RIFTHP Announcements

In a historic move, the educators at Paul Cuffee Upper School have voted to join the Rhode Island Federation of Teachers and Health Professionals (RIFTHP), making it the first independent charter school in Rhode Island to unionize with the organization. 

This vote is a significant  step forward in the collective effort to ensure fair working conditions, enhanced educational quality, and a stronger voice for those dedicated to serving the school's diverse student body.  

Providence artist Andrew Grover created a Lego model of the RIFTHP office on Smith Street and presented it to President Frank Flynn.  Andrew brings attention to Rhode Island’s beautiful historic buildings, including public schools.  He was a public school teacher for 21 years and now uses his talent and creativity to point out the beauty that is within our communities.  Using Legos to create models of buildings students recognize from their neighborhoods, Andrew truly brings art to life for kids when he visits schools.  The model will be proudly displayed at the office.&

The student loan landscape has been changing and the AFT is working hard to be sure members know how to navigate it and get debt relief as soon as possible. The biggest news is that, after a three-year hiatus, borrowers will have to start making their student loan payments again beginning Oct. 1. The next biggest news? The SAVE plan, a more generous income-driven repayment plan that will save borrowers thousands of dollars and qualify them for Public Service Loan Forgiveness.

September 19, 2023 by Gregg M. Amore

Courtesy of the Albert Shanker Institute 

https://www.shankerinstitute.org/blog/civic-education-classroom-polling-...

On National Voter Registration Day, our special guest author is Rhode Island Secretary of State Gregg M. Amore.

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! 

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.

Jul 14, 2022

AFT convention delegates hear from Labor Secretary Marty Walsh, Senator Elizabeth Warren, AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler, Amazon Labor Union President Chris Smalls, Workers United Senior Advisor Richard Bensinger with Starbucks organizers and First Lady of the United States Dr. Jill Biden on the importance of the labor movement.

The Rev. Dr. Otis Moss III, a minister and civil rights leader, shared his grandfather’s astounding determination to vote, which he has captured in a compelling—and free—short film, Otis’ Dream. He moved AFT delegates to tears on Saturday, July 16, then had them cheering as he rallied everyone to the cause of fighting today’s rampant voter suppression.