Your students have a chance to be part of Utah history! 

"In honoring Dr. King’s legacy, the Utah Martin Luther King Jr. Human Rights Commission is hosting an art contest for the official state decal of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. license plate. With an accompanying slogan of “Many Voices, One Utah,” the selected artwork will promote diversity, equity and human rights. The winner will receive an official decal and be formally recognized in January 2021 in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. "

​To submit a design and find out more about the contest rules, please follow this link >>

Retirement
Road Map
 
 1.  Granite District Retirement Info
 2.  Utah Retirement System (URS)
 
 


​If you are close to the end of your career, smart planning is the key.
Join us to learn more about your retirement benefits.

​Thursday, January 7, 2021
Virtual via Zoom
5:00 – 7:30 p.m.

5:00-6:00       Granite District Retirement Information - by Doug Wagstaff
                                            (Negotiated for you by GEA)
 
6:00-7:00       Tier 1 Information from the URS - Kory Cox
                        (You are in Tier 1 if you began employment prior to July 1, 2011.)
 

GEA continues to receive questions and concerns regarding quarantine and isolation protocols. In August 2020, Granite School District Human Resources sent this memo to all principals and to GEA. The same protocols are still in place and posted here as information. If you have questions regarding how protocols are followed in your school building, be sure to contact the GEA Office by phone or email.

​Quarantine is for people who are not sick and don' t have any symptoms of COVID-19, but who may have been exposed to it.

Isolation is for people who are already sick or have tested positive for COVID-19.
 
 
Potential School Scenarios:

1. Several students in one class are quarantined.
   1. Teacher provides instruction in a variety of ways including but not limited to; paper-based materials, online instruction, streaming, etc.

 

1. Teacher is quarantined, but students are not.
   1. The teacher continues to plan for face-to-face instruction and participates remotely in other regular teacher responsibilities. A substitute will be assigned to the class.
   2. The teacher is working remotely during the quarantine, no leave is necessary.

 

1. Teacher and several students are quarantined.
   1. The teacher continues to provide plans for face-to-face instruction, online instruction, streaming, or paper-based materials for students, including those under quarantine. The teacher participates remotely in other regular teacher responsibilities. A substitute will be assigned to the class.
   2. The teacher is working remotely during the quarantine, no leave is necessary.

 

1. The teacher and the whole class or the whole school are quarantined.
   1. The teacher will teach online and/or create paper-based materials.
   2. The teacher is working remotely during the quarantine, no leave is necessary.

 

1. The teacher is isolated due to positive Covid-19 test but is asymptomatic (no symptoms).
   1. The teacher continues to plan for face-to-face instruction and participates remotely in other regular teacher responsibilities. A substitute will be assigned to the class.
   2. The teacher is working remotely during the isolation, no leave is necessary.

 

1. Teacher is isolated because the teacher has symptoms of COVID-19 and is waiting for test results.
   1. The teacher will not work and a substitute will be assigned to the class.
   2. Teacher may access available leave; FFCRA leave, sick leave , FMLA, STD leave, etc.
   3. Teachers should be directed to contact Berkley King, Benefits Manager.

 

1. Teacher is isolated because of a positive COVID-19 test, with symptoms.
   1. The teacher will not work and a substitute will be assigned to the class.
   2. Teacher may access available leave; FFCRA leave, sick leave, FMLA, STD leave, etc.
   3. Teachers should be directed to contact Berkley King, Benefits Manager.

 
 
*In all of these scenarios, principals should collaborate with SUDS to explore the best use of human capital in the building.

ACLU of Utah published an updated version of “Free Speech Rights of Public-School Teachers and Staff in Utah,” a Know Your Rights advisory guide for education professionals employed in K-12 settings.
 
This 4-page pamphlet, updated to address issues and trends relevant in 2020, is designed to help teachers, staff members, administration officials, and school board members navigate these complex First Amendment issues. Nothing in this document, however, should be construed as legal advice. If you have a specific concern, please reach out to GEA.
 
Like students, public school teachers and staff retain First Amendment rights both inside and outside school settings. However, because teachers and school staff are public employees, understanding the breadth of these rights can be complex.
 
This guide addresses questions like “Can I wear items conveying political or religious opinions in the classroom?” and “Is my speech to colleagues during breaks or casual conversations protected?”  It also provides context on how speech outside of school can be viewed differently than speech inside a school or classroom.
 
Please use and share this guide, "Free Speech Rights of Public-School Teachers and Staff in Utah," within your school or district, professional association, or union.
 
Brought to you by: Jason Stevenson, Strategic Communications Manager, ACLU of Utah