• HCT Wins Take a Look at Teaching Grant
• APPR Bill Delivered to Lawmakers
• Teachers Get Together for a Dill-lightful Game
• HCT Retiree & 20 Year Honoree Party
• The HCT? There's an App for That!
• Scholarships for HCT Members' Graduating Seniors
• HCT Special Midterm Election - Second Vice President
• 2024-2025 BOE Approved Instructional Calendar
• LOFT Spring Events for Teachers and Students
• International Night
• Earn 2 CTLE hours for Language Acquisition
• Enjoy a Meal for a Good Cause - The HCT Scholarship Fund
• Smashburger - April 9th
• Monaco's Family Meal Deal - Now through June!
• Real Estate Seminar for HCT Members
• Stay Connected
• Calm App Free for In-Service Teachers and Retirees
• Are You Interested in Tutoring?
• NYSUT's Peer Support Line
• FREE NYSUT Member Benefits
• Information and Programs Brought to You by NYSUT
• News Around the Schools
• Retiree News

HCT Wins Take a Look at Teaching Grant

HCT applied for and received NYSUT's Take a Look at Teaching (TALAT) Grant in the amount of $10,000. This grant, to be used over the next two years, will support two clubs (MS and HS) for students interested in pursuing a career in education. The goals of the program include to improve and diversify the education workforce, enhance teacher recruitment and highlight the benefits of a rewarding career in education. HCT will hold an information session soon for prospective students. For more information, visit the TALAT site.

APPR Bill Delivered to Lawmakers

On March 20, NYSUT President Melinda Person and New York State Education Department Commissioner Betty Rosa walked from the State Education Department building to the Legislative Office Building to hand-deliver a new bill rewriting New York state’s flawed teacher evaluation system. The legislation is expected to be approved and would end the current requirement that student performance measures be included in teacher assessments and return teacher evaluations to local control. “For too many years we’ve lived under this onerous system that uses test scores to intimidate educators,” said Person. “We want a locally controlled system that actually supports, mentors and aids in the growth and development of our educators.

Teachers Get Together for a Dill-lightful Game

OCR and Lee Avenue staff members have been playing Pickleball! The schools teamed up recently for some friendly competition and participated in their first Pickleball tournament. 

HCT Retiree & 20 Year Honoree Party

Wednesday, May 22, 2024

6:00 PM

Please join us as we celebrate milestones and another successful school year!

4913 Merrick Road

Massapequa Park, NY 11762

$70 includes:

Appetizers and Entree, Beer, Wine, Sangria, Dessert and Coffee

RSVP by Friday, May 10th

Complete and return the RSVP form to Leigh Phillips at Dutch Lane School

Honoring Our Retiring Members

Frank Barbera - Lee Avenue School

Mary Ellen Baumann - Dutch Lane School

Maureen Cervantes - Woodland Elementary School

Adam Clive - Hicksville High School

Dina Fusco - Woodland Elementary School

Alice Hannon - Hicksville High School

Lauree Iovine - Hicksville High School

Angela Keane - East Street School

Justina Ketyer - East Street School

Patti Lisa Korenshtein - Old Country Road School

Evelyn Korzendorfer - Fork Lane School

Paulina McPhillips - Hicksville High School

Christine Moir - Old Country Road School

Phillip Moshoyannis - Lee Avenue School

Ellen Nietsch - Hicksville Middle School

Tina Pilotte - Lee Avenue School

Pnina Powell - Hicksville High School

Jacqueline Purcell - Hicksville High School

Beth Taylor-Devlin - Dutch Lane School

Celebrating 20 Years in Hicksville

Frances Blaney - Burns Avenue School

Suzanne Calo - Burns Avenue School

Robert Casale - Old Country Road School

Alisa Cataldo - Hicksville Middle School

Jason Cetron - Hicksville High School

Jaqueline Connors - Hicksville Middle School

Julie Covelli - Burns Avenue School

Laura Cummo - Hicksville High School

Ellen Feaster - Hicksville High School

Danielle Fumagalli - East Street School

Dana Garelick - Old Country Road School

Shannon Keeley - Administration Building

Jennifer McEvoy - Old Country Road School

Paulina McPhillips - Hicksville High School

Dianna O'Neill - Burns Avenue School

Kristin Powell - Hicksville Middle School

Brian Stanley - Hicksville High School

Jason Surdi - Hicksville High School

Courtney Wall-Hance - Hicksville High School

Alyssa Wilson - Hicksville Middle School

The HCT? There’s an App for That!

The Hicksville Congress of Teachers is announcing the release of a new app representing all things HCT. What can you do with this app? The following are features you can access via this *free* download: 

• A calendar of upcoming events 
• Identify and communicate with the HCT executive board and your building representatives
• Ability to join groups pertaining to unique interests across the district
• Direct access to local politicians 
• Easy access to new and past issues of the HCT Connected
• Immediate access to all future announcements and presidential addresses
• Many HCT specific resources, including: our full contract, current Memorandums of Agreement, the HCT Constitution, and more.

The app is live! Future events, deals, issues of the HCT Connected, and important information will be located here, as well as through our current email notifications. This is one more way you can feel connected to the HCT and the work we are doing each and every day. Your rights are now in the palm of your hand, whenever and wherever you need them. 

Download the app through the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store. Scan the QR code located below or use the following link: Download HCT App

In the near future there will be a published “How-To” video to show you all of the features you can expect with the app. 

We hope that you find this to be useful and worthwhile. As you navigate the app and use its features, if you find you have suggestions or comments on things you would like to see added, do not hesitate to contact the HCT at hicksville_teachers@verzion.net!

And yes… the report a contract violation button works, you do not have to test it! 😊

Scholarships for HCT Members' Graduating Seniors

Students must be graduating high school seniors and must be the child or dependent of an HCT member in good standing.

DEADLINE WEDNESDAY, MAY 8, 2024

The HCT office must receive all applications by Wednesday, May May 8, 2024

Applications may be sent via USPS mail or dropped off in person Tuesday through Thursday between the hours of 9 AM and 5 PM.

Late applications will not be accepted.

Download HCT Member's Family Scholarship Application

 Download Commitment to Community Service Scholarship Application

HCT Special Midterm Election - Second Vice President

This spring, the HCT will be holding a special midterm election for the second vice president position. Our current vice president, Justina Ketyer, will be retiring. The term will run from July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025. 

The following are the requirements and expectations of the position:

• Write and edit the “The HCT Connected” newsletter which is published twice a month with the help of our office secretary
• Manage and maintain Social Media Accounts (currently Instagram, Facebook and X)
• Act as PTA Council Liaison
• Attend monthly PTA Council meetings, and other related PTA organized meetings
• Attend one additional District Level Committee meeting per month
• Attend two HCT monthly meetings (Executive Board and Board of Directors) 
• Attend District-based functions, such as Homecoming and Founder’s Day
• Attend NYSUT sponsored functions, including but not limited to two overnight trips - The Representative Assembly and the Nassau Regional Office Training Session (in Tarrytown, NY)
• Spearhead and/or institute new methods of communication with HCT members that can include but is not limited to the preparation of our new app
• Order and gift wrap end of the year gifts for retiring teachers and those with 20 years of service
• Chair student scholarship committee
• Attend Scholars Tea to present scholarships
• Act in accordance with our HCT Constitution 
• Fulfill the responsibilities as provided for in the HCT Constitution
• Must be a tenured teacher and a member in good standing with the Hicksville Congress of Teachers (meaning all dues are currently paid in full)

Interested members can attend a brief informational meeting with Corey Cohn and Justina Ketyer at the HCT Office (address listed below) to get more information. 

The election timeline will be forthcoming, however according to our Constitution any and all interested teachers must formally declare their interest in the position by May 15 at 4:30 PM.

2024-2025 BOE Approved Instructional Calendar

Download/Print

Join us for an immersive and dynamic training designed specifically for teachers of English language learners (ELLs). This 2-hour session focuses on equipping educators with practical strategies to foster an inclusive atmosphere, heighten their understanding of language development's role in instruction, and employ engaging activities that facilitate student learning and linguistic advancement, including Newcomer and SIFE students. By utilizing a case study, attendees will have a unique opportunity to apply the strategies learned, encouraging practical implementation and deeper comprehension of how to effectively support linguistically diverse learners in their educational journey.

Participants will earn 2 CTLE hours for Language Acquisition. The 2-hour sessions are free. We are scheduling it for 3 additional dates. Register for one.

Intended audience – teachers. Registrants will receive the Zoom link before the seminar.

Tuesday, April 16, 3:30 - 5:30 PM

Join the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium for select games in June as we show our appreciation to the dedicated men and women of New York and nationwide who serve as our Educators.

Each Special Event Ticket includes:

• Either a New York Yankees Lunch bag or tumbler co-branded with our Educator appreciation logo

• $15 New York Yankees Food & Beverage Voucher (ONLY FOR THE 6/18, 6/19 and 6/20 games. Games 6/21, 6/22 and 6/23 DO NOT INCLUDE the Food/Beverage Voucher.)

Purchase tickets here.

For groups of 10 or more, contact JGrande@Yankees.com

Enjoy a Meal for a Good Cause - The HCT Scholarship Fund

REAL ESTATE SEMINAR FOR HCT MEMBERS

HCT member Chris Robson will be hosting two real estate seminars on Thursday, April 11th. The seminars will take place at the HCT office - the first will begin at 3:00 PM for secondary schools, and the second will begin at 4:15 PM for elementary schools. Anyone interested in learning about the real estate market, home purchasing, important documents to have ready, or the steps to procuring a home for the first time is welcome to attend. Please RSVP to Chris Robson at: chris@educatorsrealty.com if you are planning to attend. 

Calm App Free for In-Service Teachers and Retirees

All in-service and retirees now have free access to Calm, a leading app for meditation, sleep and relaxation. NYSUT Member benefits is offering this program to its members, and up to five dependents 16 and older. Click here for more information about how to set up a Calm account.

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.

Bill Lemmey writes, "The cost of health Insurance continues to be a major issue for retirees. Retirement Council 19 is monitoring the increasing cost of Medicare and the Empire Plan. Read carefully the details of any health plan before you make a decision to change your coverage."

Hicksville Congress of Teachers / Hicksville Federation of Retired Teachers

2023-2024 Annual Dues Reminder

If you have not already submitted your dues for this year, we've made it easy. Simply mail your payment of $15 to the Hicksville Congress of Teachers with a note stating retiree dues to the address below. In order to continue your contributory life insurance, excess major medical insurance and any NYSUT or AFT programs you subscribe to, you must maintain your membership in our organization.

If you are 75 years of age or older, your membership is on us! Let us know, and we will update our records.

Email us at Hicksville_Teachers@verizon.net with any changes to your contact information.