August 30, 2023

"Once again, the Republican led Pennsylvania State Senate is not only refusing to address their legally (and morally) mandated responsibility to provide Pennsylvania’s students with a thorough and efficient system of public education, Republican leadership is actively working to dismantle public education.

8-26-23

In response to the deadly mass shooting in Jacksonville, FL, when a white supremacist stole the lives of three Black individuals, PFT President Jerry Jordan issued the following statement:

PHILADELPHIA--"I am enraged and devastated by the deadly act of white supremacy in Jacksonville, Florida, where once again the catastrophic combination of racism and firearms has left a community shattered. 

August 15, 2023

Dear PFT Paraprofessionals,

Applications are now re-opened for the Paraprofessional Career Development program, and I am thrilled!

As you know, the PFT--in direct response to YOUR proposals and collaboration--worked to prioritize and WIN a terrific paraprofessional career development program in our contract. It is one of the top programs in the nation and offers NO COST tuition as a result of our negotiations. I urge you to read the profile of this great program right here, featuring PFT Staff Representative LeShawna Coleman and PFT Co-Building Representative Gemayel Keyes. I am SO proud to report that Gemayel is beginning his first full year as a classroom teacher after successfully completing the program last year. He will continue to do amazing work for the students at Spruance Elementary School, now as a special education teacher.

Take advantage of this wonderful program! All the details are below, including important information sessions. Using your PhilaSD email address, express your interest by filling out this form: https://tinyurl.com/ParaPathwayAugust2023

Additional documents and research:

6/21/23: Memo: Voucher opposition

6/21/23: Memo: Support for HB1408 (facilities funding)

6/23/23: Remarks at facilities press conference

6/26/23: Memo: Additional research on vouchers

6/27/23: Remarks at anti-voucher coalition press conference

Summer is upon us, and parents, children and teachers are winding down from what has been an exhausting and fully operational school year—the first since the devastating pandemic. The long-lasting impact of COVID-19 has affected our students’ and families’ well-being and ignited the politics surrounding public schools. All signs point to the coming school year unfolding with the same sound and fury, and if extremist culture warriors have their way, being even more divisive and stressful.

August 3, 2023

On the finalized Pennsylvania budget, PFT President Jerry T. Jordan issued the following statement:

“We are pleased that the budget is now law and includes additional funding for public education. The misguided push to divert public dollars into private institutions was a distraction that diverts us from our collective responsibility to truly invest in public education. Now the real work begins to once and for all implement a system of school funding that not only meets our moral obligation but also meets the constitutional obligation as set forth in the February court case ruling. It is well past time for Philadelphia’s children to have the resources that students In wealthier, whiter school districts have.