Issue: 2022-2023-11 * Justina Ketyer, Editor * February 2, 2023
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In this issue
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NYSUT Statement on Governor Hochul’s Budget Proposal
- HCT Members Enjoy Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Glow Party
- Union Starts with YOU
- Step into Spring with HCT Style - The HCT Store is Open
- Round Table Portfolio Sharing
- Winter Break Meet Up at Croxley's
- Celebrate and Congratulate Founders Day Honorees!
- NYSTRS Delegate Election
- Thank You OCR!
- A Delicious Ways to Support the Scholarship Fund - Monaco's Brick Oven Pizza & Restaurant Family Meal Special
- Kidd Squid Brewery February Break Offer
- Hershey Park Discounted Tickets
- New York Yankees Special Deals
- NY Mets vs. Atlanta Braves at Citi Field
- NY Islanders Family Packs Offer
- The Beat of Broadway in the Heart of Long Island
- Stay Connected
- Are You Interested in Tutoring?
- School Related Covid Questions
- NYSUT's Peer Support Line
- FREE NYSUT Member Benefits
- Information and Programs Brought to You by NYSUT
- Credits for Sale
- Birthday Wishes
- News Around the Schools
- Retiree News
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NYSUT Statement on Governor Hochul’s Budget Proposal
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For full article, click here.
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HCT Members Enjoy Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Glow Party
On Sunday, January 22, HCT members along with their friends and family enjoyed the Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Glow Party at Nassau Coliseum. A great time was had by all!! Stay tuned for more great opportunities from the Member Engagement Committee.
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Want to be more involved in the union but not sure how? We've got you! The HCT will host informational sessions about becoming a building representative, an integral part of any local. Secondary teachers can attend a meeting, led by HCT Treasurer Corey Cohn, to gather information and ask questions. A session for Elementary teachers is planned for later this Spring. Please email Corey Cohn at ccohnteach@gmail.com with any questions.
High School Meeting
Thursday, February 16th
Kristoff Theater
2:30-3:30 pm
Middle School Meeting
Tuesday, March 21st
MS Auditorium
2:30-3:30 pm
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Store closes Friday, February 10th
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Celebrate and Congratulate Founders Day Honorees!
Show your support for your colleagues with a congratulatory message in this year's Founders Day journal. Honorees are chosen for their extraordinary efforts to serve the children and Hicksville school community.
Journal Ads and Founders Day dinner ticket information can be purchased here.
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NOTICE OF ELECTION
NEW YORK STATE TEACHERS RETIREMENT SYSTEM DELEGATES AND ALTERNATES
1. What are the duties of a delegate?
Delegates attend a two-day annual meeting held in the fall at which a teacher member is elected to NYSTRS' Board. The delegate may also act as a liaison between NYSTRS and the members of their school district.
2. What are the duties of an alternate?
Alternates serve as backups to their corresponding delegates. Should the delegate vacate his/her position for any reason, the alternate would automatically assume the delegate position and the alternate position would remain vacant until the next regular election. (Note: Delegates and alternates are elected as a ticket and cannot be split.)
3. What defines eligibility to be elected as a delegate or alternate?
- Both delegates and alternates must be in-service, full-time (e.g., per-annum) employees who are NYSTRS members.
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Delegates and alternates are elected as a ticket and cannot be split. In other words, an alternate for Delegate A may not serve in place of Delegate B if the latter is unable to attend the meeting.
4. How long of a term does the delegate/alternate serve?
The delegate/alternate serve a two-year term. The term during a regular election year (odd-numbered year) begins on August 1 and runs for two years ending July 31 of the following odd year. Delegates elected via special election serve out the remaining year of the two-year term served by a delegate elected through a regular election.
6. When is a delegate election held?
Regular elections of a delegate/alternate are held between March 1 and June 1 of odd-numbered years, with results to be submitted to NYSTRS by July 1.
7. If a delegate does not have an alternate, can she/he still be elected?
Yes. It is not mandatory for a delegate to have an alternate. However, should a delegate retire or vacate the position and there is not an alternate, the delegate position would be vacant until it could either be filled during the special election or during the next regular election.
8. Is it mandatory for a delegate or an alternate to attend the Annual Delegates Meeting?
No, it is not mandatory. However, if neither attend, the school district/college which they represent will not be entitled to a vote for the teacher member of the Board up for election that year.
9. How do I submit my name for consideration in the NYSTRS Delegate/Alternate election?
10. What is the deadline for submitting an application?
Deadline to apply is March 23, 2023. Petitions must be returned to Stephanie Sullo at Dutch Lane School via inter-school mail.
11. What is the of the election?
If contested, the date of the election will be Wednesday, April 19..
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A Delicious Way to Support the Scholarship Fund!
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Kidd Squid Brewing Company
11 Spring Street, Sag Harbor, NY 11963
Sag Harbor, NY
Special HCT discount during the February school break!
Just show your Hicksville ID for 20% off all drinks.
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Tickets - $43 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
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Tickets are valid from April 1, 2023 to January 1, 2024 - click here to view 2023 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
Meals Vouchers - $15 per meal
Parking - $20*
*20 tickets must be sold to receive this discount
ORDER DEADLINE -- FRIDAY, MARCH 10
Alison Silvestri at Hicksville High School by March 10.
Checks should be made payable to HCT
Email Alison with questions and to let her know your payment is on the way.
Please include Hershey Park in the Subject Line
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For groups of 15 or more, suites, or season ticket packages email Joe Grande at JGrande@Yankees.com.
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New York Yankees Hicksville Congress of Teacher Discounts
Purchase individual discounted tickets here.
Use Promo Code: HCTTIX
Discount is good for all games except the premium matchups.
For groups of 10+ tickets or season ticket packages
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NY Mets vs Atlanta Braves
Citi Field
April 29
4:05 PM
(please note that this is a different time than originally advertised)
Includes Darryl Strawberry Shirsey
first come, first served on sizes small to xxl
Seats in Sections 140-143
$47 per person
PAYMENT DUE BY WEDNESDAY, MARCH 1
Please send cash or check (made payable to the HCT) along with your order form to
Alison Silvestri at the High School.
A total of 10 tickets must be purchased to receive this offer.
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NY Islanders Family Pack Offer
The Islanders are excited to offer our Family Packs for the 50th Anniversary season. Every ticket purchased includes a $15 Food and Beverage credit. We can’t wait to see you at UBS Arena!
View 50th Anniversary dates here.
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Help us keep you up-to-date on important HCT news and current events. The HCT Connected bi-weekly newsletter, Hicksville employment opportunities and political action items are just a few of the ways we aim to keep members informed.
Let us know if you have had a change or address or cell phone number. If you are not receiving emails or text messages, we may not have your current contact info.
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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.
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School-related COVID questions should be directed to Gail Hunker.
Her numbers are: 516-733-2149 and 516-315-0494.
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NYSUT has established a free, confidential helpline to provide members with resources, information and emotional support. Staffed by qualified in-service and retired individuals, the Peer Support Line can assist members with finding mental health and medical providers as well as other community resources. Contact the Peer Support Line at 844-444-0152.
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NEW: PEER SUPPORT LINE -- Created in partnership with NYSUT Social Services and Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care, this confidential helpline can provide answers, resources, and empathetic support when you need it.
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.
NEW: 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
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Information and Programs Brought to you by NYSUT
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NYSUT Member Benefits has launched the Peer Support Line, 844-444-0152, a confidential, peer-to-peer, dial-in helpline available at no cost to members and their families.
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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.
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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.
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- Laura Durning has 3 LIU Post credits for sale. If interested, please call Laura at 845-304-5536.
- Christina Werner has 6 LIU credits for sale. Email Christina @ tete74@aol.com.
- Elizabeth Ryan has 1.5 Molloy credits for sale. Email Elizabeth at elizabeth.ryan@hotmail.com
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Want to celebrate or share news about a colleague? Complete this short form. We'll post the info in the next Connected!
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From Bill Lemmey, Hicksville Federation of Retired Teachers: According to the Hicksville Public Schools Benefits Department, the reason for the increase in our health insurance was due to the pandemic.The spokesperson said the cost of the pandemic caused rising medical expenses. No other details were given. If I find any other information from Retirement Council 19 and the New York State Retirement System, I will provide an update.
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Hicksville Congress of Teachers / Hicksville Federation of Retired Teachers
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.
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535 South Broadway, Suite 212
Hicksville, NY 11801
Phone: 516-937-1288
Fax: 516-937-1925
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HCT office hours are Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 9 AM to 5 PM when school is in session.
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