Santa Maria Elementary Education Association

Check out the link below for Superintendent Luke Ontiveros’ COVID-19 update. This presentation was made at last night’s school board meeting. We agree with School Board member Ricardo Valencia that it is good to see the district following the county data and the science, rather than setting an arbitrary timeline. And be sure to like and subscribe to our YouTube Channel if you haven’t already!

Happy MLK Day, everyone! Take time today to remember Dr. King’s work for justice through peaceful and non-violent means.

Orcutt school board just voted to give themselves raises, all while the district is working with an uncertain budgetary future and talks in the district about possible lay-offs at the end of the year. Vote was 3 - 2 in favor of the increase - the three that voted yes are the 3 that are already compensated at the highest rate - hmmmm So much for "Where Kids Come First". Looks like the new slogan should be, "Where Board Members Come First".

There are a lot of great resources for teaching about Martin Luther King, Jr! #MLKDay

For four years, the now former Secretary of Education, Betsy Devos, has pushed her own school privatization agenda and run away from her sworn responsibility to ensure equitable access to public education for all students and promote educational excellence throughout the nation. Devos’ resignation yesterday, although welcomed, comes way too late and does nothing for the children and educators across America.

Education Secretary Betsy DeVos resigned in the wake of yesterday’s insurrection at the Capitol building. Many in the nation, and within the White House, place the blame for yesterday’s violence squarely on President Trump, spurring several resignations. DeVos’ decision is decent but that doesn’t change the fact that she never should have been in that position in the first place.

A great resource for teaching about MLK Day.

We always appreciate our members, but we definitely appreciated all you did to adapt, be flexible, and be strong in 2020! #topnine #smeea

"My main goal was to find that way to connect with the kids. To keep them engaged and motivated and to let them know that I'm still here, not only to teach but to participate with them as well," Rea-Clark said.

An injury to one is an injury to all!

Be sure to check out the latest Fireside Chat!

This is our first PD4ME Hiking Club event! Thanks Lynn for taking these members through the Pismo Reserve for your first club event! If you're interested, PD4ME Hiking Club will meet twice a month. The next event is November 2.

We are grateful that SMBSD is putting the health of students, staff, and our families first and foremost, rather than succumbing to political pressures. With COVID rates off the charts in Santa Maria, there is absolutely no legitimate reason to return to school. We all want to return to school and most teachers have had it with distance learning but we also don’t want to jeopardize anyone’s health. Let’s focus on bringing down the rate of spread, rather than forcing students to return to school in the middle of a pandemic. #wearamask #socialdistancing #smallgroups #washyourhands

Yesterday, we had a group of teachers gather in Morro Bay to take advantage of our #SMEEA PD4ME program. This group, led by Kristen Lohr, had some good fun kayaking! (Credit for the pictures goes to Kristen Lohr and to Kristin Patterson).

Hopefully, you guys have received your #SMEEA masks!

In 1977, the year before California changed how it collects commercial and industrial property taxes, California was 7th in the nation in per pupil spending. Two years later, the state dropped to 18th. By the 1980s California had fallen below the national average and we have never recovered. Even during the economic boom of the 1990s, California remained behind the national average in per pupil spending.

The SMEEA PAC has endorsed Prop 15, which closes property tax loopholes that allow corporations to avoid paying their fair share. It’s also supported by police, nurses, and firemen, and local governments! Prop 15 will bring to SMBSD an additional $12 million a year in revenue. Vote YES on Prop 15!

Don’t believe the lies! Prop 15 will be a game changer for California schools. SMBSD alone stands to reclaim an additional $12 million a year! Vote YES on Prop 15! @schools1stca #Prop15

Hello fellow SMEEA members! Indigenous Peoples' Day is Monday, October 12, 2020. Please join me and your CTA Channel Islands Service Center Equity Team from 4:0...0 PM to 5:00 PM, for a discussion about the importance of inclusion and the acknowledgement of Indigenous People and their native land. Our presenter is Dr. Niki Sandoval, Education Director for the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians. She will be bringing a wealth of knowledge and resources to our members. Hope to see you there! Here is our Eventbrite invitation: https://www.eventbrite.com/.../indigenous-voices-in-the...#

In the Tri-Communication letter from SMBSD Superintendent Luke Ontiveros, SMEEA President Jose Segura, and CSEA President Matt Harris, the parties expressed their concern regarding the widespread transmission of COVID-19 in Santa Maria, despite the county’s progression to the red tier (substantial). The daily rate of new cases in Santa Maria continues to climb far above the state-wide target, meaning it is not yet safe for our district to move from the Distance Learning phase to the Hybrid phase. However, the process has begun for the consideration of small group in-person instruction, beginning with the Special Day Class cohort. Please refer to the chart below for the relevant data for new daily cases. Stay tuned!

Go check your email for a Tri-Communication from SMBSD Superintendent Luke Ontiveros, SMEEA President Jose Segura, and CSEA President Matt Harris. It has very important information regarding our status in the colored tiered system under the Blueprint for a Safer Economy. Check it out!

Jose Segura’s birthday!!

Happy World Teachers Day! More than ever, we need to celebrate teachers and their Herculean efforts during this pandemic! #WorldTeachersDay