There is always some sort of shift in my head once we hit August.  My brain goes from vacation mode back into school mode.  Like many teachers I start to plan for the coming school year, excited about the idea of a clean slate to start September with, yet not too thrilled with knowing the frantic pace that will come with going back to work.

Anyway, we are back from a bit of a summer hiatus, ready to report out on all things impacting education and labor.  Quite a bit has transpired this summer and we will be bringing you updates on that.  Additionally we face another year in which our profession will be under attacks and the very existence of public education will ride on the level of activism that our members are willing to take.

Just a reminder that the first day of school will be September 2nd.  We will be meeting for our PJSTA General Membership Meeting at Majestic Gardens in Rocky Point from 8:30-11:30 AM.  Following that will be the district’s portion of the day.

As I shared with exec board and rep council in June, we are seeking writers who are interested in publishing occasional pieces here at thepjsta.org.  If you are interested please contact me via email at thepjsta@gmail.com or by getting in touch with me at Terryville.

I will leave you for today with a video of this speech by the Chicago Teachers Union’s Michelle Gunderson.  She plead for delegates to reject a resolution that pledged that the AFT will continue to support the promise of the Common Core standards.  On the backs of NYSUT and UFT leadership the resolution passed, despite passionate pleas from rank and file members.