HCT Gets Social at Back-to-School Happy Hour

HCT members gathered at Jackie Reilly's in Bethpage on Thursday, September 14th to celebrate the end of the first week of school. Karen Felber was the lucky winner of a $100 Target Gift Card raffled off by the HCT. Be on the lookout for more fun events planned by our Member Engagement Committee!

Teachers and Students Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month

Language teachers around the district kicked off Hispanic Heritage month on Friday, September 15th. The annual celebration began in 1968 as a week-long event and was expanded in 1988 to run from September 15th to October 15th. Hispanic Heritage Month honors the histories, cultures and contributions of Americans whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America. Teachers are planning exciting activities to share with their students and schools.

Calling All Volunteers!

Homecoming is Saturday, September 30th from 9 AM to 1 PM at Hicksville High School. This year we will have a booth under the PTA tent and we're raffling off a Nintendo Switch (see your building rep to purchase raffle tickets if you're unable to attend). Stay for an hour or the whole time, the more the merrier! This is a great event that non tenured teachers can spotlight in their portfolio.

HCT Homecoming Raffle

Support the HCT Scholarship Fund!!

$5 per raffle ticket

$20 for 5 raffle tickets

See a Union Representative to Purchase

A winner will be chosen at Homecoming on Saturday, September 30th

(You DO NOT Need To Be Present To Win)

Tickets Can Be Purchased Until Wednesday, September 27

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 13th

Wear Pink to Support the Fight Against Breast Cancer.

Please consider donating to this worthy cause. Every dollar counts.

Cash donations can be made with your building representative or via the Making Strides website.

As a reminder, HCT members have the opportunity to meet with a lawyer from Feldman, Kramer and Monaco to draft a will. Complete the necessary paperwork before your appointment to save time. Please see your building reps for times and locations on the dates below. Every building will start at 9:00 AM and the attorneys will stay until the end of the school day. If your school is not listed, it will be included in the next round of Will Days. 

Wednesday, September 27 - Fork Lane

Friday, September 29 - Burns Ave

Monday, October 2 - Dutch Lane

Monday, October 2 - Old Country Rd

Tuesday, October 3 - Lee Ave

Tuesday, October 3 - Middle School

Thursday, October 5 - East St. 

Thursday, October 5 - Woodland

• Tier 6 members must pay into the retirement system their entire careers.
• Tier 6 members must contribute more as their pay increases, starting at 3 percent and growing to 6 percent.
• Tier 6 members can’t retire before 63 without heavy penalties.
• Tier 6 doesn’t incentivize professionals to enter, or stay in, education.
• NYSUT knows how to get this done. In 2000, we helped end career-long contributions and reduced early retirement penalties for Tier 4 members.

Back by Popular Demand!

Orders will be delivered to your building on Thursday, October 26th.

Payment may be made by Cash, Check (payable to the HCT) or Venmo. If making payment by Venmo, please include Chonky Cookies in the description line and include your username on the order form.

Complete order form and return to Alison Silvestri at the high school no later than Wednesday, October 11th.

Email Alison Silvestri at ajsilvest@hotmail.com with any questions

The HCT is updating its tutor referral database. When a request for a tutor is received, we will contact members on the list who meet the criteria. It is up to the individual teacher to make arrangements as to times, fees and location. We cycle through the lists to ensure that everyone will have an opportunity to tutor. Replies must be made within 48 hours so that we can respond to requests in a timely manner. Once we hear back from you, we will forward the parent's phone number and student information.

If you are interested in participating in our tutor referral program or would like to continue tutoring, please complete this short form.

STUDENT LOAN COUNSELING -- NYSUT members can speak with a Cambridge Credit Counseling loan counselor, attend a NYSUT Student Loan Workshop, or visit the Cambridge Student Loan Portal through this helpful resource.

FINANCIAL LEARNING CENTER -- Powered by Kiplinger's Personal Finance, this platform offers numerous articles designed to assist NYSUT members with achieving their personal financial goals and better understand the nuances of insurance, savings, investing, and more.

DEBT COUNSELING -- All NYSUT members (both in-service and retiree) are eligible to receive a free, no obligation debt consultation with a Cambridge Credit Counseling certified counselor.

NEW MEMBER LIFE INSURANCE POLICY -- New NYSUT members are eligible to receive a free term life insurance policy providing coverage for up to $25,000 for one year, guaranteed renewable at the end of the year.

ACCIDENTAL DEATH & DISMEMBERMENT INSURANCE -- All NYSUT members (both in-service and retiree) are automatically provided with a $5,000 accidental death & dismemberment insurance benefit (previously, the coverage amount was $1,500 per member)

TRAVEL ASSISTANCE SERVICES -- All NYSUT members (both in-service and retiree) are automatically provided with travel assistance services from Europ Assistance that focus on providing coordination services to travelers.

NATIONAL AFFILIATE RESOURCES -- Your status as a NYSUT member provides you with access to complimentary life insurance from the National Education Association, along with an accidental death & dismemberment insurance benefit and trauma counseling services from the American Federation of Teachers

Learn more about individual benefits here.

• We know you spend a lot more, but save those back-to-school receipts for the educators tax deduction, which increases to $300 this year. Hit hard by inflation, a recent report says teachers are spending an average of $820.14 out-of-pocket for school supplies this fall.

• The State Education Department has launched a Welcome Back to School Ready To Learn initiative offering health and safety guidance, learning resources and a place to highlight efforts supporting students academically, socially and emotionally.

• Donate to a scholarship fund established by NYSUT and Say Yes Buffalo to honor the victims of the Tops shooting in Buffalo.

• Want to know what the new student loan forgiveness means for you? Are you nearing retirement and concerned about those hidden snags that can slow you down? Perhaps you and your loved one are looking to take the next step with your finances? Explore the NYSUT Member Benefits Financial Learning Center – powered by Kiplinger’s Personal Finance.

• Find out if you qualify for Public Service Loan Forgiveness Hailing a new union-backed law that expands eligibility for thousands of higher ed adjuncts, NYSUT is ramping up efforts to get the word out about Public Service Loan Forgiveness.

Congratulations to Madison Cascio (Dutch Lane) on her engagement this summer.

Congratulations to Agnes Clark (Dutch Lane School Psychologist) on the birth of her daughter, Charlotte.

Welcome new teachers Kevin Vandermark, Diana Morales, and Rosanna Appice from your Dutch Lane colleagues!

Condolences to Patricia Wiertz (Dutch Lane) on the losses of her sister-in-law and cousin. 

Any newly retired teacher interested in joining Hicksville Federation of Retired Educators and Retirement Council 19 should contact Bill Lemmey at 917-312-0117. Congratulations!