AASD Weekly Update 3/21/2024

REMINDERS

AASD DISTINGUISHED LEADER AWARDS. Each year, AASD honors 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!" Any member can nominate a colleague from any category (example: a Principal could nominate a BSS III/POS or a Food Services Area Supervisor could nominate an Associate Principal, etc.). The winners will be recognized at our annual Summerfest Celebration on June 14, 2024.

Click the link for a list of those honored as AASD Distinguished Leaders over the past five years. These wonderful folks are ineligible to be selected again, unless they have moved to a different job/category.

The following link will lead you to the nomination form. Nominations are due by April 30, 2024. Click the following link for the Google form and criteria. https://forms.gle/Eix27e8Vr6v2zoqg9
ELEMENTARY PRINCIPALS/ASSOCIATE PRINCIPALS – COULD YOUR TK/KINDERS BENEFIT FROM AASD'S HOMEWORK KITS? Since 2014, AASD has been funding “homework kits” for incoming Kindergarten and TK students at a deserving elementary school (or schools). The Homework Kits are filled with school supplies that students can use at home when completing their homework. The kits are funded by AASD through fundraising efforts throughout the year.

If you would like your elementary site to be considered for the Homework Kits for the opening of the 2024-25 school year, please complete and submit the application no later than April 30, 2024. The AASD Member Relations Committee will review the applications and select the school(s) to receive the Homework Kits. The lucky school(s) will be announced at the beginning of June.

The following schools were awarded homework kits over the past five years. To allow for others to receive this donation, these schools are not eligible to apply this year (5-year rule):
Balboa Elementary
Cabrillo Elementary
Encanto Elementary
Fletcher Elementary
Franklin Elementary
Freese Elementary
Horton Elementary
Juarez Elementary
Normal Heights Elementary
Penn Elementary
Perry Elementary
Vista Grande Elementary
Walker Elementary

The following link will lead you to the form for consideration. Forms are due by April 30, 2024. Click the following link for the Google form.
https://forms.gle/WTwQFohuZ6mxCyaA6
ESTATE PLANNING – DISCOUNT FOR AASD MEMBERS! After some time away from this legal work to attend training for his full-time job as a police officer, Greg Runge, Estate Planning Attorney, has renewed his partnership with AASD. Greg has over 15 years of experience practicing in the areas of wills, trusts, durable powers of attorney, and advance health care directives. He has been providing this service to our members for many years. In addition to his legal work, Greg is a Lieutenant with a local police department, where he is in his 25th 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 $950, which is 50% off the going rate for estate planning (more 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.
AFSA SCHOLARSHIP FOR AASD MEMBER’S CHILDREN -- GRADUATING SENIORS OR THOSE ATTENDING COLLEGE FOR THE FIRST TIME. The American Federation of School Administrators (AFSA) Diann Woodard Scholarship is available exclusively to children of AFSA members in good standing. The online application is now open. The AFSA General Executive Board selects five awardees each year based on academic excellence, passion for volunteerism and display of exceptional work ethic. The program helps students continue their education journey by awarding a one-time $2,500 college tuition scholarship to outstanding high school seniors. An applicant must be a graduating high school senior who will be attending college for the first time in 2024. Students who apply must clearly express their goals for the future and appropriately tie these goals to their higher education aspirations. The application deadline is March 28, 2024. Over the past six years, three children of AASD members have been awarded the AFSA scholarship!
ASSOCIATION OF CALIFORNIA SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS (SAN DIEGO AND IMPERIAL COUNTIES) SCHOLARSHIPS. NOTE: These scholarships are for ANY student who attends school within San Diego and Imperial Counties (children of AASD members or any student). Region 18 of the Association of California School Administrators (San Diego and Imperial Counties) and the San Diego County School Boards Association are very pleased to offer ten $1,000 scholarships as a result of donations made by both organizations and their generous business partners. The scholarships provide an award for ten (10) public high school seniors who meet the following criteria:
1) pursuing a career in education as a teacher or other certificated employee.
2) attend public high school in San Diego/Imperial Counties area.
3) show proven academic success with at least a 3.3 cumulative grade point average.
4) are involved in community service.
5) who may not necessarily qualify for other financial aid.

Deadline to apply is March 28, 2024 by 4:00pm

Download the Application from the following Google Drive Link:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1GfLT7EzQNDtv1TPV-aofbuBLG-PreLpEIKXMakXLLy0/edit?usp=sharing
IMPORTANT - PERSONAL EMAIL ADDRESS. AASD communicates with members via personal e-mail address. We do not communicate via "sandi.net." If you know of a colleague that is not receiving the Update, or if your personal email address changes, please
remember to notify AASD by e-mailing Patti Burch at patti@unitedadmin.us.
AASD CONFERENCE ROOM. Need a place to hold a meeting? AASD has a conference room that can seat up to 25-30 people. We also have access to a second conference room in the hallway near our office that can seat up to 12 people. If you are interested in using either room, contact the AASD office to check availability. The room is available 8am to 5pm (unless booked). Usage prior to 8am or after 5pm would need to be worked out with the staff. To book our conference room, contact the office at 619-295-2118 or e-mail Donis Coronel (donis@unitedadmin.us) or Linda Crout-Hamel (linda@unitedadmin.us).
SAVE THE DATES. Mark your calendar now for the upcoming AASD events. More information will be forthcoming, but get these dates on your calendar now! Don’t miss out!

May 1, 2024, 4:00-7:00pm – AASD Membership Meeting, Location TBD
June 14, 2024, 5:00-9:30pm – AASD Summerfest Celebration, Marina Village
WANT TO BECOME MORE INVOLVED AT AASD? JOIN A COMMITTEE! AASD has committees and we want YOU! Please consider joining a committee. Become involved! Support YOUR union! Committees are listed below. If you are interested in joining a committee, please email Donis Coronel at donis@unitedadmin.us.

Finance Committee: Meets up to 4 times a year to develop a draft budget and monitor the finances of AASD. Chair is Gina Camacho-McGrath.

Legislative and Political Affairs Committee: Meets monthly to review and make recommendations regarding legislation that affects education and our schools/employees. The committee also interviews school board candidates and makes recommendations for endorsement to the AASD Board of Directors. The committee typically meets the 2^nd Monday of the month at 4:00 p.m. in person at the UASC/AASD office with an option to join the meeting via Zoom. The Chair is Jesus Montana (Executive Board).

Member Relations Committee: Plans and supports the two large social events for members (Summerfest and the Winter Holiday Party) as well as provides support for any membership meetings. Responsible for the selection of AASD Distinguished Leaders annually. Coordinates the Homework Kits for UTK and Kinders at select schools. Responsible for other activities that support the membership. Typically meets monthly, the first Tuesday of the month from 3:30-5:00 PM in person with an option to join the meeting via Zoom. Co-Chairs are Susan Kent and Maria Moore-Flagg.

Professional Development Committee: Plans and coordinates the annual AASD/SDUSD Spring Conference each March. Also responsible for approving reimbursements to the Professional Growth Fund. Typically meets the first Wednesday of the month, as needed, 3:00-4:30 PM with an option to join the meeting via Zoom. Co-Chairs are Mario Garcia and Silvia Martinez.

Scholarship Committee: Plans an annual fundraising event (Casino Night). Coordinates the Scholarship Program including presentation of scholarships at school events. Meets monthly, as needed, typically the 4^th Monday of the Month from 3:30-5:00 PM in person with an option to join the meeting via Zoom. Co-Chairs are Veronica Ortega and Sharon Rubalcava.
AASD OFFICE
Office hours are 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday-Friday. We ask that you call the office before visiting to ensure that a staff member is in the office and not offsite at an appointment, running work-related errands, or at lunch. To check in before visiting, the office phone number is 619-295-2118.

MEMBERSHIP IN THE ASSOCIATION OF CALIFORNIA SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS (ACSA).  ACSA is a statewide organization for school leaders, serving more than 17,000 California educators and administrators in 19 regions throughout California, each made up of local charters. ACSA’s Mission: The Association of California School Administrators is the driving force for an equitable, world-class education system, and the development and support of inspired educational leaders who meet the diverse needs of all California students. Visit ACSA's website at acsa.org for more information about this organization.

Deborah Burke is our Region 18 ACSA Membership Services Representative. She is local and your completed membership applications can be sent directly to her. By completing your application and signing it, then scanning and attaching it to an email to Deborah, you will expedite the processing of your application. If you have any questions about ACSA, cost, benefits, opportunities, etc., please reach out to Deborah at dburke@acsa.org or at (619) 504-3512.

The following types of ACSA membership are available, as applicable, to people in San Diego Unified/AASD. All memberships can be paid by payroll deduction, personal check, or Mastercard/VISA. The following are descriptions of each type of application.

SELECT UNION DISTRICT Membership: Click here for application.
$1/day ($30.42/month) for remainder of the current school year. Dues are prorated after July 1. Member may choose to be a Regular Member with full benefits or be a Consolidated Member, without legal support, but can contact advocates for limited consultation. Standard dues begin July 1 of their second year of membership.

ASSOCIATE Membership: (associate on cover – with Business Reply Mail cover)
$250/year and prorated for new members joining after July 1. Can be paid by check (full amount), Payroll deduction (3 equal installments of $83.33; not offered after September), or VISA/Mastercard (full payment).  Click here for application.

RETIRED Membership: (2 types)  Click here for application.
Emeritus Lifetime - $700 (a one-time fee). May be paid in (3 equal installments of $233.34 (not offered after September), via Master Card/VISA (full payment), or via a personal (full payment) check.
Full Regular - $125/year paid via a monthly deduction from member’s STRS pension via a payroll deduction, or Master Card/VISA (full payment), or a personal check (full payment).

If you wish to use ACSA's online application process to join, click here for the “Steps for Joining ACSA.”
DISCOUNT MOVIE TICKETS. AASD has both AMC and Regal Entertainment Group (Regal/Edwards/UA) movie passes available to members in good standing, affiliate and retired members. Regal tickets are $9.00 each. These passes have no expiration date and are unrestricted, so they can be used any time and for newly-released movies.

The AMC tickets are $10.50 each, have no expiration date, and do not have any restrictions. Contact AASD to purchase tickets or if you have any questions.

Placing and fulfilling an order can be done via phone, email, and U.S. mail. Please contact Linda Crout-Hamel linda@unitedadmin.us at the AASD/UASC Office if you are interested.
IMPORTANT - PERSONAL EMAIL ADDRESS. AASD communicates with members via personal e-mail address. We do not communicate via "sandi.net." If you know of a colleague that is not receiving the Update, or if your personal email address changes, please remember to notify AASD by e-mailing Patti Burch at patti@unitedadmin.us.
UNION PLUS - MONEY-SAVING PROGRAMS FOR AFSA MEMBERS
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

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!