Kali Stern, a teacher at Vaca Pena Middle School suffered a horrible loss.  Her husband, David, passed away on April 25th at the age of only 30. This was very unexpected and leaves Kali and her young daughter Elizabeth completely devastated. The process that comes along with end of life can be very expensive. With the permission of Kali, Lindsey Hamilton at Vaca Pena set up a Go Fund Me to help offset any of the costs required at this time. If you can, please consider donating to this sweet family.

Thank you,
Todd Blanset

https://www.gofundme.com/f/bz75nd-the-stern-family?utm_source=customer&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_campaign=p_cf+share-flow-1

New COVID-19 Grants  

• The NEA Foundation has three new grant opportunities to address effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on teaching and learning:   
  1. $1,500-$5,000 six-month grants help educators address contributors to educational inequity and educational opportunity gaps.  
  2. One-year grants of either $2,000 or $5,000 to assist educators in preparing themselves, their colleagues, their students, or school community to respond to increased equity and opportunity challenges in the 2020-21 school year. 
  3. One-year grants of either $2,000 or $5,000 support educator-led projects in 2020-21 that advance equity and opportunity, responding to student needs that emerged or intensified during the pandemic.  

New CTA Trainings: MATHome and Understanding Anger 

• CTA continues to offer live and recorded webinars to build and refresh your skills during COVID-19. A sampling: MATHome (Weds., May 6, 1-2 p.m.) offers daily mathematics activities that children and parents can do together to build mathematics stamina and power, from arts and crafts to dance moves. Understanding Anger (Thurs., May 7, 3-4 p.m.) is the first of a three-part series dealing with student anger, trauma and bias; educators will learn how to de-escalate the anger and foster a more constructive relationship with the student. Sign up  here; view recorded webinars here. 

Financial relief from Provident Credit Union  

• From temporary payment relief and temporarily suspended credit reporting to skip-a-pay loan programs, late fee waivers, and more, Provident Credit Union has a comprehensive list of financial relief options for CTA members suffering a loss or disruption in income due to the coronavirus. While branches are located primarily in the Bay area, any CTA member across the state can access these benefits. Get details and learn more at Provident Member Resources. 

On May 1, 1886, the U.S. Federation of Organized Trade and Labor Unions (including immigrant workers) ruled that an 8-hour work day would be a full and legal work day. May 1 continues to be a national day of action; this year the focus is on raising awareness about immigration rights and the need to keep families together as they fight for a better life. Resources to share are here and  here.

On April 28, CTA President E. Toby Boyd let state lawmakers know that safety of both students and educators, along with deliberate and collaborative planning, would be paramount in deciding when and how to reopen schools. “When students physically return to schools, it needs to be planned and deliberate, with public health at the forefront of all decision-making,” Boyd said. “Educators must be part of conversations that directly impact students.”

Read CTA’s “Where We Stand on Reopening Schools” for more information.