Membership Luncheon—Thursday, October 30, 2014

Mark your calendar! Plan to attend!! Time: 11:30 a.m.

Place: Penns Landing | | Philadelphia, PA

See page 12 for registration form

~ ~ ~SPEAKERS October 30th~ ~ ~

BUILDING BRIDGESBUILDING BRIDGESBUILDING BRIDGESBUILDING BRIDGES

Region XI of PASR

Official Newsletter of the Philadelphia Public School

Retired Employees Association

September 2014

Bring a

Friend!

Trips See page 10

Inside this issue:

President’s Message 2

Fitness Application 4

Region 11, PASR 5

Luncheon and Trip Photos

6,7

Cultural Trip Schedule and signup form

10

Membership 11

Action Committee Update

The Action committee contacted all Pennsylvania legislators this summer,

regarding pension reform. Through their efforts, and as members of the

Pennsylvania Retirement Security Coalition, Governor Corbett’s plan went

down to defeat at that time.

Lisa Thomas Laury

Former anchor of Action news and host of 6abc’s award winning “Fast Forward” , Lisa currently contrib-utes reports and specials to all edi-

tions of Action News.

Dave Kaplan is currently a member of the PPSREA Board of Directors. He serves as PASR Region 11 Legislative Chairman and on the Board of the Penn-sylvania Retirement Security

Coalition.

EXECUTIVE BOARD President........................................................... Bonnie S. Uditsky President-Elect............................................Vivien H. Hansbury Treasurer....................................................................Stanley Field Assistant Treasurer.......................................... Jerry Silverman Recording Secretary ........................................... Miriam Travis Corresponding Secretary..............................Hedy Ann Guyer

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Stephanie T Childs | John M Ferrier | Donald E Hackney | Edward E Itzenson | Nathania T Johnson | David Kaplan | David H Katz | Steven Korsin | Theresa M McKinzie | Jen-nifer Plumer Davis | Brenda B Taylor | Miriam Travis | Phyllis E Watson | Donald K Williams | Frances P Williams

PAST PRESIDENTS

Barbara W. Barnett | Sara L. Dean | Frank W. Hauser, Jr. | Martin A. Labb | Florence Scott | Dolores R. Seiberlich |

Anna P. Simpson-Pullar

PASR Region XI Director............................. Henry J. Blaszczyk

COMMITTEES Awards ........................................................ Vivien H Hansbury Educational Support (PASR) ........................Vivien H Hansbury Lindenbaum.......................Brenda B Taylor / William Brodsky Nonagenarian...........................................................Hedy Ann Guyer Pride of PPSREA..........................................................Sandra L Allen Ranieri ..........................................................................Clyde O Basham Scholarship...........................................................Vivien H Hansbury Woodson (PASR) ...............................................Vivien H Hansbury Communication.........................................Edward E Itzenson Photography .................................................................. Steven Korsin Program...................................................................Henry J Blaszczyk Public Relations (PASR)/Outreach.. .Jennifer Plumer Davis/Nathania T Johnson

Publications .........................................................Edward E Itzenson Technology ...........................Stephen V Spence / Vernard Trent Telephone Communication...........................Barbara W Barnett Membership and Retirement Planning.... Miriam Travis Service.........................................................Barbara W Barnett Community Service................................................ Margery J Lokey Cultural ........... Rita Borsari / Phyllis E Watson / Donald K Williams

Fitness .............................................................................. Steven Korsin Member Benefit Services (PASR) ...............Frank W Hauser, Jr Seminars..................................................................Henry J Blaszczyk Service Committee ...................................................Jerry Silverman Townsend ....................................................................Leonard Kaltz Social .............................................................................Clifford S Lipkin Sunshine/Gratitude..........................................Barbara W Barnett Finance................................................................ Stanley G Field Other Administrative.................................Bonnie S Uditsky Action...............................................................................John M Ferrier Bylaws .................................................................Dolores R Seiberlich Convention .............................................................Henry J Blaszczyk Legislative........................................................................ David Kaplan L/PEC (PASR) ..............................................................John M Ferrier Nominations ..........................................................Henry J Blaszczyk

NEWSLETTER EDITOR ...............................Edward E. Itzenson

E-mail: ppsrea@gmail.com and editzenson@gmail.com

President’s Message

Dear Friends,

When you read the PPSREA newsletter, look closely at the

committees that are the building blocks of

our organization. Each of the chairpersons of these com-

mittees works diligently providing support and opportuni-

ties to all of our members

Awards--Pride of PPSREA, Nonagenarian, Ranieri, Lin-

denbaum, Woodson, and student scholarships.

Communication--future newsletters and communication,

in addition to print, will be done by e-mail and be on our

website. We are moving toward more effective means of

connecting our members to important information in a

timely manner.

Membership and Retirement Planning--before and af-

ter members retire, PPSREA connects them to important

information they'll need.

Service--wonderful trips, luncheons, fitness reimburse-

ment for life members, knitted caps for our active duty

military, and benefits to meet the needs of our retirees,

are just a few of this committee’s activities.

Finance--oversees the monies and investments that con-

nect our members to valuable services.

Through the Legislative Action committee,

your pension benefits and the legislative activities to

change and/or modify those benefits are closely moni-

tored. In addition, the committee sent letters to all mem-

bers of the Pennsylvania legislature to support a defined

pension for our members.

In addition to these committees, David Kaplan and Don

Williams, on behalf of PPSREA, have connected with the

Pennsylvania Retirement Security Coalition. The PARSC is

an activist coalition of various retiree organizations in

Pennsylvania. PARSC represents and advocates for over

270,000 state and school retirees in the Commonwealth.

The PARSC supports legislation for a COLA (cost of living

adjustment) for school retirees.

Join us in strengthening bridges to members, by commit-

tee participation in your Philadelphia Public School Re-

tired Employees Association!

Bonnie Uditsky, President

Page 2

Awards our Organization gives

PPSREA COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD was established to plan activities to meet the need for improv-ing and extending benefits for retirees and to encourage service by retirees that benefit the community. Each year PPSREA presents its Community Service Award to a person who has made an outstanding con-

tribution to the Philadelphia community.

PASR EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT FOUNDATION was created to augment public education enrichment endeavors and promote the positive accomplishments of public schools and the outstanding service pro-

vided by individuals employed in the public schools. The program includes

* The scholarship program provides $750.00

* The Lauretta Woodson Recognition Program Awards are given to an outstanding educator and a support professional in recognition of their efforts on behalf of the students. The honoree receives a me-

dallion, pin, and a proclamation of his/her service.

HAZEL G. RANIERI MEMORIAL AWARD honors Hazel G. Ranieri for more than 40 years as a school teacher. She was also past president of PPSREA. Mrs. Ranieri lived her entire life in Philadelphia. Follow-ing graduation from Temple University she taught at Barton, Fitler and C.W. Henry School where she taught math to seventh and eighth graders for over fifteen years. After her retirement she traveled exten-sively and was active in many volunteer organizations including the United Way, Red Cross blood banks and Olney High School Alumni Association. PPSREA is grateful to Dr. Anna Ranieri, Mrs. Ranieri’s daugh-ter, for her generous donation of $10,000 that was used to establish the Hazel G. Ranieri Memorial Award

that recognizes those who volunteer in the Philadelphia community.

PASR BOARD OF DIRECTORS COMMENDATION is awarded to a person who has provided out-

standing service keeping members informed on issues that effect their health and well being.

PRIDE OF PPSREA Award was established under the leadership of past president, the late Carole A. Rob-bins who chaired the committee that created specific guidelines for the selection of the recipients of this special award. The selected recipient must be a graduate, employee or retiree of the School District of Philadelphia. His/her accomplishments must reflect service and accomplishments to humanity that make us proud that he/she has been a part of the School District of Philadelphia. The recipient must also dem-onstrate a commitment to either teaching, learning or sharing and should extend altruistic service beyond his/her recompense.

Page 3

SERVICE - One of the prime purposes of our Association is to further the needs and welfare of our members. Through our Service Committee, a wide range of assistance is provided to those who are ex-

periencing difficulties.

*If you, or someone you know , is in need of assistance, please contact the office at

PPSREA@gmail.com and ask for an application (for service) to be sent to you.

Page 4 THE PHILADELPHIA PUBLIC SCHOOL RETIRED EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATION

440 N Broad St | Rm 223 | Philadelphia, PA 19130-4015

(215)400-8750 | (215)400-8751 (fax)| ppsrea@gmail.com

If you are a LIFE MEMBER of PPSREA and exercise on a regular basis at a fitness facility, you may be eligible for a $60 stipend.

(If your membership is paid by another program, such as Silver Sneakers you are no longer eligible.)

Please complete this application and return to our office at the address above,

attention: Fitness Program.

****Application deadline is November 1, 2014 ****

PPSREA FITNESS PROGRAM APPLICATION FOR THE YEAR 2014 – STIPEND $60.00

Please Print and Complete All Information

NAME:_________________________________________________ LIFE MEMBER #________________

(FIRST) (MI) (LAST)

ADDRESS: STREET_____________________________________________

CITY____________________________ STATE ______ ZIP _________ TEL.#( )__________________

EMAIL ADDRESS: ____________________________________________________________

FITNESS FACILITY WHERE YOU ARE ENROLLED*___________________________________________

TELE.# ( )____________________ DO YOU ATTEND AT LEAST THREE TIMES PER WEEK?: YES or NO

AMOUNT YOU PAY AND FOR WHAT LENGTH OF TIME _________________________________.

*YOU MUST ATTACH TO THIS APPLICATION A COPY OF YOUR PAID RECEIPT SHOWING

AT LEAST THREE MONTHS OF PAID MEMBERSHIP IN 2014.

PLEASE PRINT YOUR NAME ON THE RECEIPT.

PLEASE HAVE AN INSTRUCTOR OR ADMINISTRATOR FROM THE FITNESS FACILITY SIGN BELOW

I CERTIFY THAT ______________________________ IS PARTICIPATING IN A FITNESS PROGRAM AT THIS

FACILITY FOR AT LEAST THREE MONTHS IN THE PAST YEAR

_________________________________ ____________________________ _____________________

( FITNESS PROGRAM OFFICIAL ) (TITLE) (DATE)

___________________________________ ___________________________

(PARTICIPANT”S SIGNATURE) (DATE)

PLEASE NOTE: SEND THIS APPLICATION ALONG WITH YOUR PAID MEMBERSHIP RECEIPT

APPLICATIONS MUST BE RETURNED BY NOVEMBER 1ST TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR THE 2014 STIPEND

*If your membership is paid by another program such as Silver Sneakers, you are not eligible for the stipend.

PASR REGION #11, Henry J Blaszczyk, Director

Tuesday, November 4th Election Day, a day when your vote will have a significant ef-fect on your pension. I think that some kind of reform in our Pension System will take place. It is therefore imperative that we, elect the Legislators who will support the po-sition proposed by Pennsylvania Association of School Retirees, our State Organiza-tion.

Because of our Internal Revenue status we are unble to endorse candidates for office. However, PASR and PPSREA will keep you informed about the position taken by the various candidates regarding Pension Reform.You, too, are encouraged to ask you local candidate his or her position on this critical issue.

Find out as much as you can and on November 4th support the candidate who sup-ports you.

Respectfully,

Henry J. Blaszczyk

Page 5

Pennsylvania Association of School Retirees

Legislative/Political Education Committee

CONTRIBUTION FORM

Name ________________________________________

Address ______________________________________

City _____________________________ State________

ZIP ___________ Phone: ( ) _____ - _____________

E-mail Address ________________________________

REGION 11 CONTRIBUTION

Please make checks payable to L/PEC and mail to 878 Century Drive | Mechanicsburg, PA 17055-8406

Note: L/PEC contributions are not deductible for federal income taxes.

Did you know that a campaign to urge passage of a single piece of legislation

can cost PASR more than $200,000?

Thank you for your support!

ContributionAmount : $10 | $25 | $50 or $_______

CONGRATULATIONS

To Dorothy H. Idris, former member of our Board of Directors, who was granted her Ed.D from Widener University. Congratulations to her after much hard work.

Page 6 Honoring our Nonagenarians, May 2014

Ola Roy

Lillian Heller

Charles G Scott

Margaret Braunstein Mildred Morgan

Pearl C Bryan Ann M Montchyk

Paul Isakoff

Gertrude Williamson

Frank Hauser

Edith W Perkins Edward B

D’Andrea

John

Constantine

Martha S DeVaughn Mary L Manley

Dorothy

R Jones

Not pictured:

Dr. Roberta B. Savage

Daniel J. Finkelstein

Page 7

GENERAL MEMBERSHIP LUNCHEON MAY 2014

TRIPS

Philadelphia ZOO

Wells Fargo Museum

Drexel University

Page 8

COMMUNITY SERVICE SURVEY

To All PASR Members — Thank you for being a volunteer in our community!

PASR Chapters are interested in documenting the hours of service that volunteer retirees contribute to their local communities. In doing this, our volunteers show to the community at large a positive picture of the activi-ties of public school retirees. Please take a moment to complete this form, filling in the appropriate number of hours PER YEAR that you volunteer. A summary of this information will be shared with AARP, NRTA, and PASR Headquarters.

EDUCATIONAL HRS/YR

Historical Assn. .............................................. _______

Library ............................................................ _______

School Board.................................................. _______

Other ............................................................. _______

Total .......................................................... _______

SOCIAL SERVICES

Boards/Committees........................................ _______

Cancer Society............................................... _______

Drug/Alcohol .................................................. _______

Fire/Ambulance .............................................. _______

Fraternal Groups ............................................ _______

Other .............................................................. _______

Meals on Wheels............................................ _______

Office of the Aging.......................................... _______

Red Cross ...................................................... _______

Salvation Army ............................................... _______

Service Organization...................................... _______

Soup Kitchen/Food Bank................................ _______

Visitation/Nurturing......................................... _______

Other .............................................................. _______

Total .......................................................... _______

RELIGIOUS

Adult Instruction.............................................._______

Youth Instruction............................................._______

Organization ..................................................._______

Visitation........................................................._______

Hospital/Nursing Home..................................._______

Total..........................................................._______

SERVICES TO YOUTH

Alliance with Youth ........................................._______

Classroom Volunteer ......................................_______

Head Start ......................................................_______

Latch-Key Program........................................._______

Literacy..........................................................._______

Scholarships..................................................._______

School Volunteer ............................................_______

Sports ............................................................._______

Tutoring .........................................................._______

YMCA/YWCA ................................................._______

Other .............................................................._______

Government...................................................._______

Total..........................................................._______

Total Hrs. / Year / All Categories______ Region___XI___

_______ Yes, I want my hours counted, but I do not want to be consid-ered for the Volunteer of the Year.

Phone Number___________________________________ Date_______________________________

Name________________________________________ E-mail________________________________

Return this page to: PPSREA | 440 N. Broad Street | 2ND Floor - Room 223 | Philadelphia, PA 19130 attn: Margery J Lokey

I have served in special leadership roles as follows:

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

POLITICAL HRS/YR

Advocacy ....................................................... _______

Boards/Commissions ..................................... _______

Elections ........................................................ _______

Other .............................................................. _______

Total .......................................................... _______

Page 9

Do you play an instrument, sing, or know a retired member who would be interested in per-forming at our General Membership Luncheons? Contact our office at ppsrea@gmail.com. We'd like to highlight the talent of our members at an upcoming luncheon.

PLEASE REMEMBER TO VOTE ON

TUESDAY NOVEMBER 4, 2014

PPSREA REQUESTS:

If you have photos of a PPSREA event or trip, please email them to the office at ppsrea@gmail.com, for consideration to be included in the next newsletter.

Save the date

spring luncheon - Thursday may 14, 2015

Scholarship, Vivien H. Hansbury, Chair

PPSREA 2014 SCOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS

PPSREA presented scholarships to the following students. Each recipient will receive $1,500. The recipients are:

Dieynaba Dia graduated from Benjamin Franklin HS and will attend Penn State Abington and major in Biology.

Abdellah Mouhtafill graduated from Abraham Lincoln HS and will attend Penn State Reading and major in Biology.

Tytiana Kent graduated from Overbrook HS and will attend LaSalle University and major in Spanish/Biology.

Pametra Geer graduated from Martin Luther HS and will attend Spelman Col-lege and major in Political Science.

Andre Harris graduated from A. Phillip Randolph HS and will attend West Chester University.

The interviewers and presenters of the awards at either the gradua-tion or awards ceremony were Jennifer Plumer-Davis, Barbara Bar-nett, Brenda Taylor, Sandra Allen, Stephanie Childs, and Vivien H. Hansbury.

TYTIANA KENT AND

VIVIEN H. HANSBURY

Page 10 PPSREA CULTURAL TRIPS 2014-2015

PLACE DATE/TIME COST

1) Paul Robeson House | 4949/4951 Walnut St 19139

“Art as a Tool for Personal Change” Civil Rights Activist/Actor/Singer

Paul Robeson spent his last 10 years in this home

http://paulrobesonhouse.org/

Thursday October 23rd

11:00 a.m.

$6.00

2) City Hall Tour w/Greta (includes Tower)

Meet at Room 121 City Hall Visitor’s Center

http://www.visitphilly.com/history/philadelphia/city-hall/

Tuesday, November 18th

10 a.m. to 12 noon

$6.00

3) Rittenhouse Hotel | 210 W Rittenhouse Square 19103

High Tea (first 15 people | price includes tip and tax)

http://www.rittenhousehotel.com/dining/tea

Friday, December 5th

1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

$55.00

4) The Barnes Foundation | 2025 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy 19130

Tour with Audio (Glacken special display) |

http://www.barnesfoundation.org/

Wednesday, January 14th

11:00 a.m.

$20.00

5) Congregation Rodeph Shalom | 615 N Broad St 19123

Tour of Sanctuary | Art Exhibit | http://rodephshalom.org/

Thursday, February 12th

11:00 a.m. to 12 noon

$5.00

6) Associated Services for the Blind | 919 Walnut St #5 19107

See printing Braille House and Rehabilitation facility for the Blind

http://www.asb.org/

Wednesday, March 18th

10:30 a.m.

$5.00 dona-

tion

7) Academic Bistro | 101 N 33rd St, Paul Peck Bldg, 6th fl, 19104

Lunch at Drexel | http://drexel.edu/hsm/about/academic-bistro/

Monday, April 20th

12:00 noon

$13.00

8) Shofuso Japnese House & Garden Tour | Horticultural Dr 19131

http://www.japanesehouse.org/

Wednesday, May 20th

11:00 a.m.

$4.00

9) Girard College | 2101 Girard Ave 19121

Founders Hall | Museum | Chapel | http://www.girardcollege.edu/

Tuesday, June 16th

10:30 a.m.

$15.00

TRIP RESERVATION FORM - 2014-1015

PLACE COST # Attending ENCLOSED

1) Paul Robeson House $6.00 # $

2) City Hall Tour $6.00 # $

3) Rittenhouse Hotel $55.00 # $

4) The Barnes Foundation $20.00 # $

5) Congregation Rodeph Shalom $5.00 # $

6) Assoc Services for the Blind $5.00 # $

7) Academic Bistro $13.00 # $

8) Shofuso $4.00 # $

9) Girard College $15.00 # $

Wear comfortable shoes on all trips. If you do not cancel at least 48 hours in advance, your money will not be refunded. On some

trips we must pay in advance and money cannot be refunded. THERE WILL BE NO REMINDERS!! Record these dates, NOW!!

Complete the form above. Send with check made out to “PPSREA Cultural Committee”. MAIL TO: Phyllis Watson, Co-

Chair (215-879-9260) 5747 Jefferson St | Phila, PA 19131. Thank you! Rita Borsari, Co-Chair (215-567-6555)

SPECIAL - New Rails Tour around Philadelphia | October 21, 2014 | Meet 9:30 inbound Wayne Junc-

tion. | NO CHARGE - bring SEPTA pass or Medicare card. RSVP to Burt Eisenberg 215-572-7712.

MEMBERSHIP Committee Report, Miriam (Mimi) Travis, Chair

Thanks to all who already renewed their membership and to those who became a Life Member. If you have not already paid your renewed membership, it is not too late. Remember, PPSREA is working hard, going to Harrisburg to see our Senators and Representatives, to fight for money for our schools and our pension.

Tell your friends and family about PPSREA and let me know, either by email, PPSREA@gmail.com or by mail, if anyone is interested in becoming a member of this great organization.

Life Membership is $150.00. Life membership special - $100 - LIMITED TIME ONLY. Contact Mimi!!

Page 11 CONDOLENCES to the families of our deceased colleagues

Dorothy Abrams, Violet W. Addison (106), Herman Bell, Linda A. Berry, John J. Bolton, Sr., Ray-

mond T. Bowman (105), Gwendolyn B. Brightful, Dr. Phyllis Henderson Brown, John Page Dar-

den, Anna C. D'Armi, Irvin R. Davis, Charles M.Day, Tony DiMidio, John E. Fekete, Doris K. Firth,

Kate FitzGerald, Marriane France, Isabelle M. Fromberg, Margaret A. George, Arlene G. Ginsburg,

Louis F. Giorno, Gertrude R. Grossman, Rosalyn S. Hall, Ruth C. Hendler, Marcia T. Horwitz, Ethel

Invernizzi, Ida Kravitz, Jacquelyn Y. Kelley, Albert H. Laverson, Bernard Lazowick, Jeannette

Lemberg, Herbert Greenberg London, Dr. Jack Lutz, Dr. Michael P. Marcase, Joseph F. McGuiness,

Mary Ellen McVeigh, Bernice L. Metz, Thomas A. Mills, Sr., John F. Murphy, Joseph A. O'Donnell,

Nancy Partridge, Alfred Potter, John H. Richardson, David J. Rose, Francis T. Sheridan, Jr., Mary

Alice Foster Short, Barbara Siegel, Elizabeth C. Speer, Edmund U. Suez, Jr., Robert L. Talaga, Joan

D. Vogt, Johanna Stier Wiedermann, Hellen S. Weinstein, Jerome H. Wiseman, Dr. Anna Bethel

Young and Ihor Zujewskyj.

***PPSREA requests***

If you have not already done so and you have an email address OR you have updated your email address, PLEASE send an email to PPSREA@gmail.com, so that we may update our records. In the future we plan to send you news bulletins regarding pension reform and maybe even the newsletter, among other things. It is a GREAT WAY to keep in touch with us!! Please include your name along with the email.

Note: *** This email will only be used by PPSREA***

Board of Director Vacancies We are seeking candidates to fill the following vacancies for the 2015-2016 term:

� Eight (8) Directors

As we are experiencing some critical times it is important that you consider joining us on the Board to con-

tinue the vital activities and programs currently in progress.

If you are interested in serving your fellow retirees please contact our Office at ppsrea@gmail.com, no

later than October 6, 2014, to request that a nominating petition be mailed to you.

OUR GENERAL MEMBERSHIP LUNCHEON Beside each name, place a “C” for chicken or “F” for fish.

Thursday, October 30, 2014 at 11:30 a.m., Penns Landing Caterers

NAME _____________________________________________PHONE: ( ____ )______________

ADDRESS:_______________________________________________APT#:___________________

CITY: __________________________________ STATE: ____________ ZIP:________________

EMAIL: ___________________________________@_____________________________________

Enclosed find $20.00 (PPSREA pays the rest) . (AMPLE FREE PARKING!) If members would like to sit together, they should

send their money together. Guests will receive their menu choice cards when they arrive the day of the luncheon.

Make checks payable to “PPSREA”. Deadline: Thursday, October 23, 2014. No reservations taken after the deadline!

Send to Nathania Johnson | 1202 Yerkes Street | Philadelphia, PA 19119 | 215-549-0914

1. _________________

2. _________________

3. _________________

4. _________________

5. _________________

6. _________________

7. _________________

8. _________________

9. _________________

10. _________________

NAMES:

Luncheon Registration Form

THE PHILADELPHIA PUBLIC SCHOOL RETIRED EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATION

440 N Broad St | Rm 223 | Philadelphia, PA 19130-4015 PRSRT STD

U.S. Postage Paid

Havertown, PA

Permit #45