Have you noticed teachers wearing red on Wednesdays? “Red for Ed” is a national movement that encourages lawmakers and public officials to make funding decisions that reflect our students’ and schools’ needs. On a local level, the State of Oregon is currently laying out its proposed budget for the 2019-2021 biennium, and this budget will directly affect our teachers, students and school.
Our teachers’ union, the Tigard Tualatin Education Association, is organizing events in an effort to compel our legislature to make funding education a priority.
There are many ways you can support our teachers:
- Show your support by wearing red on Wednesdays.
- Take a few minutes of your time to contact your local legislators and urge them to adequately fund our students’ education. You can enter your address here to find out who represents you. If you send an email, please cc Traci Rose (trose1@ttsd.k12.or.us) in the district offices.
- On April 24 our teachers will participate in a festive rally outside the school. Teachers – wearing red and holding signs – will gather in the school garden at 7:25 am and will enter the building as a group just before 7:45 am. Photos from our school rally will be sent to Salem as a symbol of our teachers’ solidarity. You are invited to come, take photos, and share them far and wide.
- Attend the Our Students Matter Festival on Saturday, May 4. From 1-4 pm families are invited to this free festival that will include student performances, food, face painting, music and educational booths. The OSM Festival will be held at Stella Olsen Park (22256 SW Washington St, Sherwood).
Red for Ed is not just for teachers, and the outcome of the state’s budget planning will affect every family. If you’d like more information, visit the TTEA facebook page, the Oregon Education Association’s website or the Red for Ed website.