- See more at: http://691.mo.aft.org/node/77529/edit#sthash.mEPCOqHu.dpuf
Patience—counseled by former Vice President Joe Biden all election week as Americans waited for votes to be counted—finally paid off Nov. 7, four days after Election Day, when Biden won in Pennsylvania and gained enough Electoral College votes to acquire a new title: president-elect. AFT President Randi Weingarten says the union’s leaders and members “can’t wait to get started” on the work ahead “with an administration that will embrace and fight for the values we hold dear.”
AFT President Randi Weingarten’s latest column outlines the urgency of using our voices—our votes—in this life-changing election, when we will make a choice “between President Donald Trump, who has trafficked in chaos, fear, lies and division, and former Vice President Joe Biden, who seeks to reverse Trump’s failures on COVID-19 and the economy, and to unite and uplift the American people.” Besides the four crises we face—a pandemic, an economic crisis, racism and a climate emergency—democracy itself is on the ballot, as Trump continues to cast doubt on the legitimacy of the election.
In her September New York Times column, AFT President Randi Weingarten says that going back to school has never looked like it does now. Weingarten explains that because of President Donald Trump’s response to the coronavirus, which has been chaotic, contradictory and inept, and the lack of federal guidance and funding, we’re seeing a patchwork of school reopening plans across the country.
Tax Increment Financing, or TIF, is a tax break that a city can give to developers to help communities restore their most run-down areas or jumpstart economically sluggish parts of town. KCPS and the KC Library both receive local money from property taxes, and when the KC City Council agrees to a TIF, they're taking money away from our schools and libraries - millions and millions of dollars. KCFT & SRP is not against all TIFs and tax abatements. When they are used in areas of the city that are truly blighted or as a jobs creation tool, they can be beneficial.
Texting is a great way to communicate with our parents (and sometimes with students), but please be careful. Stick to education-related messages - nothing personal. And giving out your personal phone number can create problems. Last year, we had a parent who literally stalked a teacher. There are now apps that let teachers text-message students (and their parents) without exchanging actual telephone numbers. The one I'm most familiar with is a free one called Remind. Remind allows teachers to send messages by logging onto the Remind website, or by using the iPhone or Android app.
