<html xmlns:v="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" xmlns:o="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" xmlns:w="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word" xmlns:m="http://schemas.microsoft.com/office/2004/12/omml" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40"><head><META HTTP-EQUIV="Content-Type" CONTENT="text/html; charset=us-ascii"><meta name=Generator content="Microsoft Word 15 (filtered medium)"><style></style></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72"><div class=WordSection1>Dear substitute teacher colleague, I hope this message finds you well<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p>Those of us who work a “traditional school year” are about half-way through our so-called “summer vacation”, summer unemployment in reality, and at NSTA we are gearing up for the 2015-16 school year. <o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p>August will bring the crush of NSTA membership renewal forms and the inevitable delay in getting your new membership card to you so we want to try something new.<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p>Linda, our Secretary/Treasurer doubles as membership chair and as the new membership year begins, she does a yeoman (yeowoman?) job in getting everything out to you, our members.<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p>We know this is not a financially abundant season (substitutes don’t have those anyway) so in an effort to help Linda and save you a buck, actually- save you two bucks, we are offering a 10% reduction in our normal $20 annual dues to members who sign up before September 1, 2015.<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p>For both returning members and new members, full NSTA membership will be available for only $18. Please take advantage of this offer to help both yourself and your national substitute teacher organization. Get your renewal in early, shrink the stack of forms for Linda and save some money! Return the membership form and your check to Linda Carter at the address on the form. All NSTA memberships can now be online at the <a href="http://www.nstasubs.org">www.nstasubs.org</a> click on join. We are now accepting payment through paypal with a credit card.<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p>Now, having dealt with “Business and financial issues” please allow me a few lines to discuss education and substitute teacher matters. <o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p>As substitute teachers and substitute employees in other school positions we waited and hoped for the advent of the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) only to see the intension of the law skirted by short sighted or mean spirited administrations.<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p>Thousands of us have been able to get health insurance for the first time but others have seen cuts to their work week or work month (and consequently their earnings) just so that they would be ineligible for insurance This is outrageous and deplorable and we want to change it!. This year the education law is up for renewal and it is one of the few items that has some chance to avoid the partisan “log jam” so much legislation faces. With your help we’ll urge congress to block the “Cut their hours” mean trick.<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p>NSTA weighed in on both on the health care law and the “No Child Left Behind” laws when Congress was originally considering them and we urged our members to do the same by contacting their elected representatives. We are going to do it again.<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p>We will support those placing a provision in the bill exempting substitute education employees from hourly limits for purposes of obtaining coverage under the health care law but we need information from you in order to make a coherent proposal. <o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p>Together with your NSTA Board of directors I’m creating a feed-back form so that we can compile information on cuts and limitations in work hours. When you get the form please reply and add your voice to the quest for fairness to substitute educators. Let us know so we can let the congress know just what REALLY is going on in schools across the country.<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p>Look for the form in the next week then complete it and return it to Linda as soon as you can.<o:p></o:p>I look forward to working with you this year and in future years.<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p>Thank you, my friends<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p>JIM POLITIS, President<o:p></o:p>National Substitute Teachers Alliance.<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p><o:p> </o:p>Ms Linda Carter<o:p></o:p>NSTA Treasurer<o:p></o:p>239 368 6846 Home<o:p></o:p>239 826 8696 Cell<o:p></o:p>704 Homer Ave North<o:p></o:p>Lehigh Acres, FL 33971 <o:p></o:p><a href="mailto:linda.carter@nstasubs.org">linda.carter@nstasubs.org</a><o:p></o:p><a href="mailto:mslindacarter@comcast.net">mslindacarter@comcast.net</a><o:p></o:p><a href="http://www.nstasbus.org/">NSTASubs.org</a><o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p><a href="http://www.nstasubs.org/"><img border=0 width=140 height=83 id="Picture_x0020_1" src="cid:image001.png@01D0C77A.39FD8D40" alt="Description: Description: NSTA logo"></a><o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p></div></body></html>