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VOL.
VOL. 52,10
53, NO. NO.4 NOVEM-
MAY 2010

What’s inside
Legislative news
? 2
The time to ACT is NOW!
T he day is Saturday, May 22. The

tand U p
Thank Sens. Lautenberg and Menendez time is noon. Join your fellow

S i ng
for co-sponsoring the “Keep Our NJEA members and thousands
Educators Working Act.” of other New Jerseyans for the Rally
to Protect New Jersey’s Families and
NJEA Convention 5 Communities.

Standing
Affiliated groups enhance the convention. Bring your family, your friends
and your neighbors for what is ex-
pected to be one of the largest rallies
Health and safety 8 in Trenton’s history.

Together
Safe Schools project helps career and Gov. Chris Christie’s proposed
tech-ed teachers.
budget is not only a disaster for pub-
lic education, it is an all-out assault
In the spotlight 12 on New Jersey’s most vulnerable:
Libraries promote “Pennies for Peace” school children, senior citizens, work-
ing families, the poor, the disabled,

New website coming soon!

and the unemployed. It is an attack on A rally to protect
hardworking school employees and
NJEA is excited to announce that coming
this June, there will be a brand new njea.org.
public workers. NJ’s families and
communities.
Based on member feedback from surveys
The time has come to hold the
and focus groups, we are creating a new site governor accountable for the damage
that is more dynamic and user-friendly, with his policies and rhetoric are inflicting
lots of photos and graphic elements, as well on this state and our public schools. Saturday May 22, 2010
as easier navigation. Check out njea2010.org
Standing between the governor W. State Street, Trenton
to get a sneak peek at the redesign process, Beginning at Noon
and give us your feedback. and his disastrous budget are the
Senate and General Assembly. Let’s
make sure our legislators get the mes-
sage that we are counting on them to
If this mailing label is incorrect, please tear off and send

uphold New Jersey’s commitment to

NJEA, PO Box 1211, Trenton, NJ 08607-1211

public education and the public good.

Bus and other transportation op-
tions are being arranged. As final
Show your support: wear a red, white or blue shirt!
Attn: Membership Processing

details are put in place, your local

president will be provided with ev- For more information, contact your local president or visit njea.org.
corrected label to:

erything you’ll need to know.

For up-to-the-minute rally details,
visit njea.org.

Momentum among members

has been building throughout New
Jersey to remind the governor and
the legislature that NJEA is not a
building in Trenton. It is more than
200,000 members making a dif- See Page 3 for the full story, and
ference every day in New Jersey’s visit njea.org for more photos and
public schools and proclaiming video from the rallies.
“I am NJEA.”
Members at the Newark rally remind legislators to fund public schools.

CIRCULATION: 200,000

NDE U
NEW JERSEY E WC JAT
E RI SOEN
Y EADSUSC
OAT
C I AT
O NI OAN
S S O C I AT I 01
ON
 Legislative news
Budget passage
rates drop in most
counties
A $1.5 billion dollar cut in state aid to
schools leaves a huge gap and on April
20, voters rejected the property tax
increases that resulted from Gov. Chris
Christie’s budget cuts. For the first time
U.S. Senate bill would send $628
million to New Jersey schools
I
f a bill that is co-sponsored by New
Jersey Senators Robert Menendez
and Frank Lautenberg becomes
law, $628 million in much needed
funds could be headed to New Jersey
public schools. S-3206, the “Keep Our
of thousands of education jobs, and it family budgets due to unemployment,”
would be a tremendous help to states in Menendez said.
dire financial circumstances,” said NEA NEA and NJEA urge members
President Dennis Van Roekel. “But more to visit www.educationvotes.nea.org
importantly, it ensures that millions of where you can write to thank Sens. Me-
America’s students will not be bearing nendez and Lautenberg and urge Presi-

since 1976, less than half of all school Educators Working Act,” was intro-
district budgets were successful. duced by Sen. Tom Harkin (D-Iowa),
chair of the Senate Education Commit-
Only 41.4 percent were approved
tee, on April 14.
statewide.
“New Jersey’s public schools are
There were some bright spots. The one of our state’s greatest strengths,”
passage rates in Bergen and Essex Lautenberg said. “New Jersey students
counties nearly matched last year’s pay the price with bigger class sizes
high rates, and more budgets were and fewer educational opportunities.
approved in Hudson County this year
This legislation can help school districts
than last year. But in most counties,
passage rates were dramatically lower.
avoid layoffs and keep middle-class
workers on the job. For the sake of our
Percentage of budgets approved, kids and our economy, I will work with
by county (preliminary) my colleagues in Washington to ad-
vance this common-sense legislation.”
County 2010 2009
Nationwide, S-3206 would provide
Atlantic 22.2 66.7 $23 billion to extend State Fiscal Stabi-
lization aid from the American Recov-
Bergen 73.0 74.3
ery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).
Burlington 12.8 74.4 “This would save or fund hundreds
“
the brunt of the nation’s dent Barack Obama to
economic woes.” This legislation can
support the legislation.
help school districts
Faced with massive Look for the link to
avoid layoffs and keep mid-
cuts in state school aid this bill under “Con-
dle-class workers on the job.
for next year, the $628 -Sen. Frank Lautenberg
tact Your Legislators
million New Jersey Today!”
would receive would not cover the According to NEA figures, most
entire loss, but would be a much needed states would receive more education
infusion of cash. Unfortunately, the
funds under S-3206 than they would if
money would not be available before they were awarded grants under Phase
the start of the 2010-11 school year, II two of the Obama Administration’s
but Sen. Menendez pointed out that the Race to the Top competition.
state and school districts could plan “Now is not the time for competi-
ahead once they were guaranteed that tion,” Van Roekel said. “Competition is
the money is available. a luxury our states should have dur-
“This bill takes a proactive approach ing a budget surplus, not when they
to ensuring that our education system are facing record deficits and slashing
remains stable in the whirlwind cre- jobs. Our children’s future should not
ated by millions of foreclosures that depend on whether their state or district
made parents relocate, and crippled receives a competitive grant.”

Voucher legislation reintroduced

Camden 50.0 73.7

Cape May 64.7 76.5

Cumberland 28.6 86.7

A
s New Jersey’s public schools school is located. ships is purported to come from corpo-
Essex 75.0 75.0
grapple with more than $1.5 Under S-1872, a “chronically fail- rate contributions, the legislation costs
Gloucester 33.3 77.8 billion in cuts, private and reli- ing school” meets one of the following the corporations nothing. Participating
gious schools in the state could count two conditions: over 40 percent of the corporations would make “contribu-
Hudson 71.4 57.1 on a $360 million boost—at taxpayer students score partially proficient in tions” to the Opportunity Scholarship
expense—over the next five years if both language arts and mathematics on Fund and receive in return a dollar-for-
Hunterdon 17.9 51.7 the so-called Opportunity Scholarship dollar tax credit.
the state assessment in each of the prior
Act becomes law. two school years, or over 65 percent of Ultimately, every dollar to pay for
Mercer 50.0 87.5
Sen. Raymond Lesniak (D-Union) the students scored partially proficient the voucher scheme comes from public
Middlesex 31.8 73.9 introduced S-1872, the Opportunity in either language arts or mathematics funds, up to $360 million over the life
Scholarship Act, in March. Senate in each of the prior two school years. of the five-year pilot program.
Monmouth 28.3 72.2 Minority Leader Tom Kean (R-Union) The bill, however, does not limit Hidden losses
is the second prime sponsor. The gov- voucher eligibility to students in
Morris 42.1 69.2 S-1872 further burdens school
ernor has indicated his support for the schools deemed to be chronically
legislation. districts by cutting the full amount
Ocean 39.3 75.9 failing. If one school in any district
of per pupil state aid for any public
The bill retains many of the same is labeled chronically failing, every
Passaic 33.3 33.3 school student leaving the district for a
elements of last session’s voucher low-income student in that district

“
voucher school. That money is credited
bill, S-1607, with is eligible for a
Salem 53.8 92.3 If one school in any district voucher, even if to an “Educational Innovation Fund,”
at least one notable
is labeled chronically failing, which will award competitive grants to
Somerset 11.8 89.5 difference: S-1872 the student attends
every low-income student in that chronically failing schools to finance
does not designate district is eligible for a voucher,
a school that is
innovative educational practices.
Sussex 41.7 88.0 specific cities for the even if the student attends a school meeting or exceed- The bill does not take a district’s
Union 57.9 73.7
program. Instead, the that is meeting or exceeding ad- ing adequate year- fixed costs into account. A classroom
bill creates an “Op- equate yearly progress. ly progress. “Low
portunity Scholarship income” is defined with 25 students losing one student
Warren 31.8 78.8 to a voucher school would still have
Fund Board” composed of politi- as a household income no greater than
cally appointed members who select a 2.5 times the federal poverty level. to operate, including paying staff,
scholarship organization in each of the $360 million giveaway utilities, maintenance, supplies, and
counties where a chronically failing other services on 24 students’ worth of
While the funding for the scholar- school aid.
MAY 2010

2 N E W J E R S E Y E D U C AT I O N A S S O C I AT I O N

NJEA members take to the streets—again!
T
housands of members rallied
in four counties during April
to protest Gov. Chris Christie’s
over $1 billion in budget cuts. These
protests followed on the heels of ral-
lies over pension and benefits cuts in
March in Bergen, Passaic, and Morris
counties.
Mays Landing greets governor
More than 400 teachers, educa-
tional support professionals (ESP),
retirees, parents, and other supporters
of Atlantic County’s public schools
protested outside an event Gov. Chris-
tie attended at Mays Landing County
Club on April 9. They braved frosty
temperatures for four hours to greet
the tardy governor.
“We’re here to let Gov. Christie
know that we are angry about the hav-
oc his cuts will wreak in our schools,”
said Madeline Avery, president of the
Greater Egg Harbor Regional Educa-
tion Association. “His cuts are hurting
our kids.”
Chanting “Save our schools!” and
holding signs that read “I am a teacher
like your mother” and “Gov. Christie
and Education—not perfect together,”
the protestors were stationed along the
Black Horse Pike and outside the en-
trance to Mays Landing Country Club.
When the governor arrived, he was
taken into the event via a side entrance
so he would not have to face the pro-
testors, but he certainly heard them.
State police who were called in to
manage the crowds found familiar faces
among the protestors. One trooper was
loudly greeted by his former teachers
at Absegami High School and another
trooper quickly located his wife and
two small children who had already
been protesting in the chilly weather
for hours.
Thousands rally in Woodbury
Nearly 2,000 NJEA members
from five counties marched through
downtown Woodbury on April 15 at a
“Restore the Funding” rally.
Members at the Newark rally remind legislators to fund public schools.
N E W J E R S E Y E D U C AT I O N A S S O C I AT I O N
Association news
The members called on legislators
to oppose any budget that cuts fund-
ing to public schools and also called
on legislators to insist that the “Mil-
lionaire’s Tax” on New Jerseyans who
earn more than $400,000 per year be
reinstated in order to help offset edu-
cation cuts.
NJEA President Barbara Kesh-
ishian and NJEA Secretary-Treasurer
Marie Blistan attended the rally and
gave high marks to the protestors.
“In spite of the governor’s at-
tacks on NJEA, our members, and
the students we serve, this rally really
gets to the heart of the issue,” said
NJEA President Barbara Keshishian.
“Our members see the damage these
cuts are doing to our schools and our
students. No matter what anyone says,
we will never stop advocating for our
members and our public schools.”
“I am proud to be part of this
wonderful event,” said NJEA Secre-
tary-Treasurer and former Gloucester
County Education Association Presi-
dent Marie Blistan. “I know first-hand
how much our members care about the
students of this state. We will not per-
mit anyone to make our students, our
staff, or our profession the scapegoat
for the state’s economic crisis.”
Somerset lines 206
A week earlier, Somerset County
school employees took to the streets of
Hillsborough to send a similar message.
“We have been put into a posi-
tion where it sounds as though we are
outsiders in the communities where
we work,” said Somerset County
Education Association President Bar-
bara Parker. “But people forget that
teachers are also parents, we live in
the community, and we pay the same
taxes. We are the same.”
During the two-hour rally, partici-
pants encouraged drivers, who rubber-
necked to look at the protest signs, to
honk their horns in support. Many of
them did, including a school bus filled
with a girl’s high school lacrosse team
NJEA members in Atlantic County greet the governor at the Mays Landing
Country Club.
who cheered from the bus
windows.
Even Santa weighed in on
the controversy.
Dressed in his traditional
red and white suit, Santa
walked up and down Route
206 telling passersby his take
on the governor’s behavior
towards NJEA members.
Wagging his finger, Santa
declared, “Gov. Chris Chris- NJEA President Barbara Keshishian, holding megaphone, and Secre-
tary-Treasurer Marie Blistan, on Keshishian’s right, address members
tie has been a naughty boy.” at the Woodbury rally.
Essex takes a stand
Nick Galante, president
of the West Orange Educa-
tion Association is not happy
that Gov. Christie refuses
to reinstate the millionaires’
tax: a modest surcharge on
those with an annual income
over $400,000. It would have
brought nearly $1 billion
back into the state budget and NJEA Vice President Wendell NJEA members bring their mes-
Steinhauer speaks at the
averted a crisis that leaves sage to the rally in Woodbury.
Newark rally.
no school district in the state
untouched.
“The middle class is being
targeted for taxes,” Galante
said. “Christie took money
from education and gave it to
the rich. It is our firm belief
that the governor is picking
on teachers and all school
employees.”
This treatment spurred
Galante and several hundred
Members from five South Jersey counties protest on Broad Street in
members of the Essex County Woodbury. Logan Township Education Association members came
Education Association to rally decked out in their local’s yellow shirts.
outside the Education Law
Center in Newark last month where
Gov. Christie was expected to speak.
Christie was a no-show.
“This just shows that Gov. Christie
does not want to face those he at-
tacks,” declared NJEA Vice President
Wendell Steinhauer at the rally. “But
he is going to find that no matter
where he goes, NJEA members will be
there to face him.” An NJEA member expresses her frustration.
Members lined Route 206 in Hillsborough.
MAY 2010
3
 Taking a stand
NJEA Research presents:
Delving into data
American parents back their
public schools
74% – parents in 2009-10 who gave
an “A” or “B” grade to the public school
their oldest child attends.
69% – parents five years ago (2005-06)
who gave an “A” or “B” grade to the
public school their oldest child attended.
91% – parents this year who gave a “C”
or higher grade to the public school their
oldest child attends.
90% – parents five years ago (2005-06)
who gave a “C” or higher grade to the
public school their oldest child attended.
Public: Biggest problems facing
public schools
#1 – Lack of funding: cited
by 32%, up from 17% in
2008 and 26% in 2007.
#2 – Lack of discipline:
listed by 10%, same percentage as the
last two years
#3 – Overcrowding: singled out by 9%,
up from 6% in 2008 and 7% in 2007
#4 – Drugs: cited by 5% up from 4% the
last two years.
What parents say are biggest
problems
#1 – Lack of funding: identified by 30%,
up from 19% in 2008 and 26% in 2007
#2 – Overcrowding: cited by 10%, com-
pared to 11% in 2008 and 9% in 2007
#3 – Lack of discipline: listed by 8%,
compared to 3% in 2008 and 5% in 2007
#4 – Fighting: mentioned by 6%, down
from 8% the last two years.
High school dropouts seen as
national issue
71% – See the dropout rate as one of
the most important problems in U.S.
public high schools
46% – View the dropout rate as one of
the most important problems in their
community’s public high school.
No Child Left Behind support
declining
29% – portion of the public that believes
NCLB is hurting performance of local
public schools, up from 22% in 2008 and
27% in 2007.
43% – portion of the public that believes
the NCLB has made no difference in
performance of local public schools, up
from 34% in 2008 and 41% in 2007.
Source: The 41st annual Phi Delta Kappa/
Gallup Poll of the Public’s Attitudes Toward the
Public Schools, 2009.
4 N E W J E R S E Y E D U C AT I O N A S S O C I AT I O N
Governing by deception is not leadership
O
n April 20 we saw the lowest
passage rate of school budgets employee to take a pay freeze. And
since 1976. Only 41 percent
of budgets passed. The governor
had the audacity to claim this was
a victory—as if additional layoffs,
larger class sizes, program cuts, and
the loss of extracurricular activities
are something to celebrate.
That so many budgets were
defeated is not a reflection on our
public schools. It is a reflection of
how voters feel about property taxes,
which will rise steeply thanks to Chris benefits. Just 1.5 percent of their
Christie’s budget.
Prior to Election Day, the gov-
ernor urged voters to defeat budgets
where members declined to take a
salary freeze. Days before the election teacher would lose their job.”
he said that our members were using
children as “drug mules” to get out
the “yes” vote. For a governor to tell
residents to vote down their school
budget is wrong. Using inflamma-
tory language calibrated to dominate
press coverage and insult students and
teachers is beneath the dignity of the
office he holds.
But after his first four
months in office, it no lon-
ACT
ger comes as a surprise
that Gov. Christie
takes every opportu-
nity to mislead the
public and deflect
attention from the against cuts to
impact of his draco- NJ’s families and
nian budget.
communities
His biggest decep-
To the editor:
Do not let Gov. Christie, Commis-
sioner Schundler, and the rest of that
crowd frighten you into their way of
thinking. They will find money for
what they want. There are many ways
to raise money for schools if you have
the intelligence and interest to do it.
Christie and his followers are in a
sense attacking the children of New
Jersey with the budget cuts. Without
question, there will be fewer resourc-
es. We will have to do much more
with larger class sizes and with fewer
resources. The state will certainly fall
behind in testing.
Under Christie, teachers will be
labeled as the cause of this “failure.”
He and Schundler will point a finger,
telling the citizens of New Jersey that
MAY 2010
tion to date is his call for every school
his cronies are backing him up on this
distortion of the facts.
In a post-election, chest-thumping
radio commercial released on April
23, the Republican State Committee
joins in the “celebration” of defeated
school budgets. The ad claims:
“Gov. Christie asked the NJEA—
the teachers’ union—for reasonable
sacrifice: a one-year wage freeze
and help in paying some health care
salaries—just like private-sector
employees.”
Then comes the lie:
“With these changes, not one
Maybe before the nonpartisan
Office of Legislative Services (OLS)
released its analysis of the state
budget, the Republican State Com-
mittee could have plausibly believed
the governor’s claims about the salary
freeze, but not after.
According to the OLS, even if
every school employee agreed
to the pay freeze and the
1.5 percent contribution,
school districts would
still have to address a
budget shortfall of at
least $849.3 million.
In a state budget that
reduces direct school
aid by $1.09 billion, it
turns out a salary freeze
recoups less than one-
the lazy, overpaid, unionized teachers
haven’t done their jobs and the kids
suffer as a result. They will confront
NJEA, accusing it of being the cause
of all kinds of dreadful problems.
Some budget cuts are necessary,
but to gut the education system in an
effort to get at teachers, who have
done nothing wrong and have raised
our state education system to the top
five in the nation, is very wrong.
Perhaps the governor should try
teaching a seventh- or eighth-grade
class in any of the large urban districts
in New Jersey under his own budget
cuts, while having his feet held to the
fire regarding test results. My bet is
that he wouldn’t last a month.
-James K. Aumack, retired
Cape May
fourth of that amount.
Jobs would still be lost. Programs
would still be cut. Class sizes would
still increase. And property taxes will
still go up.
We cannot allow the governor
to turn our members or our public
schools into scapegoats for the state’s
fiscal condition and his destructive
response to it. We did not cause the
recession and cutting services to
school children is not the solution.
Nor is pretending that a salary freeze
completely offsets the damage.
NJEA members have stepped up
to the plate. You’ve shown up by the
hundreds for lobby days in the State
House, and in the thousands for ral-
lies in county after county.
Now we’re asking you come to
Trenton in the tens of thousands on
Saturday, May 22. The front page of
this NJEA Reporter provides the basic
details. Over the next few weeks you
will be getting more information
through your local president about the
best way to find your way to Trenton.
In the meantime, stay involved
and stay informed by checking njea.
org often.
Our strength lies in our unity. We
must stand together to fight for our
members and public schools. You
have kept your promise of providing
the children of New Jersey with the
best public schools in the nation.
Now it is time for our legislators—
and this governor—to do the same.
An official publication of the
NEW JERSEY EDUCATION ASSOCIATION
NJEAReporter@njea.org
Barbara Keshishian, President
Vincent E. Giordano, Executive Director
Editor: Patrick Rumaker
Layout Artist: Gregg Poserina
Editorial Director: Stephen K. Wollmer
Contributing Writers: Rich Brown, Kathy Coulibaly,
Martha O. DeBlieu, Sean Hadley, Dawn Hiltner, Christy
Kanaby, Phil Lomonico, David Sciarra, Eileen Senn,
Wanda Swanson, and Elizabeth Weisholtz.
The NJEA Reporter (ISSN-0027-674X) is published by the New
Jersey Education Association, 180 W. State St., P.O. Box 1211,
Trenton, NJ 08607-1211. Periodicals postage is paid at Trenton,
NJ, and at additional mailing offices. Published monthly except
July and August, with two issues in October. Membership dues
include $2.25 for the NJEA Reporter. Circulation: 200,000. Post-
master, send address changes to: NJEA Membership Processing,
180 W. State St., P.O. Box 1211, Trenton, NJ 08607-1211
Telephone: (609) 599-4561
Copyright 2010

Affiliate groups enhance NJEA Convention
M
ore than 20 professional edu-
cation associations affiliated
with NJEA will provide over
100 of the nearly 300 programs offered
at the 2010 NJEA Convention. The
NJEA Convention Program, which is
mailed to members in late September,
includes a “Sponsor Index” that lists
all of the workshops brought to the
convention by affiliate groups.
Cross-content learning
Don’t assume that if you’re not a
media specialist you should skip past
listings for the New Jersey Association
of School Librarians, or if you’re a sci-
ence teacher the New Jersey Associa-
tion of School Social Workers doesn’t
have something planned for you.
Among offerings from the N.J.
Council of Teachers of English at the
2010 NJEA Convention, for example,
is Science Poetry: 21st-Century Tool
for Interdisciplinary Literacy and
Learning. At that workshop, sci-
ence teacher Erin Colfax and English
teacher Nancy Gorrell will show how
writing poetry in science enhances
learning in both science and literacy.
Promote your writing in Authors’ Alley
A
uthors’ Alley is an area on
the exhibit floor that provides
NJEA members a chance to
showcase materials that they have
published that enhance and add value
to the teaching profession or can serve
as useful educational resources for
teachers and parents.
Members interested in exhibiting
in Authors’ Alley must be willing to
offer members advice on how to go
about publishing their authored works.
Only NJEA members are to complete
the application found here and return
it to NJEA by Oct. 1, 2010.
Member authors will be respon-
sible to exhibit on both days of the
convention—Thursday, Nov. 4 and
Friday, Nov. 5—displaying and selling
their published works and speaking
with members. You must be a member
of NJEA to participate.
Space is limited and assigned on a
first-come, first served basis.
Return the completed applica-
tion, payable to NJEA Authors’ Alley.
Please send copies of your published
materials with the application. Sub-
missions must meet NJEA criteria.
Your fee will be refunded if we cannot
fulfill your request.
N E W J E R S E Y E D U C AT I O N A S S O C I AT I O N
NJEA Convention
Show off your news-
letter or website at
You don’t have to be a polyglot for ment” in the left-hand sidebar and then
the Foreign Language Educators of
New Jersey to help you expand your
look for “PD Partners” under “Profes-
sional Development Resources.” the NJEA Convention
students’ global awareness. Look
for Norah Jones’ session Authen-
tic Media: Connecting Lives and
Contexts—Classroom to World.
You don’t need to be a reading
specialist to implement learning
clubs as part of your classroom in-
struction. To learn more about them,
check out Learning Clubs: Using
Literacy to Learn Across Content
In one of the nine workshops sponsored last year by the Art Ed-
Areas sponsored by the New Jersey ucator’s of N.J., Shadow Puppets: Stories that Move, presenter Local associations are randomly selected to win prizes
Reading Association and presented Ellen McGuff-Silverman (r) assists a member with her creation. for their participation in the newsletter and website
displays at the annual NJEA Convention. Above NJEA
by Heather Casey.
Editorial Committee Chair Susan Shrott presents Bur-
More about affiliate groups lington County Retirees’ Education Association Presi-
dent Irma Lorenz (center) and BCREA Vice President
Throughout the year, NJEA-af- Jacquelin McNaughton with a Canon digital camera.
filiated groups provide their mem-
bers with opportunities to interact Don’t miss your chance to show
with colleagues from around the off your local or county association
state, sponsor professional devel- newsletter at the NJEA Convention
opment experiences, and in some and maybe even win a valuable prize
just for participating. Make sure your
cases, professional and student
association is represented at the 2010
recognition programs. At the 2009 convention, the N.J. Association for Health, Physical
Education, Recreation, and Dance sponsored eight workshops, NJEA Newsletter Display, Nov. 4-5 at
You can find a comprehensive including this one that provided research-based movement activi- the Atlantic City Convention Center.
list of the groups at njea.org. Just ties to enhance content-area learning for all academic disciplines.
click on “Professional Develop- It’s easy. Submit an issue of your
newsletter by Oct. 18, 2010, to:
NJEA Newsletter Display
PO Box 1211
Trenton, NJ 08607-1211
Attach a card to each submission listing
your affiliate’s name, the editor’s name
and address, and the county in which
the local is located, the unit (higher
education or non-classroom teacher), or
the affiliated group’s name. Indicate if
the newsletter is designed for associa-
tion members or the community.
An entry will be randomly selected to
receive a valuable prize, which will
be awarded at the convention. Last
year’s winners, the Wayne Education
Association and the Burlington County
Retirees’ Education Association,
received Canon digital cameras.
Authors’ Alley Application Display your website
To make sure your website is represent-
I am interested in being a vendor at the 2010 NJEA Convention at the Atlantic City Convention Center, ed, webmasters should send the link for
Nov. 4-5. I understand that I must be an NJEA member to participate in Authors’ Alley, and I agree to their websites to dbarry@njea.org. Your
participate for the entire convention. local or county association website link
will be added to the growing list of links
Name ______________________________________________________
Address _____________________________________________________
that can be found at njea.org.
City _____________________________ State _______ Zip _____________ All websites listed at njea.org will be
Phone Number ___________________ E-mail __________________________ part of a slide show presented at the
School District _______________________ County ______________________ Communications Division area on the
convention floor in the NJEA Services
Published materials _______________________________________________
Center. Participating local and county
__________________________________________________________ associations will be entered into a
__________________________________________________________ drawing to receive a valuable prize.
Return to: Cindy Vannauker, NJEA-PDII, PO Box 1211, Trenton, NJ 08607-1211
MAY 2010
5
 Association news
UniServ consultants Leaders strengthen skills for
challenging times
Photos by I. George Bilyk

NJEA announces the following NJEA

part-time consultant vacancy:
Region 21 (Essex County)

Duties
Consultants assist UniServ and other
NJEA staff members as assigned in:
• Securing and retaining local
association recognition.
• Helping local associations to develop
proposals and negotiate contracts.
• Helping local associations to adminis-
ter contracts and process grievances.
• Providing consultation and assistance
to local/county association leaders
with respect to training activities.
• Providing training experiences as
assigned.
• Helping local/county associations to
handle organizational management
responsibilities.
• Performing such other duties as may
be assigned.
Active or active-supportive members
of NJEA currently employed in public
schools or colleges who may be interest-
ed in these positions may request the job
description, summary of qualifications,
and an application form by contacting the
following NJEA UniServ office:
NJEA-NEA Region 21
UniServ Office
76 South Orange Avenue, Suite 302
South Orange, NJ 07079-1727
E-mail: Region21@njea.org
Inquiries should be sent immediately.
Completed applications must be returned
to the appropriate UniServ regional office
by May 31, 2010.
*NJEA is an equal opportunity/affirmative
action employer.
I
n the current economic climate,
strong association advocates are
more important than ever in making
sure that NJEA members are treated
fairly. That motivation drove hundreds
of local leaders to attend one of three
annual NJEA Winter Leadership con-
ferences held across New Jersey.
From left, Fairfield Education Association Secretary
Deborah Ingersoll, President Lisa Niemi, and Trea-
surer Tracey Hayman prepare a description of their
76-member local during a seminar titled Tuvalu for
Small Local Associations.
The first conference was held in At-
lantic City on Jan. 29-30, the second in
Parsippany on March 5-6, and the third
in East Brunswick on March 26-27.
Darryl Lloyd (r) of the Willingboro Education Association
discusses a hypothetical situation with Larry Zahn of
the Camden Education Association during the Legal
Issues Affecting School Employees seminar.
“As educators, we
often engage in pro-
fessional development
to help us become
better teachers and
educational support
professionals,” NJEA
Leadership Committee
Chair Justin Dolci- UniServ field representative Tom Predale facilitates discussion at the Organizing
mascolo said as he Your Local seminar.
opened the Atlantic City conference.
“But it’s just as important to build our
advocacy skills to keep our union—
and our profession—strong.”
Conference seminars train mem-
bers on a wide variety of leadership
topics: collective bargaining, griev-
ance procedures, representation at the
building level, and new member and
minority leadership. The conference
also provides a mid-year opportunity
Washington Township Education Association member
for round-table discussions for local
Connie Meeks asks a question during the Bargaining
association presidents. Health Insurance seminar.
From left, Lisa Rajeski of the Plumstead Township Education As- UniServ field representative Myron Plotkin
sociation develop strategies to represent members with Burlington explains the three tests that define a past
County Institute of Technology member Jacqueline McGuinness, practice during the seminar Grieve, Don’t
and Bridgeton Education Association’s Kimberly Cosby and Cherie Gripe – Contract Enforcement.
Douglas during the seminar, Association Representative (AR) – Key
to a Strong Organization.

Essay contest: students honor school heroes

N Special ticket offer
JEA and the Trenton Thunder
professional baseball team are
sponsoring a student essay
contest open to all New Jersey public
school students.
The topic of the contest is “My
Hero Works at School.” Students are
encouraged to write a short, thoughtful
essay about a school employee that has
had a positive impact on them. Essays
should be no more than 250 words.
Three winners will be selected.
Each winning student, the school
employee he or she writes about, and
a total of eight of their family mem-
bers and friends will be guests of
NJEA and the Trenton Thunder at the
Wednesday, Aug. 25 Thunder home
game, the annual NJEA Back-to-
School game.
Each winning student and the
school employee he or she writes
about will participate in pregame
MAY 2010
ceremonies and receive commemora-
tive certificates. Participants should
be available to attend the game. No
substitute dates are available.
Entries must include the student’s
name, home address, home phone
number, school name and address,
and grade level.
Send entries to:
NJEA-Thunder Essay Contest
Attention: Dawn Hiltner
PO Box 1211
Trenton, NJ 08607-1211
The deadline for submissions is
Friday, May 28, 2010.
NJEA members and their families
and friends can purchase discounted
tickets for the annual NJEA/ Trenton
Thunder Back-to-School game on
Wednesday, Aug. 25, 2010.
You can purchase the tickets online
where you’ll need to use the Promo
Code (all caps) NJEA2010 to get the
special rate of $8 per ticket.
Visit njea.org, select “Family &
Community” from the left-hand side-
bar click on “Sports & Contests” and
look for the “Trenton Thunder” logo
to take advantage of the special offer.

6 N E W J E R S E Y E D U C AT I O N A S S O C I AT I O N

SNJEA Conference highlights digital
awareness
R
ichard Guerry, the executive
director of Institute for Respon-
sible Online and Cell-Phone
Communication (I.R.O.C.2), held up a
candle and a lighter as he delivered the
keynote address at the Student NJEA
Conference on April 17.
“When a new tool comes out that
uses a flame, you don’t have to relearn
that playing with fire can burn,” he said.
“You learn how to use the new tool
safely because you are already aware of
the dangers of fire from an early age.”
Guerry said that social networking
sites are no different. They are simply
digital tools and using them safely
requires a similar awareness.
“Two years ago it was MySpace.
Now it’s Facebook. Tomorrow it will
be something else,” Guerry said. “What
matters is using a digital tool responsi-
bly—to have a digital consciousness or
awareness—whether that tool is with us
today or five years from now.”
He defined digital awareness as
a mindset that every action taken in
a digital environment is public and
permanent. Guerry noted that “public”
does not mean just the neighborhood.
It means the world. “Permanent” does
not mean something that goes away
tomorrow.
What do I do if I’m RIFed?
W
hile NJEA and its members
are still fighting for additional
state funding to protect public
education, it is likely that Gov. Christie’s
budget cuts will result in many lost jobs.
If you are facing a potential reduction
in force (RIF), there are many questions
you’ll need answered.
On the Members Only page of njea.
org you’ll find some answers to the
question, “What do I do if I am RIFed?”
The page directs you to detailed answers
concerning health benefits, your pen-
sion, unemployment insurance, disability
insurance, 403(b) Supplemental Savings/
Investment Accounts, and Life Insurance.
If you have an outstanding pension
loan, the page provides guidance con-
cerning Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
requirements as well as options concern-
ing repayment or a taxable distribution.
Finally, the page provides links to
job search sites to assist you in securing
N E W J E R S E Y E D U C AT I O N A S S O C I AT I O N
NJEA conferences
From left, Student NJEA members from Rutgers-Camden Jamie Sia, Eugene Grear, and Jennifer Hoffman along
with participant Thomas Hirschlein proudly display last year’s and this year’s conference tote bags.
“Your great-great grandchildren are
going to see what you leave behind,”
Guerry said.
Prior to his remarks, Guerry pre-
sented the I.R.O.C.2 Responsibility
2.1C Award of Excellence to NJEA
Secretary-Treasurer Wendell Steinhauer
for NJEA’s proactive efforts to pro-
mote 21st-century digital responsibility,
safety, and awareness.
Best foot forward
Student NJEA members were of-
fered workshops that encompassed
the conference theme, “Putting Your
Best Foot Forward.” In addition to a
workshop on electronic communica-
tions that expanded upon the keynote
address, members attended workshops
that helped them prepare for a tight job
market, a workshop on the rewards of
teaching, and a look at the changing
a new position.
You can only access the page on the
Members Only side of the website. Log
in to njea.org with your PIN and pass-
word. Your PIN is the two letter-two
number-two letter code found on your
membership card. If your e-mail ad-
dress is registered with NJEA, that will
also work as your PIN number. Your
password is set as the last four digits of
your Social Security number unless you
have changed it.
Once you’re logged in, click on
“Members Only” in the left-hand sidebar
and look for the article titled “Important
information for RIFed members.”
Are you nontenured?
By May 15, all nontenured teachers
must be notified of re-employment. If the
school board fails to notify the non-
tenured teacher, he or she is entitled to
continued employment for the next year.
PD Consultants
Photos by Andrea Kane
NJEA announces two part-time
Professional Development consultant
vacancies. Preference will be given to
applicants who can provide service in
Gloucester and Salem counties.
Visit njea.org, click on “Resources,”
and then “NJEA Career Opportunities”
for a more complete posting.
Duties
Facilitate professional development
opportunities at district, county, and
state programs
face of professional development. Provide consultation and assistance to
local association leaders
Watch for ballot
Assist in the design and development
Nominations were taken at the
of learning modules
conference for the SNJEA offices of
president, vice president, and secretary. Qualifications
More than one person was nominated
• Bachelor’s degree
for each office, resulting in an election.
• Active NJEA member
Student NJEA elections are conducted
by postal mail. • Knowledge of or experience in
Nominees have the opportunity to designing, planning, and facilitating
submit an essay and a picture to pro- training activities
mote their candidacies. Those submis- Requests for application should be
sions will be mailed along with the sent no later than May 14 to Michael
Student NJEA ballots no later than May Cohan, Director, Professional Develop-
15. The ballots must be returned bear- ment & Instructional Issues, NJEA, PO
ing a postmark no later than May 31. Box 1211, Trenton, NJ 08607-1211
Those nominees who receive the You may instead e-mail Felicia Davis,
most votes will be declared the Student administrative assistant, for a full job
NJEA officers for the 2010-11 school description and application, at
year. They will assume their positions fedavis@njea.org.
Sept. 1, 2010.
Completed applications must be
returned by May 28.
In addition, many locally negotiated con- as a members in any school district of
tracts include similar requirements for this state, his initial place on the salary
educational support professionals (ESP). schedule shall be at such point as may
If a nontenured teacher wishes to ac- be agreed upon by the member and the
cept employment, he or she must notify employing board of education.”
the board in writing on or before June In other words, if you are leaving
1. ESP staff members should consult School District A for School District B,
their collective bargaining agreements you have the right to negotiate place-
to determine if they have similar re- ment on your new salary guide with the
sponse requirements. board of education. Some locals have
Members who have been notified of contract language to this effect. Con-
their nonrenewal should contact their tracts may require the board to give full
UniServ field office. credit to an employee moving from one
district to another while other contracts
Changing school districts? may spell out limitations.
Did you know that placement on a So if you are accepting employ-
salary guide is negotiable for members ment in a different school district, you
moving from one school district to
may want to contact the local president
another? there before you agree on salary guide
According to Statute 18A: 29-9, placement.
“Whenever a person shall thereafter ac-
cept office, position, or employment
MAY 2010
7
 Health and safety
Teacher input valued
Derek Shendell, D.Env, MPH, an as-
sistant professor at UMDNJ-SPH and
the director of Safe Schools, is quick
C
to point out the priority he places on
being responsive to the needs and
requests of teachers. Dr. Shendell aims
to expand and modify Safe Schools’
offerings based on teacher feedback
on course evaluations.
“We want people to know what the
Safe Schools program is and that we
want it to be more,” said Shendell.
“The Safe Schools folks actually look
at different careers each year and go
over different health and safety issues
you would want to address in the
field,” said Dr. Siobhan Kelly, the direc-
tor of Job Development at Camden
County Technical Schools. She noted
that Safe Schools has focused on
special needs students and agriculture
and will focus next on human services,
including cosmetology.
Agencies collaborate
Safe Schools is supported by the
NJDOE Office of Career and Technical
Education, and multiple other agencies
with an interest in student and teacher
occupational safety and health. Safe
Schools facilitates the New Jersey
OSHA Alliance, which supports its
training program, refines the cur-
riculum as necessary, and makes SLE
trainings possible by providing trainers
with materials and field experience.
The alliance includes several divisions
from the federal Department of Labor,
including OSHA and the Wage and
Hour Division, and the state Depart-
ment of Labor and Workforce Develop-
ment, NJDOE, and UMDNJ.
“Any time you can have a program
that works together with the NJDOE,
it’s one of the best situations I’ve seen
in my research around the country,”
said John Hillard, coordinator for
Industrial Education at Pemberton High
School. “I think Safe Schools has done
a wonderful job.”
Students wear hard hats, safety glasses and safety shoes while participating in the
Construction Technology program at Salem County Career and Technical High School. helped significant-
8 N E W J E R S E Y E D U C AT I O N A S S O C I AT I O N
Safe Schools project helps career
and tech-ed teachers
areer, vocational, and technical
education programs in public
schools present many of the
same safety and health hazards to
students and staff as do actual work-
places. Such programs can be in a
wide variety of occupational fields,
This student in the biotechnology lab at Bergen
County Academies works inside an exhaust booth.
including agriculture, auto repair, con-
struction, cosmetology, culinary arts,
and graphic arts, and they can be on
or off school grounds. The 21 techni-
cal school districts and many K-12
districts in New Jersey offer work
experience courses and programs.
Safe Schools, a New Jersey project
to reduce occupational injuries and
illnesses among both students and
teachers, provides a variety of support
services for the teachers who super-
vise or coordinate work experience
programs. These include trainings,
the Safe Schools Manual, guidance in
developing a school safety and health
plan, the collection and analysis of
reportable incidents among students
and staff in these programs, and avail-
ability as a resource to teachers and
schools running these programs.
John Hillard, coordinator for In-
dustrial Education at Pemberton High
School, a former Abbott district school
that has several
career and techni-
cal programs and
a wide variety of
work experience
opportunities,
sees how these of-
ferings affect the
students.
“At Pember-
ton High School
this collection
of programs has
MAY 2010
ly,” Hillard said. “Career and
technical education keeps kids
in school and gives the students
options and allow them to leave
here with a trade.”
But work experience pro-
grams do introduce students to
Career and technical education programs often include
potential workplace hazards, off-campus experiences. This student (l), from MetEast
and youth are particularly High School in Camden, gets a first-hand look at Cooper
vulnerable. Reasons for youth University Hospital with one of the doctors.
injuries at work include lack of evaluate possible hazards from asbes-
training, lack of experience or matu- tos to exits to ladders to welding.
Training
Safe Schools trainings include a
five-course program over eight days
that is required for any teacher who
will supervise or coordinate a Struc-
tured Learning Experience (SLE), one
type of work experience program. Be-
cause of the time commitment and fee,
$80 per day, most teachers who attend
this training are sent by their districts,
but any teacher who is interested may
contact the Safe Schools project for
This student at Middlesex County Vocational guidance on how to approach the dis-
and Technical School wears flame-retardant
clothing, and eye and face protection. Note the trict or NJDOE to get started.
local exhaust ventilation in upper right. Safe Schools also offers free,
rity to recognize hazards or deal with shorter trainings related to various
emergencies, and lack of adherence worker safety topics, attended mainly
to regulations. by teachers seeking continuing educa-
According to Siobhan Kelly, tion credits or people hoping to enter
Ed.D., director of Job Develop- a career track involving supervising
students in a work environment.
ment at Camden County Technical
Additionally, Safe Schools can help
Schools, “Safe Schools is important
because it tells us what fund registration for a
the students need to be “train-the-trainer” course
safe on the job. It plays series offered at the
a vital role in protecting Office of Public Health
students at work.” Practice in the School of
Public Health at the Uni-
Safe Schools Manual versity of Medicine and
The Safe Schools Dentistry of New Jersey
Manual provides guid- (UMDNJ). Courses en-
ance on the many able teachers to provide
regulations relevant to
students and other teach-
work experience pro-
ers at their school with
grams, mostly from the the “OSHA 10” training
New Jersey Department These students, in the Culinary Arts - a 10-hour course in gen-
of Education (NJDOE), and Hospitality program at Salem eral industry safety and
the federal Occupa- County Career and Technical High
School, wear aprons, hats, and
health hazard recognition
tional Safety and Health gloves to protect their customers. and prevention.
Administration (OSHA),
and the New Jersey Public Employ- To learn more
ees Occupational Safety and Health To get on the Safe Schools news-
(PEOSH) program. letter mailing list (biannual print
and monthly e-newsletter), sign up
The manual explains how to
translate regulations into a school for trainings, or download the Safe
Schools Manual, visit www.njsafe-
safety and health plan and provides
82 walk-through checklists to help schools.org.

Classroom Close-up, NJ airs on
NJN Public Television every Monday at
7 p.m. and every Saturday at 9 a.m.
The Emmy-winning show is a co-
production of NJEA and NJN Public
Television, with additional funding
provided by PSE&G.
Hosted by
NJEA Vice President
Wendell Steinhauer
* Young Leonardos — Kindergarten and first-grade
students from New Egypt Primary School realize their
unlimited learning potential in the spirit of Leonardo
da Vinci.
alt.fuel.ed — Memorial High School students in West
New York build alternative-fuel vehicles and discover
the science behind them.
STANJ — Students from across the state participate
in the Speech and Theatre Association of New Jersey
(STANJ) Governor’s Award in Art Education competition.
N E W J E R S E Y E D U C AT I O N A S S O C I AT I O N
Physics, art, and leadership
Watch May 1, 24 and 29
Tomorrow’s Teacher — Students at
Memorial High School in West New
York who want to become teachers
can start their training early. They re-
ceive an abbreviated overview of what
educators learn in college, including
lessons on multiple intelligences,
learning barriers, and pedagogy. They
can also observe classrooms and expe-
rience student teaching.
Eagle Academy — A small al-
ternative high school in southern
New Jersey, Eagle Academy in Egg
Harbor Township, operates a radio and
television web-broadcast company.
The students produce local sports and
culinary shows and public service an-
nouncements.
Meditation in the Classroom —
Wall Township High School psy-
chology teacher John Altobelli uses
meditation in the classroom to foster
student success.
TREP$ — Students at Walter T.
Bergen Middle School in Bloom-
ingdale become young entrepreneurs
thanks to a program called TREP$.
The program teaches children the ba-
sics of business ownership. Through
a series of engaging workshops, the
classroom and the afterschool program
takes on a professional environment as
students are exposed to topics such as
product development, finance, market-
ing, advertising and sales.
Watch May 3, 8 and 31
Progressive Science - The New
Jersey Center for Teaching and Learn-
ing is launching a new science teacher
certification program designed for
educators with great teaching skills
and an interest in science education.
Three teachers demonstrate this pilot
program at Dickinson High School in
Jersey City.
A closer look
Civil Rights Museum — Third graders from Man-
chester Township Elementary School create a live
Civil Rights Museum.
Civil Rights Museum - Third
graders from Manchester Township
Elementary School create a live Civil
Rights Museum. The students research
famous African-Americans, write a
speech and dress up as characters in
the museum.
Asian Fest - Freshmen from Howell
High School transform a classroom into
an Asian Fest! The students conduct
research, design costumes, create art
work, prepare Chinese food, and per-
form a play to honor the Asian culture.
Physics Alive - Patrick Callahan,
science teacher at Delaware Valley
Regional High school in Frenchtown,
was a New Jersey state-level finalist in
the 2008 Presidential Awards for Ex-
cellence in Mathematics and Science
Teaching Program.
Watch May 10 and 15
3D — Fifth graders at Cherry Hill
Elementary School in River Edge
learn about Earth Science through 3D
imagery. Teacher Kristen Crawford
uses a NASA 3D-VIEW (Virtual Inter-
active Environmental Worlds) curricu-
lum for this interdisciplinary project.
Brothers and Ladies — Ladies as
Leaders and Brothers of West Cam-
pus (BoWC) are after-school clubs
that instill positive behavior in the
students of Trenton Central High
School West Campus. The goal of
each group is to change negative ste-
reotypes, promote academic success,
encourage community service and
team building, and demonstrate posi-
tive school leadership.
African-American History — To
provide students a meaningful way
to learn about the history of African-
Americans, students at Millstone
River Elementary School in West
Windsor-Plainsboro create a play that
they take on tour to the district’s six
elementary schools.
MAY 2010
Eagle Academy — Eagle Academy in Egg Harbor
Township, operates a radio and television web-
broadcast company.
* Young Leonardos — Kinder-
garten and first grade students from
New Egypt Primary School realize
their unlimited learning potential in
the spirit of the great Renaissance
man Leonardo da Vinci. The “Young
Leonardos” celebrate the union of art
and science.
Watch May 17 and 22
alt.fuel.ed — Memorial High
School students in West New York
build alternative-fuel vehicles and
discover the science behind them.
Technology education teacher Ron
Grosinger combined his engineering
and automotive classes with Margaret
Stegmann’s science classes to create
this alternative-fuels program.
STANJ — Students from across
the state participate in the Speech and
Theatre Association of New Jersey
(STANJ) Governor’s Award in Art
Education competition. Each individu-
al or team is judged based on comedy,
drama, and a variety of criteria to
determine the best actors in the state.
Superheroes of Safety — Danielle
Kovach, a second-grade teacher at
Tulsa Trail School in Hopatcong, cre-
ated a Superheroes of Safety program
and was awarded a $10,000 classroom
makeover from Honeywell.
High Tech Hall — Moodle,
Google, SMART Boards, Delicious,
Skype, Twitter, and Wikis—these
are all a part of the expanded High
Tech Hall at the NJEA Convention.
There’s so much to keep up with,
but thanks to the largest educational
gathering in the world, New Jersey
educators gain hands-on experience
with latest and greatest technological
tools to enhance their instruction.
* These programs are funded
through the NJEA Frederick L. Hipp
Foundation for Excellence in Education.
9
 Member benefits
NJEA Web Giveaways
for May
Be sure to register online each month
for the NJEA web giveaways!
• Two tickets to any Worlds of
Discovery* park
Save on tickets to SeaWorld, Busch
Gardens, Sesame Place, Adventure Island,
Aquatica, and Water Country. Purchase
tickets at the Theme Park and Ticket Dis-
counts section of njea.org. Click on Member
Benefits and Leisure Time Opportunities to
access the link to Worlds of Discovery*.
• Overnight Getaway at The Golden
Plough Inn* at Peddler’s Village
Win an overnight getaway in a deluxe
room at The Golden Plough Inn, located
in Lahaska, the heart of Bucks County,
Pa. Dinner and breakfast for two are in-
cluded. Peddler’s Village is situated on 42
acres and is home to five restaurants and
over 70 specialty shops. NJEA members
receive seasonal discounts from 10 to 50
percent off.
• Gift Basket from Vitamin World at
Jersey Shore Premium Outlets*
Win a supply of vitamins and other items
from Vitamin World. Show your NJEA card
at the information booth in the food court
to receive a free VIP coupon book with
discounts in many of the outlets.
Recent Winners:
March NJEA Web Giveaway –
Eileen England of the Holmdel Twp.
EA won:
• Free suite for 20 people at the Sun
National Bank Center* for May 12 at 7
p.m., featuring Ringling Brothers and
Barnum & Bailey Circus ‘Barnum’s
Funundrum!’
• $100 credit at Contact Fill*
• Family four-pack of tickets to Madame
Tussauds NY*
*Member Discount Program and Access:
Products and services listed in the NJEA Member
Discount Program and Access are provided as a
service to NJEA members and do not constitute
an endorsement by NJEA or a representation
regarding the products’ quality or characteristics.
NJEA makes no warranties, expressed or implied,
including the warranties of merchantability or
fitness for a particular purpose regarding any
products or services listed in the NJEA Member
Discount Program and Access.
**Sponsored Vendors:
Products and services that are sponsored by NJEA
Member Benefits are believed to have broad-
based appeal and provide superior quality and
value. To the best of NJEA’s understanding, these
products and services are worthy of sponsorship.
However, NJEA cannot be responsible for the qual-
ity or performance of these products and services,
which ultimately is the responsibility of the vendor.
10
You can $ave on things
that you really use!
ACCESS Discounts
Here are the simple steps to reach 5. Click ACCESS Discounts.
ACCESS Discounts:
Be sure to check out all that
1. Go to njea.org. ACCESS Discounts offers,
2. Log in with your PIN or e-mail ad- including:
dress and your password, which was • Search local businesses by
initially set as the last 4 digits of ZIP code or city
your Social Security number. • Grocery coupons
3. Confirm your contact information. • Product search
4. Click Member Benefits • Travel services
(under Quick Clicks). • National brands
Testimonials on Auto Insurance
Chris from Salem County reports
saving $500 by switching from another
company to NEA-sponsored auto insur-
ance with California Casualty**. Be-
sides being less expensive, Chris reports
that her coverage is now better and her
deductibles are lower.
Jeff from Monmouth County recently
switched to NJEA-sponsored auto insur-
ance with 21st Century**. He added his
new wife to the policy and the total of Clementon Park Splash World* NJEA week
their annual premiums went down from
New Jersey Education Association
$2,900 to less than $1,600 with better
coverage than Jeff had before the switch.
The message is clear. You cannot
lose anything by getting rate quotations Sunday, July 11th - Friday, July 16th, 2010
from both of the Association-sponsored A portion of all tickets sold will benefit the H.I.P.P Foundation
auto and home insurance programs. It is
especially important to review insurance NJEA Member NJEA Member
FAMILY & FRIENDS
coverage when circumstances change. If Admission
17
your current insurance provider proves
$ .50
to be your best choice, then you should
be pleased that you have been getting
cost-effective coverage all along. Each
Contact information for the above A Valid NJEA Member ID must be presented with coupon to
Present this coupon at the Main Gate Ticket Booth to receive
discount. Family & Friends Coupon valid for up to four (4) guests.
programs follows: receive discount. NJEA Member coupon valid for one (1)
admission ticket ONLY. Coupon valid 7/12-7/17, 2010 ONLY.
Coupon valid 7/12-7/17, 2010 ONLY. Not valid with any other
offers. Not to be resold. Expires July 17, 2010. PLU 3716
• 21st Century** Not valid with any other offers.
Not to be resold.
njea.21st.com - 888-261-8890
Expires July 17, 2010.
144 Berlin Rd., Clementon, NJ 08021
PLU 9203 (856) 783-0263
www.CLEMENTONPARK.com
• California Casualty**
www.calcas.com - 866-680-5142
MAY 2010
N E W J E R S E Y E D U C AT I O N A S S O C I AT I O N
 For your information
NJREA: An investment NJREA/NJEA/NEA Retired Membership

in your security
RENEWAL/APPLICATION
Name

Address

For active members considering retirement, • NEA term insurance City State Zip
notions of sleeping late, globe-trotting, and life • Accidental death insurance Phone ( )
without school bells fill the mind. But before you
• Homeowners and automobile insurance
throw away your alarm clock and consult your Cell ( )
travel agent, make sure to join the New • NJEA travel services
• NJEA/NEA-R no-fee credit card program
E-mail Address
Jersey Retirees’ Education Association
(NJREA). • Buyer’s Edge discount buying
Please check amount being paid: Checks are payable to “NJEA”

Standing up for ourselves • MemberCare, Medicare A. I enclose payment of annual dues for New Jersey
In today’s economic climate, supplements and in-hospital plans Retirees’ Education Association (state), NJEA, & NEA-Retired for
there are some who feel that your • Magazine service September 2010 – August 2011 membership year as follows:
hard-earned pension is an entitle- PROFESSIONAL
• NJEA/NEA FDIC-insured money
ment that should be eliminated. market account $ 72 – if retired on or after Sept. 1, 1973
As the crisis deepens, those voices
seem to grow louder. But NJREA • NEA Higher Education Loan Program $ 52 – if retired before Sept. 1, 1973
members know that there is power in • NEA Gold Certificate CD Program $ 5 – if retired before Sept. 1, 1973
numbers. AND annual pension is less than $5,000
You’ll also enjoy these benefits:
Time and again NJREA members have stood EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT PROFESSIONAL
• NJEA and NEA publications
together to protect our rights, the rights of active $ 49
members, and the rights of those just embarking on • The quarterly NJREA Newsletter
B. I enclose payment of life retirement membership
a career in public education. • A voice in association affairs dues as follows: PROFESSIONAL
It is sad that we have to fight so hard to keep • 30 percent discount on legal fees through the
$905 for LIFE retired membership in the
what we have earned. But when we assume we are NJEA attorney referral service
NJREA/NJEA/NEA-R
invulnerable, we forget that change is only a few • Discounts at Great Adventure/Six Flags, Magic
EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT PROFESSIONAL
legislative votes away. Kingdom, and other theme parks
NJREA keeps our legislators aware of who we • Discounts on car rentals $560 for LIFE retired membership in the
are and how many we are. We need you to write NJREA/NJEA/NEA-R
letters, send e-mails, make phone calls, and even Additionally, you can attend the NJREA Con-
Please send me more information on life dues in
attend rallies to protect and enhance the benefits vention in Atlantic City, fall and spring NJREA three installments. (Professional-$905 or ESP- $560)
you earned serving New Jersey’s students. luncheon meetings, and special sessions for retir-
ees at the NJEA and NEA conventions. County
Benefits of membership retiree associations also hold monthly social and C. Credit card payment AMEX VISA MasterCard
But there’s more to NJREA than securing our informal meetings. Card Number:
rights in Trenton. As a retired school employee,
membership in NJREA, NJEA, and NEA-Retired MONTH YEAR

enables you to continue your membership benefits Valid Through:

and participation in:

Signature: X
(Dues include annual subscriptions for NJEA Review; NJEA Reporter; and NEA Today.)

When one of us is threatened…
NJREA needs you because it takes all of us, not just some
of us, to protect what we’ve earned. Consider the tale of
the mouse:
A mouse looked through the crack in the wall to see the farmer
and his wife open a package. “What food might this contain?”
the mouse wondered. He was devastated to discover it was a
mousetrap.
Retreating to the farmyard, the mouse proclaimed the warning:
“There is a mousetrap in the house! There is a mousetrap in
the house!”
The chicken clucked and scratched, raised her head and said,
“Mr. Mouse, I can tell this is a grave concern to you, but it is of
no consequence to me.”
The mouse turned to the pig who said, “I am so very sorry, Mr.
Mouse, but there is nothing I can do about it. Be assured that
you are in my prayers.”
The cow, in her turn said, “I’m sorry for you, Mr. Mouse, but it’s
no skin off my nose.”
The mouse returned to the house, head down and dejected, to
face the farmer’s mousetrap alone.
IMPORTANT
That very night, the sound of a mousetrap catching its prey
was heard throughout the house. The farmer’s wife rushed to
BE SURE TO indicate (check Yes or No) whether you
were an NJEA member when you retired?
see what was caught. In the darkness, she did not see it was
a venomous snake whose tail the trap had caught. The snake Complete this section to ensure your right to vote in NJEA elections:
bit her. Were you an NJEA member at the time of your retirement?
NO YES If yes please indicate:
The farmer rushed her to the hospital. She returned home with
a fever. Everyone knows you treat a fever with fresh chicken Retirement Employment
soup, so the farmer took his hatchet to the farmyard for the Year/Month Position
soup’s main ingredient. Retirement
District
But his wife’s sickness continued, so friends and neighbors Retirement
came to sit with her around the clock. To feed them, the farmer County
butchered the pig.
Sadly, the farmer’s wife died. So many people came for her Don’t forget to join your County Retired Educators Association!
funeral that the farmer had the cow slaughtered to provide
enough meat for all of them to eat. Mail this application to: Lockbox 512413
From his crack in the wall, the mouse looked upon it all with New Jersey Education Association
great sadness. If only they had listened to him, they would
P.O. Box 37649
have realized that when one of them was threatened, they
Philadelphia, PA 19101-9724
were all at risk.
By joining NJREA, you are doing your part to protect
yourself and your retired colleagues. NJREA urges you to
be one of the many, instead of one standing alone.
MAY 2010

N E W J E R S E Y E D U C AT I O N A S S O C I AT I O N 11
 In the spotlight
Camden Riversharks
appreciate NJEA
members
NJEA members
get free admission
on Teacher and
Educational Sup-
port Professional
Appreciation Night
with the Camden Riversharks baseball
team, Friday, June 4 at 7:05 p.m. The
Riversharks will play the Bridgeport
Bluefish.
At 6:20 pm, all teachers and ESP will be
invited on to the field to be recognized
for all their hard work. The game will be
followed by fireworks.
Games are played at the beautiful
Campbell’s Field, which offers dramatic
views of the Philadelphia skyline and
the Benjamin Franklin Bridge.
Upper box tickets are free for teachers
and educational support professionals
(ESP). To upgrade to a field box, pay $2
per additional ticket. Additional upper
box tickets are available for family
and friends for $8, or $11 for field box
tickets.
To order tickets go to njea.org, select
“Family and Community” from the left-
hand sidebar, then click on “Sports and
Contests.” There you’ll find a link to the
form needed to order your free tickets.
All orders received after May 31 will
be placed at the will call window of the
box office.
If you have questions, call Irene
Pastorino of the Riversharks at 856-
583-0026, or e-mail her at ipastorino@
riversharks.com.
See any Riversharks game
for only $5
NJEA members can enjoy a special
discount on tickets to any Riversharks
game for the 2010 season at only $5
a ticket!
Here’s how to order:
• Go to www.riversharks.com.
• Click on “Buy Tickets.”
• Select a game to attend.
• Select any 200 level seat, then click
“Buy Tickets.”
• Enter promotional code “NJEA.”
• Proceed to checkout.
If you have questions contact Tim
Seidler at 856-583-0039 or tseidler@
riversharks.com.
12
Students, libraries promote pennies
for peace
I
n our society, a penny is usually
considered worthless, but over-
seas, pennies can move moun-
tains. That’s what Greg Mortensen,
founder of the Central Asia Institute
and author of Three Cups of Tea, has
to say about children’s donations to
the Pennies for Peace program. The
book is Mortensen’s story of how
he was moved to address poverty,
promote education, and overcome
cultural divides between the West and
Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Pennies for Peace is a program that
plays a key role in that story.
New Jersey school and public li-
braries are playing a key role as well.
Across the state, public librarians,
school librarians, and other school
staff have encouraged children to
donate their pennies to help children
in Pakistan and Afghanistan have a
chance to go to school. For the state’s
school children, the program is an
opportunity to broaden their cultural
horizons and learn the value of their
generosity.
On April 14, New Jersey State Li-
brarian Norma Blake found that those
As part of a March 2 Read Across America rally, Wanaque media special- as a Christmas gift from a
ist Mary Horst (not pictured) combined the reading celebration with a
message about literacy around the world. Classroom teachers ceremoni-
ously brought together each class’s Pennies for Peace donations.
MLR Conference rescheduled
The Minority Leadership and
Recruitment Conference, originally
scheduled for late May, has been post-
poned to June 18-19. It will be held at
the East Brunswick Hilton.
The conference program remains
as described in the March NJEA Re-
porter with one exception: there
MAY 2010
N E W J E R S E Y E D U C AT I O N A S S O C I AT I O N
New Jersey’s students and librarians presented a $14,000 check to the Pennies for Peace program. Holding the
check is New Providence second-grader Christian Fraehmke.
pennies add up. At the State Library,
Blake, accompanied by students and
librarians from every region of New
Jersey, presented a check for $14,000
to representatives from the Central
Asia Institute.
“We are really pleased to see that
so many children and teens are spear-
heading this campaign in their schools
and libraries,” said Blake. “By learn-
ing about what their pennies can do
for children on the other side of their
world and by taking an action to do
something, they have become global
citizens and library champions.”
After the check presentation, the
school and public libraries that raised
the most money were recognized. The
New Providence School
District raised $3,270.30.
Students there designed
posters promoting the pro-
gram and displayed them
throughout the community,
according to Amy Nagel,
media specialist at New
Providence High School.
Christian Fraehmke, a
second grader in New Prov-
idence, donated $100 that
he had initially received
family friend. His parents
thought he was being too
will be four electives to choose from
on Friday, June 18. The elective titled
“Working in a Diverse School Envi-
ronment” has been cancelled.
A revised registration form can
be found on Page 1 of the May NJEA
Review. You’ll also find a form at njea.
org. Click on events in the right-hand
sidebar and scroll down to June 18.
generous, and insisted that Christian
write the check himself to be sure he
knew what he was doing. Christian
was undeterred.
“I wanted to be generous to the
children of Pakistan and Afghani-
stan,” he said.
Also receiving recognition were
Bridgeton’s West Avenue School,
Glen Rock’s Academy of Our Lady,
Medford’s Cranberry Pines Elemen-
tary School, Hamilton Township’s
Morgan Early Elementary School Act
Club, and South Hunterdon Regional
High School. Public libraries in Rock-
away Township and Woodbridge were
honored as well.
“As a librarian, nothing is more
rewarding than joining books to
people,” Patricia Tumulty, executive
director for the New Jersey Library
Association told the students present.
“You have made a connection with
students in another part of the world.
You have given them the gift of books
and the gift of learning.”
You can learn more about the
Pennies for Peace program at www.
penniesforpeace.org, where you’ll
find the Pennies for Peace Toolkit.
The toolkit provides many resources,
including curricula for elementary,
middle, and high school classrooms.