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IMPORTANT!  Next week's issue is going to be a Contract Spotlight issue.  Please send pictures of you and your colleagues with the NTU contract book and we will feature you!

In This Issue:

1) Membership Packets

2) Understanding Longevity

3) Pet Insurance

And Much More!

The purpose of this is to provide you a Daily COVID Situation Update. 

With the 2020 U.S. Census data now available, Maryland will begin the process of redrawing its 8 U.S. congressional and 47 state legislative districts. 

Click through for info on how you can have your voice heard in how these districts should be drawn:

Our hearts go out to all of you in the aftermath of Hurricane Ida. We know that educating students during a pandemic has been difficult enough; and now we have experienced a devastating natural disaster. The school system is continuing to assess the safety of each building to ensure that they are conducive for teaching and learning. At this time all schools are closed until further notice.

In December, the Maryland State Legislature will convene a special session to redraw our state’s congressional boundaries. The special session is different from the January-to-April regular legislative session: the state legislature will not hear testimony on the budget or consider any bills. They will only take up legislation to redraw congressional districts based on the 2020 U.S. Census data.

However, the state legislature will override bills which Governor Hogan vetoed last May.

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Before AFT Amesbury member Tia Costello was selected as one of just 12 teachers nationwide to be part of an AFT Civics Design Team that will develop civics curricula and professional development for K-12 educators, she spent a decade teaching social studies to Amesbury middle school students. But her path to becoming a national civics education leader began long before that.

“Especially in the climate that we’re in, it’s important that educators understand how to talk about politics and ensure that we can have conversations without tuning each other out,” says Tia. “It’s important for teachers of civics to have passion, teach dynamically, and encourage, not shy away from, student participation.”

“I really do believe that kids learn best when they get to do things themselves,” says Tia. “Even though they’re not old enough to vote, once they get involved in something, they realize they can make a difference. Civics education builds agency in kids. They realize that as adults, they can vote, but they can also do much more than just that. They can be full participants in our democracy.”

September 9, 2021

PHILADELPHIA—"Amidst a surge of the even more transmissible 'Delta' strain of COVID-19 and amidst surges in childhood infections--against the backdrop of the majority of our students not even yet eligible for vaccination--the District's nursing shortage and related failures are especially dangerous.

"This nation has, rightfully, lauded the incredible efforts of our healthcare professionals throughout this pandemic. And yet, in the School District of Philadelphia, nurse vacancies abound, leaving our young people and school communities vulnerable.

In the wake of Hurricane Ida, St. Tammany Parish Superintendent Frank Jabbia stated at a school board meeting that he was confident that instructional minutes would be waived. The communications director for STPSB, Meredith Mendez, subsequently stated “at this time, we are not revising our calendar because we are hopeful the state will provide waivers to the required instructional seat time given the widespread damage across the state.”

☀️ #AFTVoices is proud to present, Laura Sanchez! ☀️

This series aims to uplift the voices, members, staff and educators that make up AFT Massachusetts. This week we're highlighting Laura, a school social worker and clinical director from the Lynn Teachers Union! Even before the pandemic, Laura was ringing the alarms about the mental health crisis of our students, teachers, staff and paraprofessionals. Now, as our communities face economic, housing, and food crisis', she is motivated more than ever to provide the support needed to weather the storm.