Click Here to See More Pictures from the Walk

Thanks to all who donated! Due to Hurricane Sandy our Blood Drive was cancelled, however we joined the Medford Fire Department and helped collect over 95 pints.  Over 20 of our members attended and some of our non-members who donate each year were called and showed up as well.  Morrigan Halliday, our Eagle student who we were doing the drive in honor of, was there with many friends and family too!

PMCT Supports the Chicago Teacher's Union by Wearing Red Shirts 9/12/12

The primary disagreement appears to be teacher job security in the wake of a new program that evaluates teachers based on students' standardized test scores. The Chicago Teachers Union called the idea "data-driven madness." However, Chicago Teachers Union President Karen Lewis said teachers had no choice but to strike, despite "intense but productive" bargaining sessions. "This is no way to measure the effectiveness of an educator," Lewis said Sunday. "Further, there are too many factors beyond our control which impact how well some students perform on standardized tests such as poverty, exposure to violence, homelessness, hunger and other social issues beyond our control."

Another sticking point is a "recall" policy that would put laid-off teachers in line for job openings at other schools within the district. Emanuel said such a policy would take hiring decisions away from school principals and put them in the hands of central administrators and union leaders. As many as 6,000 teachers could lose their jobs under the evaluation system, according to Lewis, who called the system "unacceptable."

Union officials have said they are puzzled by the stance of Emanuel, the city's Democratic mayor, whom they accused of going back on promises to teachers, police officers and other civil servants.

The membership of PMCT along with NYSUT and the AFT stand in solidarity with the Chicago teachers. Union Strong!

Stay Connected with NYSUT!!

Follow Us On Twitter