PFT President Jerry Jordan urges PFT members to join with City Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell to donate new, ungift-wrapped toys to be distributed to children in homeless shelters. Click on th headline to find the Holiday Toy Drop Location near you.

PFT members approve a 1-year contract extension that provides 4% raises effective March 15, 2009, maintains all of their health care and benefits and keeps all of their rights under the current contract in tact through August 31, 2009.

Immediately moving the historic 2008 presidential election from the voting booth to the classroom, the American Federation of Teachers today launched a Web site for educators that provides information, materials and lesson plans to help students absorb the many teachable moments of this history-making campaign.

PFT members know that small classes in kindergarten through third grade is a reform that works. To find out why the PFT continues to fight for smaller class sizes, see our ad in the fall Public School Notebook.

Employees are fired in one-fourth of private-sector union organizing campaigns. The most promising approach to leveling the playing field between workers and employers is to reform the labor law system, which is exactly what the Employee Free Choice Act. Read more and sign the petition at http://www.freechoiceact.org/page/s/aft

AFT Pennsylvania is reaching out to charter school teachers and staff, with phone banks, home visits, social networking opportunities and professional development.

Thirteen AFTPA union activists received the AFT's Living Legacy Award at the AFT Convention in Chicago this summer.

In the same week, two studies shed light on an alarming reality in Philadelphia: The city has the highest incarceration rates in the nation and one of the lowest graduation rates. PFT president Jerry T. Jordan comments in the Friday, April 11, Philadelphia Inquirer.

Save the dates August 2-7 for the 34th United Association for Labor Education's Northeast Regional Summer School for Union Women.

Union members can take advantage of NEW grant, scholarship and award opportunities for themselves, their schools and their students. New listings weekly. 2009 Summer Holocaust Institute in Poland and Israel, low-cost computers for low-income families and PA Hospital education program just added.

The School Reform Commission approved the School Calendar for the 2008-2009 School Year at its March 12 meeting. The first day of school for staff is Sept. 2 and the last day is June 23. Click on the headline to see the calendar.