PFT Building Representatives Ethel Peterson-Johnson (Bregy), Charlotte McCracken (Bache Martin), Sharahn Santana (Parkway NW), Anna Phelan (OEC), and Political Liaison Kate Sundeen (Palumbo) testified at April 28th's Council hearing on the American Rescue Plan. They focused on priorities for allocating rescue plan funding, emphasizing facilities invesetments, mental health support, and investing in resources and supplies.
PFT President Jerry Jordan joined educators, students, elected officials, community leaders to call for education equity. The event, convented by State Senator Vincent Hughes, was held outside Martin Luther King, Jr. High School, one day after the anniversary of King's assassination. Senator Hughes pointed to this as a reminder that we must recommit to ensuring education equity for our young people. Read Jerry Jordan's remarks from the event:
"Thank you, Senator Hughes and thank you to the many speakers and representatives for coming today to request, to implore, to demand that our legislature does what is right by the children of Pennsylvania and fund our schools fairly and equitably." Read Benjamin's remarks:
AFTPA President Arthur Steinberg, PFT President Jerry Jordan, and PFTHW Director of Environmental Science Jerry Roseman joined a critical hearing on Pennsylvania's toxic schools' crisis. The hearing, called by State Representatives Fiedler and Bizarro and State Senator Vincent Hughes, was an important avenue for advocating for the urgent resources we know are needed to ensure that our schools are free from environmental toxins.
"Our city is about to receive an unprecedented amount of money to meet an unprecedented need, and we must act collectively and intelligently to ensure we use this stimulus money in a way that will have the greatest lasting impact on our children’s future." Read Sharahn's Remarks:
December 23, 2020
Dear Members,
It has certainly been an historic year, and one wrought with profound loss and sadness. And as you embark upon a well-deserved respite, I hope you will take time to pause and reflect on how much you have accomplished amidst such trying times. You have done so much for our schoolchildren, your families, and your communities. I hope that you have a peaceful holiday break, and that however you celebrate, you will do so in a way that keeps you and yours safe.
The year was so profound, that I wanted to take a look back at just some of what has unfolded, and our union’s role in all of it. So, bear with me-- this is a long one, but I believe it’s important to reflect on one of the most significant years in recent history.
July 28, 2020
Today, the PFT released its most recent member survey regarding reopening school buildings. Over 7,500 members participated in the weeklong survey.
July 23, 2020
PFT President Jerry Jordan’s July 23rd Testimony before the School Board
July 14, 2020
This morning, the PFT released its recommendations regarding reopening school buildings. These recommendations are built on months of member feedback, and are developed in conjunction with insight and expertise from scientists and infectious disease experts.
