CALLING ALL MEMBERS!!

PAF-AFT Local 857 Seeks Volunteers for Local Hurricane Relief Effort

Earlier this week, the PAF- AFT 857 was asked to join the Perth Amboy relief effort for victims of Hurricane Katrina who may be temporarily resettling in Perth Amboy. Our organization was asked to assist with the educational transition of students who have been indefinitely displaced from their schools.

Many of the details are yet to be worked out but we will tell you what is currently being done and what you can do to help. We offer this Q and A for your information and ask that you e-mail any other questions that you need answered to hyjd12@aol.com.

1. How many families with children are anticipated?

At this time the Perth Amboy Relief team is preparing for 100 families but they are not able to predict how many will actually come. It may be less. We don’t know how many children or what their age levels will be. The PA relief team is attempting to work with the Red Cross to determine which families will come.

2. How will these students be included in our system?

Mr. Rodecker and the Central team are assessing the space available at each of our elementary schools. They are reaching out to all schools in Middlesex County and parochial schools in Perth Amboy and the surrounding area for space, particularly in grades 5-12. Many of those schools have already offered to assist.

3. When will the children be allowed to enter PA Schools?

Children will only be allowed to enter school when they have received medical clearance. They will be thoroughly screened for medical conditions and inoculation status either prior to leaving their current site or upon arrival at the Delaney Complex. No children will be allowed into your school until they have received full medical clearance.

In addition the PABOE is planning to screen each incoming child for appropriate academic placement.

4. What can I do right now to help?

Right now we would like to begin to assemble a team of volunteers to tutor, read stories, play games and generally begin to assimilate the children into the life of the community. We are looking to ease their transition into school by providing them with a lot of TLC and some measure of stability.

5. Why did you highlight the word volunteers?

The families will receive a complete medical exam and an inoculation screening when they arrive at the Delaney Center. All new procedures established by the Center for Disease Control will be adhered to, but we want all of you to be fully aware of any risks prior to assisting in this effort. If you are not comfortable with the medical procedures that have been established, you may want to contribute your time and resources in other ways.

6. When will we be working with the children?

We will be volunteering after school, evenings and on weekends at the Delaney Community Center. We will establish a formal schedule and collect the appropriate materials as soon as we can assess the number of children we will be working with and determine their academic needs.

7. Do I have to be a classroom teacher in order to help?

NO! At this particular time, we’ll be working out of the Delaney Community Center. All of our members from all of our units are welcome to assist in any way you can. If you’ve got time, patience and a big heart we need you!!

8. Are there other ways I can help?

You can contact www.perthamboyrelieffund.org if you wish to assist in other ways locally. You may also check the AFT national website @ www.aft.org if you wish to assist our brothers and sisters in the Gulf Coast area directly.

If you would like to volunteer please call the office 732-442-7788 or e-mail us at hyjd12@aol.com. We will update you as we receive information. Thank You for Your Support!!