In New York, United Federation of Teachers members at PS/MS 278 kicked off the new school year with AFT President Randi Weingarten. Weingarten thanked educators for the important work they do every day to keep students grounded, give them hope for the future and help them navigate a rapidly changing world.

In Ohio, hundreds of Toledo Federation of Teachers members gave out thousands of free books to students and families at the city’s annual Labor Day parade. For the fourth consecutive year, the union partnered with AFT’s Reading Opens the World initiative to bring books to the community as part of this Labor Day tradition.

In New Hampshire, Nashua Teachers’ Union members gave away more than $6,000 worth of free books at the annual Nashua Goes Back to School event. With books donated by AFT and First Book, the union helped students and families get ready for the new school year—and every book found a home.

In New Jersey, Newark Teachers Union member Carla Ferreira returned to the community that raised her to become an English and bilingual teacher at the Newark School of Architecture & Interior Design. Now named Essex County Teacher of the Year, Ferreira creates a classroom rooted in joy, reading and belonging, inspired by the educators who believed in her. 

In Louisiana, United Teachers of New Orleans members at Benjamin Franklin High School are celebrating the school’s ranking as the No. 1 public high school in Louisiana and No. 53 in the nation by U.S. News & World Report. School leaders credit the achievement to the hard work of students, educators and families. 

In Kansas, United Teachers of Wichita is helping kindergarteners start their school journey with a new book of their own. The union donated 3,000 copies of “Clifford Goes to Kindergarten” to be included in care packages for families participating in kindergarten enrollment. Available in English and Spanish, the books will help families get their youngest learners excited and ready for their first days of school.

In Connecticut, New Haven Federation of Teachers members used their contractually protected unencumbered time to prepare their classrooms, build community and welcome new teachers ahead of the first day of school.

In Oregon, Oregon School Employees Association members kicked off the new school year and connected with colleagues at the OSEA Chapter 600 Ice Cream Social.

In New York, United Federation of Teachers member Gregg Breinberg, director of Staten Island’s Webby Award-winning PS22 Chorus, honored the life and legacy of Dolly Parton by sharing the chorus’s moving performance of “Light of a Clear Blue Morning.”

In Illinois, the Chicago Teachers Union brought students, families and educators together for its Back-to-School Summer Jam, connecting families with free backpacks, books, haircuts, healthcare, food and other community resources to help students start the school year ready to learn and thrive.

AFT’s first Summer Reading Cup encouraged students and families across the country to spend the summer reading, with free books distributed at events nationwide. Boston Legacy FC players joined the fun in Boston, while AFT partnered with D.C. United to bring the Summer Reading Cup to Washington, D.C. Participants have until Aug. 31 to submit their winning picks from the soccer-inspired reading bracket.

In Pennsylvania, the Neshaminy Federation of Teachers welcomed 300 community members to its fifth annual Back to School Celebration, where families enjoyed a free movie and took home free books from First Book and AFT’s Reading Opens the World program while supporting a community drive for school supplies and healthy snacks.

In California, United Teachers Los Angeles is calling on the district to strengthen health and safety protections at schools near the site of the Lineage Logistics warehouse fire. UTLA is pushing for stronger emergency preparedness, environmental monitoring and a clear plan to keep students and staff safe.

​​In Texas, the San Antonio Alliance of Teachers and Support Personnel joined a packed SA Stands Immigration Town Hall in support of immigrant students, families and staff. The union is continuing that work through Know Your Rights walks, Constitutional Observer trainings and its partnership with SA Stands.

In Kentucky, KY 120 United AFT joined community partners at a YMCA back-to-school backpack giveaway to help students start the year ready to learn, distributing 300 free, new books to local kids.

In Ohio, the Cincinnati Federation of Teachers partnered with local churches and community organizations to distribute more than 5,000 free books to over 1,200 children and families during the sixth annual "A Day of Blessing." Supported by an AFT grant and First Book, CFT is helping ensure more students head into the school year with books of their own while strengthening literacy across the community.

In New Mexico, the Albuquerque Teachers Federation welcomed new educators with free classroom supplies through the Educator's Emporium, where retired teachers donated materials to help stock empty classrooms. By connecting experienced and new educators, the union is helping teachers start the school year ready to support their students.

In New York, New York State United Teachers, Micron, NY CREATES, school districts and community colleges are helping students prepare for careers in advanced manufacturing through the Advanced Technology Framework. Now in its second year across a dozen schools, the program gives students hands-on experience with industry equipment, access to semiconductor research labs and the skills they need for careers in a growing industry.