November 7th at 2:45 PM,

Hicksville High School Auditorium

The meeting will include the State of Our Union, a discussion on the upcoming challenges we will face, an update from NYSUT, a Q&A member discussion and a significant amount more. All members are encouraged to attend.

2024 Nominations

We NEED your help to find the best possible candidates for the 2024 HICKSVILLE DISTRICT HONORED GUEST & HONORARY LIFE Recipients!!!

Do you know someone that has gone above and beyond in service to our Hicksville community? 

This February, we want to recognize and honor that individual at our district wide 

Hicksville Council of PTA's 71st Annual Founders Day Dinner at Crest Hollow Country Club on Thursday, February 29th, 2024

If someone special comes to mind, please click this link Founders Day Nominations 2024

**DEADLINE FOR RESPONSES IS 4:00 PM Sharp - on Thursday, November 2nd, 2023**

Check out ALL the FUN & CREATIVE ways HCT members celebrated Halloween! 🎃

Voting YES for Proposition 1 corrects a decades-old unjust flaw in our laws. It will ensure that finally, students in New York state's smaller cities receive the same opportunities as those in other districts. Proposition 1 is about correcting a mistake. It’s about fairness.

Learn more about how Proposition 1 supports and strengthens small city school districts.

HCT Virtual Food Drive for Island Harvest

Island Harvest supports a wide network of community-based non-profit organizations, as well as veterans, families, and seniors. Please consider helping HCT reach its goal of $1000. Your contributions will strengthen our community by helping others in need. Even a small amount can make a huge difference in the life of a neighbor who is struggling with food insecurity.

HMS Raises Funds and Awareness

On Thursday and Friday, October 19th and 20th, Middle School Health and PE classes participated in the annual Fall walk-a-thon, organized by Health teacher Anthony Tussie. This year, students walked to raise money and awareness for Merkel Cell Skin Cancer, a tribute to the late Jimmy Buffett. Raising money and performing awareness walks for a cause serve several important purposes. Firstly, they help generate financial support to fund research, programs, and initiatives aimed at addressing this deadly disease. These events make a positive impact. Secondly, these activities help raise awareness about the cause itself. By organizing walks, we can educate our students about a disease many people did not even know existed. These awareness walks provide an opportunity for students and staff to come together and show solidarity while creating a sense of unity and shared purpose. The event raised nearly $450. A devoted parrothead, Tussie explains how Jimmy Buffett's music has had a profound impact on his life. “Jimmy Buffett lived his life like a song,” he said. Through his lyrics, he has helped millions of people find happiness, and inspired people to live their best possible lives. Tussie added, “Jimmy Buffett's music has not only provided endless entertainment, but has also served as a reminder to savor every moment and to create one’s own paradise, no matter where you are. Fins up, Bubbles Up."

VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED FROM 10 AM to 5 PM THIS SUNDAY.

THE HCT WILL BE HANDING OUT BOOKS AND TOYS TO THE CHILDREN AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS OF HICKSVILLE.

EMAIL US TO LET US KNOW IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO ASSIST AT THE BOOTH AND WHAT TIME YOU ARE AVAILABLE.

Thankful Thursdays are back for the month of November. Tell us why you are thankful for a special friend and colleague. You can begin sending messages today. Messages will be shared with fellow HCT members each week.

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.

Congratulations to Stella Trastelis (Science, High School)  and her husband George on the birth of their daughter.

Congratulations to Ron Modik (Phyical Education, High School) and his wife on the birth of their beautiful new daughter. Mila Sofia Modik arrived into this world at 12:21 am on October 23, 2023 weighing 8 pounds and 11 ounces. Everyone is doing well.

Condolences to Christina Pietras (Librarian, Woodland) on the passing of her grandfather.

Condolences to Maria Mezzanotte (East Street School) on the passing of her grandmother. 

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.