A huge benefit only for OAPSE members is the opportunity for your child or a child for whom you are legal guardian to be awarded a $2,500 scholarship to pursue education after high school.

This year, the OAPSE/AFSCME Memorial Scholarship Committee has added trade schools as institutions that qualify as acceptable places for higher education awards. To receive a scholarship award, graduating seniors must intend to enroll in a full-time degree program in any two (2) or four (4) year accredited university, college, business, technical or accredited trade school. The scholarships may be used for any field of study.

“This opens up education after high school to lots of students who want to pursue something other than a 2-year or 4-year degree. We’re really happy about this change, and we think it will impact many OAPSE families,” said Stephanie Wiley, chair of the OAPSE/AFSCME Memorial Scholarship Committee,

She noted that the scholarship application period runs from December 1, 2022, to March 1, 2023, and encouraged all OAPSE members with graduating seniors to apply.

“You have nothing to lose by applying, and $2,500 is a lot of money. It can be the difference between affording college or trade school or not.”

You can find all the details about the scholarship and the application under Benefits of Membership or click here.

Remember, this is a members-only benefit. So if you need a membership application, check with your local president!

If you are already a members, go to the MyOAPSE page and find the application under My Benefits/Scholarships

And good luck!

Hey OAPSE members! Because you belong to the union, you and your family are eligible for the free college program. You can take classes on your own time and earn an associate’s and even a bachelor’s degree. Spring registration is open for the free college program. To get started and get all the details, go to www.oapseeducation.org and begin your education journey today!

Remember, this is just one of the many members-only benefits you get because you belong to OAPSE. Take advantage of it and apply today. And thanks for Sticking with the Union!

The OAPSE Making a Difference Program went to Dayton to feed 2,600 elementary students. What a success! Leaders and members of Locals 627 and 643 joined OAPSE statewide leaders and representatives of Dayton Public Schools to give the bags to students at Roosevelt Elementary on Thursday, October 13. See below for details and photos.

OAPSE MEMBERS IN DAYTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS TO DONATE FOOD TO 2,600 PRESCHOOL AND ELEMENTARY STUDENTS; UNION MEMBERS RAISE THOUSANDS EACH YEAR THROUGH THE OAPSE MAKING A DIFFERENCE FOUNDATION TO FEED HUNGRY CHILDREN

DAYTON – Leaders from the Ohio Association of Public School Employees (OAPSE/AFSCME Local 4) provided meals and snacks to 2,600 elementary students at six schools in Dayton Public Schools (DPS) as part of the union’s OAPSE Making a Difference (OMAD) program. The charitable foundation has helped feed more than 22,000 hungry students throughout Ohio and has raised more than $175,000 since its start in 2014.

Statewide union leaders and officers and members from OAPSE locals 156, 158, 191, 627, 643, 766 and 766B, which represent workers at Dayton Public Schools, made the delivery at 9:30 a.m. October 13, at Roosevelt Elementary School, 1923 W. Third St. Dayton. The local union represents mechanics, secretaries, mental health assistants, bus drivers, paraprofessionals, interpreters, and psychologists in Dayton’s elementary, middle and high schools.

An 11-year employee of DPS, Kenny Jones is a paraprofessional for the district and is president of Local 643.

“OAPSE started our foundation because we see children every day – in Dayton and in schools across Ohio – who just don’t have enough to eat. Our members know that kids can’t be at their best when they are hungry. So, we started our foundation to raise money and provide food for some of the neediest children in our state. As parents and grandparents, OAPSE members know every family can use a little help, and we wanted to make a meaningful contribution,” Jones said.

Volunteers from the OAPSE local unions at DPS stuffed the bags for students who attend Eastmont, Ruskin, Westwood, Valerie, Kiser, and Roosevelt elementaries. And OAPSE has worked closely with Champion Foodservice on all its OMAD projects. Champion Foodservice gives OMAD a great price on the food and allows OAPSE locals to feed students every year.

“The district is grateful that OAPSE chose to donate food to six DPS elementary schools,” said Dr. Elizabeth Lolli, Superintendent of the Dayton Public School District. “This work truly makes a difference for DPS families and helps ensure students have the resources they need to be successful in school. ”

Past projects of the 501(c)(3) organization include establishing a permanent food bank at Fairland Local Schools in southern Ohio; providing take-home meals and tote bags to 2,000 students at select elementary schools in Columbus City Schools; 1,500 students in East Cleveland City Schools; 1,800 students in Lima City Schools; 2,000 students in Zanesville City Schools; 1,500 elementary students in Canton City Schools; 1,000 students in Manchester City Schools in Adams County; and 1,700 students at Fremont City Schools. OAPSE is the union for workers in all eight school districts.

“We are proud to serve children and families as members of OAPSE. And it means a lot to us to give back to our communities,” said Sandy Wheeler, state secretary of the union for 34,000 members in Ohio and president of the non-profit OMAD.

Also at Roosevelt Elementary to distribute totes are OAPSE Executive Director Joe Rugola; State President Lois Carson; State Vice President Mike Lang; Roosevelt Elementary Principal Therman Sampson; and Superintendent Dr. Elizabeth Lolli.

OAPSE/AFSCME Local 4 is the most powerful voice for the hard-working women and men who serve Ohio’s school children, community and technical college students, those in early childhood education programs, children and adults with special needs and those who take advantage of our public libraries and other community services.

Ohio’s election laws mean we don’t have to wait for Election Day to vote. In fact, you can vote from October 12 through November 8. And, you can request an absentee ballot from your county board of elections.

When you do cast your ballot, please consider voting for the candidates who have been vetted and endorsed by OAPSE. You can find them by clicking on the MyOAPSE tab and logging into the members-only website. Endorsements can be found under the Issues and Politics tab. OAPSE leaders have chosen Democratic and Republican candidates based on their support for the issues that matter to our members. The recommendations were made after screenings and questionnaires completed by the candidates.

So, please take a look at the OAPSE-endorsed candidates for the important offices on the ballot this year when you make your voting decisions.

You can vote on Election Day, November 8, at your polling place from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Or, you can vote at your county board of elections from Wednesday, October 12, through 2 p.m. on Monday, November 7. Full early voting hours are below.

October 12-14: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

October 17-21: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

October 24-28: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

October 29: 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

October 31: 8:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.

November 1-4: 8:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.

November 5: 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

November 6: 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

November 7: 8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.