Click the links at the beginning of the descriptions to view, share or download resources from your 2021 Folder. Scroll down for additional digital only links as well!
AFT: COVID Vaccines Myths Busted: An important list of debunked myths and assumptions about COVID-19 to help put minds at ease with the most common misconceptions & questions.
What Comes With PFT Membership: While there are countless intangible benefits of standing shoulder-to-shoulder with committed workers throughout our union, there really are numerous benefits you enjoy automatically with PFT membership.
First Friend/Best Friend: A simple checklist for outreach and guidance for new hires/members. Particularly important given the pandemic’s affect on in-person meeting.
Understanding Leaves & Laws: Learn more about ADA and/or leave of absence choices and current laws affecting those choices.
Building Rep Committee Checklist:With a reduced schedule of Workshops throughout the year, it’s more important than ever to have your Building Rep Checklist at hand—a handy reminder for all you can do for your school and members as a rep.
Breakfast With Nina: An opportunity to engage face-to-face at your school with union leadership and personally discuss the issues and news that matters to you.
ER&D (AFT Professional Development):The nation’s longest running ER&D program is back and we’ll be working with the format this year to hopefully provide a little pandemic flexibility. Four Courses to choose from–each worth valuable Act 48 credits or in-service credits—but we must have enough member interest to host one or several of the classes. Click here for on-line information and registration form.
Weingarten Rights: Whether virtual or in person, you have certain rights to union representation when a potential disciplinary issue arises. Our Weingarten rights card is now business-card sized—printable at home.
PFT Dues Per Pay Breakdown & Distribution: We stretch member dues pretty far when you understand exactly how dues are allocated and all that we try to provide for the investment.
Charter Schools Facts: Despite efforts by Governor Wolf to level the playing field, c charter schools are taking full advantage of COVID-19 to maximize enrollment, which continues to devastate school district budgets across the Commonwealth.
Life Skills and Member Benefits: There’s so much here that comes standard with your membership—mental health, career and home/life counseling, plus a wealth of categorized resources. Enter PGHBOE as your login at http://lifesolutionsforyou.com/. The flyer is available on line for sharing.
Executive Board & Staff List: The elected PFT Executive Board meets in an official capacity monthly throughout the year. Like the e-board, the PFT staff works year-round as well.
ADDITIONAL digital resources and links:
Commit Card: This is a copy of the recommit card for all new members—the standing application for PFT membership. New (and current) members should also be encouraged to consider Political Action Committee support—for as little as $5 a pay period or less Our PAC now has over 700 contributors--learn more and sign up here!
Labor Day 2021: We’re not going to be down about not having a parade or picnic. Instead we’ll respond with a Food Drive and Cash Donation Drive for the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank, and support the ACLC citywide blood drive on Friday September 3rd and more-–click here for details and donation information!
UPDATE: THIS MEETING HAS TRANSPIRED: LOOK for information regarding the full release of subcommittee recommendations soon!
The All In to Reopen Our Schools plan has been developed by 14 subcommittees composed of a cross-section of over 300 education stakeholders within five categories:
Academic Programming and Instructional Support
Academic Personnel and Developing Capacity
Family Support & Wellbeing
School Operations for a Safe and Healthy Environment
Communications, Outreach and Community Coordination
These subcommittees have shared their recommendations for the best course of action to keep PPS students and staff safe during the reopening process with the Superintendent and Executive Cabinet.
On Tuesday, July 14, the Executive Cabinet will report to the full All In to Reopen Our Schools Committee on those recommendations that will move forward for 2020-2021.
Click here to learn more about the All In To Reopen Schools Plan – and view district video updates on progress to date. https://www.pghschools.org/Page/5469
The AFT’s 86th biennial convention is underway, bringing together 4,000 delegates from around the country across our K-12, paraprofessional, higher education, healthcare and public employee divisions.
JULY 28: The AFT’s biennial convention is starting today, and we’re doing it virtually! This year is all about how we are fighting for a better life for our members—and for everyone. Today’s highlights include AFT President Randi Weingarten’s State of the Union speech and the presentation of AFT Secretary-Treasurer Lorretta Johnson’s Bayard Rustin Award. Other highlights include a Black Lives Matter panel and discussion of economic inequity on Wednesday, and remarks from former Vice President Joe Biden on Thursday. Additional sessions will feature professor and education historian Diane Ravitch, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, and award-winning composer, lyricist and actor Lin-Manuel Miranda. Tune in live at 11 a.m. ET on the AFT’s Facebook page or at www.aft.org and use the hashtag #AFT20.
Do you like a reading a good book and discussing it with family, friends & colleagues? Do you have a phone? If you answered yes to all of the above, you are uniquely qualified to take advantage of another awesome literary opportunity currently on offer in PPS!
PFT MEMBERS are welcome to join us in reading & discussing (in person or on the phone) the book…
“Culturally and Linguistically Responsive Teaching and Learning, Classroom Practices for Student Success” — Second Edition by Sharroky Hollie
Name: Clemustine Sinack Occupation: 7th & 8th Grade Science Teacher at South Hills Middle School Years In Education: 23 years Years At Current Position/School: 3 years Previously, I … taught in North Carolina and I’ve taught elementary and secondary science. I taught in NC from 1997 until 2016. Moved to Pittsburgh in 2016 and started teaching in February of 2016 .
Pittsburgh South Hills 6-8 is a state finalist in the Samsung Solve for Tomorrow innovation competition! View PPS News Release here.
PFT: What is the idea for the project? Is there an application you submitted with answers that you could share with us?
CLEM: The idea for the project is to create an Automated Hydroponic Greenhouse that can be used in teaching not only the students, but also serve as a way to involve the community by exposing the parents to STEM in a meaningful way. The hope is to create a school farmers market that would happen yearly. Information on the project, including specific images, is an embargo on images until finalists have been announced.
One of the requirements of the application was to propose a sustainable, meaningful project that would benefit the students and the community. We believe we can be a shining example for other schools across the country, and hope for local investment to sustain the project as well
Concept Example
PFT:How did you, your school, and your students choose this as the project to enter into the contest?
CLEM: The thought process was to have something that would benefit and be something of value, to all the students. Food is a universal connector; it brings families together, brings happiness, and it’s something that could be relatable to everyone.
PFT: What will be the result of the project if you win the contest? Is your school considering funding or supporting the hydroponic greenhouse project no matter what happens with the contest?
South Hills Middle School
CLEM: If we were to win the entire contest it would mean $100,000 dollars in school technology and classroom resources! Each win still gives us technology and recourses after the state level, however.
Currently there is no plan for funding the greenhouse no matter what, due to funds. While this is a wonderful endeavor, we have more pressing matters that would take precedent in our building.
If we don’t win, we hope to get business sponsors to help the startup of the project anyway while making and keeping connections so that we may enter the contest again with other ideas.
PFT: Why is this idea important—to the students, the school and the community?
CLEM: Simply put, it’s important because anything that can connect, help and build a sense of community is always important.
PFT: How proud are you of your students? Your school? Elaborate—please tell us why?
CLEM: I’m proud of our students because they have a lot to offer. We are a school of students who have talent and gifts. This is a good way to show them. South Hills is a great place to work.
The teachers, the staff, the administration all have a vested interest in our students, and I hope to let everyone in on our little family here at South Hills.
NOTE: Responses must be received by Friday, February 7, 2020. You will be notified by email/text regarding acceptance into the class after February 14, 2020. (Classes are not assigned on a first-come, first-served basis.)
