Puttin’ On the Hits
This year’s Puttin’ On the Hits is just around the corner, coming on March 21. This year’s show is being directed by Rondell Schroeder.
POTH is a collaborative artistic effort among faculty, classified professionals, administrators, students, retirees, and even Board of Trustees members to raise money for students. The money raised is not for scholarships but for the Student Achievement Fund, which is actual cash for students who apply and are selected. The entire show is a donation of time and effort, so virtually the entire proceeds of the box office earnings go toward the student fund.
If you are interested in participating, there are several ways to help. The production needs people to help perform, work backstage, work concession stands, marketing the show by selling t-shirts (new this year!) and more. If you’re interested, you can pick up a flyer (attached) or sign up to help by following this link:
https://forms.gle/hFmbDoLGZP4wVdiC9
The Faculty Association has also made arrangements with Edna Vees public house in Covina to donate 20% of your meal check toward the POTH student fund. This is a one day only offer for March 11, 2020 (which is Karaoke night 7–10pm!). When you order your food, just show a flyer (attached) or mention you are supporting “Mt. SAC’s Puttin’ On the Hits” to get the discount. If you want a flyer and there are none left, contact me, and I will get more.
If you want to see more about Edna Vees, follow this link to their web site: https://www.ednaveespublichouse.com
February Is American Heart Month
Disclaimer: this article is intended for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice or a substitute for medical care. Please consult with your family doctor or other medical professionals for advice or treatment for any medical conditions or to answer any medical questions.
February is American Heart Month. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the leading cause of death for women (22 percent) and men (24 percent) of all ages, races, or origins whether white, black, American Indian or Alaska Native, or Asian or Pacific Islander or hispanic is heart disease. Heart disease is the worst serial killer in the United States causing about one in every four deaths.
Heart disease comes in many forms, coronary artery disease being the most common. Heart disease is something we often ignore or, in many cases, are not even aware of until symptoms make us aware. However, the good news is that heart disease is often preventable with healthy lifestyle choices, and there are numerous organizations that can provide education and information about prevention. Regular blood pressure monitoring at home is one thing you can do easily and quickly. Blood pressure monitoring devices are readily available for home use and relatively inexpensive these days. Even your smartphone (with a blood pressure monitor) can take your blood pressure.
Conditions that lead to heart disease include obesity and high blood pressure, which is occurring more and more in younger people. The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute created a flyer for February, “28 Days Towards a Healthy Heart” (attached) that suggests things you can do each day to improve your heart health.
Coronavirus Concerns Need Cautious Consideration
Disclaimer: this article is intended for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice or a substitute for medical care. Please consult with your family doctor or other medical professionals for advice or treatment for any medical conditions or to answer any medical questions.
Since the coronavirus made headlines a few months ago, people are confused and scared, and the ratio of fact from fiction (or misinformation) is rather high. Let’s start with some facts.
Coronaviruses are a large group of viruses, including the common cold, that are common among animals and humans. Most of these strains are known or familiar. According to the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), in the case of the novel coronavirus in the news these days (COVID-19), this strain is a newly discovered coronavirus that has not been previously detected. The source of this virus is not yet known.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), as of February 27, 2020, there are 59 cases in the United States. To help dispel rumors and distinguish fact from fiction, the WHO has created a “Myth Buster” web page with facts about COVID-19. Because people are not informed well and sometimes allow fear to overcome sense, you may hear about “home remedies” that, frankly, make no sense. For example, on the WHO myth buster page, one question is “Can eating garlic help prevent infection with the new coronavirus?” While garlic may keep away vampires — and friends and family and your dog — it has no effect on viruses.
The CDPH reports that there are 33 cases California, 24 from people returning from China, and 7 more from travel-related exposure. There is only ONE case of known contact exposure (a spouse) and one more of unknown exposure. There are NO confirmed deaths from COVID-19 in the United States, according to the CDPH.
There are things you can do to protect yourself from exposure. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention web site has useful information about prevention, how to detect symptoms, treatment, and what to do in case you are or think you are exposed. Common sense should also play a part. If you are sick, stay home. Coming to work while sick is not healthy for you, and it also exposes others (especially with viruses like the cold). What we do not need at Mt. SAC is starting a panic or having employees call in sick and/or refuse to come to work because someone near them coughed.
Be concerned, be aware, and be careful, but, most importantly, be calm. As more information about COVID-19 becomes available, state, federal, and global agencies are updating the information on their web pages daily or even hourly (follow the links above). We have no cases reported here at Mt. SAC, and while students and Mt. SAC faculty and staff are understandably concerned, be assured your Chapter leadership remains vigilant on your behalf.
If you have any questions or concerns about COVID-19, please contact your family doctor or medical professionals. Being informed is the best preventative medicine.
Help Your Chapter Achieve Start Status!
In 1996 the CSEA Board of Directors established the prestigious Victory Club Circle of Stars Award in order to recognize the outstanding effort many chapters are making to increase membership enrollment in CSEA’s Victory Club. This award is presented every year at CSEA’s Annual Conference. The criteria for the 2020 Victory Club Circle of Stars Award is based on chapter Victory Club membership net growth (increase of new members minus loss of members over the prior year) from April 1, 2019 through March 31, 2020. For the purpose of this award, all new Victory Club memberships must be postmarked or received at CSEA Headquarters no later than March 31, 2020.
CSEA Victory Club members contribute as little as one dollar a month (tenthly or just $10 per year) to the Victory Club through payroll deduction, yet the combined contributions of tens of thousands of Victory Club members makes a big difference, bringing in close to one million dollars a year. This means a stronger voice for CSEA in Sacramento and in Washington D.C.
CSEA encourages members to join at the $3.00/month or higher contribution level. Use the online Victory Club application to enroll. For more information, contact one of your Chapter 262 Leaders, a site representative, or attend the next Chapter meeting. Help your Chapter 262 achieve Star Status by joining today. Winning chapter will receive:
A U.S. flag flown over the State Capitol presented to them by their CSEA Area Director at a chapter meeting.
Circle of Stars Award certificates for each winning chapter.
Circle of Stars Award chapter plaque presented at Annual Conference.
Chapter name inscribed on the Circle of Stars Award plaque located in the Governmental Relations Office and the Circle of Stars Award plaque located in their respective field office.
Special recognition will be given to chapters with 100% membership in the Victory Club.
All chapters with Victory Club members will be listed on the printed Honor Roll poster that will be prominently displayed at the PACE CSEA Annual Conference booth.
Mandatory Training for Sexual Harassment Prevention
It’s not just a good idea . . . It’s the law! You’ve probably seen that commercial for seat belts once or twice if you have lived in California anytime during the last five decades.
In January, a new California law became effective requiring all employees at Mt. SAC to complete one hour of sexual harassment prevention training. Human Resources and Professional and Organizational Development have collaborated to provide online and in-person training. This training is mandatory and is fully supported by your Chapter leadership.
You will receive an email from Professional & Organizational Development (POD) registering you for the training. You will have the option to complete the training online or in-person. All managers, from manager to the college president, are also required to complete two hours of training within a few months of being hired. All college management have been informed of the training required for all classified professionals and that this training will be release time.
You must complete the training during your regular work hours, either at your desk with the online training or in-person at POD. You are not required to take the training during lunch or rest periods, before or after your work shift, at home, or on weekends. If your manager tells you to take the training “on your own time,” please contact the Chief Steward or any Chapter leader immediately. You may also apply the one hour towards Professional Growth Benefit by the Classified Professional Development Committee.
This training is required every two years. If you take the training this year, you will need to retake the training in even-numbered years. If you took the training already in 2019, you will not be required to take the training again this year, but you will need to retake the training in odd-numbered years. If you took the training in 2019 and receive a message from POD indicating you have been registered for the training, you may disregard the message.
If you need technical support to access the training, please contact POD at ext. 4504. If you believe you have already completed the Sexual Harassment Prevention Training, please contact Katherine MacDonald at kmacdonald@mtsac.edu or 909.274.4959 during normal business hours. If you have any questions about the content of the training please contact Sokha Song, Deputy Director, Human Resources and Title IX Coordinator, at sokha.song@mtsac.edu or 909.274.4225.
Make Your Voice Heard March 3rd
This year's March Primary is a historic election. Californians will cast their votes in the presidential primary three months earlier than usual. Our early primary has increased the importance of California’s election outcome, which means you’ve probably noticed more political ads than usual for this time of year.
The Primary Election will take place March 3rd in California (next week!). Historically held in June, the Primary was moved up this year, giving California voters a bigger influence on the presidential nominations. Take this opportunity to show that you want your voice heard and represented. CSEA is supporting a number of candidates in key races that will impact public education and classified employees in the 2020 Primary Election (login required). To make our schools safer for students and members, CSEA also supports the only proposition that appears on the March ballot, Prop. 13. While this statewide school bond has absolutely nothing to do with the infamous Prop. 13 from 1978, it has confused some voters. Learn more by following this link (login required). For a customized list of CSEA endorsements for you (based on your address) on your local ballot, please see our Online Voter Guide (login required).
CSEA Dependent Scholarships
Paying for college is expensive, but CSEA can help ease the pain with a $1,000 scholarship. Since the early 1960's, CSEA's Scholarship Program has awarded more than a million dollars to union members and their dependents that want to begin or continue their secondary education.
Scholarships are awarded based on academic achievement, character, leadership and extra-curricular activities within the community. Financial need may also be taken into consideration on some. There are graduating high school senior, community college, and college or vocational school scholarships.
Applications are due March 1. If you want to apply for a scholarship, click here to get started with the online application (login required).
CSEA Pre-Retirement Seminars
By Beverley Heasley, CSEA Chapter 262 Pre-Retirement Resource Specialist
Looking for information you need to maximize your pension benefits? CalPERS will be presenting and will provide informational booklets at the upcoming CSEA Pre-Retirement Seminars listed below. Additional information will be provided on Social Security and the CSEA Retiree Unit. All seminars are on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to Noon.
March 14, 2020
Upland Jr. High School
Multipurpose Room/Gym
444 E. 11th Street
Upland, CA 91786
Your CSEA Chapter 262 Executive Board:
Robert Stubbe, President • Rosa Asencio, 1st Vice President • Marlene Espina, 2nd Vice President
Barbara Carrillo, Secretary • Zak Gallegos, Treasurer
Elizabeth Jauregui, Chief Union Steward • Mark Fernandez, Communications Officer
Brandon Gillett, Site Rep Coordinator • Sandra Bollier, Past President
“To improve the lives of our members, students, and community.”
CSEA Chapter 262 • 1100 N. Grand Avenue Walnut, California 91789 • 909.274.6262 • www.csea262.org