Day of Action Prepares Over 30,000 Books for Local Children

On June 3 over 100 volunteers sorted, labeled, and boxed more than 30,000 books from United Way of Rhode Island's 11th Children's Book Drive — a partnership with our Women United group and Books Are Wings. These books are already on the way to Rhode Island kids taking part in afterschool and summer learning programs.

Through this project, we have put more than 300,000 books in the hands of kids over 11 years. Thank you to our dedicated partners and volunteers! 

 

Finding a place for AI in the classroom

Artificial intelligence, or AI, is already pervasive in our lives. But the introduction of platforms like OpenAI/ChatGPT has the education world questioning how it should be used or if it should be used at all. In the AFT TEACH workshop “Use It or Block It? Using OpenAI in the Classroom,” presenters Peter Guyon and Kathleen Torregrossa addressed this question in front of a group of educators—some of whom were already using AI in the classroom, while others were curious about its potential.

What local leaders can do to support student literacy

Despite the science of reading being clear—and despite decades of the AFT sharing that science—for too long, many state and local policies on reading instruction have promoted less-effective practices.

During the workshop “Literacy for Leaders: What Locals Can Do to Support Student Literacy” at AFT TEACH, a state union leader and the Albert Shanker Institute presented research on teaching reading and a new Shanker Institute analysis of recent state laws on literacy.

Providence City Council Ward 2 Special Election Update

Providence City Council Ward 2 special election heats up with five candidates competing as early voting is underway. Democrat Jill Davidson secured a key endorsement from former Ward 2 Councilmember Helen Anthony. A public candidate forum is scheduled for Oct 28 at Temple Beth-El, with the Democratic primary on Nov 4 and general election on Dec 2. Source: steveahlquist.substack.com

Rep Megan Cotter: The Real Cost of Washington's Shutdown

State Rep Megan Cotter discusses the personal impact of the federal government shutdown on Rhode Island families, including her own household where her husband works for the federal government. She calls for state-level action to support furloughed workers and criticizes both parties for prioritizing politics over people. Source: steveahlquist.substack.com

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