Happy Thanksgiving from CFT!

Dear John,

With the Thanksgiving weekend upon us, we’re reminded of how incredibly thankful we are for all the hard work and dedication that educators and classified professionals give every school year, and especially this year amidst the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. Your efforts have been essential to ensuring that our students, from early childhood through the University of California, are getting the education they deserve under the most difficult circumstances imaginable.

We are also thankful for the essential workers out there — from the healthcare workers, to the grocery and delivery workers, to the farmworkers — working tremendously hard every day to take care of our nation. This year, we are particularly thankful for all the firefighters who fought and continue to fight the largest fires in California’s history. And last, but certainly not least, we are incredibly thankful for the election workers and volunteers in every state across this nation who have ensured that our democracy remains secure.

As we get ready for Thanksgiving, a time to pause and give thanks, we also recognize the history of the land on which we reside. As part of this recognition, we would like to share this Native American Heritage Month collection of preK-12 lessons and activities from AFT’s Share My Lesson. These materials can be used to explore the cultures of Indigenous Peoples and strengthen our students’ shared sense of humanity.

We hope that you, your family, and friends are all able to get some rest during this time of thanks and that you will enjoy many moments of peace. Please keep safe.

In Unity,

Jeff Freitas
CFT President

Luukia Smith
CFT Secretary Treasurer

L. Lacy Barnes
CFT Senior Vice President