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Next week is Teacher Appreciation Week!

High Tech Community,

This year has been incredibly challenging in so many ways. After having to completely reinvent education several times during a pandemic, High Tech High teachers are back in schools doing what makes our school communities so special: facilitating amazing projects, building supportive communities, and helping our students thrive and grow. We have gotten words of appreciation from central leadership, but actions have sometimes fallen short. Educators have dealt with missing paychecks, unresponsive HR, lots of turnover both in classrooms and in central offices, staffing shortages that lead to longer and longer days with no breaks, and countless delays in responses to our concerns. We know that many staff are discouraged by the slow progress of bargaining, and that many are watching costs rise in San Diego and balancing all the things they love about High Tech schools with the long term costs of providing for their families.

Actions speak louder than words!

We have two actions planned next week to show teachers that they are appreciated by their community and to encourage central administration to appreciate teachers with actions as well as with words.

Action 1: Teacher appreciation rallies at each campus!

Taking place before or after the school day, these events at each of our villages are a visible way to to show solidarity as well as appreciation - and a way to raise awareness for families who might not be aware of our union or what we are bargaining for. Show up, wear BLUE and be prepared to shower our educators with love and support!

Chula Vista: Monday May 2 right before school
North County: Tuesday May 3 right before school
Point Loma: Tuesday May 3 right after school
Mesa: Wednesday May 4 right before school

Exact times and locations for each campus

Action 2: Attend and Speak at the HTH Board Meeting

Come join us at the High Tech High board meeting on Wednesday, May 4, at 5:00 pm. Agenda and Zoom link are posted on the board website a few days before the meeting. Click here to get on the list of speakers now!

Educators: Speak up about what is important to you! Take part in a symbolic union action by speaking at the board meeting to request a letter of recommendation from Gary Jacobs, Kaleb Rashad, and Janie Griswold. Whether or not bargaining delays are making you consider leaving, sign up to speak up about what is important to you as a unit member and how delays in a contract have impacted you and your students. Help administration understand that their delays are impacting humans, not just numbers.
Families, students, and community members: Speak up in support of educators! Why are High Standards for High Tech important for you and your family?
Everyone: Show up wearing blue... or "wearing" this Zoom background!

If you have any questions or want to help in other ways, please reach out! We'll see you next week!

In solidarity,

The High Tech Education Collective

Please help share this information! We know that our contact lists are not yet complete (and that we are all buried in emails!) but we feel strongly that everyone should have access to information.

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