Attention Ladies of DCSMEC: Wednesday, November 24, 2021 is the Annual M-DCPS mammogram screening day at five (5) different locations across the District!

Early Detection Saves Lives. Gentlemen, remember that Breast Cancer can occur in both men and women at any age. Regularly check yourself, and make sure you and your love ones talk to a healthcare provider about the risk for breast cancer and the best screening options.

On November 24, 2021 is mammogram screening day at these five (5) locations:

1. Jackson North Hospital: 160 NW. 170th Street, N. Miami Beach, FL 33169 8:00AM – 12:00PM. Call 305-654-5040, physician’s referral is necessary for this location. 
2. Jackson Memorial Hospital: 1611 NW. 12th Avenue, Miami, FL 33136 8:00AM – 12:00PM. Call 305–585–5942 or 305–585–7877
3. Mount Sinai Hospital: 4306 Alton Rd., Miami Beach, FL 33140 9:00AM – 5:00PM. Call 305-535-3434
4. Stores and Mail Distribution: 7001 SW. 4th Street, Miami, FL 33144 8:30AM – 3:00PM https://www.floridamobilemammography.com/ or call 1–877–318–1349
5. Richmond Heights middle school: 15015 SW. 103rd Ave., Miami, FL 33176 8:30AM – 3:00PM https://www.floridamobilemammography.com/ or call 1–877–318–1349

Did you know? 

Increased risk factors for breast cancer include:

1. Breast Density (High density breast)
2. Age (40+)
3. Genetics (Inherited DNA changes in genes)
4. Family History (Mother, sister, daughter has had breast cancer)
5. Gender (Being female)

If you have any questions about what you just read, please contact Well Way: (305) 995-2265 /Well_Way@dadeschools.net

Compensation informed DCSMEC that Tool Allowance and RMSM Supplement will be paid on Friday, November 5, 2021.  The contract stipend will be paid on November 19, 2021 pay period.

Mask Update:

The superintendent announced on November 1, 2021. Masks are optional for vaccinated adults in District, Middle School, and High School Buildings.

Masks will continue to be required for all adults in Elementary and K-8 schools.

2022 Open Enrollment:

The 2022 Active Open Enrollment starts today, November 2nd through November 16th. 

Schedule Your Appointment:

A benefit representative will be ready to assist you with your enrollment. For assistance with your enrollment, you may schedule an appointment at https://mdcpsoe.com or contact 833–833–3069, Monday – Friday, 7 AM – 7 PM and select face-to-face, telephonic or virtual assistance with a benefit representative.

During this enrollment, employees only need to enroll if making a change to their current benefits, Don’t forget to schedule your appointment if you are making changes to your benefits.

All DCSMEC members if you have not taken advantage of the COVID-19 vaccination incentive your time is limited, you must have self- certified and show proof of vaccination prior to November 8, 2021.

Members who have been fully vaccinated are eligible to receive a one-time COVID-19 vaccination incentive stipend. Fully vaccinated is defined as at least two weeks have passed since receiving a single dose vaccine or the second dose in a two dose series. 

Participation in the distribution of vaccine stipends is voluntary.  However, to receive the stipend, an employee must self-certify their vaccination status and show their worksite supervisor proof of their vaccination status prior to November 8, 2021. Stipends will be paid by December 31, 2021.

The time is now to review your insurance benefits, for the upcoming enrollment, review your current benefits to see if they still meet your needs. Log into your employee portal, click on Employees Self–Service, click on Benefits, then click on Benefits Participation Overview.

Dependent Eligibility:

All employee selecting medical, dental, vision, and/or capital HIC coverage for family must submit dependent eligibility documentation for all cover dependence (if not previously provided as of 10/1/2019 to current). Failure to submit the required dependent eligibility documentation, upon request, may result in the termination of your dependent’s coverage.

Schedule Your Enrollment Appointment:

A benefit representative will be ready to assist you with your enrollment. For assistance with your enrollment, you may schedule an appointment at https://mdcpsoe.com or contact 833–833–3069, Monday – Friday, 7 AM – 7 PM and select face-to-face, telephonic or virtual assistance with a benefit representative.

Keep in mind Open Enrollment starts November 2nd through November 16th. During this enrollment, employees only need to enroll if making a change to their current benefits, Don’t forget to schedule your appointment if you are making changes to your benefits.

Since 2008, we have not had a Zone Mechanic bid. DCSMEC is proud to announce that the bid is finally back!

Attention all Zone Mechanics: “Phase I Districtwide ZM Bidding is scheduled for November 8th at 7:30am at Miami Jackson SHS”. If you are bidding, please make sure you notify your foreperson and administrator.

If you need further information, contact your DCSMEC representative and/or your foreperson. Bidding is only for ZM’s. All RMSM have the ability to transfer, like the rest of the bargaining unit members.

DCSMEC wants to thank the zone mechanic bid committee for their hard work. Good luck to all the ZM’s who are bidding.

If you’re confused over your 3% payment, you’re not alone. Payroll has paid on Friday, October 22, 2021 pay period both the 3% and the 2.3% (return to work). If you look at your pay stub, on the top, left-hand corner you will see “return to work” – that is your 2.3%. If you continue looking under “return to work”, you will see the 3% supplement.

I hope this clears up any confusion. We are still pending the stipend, and we are waiting for instructions on how to get the license incentive and Foreperson’s supplement. Don’t forget, the 2022 Active Open Enrollment starts November 2nd through November 16th. Stay tuned for further details as they become available.

It’s enrollment time, and this year is all about providing employees with the tools to evaluate if the benefits they have today still meet their personal needs.

The 2022 Active Open Enrollment starts November 2nd through November 16th.  The district will be providing a personalized Compensation Statement and 2021 Benefits Confirmation Statement.  These two documents will provide the employee current information which will help them in determining if they need to make a change during this enrollment. 

During this enrollment, employees only need to enroll if making a change to their current benefits.  The current benefits (including the dependent coverage) will not see an increase in premium.

Additionally, employees currently opting out of healthcare will not need to re-enroll. This selection will rollover, but the employee will be required to resubmit the proof of current, active coverage.  Employees currently opting out of healthcare will be receiving a letter next week advising them of the enrollment dates and the need to resubmit.  After the appeals, enrollment employees that remain enrolled in this option, but have not submitted the proof, will receive a second reminder.  If not submitted by the second request, then the opt out will be terminated and the employee will be auto assigned to the Cigna SureFit Plan.

Also, next week letters will be mailed to employees covering a spouse or domestic partner asking them to verify the status of their dependent having or not access to other group healthcare coverage.  After appeals, another notification will be sent to assure that the proper surcharge flag is being applied.  

Regarding the dependent verification process, letters will be mailed post enrollment to employees who have not submitted their proof since October 2019.  Any employee who submitted their proof from October 2019 thru the commencement of enrollment, will not be required to resubmit.  Additionally, employees covering a domestic partner will have to submit the proof annually due to the need of validating the status for taxation verification.

Finally, enrollment support is being provided via phone, virtually, or onsite at select locations.  All CDC recommendations to provide a safe environment will be followed. DCSMEC will bring you further insurance information as it becomes available, including select locations.

I want to say, thank you, to the ladies and gentlemen of DCSMEC. You are the strength and character that makes DCSMEC a great organization. We have an update on your 3% payment. Management has informed the Union that you can expect to see the 3% on Friday, October 22, 2021. 

We are also working with management to attempt to fast track the 2.3%, and the $530.00 stipend. Stay tuned for further updates. Halloween is approaching and we have some suggestions from fda.gov:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Rochelle Walensky, in a Sept. 26 interview,  said yes, it’s safe to trick-or-treat this year, but families still should use caution. The CDC also updated its holiday safety tips, applicable to all of the upcoming holidays.

Of course, Halloween costume and traffic safety measures still apply for trick-or-treaters.

Costume Safety

To help ensure adults and children have a safe holiday, fda.gov has compiled a list of Halloween safety tips. Before Halloween arrives, be sure to choose a costume that won’t cause safety hazards.

• All costumes, wigs and accessories should be fire-resistant
• If children are allowed out after dark, fasten reflective tape to their costumes and bags, or give them glow sticks
• Opt for nontoxic Halloween makeup over masks, which can obscure vision; always test makeup in a small area first to see if any irritation develops
• Remove all makeup before children go to bed to prevent skin and eye irritation

When They’re on the Prowl

Lack of visibility because of low lighting at night also plays a factor. Keep these tips in mind when your children are out on Halloween night:

• A responsible adult should accompany young children on the neighborhood rounds
• If your older children are going alone, plan and review a route acceptable to you
• Agree on a specific time children should return home
• Teach your children never to enter a stranger’s home or car
• Instruct children to travel only in familiar, well-lit areas and stick with their friends
• Tell your children not to eat any treats until they return home, and take care to avoid any food allergies
• Children and adults are reminded to put electronic devices down, keep heads up and walk, don’t run, across the street.

DCSMEC wishes everyone a safe and fun Halloween!

DCSMEC RATIFICATION RESULTS 

(Ratification contract 2020/2021–2021/2022)

YES (76.3%)                 NO (23.7%)

Congratulations, the contract passes. The contract now goes for School Board ratification on Wednesday, October 20, 2021. You can expect to see the 3% on November 5, 2021 and the 2.3% + $530.00 stipend on November 19, 2021. I’d like to give a very special thank you to Michael Phillips. Great job assisting DCSMEC with the online vote. Congratulations to the negotiating team. It’s amazing individuals like you that make a difference and help keep DCSMEC at the forefront of the labor movement. 

Negotiating committee members:

Rolando Sardinas (Business Representative/Chief Negotiator)

Arthur Bowra (Business Agent)

George Ellis (President)

Howard Horne (Vice President)

Oliver Reyes (Recording Secretary)

Curtis Green (Executive Board/Negotiaing Team)

Larry Morat (Executive Board/Negotiaing Team)

Michael Phillips (Executive Board/Negotiaing Team)

David Sears (Executive Board/Negotiaing Team)

Raymone Jones (Negotiation Team)

Carlos Vega (Negotiation Team)

Kudos to our great team of computer specialists, thank you:

Michael Phillips (executive Board/Region 1 & 2 Steward)

Juan Borges (Region 3 Steward)

Dennis Angel (Region 4 Steward)

Raymone Jones (Negotiaing team/Region 5 Steward)

Jeffrey Swanson (Region 6 Steward)

In closing, Arthur and I want to say thank you, to the ladies and gentlemen of DCSMEC, who make it the outstanding organization it is today…

The DCSMEC contract ratification VOTE is today: Thursday, September 30, 2021 starting at 7:00 am. Please check your district email for your link to vote, then follow the instructions.

Voting Instructions   1. Click on the voting link.  2. If you see a Microsoft sign-in page, provide the following information.Username: Employee#@dadeschools.netPassword: (You Portal Password)  3. Once you see the ballot, select your answer and hit the submit button.

If you’re experiencing problems, please send an email to (DCSMECBA@gmail.com) with your full name, employee number, cell phone and a brief message. We will have computer specialists standing by to assist you. They are highly trained and friendly professionals, eager to provide a helping hand.

Vote today from 7:00 AM – 3:30 PM. If the vote is ratified today, it will go in front of the school board on Wednesday, October 20, 2021 for Board ratification.

Do not hesitate. Hurry and VOTE early. Remind your fellow DCSMEC coworkers to VOTE early. The VOTE only takes a moment. You could VOTE from anywhere using your cell phone, laptops, hand-held devices, wearable tech, desktops, and any smart device at your disposal.

VOTE EARLY.      VOTE EARLY.       VOTE EARLY.      VOTE EARLY.