New Year's Resolution: Keep the Oregon Legislature Focused on Funding Follow-Through
We are all too aware of the problems that a 30-year disinvestment in education has created. But, right now, we have an opportunity to make significant change.
We know that our students are being short-changed every year. Class sizes are still huge in many schools. Elementary schools need behavioral supports to address disrupted learning. Secondary students need more electives and access to more social and mental health services. We need school buildings with fully-staffed custodial support.
Continue readingGet Your PAT RED FOR ED T-Shirt
In time for the 2019 Legislative Session, we are getting new t-shirts. They are red, in keeping with the nation-wide movement to demand adequate funding for public education. Ours will say "Fund our Future; Fund our Schools" on the back, with our PAT logo on the front.
We have shirts available for a suggested donation of $10, to defray the cost and allow us to order as many shirts as we need. We will have shirts in sizes small through 3XL, in both a unisex style and a women’s cut.
To get your T-shirt, you can order one through your Building Rep, or come by PAT to pick one up.
It's time the Oregon Legislature fully funds the Quality Education Model! Plan our wearing Red for Ed every Tuesday until Oregon meets its commitment to our students.
Join the Bargaining Committee!
In preparation for our next round of bargaining with the District, PAT is recruiting members to serve on our Bargaining Committee. The Bargaining Committee will be a larger group than the Bargaining Team, and will likely require less time than serving on the Bargaining Team. Members of the Bargaining Committee can expect to meet regularly while PAT is developing bargaining proposals, and throughout the bargaining process, but Bargaining Committee members will not necessarily be present for bargaining sessions. The Committee will help research, develop, and vet bargaining proposals, as well as gather input from different parts of our membership. This work will guide the Bargaining Team’s work at the table.
We want to create a diverse and representative Bargaining Committee, including educators from every grade-band and from a variety of different jobs. We want our committee to be diverse in terms of race, gender, and age, and to represent educators from all corners of the city.
If you are interested in being directly involved in our bargaining process, please fill out this interest form. From the set of all who are interested, we will create a committee that is as diverse and balanced as possible.
Legislative Round Table on Funding
As part of our campaign to fully fund our schools, the PAT Legislative Committee is hosting a Round Table discussion with our elected lawmakers, on Thursday, January 10. We know our local elected leaders have already promised to fight for full funding of the Quality Education Model (QEM), the Oregon Legislature’s own model for what it would mean to fund a basic level of quality public education. But we also know the legislature has NEVER met the QEM standards, and we’re now billions of dollars short.
Our lawmakers need to understand our urgency and hear directly from educators. Educators will be sharing their own stories about class size, salary, and disrupted learning, in an effort to push our Senators and Representatives find a funding solution this legislative session.
To get involved with PAT’s Legislative Committee, join us for our January meeting, Thursday, January 24th, 4:30-6:30 PM at the PAT office.
Promising Practices Grants
Do you have a plan that could enhance your classroom skills or boost student achievement? An idea for a site-based professional development activity that could build partnerships? OEA’s Center for Great Public Schools awards Promising Practice Grants to individual PAT members.
There are two $500 grants available to PAT members. To apply, please complete the short application form available online. The completed grant application form must be sent to [email protected] by February 4th.
Climate Justice Social - January 17th
Did you know that in 2016 the Portland Public School Board passed the most comprehensive climate justice resolution in the nation? Would you like to make climate justice a more central part of your curriculum? Are you feeling overwhelmed by the idea of starting from scratch? The Climate Justice Committee can help with that! Join us for our first Teach Climate Justice happy hour event Thursday January 17th. Please RSVP here.
Oar goal is to connect educators and community members in order to share climate justice knowledge and curriculum related to the climate crisis. We’ll enjoy food, beverage, and one another’s company as we do this important work. All invited -- including community and non-PPS teachers! The social starts at 4:00 and the program will begin at 4:30.
Date: Thursday January 17th
Time: 4:00 – 6:00 PM
Place: PAT Office
Sign Up to Take Salem by Storm - February 18!
Join PAT members in Salem on President’s Day for the biggest education rally yet. Monday, February 18th is our opportunity to show lawmakers that our schools need funding now, and our students can’t wait. Educators from around the state will be joining us wearing red. Please sign up now for this important action. Superintendents, School Board members, parents and students will also there be there, letting the legislature know enough is enough. It’s time for Oregon to keep its promise to our kids and fully fund our schools. We hope you can join us, and bring your colleagues, family, and friends.
Retirement Seminar - January 31st
Join us for a Retirement Seminar led by Ed Foster. This event is specifically targeted at mid-career educators, but will be beneficial to everyone.
Thursday, January 31, 4:30-6:00 p.m. at PAT. RSVP here.
*Note: If you know that you will be retiring this year, you will receive a stipend if you give the district early notice. If you give written notice no later than January 15, the stipend is $1250, and if given by February 15, the stipend is $700. (Article 18.2.1)