Philadelphia Federation of Teachers

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$5000 Patrick J. Eiding Scholarship for PFT Members

March 15, 2023 Scholarship Application Open March 15-May 15, 2023 Dear PFT Members, The SAGE Scholars Educational Foundation is delighted to announce a special $5,000 College Scholarship in the name of Patrick J. Eiding to members of the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers. The application for this scholarship is open to all PFT Union members with students in either their senior year of high school or students currently enrolled in college. MORE

PFT PRESIDENT JERRY JORDAN ON THE FATAL SHOOTING OF 15-YEAR-OLD NEKO RIVERA

[Updated] March 16, 2023 "Gut-wrenching horror. I am so sorry for Neko Rivera whose life was stolen from him, for his family, for the Kensington HS and Fels communities and for everyone who continues to be impacted by the devastation of gun violence. "17 District children killed this school year alone—it should be unfathomable—but day in and day out we see this absolute limitless horror of the crisis of gun violence. We cannot continue to live and die like this." MORE

PFT JOINS COUNCILMEMBER THOMAS, COALITION TO CALL FOR FACILITIES PLAN AND INVESTMENT

March 13, 2023

This morning, PFT President Jerry Jordan joined a coalition press conference calling for a comprehensive, collaborative, transparent facilities plan, coupled with significant investment commensurate with the facilities needs of our public schools.

The event was hosted by City Council's Chair of the Committee on Education Councilmember Isaiah Thomas.

Read Jerry Jordan's prepared remarks here and below.

In addition to Jordan and Thomas, participants included:

AFTPA President Arthur Steinberg
CASA President Robin Cooper
32BJ District Leader John Bynum
State Senator Vincent Hughes
State

PFT RESPONDS TO INQUIRER EDITORIAL

March 12, 2023

In response to the Sunday March 12th Inquirer editorial regarding the upcoming Mayoral election, PFT shared the following on our Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram pages:

PFT PRESIDENT JERRY JORDAN ON THE SHOOTING NEAR HESTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

March 9, 2023 "I am absolutely horrified by the shooting near Heston Elementary School yesterday afternoon. Three individuals were in the school office that was hit with bullets. To think that our young people and their educators are not safe while carrying on their daily lives is just outrageous and deeply disturbing. My thoughts are with the person injured and their loved ones, as well as to the staff and community members who witnessed or are otherwise impacted by this horror. MORE

PFT PRESIDENT JERRY JORDAN ON GOVERNOR SHAPIRO'S BUDGET ADDRESS

March 7, 2023 In response to Governor Shapiro's first budget address, PFT President Jerry Jordan issued the following statement: PHILADELPHIA--"I congratulate Governor Shapiro on delivering a thoughtful budget address that outlines a host of investments in critical resources. Specifically, we are hopeful that the urgency Governor Shapiro conveyed surrounding our Commonwealth's constitutional and moral obligation to provide every child with a 'thorough and efficient' system of public education was recognized and taken to heart by legislators throughout the Commonwealth. "While we continue to look at the specific allocations for public education, we certainly recognize the significance of Governor Shapiro's initial proposal of over $1B in investment in pre-k through 12 public education this year. "I urge the legislature to fully fund a system of public education that has been underfunded for decades. We can and must implement a bold investment, and I urge the legislature to take seriously the proposals put forth by both Governor Shapiro and Senator Hughes. MORE