This is the March 19 issue of the Brooklyn parent newsletter.

Our voices as UFT members were heard. We are greatly relieved to report that New York City public schools will be closing for five weeks, through the end of the spring break.

NYSUT President Andy Pallotta — joined by union leaders, state lawmakers and activists — announces results of the survey showing that 92% of the state’s voters support new taxes on the ultra-wealthy during a Feb. 10 press conference in the Legislative Office Building in Albany. 

Workers at the Brooklyn-based crowdfunding platform Kickstarter voted to form a union on Feb. 18, becoming the first white-collar, full-time employees in the technology industry to unionize.

One year after Denver’s first teacher strike in a quarter century, public school educators are earning an average of $9,000 more per year.

The American Federation of Teachers is encouraging its state and local affiliates and its members to support one of three Democratic candidates for president: former Vice President Joe Biden, Senator  Bernie Sanders or Senator Elizabeth Warren.