2023 Retiring Members

HCT Honors its Members

HCT honored its members in style on Tuesday, May 30th at Patrizia's in Massapequa. We recognized those retiring this year as well as those with 20 years of service in Hicksville. Thank you to all who attended to celebrate our wonderful colleagues and make their night so special. 

We also paid tribute to our amazing outgoing president Stephanie Sullo. During her 4 1/2 year tenure, Sullo helped the HCT solve the unprecedented problems of teaching during a pandemic, led the negotiations team to create and adopt a strong contract, and always had the concerns of the teachers and students of Hicksville in mind. She will continue to teach and inspire Dutch Lane students and will hopefully stay active in our local.

View complete photos gallery here.

20 Year Honorees and Attendees

HCT Executive Board

Help NYSUT Fix Tier Six 

One of NYSUT's biggest and most important agenda items is fixing the Tier Six Pension System. Since its inception, about 100,000 NYSUT members fall into this category and can expect to earn significantly reduced benefits when they retire. If you were hired on or after April 1, 2012, you're in Tier 6. NYSUT is launching a long-term advocacy campaign to improve retirement benefits for public employees under Tier 6. But it can't do it without you! Want to help? Click here to learn how to get involved, join the fight and stay informed on this important issue. 

Looking to get involved in the union but not as Building Rep? The positions below need chairpersons to organize events, raise scholarship funds and keep our membership informed. All positions come with a stipend! Check out the responsibilities below to see if you're a good fit. Send in your letter of intent soon!

Member Engagement 

Directs and leads initiatives on social events, gatherings and promotions within the district. Person is responsible for reaching out to partners in different avenues such as restaurants, bars, and social settings. Person is responsible for working with the Executive Board to identify key opportunities in local neighborhoods that are designed to foster connections and create working relationships between HCT members. This person will also hold a bi-yearly meeting, in person, with a sub-committee that they can select and work with. This person receives a $200.00 stipend at the end of the school year from the HCT. In cases of less than a year of service, the stipend will be prorated. (1 position)

Scholarship

Directs and leads all initiatives regarding generating funds and interests in our scholarships that we provide for the students of Hicksville and our HCT members. This person is responsible for designing events, creating awareness, and working with local businesses to generate income for these scholarships. This person will be expected to create a variety of fundraising activities from multiple different avenues, and assist in the development of future Hicksville Homecoming preparations.This person will work hand-in-hand with the Treasurer of the HCT to continue to monitor the scholarship fund throughout the year and react accordingly to changing conditions. This person receives a $200.00 stipend at the end of the school year from the HCT. In cases of less than a year of service, the stipend will be prorated. (1 position)

Next Gen NYSUT

Directs and leads initiatives as it pertains to new teachers and teachers without tenure. These people (up to two different members) host meetings at their respective buildings to educate and inform untenured teachers on topics including but not limited to Portfolio development, NYSUT engagement, and networking. Additionally, these members will work with NYSUT to coordinate future activities that could benefit and retain new teachers. Meetings are held irregularly, and are based on the needs of the employees of the district and the requirements set forth by NYSUT. These people receive a $100.00 stipend each ($200.00 if only one person has the position), at the end of the school year from the HCT. In cases of less than a year of service, the stipend will be prorated.

Political Action Committee Chairperson (PAC)

Directs and leads initiatives to inform and drive Vote Cope Membership throughout the district. This person is responsible for attending the Committee of 100 meeting in Albany once a year (paid for by the HCT), in addition to forming a PAC sub-committee that meets on a semi-regular basis. Additional meetings required of the PAC Chair include representing Hicksville at AFL-CIO events and at additional local Committee of 100 meetings. The PAC Chair is responsible for attending Board of Directors meetings on Wednesdays monthly and delivering updated information regarding local political organizing, Board of Education voting and trends in local union activism. This person is also responsible for communicating the benefits of Vote Cope to the membership and driving interest in the program. This person receives two, $500.00 stipends, one in December and one in June, for a total of $1,000.00 from the HCT. In cases of less than a year of service, the stipend will be prorated.

If you are interested in any of these available positions for the upcoming school year, please forward your letter of intent to the HCT office at:

hicksville_teachers@verizon.net

or

535 South Broadway #212, Hicksville, NY 11801

Any questions, please call the office at 516-937-1288

MORE DETAILS HERE

NEW - Free Premium Calm Service for NYSUT Members

NYSUT Member Benefits is excited to announce the availability of the premium Calm subscription as a free benefit for all NYSUT in-service members.

The premium Calm subscription provides in-service members with unlimited access to the full library of content at calm.com and in the Calm app, which can be utilized via a desktop, laptop, tablet, or mobile device (iOS or Android).

Learn more.

NYSTRS Announces Return of In-Person PREP Seminars

Summer 2023 Schedule Released

Many retirees tell us they wish they began focusing on financial and retirement planning much earlier in their lives. To help active members avoid that pitfall, NYSTRS offers a proactive approach to prepare for retirement: the Pension & Retirement Education Program (PREP).

NYSTRS is pleased to announce the return of its in-person PREP seminars. The summer 2023 schedule of seminars is now available on the Retirement Planning > Pension & Retirement Education Program page at NYSTRS.org or by clicking the link below.

The PREP seminar educates members of all ages and career stages on the value of careful financial and retirement planning. The seminar further helps them understand their NYSTRS benefits and how their future pension fits into their overall retirement picture. This information is a key piece of the plan that helps members achieve their retirement goals and dreams.

The half-day seminars, which are free and held throughout the state, cover the following topics: NYSTRS benefits, financial planning, Social Security, estate planning, and the retirement process.

Spots fill up quickly! Please share this information with NYSTRS members at your district as soon as possible so those who would like to attend a seminar can register now. We kindly request that you forward this Bulletin email, and print the schedule linked below and post in your district’s staff lounges and common areas. Instructions for making reservations, which are accepted in the order in which they are received, are included on our website and at the top of the PREP schedule linked below.

PREP seminars are not intended for individual benefits counseling. Members interested in a benefit consultation should visit the Retirement Planning > Benefits Consultations page of our website to learn how to schedule a personal consultation.

Click here to view the 2023 Summer PREP Schedule

Time for Retirement?

by Alison Silvestri

Many teachers are considering retirement. If you or a co-worker you know is getting ready to retire next year, use this one-stop shop for the NYSTRS retirement process:

https://www.nystrs.org/Retirement-Planning/Ready-to-Retire

This link provides you access to videos, publications and additional links, such as those to PREP Seminars, which are designed to help you as you plan one of the biggest decisions you will make in your lifetime. It is information provided by NYSTRS, written by NYSTRS, all with NYSTRS members in mind..

Three Ways to Support the HCT Scholarship Fund in June!

Union Strong with the Yankees & the Mets

Tickets for Union Strong Weekend at the New York Yankees and Union Strong Night at the New York Mets are on sale now! Discounted tickets are available for union members and their families/friends, and they come with a free t-shirt. Come enjoy a game with your union family!

July 21st, 7:05 PM at the New York Yankees

July 22nd at 1:05 PM at the New York Yankees

July 23rd at at 1:35 PM at the New York Yankees

September 2nd at 7:10 PM at the New York Mets

Get Tickets

We hope to see you there!

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

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 Claudia Lasurdo (Middle School Library) on the death of her mother.

• Condolences to Rob Morris (Woodland) on the death of his father-in-law.

Congratulations to Patricia Lozoya (Guidance/High School) on the birth of her son, Asher on 4/15/23.    

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!