From Shona Armstrong, Claremont PTA president.

Dear Claremont Parents,

The Oakland Education Association (OEA), the teachers’ union, will strike beginning this Thursday, Feb. 21. I know this will be disruptive for many families, teachers and staff. The PTA wants to help. Ana Sofia Tudose has kindly volunteered to act as a liaison between teachers and families and can best answer strike-related questions. She can be reached at anamisicu@gmail.com.

Here are some things to know

1. Academics and sports: Teachers are not giving out any homework assignments or packets during the strike. Sports: During the strike, all middle school athletics will be canceled.

2. Positive Political Action: If you wish to send a message to legislators about seeking a solution to the impasse, contact your school board representatives and state representatives to urge action. Sign and forward these petitions (one here and the other one here) asking the State for specific legislative fixes that will support OUSD in controlling its finances so it can pay a reasonable salary to teachers.

3. Support the Teachers: If you wish to support the teachers union in this labor action, here are the main things that you can do:

A. DO NOT SEND YOUR CHILD TO SCHOOL!  Avoid crossing the picket line to support teachers specifically and labor generally.  If you can, host children at your house, or workplace. Tap into the community and find a solidarity school for your child. So far, solidarity schools in the area will be at Mosswood and Bushrod Rec Centers and 13 other sites in the city, open from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. For a full list of all 15 ‘safe spaces’ in the city, please see the list to the left. If you would like to volunteer to supervise children, or organize your own solidarity school, please contact Sam Davis at samdavis9@gmail.com

     B. JOIN THE PICKETS, ATTEND RALLIES, WITH KIDS – Remember LA rallies and their impact! If children join picket lines, an adult must be with them. Rallies are usually downtown 11:30 to 1:30 each day.

C. Write or call the school board and state legislators expressing your support for the teachers’ cause. Here is a list of emails and phone numbers of people who have the power to change the situation.

D. Volunteer to help the Claremont teachers during the strike. Here is a list of volunteer opportunities during the strike.

E. Donate to the efforts of the strike.

4.  Keep yourself informed!

Best,
Shona Armstrong, PTA President
ptapresident@claremontms.org