule is open so call the office at 732-403-8000 to schedule your appointment today.

NJEA Webinars

FAFSA 101

The FAFSA – Free Application for Federal Student Aid – is a necessary first step in determining financial aid opportunities for college, including eligibility for FREE tuition through a Community College Opportunity Grant. Join us at one of these webinars!

Register using the URLs below.

Nov. 20, 2021 @ 10 a.m. ET https://tinyurl.com/FafsaNov20

Jan. 12, 2022 @ 7 p.m. ET https://tinyurl.com/FafsaJan12

March 9, 2022 @ 7 p.m. ET https://tinyurl.com/FafsaMarch9

Aug 15, 2022 @ 7 p.m. ET https://tinyurl.com/FafsaAug15 

Learn how to maximize your NJEA membership through

our statewide and year-round money-saving webinars.

Register at njea.org/mbwebinars. Webinars will begin at 4:30 p.m. (unless otherwise stated). 

November 2021

10 Accessing Your Member Benefits

24 Holiday Hacks With Your Member Benefits 

Degrees Not Debt: Student Loan Debt Relief 

Nov. 22 @ 5 p.m. & 7 p.m. 

NEA Read Across America Calendar

The New NEA Read Across America Calendar is Here!

Join in on America's largest celebration of reading with 12 months of recommended books, authors, and teaching resources that promote diversity and inclusion. Each month, choose from our list of fantastic books for elementary, middle, and young adult reading levels that teach students the beauty of our differences as well as our shared experience.

Legislative Action

American Rescue Plan Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Funds are available for your district. How can those funds be used? Here are some documents to assist you as you meet with your administrators on the spending of the ARP funds.

Recently, the state’s SEA ARP spending plan was approved by US ED, and finalized the following New Jersey deadline:

LEA's will be required to submit their plans for uses of ARP ESSER funds to the NJDOE in November 2021.

There is still ample time for locals and members to get involved with meaningful consultation with their districts to discuss and collaborate on useful and effective spending of ARP funds. Upon return to schools in September, local leaders began advocating for this process, if it has not already begun.

November 2nd-Don't Forget to Vote for Education Friendly, PAC Endorsed Legislators!!

Gov. Murphy’s Top Achievements, Education Edition:

*Chapter 78 relief signed into law

*Job Justice signed into law

*Paid more into the pension fund than any governor in history, this includes the first full pension payment since 1996 (25 years!), which he made one year ahead of schedule

*Expanded Access to Preschool

*Expanded Access to Tuition-Free Community College

*Expanded Amistad Curriculum, signed LGBTQ curriculum into law

*Appointed the state’s first and second black Commissioners of Education, Dr. Lamont Repollet and Dr. Angelica Allen-McMillan

*Prioritized educator access to the COVID-19 vaccine

*Supported Waiver in 2021 to #CancelTheTests

*Restored respect for public education

Federal Update

The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act will Deliver for New Jersey.

NJDOE Broadcast

Start Strong Fall 2021 Administration Information

Member Benefits

Each week, get a new list of deals where you live, work, and play! Visit memberbenefits.njea.org and click on Access Discounts to start saving!

Take advantage of our Member Benefits program to recoup the cost of your dues dollars each year! As you know, our Member Benefits program offers thousands of ways for our members to save money (learn more here at njea.org).

Prudential Disability Insurance will conduct an open enrollment beginning at the NJEA Convention and continuing through January 1, 2022.

Remember that the Prudential Disability Insurance plan is the only NJEA-sponsored short-term disability insurance program and it helps protects our member's income in case an accident, illness, mental health, or pregnancy prevents them from working. School employees are NOT eligible for State Disability benefits, so once sick days are exhausted, paychecks will end. If already insured with Prudential, we encourage our members to review their current coverage since benefits do NOT automatically increase as salary increases, and you can make certain increases during open enrollment. Also, if insured by another provider, it is important that our members compare the two programs to make sure they have the right coverage. As the only NJEA-sponsored program, NJEA helped design the Prudential plan to ensure that it meets the unique needs of our members.

Open Enrollments occur once every three years. No health questions or exam are required, and you cannot be denied coverage if you choose to enroll. (Pre-existing limitation will apply.)

NJEA recommends that all members consider this important insurance coverage, particularly in the event they use up all of their sick time. 

For more information or to enroll, visit enroll.njea.org. Questions? Call an NJEA account executive at 800-727-3414 and choose Option 3.

NJEA Health and Safety Conference will be held November 12-13, 2021 at the East Brunswick Hilton. Click on the link below for the registration information. Talk to your local leader if you are interested in attending.

COVID-19 Information

Use Docket for Easy Access to Your Immunization Records

1. Download the Docket App from the App Store on your mobile device. Log in with email, Apple, or Google.
2. Select "Immunizations" from the main menu.
3. You will have easy access to your immunizations right on your device.

Vax Matters

NJEA's Vaccine FAQ

1345 Campus Parkway Ste A1, Wall Township, NJ 07753 | (732) 403-8000

reg09_West_Long_Branch@njea.org

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