• P.S. I Love You Day
• HCT Member Takes the Polar Bear Plunge
• Congratulations! New FMLA Chairpeople
• Kick off Winter Break at Happy Hour
• LITBF Scholarship and Grant Applications
• Get Ready for Spring at the HCT Clothing Store
• Earn 2 CTLE hours for Language Acquisition
• Take a Look at Teaching
• Founders Day 2024
• Gloss NY Salon Special Professional Discount
• Hershey Park Season Tickets
• Enjoy a Meal for a Good Cause - The HCT Scholarship Fund
• Monaco's Family Meal Deal - Now through June!
• Embassy Diner
• Update from Your Union Lawyer - Feldman, Kramer, Monaco
• 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
• With Deepest Sympathy
• News Around the Schools
• Retiree News

by Anthony Tussie, Hicksville Middle School 

PS I Love You Day is a special day that celebrates love, kindness, and mental health awareness. Hicksville Middle School teachers and students spent the day dedicated to spreading positivity and reminding people of the power of love and compassion. On this day, students and staff come together to show support for one another, whether it's through acts of kindness, heartfelt messages, or simply being there for someone in need. PS I Love You Day serves as a reminder that love, in all its forms, has the ability to heal, uplift, and make a difference in someone's life. It is a beautiful reminder that we should always strive to spread love and kindness, not just on this day, but every day. This was the third year HMS participated in the event.

PS I Love You Day was started in 2011 by Brooke DiPalma, a teenager from West Islip, New York. In 2010, Brooke's father took his own life, which deeply affected her and inspired her to create a day dedicated to spreading love and kindness. She wanted to honor her father's memory and raise awareness about mental health issues. Since then, it has grown into a global movement, with people from all around the world participating in acts of kindness and promoting mental health awareness.

Long Beach Polar Bear Plunge 2024

Regina Daniel, Psychologist, East Street

The Long Beach Polar Bear Plunge had their 24^th Annual Make-A-Wish Foundation Fundraiser on Sunday February 11^th. The Polar Bear Plunge takes place every year on Super Bowl Sunday. The Annual Super Bowl Splash is held in honor and loving memory of young Paulie Bradley, who passed away at the age of 4 before being able to receive his wish. It is a fun event that my friends and I have been a part of for the past 6 years. A common purpose brings so many people together to brave the cold weather and run into the frigid water. Through their annual, community-driven Super Bowl Splash, the Long Beach Polar Bears have helped to make hundreds of heartfelt wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions come true. They have raised over $9 million since the first jump in 2000.

Congratulations to our two new FMLA chairs, Christina Werner (elementary) and Lauren Kranz (secondary). After training in Spring, they will be our go-to members for all your FMLA questions. We're so happy to welcome them to the team!

LITBF Len Motisi Scholarship

HCT members with children who are high school seniors graduating this year and who will be attending a post-secondary institution on a full-time basis are eligible for the Long Island Teachers Benevolent Fund Len Motisi Scholarship.

Completed applications MUST be delivered to Corey Cohn, at Hicksville High School, on or before MONDAY, MARCH 4, 2024. Please ensure a copy of the student's transcript (NOT ORIGINAL) with a Current GPA highlighted is attached to their application.

Download Scholarship Application

LITBF Grants

Burial Grant

EFG Grant

Military Grant

L.I.T.B.F.

100 SOUTH MAIN STREET, SUITE 205

SAYVILLE, NY 11782

*Credit card charge will appear as Welo Ink Designs

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.

Thursday, February 29, 3:30 - 5:30 PM

OR

Tuesday, March 12, 3:30 - 5:30 PM

OR

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

Congratulations to this years’ Founders Day Honorees on this well-deserved recognition. A special congratulations goes to Fine Arts Chair and former music teacher Chad Wyman on being named District Honored Guest for his dedication to the students and families of Hicksville. The Founders Day celebration takes place Thursday, February 29th at Crest Hollow Country Club. We're looking forward to celebrating with everyone!

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 ON 6/21 – 6/23 Do not include the Food & Beverage Voucher.)

https://offer.fevo.com/teacher-appreciation-be65c15?ref=Grande

For groups of 10 or more, contact JGrande@Yankees.com Join the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium for select games in June as we show our appreciation to the dedicated men and women who serve as our education professionals.

Each Special Event Ticket includes your choice of either a New York Yankees Lunch Bag or a co-branded tumbler with our Teachers appreciation logo!

*If you order tickets for the games on 6/18 – 6/20 the ticket package will also include a $15 Food/Bev Voucher to redeem at any concession stand.

** GAMES ON 6/21 – 6/23 DO NOT INCLUDE THE Food/Bev Voucher **

Tickets - $44 per ticket*

• Includes the preview the day before you visit the park. Check the website for preview hours.
• Tickets required for any visitor 3 years and older
• Tickets are valid until January 1, 2025 - click here to view 2024 hours of operation.
• See the Hershey Park website for hours of operation (weekends only in May until Memorial Day and weekends only in September after Labor Day

Meal Voucher - $19 per meal

Parking - $25 (save $5)

*20 tickets must be sold to receive this discount

ORDER DEADLINE -- FRIDAY, MARCH 21



Download payment slip and return with cash or check (to payable to HCT)

Alison Silvestri at Hicksville High School by March 21.

Email Alison with questions and to let her know your payment is on the way.

Please include Hershey Park in the Subject Line

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

4280 Hempstead Turnpike

Bethpage, NY 11714

Visit Embassy Diner March 3 through March 9.

20% of sales will go toward the HCT Scholarship Fund.

Mention the fundraiser at the time of ordering.

Support a local business and have a great meal.

Your Union Lawyer!

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.

• Condolences to Susan Peterson (East Street Librarian) on the passing of her husband.
• Condolences to Christina Pietras (Woodland Librarian) on the passing of her mother. 
• Condolences to Renee Andolina (High School Art) on the passing of her mother.

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!   

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.