AASD Weekly Update 3-19-2020

 

NEW ITEMS
 
  • AASD OFFICE CLOSURE, March 16 through April 3 - The AASD office remains closed as reported earlier in the AASD Daily Update.  The Daily Update will continue through the closure to answer any questions and address any of your concerns with regard to school closures and COVID-19 updates.  The Weekly Update will continue as usual on Thursdays with the typical news and information for AASD members. 
     
  • AASD DISTINGUISHED LEADER AWARDS.  Each year, AASD honors a number of members as AASD Distinguished Leaders. Please consider nominating a colleague for this award. We have wonderful co-workers throughout our AASD bargaining unit and in our retiree ranks who are worthy of recognition.  The AASD Member Relations Committee is hopeful that you will take the time to nominate someone who goes "Above and Beyond!"   You can nominate a co-worker from any category.

    The following link will lead you to the nomination form. Nominations are due by April 30, 2020. Click below for the link to the form and criteria.  

    https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1Jimt1745JbcutUcpPA5WaOoeZFaZob3f-gnvtxtQO2Q/viewform?ts=5c5b29cc&edit_requested=true

    NOTE:  Traditionally, the winners have been recognized at the annual AASD Summerfest event in June.  At this time, Summerfest is scheduled for June 12, 2020, but this could change.  As we move forward in this uncertain and ever-changing time, if Summerfest has to be canceled, these awards will still be presented, but in some other way.  We will keep you posted.

     
  • ELEMENTARY PRINCIPALS – COULD YOUR KINDERS BENEFIT FROM AASD'S 50/50 RAFFLE FUNDRAISER?  If you have attended some of AASD’s social events over the years, you may have participated in the 50/50 raffle.  The proceeds from the 50/50 raffle – which began in 2014 – have been used to supply incoming Kindergarten and TK students at a deserving elementary school with a wonderful homework kit full of school supplies. 
     
    If you would like your elementary site to be considered for the Homework Kits for the opening of the 2020-21 school year, please complete and submit the application no later than April 30, 2020.  The Member Relations Committee will review the applications and select the next school(s) to receive the Homework Kits.  The following link will lead you to the nomination form. Applications are due by April 30, 2020. Click below for the link to the form.
    https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeasfDh_d4z04NrypQ08vgLD5Li85WiKV3UgCG5WMbpH7oIdQ/viewform?usp=sf_link

    NOTE:  Typically, the lucky school(s) selected have been announced at the Summerfest event in June.  If, for some reason, Summerfest has to be canceled, the schools selected will be notified another way. 
     
  • AASD IS AWARDING $750 SCHOLARSHIPS TO CHILDREN OF OUR AASD MEMBERS IN GOOD STANDING, The AASD Scholarship Committee is pleased  to announce that sons/daughters (including step-sons and step-daughters) of AASD Members in Good Standing, AASD Retired members and AASD Affiliate members who are graduating seniors this year are eligible for AASD scholarships of $750 each to be used towards higher education.  The AASD Scholarship Program is funded by dues from AASD Retired Members and from funds raised last year at our Casino Night fundraiser.  All members/students who apply and are qualified will receive a $750 scholarship.  The application submission deadline is April 30 2020.  Please click the link for information on how to apply.

    PLEASE NOTE:  Due to the school closures, the requirement for obtaining a signature from a school official will be waived.  The due date will remain the same, but we are asking that you mail your application and required essay to the AASD office via U.S. mail.
     
  • CONDOLENCES. 
    AASD acknowledges deaths of our members, retirees, or their immediate family members via the Weekly Update.  If you have information on a death to be reported in the AASD Weekly Update, please contact any of the staff at the AASD office with the information.  We appreciate your help with this – we don’t always know right away when a death has occurred or the information on services. 
     
MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
The AASD Member Relations Committee recently established this section in the Weekly Update to introduce the amazing and diverse members of AASD.

Get to know our Spotlight member, Paula Hamar, Supervising Rehabilitation Specialist, Mental Health Resource Center.


Click here to read her story.


REMINDERS
 
  • AASD Contact Information During the District Closure:
    Executive Director, Donis Coronel --     donis@aasdcs.org   619-813-8792
    Office Manager, Linda Crout-Hamel --     linda@aasdcs.org   619-861-2701
    Office Clerk, Jim Costello     --
     
    Please keep informed via the District’s website www.sandi.net, Daily Updates from AASD and via the AASD Website www.aasdcs.org.
  • 2020 DEPENDENT ELIGIBILITY AUDIT.  Have you submitted your paperwork?  In early January 2020, a letter was sent to your home address, which included a Dependent Eligibility Form with instructions on how to submit the required documentation, a list of Acceptable Documents to Verify Dependent Eligibility and a schedule of on-site events being made available for employees and retirees to personally submit their documentation. 

    The on-site visits conducted by VEBA were scheduled for employees’ convenience.  The on-site visits ended February 12, 2020; however, employees have until March 31, 2020 to submit the necessary documentation.

    Participation by each employee/retiree covering dependents is mandatory.  Please fulfill your obligation for verifying your dependent's eligibility by the deadline described in the letter.  If you do not meet this deadline or do not provide all the documentation necessary to confirm eligibility, coverage for your dependent(s) will cease effective April 30, 2020.

    For more information, visit the District’s website.  From the home page, click on Departments and then on Benefits.  On the Benefits page, you will find information about the audit, including     Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ).  The FAQs can be found by clicking on the following link. 
    https://www.sandiegounified.org/sites/default/files_link/district/files/dept/benefits/Dependent%20Eligibility%20Audit%20Final%20FAQ.pdf

    For all inquiries regarding the audit, please call CA Schools VEBA at (888) 806-1994, prompt 2, Monday thru Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. PST or send a message to:  questions@mcgregorinc.com.

     
  • ASSOCIATION OF CA SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS (ACSA) 2020 SCHOLARSHIPS.
    Attached please find the 2020 Student     Scholarship letter and application form. Region 18 and the San Diego County School Boards Association are pleased to offer ten (10) $1,000 scholarships as a result of donations made by both organizations and a major donation from David Wignall with Harper Rand. Applications must be postmarked by April 30.  

    There is a correction to the  Application mailing address:    
    P.O. BOX 12436, EL CAJON, CA 92022
     
  • AFSA SCHOLARSHIPS!
    Have your child apply for the Diann Woodard AFSA Scholarship Program, which is open to children of AFSA members in good standing and Affiliate members in good standing.  The application for the 2020 scholarship is now available. The deadline for submission is March 27, 2020.
    Each year AFSA provides 5 outstanding students a one-time $2,500 award toward college tuition.
    All applicants must be a graduating high school senior who will be attending college for the first time in the award year.
    The program is designed to support students who express a strong commitment to pursuing education beyond secondary school.
    Students who apply must clearly express their goals for the future and appropriately tie these goals to their higher education aspirations.

    Eligibility:
    = Applicant must be a graduating high school senior who is attending college for the first time in the award year.
    = Applicant’s parent or legal guardian must be an AFSA member in good standing.
    = Scholarship Award check will be issued upon college enrollment verification.
    = Scholarship Award funds may only be used for tuition, books, fees, supplies and equipment.
    = Application must be completely filled out and postmarked no later than March 27, 2020.

    Download the application here.
     
  • UNION PLUS - MONEY-SAVING PROGRAMS FOR AFSA MEMBERS!
    For all our Members in Good Standing, and Affiliates and Retirees who have selected to be members of AFSA, there are many money-saving programs offered to you.      Click here to review your many options! 

    AFSA membership is provided to all AASD Members in Good Standing at no additional cost. For more information regarding AFSA and Union Plus benefits, please visit their website:  https://www.theschoolleader.org/

    IMPORTANT:  For Members in Good Standing and Affiliate Members who have added AFSA  --  If you have not turned in the “Combined AFSA Benefits Information Form,” please submit the form immediately.  This form must be submitted in order to be eligible for the professional liability, legal services, etc.  You do not need to list your full social security number on the form; however, AFSA has requested that you provide at least the last four digits.  For a copy of the form, click here
     
  • IMPORTANT – ELECTRONIC LINK AVAILABLE!  FILL OUT YOUR AASD MEMBERSHIP RECOMMITMENT FORM NOW!  This information pertains to current AASD members who were AASD members prior to June 28, 2018.  It does NOT apply to Affiliate members or Retired members.  Many have asked how to “re-join” AASD in light of the Supreme Court Decision, Janus v. AFSCME.  If you were an AASD member on June 27, 2018, per the Decision, you automatically stayed as an AASD "Member in Good Standing" and will remain so.  However, we are asking all AASD members to re-commit to AASD by completing the google form (link below). This re-confirms your AASD membership and ensures that you have access to the benefits of being an AASD member – legal representation, AASD representation, discounted services, scholarships for your children, professional development reimbursements, etc. 

    Some of you have already filled out the new membership form over the past year – if so, it is not necessary to complete it again.  If you have any questions regarding the re-commitment form, please contact the AASD office at 619-295-2118 or e-mail one of the AASD staff members for assistance.  Thank you in advance for your commitment to our Union – AASD.    

    https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdQN05VdAieFTxevIu1yg5L_03zLGgIWt3Xl4Igv-Horazxcg/viewform 

    To review the benefits of being an AASD member, please Click here .   
     
  • AASD COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENTS POSTED ON THE AASD WEBSITE.  The collective bargaining agreements (contracts) for the AASD classified unit and the AASD certificated unit are posted on the AASD website.  The District no longer provides a hard copy to AASD members.  You are welcome to view the contracts on our website and feel free to print a copy, if you wish. To view the contracts, visit the AASD website at www.aasdcs.org and click on Governance/Contracts or Collective Bargaining/Contracts.
     
  • AASD WEBSITE!  Click here www.aasdcs.org  to view our website.  The website is kept up-to-date and current for all of our members (members in good standing, retirees and affiliate members).  Visit the website to view the AASD calendar and for forms and information on our Union, as well as discounts for members.

    If you have any feedback on the  website, please e-mail     jim@aasdcs.org with your comments.  We hope our website is a great resource for you!
     
  • ESTATE PLANNING – DISCOUNT FOR AASD MEMBERS!   AASD has a partnership with Greg Runge, Estate Planning Attorney.  Greg is an estate planning attorney with approximately 10 years of experience practicing in the areas of wills, trusts, durable powers of attorney and advance health care directives. In addition to his legal work, Greg is also currently a Lieutenant with a local police department, where he is in his 19th year of service as a sworn officer. As a public employee, Greg is very aware of the unique estate planning issues that can come into play with our members. Greg has focused his legal practice on providing essential estate planning services to public employees and their families at an affordable rate.  This benefit is available to all AASD Members in Good Standing, AASD Affiliate Members and AASD Retired Members.  Greg is offering this service to our members for a flat fee of $750, which is 50% off the going rate for estate planning (very complex or very large estates may require a higher fee that would be individually negotiated with the member).  To contact Greg Runge, please e-mail gregrunge@gmail.com or call (858) 395-4011 and be sure to mention you are an AASD member so you receive the discounted rate.
     

  • MEMBERSHIP IN THE ASSOCIATION OF CALIFORNIA SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS (ACSA).  There are many benefits of being an ACSA Member – as detailed in this handout (click on link).  Dues are deducted 10 times a year (September-June).

    If AASD members are interested in membership with ACSA, please complete the application (click on link) and return it via e-mail to Deborah Burke, ACSA, at dburke@acsa.org.
     

  • PERSONAL EMAIL ADDRESS.  AASD communicates with members via  personal e-mail address.  We do not communicate via "sandi.net."  If your personal email address changes, please remember to notify AASD by e-mailing our Office Clerk, Jim Costello, at Jim@aasdcs.org.  
     
  • AASD PROFESSIONAL GROWTH GRANT.  The Administrators Association San Diego City Schools (AASD), in conjunction with the San Diego Unified School District, provides financial grants to members to assist them in their professional growth. Unit members who participate in professional development activities related to job-connected skills or potential careers with the District may qualify to have the cost of registration fees defrayed by available funds up to $100. This includes ACSA-sponsored Academies, Conferences and Institutes.  Click here  f or more details. 
     
  • "BENEFIT HUB"  Benefit Hub is an online discount program.  All AASD members have access to thousands of discounts which allows you to save on everything from movies and theme parks to restaurants and sporting events. 

    This free service provides discounts to car rental companies, theme parks, hotels, and entertainment destinations (i.e., San Diego Zoo, San Diego Zoo Safari Park, Universal Studios, Sea World, etc.). Register online to take advantage of these terrific discounts.  Special offers and discounts are always changing, so check back frequently.  You can purchase and print tickets from the convenience of your home. 

    The Benefits Portal - In addition to discounts and specials, BenefitHub also offers CASH BACK on some products and services!  Get to know the benefit portal by visiting the BenefitHub website.  The site is very user friendly.  It is easy to do a search under various headings and categories, including Newest, Most Popular, Local Deals, Health and Wellness and Pay Over Time,  just to name a few.  

    NEW Benefit Hub Service - Gift Card Outlet - Save up to 15% on gift cards from over 70 popular merchants.  The NEW Gift Card Outlet is in the Discount Marketplace.

    Enter the following address in the browser bar, with no leading  w's -     aasd.benefithub.com Do not do a "search" for Benefit Hub as it will take you to the wrong website.  Click on "Guest" at the upper right-hand side of the screen. Fill in the information and create a password.  If you have any questions about registering, or encounter any problems, call the AASD office for assistance.  If you have any questions about or need assistance with the Benefit Hub website, you can contact Support at (866) 664-4621.
     

Contacts

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