The Advocate - April 17, 2019

1. President's Message: Keep Up the Pressure!
2. It's Time for PAT Rep Elections
3. Portland School Board Elections: Vote by May 21^st
4. Standardized Testing: We Want to Hear from You
5. Climate Justice Social: April 25^th
6. PAT Executive Board Report

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It is time to elect your site’s PAT Building Representatives for next school year! Each site is entitled to 1 Representative for every nine members.

Our building elections are how we ensure that Reps at each site are trusted, respected leaders. If you’re interested in running to be a Rep, let your current Head Rep know. Each site should create a ballot and hold an election at a 10-minute meeting before the May 15^th RA.

For more information and some resources, go to http://www.pdxteachers.org/pat_elections.

After decades of disinvestment, teachers across Oregon are conducting a one-day walkout on May 8^th to advocate for increased school funding.

Thanks to you, and your passion for our students, Portland Public Schools has announced their decision to pre-emptively close all 81 school buildings on Wednesday, May 8^th.

The Portland Association of Teachers’ Political Action Committee (PAT PAC) is proud to announce its endorsements for the May 2019 primary election.

The Board considered the following criteria when making its endorsements:

PAT's Instruction and Professional Development Committee wants to gather data directly from teachers about the impact of standardized testing on instructional time. Please Fill out this survey. It should take 5-10 minutes.

In the Fall, we heard a lot about how long MAP tests were taking and wanted to check back in to see if the situation had improved, as teachers and students gained expertise with navigating the MAP test.  In addition to MAP, we know that instructional time is impacted by other standardized tests administered during the school day, including SBA, OAKS Science, PSAT, and ACT.

We recognize that there are justifiably strong feelings around this issue.  We would like to hear from everyone, no matter where you are on the spectrum of feeling and opinion about standardized testing. 

There are two ways you can help us gather this information, so that we can have an accurate picture that spans the district:

1. Fill out this survey.
2. Attend our IPD Committee meeting, Wednesday April 24^th, 4:30-6:30 PM at PAT. At the meeting we will look at data and create anonymous “student testing profiles” to illustrate the actual time spent testing by real, individual students.

Please RSVP here so we can plan for materials and food.  

Are you ready to engage your peers and students in bold climate justice education? Is your school community excited to join a global movement fighting for equitable solutions to the greatest challenge of our time?  Join educators and youth to learn how to advocate for environmental justice in your classroom, at your school, and in your community. 

Thursday, April 25^th at PAT
4:00 PM Social; 4:30 – 6:00 PM Program

Food and beverages provided

RSVP here.

PAT’s Executive Board met on Thursday, April 11^th. The Board voted on the following business items:

• To recommend the proposed 2019-2020 PAT Budget to the Representative Assembly;
• To support the Jobs with Justice Summer Solidarity Celebration;
• To endorse the Little Big Union, the workers organizing to unionize Little Big Burger; and
• To support the Chess for Success Luncheon by funding release time for PAT members who are chess coaches to attend.