Do you spend personal money on school supplies?

Are you concerned about class size?

Do you spend more time addressing in-direct student services?

How much does it cost to educate our students?

A whole generation of students has gone through the Massachusetts public schools since the last time an analysis of what it costs to educate our children from pre-K to high school graduation was done. That’s why educators, education support professionals, and community members need to advocate for legislation to help determine how best to provide opportunities for every Massachusetts student.

Let’s be proactive…let’s be informed...! Learn more about House Bill 153, An Act to Fulfill the Promise of Education Reform: Adequate Funding for Student Success. Join your colleagues at a discussion with:

Senator Patricia Jehlen

Second Middlesex District

Thursday, November 17, 2011

4:30 PM

West Somerville Neighborhood School

177 Powderhouse Boulevard

Somerville, MA 02144

Contact Frances Cooper-Berry, via e-mail, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for information and to be included in the Legislative Political Action Team (LPAT).

LPAT Second Middlesex Senate District is a collaboration of members

of the Massachusetts Teachers Association from Medford, Somerville, and Winchester

The Massachusetts Teachers Association supports Occupy Wall Street, Occupy Boston and similar protests across the country that are calling attention to political and economic systems that unfairly reward the wealthy at the expense of everyone else and are contributing to high levels of unemployment and economic insecurity.

Although the protesters express diverse views, a unifying message is that financial and political institutions must be held accountable for the excesses that led to the current economic crisis, the struggles of the middle class and the growing wealth gap in the United States.

The MTA shares these concerns. We believe:

* Strong educator unions are needed to defend the interests of our students, many of whom are not able to reach their full potential because of the lack of necessary resources and supports in their schools and communities.

* Strong unions are needed to hold corporations and politicians accountable for how their policies affect working men and women.

* Strong educator unions are needed to defend the interests of teachers, higher education faculty and other education staff - public servants who have been under attack in many states by those who mistakenly believe that organized labor is responsible for the country's economic ills.

* Progressive tax reforms are needed to make sure the wealthy are paying their fair share and to guarantee adequate funding for education and other public services that are essential to the successful functioning of our democracy.

We encourage MTA members to participate in peaceful protest actions that call attention to these inequities and that seek reform of the financial regulations, campaign finance rules and tax codes that so handsomely reward the 1 percent at the expense of the remaining 99 percent.

As I am sure you have read the timelines for enrollment into the Group Insurance Commission are coming up quickly.    STA is pleased to offer the following information sessions for members (and retirees) to meet to address the ever elusive question,

"How do I decide which GIC plan is right for me?"

October 5, 2011 from noon to 2pm at Somerville Library 79 Highland Avenue.

This session is targeted for retirees

October 5, 2011 from 6-8 pm at Somerville High School Auditorium 81 Highland Ave.

October 11, 2011 from 6-8 pm at SHS Auditorium, 81 Highland Ave.

October 12, 2011 from 6-8 pm at SHS Auditorium, 81 Highland Ave.

October 18, 2011 from 3-5:30pm at SHS Auditorium, 81 Highland Ave.

It anticipated that this session will be extremely well attended. If you have many specific questions, you are encouraged to attend one of the evening sessions.

These sessions are intended to help members in their decision making process.  You will not be able to enroll in GIC plans during these times.  If you have any questions, please call 617-666-0600.

As I am sure you have read the timelines for enrollment into the Group Insurance Commission are coming up quickly.    STA is pleased to offer the following information sessions for members (and retirees) to meet to address the ever elusive question,

"How do I decide which GIC plan is right for me?"

October 5, 2011 from noon to 2pm at Somerville Library 79 Highland Avenue.

This session is targeted for retirees

October 5, 2011 from 6-8 pm at Somerville High School Auditorium 81 Highland Ave.

October 11, 2011 from 6-8 pm at SHS Auditorium, 81 Highland Ave.

October 12, 2011 from 6-8 pm at SHS Auditorium, 81 Highland Ave.

October 18, 2011 from 3-5:30pm at SHS Auditorium, 81 Highland Ave.

It anticipated that this session will be extremely well attended. If you have many specific questions, you are encouraged to attend one of the evening sessions.

These sessions are intended to help members in their decision making process.  You will not be able to enroll in GIC plans during these times.  If you have any questions, please call 617-666-0600.