Terry’s Update

5 February, 2020

1. RAT 2019 Info
2. National School Counseling Week
3. FEA Europe Election Info
4. IRS Publications and Forms
5. Black History Month Link
6. Mark your Calendar Events
7. President’s Day

1. RAT 2019/ Checking MyPay — Through the efforts of FEA most RAT and ED travel has or is being paid. However, IF you have not been paid please get your name to Brian Chance or me in order to follow up and ensure you get paid. Please understand that your LES will not list the payment of RAT or ED travel. In the last JCC sent last week through all FRSs there are instructions as to how to apply for RAT/ED now, as well as how to file the 1351-2 in order to be reimbursed. I have begun the process, so am a ‘guinea pig’ at this point to see how quickly it can be processed. FEA has pushed the issue, and it is because of FEA that there have been a few more HR processors hired. While we know it is not FEA’s job to do HR’s job, we do understand it is our job to help members in any way we can.

2. National School Counseling Week — This special week celebrating school counselors will be held this year from February 3-7, with the purpose of focusing public attention on the unique contributions of professional school counselors within the U.S. school systems. In DoDEA, we are blessed with wonderful counselors who give much time and effort to helping students achieve school success and plan for their careers. For further information visit this site-.

3. FEA Europe Elections–Ballots, envelopes, etc. have been sent to all FRSs/election chairs in Europe for the elections of Division Representative, HCR Division Representative, Europe HCR Representative, and NEA RA Candidates. If for some reason your school representative did not receive these or you have not gotten one, please contact your FRS, or Bill Morgan, CMR 409 BOX153, APO AE 09053 or FEAElectionEmail@gmail.com

4. IRS Forms and Publications — As tax season approaches, this site has all of the forms and publications that you will need to complete your 2019 tax filing. Most can be done electronically. Also, be aware that most military installations offer tax services for civilians at no cost–check with legal office on your base/post. Find IRS forms here

5. Black History Month — Begun in 1926 by black scholar and historian Carter G. Woodson, Black History Month was originally celebrated as a weeklong event. In 1976, Congress expanded the observance to the entire month of February. You can find more useful information at: this site

6. Mark Your Calendar-
February 3-7 — National School Counseling week
February 8 — Wrestling (Sectionals)
February 14-15 — Wrestling Championships
February 19-22 — Cheer Championships
February 19-22 — Basketball Championships

7. President’s Day – Washington’s Birthday, also known as Presidents’ Day, is a federal holiday held on the third Monday of February. The day honors presidents of the United States, including George Washington, the USA’s first president. Washington’s Birthday was first celebrated as a holiday in the District of Columbia in 1880. It was made a federal holiday in 1885. The holiday was originally held on the anniversary of George Washington’s birth, on February 22. In 1971, this holiday was moved to the third Monday in February.

Terry McClain
FEA Europe
Area Director