MAREA’s April meeting minutes

On April 21, the Marshfield Area Retired Educators held their regular meeting. President Sally Lucas introduced visiting WREA Region 3 co-director, Margaret Green. Ruby P. announced the winners of the MAREA scholarships which will be awarded at their high school’s awards ceremonies held in May. She also circulated the June 12 Brat Fry sign up list, with all monies going to the scholarship fund.

Kathleen H. of the Health Issues committee reported on the use of weight loss products and that a pill form will be making its way to market soon, although not yet approved by the FDA. These drugs have side effects that should be monitored by a physician.

From the Membership committee, Trina T. reminded the members of Teachers’ Appreciation Week, May 5-9. All members are encouraged to do something for their former school districts.

Legislative chair Curt H. talked about federal funding cuts in education, including Head Start programs, local farm partnerships, teacher retention, and the teaching of anti-discrimination topics.

Speakers were students from Germany and Spain who talked about the differences in the educational systems of their country compared to U.S. schools. Nele and Jarvis come from a very small community in northern Germany; Paola lives in central Spain. Each student described their experiences with all three agreeing that school in the United States is definitely more laid back and that students here don’t work on their grades or subject areas like in the European countries. In their country, grades determine if students go to university or join the workforce. School sports are not part of the curriculum either. If one wants to participate in sports, it is on their own, after school, and not part of the school experience. All three talked about the food consumed in the United States, indicating that food here is not as healthy as in their country. Nacel Open Door, Inc. is the program that sponsors students to study in the U.S. NOD has programs and opportunities aimed at students who want to broaden their perspective of the world and gain practical experience living, working, and learning in another culture.

All MAREA meetings are held at 10 a.m. at the Country Aire Restaurant the third Monday of each month with a lunch following the program speaker. For more information about MAREA, email Sally Lucas at: sally.lucas@yahoo.com.

mailto:sally.lucas@yahoo.com