*So not to distract from the purpose of mainstream PPU, an Issues and Actions/ Research Committee was
formed. Portland Parent Union Issues and Actions/Research is an arm of PPU and non -
partisan action committee.
PPUIAR provides much needed support to the issues' advocacy and community support programs. We hope
to routinely show up to promote our approach to school programs, policies, initiatives, and directives, as well
as state, federal, and city initiatives, policies and programs that affect our families, specifically around
education.
We will align ourselves with other approaches we agree with.
Our hope is this will be the place to encourage and support parents and community members to run for
schoolboard and other elected offices. To serve on decision making committees and organizaions in schools,
in our community and the government level .
Our charge is to strongly promote collaboration with other organizations, groups or individuals to make this
happen. Our commitment to equity in our schools for all children is what drives us!
THE PPUIAR's charge is to be the "political end" of PPU. Overseeing the issues and actions/research,
PPUIAR decides what is politcal specific for PPU.
If we choose, we can give our opinions on issues of school choice, transfer policies, NCLB, vouchers,
school policies and directives, initiatives and etc.
Designated Members from this committee will be media spokes- people, headed by the Media
Specialist/Director, who will act as the chair of this committee.
Our main goal is to push for systemic changes! Changes that strongly impact a child's educational life.
WHY WE GOT STARTED
The Portland Parent Union was founded in April of 2009 by Sheila Warren a mother, grandmother, activist and
advocate in the Portand Or. Public
school Community.
She saw the interests of the teachers, school administrators, and district
leadership well represented and controlling decision making. The parents and students themselves suffering from the lack of a strong
collective voice and support.
Tired of seeing parents – including herself and her family – pushed out, and after struggling with conflicts that should have been easily resolved, Sheila realized there was no organizational framework designed explicitly to advocate for parents and families and represent them when dealing with the school district. Other stakeholders have institutionally powerful support systems: teachers and staff have unions, principals have district administrators, district administrators have the superintendent, and the superintendent has the school board and full-time legal counsel. Against this institutional juggernaut, a family stands alone.
After many failed attempts to get a fair process and closure for her and her family, she was determined that no other family should go through what she and her family had gone through.
The Portland Parent Union was born of the desire to give parents representation and a collective voice equal with what teachers have. We will be a centralized group of parents and families connected to the resources and supports necessary to be powerful advocates for our children and for each other, and ultimately for positive institutional changes and the greater common good
