This year, the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk was held Sunday, October 17th, 2021 at Jones Beach. The walk reportedly was attended by around 45,000 people and raised approximately $1.7 million nationally for the American Cancer Society. I have participated in the walk with my family since 2014 and it is always exhilarating to be part of this event. We walk in a sea of pink; everyone is dressed in pink outfits and accessories. This year was a little cold and breezy in the morning. However, it didn't stop the smiles on people's faces and the enthusiasm for those there for a common purpose. The walk gives hope and support to the countless survivors and people fighting breast cancer. We completed the 5 mile walk within 90 minutes. The Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk has become an annual tradition in our family and we hope to continue it!!

On Friday, October 15th Hicksville Schools were a sea of pink as the HCT held its annual Pink Out and raised $867 for the American Cancer Society's lifesaving research and support services. Thank you to everyone who participated. Many thanks to Christine Anderson for all her hard work organizing this event.

View the photo gallery here.

Good Luck in the New York State Field Band Conference in Syracuse this weekend. Good luck to Kerri Barnett, Michael Caruso, Sam Pollenz, and Alyssa Smith.

On Friday, October 15, the Hicksville High School teacher Petrice Peppers lead a Zumba class at Competitive Edge Studio in Lindenhurst. Petrice, a certified Zumba instructor, lead other members of the HCT in an hour-long exercise class that built up quite a sweat. Interested in participating? Look out for further Zumba classes and opportunities to engage with the HCT in 2021 and beyond. Thank you to Petrice Peppers (High School English) for donating her time for this fun event!

The winner of the 50/50 raffle will take home no less than $150!

The HCT will be celebrating Thankful Thursday for the month of November. Tell us why you are thankful for a special colleague. Messages will be shared with fellow HCT members each week. You can begin sending us your message of thanks today!

If you have a secondary student who is quarantined, a Google Meet is not mandatory. IF a student, not an administrator nor a parent, reaches out to you that the student has questions or concerns about the work, you may respond by holding a Google Meet at a time that works for you, including your extra help period. You may also respond to a student through email, messaging through the Google Classroom, or sending a video to explain the concept.

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. 

Thank you to everyone that participated in the Chonky Cookies Fundraiser. We sold over 100 boxes of cookies, raised money for the HCT Scholarship Fund and supported a local business. Being engaged in our union never tasted so good.

Stay tuned for another opportunity to be active in the HCT from the Member Engagement Committee.

Join Us! Over the last few years, some HCT members and I have worked diligently to provide authentic experiences to our teachers at a great value. We are the Membership Engagement Committee. Our goal is to help them connect with each other and expand their interests. Some of the opportunities we have provided include sporting events (Mets, Islanders and LI Nets), Theme Park Tickets (Hershey Park, Six Flags and Adventureland) and unique local experiences (escape rooms and coffee house discounts). We also compiled a catalog of local restaurants for new teachers called "Where the HCT Eats."

We are looking for new members who wish to join our team. Just recently, the HCT Board of Directors voted to add an additional chairperson to the Member Engagement Committee. Thank you to Patricia Papageorge for stepping up to take this position. Patricia is a teacher at Old Country Road School. She will be working with Alison Silvestri, who has done an amazing job chairing this committee for the past few years. The committee is also looking for suggestions about things our members would like to do and places they would like to try. If you are looking for a way to be involved in the union or school community or you simply enjoy planning events and helping people connect with each other, the Member Engagement Committee is for you.

Please contact Alison Silvestri at Ajsilvest@hotmail.com to join the committee or if you have any questions or suggestions.

Inna Mishiev, Director of Special Education and PPS, has informed the HCT of the Loan Forgiveness program. Hicksville High School and Hicksville Middle School come up on the list of qualifying schools. Not all teachers working in those buildings may qualify. Follow this link to see if you qualify and download the application form.

If you are interested and need assistance Inna Mishiev is willing to assist you.

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.

Donations are being taken at NYSUT’s Disaster Relief Fund. The 501(c)3 can help union members impacted by Hurricane Ida, as well as Tropical Storm Henri. If you know of a member who has been affected by the storms, direct them to NYSUT.org/DisasterRelief to apply for assistance.

Congratulations to Old Country Road 2nd grade bilingual teacher Johanna Mauro who was recognized by New York State Senator Anna Kaplan's office during the Hispanic Heritage Celebration on Tuesday, October 26th. More information can be found on Senator Kaplan's website.