Are you the one?

Putting our Principles for Safe Reopening into action needs everyone's help.
Are you the one who writes a letter or makes the call that makes a difference? Are you the one who organizes your family and friends to take action, to register and vote this year? Are you the one to get involved in protecting the health of your students, family, and even yourself?

Without action, we fear our students and educators are not as safe as they could be. Ignoring science, data, and the advice of experts, the Governor and Education Commissioner have left it up to each district to decide what's safe. We do not consent to be part of their experiment on how fast and far the virus can spread.  

Because we never want to look at our students and colleagues and ask "are you the one that has to get sick?" before the Governor and Commissioner finally take safety seriously.

Mask-Up Mondays

Masks have been shown to be one of the most effective ways to slow the spread of the virus. Governor Sununu has told schools and students they should set their own policy on masks.  No one should be forced to return to an unsafe learning environment.  Spread the word about the importance of masks by posting pictures each Monday along with the reasons why you think they should be required in any school restart plan.
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  • August 10 - Post pictures of educators wearing masks along with the collection of masks you will be using for the start of school.
  • August 17 - Post pictures of students in your family wearing the masks they will be wearing to go back to school.
  • August 24 - Post pictures of family members you are hoping to protect by wearing a mask.  "These are the loved ones I am protecting."  
Be sure to use #nhpolitics and #maskupmondays when posting and post at @neanhnews.

Take Action Tuesdays

​Our voices are heard and amplified when we take collective action. Each Tuesday, take the time to write or call the Governor and Commissioner of Education - and invite parents and students to do the same. Use the talking points we've provided below and be sure to add your own personal stories.  Attend that night’s Tuttle Talk for additional actions we may be supporting.

Be sure to close every letter or call to the Governor with the statement that his inaction of this issue is the reason you will Remember in November.

Click Here for Contact Information, Ideas and Talking points.
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  • August 11 - If we are being forced back into unsafe school buildings, educators MUST have the same protections as other front-line workers.
  • August 18 - Masks are required in almost every public area - except schools. Why didn't you protect children and educators by requiring masks in schools?
  • August 25 - How many students and educators must fall ill before you close schools again? We'd like to see your plan.
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Derry Education Association members demonstrate outside the school board meeting.

Write-a-Letter Wednesdays

Your Voice Matters! Use the Letter to the Editor Guide to write letters to the local papers about setting the priority on student and staff safety every Wednesday.  Invite parents and students to do the same.

Also send your letter to NEA-NH Communications for publication on our site in case they are not printed in the local papers. You can join related Facebook pages and post your concerns there as well.
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  • August 12 - How safe is our school's plan? What happens when a student or teacher gets sick? Why not remote learning until October?
  • August 19 - Family members and student parents write and submit letters expressing their concerns regarding safety and the disruptions to learning multiple closings can have.
  • August 26 - Are we really going to do this? Bring large groups of people together in the middle of a pandemic? Athletes can opt-out, but I can't?

Talking points will be posted soon.
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If writing letters isn't your thing, there are other ways to get your message out. Be creative!
  • Take pictures of your car parked in a high visibility area in your town decorated with signs and slogans and post them on social media.
  • Take pictures of your homemade signs and post them on social media.
  • Post videos of your signs and messages  

Time-to-Vote Thursdays

​Making our motto “Remember in November”, be sure to check in with members, friends, and parents to see if they are ready to vote.  As voting processes have been adapted in New Hampshire to keep voters safe during the COVID-19 pandemic, it is more important than ever to have accurate information about how to register and vote this fall.
  • August 13 - Be sure you're registered to vote. Reach out to family and friends and be sure they check their registration or register for the first time.
  • August 20 - Absentee Ballots. Do you know how to cast an absentee ballot this year? Are you aware of the timeline? Do you know how to share this information with others? Dedicate this week to finding out and sharing your results. 

    NEA-NH's Vote on New Hampshire page has information and links for you to register and request absentee ballots in NH. ​
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  • August 27 - Plan. Do you have a voting plan? When will you mail in your ballot? Do you know the NEA-NH recommended candidates? Are you well-versed on the issues? Be sure you have a plan to vote this year.

Fact Sheet Fridays

Have questions about your rights, responsibilities, pay, and benefits in the context of school closures? Or the rights of your students? We’ve got answers. We'll post links and FactSheets that explain your rights regularly here and in our Safely Reopening Schools Page and ask you to share them as widely as possible.
Next Friday we'll post a 3-5 question quiz on your rights during the pandemic to see if you really do Know Your Rights.

Resources and Links