Indoor Homecoming a Success

The threat of rain brought Homecoming indoors on Saturday, September 29th but the community came out to celebrate. Students, families and staff enjoyed great activities before the game. HCT raffled off two baskets collected by Alison Silvestri (assembled and decorated by Lee Phillip's mom!). We also raffled off a Nintendo Switch and raised almost $450 for the scholarship fund. Thank you to everyone who bought tickets, and congratulations to Caitlin Cassidy, Megan Locke and Adam Nadler on winning the prizes! All funds raised at Homecoming go towards HCT scholarships for Hicksville High School seniors. Thanks to all who volunteered to make this event a success!

Rosanna Apice

Ada Boehme

Melissa Carbone

Madison Cascio

Danielle Donnelly

Michael Doria

Emily Markakis

Jessica Mianulli

Diana Morales

Georgia Paliouras

Natalie Ranallo

Safa Teli

Members Plan for Retirement

by Alison Silvestri

On Wednesday, October 4, HCT Members gathered in the Kristoff Theater to learn the ins and outs of NYSTRS from Eric Iberger, one of the teacher members of the NYSTRS Board. Iberger presented retirement examples and encouraged members to sign up for MyNYSTRS, the online retirement portal. Participants learned about the tier differences in the system, specifically the large disparities that exist for those in tier 6. Thank you to all who attended this informative workshop.

Early this school year, some members have encountered course denials for advancement on the salary scale. Courses were denied from previously approved providers, including: Teaching Channel with Learners' Edge, Professional Development Institute (PDI), and CPD. 

This was due to an interpretation of our contractual language requiring that courses be part of a degree-bearing program. You may have received this language quoted in your denial.

Available on our website under the “Members Only” portion is the required documentation to get these courses approved. There is a document for American College of Education/Learners' Edge, and one for Augustana/PDI. 

The language the district requires states a course “can” be used in the pursuit of a degree as part of a degree-bearing program. 

Please be aware that it is still integral to the approval process that you:

1. Correctly fill out the required paperwork, including the course numbers, titles, and institution which your course is from. 
2. You submit documentation that demonstrates where this course is being taken through (the university).
3. The letter that we are supplying through the HCT Website. Find the letter here. 

If you are pursuing credits through Teaching Channel/Learners' Edge, please pay careful attention to which university you are receiving your credits from when applying for approval. 

In the event that you need further assistance, please seek out your building reps for assistance, or email the HCT at hicksville_teachers@verizon.net. If you do not know your password or do not have a password yet, please email the office and our administrator will help you.

JOIN YOUR HCT FRIENDS AND COLLEAGUES AT THIS YEAR'S STREET FAIR!

THE HCT WILL HAVE A BOOTH AND GIFTS FOR THE CHILDREN OF HICKSVILLE.

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

Back by Popular Demand!

Orders will be delivered to your building on Thursday, October 26th.

Payment may be made by Cash, Check (payable to the HCT) or Venmo. If making payment by Venmo, please include Chonky Cookies in the description line and include your username on the order form.

Complete order form and return to Alison Silvestri at the high school no later than Wednesday, October 11th.

Email Alison Silvestri at ajsilvest@hotmail.com with any questions

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 Arleen Rodriguez (Lee Avenue) and welcome to Lee! Your colleagues look forward to working with you!

Congratulations to Christine Koncick (Fork Lane Special Ed ) on her engagement in August.

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.