… here’s a refresher on what it’s all about: CTA conducted extensive research and acquired input from thousands of educators to hone in on the most important topics that affect teaching and learning. The result was The Public Education All California Students Deserve, a document that outlines proven education strategies that improve and enhance student learning, are essential to providing a quality public education to all of California’s 9 million students, build stronger local communities, and help maintain public education as the cornerstone of our democratic society. Check it out – it’s yours to use and share!

The American Red Cross office in Santa Rosa has established a small team of volunteers to replace specific items lost by school students whose schools or homes have been damaged or destroyed. They are accepting musical instruments for the students for classes or orchestras throughout Sonoma County. The team is working with Santa Rosa City Schools as well as the Sonoma County Office of Education. For additional information or to donate, please contact Bob Berger at 415-652-0847, or email him at rzberger@yahoo.com.

Our hearts and thoughts go out to the many students, fellow educators and families impacted by the fires that raged through California. In the Santa Rosa area alone, nearly 40 CTA members have lost their homes, with over 100 members losing their homes in several Northern California counties. In addition to Grants from CTA’s Disaster Relief Fund, and support for policy-holders from CTA’s endorsed insurance company, California Casualty, the Santa Rosa Teachers Association has started a YouCaring Fund, which has generated nearly $33,000 to date, and the Redwood Service Center Council has started a GoFundMe page with a goal of $20,000.

The CTA Board of Directors will award Incentive Grants for attendance at the following statewide conferences:

Grants will also be offered for the summer conferences. Look for information about the Presidents Conference and Summer Institute in April 2018.

To apply for an incentive grant online visit www.CTAGo.org/grants.

Minority Incentive Grants – Minority members are defined as belonging to one of the following racial-ethnic groups:  African American; American Indian/Alaska Native; Asian; Hispanic; Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander or Multi-ethnic.  These grants are offered to encourage minority leadership within the Association.

Small Chapter Incentive Grants will be awarded to small chapters with a unit size of 100 or fewer members or 200 or fewer members for Issues Conference.  Unit size is defined as the number of persons who are represented for purposes of collective bargaining. The chapter membership may be less than the unit size.

Special Small Chapter Full Incentive Grants will be offered for Issues Conference participants from chapters with a unit size of 25 or fewer members.  In addition to the conference fee and covered transportation costs, this grant pays for substitute cost for release time and housing based on two conference participants per room.

Special Under-Represented Groups (White Male, and Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual or Transgender) Grants will be offered for Equity and Human Rights Conference participants.

New Member Grants will be awarded to applicants who are within their first 5 years of CTA membership.

Again, to learn more about CTA Conferences and grants, go to www.CTAGo.org.

Should you have any questions regarding the online application process for the incentive grants, please call the CTA Conference Coordination Center at 650-552-5355.