• NYSUT Makes Lawmakers "Feel the Heat"
• The HCT Can Finally See!
• Committee Volunteers Needed
• General Membership Meeting - Tuesday, June 4
• HCT Lotto Fundraiser - DEADLINE TODAY
• The HCT App - Download it TODAY!
• Spend Time with Family, Friends, and Colleagues at Adventureland
• Become a Leader in Education
• 2024-2025 BOE Approved Instructional Calendar
• Enjoy a Meal for a Good Cause - The HCT Scholarship Fund
• Jersey Mike's
• Monaco's Pizza
• 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
• Graduation Congratulations!
• News Around the Schools
• Retiree News

NYSUT Makes Lawmakers "Feel the Heat"

How hot is it in some classrooms? NYSUT wanted State Lawmakers to find out! Last week, NYSUT employees set up a "hot seat" in the lobby of the Legislative Office Building to simulate excessive classroom temperatures. Heat was pumped into the unit, creating temperatures above 90 degrees. Lawmakers were asked to create a short quiz while sitting in the booth. There are bills in both the State Assembly and the State Senate that, if passed, would require that districts address heat conditions when classroom temperatures hit 82 degrees and vacate classrooms entirely at 88 degrees. Read the entire article here Email your legislators here: https://mac.nysut.org/action/840.

Teacher Appreciation Week was Sweet

HCT members celebrated Teacher Appreciation Week by sending candy grams to their special colleagues. Thank you to Meg McElroy for spearheading this fundraiser. Thank you to all the building representatives and the Candy Assembly team (see below) for making it happen. This fundraiser added a whopping $1,264 to the HCT scholarship fund! If you missed your opportunity, don't worry, it'll be back next year, better than ever!

Teresa Berzler

Dawn Dillon

Jessica Ficke

Susan Goldman

Evelyn Korzendorfer

Trish Papageorge

Christina Pietras

Jen Roth

Alison Silvestri

Josephine Szewczuk

Maria Talavera

Nancy Velasquez

Kristin Waldron

The HCT is happy to announce the addition of a vision insurance plan provided through the union. Because the plan will be distributed and handled solely through the HCT, adoption of this insurance will NOT impact your reimbursement. If you voluntarily opt in, premiums will come directly out of your paycheck.

Here are some important dates for upcoming information and enrollment regarding the GVS Vision Plan the HCT is offering: 

• Vision Plan information, including premiums, providers and a coverage map will be posted to the HCT website and HCT App within the next two weeks.
• A GVS provided "one sheet" regarding plan information and benefits will be distributed to all members throughout the district within three weeks.
• During my Welcome Back address at Superintendent's Conference Day in August, plan providers and representatives will deliver a brief segment on the plan and its benefits to the entire membership. 
• Open Enrollment: October and November 2024
• Insurance Plan Start: January 1, 2025

I am sure you will have questions regarding coverage, premiums and copays - all of this information will be covered in the documents uploaded to the website and app in the coming days. The HCT looks forward to introducing what we think is an excellent plan to you in the coming weeks. 

In solidarity,

Corey Cohn

The HCT is looking for volunteers to sit on Building and District Level Committees for next year. Your Building Reps have sheets for you to sign up for these committees. If you are interested in participating and providing feedback to the district in one or more of these areas, please see a Rep to sign up! Sign up sheets are due back the second week of June. 

The available Committees are:

• Member Engagement
• NextGen NYSUT
• District Wide Professional Development 
• District Wide Site Based
• District Wide Technology
• District Wide Health and Wellness
• Building Level Site Based
• Building Level Health and Safety 
• Scholarship 

If you would like to learn more about any of these committees you can ask your Building Reps or email the HCT at hicksville_teachers@verizon.net. Thank you in advance for continuing to make our union stronger! 

GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING

Tuesday, June 4th

Hicksville High School Kristoff Theatre

4:00 PM

State of the Union Address

2024-2025 Budget Overview

This meeting will not be live streamed.

UPDATE - THE LOTTO FUNDRAISER DRAWING WILL BE HELD AT THE JUNE BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING ON JUNE 5TH

The HCT? There’s an App for That!

Perhaps you've heard... the HCT has released NEW APP! Members can now easily access information about our contract, MOA's and more. The app also provides a convenient way to communicate with your building representatives and the executive board.

*** REGISTRATION IS EASY ***

YOU DO NOT NEED TO KNOW YOUR HCT WEBSITE LOGIN TO JOIN!

SIMPLY DOWNLOAD THE APP AND CREATE A NEW USERNAME AND PASSWORD TO REGISTER.

Recent additions include:

• Monthly Board of Directors Agenda and Minutes (starting April 2024)
• The NYSUT FMLA Workshop Presentation 
• Updated Benefit Info (and soon information regarding a Vision Plan)
• Easy access to past issues of The Connected
• Recently signed Memorandums of Agreement

DOWNLOAD AND REGISTER TODAY TO EARN A FREE ENTRY

in our Scratch Off Basket Member Benefit during the Month of May!

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

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.

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! 😊

Become a Leader in Education

Long Island M.A. in Educational Leadership With Critical Consciousness Program

Further your career while taking courses at $600 per credit.

Candidates in the Educational Leadership Program will develop the skills and dispositions that will enable them to be agents of change.  

Their leadership will shape a school system that fosters respect for diversity and care for the dignity of all. Critical to their leadership in the school community is a consciousness of the barriers that impede full life and participation by all and a commitment to act for the elimination of those barriers. Candidates will build a skill set for leadership in the reflective teaching process and in supervision for instructional excellence.

This program is supported by the Child Study and Education Departments on both campuses.

Graduates of this program have a strong foundation for taking the NYS SBL and SDL certification examinations.

REQUIREMENTS

• Minimum undergraduate overall 3.0 GPA
• Initial teaching certification
• Minimum three years of teaching

For more information visit St. Joseph's University website.

2024-2025 BOE Approved Instructional Calendar

Download/Print

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

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.

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.

Send us a quick email and we will update our records.

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.

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.

• Nicole McMahon (Lee Avenue, Special Education) and her family on Aiden’s graduation from Wingate University!
• Anne Laddy (Lee Avenue, 2nd Grade) and her family on Matt’s graduation from the University of Maryland! 
• Christine Morgan (Lee Avenue, 1st grade) and her family on Katie’s graduation from SUNY Geneseo!
• Diane Lomma (Lee Avenue, Reading) and the Lomma family on Emily’s graduation from SUNY Farmingdale! 

Love, Your Lee Avenue Colleagues 

Want to celebrate or share news about a colleague? Complete this short form. We'll post the info in the next Connected!

Send your news here.

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.