Bellefonte Area Education Association

Congresswoman Hilda Solis named next U.S. Secretary of Labor
The National Education Association praised President-elect Barack Obama’s selection of Congresswoman Hilda Solis (D-CA) as the next secretary of labor. Representative Solis has called for access to affordable health care, protecting the environment and improving the lives of working families - all of which are priorities of the NEA.

PSEA donates toys to Pennsylvania children
PSEA donates toys to Pennsylvania children Each year, stuffed animals, board games, dolls, racecars, story books, and other colorful toys fill the PSEA headquarters building with holiday cheer and a reminder of the importance of giving during the holiday season. PSEA staff and members

Governor Rendell bans mandatory overtime for PA nurses
Patient care in Pennsylvania will be better protected as new legislation bans mandatory overtime for nurses. Legislation passed by the House and Senate in October, and signed by Governor Ed Rendell prevents health care facilities from using mandatory overtime to manage chronic understaffing.

Meet Rebecca Snyder: 2009 Teacher of the Year
Rebecca Snyder, Pennsylvania’s newly honored Teachers of the Year, didn’t hesitate for a minute when asked what motivated her to become a teacher. “The greatest influences on my decision to become a teacher have been my own teachers, who believed in me and inspired me.”

Obama names Arne Duncan next U.S. Secretary of Education
President-elect Barack Obama has named Arne Duncan, the superintendent of Chicago Public Schools, as the next secretary of education. Duncan has called for doubling funding for No Child Left Behind, and tempering the law’s teach-to-the-test rigidity with more flexibility.

Holiday Gift Savings For PSEA Members
In today’s challenging economic times, PSEA reminds members to look no further than your membership to help you save in your holiday gift giving. Through the high quality PSEA and NEA Member Benefits programs, you can find a wide variety of cost savings opportunities to help you and your family enjoy the holidays.

Celebrating Excellence Awards
Each day, we meet men and women in our schools and communities who are strongly committed to public education. Help us honor their achievements at the 2009 Celebrating Excellence ceremony. Every May at the PSEA House of Delegates, the Celebrating Excellence Awards honor the recipients of PSEA's Adler Award and Human and Civil Rights Awards.

PSEA congratulates new Chairman of PA's Senate Education Committee
PSEA President James P. Testerman congratulated Sen. Jeff Piccola (R-Dauphin) on his appointment as Chairman of the state Senate Education Committee. Testerman said the Association is eager to work on education issues with Sen. Piccola in his new post.

PSERS remains healthy despite downturn
The Pennsylvania Public School Employees' Retirement System’s recently announced investment earnings are not cause for alarm, according to PSEA President Jim Testerman. PSERS saw its investment performance dip for the quarter ended September 30. The pension fund generated a total return of -11.05 percent for the quarter and -16.67 percent for the one-year period ended September 30, 2008.

Educators receive tax break for classroom expenses
Tax season is just around the corner, and October's economic bailout package includes an important benefit for educators. The legislation restores the federal tax deduction for classroom supplies that teachers purchase out of pocket. This deduction has been extended through the 2009 tax year.