November 25, 2019: Toy Drive and entertainment with “Mary Lou and Stevie”

 We had a fast paced and entertaining meeting with “Mary Lou and Stevie” singing and playing holiday favorites and our favorites.  Also, it was the Salvation Army Toy Drive and the tables were loaded with games, books, and toys.  WSSRA Executive Director Dr. Alan Burke presented a brief overview on Washington State School Retirees’ and legislation progress.  Always concerned with COLA and ways to benefit all members in all three plans for teachers, classified staff, and administrators.  A new focus this year is on the Volunteer Fact Sheet.  This is useful when talking to legislators so that the contributions of time, service, and breadth of volunteering are made known.  Don’t forget to report your volunteer hours to President Elect, Liz Friedrich. 

These photos show two of several tables of donations from BFSRA Unit 29 for the Salvation Army annual Toy Drive.

Dr. Burke addresses the members of BFSRA.

Dottie Stevens

October 28, 2019: Fitness, Yoga with instructor from Yoga Community

 

On October 28, 2019, we experienced another way to exercise and become healthy.  The Yoga Community was represented by Margaret Callahan and associate who led us in chair yoga.  A great way to exercise after lunch and before our meeting.  Our own exercise guru, Sam De Rosa, took a back sit this month.  We were all set to welcome the trick-or-treaters in a few days, and enjoyed all the fun Halloween outfits from our members.  (Victoria)

Alex Eads kindly furnished several pictures.

Photos of our Guest speaker, Margaret Callahan, Yoga Community and Associate, Kate Girdelli as guest at the BFSRA October luncheon.  Participants and officers enjoyed hearing some history of Yoga in the United States and participation in various positions.  It was a delightful experience.

Victoria Russell

photos: Alex Eads

September 23, 2019 BFSRA Luncheon and Meeting - Legislative

 On September 23, 2019, we were so pleased to acknowledge visitors, Sharon Hoseley, E-8 District Representative and Angela Hernandez, MOP- (Mothers of Preschoolers) asking our aid as volunteers for their organization. Joining us also was our own Peter Diedrick, WSSRA Legislative Director, who shared with us the time for a better outlook for the COLA and many other issues to be determined in 2020.  He  introduced Senator Sharon Brown and Senator Mark Schoessler, who presented information of importance to retired school employees as well as active teachers.  We heard also about the disparity in funding which affected education on all levels and for retired school employees for now and the future. 

Victoria Russell

August 26, 2019 BFSRA Luncheon and Meeting -- Indoor Picnic, SHAKE school supplies

 

Our August 26, 2019 meeting was kicked off with music, an Indoor Picnic, fellowship and a short meeting.  We enjoyed pork barbeque and salad, and were entertained by Brian Swearingen who possesses amazing musical talent at the piano. After lunch, we held a short meeting and thanked our members for their generous donations of school supplies to start the school year for our Community Service Project --S.H.A.K.E.-- Seniors Helping All Kids' Education.

Helping us start off the year right, this meeting featured a Book Table (pricing based on, "What's it Worth to You?"); the table also included puzzles and games.  Donations went to BFSRA Scholarships and Grants.

Our new BFSRA President presiding at the General Meeting and Luncheon.  Welcome Victoria Russell.

Maureen Bell led the school supply drive for SHAKE.

Books, puzzles, and games, OH MY!

Dottie Stevens

Installation of Officers for 2019 - 2020

BFSRA's newly elected officers were installed by WSSRA President, Linda Averill, at our May luncheon.

Pictured, L to R, are Linda Averill, Victoria Russell, President; Elizabeth Friedrich, President-Elect; Lew Edming, Secretary; and Marlys Mayer, Treasurer. 






Dr. Alan Burke, Executive Director of WSSRA, also attended the May luncheon. He spoke regarding the recent legislative action in Olympia where, once again, we came away with NO COLA, but a $15/month increase in our Medicare subsidies.  Dr. Burke shared that for those of us in Plan I who retired in and around the year 2000, our pensions have decreased by 15% in value in the last 19 years. 

Celebration of Life

In honor of those of whom we lost this last year, 

a rose for each of them was placed in a vase and their names read. 

Vickie Evans provided the music. 

Free Jazz from the Dave Clark Saxtette Group

Three Rivers Saxtette

Thanks to Don Parks for inviting Dave Clark (not the Dave Clark Five Dave Clark), but Dave Clark of the Three Rivers Saxtette Quartet to present a true Concert Event at our April luncheon.  If you missed it, you missed out.

Crank up your speakers and catch a small bit of their performance by clicking the picture.

The following, borrowed from the Joe Lane Real Estate team page:      

"The Three Rivers Saxtette is a Saxophone Quartet comprised of Dave Clark on Soprano/Alto Saxophone, Bill Murray on Alto Saxophone, Wayne Land on Tenor Saxophone and Doug Edwards on Baritone Saxophone. Playing on the rhythm section for the band are Kelin Kreider on Electric Bass and Jerry Larson on Drums.

The saxophone is a woodwind instrument commonly used to produce Jazz music. The mind and body get to benefit a lot from listening to this type music. Studies show that the sound of Saxophone can actually raise the heartbeat and makes one motivated. Indulging in Jazz also relieves stress and reduces anxiety. Enjoy these benefits as you delight in the performance of the Three Rivers Saxtette at the Emerald of Siam."

March Luncheon

Marisol Rodriguez-Price and Sarah Duran 

The program today was Heritage University, with Marisol Rodriguez-Price and Sarah Duran.

Heritage, 40 years young, is based in Toppenish, but they have opened a thriving satellite campus on the larger campus of Columbia Basin College in Pasco.

Heritage offers programs where Associate Degrees or Bachelor's Degrees can be turned into a master's. While they offer an extensive degree program, our interests lie mainly with those focused on a future career as a professional educator.

The Masters In Teaching Program (MIT), is designed for students wanting to obtain Washington State Certification for a career in education. They may be undergraduates to begin, or they may have earned Bachelor's degrees years before, but have decided they want to teach.

We wish them all great success!!     

February Snow Storm

Snow in February this year resulted in  BFSRA cancelling both its Executive Board Meeting and its monthly luncheon: schools were closed, roads were closed, record auto collisions and slide-offs into the ditches all around town. Oddly enough, I didn't get any pics this time, but I have this one I took of Badger Mountain February 5th of 2017.  I'm thinking this February was worse. Especially since most of us don't even remember the snow we had two years ago.  

Superintendents' Panel

The big three school districts, Kennewick, Pasco, and Richland, shared their superintendents with us at the January luncheon to bring members up to date regarding their individual districts. Unfortunately, yours truly couldn't attend the luncheon, so until I could pick up a copy of the approved minutes, there wasn't much to report. I have no pics from that event, so I'll post up a few links that maybe will help you get caught up.

Dave Bond, Kennewick School District Superintendent, presented current bond projects planned for the district which includes replacing Kennewick High School (my old alma mater . . . it needed major work when I was there as a senior in 1964!), update Southridge and Kamiakin High Schools, replace Amistad Elementary, construct a new elementary, and renovations on Ridgeview Elementary. Update: The bond passed on February 25th with a 69.2% approval rating.

Learn more about the schools in Kennewick, here. 

Michelle Whitney, Pasco School District Superintendent, spoke to the physical and emotional safety of their students. A District Level Crisis response plan has been initiated.  This plan addresses Evacuation, Lock Down procedures, Sheltering in Place and various drill.  The Pasco Police Department, Resource Officers, Outside Third Party Reviews, and Safety Procedures are being instituted for the school district. Lock down buttons in security foyers are in place, or soon will be in all buildings. Update: The bond was a cliffhanger, passing at 60.07 %. 

Learn more about the schools in Pasco, here. 

Rick Schulte

Rick Schulte, who will retire at the end of the year as the Richland School District Superintendent, and his replacement, Nicole Mactavish, reported that the Kindergarten program has been expanded by one semester. Richland did not run a bond this year.
                                            Learn more about the schools in Richland, here.

Nicole Mactavish