Please note the following information in regard to an email that has been sent to GFEA membership:

RE:  Blue Cross Blue Shield Claims Administrator <Notice@BCBSsettlement.com>

1. The email is not a scam and is legitimate.
2. If you fill out a claim form, you could receive money as part of the settlement.
3. If you do nothing, you do not get any of the settlement but cannot later sue them.
4. You can fill out a form to not be part of the settlement and chose to sue individually in court. (The lawyer will get paid, but you may not get anything and will have lawyer fees).
5. If you choose to file a claim, you do not need your dates of coverage, group number, or subscriber number, as they will look those up for you as long as you have your name, address and employer information correct.

   Marlee Sunchild has won, with a ballot count of 3,711 votes, the one open trustee position with the Great Falls Public Schools district by a wide margin in the 2021 school election.
   Sunchild, who retired from teaching in 2020, ran in a pool of eight candidates vying for the position being vacated by Trustee Teresa Schreiner, who did not seek reelection after serving her term.
​   Sunchild will serve as a trustee for a three year term.

  From Bob Griffith, GFEA president
 Through this trying time in the education of our students, our kids, we want our teachers to know how much we not only appreciate all they do, but that we recognize the extent of how they go above and beyond.
   Even though we know that to do our best teaching, we must stay connected, this time of zoom meetings and social distancing has created challenges for maintaining these connections. And yet, we must stay focused and find ways to connect to our inner lives, our colleagues, our students as well as the skills and knowledge we teach.
   When we live and work in isolation, we miss out on what we need most:  empathy, shared wisdom and communal expertise. And so, to all of you who teach, we know how you are working every day to make a difference in kids' lives. The "connections" you strive to make for the benefit of kids do not go unnoticed. Stay safe. You are appreciated.

Even during a pandemic and legislative session, MFPE staff, governance and members continue to planning to provide the BEST professional development available to educators.

Yes, the conference is seven months away, and that feels like an eternity; however, the deadline for applications to present sessions for the conference is April 30, 2021. 

Please encourage amazing MFPE members and community partners to submit applications to present soon!
 
Go here to read all about the 2021 MFPE Educators' Conference.  
 
We have recently updated the website to include a local hotel list: 
​https://www.mfpe.org/2021-educator-conference/#

Montana Educators Now Qualify                      for COVID-19 Vaccine Following Tester Push​


(U.S. Senate) – As part of his continued efforts to ensure that Montana schools can fully reopen as quickly and safely as possible, U.S. Senator Jon Tester announced that, following his efforts, school teachers and staff in pre-K-12 schools and childcare programs are now able to sign up to receive a COVID-19 vaccine at pharmacies participating in the Federal Retail Pharmacy Program. 

​They can find the nearest pharmacy at vaccinefinder.org to make an appointment. 
 
These vaccines are not a part of Montana’s state allocations, instead coming from the Biden Administration’s Federal Retail Pharmacy Program which partners with pharmacies across the country to distribute vaccines as quickly and effectively as possible.

On Monday, Montana will move into Phase 1B+ of its vaccination plan, but educators and other essential workers are still under Phase 1C.
 
“In my conversations with parents, students, and teachers across Montana, it’s clear we all share the same goal of getting our schools fully reopened as quickly and safely as possible,” said Tester. “That is why I fought to extend this initiative to ensure Montana’s teachers, school staff, and childcare workers can get vaccinated. I’ll continue to prioritize the safety of our students and educators as we fully reopen our schools.”
 
The Federal Retail Pharmacy Program for COVID-19 Vaccination is a collaboration between the federal government, states and territories and 21 national pharmacy partners and independent pharmacy networks to increase access to coronavirus vaccinations across the country. On March 2, following pressure from Tester and education advocates across the country, the Biden Administration announced a directive that all states prioritize school staff and childcare workers for vaccines, challenging states to get everyone in this group vaccinated by the end of March.
 
Tester has been working diligently to ensure that Montanans are able to receive a COVID-19 vaccine as quickly as possible. This week, he secured $20 billion for vaccine distribution in the COVID relief package making its way through Congress, and over the past few weeks, he has successfully pushed the Biden Administration to allocate significant increases in vaccine distributions to Montana.
 
Tester also fought tirelessly to secure $11 billion as a part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act to support the development of a COVID-19 vaccine, including $156 million for the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease to accelerate research and development of treatment and vaccines, and to secure additional funding of $4.5 billion for vaccine distribution and administration in the December COVID relief package.
 

   MFPE Spring Virtual Meetings start soon!
   All meetings will be held virtually for the safety of all members. 
Be sure to register ahead of time!

   MFPE Spring Virtual Meetings are a great way to learn what’s going on with your union MFPE at the statewide level.
   The meeting will provide a preview of all issues that will be discussed at the 4th MFPE Annual Conference.     
     The Annual Conference is MFPE’s most important gathering. During this year’s Annual Conference, MFPE will elect a statewide officer (NEA Director) as well as board members from half of MFPE’s membership districts.
     Delegates will also adopt a statewide dues and budget.
     Other agenda items for the MFPE Spring Virtual Meetings include an overview of legislation being
considered by 2021 Montana Legislature. and also, important updates about MFPE events and opportunities.
 
     The MFPE Spring Virtual Meetings will be held on March 3, March 10 and March 17.

       All members are encouraged to attend the meeting most convenient for them. 
Click here to register for one of the meetings.