This Week's Focus

Show this video about the U.S. Census at a parent event at your school

Now that you have informed members in your chapter about the U.S. Census, it’s time to talk to parents and others in your school community about the importance of everyone filling out their Census form this spring. New York State receives $73 billion every year in funds from federal programs that use Census data. New York lost — and continues to lose — hundreds of millions of federal dollars for schools and other vital services because the city and the state were undercounted in the 2010 Census. Show this one-minute video about the Census at your school’s PTA meeting, the next School Leadership Team meeting or any other event where parents are assembling at your school in February or early March. Share a few key points from this PowerPoint presentation about the Census and hand out copies of this Why the Census Matters flier. Reassure immigrant families that their responses are protected by federal law and are only used to provide statistics. Personal information collected by the Census Bureau cannot be shared with any government agency or court.

Report your class sizes on Tuesday, Feb. 4, to your district rep

In nonannualized schools (generally middle and high schools that reorganize student programs in the spring), chapter leaders have a twice-a-year responsibility to ensure that their school’s classes adhere to the class-size maximums in the contract. These chapter leaders must report class sizes in their schools on the sixth day of class (Feb. 4), the 10th day (Feb. 10) and the 14th day (Feb. 14). Based on these reports, the UFT will use the expedited grievance procedure in the contract to ensure that class-size limits are enforced. First, you should report oversize classes to your district representative next Tuesday, Feb. 4. To find the class sizes on that date, obtain the school’s RACL for elementary or intermediate schools or the Master Schedule Final for high schools. Use the form given to you by your district rep to submit this information as early in the day as possible and no later than the end of the school day. Speak to your principal about resolving any oversize class issues. This is the informal resolution period when the DOE has 10 school days to equalize registers and resolve any class-size violations. Remind your principal how important it is to resolve class-size issues during this time period. (The contract requires that the principal and the chapter leader attempt to informally resolve class-size problems, so send your request for such a meeting by email so you can document that you made the attempt.) As in all grievances, do not sign any formal resolutions without speaking to your district rep. At the end of the informal resolution period, which is Monday, Feb. 10, the 10th school day, your district rep must be made aware of any classes still oversize so the union can file demands for arbitration. Class-size limits are in Article 7M of the contract. You will need to log in to the UFT website to view our contracts.

Registration is now open for our Middle School Conference

Middle school members are invited to attend the seventh annual UFT Middle School Conference, which will be held on Saturday, March 21, at UFT headquarters, 52 Broadway, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Our union’s strength depends on the participation of our members. The focus of this year’s conference is building union involvement in our schools by supporting members who are engaged in chapter-based Empower! Organize! Engage! (EOE) work. Participants at our conference will have the opportunity to attend various workshops to learn more about EOE as well as how to implement specific strategies to build powerful chapter committees. Our workshops will include topics such as Understanding Your School’s Budget; How a Consultation Committee Works; Operational Issues for Functional Chapters; Organizing and Mobilizing; and Member Appreciation. See the workshop descriptions on the UFT website. There will also be an awards ceremony to honor the vital work that is done by UFT delegates, paraprofessionals and members of our other functional chapters who work with middle school students and play a crucial part in ensuring the vitality of their chapters and school communities. To nominate a colleague for an award, see the EOE Conference Award Nomination Form. Check out the various award descriptions before submitting a nomination. To register for the conference, use the online registration form. The registration deadline is Friday, March 6. If you are a middle school chapter leader, please post this Middle School Conference and Awards flier on your UFT bulletin board.

Federation of Nurses/UFT nurses reach contract with the Visiting Nurse Service

Federation of Nurses/UFT members on Jan. 29 unanimously ratified a two-year contract with the Visiting Nurse Service of New York that raises salaries, protects members’ pensions and existing health care benefits, and improves safety provisions. “We’re delighted to have such a solid vote,” said an elated Anne Goldman, the lead negotiator and UFT vice president for non-DOE members. Among the monetary achievements were two 2.75% pay increases, one on April 1, 2020, and the second on April 1, 2021. No-premium health care was one of the “big-ticket items” members wanted to protect, based on surveys collected by the bargaining team, said Chapter Chair Raquel Webb-Geddes, and “we were able to achieve that.” All current and future nurses will remain in the UFT benefit fund, instead of being required — a VNS demand at the bargaining table — to join the employer’s health plan. In addition, the roughly 680 current VNS nurses will remain in the defined-benefit pension plan, which will be unchanged. That portion of the agreement was a hit especially with longtime members. The agreement also ensures a review of processes to create appropriate caseload assignments and it provides for personal protective equipment and dedicated equipment in the homes of patients with infectious diseases. Read the news story on the UFT website.

Asking the state for a $2.1 billion increase in school aid

New York State continues to shortchange its students in high-needs schools. The state owes public schools statewide a whopping $4.1 billion since the Campaign for Fiscal Equity case was settled in 2007. This means the state owes $1.1 billion to New York City’s public school students. In his preliminary budget proposal, however, Gov. Andrew Cuomo proposed increasing statewide school aid by only $825 million, with New York City set to receive an increase of $224 million. It’s time for our state to meet its obligation and pay the school aid that is owed. That is why we are asking the Legislature and the governor for a statewide $2.1 billion increase in school aid this year and a commitment to pay all school funding owed within the next three years. In preparation for our lobbying efforts in Albany this year, please familiarize yourselves with the union’s 2020 legislative priorities. Read our “Fund our Future” editorial to learn more about the campaign for more school aid.      

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Your Chapter Leader Checklist

• New  Look out for welcome email to Chapter Leader Community: Chapter leaders will now have access to a new online community that gives them a place to share ideas with other chapter leaders in their district and find answers to questions about union rights and benefits. In a gradual rollout starting on Feb. 3, chapter leaders will receive an email from UFT President Michael Mulgrew inviting them to join the Chapter Leader Community. Chapter leaders for Manhattan and Staten Island schools as well as for Districts 75 and 79 will be sent the email on Monday, Feb. 3. Brooklyn chapter leaders will get it on Feb. 4, Bronx chapter leaders on Feb. 5 and Queens chapter leader leaders on Feb. 6. If you do not get the email on the designated day, please check your spam folder or call the UFT contact center at 212-331-6311.
• Lobby Day is an authorized activity for members who attend: Every year on Lobby Day, hundreds of UFT members travel by bus to Albany to encourage state lawmakers to increase funding for public schools and support the rest of the union’s legislative agenda. This year’s UFT Lobby Day in Albany will be on Monday, March 16. If you or other members from your school would like to participate in this year’s event, please reach out to your UFT district rep. Members selected to attend Lobby Day must obtain permission from their principal. Participation in this event is authorized as a conference day for selected teachers and a nonattendance day for selected paraprofessionals. You can advise your principal that the Principals’ Weekly states, “As in past years, the United Federation of Teachers is sponsoring a State Aid Conference in Albany.”
• Consider attending parent association meetings: Our close work with parent groups has forged strong bonds and support that benefit both our students and our members. Consider attending your school’s PA meetings to strengthen these bonds.

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Share with Your Members

New Middle School Conference and Awards flier

UFT Text Message flier

LGBTQ+ Support Group flier

Paraprofessional Festival Awards and Luncheon flier

Why the 2020 Census Matters flier

Black History Film Series flier

2019–20 Social Work and Licensed Mental Health Counselor Continuing Education Course Outline flier

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You Should Know

Community Service

Encourage high school seniors to apply for a UFT scholarship: We know high school seniors are busy with Regents exams and midyear portfolio presentations, but please encourage them to apply for the UFT’s $5,000 Albert Shanker College Scholarship. The submission deadline has been extended to Friday, Feb. 14. Each year, the UFT awards $1 million in scholarships to academically excellent and financially eligible city public high school seniors. Please reach out to your school’s college advisers and school counselors to ensure eligible seniors apply for these scholarships. If you do not work in a high school, please spread the word to family, friends and community members who may qualify for this award. To receive a $5,000 scholarship, candidates must be accepted in a full-time, matriculated, degree-granting program at an accredited college or university. You can get more information on the scholarship and application materials on the UFT website.

Functional Chapters

New Honor exemplary school secretaries: School secretaries work hard every day to keep schools running and make a difference in children's lives. We encourage members to nominate a school secretary who excels at their job for a UFT School Secretary of the Year award. Secretaries may nominate themselves if they wish. Winners will be honored at our 34th annual School Secretary Awards Brunch on Saturday, May 30. Nominees must have at least three years’ experience as a licensed school secretary. To nominate a school secretary, use the online form. The nomination deadline is Friday, Feb. 28.

New Feb. 7 registration deadline for para workshop: Paraprofessionals are invited to Let’s Talk About It: Using Advanced Literacies to Support Students, a workshop designed especially for paraprofessionals and presented jointly by the UFT's Paraprofessionals Chapter, the UFT Teacher Center and the Department of Education. This training will take place on Wednesday, Feb. 12, from 4 to 6 p.m., at the UFT's Brooklyn borough office, 335 Adams St., 24th floor. The cost to attend is $15 for paraprofessionals seeking CTLE hours and $10 without CTLE hours. Space is limited, so register online ASAP.  For more information, see the Let’s Talk About It: Using Advanced Literacies to Support Students flier.

New Workshop for paras who work with ELLs: Paraprofessionals who work with English language learners are invited to Speaking Their Language: Supporting ELL Students, a workshop designed especially for paraprofessionals and presented jointly by the UFT's Paraprofessionals Chapter, the UFT Teacher Center and the Department of Education. This training will take place on Wednesday, Feb. 26, from 4 to 6 p.m., at the UFT's Bronx borough office, 2500 Halsey St. Participants will learn about inclusive practices that create a culture that is advantageous to the social, emotional and academic growth of English language learners. The cost to attend is $15 for paraprofessionals seeking CTLE hours and $10 without CTLE hours. Space is limited, so register online ASAP. For more information, see the Speaking Their Language: Supporting ELL Students flier.

New Apply for a REACH library grant: School librarians are encouraged to apply for a grant for your school library for up to $2,500. This grant is made available by the Library Revitalizing Education for Adolescents and Children (REACH) program, a partnership between the Fund for Public Schools and the New York City School Library System that allows New York City public schools to improve their libraries to enhance teaching and learning. Eligible schools must have an operational library program that can demonstrate need; one full-time certified librarian or teacher assigned to the library; a commitment to implementing the grant by the end of the current school year; and a commitment to submitting an evaluation form upon completion of the project. The submission deadline is Monday, Feb. 24. For a full explanation of the grant and to submit an application, see the online form.

Health and Safety

Paid leave for cancer screenings has been expanded: UFT members now can receive up to four hours of paid leave during normal work hours for any type of cancer screening and up to three hours of unpaid leave to give blood. This is an expansion of a previous law that allowed excused leave only for mammograms, prostate cancer screenings and blood donations. The state Legislature expanded paid leave for cancer screenings of any kind in 2018 at the urging of the UFT and our state affiliate, NYSUT. A personnel memo issued by the DOE outlines the procedures for UFT members to follow when requesting these leaves.

Manage your medical appointments online: Members can use the online service ZocDoc to find doctors and make appointments. The service allows users to quickly find nearby doctors in their network by name, city, specialty, insurance, practice, procedure, hospital or language. It also provides patient reviews for doctors. Members can sign up on the ZocDoc website or use the ZocDoc app for iPhone and Android devices. For more information, see the article on the UFT website.

Opportunities

New DOE Energy conservation poster contest: Teachers of grades K–12 are asked to encourage their students to enter the DOE Office of Sustainability’s Energy Conservation Artwork Contest. Students interested in participating in the contest will have to create a poster with an energy conservation call to action. The goal of the contest is to create a dialog and encourage students, teachers, administrative staff and parents to save energy through art. Fifteen winners will receive a prize and their artwork will be featured in the Sustainability 2020–21 calendar. The deadline for submissions is Friday, March 20. For more information, including full contest rules, see the DOE Energy Conservation Artwork Contest flier.

Support for LGBTQ+ members: The UFT’s Member Assistance Program is offering a weekly support group for LGBTQ+ members to talk, connect and empower each other in a nonjudgmental, confidential space. Sessions will be held on Wednesdays in February and March, from 4:30 to 5:45 p.m., at UFT headquarters, 52 Broadway. Enrollment is limited. Register ASAP. For questions and to register, email the Member Assistance Program at mapinfo@uft.org or call 212-701-9620. See the LGBTQ+ Support Group flier.

Political Action

Take Action Help elect Donovan Richards as Queens borough president: We are looking for UFT members willing to volunteer to help elect Council Member Donovan Richards in the special election on Tuesday, March 24, for Queens borough president. UFT delegates voted to endorse Richards at the Jan. 15 Delegate Assembly. A lifelong Queens’ resident who has represented southeast Queens in the Council since 2013, Richards helped secure millions of dollars for technology upgrades in local schools and fought for affordable housing. As borough president, Richards promises to work to expand economic and educational opportunities for all communities, continue to fight for jobs, support immigrant rights and fix public transportation. To become involved in the union’s get-out-the-vote efforts for Richards, email Dina Hassan at the UFT’s Queens borough office at Dhassan@uft.org.

Professional Learning Opportunities

Join a UFT heritage committee: The UFT Professional Committees seek to actively engage members in professional growth through activities such as conferences, seminars, workshops, educational trips, newsletters and professional recognition. There are heritage committees for ethnicities and cultural interest groups including the African Heritage Committee, the Jewish Heritage Committee, the Irish American Committee and the Hispanic Affairs Committee. You can join a heritage committee of your choice, either one that reflects your own background or a group that you would like to learn more about. You can learn more about the various heritage committees on the UFT website. For upcoming committee meetings, see the Professional Committee section below.

Salary and Personnel

Is your W-2 accurate? W-2s will be delivered to schools and offices on Friday, Jan. 31, for all members who did not register to receive them electronically. Members who retired, resigned, were terminated or are on leave will have W-2s mailed to the home address currently on file with the DOE. W-2s for pedagogic per diems also will be mailed. W-2s for substitute paraprofessionals and those who work at multiple DOE locations will go to the school at which they received their last December 2019 paycheck or paystub. ATRs who pick up checks at 65 Court St. will receive W-2s there as well. Members can request copies of their W-2s for the last three years or request a correction by logging on to the DOE’s payroll portal beginning in mid-February. If an address is wrong, the member must contact HR Connect at 718-935-4000 before requesting the duplicate and/or corrected W-2. If members have any questions regarding their W-2s, they should call HR Connect. Members will get their 1095-c (proof of health insurance through their employer) with their W-2s. Active members can go into NYCAPS Employee Self Service to view and print their W-2s. For more information, see the DOE memo. 

Teaching and Learning

Register for the spring UFT elementary workshops: Elementary school teachers who wish to upgrade their teaching skills are invited to attend workshops in the UFT’s fall elementary workshop series. Courses include “Raising the Bar for All Learners: High Expectations in the Math Classroom” and “Student Engagement: Strategies and Techniques for Classroom Management.”  The fee for each workshop is $30 for teachers who wish to receive CTLE credit and $15 without CTLE credit. The fee for paraprofessionals is $15 with or without CTLE credit. All workshops will be held on Thursdays at UFT headquarters, 52 Broadway, 19th floor, from 4 to 6 p.m. The workshops have limited enrollment so register ASAP. For workshop descriptions and to register, see the Elementary School Workshops page in the LearnUFT section of the UFT website.

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This Week in Education and Labor News

Students staying away from teacher prep programs: A Center for American Progress report reveals a 33% drop in teacher preparation program enrollment nationwide, reports WSBT.com. The study, which analyzed data for 2010 to 2018, concludes the teaching profession never recovered from the 2008 recession, which saw massive cuts to school funding. That money hasn’t returned and stagnant salaries have pushed prospective teachers to other fields.

Nurses strike for better pay and work conditions: Over 7,800 nurses and other employees at a Seattle hospital system on Jan. 28 began a three-day strike over staffing levels, wages and other issues, according to the Oregonian. The hospital workers are seeking a 23% raise over four years and less disruptive work schedules. The action, called by the Service Employees International Union, is one of the largest hospital strikes in the United States in recent years. The union claims ongoing hospital consolidations are contributing to a national shortage of nurses and are reducing the quality of patient care.

Post Office to create career-track jobs: The U.S. Postal Service on Jan. 27 agreed to convert nearly 5,000 nonpermanent employees to career roles following a labor dispute with its largest union, reports the Government Executive. The settlement with the National Association of Letter Carriers union will allow any employee in the city carrier assistant position with at least 30 months of experience by Feb. 15 to transition to a career job, giving those workers more benefits and job stability. 

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Events Calendar

Featured

Saturday, March 7: Come to the UFT’s 16th annual School Counselors Conference at UFT headquarters, 52 Broadway, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. This year’s theme is School Counselors Create Positive Change. Participants may attend workshops, network with colleagues and obtain valuable resources and guidance materials. The registration fee is $30, which includes breakfast and lunch. Register online. You must be logged in to register. When you click the link, you'll be prompted to log in. Then, select "School Counselors Conference" from the menu.

Saturday, March 14: The 39th annual Paraprofessional Festival and Awards Luncheon runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the New York Hilton, 1335 Sixth Ave. Paraprofessionals are encouraged to attend this annual day of professional learning and celebration. This year’s theme is All Aboard: Navigating the Needs of Culturally Diverse Learners. There will an awards ceremony and workshops on a range of topics including academic vocabulary, self-advocacy and creating a safe and inclusive school environment. Participants will also be able to take advantage of wellness activities such as a health fair, meditation and yoga classes. The registration fee is $25 without CTLE credit and $40 with CTLE credit. For a full list of workshops and the agenda, see the Paraprofessional Festival Awards and Luncheon flier. To register, use the online form. The registration deadline is Friday, Feb. 28.

This Week

Saturday, Feb. 1: Register for a Student Debt Relief Program webinar streaming at 9:30 a.m. After you register online , you will receive log-in information for the webinar.

Saturday, Feb. 1: Staten Island-based members are invited to a book giveaway from 10:30 a.m. to noon, at the UFT’s Staten Island borough office, 4456 Amboy Road, 2nd floor. Every year, First Book distributes thousands of new books to local families, teachers and community members to help children foster a love of reading. Register online.

Monday, Feb. 3: Queens-based members in District 25 who are eligible for tenure in the next year or two are invited to a workshop to discuss the tenure process. This event will take place from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m., at PS 165, 7035 150th St., Flushing. Register online. See the District 25 Tenure Meeting flier.

Monday, Feb. 3: Social workers are invited to learn about the relationship between gaming and gambling and how to communicate effectively with parents and children about them in a workshop presented by the Member Assistance Program. This training will take place from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., at the UFT’s Brooklyn borough office, 335 Adams St., 24th floor. Two CE hours will be offered. The cost to register is $50. Register online.

Monday, Feb. 3: The Hearing Officers (per session) Chapter meeting will take place from 6 to 8 p.m., at UFT headquarters, 52 Broadway, 19th floor, rooms D and E. UFT Special Representative Ilene Weinerman and former UFT Secretary Howard Schoor will speak to members and answer their questions. Register online.

Wednesday, Feb. 5: Queens-based members in District 25 are invited to register for a Student Debt Relief Program workshop at PS 29, 125-10 23rd Ave. in College Point. This event takes place from 3 to 5 p.m. Register online.

Wednesday, Feb. 5: Staten Island-based members are invited to register for a Student Debt Relief Program workshop, from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m., at Port Richmond HS, 85 St. Joseph Ave. Register online.

Wednesday, Feb. 5: REGISTRATION CLOSED—Bronx-based members will attend a maternity and child care leave workshop from 4 to 6 p.m., at the UFT's Bronx borough office, 2500 Halsey St.

Wednesday, Feb. 5: Queens-based members may attend a maternity and child care leave workshop from 4 to 6 p.m., at the UFT's Queens borough office, 118-35 Queens Blvd., Forest Hills. This event is for birthing parents in their third trimester. For more information, see the Queens Maternity Workshop flier. Register online.

Wednesday, Feb. 5: Staten Island-based members may attend a Pathways to Parenting workshop from 4 to 6 p.m., at the UFT’s Staten Island borough office, 4456 Amboy Road. Register online. For more information, see the Staten Island Pathways to Parenting flier.

Wednesday, Feb. 5: The Speech Improvement Chapter monthly meeting will take place from 4 to 6 p.m., at UFT headquarters, 52 Broadway, 3rd floor North.

Wednesday, Feb. 5: Brooklyn-based members may attend a Pathways to Parenthood workshop from 4:15 to 5:45 p.m., at the UFT's Brooklyn borough office, 335 Adams St., 24th floor. This event is for all members. For more information, see the Brooklyn Pathways to Parenthood Workshop flier. Register online.

Wednesday, Feb. 5: The UFT School Nurses Chapter meeting will take place from 4:15 to 6 p.m., at the UFT’s Brooklyn borough office, 335 Adams St., 35th floor, room 2.

Wednesday, Feb. 5: The Teacher Assigned Chapter meeting will take place from 5 to 7 p.m., at the UFT’s Brooklyn borough office, 335 Adams St., 24th floor. Register online.

Thursday, Feb. 6: Bronx-based members in District 9 are invited to register for a Student Debt Relief Program workshop at PS 443, 1116 Sheridan Ave. This event takes place from 3:15 to 5 p.m. Register online.

Thursday, Feb. 6: REGISTRATION CLOSED—Manhattan-based members who are considering taking a sabbatical during the 2020–21 school year will attend a sabbatical workshop from 4 to 6 p.m., at the UFT’s Manhattan borough office, 52 Broadway, 10th floor. See the Manhattan Sabbatical Workshop flier. 

Thursday, Feb. 6: Special education educators and chapter leaders are invited to the first of a three-part Special Education Advocate Academy workshop series. The first session will explore what we need to know in order to advocate for our students. This event will be held from 4 to 6 p.m., at the UFT’s Queens borough office, 118-35 Queens Blvd., Forest Hills. Register online. For more information, see the Special Education Advocate Academy flier.  

Thursday, Feb. 6: Staten Island-based speech teachers in their first year of teaching are invited to a speech survival class from 4 to 6 p.m., at the UFT’s Staten Island borough office, 4456 Amboy Road.

Thursday, Feb. 6: Bronx-based speech teachers in their first year of teaching are invited to a speech survival class from 4 to 6 p.m., at the UFT’s Bronx borough office, 2500 Halsey St.

Friday, Feb. 7: The UFT’s CTE Awards will be held from 4 to 6:30 p.m., at UFT headquarters, 52 Broadway, Shanker Hall. This event honors educators who work in career and technical education schools. Register online. See the Career and Technical Education 2020 Awards Ceremony flier.

Friday, Feb. 7: The UFT financial wellness workshop, Money Moves, will be held at UFT headquarters, 52 Broadway, 19th floor, room D/E from 4 to 6 p.m. Register online.

Friday, Feb. 7: Staten Island-based members who are considering taking a sabbatical during the 2020–21 school year are invited to a sabbatical workshop from 4 to 6 p.m., at the UFT’s Staten Island borough office, 4456 Amboy Road. Register online. 

Save the Date

Saturday, March 28: The 13th annual Early Childhood Conference will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., at UFT headquarters, 52 Broadway. Participants may attend two workshops for CTLE credit. A hot lunch will be served. For more information, see the Early Childhood Conference brochure.

For more events, go to uft.org/calendar.

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In Case You Missed It

Photo Gallery: Mulgrew visits PS 811, Queens

Brooklyn Parent Newsletter — January 2020

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Professional Committees

UFT Professional Committees offer a wide range of workshops, presentations and exchanges, enabling all members to take an active part in their professional growth. Unless indicated, meetings are at UFT headquarters, 52 Broadway, Manhattan. Check in the lobby for exact locations. For further information, contact us at 212-598-7772 or visit us online.

African Heritage Committee

• Friday, Feb. 7, 7 p.m., 16th annual dinner dance at Antun’s Queens Village. For more information and to register, see the Stand Up and Be Counted flier.

American Teachers of Social Studies and Jewish Heritage Committee

• Sunday, March 29, 8:30 a.m. to 3:15 p.m., annual Holocaust for Educators program with American Society for Yad Vashem, Ramaz Middle School, 114 E. 85th St. (between Lexington and Park avenues). Six hours of CTLE credit are offered through Manhattanville College. The theme of this event, sponsored by the Barbara Gutfreund Arfa Endowment Fund for Holocaust Education, is “Never Again Means Now. Confronting Anti-Semitism in a Post-Holocaust World: The Impact on Education.” Free admission, free educational resources and free kosher breakfast and lunch. Register by Friday, March 20, using the UFT coupon or the online form. For more information or to register by phone, contact Carolyn Herbst, ATSS/UFT Holocaust Education Program, at 646-258-1942. For more information, see the Never Again Means Now flier.

Asian-American Committee 

• Wednesday, Feb. 5, general membership meeting, 4 to 6 p.m.

Capably Disabled Committee

• Thursday, March 26, 4:15 to 6 p.m., general membership meeting and annual anniversary celebration. For information, see the Capably Disabled General Membership Meeting and Anniversary Celebration flier.

English Language Arts Committee

• Thursday, Feb. 13, 4:15 to 6:15 p.m., “Match Your Students with Great Texts, Create Lifelong Readers, and Have them Ace that Test Too!” For more information, see the Match Your Students with Great Texts, Create Lifelong Readers, and Have them Ace that Test Too! Flier.

Irish Heritage Committee

• Thursday, Feb. 6, 6 p.m., Neil Shanahan Educators Seminar, Topic: Brexit — A Challenge to Peace in Ireland. For more information, see the Brexit—A Challenge to Peace in Ireland flier.

New York City Art Teachers Association

• The New York City Art Teachers Association/UFT will hold elections for executive officers for the September 2020 to June 2022 term.
• 2020 Student Exhibit Opportunity, Inside/Outside: Young Artists Unite Against Bullying IV. The submission deadline for images and statements is Thursday, March 5.

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Calling the UFT

The UFT’s new contact center is open and can provide support with all your union rights and benefits. Call the following numbers with any questions or for assistance.

• DOE members, 212-331-6311
• DOE functional chapter members, 212-331-6312
• UFT Welfare Fund, 212-539-0500 – questions about health benefits
• UFT Welfare Fund forms, 212-539-0539 – to obtain forms
• Paid Parental Leave, 212-539-0510

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Editor: Peter O’Donnell

Executive Editor: Bernadette Weeks

Contributors include: Karen Alford, Bradley Alter, George Altomare, Nancy Aromando, Ina Babb-Henry, LeRoy Barr, Jackie Bennett, Doreen Berrios-Castillo, Hannah Brown, Rashad Brown, Tom Brown, David Campbell, Joseph Colletti, Rita Danis, Evelyn DeJesus, Crystal Deoraj, Brian Gibbons, Alison Gendar, MaryJo Ginese, Anne Goldman, Anthony Harmon, Sarah Herman, Janella Hinds, Junior Linton, Joe LoVerde, Richard Mantell, Samantha Mark, Deidre McFadyen, Michael Murphy, Gabriel Nott, Frank Panebianco, Khiera Pena, Marisol Pena, Suzanne Popadin, Jeffrey Povalitis, Cassie Prugh, Tina Puccio, Nadine Reis, Hector Ruiz, Robin Sentell, Michael Sill, Anne Silverstein, Geof Sorkin, Rosemarie Thompson, Joseph Usatch, Angel Vasquez and Betty Zohar.