Retired Teachers Group Hears About SALT Services

     The St. Tammany Retired School Employees Association held its annual Christmas luncheon on Thursday, December 15, at the David Treen Instructional Technology Center in Mandeville. Fred Bruce with the Seniors And Law Enforcement Together (SALT) organization spoke about this group's services and concerns.

Fred Bruce talks to group.

     The St. Tammany SALT Council is a non-profit Louisiana corporation that seeks to improve the safety and security of senior citizens throughout St. Tammany Parish. He told about the group's Residential Security Kit as well as its Senior Security Workshops. Beginning in 2007, the association began holding an annual two-day Elder Abuse Conference to update service providers on the latest concerns regarding elder abuse in the community.  It will be held June 16 and 17 next year.
     He also told of the need for more volunteers to become involved with SALT, a program founded in 2002 and incorporated in 2007. It came about as a result of law enforcement agencies and community service groups coming together to see what could be done to improve the lives of senior citizens in the area.

     Also at the STRSEA meeting, members were asked to bring a new unwrapped toy to donate to Project Christmas, a program that benefits kids on both east and west sides of the parish. Gifts brought to the meeting filled two tables.

     Lyn Monteleone reported that the group now has 754 members, with 16 members joining in the past month. In an effort to raise funds for the group's scholarship fund, members have the opportunity to buy  T-shirts imprinted with the group's logo.
     The group may meet again in late January if arrangements can be made for several legislators or even the Govenor to speak at the meeting.

CLICK HERE to see more photos of the group's December meeting.

     The STRSEA meets regularly throughout the year to provide opportunities for retirees from the school system to hear about the important issues impacting local and state retirees and to enjoy fun and fellowship with new and former colleagues.  Meetings are generally on the second Thursday of September, November, December, March and May, including an annual Christmas party and spring luncheon.  

     For a once-only fee of $45, the STRSEA offers a life-time membership that entitles members to vote on association matters, furnishes an identification card that allows St. Tammany members free admission to all home games at school system athletic events and provides a St. Tammany Advantage Rewards (STAR) card for discounts at participating local businesses and restaurants.

     For more information about this important organization, call President Roxanne Lagarde at 985-966-6166.  If present members have a new email address, please send the update to stpretirees@gmail.com.  Retirees may join the STRSEA at any regularly scheduled meeting or may send a check for $45 payable to STRSEA in care of STRSEA at Post Office Box 2992; Covington, Louisiana 70434.

Group Wins Gold Unit Award

The St. Tammany Retired School Employees Association (STRSEA) was awarded the Gold Unit of Excellence Award by the Louisiana Retired Teachers Association (LRTA) at the state group's fall conference in Lafayette. The Gold Unit Award is given to recognize associations who have accomplished outstanding program achievements in 2016. Pictured from left to right are Bill Brugmann, (Past Co-President), Roxanne Lagarde (President), Rhonda Chambers (Past Co-president), and Marian Arrowsmith (Past President). 

Photos from the Nov. 10, 2016 Meeting

CLICK HERE for a photo album of pictures taken at the Nov. 10, 2016, meeting of the St. Tammany Retired School Employees Association held at the Treen Center in Mandeville.

Tech Workshop Targets Internet Safety

The St. Tammany Retired School Employees Association recently hosted a special technology workshop for its members at the David Treen Instructional Technology Center in Mandeville. Entitled "Caution Lights Flashing -Internet Safety Tips" the workshop was held by Inkie Landry, who did a "super job for retirees," according to Roxanne Lagarde, president. "We had a great turnout, more than 20 in attendance."

Volunteering for Flood Relief Efforts

The St Tammany Retired School Employees Association showed their support for those victims of the flooding disaster by donating their time and community spirit in the recent flood relief efforts.  St. Tammany Parish School System’s students, employees, retirees and families pitched in to support flood victims through a districtwide fundraiser.

New school supplies, gift cards and cash collected will be distributed to impacted students and employees in St. Tammany Parish and other Louisiana school districts in need.

St Tammany Retirees were among the many volunteers who helped to sort and organize the school supplies and other donated items. “After donating items at their local schools, retiree members wanted to know how they could help further?”  added Roxanne Lagarde, STRSEA President. The school system welcomed our association into their volunteer efforts.

The districtwide fundraiser was an overwhelming success with heart-felt responses by the area communities.  At last count, over 58 palettes of school supplies and donation items were packaged for shipment. 

“Our goal is to help students and families who are going through a very difficult time right now. As soon as schools reopen, students need supplies and other items to be successful. We hope, with the help of our entire community, to be able to provide these items at this critical time,” said St. Tammany Parish School System Superintendent W. L. “Trey” Folse, III.

Supt. Folse Speaks About School Year Launch, Donation Effort Success

      The St. Tammany Retired School Employees Association heard Superintendent W. L. "Trey" Folse at its September 8, 2016, meeting tell of the beginning of the school year and the tremendous success of the system's fundraising efforts for flood victims in the Florida Parishes. The meeting took place at the David C. Treen Instructional Technology Center in Mandeville.    

 

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President Roxanne Lagarde and Supt. Folse

    The agenda included a business meeting for the latest reports from the president, the vice president, secretary and treasurer, as well as this year's legislative concerns and educational scholarship status.
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To view photos from the meeting, CLICK HERE.

To view video from the meeting, click on play video button above. 
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​      Retirees were asked to bring to the meeting school supplies for school children. While strictly voluntary, Operation Book Bag provides school supplies and book bags to local STPSB students in need. Supplies included notebooks, loose leaf paper, pencils, colors, notebooks, construction paper, glue, and children's scissors.

 

      A Health Fair organized especially for STRSEA members offered a wide variety of information from participants such as St. Tammany Parish Hospital, Ochsner Hospital, Silver Sneakers (with a demo) and Humana.  

Spring Luncheon Held May 12 At Abita Springs Town Hall

  The St. Tammany Retired School Employees Association (STRSEA) held its final meeting of the year on Thursday, May 12, 2016at the Abita Springs Town Hall. Certificates were presented and officers were sworn into office by Abita Mayor Greg Lemons.
   Louisiana Teacher of the Year Kelly Stomps spoke to our group. Later she posted an account of her visit on her blog. Here is what she said.
   "I had the distinct pleasure of speaking at a luncheon for the St. Tammany Retired School Employees Association (STRSEA) on Thursday, May 12, 2016. This luncheon took place at the Abita Springs Town Hall. As I entered the building, I was excited to see several retired employees from Woodlake Elementary School. Throughout the festivities, I also enjoyed getting to meet the other attendees and learn about each person’s background in the field of education.
     After being welcomed by the President of the Association, a special memorial program took place to honor STRSEA members that passed during the last school year. I was truly touched by this program as it included honoring a person that had subbed frequently at my school the last few years. 

 

   Then, I was asked to speak. For my speech, I reflected on the things that I have learned this year as the Louisiana Teacher of the Year. One thing that I have learned this year is to have a “teacher voice” through social media. I shared how this has made an impact on others while encouraging each attendee to share their positive stories about education on social media.
     After the program, I was invited to join the STRSEA for lunch. During the meal, several members spoke to me about their concerns over possible changes in Teachers Retirement System of Louisiana. They also shared how the members of the association were working to advocate on behalf of all educators. Although my purpose for the meeting was to inspire and empower, I left the meeting feeling inspired and grateful for the advocacy efforts of STRSEA. As in “Be True to Your School” by the Beach Boys, the members of STRSEA are staying true to the schools and teachers in St. Tammany Parish. Thank you for your continued service and devotion to education! "

Officers For 2016-2017 Elected and Inducted

Officers For 2016-2017 Elected and Inducted

The St. Tammany Retired School Employees Association met Thursday, March 31, and elected officers for the next year. The meeting was held at the School Board Central Office in Covington with about 25 persons attending. They were inducted into office at the Abita Springs Town Hall on May 12. From left to right are President Roxanne Lagarde, Secretary Renee Arsenault, Second Vice President Carolyn Brugmann, First Vice President Lyn Monteleone and Treasurer Ronald Caruso. Jack Loup, not pictured, was elected President Elect.

La. Retired Teacher Association (LRTA) Executive Director Explains Retirement System Funding

 

Louisiana Retired Teachers Association (LRTA) Executive Director Rodney Watson, center, with President Bill Brugmann at left, and School Board President Stephen J. "Jack" Loup, III, at right, Legislative Chairman for the STRSEA.

     A special meeting for all St. Tammany public school retirees and active employees was held Friday, Feb. 12, 2016, to hear guest speaker Rodney Watson, LRTA's Executive Director, talk on "Legislative Updates: A Call to Activism". More than 112 people gathered for the event held at the David Treen Instructional Technology Center in Mandeville.
     After a detailed analysis of how retirement systems are funded, he explained several proposals on making changes to the system that could adversely affect current and future retiree benefits, as well as state-related expenditures.
     Watson met with the STRSEA in December for an overview of possible system changes, and his February presentation gave significant details of what may be considered by the legislature and how it could affect monthly benefits and long-term viability of the system.
     To view photos from the event, click here. 

      In the You Tube video above, Mr. Watson's talk begins at four minutes, 15 seconds into the video. Click on the image to view the video.

Watson presented an informational slide show detailing his key points of the La. Retired Teachers retirement funding. A PDF File of the slide show is available by clicking here.