Elected officials in Harrisburg are listening to you, PSEA.

Yesterday, the state House passed a budget that includes no funding cuts for K-12 schools, colleges, and universities, providing a full year of school funding even though most other programs will only receive funding for five months.

The Senate plans to approve it later this week.

Now, we need to encourage the federal government to step up. We need to tell our U.S. senators that Pennsylvania schools need $175 billion in emergency federal aid.

Why is this so important?

We need federal funding so that we can open our schools in a way that keeps everyone safe and healthy and ensures that our jobs, our salaries, and our pensions are protected from budget cuts. Remember, school districts are facing a $1 billion local revenue shortfall because of the COVID-19 emergency.

And state government is facing a revenue shortfall of at least $3.7 billion. While some states are looking at deep funding cuts for public schools, Pennsylvania isn’t.

Instead, lawmakers and Gov. Wolf have made school funding a top priority, while they wait for state revenues to rebound in the fall.

This budget won’t solve all of the funding problems our schools are facing because of this pandemic. But it doesn’t make them worse.

Elected officials in Harrisburg listened to you. And if we speak out loudly enough, they’ll listen in Washington, too.

Please take a moment today and tell our U.S. senators that Pennsylvania schools need $175 billion in emergency federal aid. 

Rich Askey

What’s the nicest thing a student ever did for you?

Throughout Teacher Appreciation Week, we’ve been asking this question.

Many PSEA members shared their stories.

Whether the stories were about receiving a birthday card from a student, hearing a student say that his teacher “makes math fun,” or learning that a student had made a donation to a local food pantry in her teacher’s name, they were inspiring.

These stories of small gratitude, appreciation, and connection tell me that the students we serve, their parents, and the communities where they live truly do recognize what an important, irreplaceable role we all play.

I’ve always believed that public education is a calling. It takes a special kind of person to do it.

And, PSEA, you are those special people.

I hope you’ve had a good week. And I hope you’ve taken a moment to remember how appreciated you are.

Every day, you make a difference.

Thank you so much for everything you do.

Rich Askey

As all of us meet the challenges of the COVID-19 emergency, we know that sometimes we need a little help.

Whether we’re teaching students, dealing with our own kids, or caring for loved ones, it’s not easy to juggle it all. And it’s ok to ask for a helping hand.

PSEA did that this week. We reminded our U.S. senators and representatives that Pennsylvania’s public schools need federal funds to get them through the COVID-19 emergency. And we asked them to provide at least $175 billion to school districts and state and local governments across the nation.

Without federal assistance, our state’s school districts will face $1 billion in local revenue losses and could be forced to cut 50,000 employees, eliminate programs like art, music, and sports, and increase class sizes.

In less than a day’s time, PSEA members sent nearly 5,000 emails to federal lawmakers.

If you haven’t contacted your senators and representative yet, take a moment to do it today.

Our schools need federal help now more than ever. So, let’s make sure our elected officials know how important it is for them to provide it.

Rich Askey

It’s hard to believe that most of us have been working from home for nearly six weeks.

I’ve heard from many PSEA members who have said that they are settling into this new routine and making the best of a difficult situation.

It makes me so proud that we can adapt so well to these challenges. And we’re doing it because our students are our top priority.

But we need to remember to take care of ourselves. That means we need to practice social distancing, wear masks when we go out, and just stay home until the worst of the COVID-19 emergency is behind us.

We’ve made it this far, PSEA. We can do this.

There is light at the end of the tunnel.

Schools will remain closed for the rest of the school year. But Gov. Wolf has released a plan for phased, science-based, responsible process for reopening Pennsylvania. It will take a while, but I’m confident that the governor’s plan makes sense – and will keep us all safe and healthy.

So, let’s keep up the great work, PSEA. And be sure to stay safe.

Rich Askey

We made it through another week, PSEA.

And I know that you’ve made a difference this week for your students. It makes me so proud to be an educator – and a PSEA member.

By now, I hope you’ve taken advantage of the supports PSEA is providing during the COVID-19 emergency.

Whether you’ve checked out our webpage, joined an online professional development session, or found an answer to a question in one of the many resources we’ve created, I do hope that they’ve been helpful.

One of PSEA’s most powerful resources is our incredible staff. They are here to help in any way possible, and they are the best in the business. They’ve been working night and day to support you.

So, remember that PSEA’s UniServ representatives are available to answer questions and provide guidance on virtually any issue impacting members during this challenging time.

Thank you, PSEA, for the incredible work you’re doing. 

Rich Askey

You’re doing incredible work, PSEA.

Teaching and serving kids in ways we couldn’t have imagined a few months ago. Working in your kitchens and family rooms, connecting with students while you care for your children and family members.

You’re showing everyone in Pennsylvania what it means to be an educator, a support professional, and a PSEA member.

But, remember, you can’t take care of your students unless you take care of yourself.

So, make sure that you take time to rest and recharge.

Breathe. Be with your children. Call a friend. Connect with your loved ones.

And remember that you’re not alone. PSEA is here to help.

If you have a question, ask PSEA. Check out our web page at www.psea.org/covid19. Sign up for a PSEA professional development program to hear what your colleagues are doing.

Most important of all, take care of yourself – and each other.

And we’ll get through this – together.

Rich Askey

As we’re all working together to deal with the challenges of the COVID-19 emergency, I want to take a moment and recognize some PSEA members who are on the front lines – literally.

PSEA is proud to represent about 700 Pennsylvania health care workers.

These dedicated professionals are caring for our most vulnerable residents in hospitals and nursing homes, and they are doing an amazing job.

Join me in recognizing their important work and thanking them for stepping up in the face of this global pandemic. Send them a “thank you” on Facebook.

PSEA members are committed to making a difference in our communities every day.

And our Healthcare-PSEA members are doing just that — and saving lives in the process.

I hope you’re able to rest and recharge during the long spring holiday weekend. Please spend it being safe and healthy.

PSEA’s staff are going to take a well-deserved break, too. We are all working remotely from home, but on Friday and Monday we’ll be taking a break for the spring holiday. Just know that if members have an emergency, we’ll be on call.

Stay safe and thank you for everything you are doing!

Rich Askey

It’s always helpful for PSEA members to share information with each other – and tell their stories.

With all of us dealing with the challenges of the COVID-19 emergency, this kind of sharing is more important than ever.

Every day in our public schools – whether they’re open or not – school social workers, nurses, psychologists, and counselors play invaluable roles. They support our students in countless ways. And, even now while schools are closed, they’re still hard at work.

School social worker Kathy Leh, school nurse Wendy Robison, school psychologist David Lillenstein, and school counselor Rosary Pennington told us how they’re still serving their students – every day.

Check out their stories and be sure to tell us yours. We want to hear them.

In the meantime, have a look at some new resources NEA has prepared on school meals and nutrition, ESSA waivers, the Education Stabilization Fund, and student loans.

These are very helpful summaries of the actions the federal government has taken to help public schools and students in this challenging time.

PSEA, you’re doing incredible work.

I am so proud of everything you’re doing. So, let’s keep sharing our stories and keep supporting each other.

Rich Askey

Happy Friday, PSEA.

I am hoping you could do something for me this weekend.

Here’s what it is.

Relax. Take it easy. Spend time with your families. Stay home and stay healthy.

With the entire state under a “stay-at-home” order, there’s really no place to go, is there?

All of you are working so hard, and you’re doing incredible work. But I know it isn’t easy.

You’re finding new ways to reach your students. You’re working to feed kids and clean schools. And you’re balancing all of that with the daily challenges of taking care of your loved ones – and yourselves.

I can’t tell you how proud I am of everything you’re doing. It’s simply inspiring.

But remember to take care of yourselves.

PSEA will be here for you - fighting for you, protecting you, and answering the questions you have about how to work through this incredibly challenging time.

That’s what PSEA does.

Now, take care of yourselves this weekend. Take some time to rest and recharge.

And know how grateful I am for everything you’re doing.

Rich Askey

Let’s stay connected.

I’ve heard from so many of you over the past few weeks. You’ve asked questions, shared “thank yous,” and told me about the amazing things PSEA members are doing to teach and serve kids during the COVID-19 emergency.

I love the stories members share. They’re heartwarming and inspiring, They’re creative and innovative. And I want to hear more of them.

The thing is that so many members don’t think their stories are unique or interesting.

Well, I have news for you.

Your stories are amazing. I want to hear them. And I want to share them.

So, post them on Facebook. Put a video or a photo on Instagram. Tweet something. Or drop your story in the web form on this page.

Your stories matter.

They show how committed you are to teaching and serving kids. And they remind everyone that PSEA members are there for our students – wherever we are.

This isn’t an easy time. But PSEA members are doing incredible work. PSEA members are incredible.

Please share your stories, because you should be so proud to tell them.

Thank you, PSEA, for everything you’re doing.

Rich Askey

Since the start of the coronavirus school shutdown, PSEA members across Pennsylvania have made the education of their students a top priority.

Some have done so through online instruction or enrichment, while others have delivered printed education materials to students at grab-and-go meal sites and even to students’ homes.

I am so impressed and proud of the way that Pennsylvania’s educators and support professionals have stepped up in this crisis and put their students first.

As more districts implement online instruction this week, PSEA members will be ready, adapting lesson plans and material to meet students and families where they are. I also know that many members will have questions about exactly how to do this. Be assured that we are working to make sure that we have answers.

Unfortunately, this emergency is going to last for a while. Today, Gov. Wolf ordered that schools will remain closed indefinitely.

This is a challenging and difficult time. But one thing is clear throughout all of this. Wherever PSEA members are, they are there for their students.

Thank you for all that you’re doing to keep your students learning. Please continue to stay connected with each other and take care of yourselves and your families.

Rich Askey