Issue: 2019-2020-6
   Justina Ketyer, Editor
November 14, 2019  
In this issue:
  • "Powerful" weekend for HCT Exec Board
  • Virtual Food Drive for Island Harvest
  • Grand Totals
  • NYSTRS Update
  • Six Flags Adventure
  • Roundtable Portfolio Sharing
  • Professional Learning Center
  • Try your luck at Jake's 58!
  • Take A Look at Teaching
  • AFT Member Benefits
  • Condolences
  • It's a Girl!
  • Birthday Wishes
  • News Around the Schools
"Powerful" weekend for HCT Exec Board
The HCT Executive Board (Stephanie Sullo, Kyrstin Stehle, Justina Ketyer, Corey Cohn and Meg McElroy) attended the Fall Leadership Conference November 1-3 in Stamford, CT. The theme was  Power: what it is, who has it, how we get it and use it properly . Breakout sessions introduced new ideas for working with community stakeholders and thinking outside the box to solve problems. Keynote speaker Kevin Dalton, former president of the Toledo Federation of Teachers, described overcoming tremendous obstacles to secure a favorable contract for his teachers' union. The Executive Board left the conference with a blueprint for prioritizing issues, building coalitions with the community, and planning for next year's negotiations.
The Grand Totals

Pinkout Grand Total

A grand total of $734 was raised by HCT members for the American Cancer Society Making Strides Against Breast Cancer. Congratulations on a job well done!

Qdoba Scholarship Fundraiser

HCT s cholarship coffers got $212 richer due to the Qdoba fundraiser on November 5th. Thanks to all who participated!

Thank you to Alison Silvestri for organizing this event!
NYSTRS Update
I attended the annual NYSTRS (New York State Teachers' Retirement System) Convention in early November. NYSTRS continues to strive to be an exemplary pension system and offer quality customer service. Be on the lookout for your Member Benefit Profile and be sure to check it for service credit errors and that your beneficiaries are up to date. Additionally, the NYSTRS website has been optimized for mobile device use. Check out all that is offered on the site, including brief videos on a number of topics including loans and things to consider when retiring.

by Alison Silvestri
Six Flags Adventure
Michele Sikinger (Fork Lane) and family and Russel Garcia (HS) and friends took advantage of the Six Flags Group Rate opportunity. Keep an eye out for more o uting pictures from members and also new Member Engagement Events to come.
Virtual Food Drive for Island Harvest
This year, HCT will host a  Virtual Food Drive for Island Harv est in the weeks leading up to Thanksgiving. The system is set up like a supermarket where donors scan virtual grocery items, which are listed at wholesale price, and are meant to illustrate what a contribution like that could provide to the community. Please note the system accepts only credit card donations, not food. Below please learn how your donations help people on Long Island. You can access the HCT Virtual Food Drive here .
Roundtable Portfolio Sharing
Introducing NYSUT's Nassau Regional Office
Professional Learning Center
This year the Nassau Regional Office is introducing a series of
CTLE credit-bearing professional development courses for teachers and SRPs presented by NYSUT's Education & Learning Trust (ELT) . 

Below is a listing of the courses and dates. For more details and to register,

12/4/19
Supporting the Social-Emotional Needs of English Language Learners Who Experience Trauma
1/16/20
 Working Safely in Schools: Preventing Illness and Injuries when Toileting Students
1/23/20
Trauma Awareness in Education: Supporting Resiliency and Preventing Conflict
Try your luck a Jake's 58!
$20 in Free Slot Play for You and a Guest!
Jake's 58
3635 Express Dr N
Islandia, NY 11749

Saturday, December 14th
9 A.M to 9 P.M.

You and your guest  MUST pre-register by Monday, November 25th.
There can be no exception to the pre-registration.

If you have questions and/or to pre-register you and a guest, please email your name and the name of your guest to Alison Silvestri at [email protected]
You do not need to be a New Player Club member to participate in this promotion.
Take a Look at Teaching

To reserve your spot, please visit our online registration site.
Registrations are due by Friday,  November 15, 2019.
As a local leader, we would love to have continued  conversation with you as we work to elevate the teaching profession as a  whole.
Wonder what's new from AFT Member Benefits? 
... A Lot!

MEMBER BENEFITS


Hilton Hotels
Thanks to our affiliation with the AFL-CIO, we now have access to a 12% discount on all global Hilton hotels (subject to availability).

up to 55% discounts on core office and school products and office services
This is a members only discount and requires registration.
 
6 0% discount on level 1 exam, 75% discount on level 2 exam
This is a members only discount and requires registration.
 
Identity Theft - FREE FOR ALL MEMBERS WHO ARE REGISTERED
All members are covered FREE for ID Protection - coverage includes 24/7 SSN monitoring, 24/7 high risk transaction monitoring, a breach search tool, and more.  Members need to register for the free program so they can use the tools.
 
Basic: free consultation for members with 25% discount off rates for additional services.  Premium pre-paid legal program at $19.95 a month.  Note:  New York State United Teachers members have a legal services program through NYSUT Member Benefits Trust. NYSUT members can call 800-626-8101 for more information.
 
SWA is offering an 8% discount off Business Select® fares, 6% discount off Anytime fares and a 3% discount off select Wanna Get Away® fares for travel, along with other benefits.  This is a members only discount and requires registration .

Condolences
  • Condolences to Jenn Coady (Dutch Lane) on the passing of her father-in-law.
  • Condolences to Dena Civello (High School) on the passing of her grandmother.
It's a Girl!

Congratulations to Karianne Rose (High School) on the birth of her daughter Ada Meredith Rose on September 28th
 
Birthday Wishes
11/3 Jan Siegel Middle School
11/4 Jason Surdi High School
11/5 Margaret Congero Dutch Lane 
11/5 Susan Simon-Benay Old Country Road
11/5 JoAnn Stimac East Street
11/6 Lisa Christie East Street
11/7 Maria DeRosa Lee Avenue
11/7 Shannon Keeley High School
11/7 Meg McElroy Middle School
11/8 Karissa Calamari Lee Avenue
11/8 Regina Daniel East Street
11/8 Michael Evans High School
11/9 Nicole McMahon Lee Avenue
11/11 Jennifer McLeer Middle School
11/12 Patricia Tarsoly Middle School
11/13 Wendy Holland Middle School
11/13 Michelle Koehler Old Country Road
11/13 Mary Shurley East Street
11/15 Sanjay Paranandi Middle School
11/16 Angela Walsh Holy Trinity
11/17 Josh Morrow Middle School
11/18 Kevin DeBenedetto High School
11/19 Lisa Dawber Woodland
11/20 Helene Mendoza High School
11/20 Corinne Mikulin Old Country Road
11/21 Stephanie Novick Admin Building
11/22 Karen Felber High School
11/22 Heather Stavrinadis High School
11/23 Andrea Maxeiner High School
11/26 Michael Biondi High School
11/26 Bruce Gordon Middle School
11/26 Jennifer Roth Burns Avenue
11/27 Rachel Kotliar Middle School
11/28 Adam Clive High School
11/29 Paulina McPhillips High School
11/29 Patricia Wilson-Lord Middle School
11/30 Sandra Bauer Burns Avenue
11/30 Joann Liguori Lee Avenue
News Around the Schools

Want to celebrate or share news about a colleague?  Complete this short form . We'll post the info in the next Connected!

STAY CONNECTED:
HCT office hours are 9 A.M. to 5 P.M.
Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday