The HCT Connected - November 12, 2020

Issue: 2020-2021-5 * Justina Ketyer, Editor * November 12, 2020

In this Issue

Proposed Amendments Pass
Introducing the NYSUT COVID Tracker Website
Surviving the Holidays During the Pandemic
2020 Trustee Education & Wellness Workshop
School Related COVID Questions & Reporting
Save the Date - November 17 & 18 -- Financial Workshops for Teachers
NYSUT Student Debt Webinar Schedule
Workshops for New and Early Career Member
HCT Literacy Initiative
Shop New Arrivals at the LOFT Sale for HCT Members
November Birthday Wishes
News Around the Schools

Thank you, HCT members, for voting to amend the HCT constitution to improve future officer elections. The list of amendments can be found on the members only side of the HCT website.

No matter where in the state you are or what your district’s reopening plan is, everyone deserves to feel safe at work. That’s why we are launching the NYSUT COVID Tracker website and encouraging NYSUT members to report any unsafe working conditions they encounter in schools.

NYSUT's COVID tracker is currently being expanded to receive safety reports from SUNY and CUNY four-year campuses and community colleges. We expect this feature to be live and accessible by the end of next week.

Surviving the Holidays During the Pandemic

This one-hour webinar will discuss the challenges retirees face in coping and managing anxiety that has impacted us with COVID-19. Many of us are more isolated and deprived of contact with loved ones, which has created more stress and uncertainty. This webinar will address ways to manage the holidays and the ongoing unpredictability of these times.

Learn More and Register Here

The free 2020 NYSUT Member Benefits Trustee Education and Wellness Workshop will be held online starting at 8:30 a.m. Saturday, November 14. The biennial program normally provides training and resources for benefit fund trustees, but this year, in light of the ongoing pandemic, we have added a wellness component. All are welcome, and recorded versions will be available on the Member Benefits website.

School-related Covid questions should be directed to Gail Hunker.

Her numbers are: 516-733-2149 and 516-315-0494

Save the Date

Financial Workshops for Teachers

November 17th and 18th

4:30 PM - 7 PM each day

Registration and meeting links will be sent via text/email soon

COVID-19 and Influenza: What You Should Know

COVID-19 and influenza (the flu) are both respiratory infections that affect the lungs and can easily spread to others. Although the signs and symptoms of both diseases are similar, they are caused by different viruses and can have different health impacts.

In this presentation, Dr. Kenneth Spaeth, Division Chief, Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Department of Occupational Medicine, Epidemiology, and Prevention at Northwell Health, will discuss:

Similarities and differences of both illnesses
Prevention and vaccination
Available medical treatments

Date: November 18, 2020

Time: 3pm-5pm

Place: Zoom

Please register in advance.

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Webinars are available to NYSUT members only.

LEARN MORE ABOUT WEBINARS

The Nassau Regional Office presents New and Early Career Conferences for educators who are brand new to the profession or are in their first five years of employment. These conferences address topics important to new and early career educators.

A series of one-hour online workshops are being offered throughout the year. In addition, NYSUT's Education and Learning Trust will host three seminars. Two of these seminars are requirements for certification. Cambridge Credit Counseling will run a student debt clinic.

We urge new and early career members to take advantage of this excellent opportunity.

Click here for complete details and to register fro the following workshops.

Financial workshops for teachers, Save the Date: November 17th and 18th 4:30 - 7 each day. Registration and meeting links will be sent via text/email soon."

Social Media and Remote Learning

November 18, 2020

7:00-8:00 pm

DASA Seminar

December 7 & 8, 2020

4:30-7:30 pm each day

Navigating the Increasingly Complex Certification Maze

January 27, 2021

7:00-8:00 pm

Dealing with Difficult Students

February 10, 2021

4:00-7:00 pm

Understanding the Protections Provided by Tenure

February 24, 2021

7:00-8:00 pm

Understanding the Protections SRPs Have in Disciplinary Situations

February 24, 2021

7:00-8:00 pm

How NYSUT’s Member Benefits Program Can Save Members Lots of Money

March 24, 2021

7:00-8:00 pm

What You Should Know About the NYS Employees’ Retirement System

April 29, 2021 (tentative)

7:00-8:00 pm

Cambridge Credit Counseling

May 12, 2021

4:30-6:00 pm

More information to come in 2021

HCT Literacy Initiative

Video submissions are due by Friday, November 20th.

The HCT is partnering with the Hicksville Public Library and Legislator Arnie Drucker in a program promoting student literacy. This program also encourages students to remain engaged with their school and community while providing an at-home activity that can be completed at a time that is convenient for them.

You are invited to record a video of yourself

reading a favorite children's story.

Use your imagination!

Show yourself reading the story or just display the pages as you read.
Introduce yourself as a teacher or member of the HCT. Your students will love seeing you!
The book can be hard copy or digital.
If you speak multiple languages, perhaps reading a story in Spanish, Chinese or Farsi would be fun.
It is meant to be a way to encourage student literacy.
It's a way to keep them connected to the school community.
No book or story is too brief.
There are lots of creative liberties that can be taken.