We all remember COVID and how schools closed down. We also remember how, when they opened back up, classroom sizes were TINY. My twins were in kindergarten when their world shut down and they went on "extended spring break." At that time, there were 29 kids in each kindergarten classroom. 

But when school opened back up for their 2nd grade year, they had 20 kids in each classroom. Teachers breathed a little easier with fewer kids to teach. It meant more individual learning, more 1:1 time, more attention to what each kid needed. In a nutshell: IT WAS TERRIFIC for learning. COVID federal grants meant this could happen, and for a couple of years, it felt like the new normal. We know that smaller classrooms are better for teachers and kids alike. Why can't we make this the new normal forever?

Unfortunately, things are back to the old normal and classroom sizes are back to 30+ as budget cuts mean squashing classrooms together. The kids feel it. The teachers feel it. And Oregon's abysmal testing data proves that larger classrooms mean more kids are falling through cracks.

This is not ok. "Fine" is not good enough. Kids have a right to a good education. 

Even with our Democratic governor and Democratic legislature, Oregon talks the talk about kids being important. It's time now for Oregon to walk the walk. 

I will continue to advocate for smaller class sizes. I will meet with anyone and everyone to convince them that OUR SCHOOLS NEED FUNDING and CLASSES NEED TO BE SMALLER. 

Our teachers tried to negotiate for class size caps when they went on strike. Nobody wanted a strike. Nobody wanted schools to shut down again. My kids and I were on the picket line almost daily to support a strong future for all of Oregon's children. 

PPS should have listened then and PPS needs to listen NOW. A School Board that believes in smaller classes gets us closer to achieving this.