Our annual “Flu Shot Social” took place on October 15th, with our friends from Walgreens administering over 100 flu shots to EWEA members as well as to our other friends across the district.

Part of the social this year, along with snacks, drinks, hand sanitizer, mints and more, was an NJEA Membership Fair.

This was a wonderful opportunity for union members to speak to vendors representing some of the companies that offer special services to us as members.

Thanks to Patricia Taitt for setting everything up and Karen Rogers keeping the raffle tickets guarded and secure.

And…revenge has GOT to be sweet when you can give your former 5th grade teacher a flu shot.

Check out the pictures below.

AND…there was a raffle drawing to win gift cards from the vendors as well as lunch from some of our local diners.

Of course everyone who received the vaccination was a winner in the fight against the flu…

Congratulations to these raffle winners:

Shania Bryant

Crystal Watkins

Amy Tootleman

Angela Castaneda

Stephanie Widdoes

Gretchen Bryant

Melissa Maya 

Debbie Strzepek

Jessica Pirrera

 

We had a wonderful turnout of volunteers on October 12th at the annual Hightstown Harvest Fair! The weather was perfect for schmoozing with the community and reminding them that this district’s educators CARE about our students and their families seven days a week!

We enjoyed seeing current and former students and making connections with families and other community partners.

Senator Linda Greenstein hung out with her favorite Association too!

The Fair is October 10 next year, so save the date 😉

Thanks again to our volunteers, some of whom are pictures below.

 

The East Windsor Education Association had their annual new member luncheon today. What an amazing experience for the new members and the EWEA leadership team! Almost 90 people filled the stunning room in the Americana Kitchen and Bar and learned the value of union membership and the strength of their new local…the East Windsor Education Association. They listened attentively about EWEA’s commitment to excellence. They learned about the committees and opportunities within the local.
UNISERV Rep Susan Nardi spoke about the value of getting help. ”We all trip and stumble”, she said, “but the difference is made when you get help”.
Our new MCEA president Grace Rarich spoke from her heart about all SHE has learned from being a friend of EWEA.
We were privileged to have Marie Blistan, Sean Spiller AND Steve Beatty join us and speak to our members as well. they reminded us all about the value of our chosen profession and how honored they are to work for each of us.
I must thank the Americana Restaurant and Bar for their spectacular, well priced buffet lunch. The food and service were exceptional. The ambiance and attention to detail were first rate.
We highly recommend the Americana for any event you might have.
AND…kudos to Rachel Cunningham! She organized this mega event! She made centerpieces, stuffed 70+ envelopes, made a welcome sign, kept track pf all of the forms, and took care of her twin three year old boys at the same time.
Kelly Christine gets a special thank you as well for being our photographer extraordinaire.
Building Reps and Committee Chairs…thank you for giving up one of your last days of freedom to welcome our new members. You are the best!
Once again, a warm welcome to our 65+ new members.
You are now part of the family.

EWEA’s Early Career Committee, along with Barbara Beckett, organized a fabulous social last week. People ate, drank and bowled after school with their early career friends, and “schmoozed” with veteran co-workers.
Feedback was so positive that we will do this again in the spring.
You won’t want to miss the fun!

East Windsor Association members volunteered their time on Saturday morning to give out toys, books and candy to needy kids in the community. They joined the RISE holiday party and gave out almost 700 items purchased with an NJEA PRIDE grant. What a wonderful way to connect with our community! Thank you, PRIDE/FAST chairs Esmeralda Garcia and Angela Castaneda for organizing and thanks to our volunteers, Yvonne and Marisa Santiago, Dorothea Cohen, Rita Sacca and her son, Alexis O’Rane, Rita Perez, George Wolkiewicz, and Max Castaneda. Well done, folks

It’s always great to get together with colleagues just to talk like “real people”. And that is what we did last month at our Fall Social at Charlie Brown’s. There was plenty of food, laughter and cool prizes from local restaurants to keep everyone pumped. Senator Linda Greenstein stopped by to thank us for our support and to remind us WHY we have always supported her.
Thanks you, Barbara Beckett, Social Chairperson, for arranging this event.

On August 30, 2017, almost 40 new East Windsor Regional School District educators came to Scotto’s restaurant for the annual EWEA New Member Luncheon. They were greeted by 21 members of the EWEA Executive Board ready to say “hello” and introduce them to the fantastic Association they were going to be members of.
President Ellen Ogintz spoke passionately about her experiences and goals for the new members. She made the new members laugh and smile as she assured them that they would be in good hands under the care of EWEA. She spoke about every member being a “marigold”…a “companion” plant to new plants to encourage health and growth. No “walnut trees” here.
There were other guests who spoke as well…all giving the same message…you will never be alone. There was Susan Nardi, our UNISERV Rep, Christine Sampson-Clark, president of MCEA and Grace Rarich, Vice president of MCEA, and the entire new team of leaders from NJEA…Marie Blistan, Sean Spiller and Steve Beatty. Their passion for both the profession and our union was clear.
The new members left the luncheon with smiles, gift cards, tote bags, knapsacks, pens, t-shirts, other treats and tons of information.
This was a fabulous event…as you can see below!
Welcome to EWEA!

March 10th was our annual EWEA Day! This is a wonderful day each year when we celebrate our Association and it’s accomplishments. We also wear our union shirts with pride (and these are fabulous shirts, Jerry Simonelli…so thank you). Finally, we collect donations for the NEA Fund for Children and Public Education that we will present at the NEA/RA this summer.
Thanks to all of the shirt wearers, donators, donation collectors, picture takers, breakfast makers and supporters for another successful EWEA Day! Please tag yourself and your friends!
And if we get anymore pictures, we will happily post them

On December 9, 2016, East Windsor Education Association members joined their Mercer County Education Association colleagues to honor individuals who dedicate themselves to making life better for the children of Mercer County at the first annual “Mercer County Friends of Education Awards Gala”. There was dinner, dancing, and comradery as we honored people of Mercer County.
Recipients included Ms. Tricia Baker who created the non-profit organization called A.I.R. (Attitudes in Reverse, Mary Ann Raccosta who has been an advocate for not only her own children but for other children with special needs as well. In 2012, Mary Ann wrote a book called The Survivor, The Hero & The Angel: A Mother’s Story – One Decade. This book has helped many parents come to terms with their children’s disabilities. The final recipient was our own Wendell Steinhauer, for his tireless work on behalf of NJEA members and students.
If YOU would like to nominate someone for the 2017 award, please let EWEA President Ellen Ogintz know and she will get you the information you need to make that nomination.