CTA local associations around the state are holding several events tomorrow (March 15) that highlight efforts to support and expand community schools. The forum and rallies shine a light on the successful community school model, which includes educators, students, district management, parents and community in shared decision making to determine individual, school and community needs, and how funding is allocated. Specific information and shareables for each are available here.  The events include:  

Oakland

Oakland Education Association (OEA) Rally, 2-6 p.m., Lake Merritt Amphitheatre. This public rally focuses on OEA’s contract campaign that includes safe, stable and racially just community schools. Educators are asking for support in demanding that the Oakland Unified School District bargain in good faith. Speakers include Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao, city council members and school board members.  

Sacramento

“Sacramento United for Community Schools,” a people’s forum, 5:30 p.m. at Luther Burbank High School in Sacramento.

Leaders from four CTA local associations (Folsom-Cordova Education Association, Natomas Teachers Association, Sacramento City Teachers Association and Twin Rivers United Educators) discuss the transformative powers of community schools when they are created and governed by educators, parents and school staff sitting at the same table as administrators. Speakers also include parents and community members, State Board of Education Member and Montebello Educator Gabriela Gonzalez, San Diego Education Association along with San Diego Unified School District.

Los Angeles

UTLA “United for LA Schools” Rally, 4:30-6:30 p.m., Grand Park. On Wednesday March 15, United Teachers Los Angeles (UTLA) and SEIU Local 99 will be hosting a joint rally at Grand Park to fight back against Los Angeles Unified School District’s (LAUSD) resistance to bargain around contract demands such as equitable salaries, core benefits, staff shortages and vacancies. LAUSD’s lack of urgency to settle contracts with SEIU and UTLA, when the district currently sits on $4.8 billion in reserves, continues to negatively impact schools, students and LAUSD employees. This includes investment in and expansion of community schools.

San Diego

San Diego Education Association “Recover, Rebuild, and Rise Together” Rallies: 

(John Muir Language Academy, 4431 Mt. Herbert Ave., San Diego, March 15, 7:15-7:45 a.m.;
Chavez Elementary, 1404 S. 40th St., #3210, San Diego, March 16, 7-7:30 a.m.; Hoover High, 4474 El Cajon Blvd., San Diego, March 16, 3:35-4 p.m.)

San Diego Education Association (SDEA), a union of 6,500 teachers, counselors, nurses and other certificated educators in San Diego Unified School District (SDUSD), is currently bargaining for a new union contract that would ensure long-term improvements for students, schools and the community. On March 15 and 16, SDEA and parents will hold rallies at the school sites above, part of a weeklong schedule of rallies and other activities to bring awareness to SDEA’s community-centered bargaining goals. These include doubling elementary enrichment classes, more after-school programs, a full-time counselor at every elementary school, a full-time nurse at every high school, better special education staffing, smaller class sizes, and more.