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May 25, 2023

Ukiah Unified School Desk: Celebrate Classified School Employee Week May 21

By CSEA Chapter 194 president Lisa Rantala Each May, California salutes the

By CSEA Chapter 194 president Lisa Rantala

Each May, California salutes the essential contributions of classified school employees during Classified School Employee Week (CSEW). This year, we celebrate them with the theme "Classified Professionals: Indispensable, Inspiring & Invincible."

"Classified School Employee Week is when our colleagues and community honor our hard work and dedication to our students," said California School Employees Association (CSEA) President Adam Weinberger.

Classified staff are employees of a school, district, or county office of education who are in a position not requiring certification. Classified employees have earned respect as educators and partners in the education community. More importantly, they have become recognized as the essential frontline workers who keep our schools up and running while making a difference in the lives of the students they serve.

Our classified custodial and maintenance staff keep our campuses clean and safe; our bus drivers and transportation staff get students to school safely; our office staff meets the needs of students, parents, and administrators; our Food Service workers keep students fed and ready to learn; our technology staff keeps everyone connected and online; our paraeducators support students and help them overcome new challenges; and our campus supervisors keep our school grounds safe and secure.

"Meeting students’ basic needs, as well as their social and emotional needs, has been more important than ever," said State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond. "Thankfully, our classified employees have made heroic efforts to step up and support California's students so they can continue to learn."

Our local CSEA Chapter 194 and the Ukiah Unified Personnel Commission will honor our classified staff this year on Friday, May 19, with a catered BBQ and Taco feast, door prizes, pick-up sports, and fellowship. This event is an annual celebration for our classified employees and their families, and we hope this will serve as a small repayment for all the hard work and dedication our classified staff provides to our students, parents, and staff throughout the year.

In our current national climate, promoting kindness and compassion is essential. It is more important now than ever to support each other regardless of age, race, sexual identity, religion, lack of religion, or political views. We are all humans trying to survive and make a difference, so if you get the chance, please stop a classified employee and thank them. You never know what someone is going through, and your words may just give them the strength they need to get through their day!

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