Welcome to Morris County Retirees Education Association - MCREA
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WELCOME AUGUST!
Support our youth, social justice, peace in our country
(Remember Social Distancing this month)
CONGRATULATIONS 2020 MCREA SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS! (Go to "SCHOLARSHIP" tab)
***IF USING A TABLET OR CELL PHONE, TO VIEW, KEEP SCROLLING DOWN & ACROSS FOR UPDATES WITH INFO WHICH INCLUDES LINKS FOR MORE INFORMATION 8/6/20 & before. See our "Photo Gallery" too!
NEW JERSEY IN THE HOUSE FOR EDUCATORS (MCREA Executive Board morriscountyrea.org )! We are home, we are retired, but we are working hard to support and keep NJ Schools #1!
We congratulate all our active teachers and educators for the phenomenal job they are doing with online teaching and giving our children the academic and emotional support that they need during this time of crisis. We also thank all of our health professionals for all they are doing to keep us safe! 
Have a good month and get outdoors during these summer months! Thank you, ALEX webmaster@morriscountyrea.org
🌺🌼🌸💐🌷💚😀🌈⛱⛵️🏖👒
Morris County Retirees Education Association - "Members Only" links are on this page, or go to the tabs UNDER Members only >
***IF USING A TABLET OR CELL PHONE, TO VIEW, KEEP SCROLLING DOWN FOR UPDATES WITH INFO WHICH INCLUDES LINKS FOR MORE INFORMATION
(More from your MCREA President & Legislative info as of 6/19/20 from Tim - keep scrolling down and across for new updates)
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8/14/20 AUGUST-SEPTEMBER+ 2020 NEWSLETTERS ARE HERE! Go to the tab under MEMBERS ONLY, "NEWSLETTERS..." & "HAPPENING NOW" also...5/1/20 BUDGETS - MCREA & MCREAP (ID & Password needed to log in -
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September 9, 2020 - Register Now...MCREA MEMBERS - LET'S ALL PARTICIPATE!
OUR FIRST VIRTUAL LUNCHEON MEETING...SEPTEMBER 9, 2020 MCREA MEMBERS` MEETING BY ZOOM MUST REGISTER TO RECEIVE LINK -Deadline for requests MUST BE RECEIVED BY SEPTEMBER 1st - go to "Members Only-Meetings, Registration" tab
8/14/20 - Under "Officers & Committees" tab see updated info from MCREA President, Susan Beekman
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8/14/20 - ESP Win Due Process Rights! Go to the "Members Only-Happening Now" tab for details and a link
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8/6/20 - NJEA PAC has announced its endorsements and recommendations to the NEA Fund for Children and Public Education. They include candidates that will appear on Morris County ballots. Go t "Members Only - Happening Now" tab
8/6/20 - More Legislative News - Go to HAPPENING NOW tab
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8/1/20 - Hello everyone: As Per Judy Perkins, please see the link to an article for some updated info on the tab "Members Only - HAPPENING NOW"
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7/24/20 - WELCOME, PHYLLIS CASEY, OUR NEW MCREA SECRETARY!
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7/11/20 - Chapter 78 relief law - What retirees need to know - go to the Health Benefits tab & Happening Now tab. More info will follow soon with answers to questions from MCREA President, Susan Beekman. You may have also gotten information in your e-mail from NJREA.
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7/2/20 - New NJREA June Newsletter - go to "Newsletters..." tab
6/29/20 - A NEW UPDATE FROM NJEA shared by Susan Beekman - Go to "HAPPENING NOW" tab
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6/23/20 - NEA President Lily Eskelson has forwarded the NEA Government Relations Annual Report. It is quite long, but it helps you learn about our goals.
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6/23/20 - New Jersey Emergency Rental Assistance Program Opens July 6 - for more info go to "HAPPENING NOW"
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6/19/20 - ABRIDGED JUNE, 2020 NEWSLETTER IS HERE! Go to the "Meeting Registration & Newsletter tab"!
*6/19/20 - A Message from our President Susan Beekman
Can’t say how sorry your Exec. Board is to have had to cancel both of our spring meetings/luncheons and our Fund Raiser. But, we are missing YOU even more. This one-page edition of our Newsletter is to let you know that we are still here working for you, meeting on ZOOM, carrying on Association Business, and trying to keep up with everything effecting us in Trenton and Washington, DC. Many of you missed our last two newsletters that went out via email to those whose addresses we have and to those in our 90 and over group (thank you, Ron, for doing that). If you have an email address, please, please, please, consider giving it to us so we can share updates in a timely manner. Contact sanwoz@gmail.com NJ is opening up. Wear your masks and stay clear of large gatherings of people without them. Be safe.
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6/22/20 - As per Tim McGrail, LEGISLATIVE UPDATES on the tab "MEMBERS ONLY - HAPPENING NOW"
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6/19/20 - On "Happening Now tab is the June 2020 edition of Just the Facts, focused on candidates’ views on reopening public schools and campuses. This resource includes straightforward information on where NEA, former Vice President Joe Biden, and President Donald Trump stand on specific issues.
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- 6/9/20 -The NJREA Anniversary Celebration rescheduled for October 4th has been indefinitely postponed.
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6/3/20 - Go to the "SCHOLARSHIPS" tab for the list of our 2020 MCREA Scholarship Winners. Thank you, Betty Levine and Arlene Pepe, for your exceptional hard work especially during this time when communication with guidance counselors, teachers, parents, and students has been under extenuating circumstances of Covid-19.
6/1/20 - Welcome KATHY WOOD, new Membership Chair! Thank you MARCIA HEIDEN for your hard work as our outgoing Membership Chair and of course, we will still be seeing you!
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HEALTH INSURANCE UPDATES FOR OUR RETIREES
GO TO "HEALTH BENEFITS" TAB
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INFO ABOUT TRICKY TRAY POSTPONED TILL APRIL, 2021, and other news from your MCREA President, Susan Beekman...
Dear Colleagues,
Hoping this finds you all safe and well. It is a bit frightening to be watching the news and reading the paper constantly. I hope you are doing some other things besides that.
In the interest of safety for us all, we have decided to postpone the Tricky Tray that was to take place on April 24th and move it to APRIL, 2021. We will let you know exactly when, as soon as we firm up the date and venue. As you may recall, Andy Zeris is closing his establishment in June. So, Cheryl is working on getting us up to speed somewhere else. In the meantime, we have 160 baskets in a storage unit as well as 50+ door prizes, with more to come. 4 of us worked quietly yesterday to try to give Cheryl and her family her living room back!
I will attempt to be on a conference call this afternoon with NJEA’s Kevin Kelleher. He is talking to all the County Retired Presidents about what the agreement with Mr. Sweeney will mean to us! I will let you know anything I hear of great importance.
To my knowledge, no one has gotten money from Aetna for their co-pays. Hopefully, that will be addressed today as well.
Please let your friends who do not have the internet know about these things so we can stay informed. No decisions have been made about newsletters, Exec. Bd. meetings currently are virtual, and our first two MCREA General Meetings in September & October will be virtual as well. If you have given John a check for May, or Cheryl, a check for the Tricky Tray, you will hear from them at a later date. Hopefully, your phone number was on your reservation form.
Stay safe and well and if you need something, feel free to reach out to us. If we can help you, we will. Susan B
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PILLOWS FOR PATRIOTS (4/5/20)
We have canceled our sewing sessions. However, that could change depending on whether or not we are allowed to visit one another.
In the meantime, I have switched from pillows to masks. They are really simple to make and since we may all be required to use them to go out shopping or whatever we want to do, it is something we can all use.
There are two types of masks. The first is for our medical personal and it fits over their N95 masks as an extra layer of protection. The second type is for your personal use and for your family and friends.
If you would like to help with this project from your home and you have access to a sewing machine please give me a call. My number is 973-818-1353. I will give you the information on how to get a pattern or I can send one to you. I have plenty of fabric and thread if you need any. I can drop it off at your house. (It’s a good excuse for me to get in the car and go for a ride.)
Please let me know if you would like to help. Hoping everyone is staying safe and healthy.
Thanks, Cheryl
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The Annual NJREA Spring Meeting and Luncheon, scheduled for Wednesday, April 23rd, has been canceled. Checks mailed for the April 23rd event, have not been deposited. If you have any questions regarding the luncheon, please contact Joan Wright. jwight@njea.org
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***100th NJREA ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION CHANGED FROM MAY 3rd TO OCTOBER 4th, 2020 has now been indefinitely postponed.
Refunds will be available upon request for the NJREA 100th Anniversary; please contact Dianne Papadinec regarding refunds for this event dpapadinec@njea.org
The cancellation of the Spring Luncheon and rescheduling of the 100th Anniversary Event will be posted on the NJREA website (njea.org/njrea) with additional information as it develops.
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ATTENTION MCREA LUNCH BUNCH!
Our events for our lunch bunch, for now, have been canceled. We will re-schedule for another time. On behalf of Elaine Frank Goldfisher, thank you for understanding! (Alex)
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***Important Information on "HAPPENING NOW" tab
In recent days, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has issued guidance on how to slow or prevent the spread of COVID-2019, commonly known as Coronavirus, with special emphasis on measures that schools can take to protect students and staff.
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Go to Meeting Registration & Newsletters tab for registration forms
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***** Subject: NJ Division of Pensions withholding error*****
Good morning,
You may receive phone calls from retirees regarding the February 1st pension checks from the NJ Division of Pensions. There were mistakes in the withholdings for Federal taxes that resulted in an increase in the check amount due to under-withholding.
This is what is posted on the NJ Division of Pensions website:
1.28.20 Changes to the federal tax withholding tables for 2020 resulted in incorrect tax rates being applied to pension checks dated February 1, 2020, and reduced federal tax withholding from the February pension payment. Withholding rates will be corrected, and increased federal tax withholding will be seen beginning with the pension check dated March 1, 2020.
If you have any questions, please contact the NJ Division of Pensions and Benefits at 609-292-7524.
Thank you. Judy Perkins
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OUR NEWSLETTER FOR MARCH IS HERE and soon an APRIL one ONLINE! Go to Members Only tab Link "Newsletters..."
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Hi, Just a quick update on our Scholarship Luncheon and Tricky Tray.
EVENT HAS BEEN POSTPONED TO BE RE-SCHEDULED IN APRIL, 2021
TRICKY TRAY DONATIONS...
Due to the current situation, we will reevaluate the date for the upcoming Fund Raiser. As you can see, we are still working on it. We will let you know the new date and venue as soon as we know.
Perhaps you received a gift for the holidays or your birthday that you really cannot use. Perhaps you were cleaning out a closet and found an item that you purchased, never used, and now cannot remember why you bought it in the first place. Perhaps someone gave you a gift card to a restaurant that you know you will never visit. Maybe you have a basket or two that you no longer need.
Not to worry. The MCREAP Tricky Tray Committee would be happy to take these items off your hands. You can bring the item(s) to the March luncheon or, if you prefer, we can arrange to come to your home to pick up the item(s). As I am sure you know all the profits from the MCREAP Tricky Tray in April 2021 will go towards the scholarships that will be presented at the scholarship luncheon in the spring of 2021..
Just give me a call or text me (973-818-1353). If I do not answer, please leave me a message and I will get back to you as soon as possible. See photos of our preparations in the "Photo Gallery". - Thank you, in advance, for your help. - Cheryl Doltz
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MCREA Friendship Committee Announcement
IMPORTANT UPDATE: The May meeting of the MCREA Bouquet Bunch has been postponed. Instead, Betty will contact committee members when it is safe to create and then deliver our “Forever Bouquets” to MCREA’s Over-90 members who reside in Morris County. It is not possible to predict exactly when that may be. For the time being, continue to save your donations of cards, small jars of any color or shape, artificial flowers and greens, ribbons, marbles, and stones. If you or a member you know is 90 or more years of age, contact Betty McConnell, committee chairperson, at bmcconnell8@optimum.net or call 973-895-2630. The correct mailing/delivery address and phone number are essential.
THERE IS A LOT OF INFORMATION ON THE HOME PAGE. KEEP SCROLLING DOWN & ACROSS, VIEW THE POSTS, VISIT THE OTHER TABS.
Contacts-click here
Meeting, Registration & Newsletters-click here
Happening Now-click here
7/24/20 - WELCOME, PHYLLIS CASEY, OUR NEW MCREA SECRETARY!
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MCREA GENERAL VIRTUAL MEETINGS - 9/9/20 & 10/7/20
2020-2021 Luncheon Meetings
9/9/20 Our First Virtual Luncheon Meeting...SEPTEMBER 9, 2020 MCREA MEMBERS MEETING BY ZOOM MUST REGISTER TO RECEIVE LINK -Deadline for requests MUST BE RECEIVED BY SEPTEMBER 1st - go to "Members Only-Meetings, Registration" tab
Our second Luncheon meetings will be held via zoom - stay tuned for details!
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WELCOME KATHY WOOD, OUR NEW MEMBERSHIP CHAIR!
THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR CHALLENGING & HARD WORK, MARCIA HEIDEN. YOU WORKED VERY HARD AND MCREA APPRECIATES YOUR SERVICE AND WE KNOW YOU ARE STILL WORKING FOR ALL OF OUR MEMBERS!
MEMBERS, PLEASE CONTACT KATHY WOOD WITH ANY ADDRESS CHANGES AT woodkathy63@gmail.com
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6/3/20 - Why are we vulnerable? Because we LOVE our grandchildren! Scammers count on that fact. Do not give anyone requesting money on your grandchild's behalf unless you have talked to them or their parents!! Once your money is gone, there is no way to get it back!!
Read this article on the latest scam to hit NJ.
6/3/20 - Many people received debit cards in an unmarked envelope and questioned their validity - this is how the government sent out the stimulus payments to those who did not provide direct deposit information before the deadline! See article
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5/19/20 - Message from MCREA President - Susan Beekman
Dear NJREA Executive Committee and CREA Presidents,
Below is the message I received last evening notifying me that the NJEA Convention will be virtual in November 2020. The decision is based on the safety and health of participants, staff, vendors, presenters -- the many people involved at the convention center and in hotels and restaurants.
The NJREA Convention will not take place in Atlantic City either. We will get back to you with our plans once they have been formulated.
I urge you to consider the concern about events with large crowds when you plan your fall calendar. NJREA will re-evaluate its calendar and share it with you as soon as possible. It is likely we will hold WebEx meetings in the future.
With this in mind, if you have not answered John Carlson's Technology survey, please do.
Download it and save it; answer it and save it; email John Carlson and attach your responses.
Thank you in advance for your assistance.
Judy (NJREA President Judy Perkins)
Link to open send to jcarlson@njea.org
Dear ALEXANDRA,
After careful deliberation and with the recommendation of the NJEA Convention Committee, the NJEA Executive Committee has changed the 2020 NJEA Convention from an in-person event to a two-day virtual convention due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It is likely that gatherings of large groups will still be prohibited on the dates that the NJEA Convention is held. The New Jersey School Boards Convention, held just before the NJEA Convention, has also been changed to a virtual event. Here is the press release about our decision, with information about our next steps as we begin to plan for a virtual convention!
We will continue to share convention updates with you on njea.org and in the NJEA Review. Additionally, your Executive Committee member will be able to keep you apprised as well as answer any questions that you may have.
While we look forward to returning to Atlantic City when it is safe to do so, we are excited to begin planning a dynamic virtual convention that provides the information, inspiration and professional learning opportunities our members value so much. We hope that you and the members you represent will take advantage of the opportunity to participate in this history-making effort on November 5-6, 2020.
In solidarity,
Marie Blistan, President
New Jersey Education Association
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Governor Murphy says NJ Will Vote By Mail...click the link for more information...
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/
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GO TO Happening Now-click here
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HELP THE LESS FORTUNATE
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REVISED SCHOLARSHIP TRICKY TRAY FUNDRAISER ORDER FORM BELOW
The Tricky Tray Scholarship Fundraiser Luncheon is open to the public. Click on the link and open it in another tab. CALL CHERYL DOLTZ FOR QUESTIONS 973-818-1353
Due to the current situation, the date for the upcoming TRICKY TRAY FundRaiser has been changed TO APRIL, 2021. As you can see, we are still working on it.
If you have already sent me your reservation form, please e-mail or text me. If I don't hear from you I will call you after I have called all the other people who have already paid. If you have any questions, just give me a call. - Cheryl
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VOTE BY MAIL LINK
Hello MCREA/NJREA Friends:
Many of our members may have medical issues and/or may wish to register or enroll to Vote by Mail. Below is a link to receive VBM in your county of residence for the June primary election. It would be easy to put this link in our publications and on our websites.
Stay healthy.
https://nj.gov/state/elections/vote-by-mail.shtml
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EVERY VOTE MATTERS - see presentation link below
Hello GR Committee Members! We hope all of you are healthy and safe. We know you would be eager to be working on our issues--except we are indoors and not able to campaign door to door and make those individual contacts we are used to or make those comments to our members at our luncheons or executive meetings. We will Survive as Gloria Gaynor sings!!
Attached is the Every Vote Matters presentation for Voting By Mail. (VBM). Remember we requested this at our last meeting in February! We want to thank Marybeth Beichert and Anna Hanzes for their hard work in getting this ready for us as quickly as they did!! And who knew that we would be in a Pandemic and would be needing this now! Marybeth presented it to the Middlesex County REA luncheon on March 12 and it was very well received. This presentation is also on the NJREA website. Go to njea.org, sign in and the information is there. We know several of you have sent out information about VBM already, thank you. Our goal with this presentation is to inform our members of their options for voting in June, November, whenever--and to give them guidance. Because of the circumstances of today, we do not know what will be happening when the Primary comes around in June or the election in November. I guess the phrase of the day is: everything is fluid!! But we do want to be prepared. If you have any questions, please contact Carol, Sue or Anna. Please pass this onto the members in your counties, your family and friends -
Because EVERY VOTE MATTERS! Take care, be safe and stay healthy! Click below...
Every Vote Matters
Sue and Carol from GR Com./ & Tim - MCREA GR Com
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You can read the CDC information and guidance on Coronavirus here<http://wc4.net/t?r=3953&c=1106&l=1&ctl=3C33:98B048F40825FA7FCD23640C7C440248&> and special information for communities, schools and businesses here<http://wc4.net/t?r=3953&c=1106&l=1&ctl=3C34:98B048F40825FA7FCD23640C7C440248&>.
The New Jersey Department of Education has created a special resource page for schools here<http://wc4.net/t?r=3953&c=1106&l=1&ctl=3C35:98B048F40825FA7FCD23640C7C440248&>.
The New Jersey Department of Health has similar information here<http://wc4.net/t?r=3953&c=1106&l=1&ctl=3C36:98B048F40825FA7FCD23640C7C440248&>.
We urge all NJEA members, and everyone in New Jersey’s public schools, to prioritize the health of your students, your colleagues and yourself while this threat exists.
Most critically, if you are sick or have any reason to believe you could have been exposed, please stay home. Urge your colleagues and students to do the same.
Obviously, this situation is fluid and subject to change. The takeaway right now is that we should take steps to become informed and plan for the possibility of an outbreak in order to limit exposure and reduce the number of possible cases.
Below is the guidance that we have taken from the CDC. We urge all NJEA members and others in our public schools to follow it carefully:
There is currently no vaccine to prevent coronavirus disease. The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus. However, as a reminder, CDC always recommends everyday preventive actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory diseases, including:
* Stay home when you are sick. Do not return to work until you are free of fever (100.4° F or greater using an oral thermometer), signs of a fever, and any other symptoms for at least 24 hours, without the use of fever-reducing or other symptom-altering medicines (e.g. acetaminophen, cough suppressants, etc.).
* Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
* Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
* Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
* Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
* Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. CDC Handwashing Instructions<http://wc4.net/t?r=3953&c=0&l=867&ctl=3C10:845A559598D65A3D79BBB3D935347618&>
* If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.
Your district should be giving you clear guidance about this issue as well. Should you have any questions regarding information or directives from your district, or any concerns about the consequences of your decision to stay home as a result of following the CDC’s guidance, please contact your UniServ rep<http://wc4.net/t?r=3953&c=1106&l=1&ctl=3C37:98B048F40825FA7FCD23640C7C440248&>.
Click "read more" below for specific details & information including virtual MCREA General Meetings! (Hover over the photo to stop the movement. Click the arrows or dots below the post or slide to move forward.) Be a part of it! We need to spread the word to our members! Let's go MCREA! 🌺🌼🌸💐🌷💚😀🌈⛱⛵️🏖👒👩🏻🔧🧿
***CHECK WITH KAY FOR SOLD OUT TRIPS, CANCELLATIONS, OR POSTPONEMENTS. KEEP CHECKING HOME PAGE FOR CHANGES IN MCREA EVENTS DUE TO THE CORONAVIRUS.***
(Comments can go on the last page-"Contact")
SO MANY EVENTS, TRIPS, SCHOLARSHIP FUNDRAISERS & SO MUCH MORE TO COME!! WE ARE RETIRED, BUT STILL ACTIVE IN MCREA!
Scroll down to see full slide!
Go to PHOTO GALLERY TO SEE WHAT WE WERE UP TO! CAREFUL, OUR VOLUNTEER WORK HAS LOT'S OF FUN & LAUGHTER IN ALL EVENTS!
PAMPERED CHEF!
Members attended one of MCREAP's Scholarship Fundraisers called "PAMPERED CHEF" on 11/9/19. What a great way to support Morris County students and have fun as well!
NJEA/NJREA 2019 CONVENTION-go to njea.org fot updates on 2020
NJEA/NJREA CONVENTION 2019
Many MCREA members attended the NJEA/NJREA Convention in Atlantic City from 11/6 - 11/8 2019. So many of our members attended both NJREA & NJEA and not only did they attend meetings, workshops, and visit vendors, many were on committees. All were able to meet old friends and make new friends!
WOLF PRESERVE IN COLUMBIA, NJ
MCREA Members attended a trip to a wolf preserve
Our retirees do not fear big, bad wolves!
KENTUCKY TRIP
KENTUCKY TRIP
MCREA MEMBERS AT CHURCHILL DOWNS IN KENTUCKY SPORTING THEIR DERBY HATS!
They also did a lot of running around touring, and so much more!
LET'S FOLLOW UP ON OUR E-MAILS & WEBSITE FOR NEWSLETTERS
NJREA DELEGATES to vote remotely. Delegates, look for NJEA notices on njea.org
We support our NJEA local active members, we are delegates to NEA/RA, and as retirees, we attend work hard to disseminate relevant information to all members!
