You can also now use get_called_class() which saves you even needing the static member variable.

http://php.net/manual/en/function.get-called-class.php

Example:

class Boo {
public static function reaction() { return get_called_class(); }
}

class Yay extends Boo {}

var_dump( Boo::reaction() );
var_dump( Yay::reaction() );

Like you, I’ve been waiting a looooooong time for late static binding :)