AN INVITATION TO OEA-RETIRED MEMBERS & FRIENDS

“How many decades have we been advocating for the State of Oregon to step up to the plate and provide adequate and stable funding for our public schools?” he asked rhetorically. If you are like me (God help us all, if that is the case), you have probably spent a large part of your adult life supporting your schools, your former students and their families, and your professional colleagues. Being the self-deceiving optimist that I am, I always envisioned that someday those in power would recognize that if you invest and support our schools in the present, step up and support those who are on the front lines in our classrooms, schools, buses, physical plants, etc., you save a lot of resources and heartache in the long term! The bottom line is that “Strong Schools” means a “Strong Oregon” and “Strong Families.”

I invite you to join me and thousands of others to once again express the above sentiment in a show of strength and unity on Presidents’ Day, Monday, February 20, on the steps of the Capitol Building in Salem. This OEA sponsored event is being called “A Day of Action” to advocate for the students of Oregon and show support for all of our public education professionals who are working hard to keep our schools strong in spite of inadequate resources and in spite of all of the armchair critics who think testing students ad infinitum is the panacea for improved education!

The rally itself is scheduled from noon to 1:00 pm and should be quite the event! Please try to come and join the many who will be reminding those inside the building that lots of people still care about the most important service that is provided to young Oregonians and their families, friends, and neighbors. If you are so inclined, make an appointment in the afternoon (following the rally event) with your own legislators and express your interest in having them support their local schools. I’m sure it will be a day to remember!

Sincerely yours,