Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/124458
What's hot NCC Vo-Tech's "Tools of the Trade" basket was none other than awesome: 64 items from all of its career and technical areas. PAC basket fundraiser creates its own buzz at the Silent Auction f all of the theme baskets donated by local associations as part of DSEA's O Representative Assembly, the two that got the most buzz were the ones from New Castle County VoTech E.A. and Christina E.A. The Vo-Tech basket, "Tools of the Trade," included 64 items donated by each of the career and technical areas of the district's three high schools. It was massive, topped off by a red metal Phillies yard sign. As part of the Silent Auction to benefit NEA PAC, it went to a lucky bidder for just $150, way below its worth. Christina E.A.'s basket paid tribute to a new teacher evaluation component, Component 6 Planning for Rest and Relaxation: Selecting R&R Goals; Designing Coherent Vacations; Demonstrating Knowledge of Stress Relief Skills; and Designing Vacation Assessments. "Evidence" was that the teacher had obtained the items in the gift basket that "address the criteria for this component." Those included travel books, puzzle books, a monthly planner, pens, highlighters, an adult beverage, gummy bears, cooling cup and various travel items. Bravo to NCC Vo-Tech's Terry Johnson and Christina's Jackie Kook! For more on the Representative Assembly, see pages 10 and 11. To see the RA photos, go to www.facebook.com/dseafan. So you like to sing? President Frederika Jenner is forming a DSEA Union Chorus, using four-part SATB arrangements for men and women of union and inspirational songs. If you're interested, please just send her an email, with the word Chorus in the subject line, at frederika.jenner@dsea.org. Please indicate what part or parts you can sing. Administrator certification regulations beefed up Professional Standards Board Update Human and Civil Rights Banquet set for Tuesday, May 14 s ACTION! was going to press, judges were evaluating the student writing, computer-generated and artwork entries in the annual "From Civil Rights to Human Rights" student contest sponsored by DSEA and its Human and Civil Rights Task Force. In early April, winning students and their teachers will be notified and invited to attend the HCR Banquet. If you would like to attend, please contact Carol Zeisler at carol. zeisler@dsea.org or by phone at 302366-8440. The cost is usually $25. The event is held at the Dover Sheraton. A Human and Civil Rights Task Force Denise Waples, Milford (chairperson) Beth Kopicki, Seaford Joyce Morton-Elzie, Capital Maria Ruffin, Capital Paras Geraldine Thomas, Capital Paras Jocelynne Jones, DSEA staff liaison Carol Zeisler, DSEA program assistant $250 "Educator tax deduction" continues for 2012 and 2013 tax years he $250 above-the-line tax deduction for educators had not been renewed by Congress for the tax year 2012. But, thanks to NEA lobbyist Al Campos, it was included in the "Fiscal Cliff " legislation passed in early January . "Deduction for certain expenses of elementary and secondary school teachers. The bill extends for two years the $250 above-the-line tax deduction for teachers and T www.dsea.org other school professionals for expenses paid or incurred for books, supplies (other than non-athletic supplies for courses of instruction in health or physical education), computer equipment (including related software and service), other equipment, and supplementary materials used by the educator in the classroom. This provision is estimated to cost $406 million over ten years." Like us on Facebook www.facebook. com/dseafan Follow us on Twitter at #dsea1. ffective March 11, 2013, two significant changes were made to the following administrator certification regulations: • 1591 School Principal and Assistant School Principal • 1592 Certified Central Office Personnel (formerly School Leader I) • 1593 Superintendent (formerly School Leader II) • 1594 Special Education Director (effective 4/11/13) The current 'course count,' as one of the paths to certification within these regulations, has been replaced by either an approved cohesive Course of Study or Certification Program. If you are currently pursuing one or more of these Standard Certificates, you have an 18month window during which time you may complete the courses and still be issued the appropriate Standard Certificate. This allowance may be accessed provided that transcripts from a regionally accredited college or university show either the completion of coursework prior to March 11, 2013 or that the educator is currently enrolled in and in the midst of taking a required course prior to March 11, 2013. The new regulations also require that all administrators have at least five years of teaching experience. And Special Education Directors must have three years of experience either teaching or working as a specialist in a K-12 setting, with children with disabilities. To see the exact wording of these regulations, go to: http://regulations.delaware.gov/ AdminCode/title14/1500/index.sh tml#TopOfPage. Questions? Feel free to contact Charlie Michels, executive director of Delaware's Professional Standards Board, at cmichels@ doe.k12.de.us. E March/April 2013 DSEA ACTION! 3