Issue: 15
   Mary Masterson, Editor
January 4, 2017 
SAVE THE DATE
ALLIANCE TO RECLAIM OUR SCHOOLS
President's Pen

At its December meeting, NYSUT's Board of Directors passed a resolution stating it will encourage locals statewide to participate in a National Day of Action, designed to make known its pledge to combat any federal policies aimed at dismantling public education or harming educators and students.

Similarly, the HCT has a resolution of its own in the works which will be shared shortly with all members. Keep

In the meantime, contact our state senators, Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand and ask them to oppose the January 11th appointment of Betsy DeVos as U.S. Secretary of Education.

Kirsten Gillibrand
Phone: (202) 224-4451
Charles Schumer
Phone: (202) 224-6542
In solidarity,

Thomas Glenn
HCT President
 
Educate,
      Motivate,
            Organize
A Call to Action
HCT Members Needed to Serve as Participants of Smart Schools Bond Act Committee
The Smart Schools Bond Act is a NYS Bond that provides school districts with funds to purchase technology devices, shore up infrastructure and security, improve school connectivity, and/or replace classroom trailers and  construct Pre-K space. Hicksville stands to receive a sizable allotment from this bond. In order to qualify for the funds, the district has submitted to the State a long range technology plan, which has been approved. We also need to convene a committee of stakeholders to come to consensus on how the funds are to be budgeted. 

The Committee must include: a parent(s), teacher(s), student(s), community member(s) and non-public school representative(s). Hicksville's Committee meets the criteria with the exception of a teacher, which we must have to qualify for the funds.

The commitment from an HCT member would be approximately three or four meetings held after school hours. The next meeting is on January 23rd, 2017 at 7:00 pm in the Hicksville Administration Building. 

Interested  members are encouraged to call  (516-937-1288) or email the HCT office at hicksville_teachers@verizon.net.
The State of the Union
Unions News Around the Country

As President-elect Donald Trump will lead a makeover in Washington, many governors and state lawmakers will be simultaneously pushing an aggressive agenda that limits unions and  expands school choice.

While officials in Democratic strongholds such as California and New York pledge a vigorous fight against this agenda, some Democrats elsewhere seem resigned to get steamrolled on policies they long have opposed, such as right-to-work laws that undercut the financial strength of unions.

Collective bargaining restrictions for public employees could be on the agenda in Iowa.

In Kentucky an agenda that includes school choice measures and "reform" proposals for pensions will be pursued.

Things to watch for in 2017 are lawmakers who are preparing to reshape state laws affecting workplaces, classrooms, and courtrooms.

The aftermath of the November elections has particularly raised the hopes of school choice advocates. They support tax credits for families who opt for private over public schools and vouchers that allow public tax dollars to pay for private-school tuition. They also want to expand public charter and magnet schools to give parents additional choices.

During his campaign, President-elect Trump pledged to spend $20 billion during his first year in office to help states expand school choice programs, and he wants states to divert an additional $110 billion of their own education budgets toward the cause. His pick for education secretary, Betsy DeVos is chairwoman of the school choice advocacy group, American Federation for Children. The group is now focusing on at least a dozen states, where it believes school choice laws could be enacted or expanded in 2017.

In the next HCT Connected look for suggested ways you can help save public education. 
Con-Con Countdown
THE NEW YORK STATE CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION
-------------------

THE "CON-CON COUNTDOWN"


News Around the Schools
Anthony Tussie - Unites a School Community for a Cause
Congratulations to Middle School health teacher Anthony Tussie for leading his students to win a grant to support ACDS - the Association for Children with Down Syndrome. As part of the W20 Foundation's Team Up 4 Community Program's "LI Holiday Heroes Community Service Challenge." This was a tremendous opportunity to unite as a school community and to bring awareness to Down Syndrome. Anthony and his students made posters and "walked for a cause," raising over $900 for ACDS. Thousands of Long Islanders viewed Anthony's videotape and voted in support of this endeavor, earning them second place and a $1500 grant.
 
"I have been involved in bringing awareness to various causes such as breast cancer, autism, and cystic fibrosis for the past six years," explained Tussie. "I like to highlight a cause which does not necessarily get a lot of attention. In this case, I have a family member with Down Syndrome and two of my co-workers have children with Down Syndrome so it was an opportunity to raise money and awareness for a cause which so personally impacts the Hicksville Middle School family."
 
Anthony's colleagues in the Hicksville Congress of Teachers are so proud of him, however when congratulated for his achievement he expressed, "Anytime you win it feels great.  But this isn't as much about winning as much as it's about being recognized for the collective effort of the Hicksville Middle School.  Nearly the entire student body participated in the walk.  Lessons were geared towards awareness prior to the event. Many of the staff supported the cause through donations and participation.  As a health teacher it's important to me that the community understand and support what we do."
 
The Hicksville Congress of Teachers honors Anthony and his students for making a  commendable difference in their community!
Another Hicksville Teacher Nominated for KJOY's "Teacher of the Month" Contest
My grade level partner, Mary Masterson, was nominated as Long Island's "Teacher of the Month" from K-JOY radio station for the month of January 2017. She's now a finalist and needs your help to win the contest. If she wins the contest, we'll receive 40 tickets to Atlantis Marine World in Riverhead for our two third grade classes!

Our students would love to take a field trip to visit the penguins and other sea animals! Please  sign up to become a VIP member of KJOY (it's free) and then place your vote once a day throughout the month of January.

You'd be making two classes of 8 year-olds very happy!!

The contest begins Tuesday, January 3rd and ends Tuesday, January 31st at 11:59 p.m. The finalist who receives the most votes will be awarded the grand prize!

Please encourage your friends and families to vote as well. Each person who votes will get ONE (1) vote per computer every 24 hours. The more votes she gets will increase her chance at winning the Grand Prize!

Thank you so much!

Margaret Lehmann
3rd Grade Teacher
Dutch Lane School
Congratulations  
  • Congratulations to Lauren Hunker (Middle School) on December 26, 2016 engagement to Nicholas Colavito!
  • Congratulations to Florence Ryan (Woodland) on her engagement to Jay Vining and on the purchase of their new home.
Birthday Wishes
Happy Birthday to All HCT Members with Birthdays in January!
ten_striped_candles.jpg
If your birthday is in January and you don't see your name, please let us know and we will update our records.

  Our Condolences
  • Condolences to Stefanie Sterenfeld (Dutch Lane) on the passing of her father.
  • Condolences to the family of retiree Rosemary Fitzpatrick (1994) who passed away on December 25.  Rosemary taught in the Hicksville School district for over 20 years.
NYSUT Member Benefits

STAY CONNECTED: