Baytown Area Retired School Employees Association

ATTENTION Retired Teachers:

Besides going to the bathroom when you wanted to, what was one thing you look forward to during summer break?

Sounds off below. Let us hear from you.

https://www.harrellfuneralhomes.com/obituaries/Ralph-Buenger-Dickson?obId=31805412

Obituary information for Ralph Buenger Dickson View Ralph Buenger Dickson's obituary, contribute to their memorial, see their funeral service details, and more.

https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/baytown-tx/brenda-odell-11835753

BARSEA in the newspaper this week. Check us out…

Baytown retired school employees install officers The 2024-2026 Baytown Area Retired School Employees Association officers were installed at the May meeting of BARSEA. The installing officer was Rosalind Haynes, TRTA District 4 president. Officers installed were

https://mailchi.mp/trta/welcome-to-foundation-month-524391?e=f943c72859

What’s Next for TRTA: Fighting Against WEP and GPO The Texas Retired Teachers Association (TRTA) is recognized nationally as one of the most respected voices on how to fix the arbitrary and harmful Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO)—and that is thanks to YOUR MEMBERSHIP SUPPORT! Because of the continuing effor...

https://www.crespoandjirrels.com/tributes/James-Weatherall

Tribute for James "Al" Allen Weatherall | Crespo & Jirrels Funeral and Cremation Services Share memories & support the family

https://mailchi.mp/trta/welcome-to-foundation-month-524387?e=f943c72859

Early Voting Underway for Primary Runoff Elections! We are starting our Spring Membership Drive! Please show your support by joining or renewing with the ONLY organization that’s advocating for your TRS retirement plan, the Texas Retired Teachers Association! Members of the Texas Retired Teachers Association (TRTA), it’s time to RALLY THE VOT.....

Did you know that as part of your BARSEA membership dues, some of the money contributes to the scholarship funds? Each Goose Creek CISD High School has graduates who want to become a teacher. These students submit an application, and the BARSEA committee reviews then carefully selects someone from each of the high schools to be a recipient. Check out the video to see this year’s recipients.

No copyright intended for the background music.

BARSEA Presents 2024 Scholarship Recipients BARSEA is a non profit organization of the TRTA (Texas Retired Teachers Association) continuing to give back to the community. This video presents the schola...

May’s community service project was to bring books and puzzles for a local retirement community where some of our retired teachers volunteer hours serving others in need.

At Monday’s Meeting, TRTA District 4 President Rosalind Haynes installed the BARSEA 2024-2026 officers. Each new officer was presented a carefully selected Dr. Seuss book that fits the office. The books were then donated to the book collections for our local students.

Robert Francis will continue to be the President.

https://mailchi.mp/trta/welcome-to-foundation-month-524383?e=f943c72859

Help Retirees Impacted By Houston Storm By Donating Today On May 16, 2024, the Houston area of Texas experienced a severe thunderstorm event that created hurricane-force winds, causing significant destruction to homes, trees, and personal property throughout the region. The storm caused nearly 1 million residents to lose power, with many expected to remain...

https://mailchi.mp/trta/welcome-to-foundation-month-524339?e=f943c72859

TRTF Continues to Provide Disaster Relief Aid to Retired and Active School Employees The Texas Retired Teachers Foundation (TRTF), the charitable partner organization of the Texas Retired Teachers Association (TRTA), expresses its sincere gratitude to our generous TRTA members for their recent donations to the Disaster Relief program. The Disaster Relief program assists retired and....

https://mailchi.mp/trta/welcome-to-foundation-month-524347?e=f943c72859

Prepare for the May Primary Runoff Elections! We are starting our Spring Membership Drive! Please show your support by joining or renewing with the ONLY organization that’s advocating for your TRS retirement plan, the Texas Retired Teachers Association! Members of the Texas Retired Teachers Association (TRTA), the May Primary Runoff Election....

From Carolyn Francis:

“Please send me your articles and/or reports for the BARSEA Buzz no later than Monday, May 13.”

May Monthly Meeting

Monday, May 20th
10:30 am
Sterling Municipal Library
(also available on Zoom)

Program: “BARSEA Scholarships”
Beth Woods, BARSEA Scholarship Chair

Service Project: New or gently used books and jigsaw puzzles for local retirement centers

https://mailchi.mp/trta/welcome-to-foundation-month-524331?e=f943c72859

TRS to Reduce Medicare Advantage Premiums and Offer Open Enrollment Opportunity We are starting our Spring Membership Drive! Please show your support by joining or renewing with the ONLY organization that’s advocating for your TRS retirement plan, the Texas Retired Teachers Association! The Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS) Board of Trustees is developing a plan to lo....

https://mailchi.mp/trta/welcome-to-foundation-month-524327?e=0aed3c4b6a

TRTA and ATPE Submit Joint Statement to U.S. Ways and Means Subcommittee Calling for WEP and GPO Changes We are starting our Spring Membership Drive! Please show your support by joining or renewing with the ONLY organization that’s advocating for your TRS retirement plan, the Texas Retired Teachers Association! The Texas Retired Teachers Association (TRTA) and the Association of Texas Professiona.....

All are invited to come explore STEM showcasing students projects from the school year. STEM Showcase is April 30 starting at 5pm at Robotics Center (on Wye Drive across street from Stuart Career Tech).

https://mailchi.mp/trta/welcome-to-foundation-month-524259?e=f943c72859

TRTA Hosts Successful 69th Convention The Texas Retired Teachers Association (TRTA) hosted its 69th Convention in Corpus Christi April 15-17 at the American Bank Center. Approximately 740 TRTA members attended the event, enjoyed fellowship with one another, heard vital news about the Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS) pension fund...

From Robert Francis:

PLEASE MARK YOUR CALENDAR for Tuesday, May 14, 2024!

The location for the District 4 Spring Conference is First Baptist Church, Friendswood Family Life Center, 111 E Heritage Dr. Registration begins at 9:30 a.m. and light snacks will be provided. The meeting will commence promptly at 10:00 a.m. Our guest speaker is Terri Navrkal, TRTA Secretary/Treasurer. You don't want to miss her insightful words of wisdom. In addition to addressing important business items, time will be provided for fellowship, food, and FUN, FUN, FUN! Before the conference concludes, members will share moments of JOY with the NEWLY ELECTED OFFICERS!

To ensure we cater lunch for everyone, approximately 10 members per local chapter, the deadline for submitting this information is Monday, April 29.

Please let me know as soon as possible if you would like to attend. If we have enough interested, we can carpool. Dee Lerma, Carolyn Francis and I have already signed up to go. Please make plans to join us, especially if you are a 2024-2026 officer or committee chair, but ALL are welcome. It would be great if we have at least 10 members going!

https://mailchi.mp/trta/welcome-to-foundation-month-524251?e=f943c72859

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick Requests TRS to Make Health Care Program Improvements Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick has issued a statement to the Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS) Board of Trustees requesting that premiums for the TRS-Care Medicare Advantage program be reduced. Additionally, Patrick is asking the Board to create a one-time re-enrollment opportunity for...

https://mailchi.mp/trta/welcome-to-foundation-month-524255?e=f943c72859

Recap of the April 16, 2024 GPO and WEP Subcommittee Hearing The U.S. House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Social Security held a meeting today in Washington, D.C. discussing the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO). The meeting’s replay is available here. Led by Social Security Subcommittee Chairman Drew Ferguson (GA), t...

https://mailchi.mp/trta/welcome-to-foundation-month-524239?e=0aed3c4b6a

REMINDER: Congressional Hearing on WEP and GPO Scheduled Today at 2 P.M.

https://mailchi.mp/trta/welcome-to-foundation-month-524235?e=f943c72859

Congressional Hearing on WEP and GPO Scheduled for April 16

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/986V1KfspuGpjSDQ/?

At our previous “A Taste of History” events, “General Sam Houston” and “Colonel James Bowie” told us about the Texas Revolution, which led to Texas’s independence from Mexico.

Join us on May 4 to hear General Santa Anna (portrayed by historian and reenactor Martin Vasquez in the first person) speak of his victories, losses, and extraordinary life. The deadline to purchase tickets is April 29.

Please send any articles or information for the BARSEA Buzz to Carolyn Francis by Thursday, April 18th. 🐝

Obituary for Joe Whitehead

Joseph K Whitehead III

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Joseph K Whitehead III, aka Joe. He passed in his sleep in San Antonio on April 2nd. Remembrance and Celebration will be held in Baytown on a yet to be determined date. In lieu of flowers, please offer contributions to the American Alzheimer’s Association.

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Joseph K Whitehead III, aka Joe. He passed in his sleep in San Antonio on April 2nd. He was with his wife and family.

He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Mairlyn, son, Joe IV, daughter, Sharon, six grandchildren, Joseph V, Scott, Mikah, Marissa, Josh, Mia, and one great grandson, Joseph VI, an older sister, Jane, his students, his friends, and family.

Joe started the String Orchestra Music program in Baytown’s GCCISD in 1971. He brought the communities of Baytown and Highlands the joys of classical music, that started with youthful, energetic, squeaky violins, violas, cellos, and string basses bowing to Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star that progressed and matured to award winning, full orchestras, including GCCISD’s best wind, brass, and percussion Band students capable of playing the best of Beethoven, Mozart, and Vivaldi.

In the beginning, he taught Orchestra to students at every Junior High School in Baytown and Highlands. As the Orchestra population matured and grew, his teaching adventures grew to include both Baytown Lee and Sterling High Schools. He’d ride to each school on his green Honda motorcycle with his violin strapped to his back and may have been guilty of testing the passenger limitations of a Volkswagen bug when taking his students for Ice Cream. Joe’s energy and love for music infused and enthralled the youth of Baytown and Highlands and brought joy to our community. His students often progressed to perform with the nation’s greatest symphonies and orchestras. He offered his students, family, stability, and the joys of youth.

Joe retired from teaching in 2021 but did not retire from life. He thrived in the musical community he helped build. When out, in Baytown or even out of state, it was rare for him not to hear enthusiastic shouts of “Mr. Whitehead, Mr. Whitehead!!” by the generations of students he taught and influenced in Baytown and Highlands. His greatest happiness was achieved when seeing the light brighten in his student’s eyes as they learned. He taught us all the joy of playing and participating in the orchestra. He taught us how to connect with others, make friends, enjoy life, and grow up.

Joe was an incredible teacher, mentor, friend, husband, and father. He will be missed and will always, always be loved.

Remembrance and Celebration will be held in Baytown on a yet to be determined date. In lieu of flowers, please offer contributions to the American Alzheimer’s Association.

https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/baytown-tx/sharon-peebles-11755432

Sharon Peebles Obituary - Baytown, TX Celebrate the life of Sharon Peebles, leave a kind word or memory and get funeral service information care of Navarre Funeral Home & Cremation Services.

https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/baytown-tx/stella-radle-11755735

Stella Radle Obituary - Baytown, TX Celebrate the life of Stella Radle, leave a kind word or memory and get funeral service information care of Navarre Funeral Home & Cremation Services.