How you can help Chicago teachers from anywhere
Teachers in the 3rd largest school district in the United States are on strike today.
What can you do to support Chicago teachers:
* Learn about the issues in play.
What can you do to support Chicago teachers:
* Learn about the issues in play.
If you’re in a rush, at least read this tidbit found in “STRIKE!“.:
“We are demanding a reasonable timetable for the installation of air-conditioning in student classrooms–a sweltering, 98-degree classroom is not a productive learning environment for children. This type of environment is unacceptable for our members and all school personnel. A lack of climate control is unacceptable to our parents.”
“We are demanding a reasonable timetable for the installation of air-conditioning in student classrooms–a sweltering, 98-degree classroom is not a productive learning environment for children. This type of environment is unacceptable for our members and all school personnel. A lack of climate control is unacceptable to our parents.”
Considering that Chicago and the Midwest suffered a weeks long deadly heatwave this summer, I’m surprised that air conditioning needs to be quibbled over.
Read Chicago teachers on strike by Laura Clawson at Daily Kos
Read Why are Chicago teachers on strike? – Washington Post
Visit the Chicago Teachers Union web site
Read what I wrote following a talk by a rank and file CTU member: In Madison standing at the brink of the CTU strike
If you have time, read The Schools Chicago Students Deserve. Not all of what the CTU want for students can be negotiated into a contract. But this document establishes what they’re aiming for. The bullet points:
*class size matters,
*teachers must educate the whole child,
*children need “wrap-around services” (like counseling),
and
*students of color need equitable delivery of services.
*class size matters,
*teachers must educate the whole child,
*children need “wrap-around services” (like counseling),
and
*students of color need equitable delivery of services.
The document also calls for
*early education without excessive testing,
*teacher compensation befitting training and experience,
*equitable service delivery to bilingual and special education students,
*sound school buildings,
*invitations for parents to participate, and
*a guarantee of funding for essential services.
*early education without excessive testing,
*teacher compensation befitting training and experience,
*equitable service delivery to bilingual and special education students,
*sound school buildings,
*invitations for parents to participate, and
*a guarantee of funding for essential services.
* Donate:
Buy a teacher lunch by donating to Primo’s Pizza, a locally owned and teacher-friendly restaurant near the strike HQ delivering pizza, pasta and salads. Call Gus or Daisy at Primo’s Pizza at (312) 243-1052 . Primo’s is at 816 W Van Buren Street, Chicago. Open 11 am to 9 pm Monday through Friday.