JFT Update
January 20, 2022
Reminder: JPPSS Townhalls
Jefferson Federation of Teachers has requested that the district host townhall type meetings where employees can have open dialogue with the superintendent. We are happy to announce that they will host three for employees and three for the community. They will occur on alternating sides of the river.
These are informal, open forums without an agenda. You can ask questions, offer suggestions, share insight, or just listen. To register for the January 20 meeting,
please click here. Given limited capacity, attendees should register in advance via
this online survey.
The first employee townhall is scheduled for January 20, 2022, from 6-7:30 p.m. at Harold Keller Elementary. Please click here for a full schedule or visit:
www.jpschools.org/townhalls.
Special Session School Board Meeting
January 21, 2022
The school board will meet in special session on Friday, January 21, 2022 at 5:00 p.m., at 501 Manhattan Blvd., Harvey, LA to nominate and appoint a school board member for District 6. This seat was vacated by Mr. Larry Dale in December. Mr. Rafidi was appointed to fill this seat earlier this month, but after outcry from JFT members and the community at large, he resigned. Following this controversy, the board has sought applicants to fill the seat for the remainder of Mr. Dale's term and will consider those candidates on Friday.
You now have an opportunity to speak about the qualities that you would like to see in the next board member. All are encouraged to attend this meeting, but we are especially urging employees of District 6 to attend.
DISTRICT SIX SCHOOLS
Airline Park Academy
Bridgedale Elementary
Dolhonde Elementary
East Jefferson High
T.H. Harris Middle
Hearst Elementary
Matas Elementary
JFT Organizing Meeting
The upcoming JFT Organizing meeting will be held on Thursday, January 27th at 5:30 P.M. We had hoped to have this meeting in person, but because of the ongoing COVID-19 surge, we have been forced to move it online. Nonetheless, we intend to make this a collaborative, discussion-based meeting. For that reason, we ask that participants please join using their computer so that they can fully engage with the discussion, as opposed to merely calling in.
All attendees must register for this meeting before noon on January 27th. Please note this meeting is only open to JFT members.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
LFT Legislative & Political Summit
This year's LFT Winter Conference will focus specifically on the legislative session and upcoming elections. This Legislative & Political Summit will take place on Saturday, February 19th at 9:30 A.M. on Zoom. If you are interested in attending, please email info@jft.org.
JFT Scholarships
JFT offers two (2) college or university scholarships. Each scholarship will be in the amount of $500 per year over a period of four years, for a total scholarship of $2,000 each. Children of JFT members, who are graduating high school seniors, are eligible to apply for the scholarships. Please email lmarino@jft.org for more information.
Wellness Series: Stress Solutions for Educators
Starting in January, join Share My Lesson and Catherine Zack, a meditation teacher and executive mindfulness coach, for a new, free wellness series on stress solutions for educators.
This experiential workshop series is designed to give you both a better understanding of the science of stress and its impact on your body and real tools that you can use right now to manage stress, avoid feeling overwhelmed and create resiliency-building daily habits. You’ll leave this series with the foundations of a daily meditation practice and learn the building-block basics of mindfulness-based stress reduction.
Come ready to experience some immediate stress relief through guided relaxation, mini meditations and breathing exercises to help you reset your attention, refill your cup and relax at the end of a busy day.
• Mindfully Manage Stress, Part 2
Tuesday, Jan. 25, at 6 p.m. EST | Register
In this session, you’ll learn how the nervous system works under stress, how to recognize the signs and symptoms of stress in your body and how to recognize your own unique stress triggers to better manage stress.
• Transforming Stress Reactivity into Mindful Response, Part 3
Tuesday, Feb. 8, at 6 p.m. EST | Register
In this session, you’ll learn how to work with your thoughts and storylines that keep us stuck in our habitual stress reactions; how to intentionally shift our stress habits and reactions and replace them with mindful, thoughtful responses instead; and how to practice one key resiliency-building habit that will help you better manage your stress on the day to day.
More Upcoming Sessions with Catherine Zack:
Restorative Yoga for Burnout Recovery Workshop
Tuesday, Feb. 22, at 6 p.m. EST | Register
We’re all a little collectively exhausted. So let’s get some rest and recovery together. A restorative yoga practice is an extended, guided relaxation experience with soothing meditation and restorative yoga shapes that help you release tension and stress in all the places where we need it most: jaw, neck, shoulders, back, chest, hips, hamstrings and glutes. Come ready to experience immediate relief in your body, mind and spirit. No yoga experience or mat required. Please wear comfortable clothes that you can move in and bring extra pillows, blankets and cushions that you already have on hand to support you in your practice.
Guided Relaxation and Deep Rest Workshop
Tuesday, April 12, at 6 p.m. EDT | Register
Carve out an entire hour for yourself, just to relax. This guided relaxation experience is grounded in yoga nidra (or “yogic sleep”), which is designed to stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system’s rest and relax response. It’s recommended that you experience this practice lying down or in a comfortable reclined position on your floor, bed or couch. Please have on hand blankets to keep you warm and pillows for extra support. All you have to do is show up and listen. If you fall asleep, that’s perfectly OK! Expect to leave the session more refreshed and relaxed than when you started.
Note: PD credit is not offered on wellness sessions.
JFT Solidarity Days
Solidarity Days are a way to show unity with your fellow JFT members at your school site and across the district. Solidarity Days coincide with school board meeting days. Wear your JFT blue to school and then join us at the School Board Meeting
The next Solidarity Day /School Board Meeting date is Wednesday February 2, 2022 at 501 Manhattan.
