Manatee County Retired Educators Association

Could there be a better month than the one that contains Valentine's day, the only day of the year dedicated to love and friendship?  Who doesn't remember the thrill of seeing the teacher finally open that big box of valentines that our classmates had been stuffing with little envelopes.I know some of you taught in the elementary schools, and that you were the teachers who prepared the box and made sure that everyone got at least one valentine even if you had to sneak it in there yourself.  In later years, every child brought a valentine for each class member, but in the bad old days, one's popularity was immediately apparent when the cards were handed out.  We counted our "take" to check our standing in the class.  It was a bittersweet holiday sometimes.  Well, you are all my valentines, and I wish you lots of candy kisses and real ones too.


At our last meeting in January, we voted again about our lunch menu.  It seems that there have been many complaints that the lunches were too predictable, too small, and sometimes not to every one's tastes.  Deborah Thomas, Judy Shostrom, and I met with the Renaissance on 9th food services manager to see what could be done.  She said that the $10 which we were paying for lunch was a "bare bones" deal (no pun intended, I think).  For $15 we could have a hot entree, roll, salad, vegetable, dessert, iced tea, or coffee which would be served to us at our tables.  When Deborah brought that choice to a vote of the members present in January, they voted to accept the new price.  So, lunch will be $15 starting in February.  Also, if members have dietary needs such as gluten-free, vegetarian, or other, the chef will accommodate those needs.  Be sure to tell your caller if you require a special meal.


At Christmas time, Carolyn and David Brown took 80 goody bags to Westminster that they had made up from our donations at the  December meeting.  The staff of the nursing home was thrilled with the large number since there had been fewer donations for Christmas from the usual donors. There were even some items left over for future use.  


Jane Evers, of FELT was able to tuck a book into each child's backpack as he or she left for Christmas break.  She also tried to give them extra food and a toy or a candy treat.  She believes she has enough books now to take care of the end of the year backpacks, but food items are always welcome.  She likes small, individually wrapped things like packets of soup, crackers, fruit bowls, and other items of that nature.  Remember, regular sized cans and larger items might tip a little kid over backward.  I will transport any items that you bring to a meeting to the Evers house.


The Scholarship Committee has distributed the applications for the FREF Scholarships to the 7 local high schools.  We will meet again on February 6 to evaluate any that are returned, arrange to interview candidates who are deemed viable by the committee, and forward the applications to FREF.


Our own MCREA Scholarship applications will be distributed during the week after our meeting.  They are due to be returned to us in April.  In January, we had enough money in the scholarship fund to pay for one scholarship of $1000.  I believe that we will have a second one paid for by the February meeting.  If you would like to contribute to the MCREA Scholarship Fund, please bring your check to the next meeting or send it to Ron Schneider, MCREA Treasurer.  The Scholarship Committee members are Julia Forkgen and I (co-chairs), Terry and Joan McDonald, Barbara Kitzman, Janice Ritchie, and Ann Moran.  


Speaking of scholarships, FREF has sent us chances to sell to help finance their scholarship program.  As you probably know, their awards are quite large and very much sought after by the brightest students in Florida who plan to major in education.  We donate $3.00 of each member's dues to that program.  FREF also sells $10 chances on some exciting prizes. The scholarship committe will have them for sale at our meetings.  This year's prizes are the following:
Grand Prize    IPad2  (valued at $600)
Ist Prize          3 day cruise to the Caribbean for 2 (valued at $600)
2nd Prize        32" HDTV (valued at $250)
3rd Prize        Visa gift card (value of $100)
If you cannot make it to a meeting but would like to buy a ticket or two, please send a check to me made out to FREF,  Your canceled check is your receipt.  The winning names will be drawn at the FREA State Assembly, May 30-June 4, at the Lake Buena Vista Hilton.  You do not have to be present to win.  If you are interested in attending the assembly, we will have more information about signing up later.


We were pleased to welcome three Manatee County School Board Members as our guests at the January meeting.  Barbara Harvey, Robert Gause, and Karen Carpenter accepted our invitations and even stayed to hear the speaker.  Looking around the room, I thought about what an experienced, dynamic, and educated group we are.  I was so proud to be a member of MCREA that day as we saluted the flag and sang "God Bless American" with gusto, heard a thoughtful and entertaining reading from Connie Myers, were led through the rather complicated agenda by Deborah Thomas, and then learned about the Lemur Conservatory in Myakka. 


 It was very interesting and fun, but it was all that experience in educating students that really got me thinking.  We hold the keys to stellar curriculum ideas, to innovative classroom management techniques, and to methods for reaching students who have a myriad of difficulties in learning.  We often share those ideas with each other, and many of us are still harboring a box or two full of stuff that we just can't bring ourselves to throw out because the contents are too precious.  Yes, I still have a stack of stuff that I keep after 15 years of retirement, but no one ever comes to ask for it, even though I know it would be particularly useful.


I have a suggestion for you.  Could we not as a group produce a collection of educational strategies which would serve teachers and students well?  I am thinking about great learning schemes that really worked for you or particular classroom management techniques that made teaching so much easier.


If this is an interesting propostion to you, please let me know.  I volunteer to get the ball rolling by processing any items you share with me and to set up some kind of format to edit and to publish.  I will definitely need help with this project if it takes off, but it is too early right now to establish a committee, etc.  As I said, let me know what you think or share something.  Please call, email, write, or bring your ideas to our February meeting.


On February 16, we will meet at 11:30, at Renaissance on 9th.  The speaker will be Dan Kreig who speak about financial planning in this turbulent time. Remember that lunch will be $15.  If your caller has not gotten in touch by February 12, call Mary Ann Jensen for reservations.


See you soon,
Ellen