The Advocate, October 2, 2019

1. President’s Message: Shaping PPS Priorities for Student Success Act Dollars
2. Help the Instruction and Professional Development Committee Address GVC!
3. Renew the Levy: Yes for Teachers, Yes for Kids!
4. Racial Equity Focus: Wilson High School Students Hold Community Conversation to Address Racism and Harassment
5. Racial Equity Focus: Latinx and/or Hispanic Heritage Month!
6. Racial Equity Focus: Happy Rosh Hashanah!
7. October 21^st Retirement Seminar—Is It Time to Retire?
8. Protect Your License: 60-Day Notice Required Prior to Resignation
9. Remember to Turn in Your Educational Credits by October 31^st!
10. Using Professional Development Funds
11. 12^th Annual North West Teachers for Social Justice Conference – October 19^th
12. Tenth Annual Teaching with Purpose Conference – October 11^th
13. November 7^th Workshop: Responding to Hate and Antisemitism
14. Take Advantage of Lower Insurance Rates Through California Casualty

Download the PDF!

Once it's fully implemented, the Student Success Act could inject an additional $39 million a year into PPS. The District has to submit its priorities to the state by December 5^th, but under terms of the new law the District is required to seek input from PPS educators and staff, as well as historically underserved communities, regarding how PPS should invest these additional resources.

We’re going to make sure the District gets a clear picture of how educators across PPS think the new funds should be utilized, and there are many avenues for providing your input.

Our Instruction and Professional Development Committee has decided that one of our main goals this year will be to engage central office administrative leaders in a conversation about educators’ experience with the GVC.  To that end, we need your feedback about your experience with these elements of the GVC:

RSVP here

This November, Portland Voters will be asked once again to renew the Teacher Levy. The Levy renews the current rate that has funded an average of 825 teaching positions a year in Portland Public Schools. It is crucial for our students and our schools that the Levy passes, and as educators, we are its best spokespeople. Here is some information to help you talk to community members about the Levy.

Levy Facts:

On Thursday, September 26^th, students from Wilson High School organized a conversation for parents and community members regarding the racism they have experienced on campus.

This event was sparked by an OPB article this summer highlighting racism at three PPS high schools. In this article, students reported enduring blatant racism such as, “N-words” carved into desks, swastikas drawn on lockers, native languages being mocked, and tokenism for many students of color.

Happy Jewish New Year!! Rosh Hashanah (September 30^th) is the first day of the Jewish Holy Days! This day embarks on a 10-day journey leading to Yom Kippur (October 9^th). As our Jewish friends, students and fellow teachers observe this day (and the days to come), it is a great opportunity to do some searching, reading and learning about its values and significance in the Jewish community.

Again, our ability to teach the events, histories, traditions, faiths, and customs that are different from our own is evidence of our ally-ship and commitment to racial equity and social justice.

Don’t forget it is still Latinx and/or Hispanic Heritage Month. This heritage month began on September 15^th and runs until October 15^th. During this month, we celebrate the cultures and contributions of the Hispanic and Latinx communities.

First recognized in 1968, Hispanic Heritage Month begins on September 15^th, the anniversary of the independence of five Latin American countries: Guatemala, Honduras, Costa Rica, El Salvador and Nicaragua. During this period, Mexico, Chile, and Belize also celebrate their independence!

There’s still time to lean into culturally responsive teaching by engaging students with lessons that center Latinx and/or Hispanic culture and traditions.  This is a learning opportunity for those who do not share this ancestry. Be brave. Lean in. “Replace judgement with curiosity” and dare to go where you may not have gone before in your practice! 

Visit the PAT website for curriculum resources for your planning.

Have fun and let us know how it goes!!  

Join Ed Foster, NEA Benefits Specialist, for a seminar entitled "Time to Retire?".

Topics include:

• Understanding the re-employment option with the District for the remainder of the school year (formerly called the “PERS Bubble");
• Recent PERs legislative changes and their impact;
• PERS options at retirement and the IAP account;
• Other financial considerations for the soon-to-be retired.

Date:               Monday, October 21^st
Time:               4:30 – 6:30 PM
Location:         PAT office, 345 NE 8th Ave

Please RSVP here.

Be aware that resignation from PPS carries potential consequences beyond the obvious loss of salary and benefits.  Oregon law states that the Teacher Standards and Practices Commission (TSPC), the state educator licensing agency, may discipline a licensed educator who resigns their position without first providing a 60-day written notice to their employer school district. (ORS 342.553).

To avoid a potentially negative impact on your teaching license, if you intend to resign from PPS you must give 60-day notice in writing, or have an agreement from PPS that it will waive the 60-day requirement.  You may have to continue working for up to 60 days after giving notice, or until PPS finds someone to fill  your position. Contact your PAT UniServ Consultant before submitting your resignation.

If you have earned educational credits over the summer, or if you are a new hire and have yet to submit your educational background, you must submit the official documentation to HR no later than October 31^st  if you want the credits to count from the start of the year.

The CBA states in Article 12:

“12.2.1.3  In order to receive a salary adjustment retroactive to the beginning of the current school year, a professional educator must, by October 31st, provide the Human Resources Department with proof of completion of coursework. Adjustments based upon proof received after October 31^st will be made effective the first day of the next pay period.”

If you submit the credits to HR after October 31^st, they will move you on the salary schedule but the credits will not be counted retroactively to the start of the school year.