PORTLAND, Ore. — On Thursday, the Portland Public School district set the ambitious goal of getting tens of thousands of students back to class on Monday.
Dozens of students also showed up to where mediation was happening in Southwest Portland, calling for a fair deal for their teachers and an end to the strike.
Since the beginning of the strike, the Portland Association of Teachers stressed that their demands, and their actions have been focused on student success.
"The teachers support is foundational to the support of the students," said Alabaster Richard. "I've always been a huge supporter of our teachers. I think what the district is doing to them is plain wrong."
High schoolers across the district said they attended Thursday's rally because they've seen firsthand what educators face daily. They're pushing the district to work swiftly with the union and reach a deal: one with wage increases for cost of living, with smaller classes and with more planning time.
"Teachers are such a large part of your education, so it's really important that teachers get classrooms and pay that they need in order to teach us well," said Connor Jacobsen.
"They really do deserve all that they're asking for," said Aurora Clayton. "Listen to what the teachers have to say, because I don't feel like... none of this is an unreasonable request."
Despite their attendance at Thursday's rally, many said they'd rather be in schools.
District officials, writing they'll continue to meet in person Friday, Saturday and Sunday, and "remain eager that we can reopen our schools to students on Monday."
Thursday night, KGW learned that lawyers representing the district plan to file an "unfair labor practices charge" against PAT for what they're calling "unacceptable conduct that "undermines the hard work of the bargaining team" for the teachers' rallies yesterday. The attorney said two of the rallies targeted district officials: Board member Andrew Scott, and the PPS Chief of Staff.
There will not be school on Friday due to Veterans Day.