NEARI REGION V Vice-President Update

Hello to all NEARI members in Region V! Almost halfway through another school year, we can look at the good and the bad as the holiday season approaches. I was happy to visit the East Greenwich local last month and congratulate them on finally getting their new contract. I wish the best to many other locals entering into their talks this year. 

          On a good note, I am pleased to say that our second annual New and Interested Members’ Orientation (Workshop I) October 28 was a great success again this year. Held at the NEARI office in Cranston, presentations included money-saving members’ benefits, legal issues in the classroom, NEARI committees, and more. I would like to thank the officers and staff members who made the workshop possible and the members who attended and spread the word of the event.

The NEARI Public Awareness Committee met again December 3 and made further plans for our annual Read Across America celebration at Warwick Mall. Participating in the Great Public Schools Expo that goes along with Read Across America is an excellent way to show the hard work being done in our schools. Volunteers to display examples of student work are desperately needed.  Please feel free to contact me, Karen Jenkins (kjenkins@nea.org), or Ray Pouliot (rpouliot@nea.org) for details if you are interested in helping to make this event even bigger.

In this tough economic and political climate, proving to the entire state that our kids do great work has never been more important. The Expo and Read Across America will take place Saturday, February 28, from 9 am-4 pm at Warwick Mall. 

Thanks for taking the time to be involved. I plan to visit more locals this year and meet the members. I ask all members to work with their local and the state association to help preserve the quality education environment we deserve, and most importantly, for the children we work so hard to help every day.

Kevin Dubois

Region V Vice-President

Kevin_Dubois@NEANK.org

978-853-0506