"Give yourself some much needed downtime before the rush of December. Savor your morning coffee. Read a good book. Take a long nap. Sit in the quiet of the living room after the kids go to bed and admire the beauty of the holiday lights and decorations (and don’t stress if they’re not up yet, Griswold!). Go to bed early." Sarah shares many more of her simple self-care activities here.

This year, HCT is hosting a Virtual Food Drive for Island Harvest in the weeks leading up to Thanksgiving. The system is set up like a supermarket where donors scan virtual grocery items, which are listed at wholesale price, and are meant to illustrate what a contribution like that could provide to the community. Please note the system accepts only credit card donations, not food. Below please learn how your donations help people on Long Island. You can access the HCT Virtual Food Drive here .

HCT Members -Thank you all who participated in this month's Thankful Thursday. We hope it brightened your day. Look for Thankful Thursdays to return again this spring. ~ HCT Executive Board

Ashley Hershkopf - Thank you for making my days so much brighter at Lee Ave! Working with you has been making the transition back to school so enjoyable and fun!! Thank you for your friendship, compassion and knowledge!!! You're the best!! ~ Georgia Paliouras

Kelly Siracusano and Jen Roth - Thank you for being our union reps. I am very fortunate to call you my colleagues, friends, and lunch waking buddies. I am very thankful for you both! ~ Suzanne Calo

Dutch Lane - I'm thankful to work at Dutch with all of you. ~ Tricia Wiertz

Leigh Phillips - Thank you for being there to answer all of my questions and helping me through the transition of starting in a new school and district. I am very lucky to have someone to turn to when I need help with anything. I know you will be there to answer any questions and guide me in the right direction. Thank you for being a great mentor for me! ~ Kelly Hill

Stephanie Sullo - Thank you for being a great co-teacher and guiding me along the way through this new journey. The kids and I are so lucky to have you in the classroom with us each day. I love learning from you and finding new ways/ tips to becoming a better teacher because of you. I am very lucky to have been paired with such a great co-teacher and I can't wait to continue this school year with you! ~ Kelly Hill

Lee Avenue Staff - We hope you and your families have a safe, healthy and Happy Thanksgiving! We are so grateful to work with such an amazing group of teachers. ~ Love, Marissa Pressler and Susan Goldman

Since this is a negotiations year, we want to present a unified front by wearing HCT-branded clothing every Wednesday. In addition, we'll be sharing photos on social media of our members proudly wearing their HCT gear.

Use the hashtag #WeAreHCT on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. If you do not use social media and/or would like me to post your photos, feel free to email them to jketyer@gmail.com and I will share them. Remember to Wear it on Wednesdays!

If you missed our fall clothing sale, there is a limited supply of HCT apparel available for sale at the HCT office. View items here.

Please email Justina Ketyer at jketyer@gmail.com if there is any problem with your order. 

If you have any questions please email Michelle Iadevaia at miadev4@gmail.com or Melissa Seguna at mseguna88@gmail.com

 Airplane Oxygen Principle

This seminar addresses how to manage staff well-being amidst the anxiety and uncertainty of COVID-19. It highlights the importance of taking care of yourself before you can effectively take care of others. More information here. Additional topics for Getting Back On Track.

Phone: 516-730-8070

Visit them on Facebook, Instagram and their website.

Pick-up a frozen dozen of sweet or savory wontons as a fun and new alternative appetizer, snack or side for the Holidays, New Years and the Big Game.

Stop in for lunch or a snack!

Wow your friends and family, while supporting the HCT Scholarship Fund.

Show this advertisement upon ordering and 20% of all of your purchases made from Friday, December 10 to Sunday, December 12 will go to the HCT Scholarship Fund.

After several weeks of behind the scenes work by NYSUT, the New York State Department of Labor has updated the guidance for Labor Law Sec 196-C, which allows paid leave time for COVID vaccinations, to include vaccine booster shots.

Minimum of 10 tickets must be sold to get this special offer. Tickets will be ordered one the minimum quantity has been met.

Complete the order form and return along with your check or cash payment to Alison Silvestri at Hicksville High School.

Questions: Email Alison Silvestri @ ajsilvest@hotmail.com

What You Need to Know.

Members who need to be tested, do not have to use the district testing site. Members can go to their own doctors, pharmacies, or other testing sites and bring in proof of a negative test.

If an HCT member does not comply, the member will be declared ineligible to report to work and will be suspended without pay. The NYSUT Nassau Regional Office has informed us that the district is within its legal rights to do this.

Frequently Asked Questions about Covid-19 Testing and Vaccine Mandates for P-12 Employees can be found here.

If you are interested in being listed in our tutor database or would like to remain in the database, please download and complete the Tutor Referral Form and mail it to the HCT at 535 South Broadway, Suite 212, Hicksville, NY 11801. If you prefer, you can scan the completed form and email it to Hicksville_Teachers@verizon.net.

Condolences to the family and friends of Rhoda Ostashever (retired 1993) who passed away this past weekend. Funeral services will be held at the Star of David Memorial Chapels this Friday, November 26th at noon. Details here.