The next Delegate Assembly is Wednesday, Feb. 12

The next Chapter Leader Update is Friday, Feb. 28.

This Week's Focus

District political action teams will support chapter leaders

During the Feb. 1–2 weekend, 200 member activists representing each New York City school district gathered for an intensive two days of political action training. The training focused on the union’s #WeCount campaign for the 2020 Census and the UFT’s annual COPE drive. In the coming weeks, small district-level political action teams will visit your school to support your efforts to educate your school community about the importance of counting every New Yorker, including children, in the Census. They can assist you in all phases of your planning. As the new COPE brochures and reports arrive at your school, these political action teams will also be on hand to support your efforts to increase the number of members who contribute to COPE as well as how much they contribute. Politics is union business. We must ensure our schools receive their fair share of government funding.

Apply for a study sabbatical by March 19!

UFT members who are teachers may apply for a sabbatical leave to enhance their teaching skills, restore their health if they are ill or achieve state certification in a shortage area. Eligible teachers who want to study to enhance teaching skills have until Tuesday, March 19, to submit an application on SOLAS for a study sabbatical for the 2020–21 school year. Tuesday, March 26, is the deadline for a principal’s recommendation to the superintendent. Coursework must be rigorous and related to one’s teaching assignment. All teachers are eligible for a one-year study sabbatical after 14 years of service. Junior high or high school classroom teachers with seven years on the job may also apply for a six-month study sabbatical for the spring semester only. During a study sabbatical, whether six months or a full year, teachers earn 70 percent of their salary. During a yearlong health sabbatical, teachers earn 70 percent of their salary, too. Find out more about study sabbaticals, restoration of health sabbaticals and shortage-area study sabbaticals in our Leaves of Absence page and the sabbatical leaves section of the UFT website. Members can read the current guidelines and eligibility requirements in the DOE sabbatical memo, which the DOE updates and reissues each spring, and the Chancellor’s Regulation C-650 on Sabbatical Leaves of Absence.

Report your class sizes on Feb. 10 to your district rep

We thank chapter leaders in nonannualized schools for capturing class-size data and reporting it to their district representatives on Feb. 4. We now need these chapter leaders to again report class sizes in their schools on the 10th day, Monday, Feb. 10, and the 14th day, Friday, Feb. 14, of this semester. Based on these reports, the UFT will use the contract’s expedited grievance procedure to ensure class-size limits are enforced. As you did on Day 6, to find the class sizes for each 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 UFT 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. 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 oversized so the union can demand arbitration. Class-size limits are in Article 7M of the contract. You will need to log in to the UFT website to view the contract.

Register for the UFT’s Early Childhood Conference on March 28

Registration is open for the UFT's 13th annual Early Childhood Education Conference, which will be held at UFT headquarters on Saturday, March 28, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. This year's theme is Lighting the Future. Rick Ellis, a dynamic early childhood educator, is the featured keynote speaker. Participants can choose from among 14 exciting workshops on topics including differentiating instruction for boys, creating center activities, using play to foster math skills and making connections between science and literacy. CTLE credits are available. UFT President Michael Mulgrew will give greetings, and UFT Vice President of Elementary Schools Karen Alford will deliver a welcome address. Coffee and tea will be served in the morning, and a hot brunch will be served in the afternoon. For the fee breakdown and to register, see the online form. For detailed descriptions of all the workshops and other information, see the Early Childhood Conference brochure.

How has UFT membership made a difference for you and your members?

As a chapter leader, you know the importance of being part of a strong and vibrant union. Let’s share these stories with fellow members so they are reminded of the value of union membership. The union’s Student Debt Relief Program allowed Katelyn Bean to reduce her monthly loan payments by half. Chapter Leader Kathy Lafontant’s school is turning around under the leadership of a new principal, thanks to the union’s help. The union helped teacher Alyson Macaluso when she suddenly lost her health insurance because of an administrative error. Read UFT members’ stories on our Union Proud website. What story do you have to tell about the importance of the UFT for you or your chapter? Use this online form to share your story. Thank you!

Subscribe to the UFT’s Classroom Café podcast

The UFT’s Classroom Café podcast is the place for brewing conversations to help public school educators succeed. The podcast, produced by the union’s Member Assistance Program, offers advice from experts and tips from fellow educators on time management, self-care, mindfulness, classroom climate and other topics. In the latest episode of Classroom Café, you’ll hear about the steps you can take to stay calm and focused and develop a growth mindset. Subscribe to this UFT podcast on your favorite podcast provider to make sure you don’t miss any of the upcoming episodes.

Back to top

Your Chapter Leader Checklist

• New Have you joined your online Chapter Leader Community?: By Feb. 6, every chapter leader should have received an email from UFT President Michael Mulgrew inviting them to log in to the Chapter Leader Community for their school district. This new online community gives you a place to share ideas with other chapter leaders in your district and find answers to questions about union rights and benefits. If you haven’t joined the community yet, please take a moment to find that email in your inbox and follow the steps to log in. If you didn’t receive the email, please check your spam folder or call the UFT contact center at 212-331-6311.

• New Secure personal items and equipment during mid-winter break: Remind members to protect themselves against theft. Members should secure all personal belongings and valuable school equipment such as laptops, camcorders and projectors during the break.

• 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 federal funding based on Census data. New York lost — and continues to lose — hundreds of millions of federal dollars for schools and other vital services because the city's and the state's residents were undercounted in 2010. 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.

Back to top

Share with Your Members

New UFT Pride Committee Daniel Dromm Scholarship 2020 Application Form

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

Back to top

You Should Know

Certification

New Do you need CTLE hours? Teachers with permanent certification do not need CTLE hours although they must register on the New York State Education Department website. Teachers with professional certification and paraprofessionals who hold a Level III Teaching Assistant Certificate must complete CTLE hours. Those teachers and paraprofessionals required to earn CTLE credits must complete 100 hours every five years. This cycle is called a registration period. The current registration period will end in July 2021. You must keep records of earned CTLE hours for three years from the end of the registration period in which you earned your CTLE hours. You may be asked to show these records to the State Education Department to prove that you fulfilled your CTLE obligation for the prior registration period. For more information about certification, see the Guidance on What You Should Know About CTLE or the Certification page on the UFT website. To earn CTLE hours through UFT courses and workshops, see the CTLE/LearnUFT page on the UFT website. To speak with an educational liaison or a certification specialist at the UFT, call 212-331-6311. If you are a para, call 212-331-6312.

Community Service

New UFT scholarship for high school seniors who are LGBTQ activists: High school educators and school counselors should encourage seniors who are LGBTQ activists to apply for the UFT Pride Committee Daniel Dromm Scholarship, named for the New York City councilman and chair of the Council’s LGBTQ caucus. One winner from each borough will receive a $1,000 scholarship. Applicants must attend college next fall and have a minimum 3.0 GPA. For full requirements and to apply, see the UFT Pride Committee Daniel Dromm Scholarship 2020 Application Form. The application deadline is Wednesday, April 1.

Functional Chapters

Honor exemplary school secretaries: School secretaries work hard every day to keep schools running and make a difference in children's lives. Members may nominate a school secretary for a UFT School Secretary of the Year award. Secretaries may self-nominate as well. We’ll honor winners 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.

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. 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.

Feb. 24 deadline for a library grant: School librarians may apply for a grant for their school libraries for up to $2,500. The 16th annual Library Revitalizing Education for Adolescents and Children grant is provided by the Fund for Public Schools and the city’s School Library System. Eligible schools must have an operational library program that can demonstrate need and has 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

New Discounted rates for Weight Watchers: All city employees, their spouses or domestic partners, and dependents, who are eligible for city health benefits, may join Weight Watchers for half price. For $7 a month, members can enroll in Weight Watchers Digital, which entitles them to 24/7 chat support, digital tools, mobile apps, the Weight Watchers Connect social platform and activity device syncing. With the Digital + Workshop option for only $15 a month, members also can take advantage of confidential weigh-ins, at-work meetings where available, unlimited community meetings and guidance from a Weight Watchers leader. For more information, see the Wellness Programs and Initiatives page on the UFT website or the Work Well NYC FAQ.

Opportunities

DOE energy conservation poster contest: Teachers of grades K–12 should encourage their students to enter the DOE Office of Sustainability’s Energy Conservation Artwork Contest. Students should create a poster with an energy conservation call to action. The goal of the contest is to create a dialogue 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.

Political Action

Take Action Participate in a Census teach-in this Tuesday: NYC Census 2020 is holding Teach-in Tuesday, a citywide day of action on Tuesday, Feb. 11, to educate New Yorkers about the importance of participating in the Census. City libraries, churches and schools across the city are hosting teach-ins to spread the word that all New Yorkers must participate in the Census or New York will lose billions of dollars in federal funds. In mid-March, homes across the country will begin receiving invitations in the mail to complete the 2020 Census. Please come to a teach-in near you to support this critical initiative. Find a location near you and sign up to attend a teach-in.

Asking for a $2.1 billion increase in state school aid: New York State continues to shortchange 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. Read the union’s 2020 legislative priorities and our “Fund our Future” editorial to learn more about the campaign for more school aid.      

Recognition

New Chapter spotlight on therapist Victor Barangan: Congratulations to Victor Barangan, who works at PS 229 in Queens, on his award for Physical Therapist of the Year. Victor has been a physical therapist with the DOE since 1994, serving students from pre-K to 5th grade in both general education and special education. For Victor, the most rewarding aspect of his job is changing a student’s conception from “I want to do that but I can’t do that,” to “Oh wow, I can do it!” Victor says he is grateful for the assistance the UFT has provided in getting fairer treatment and competitive pay for physical and occupational therapists. You can read more about Victor Barangan’s accomplishments on the UFT website.

Salary and Personnel

New Correction to UFT dues information in New York Teacher: There was an error in the UFT dues chart for DOE employees that ran on page 30 of the Feb. 6 issue of the New York Teacher. These employees received eight checks, NOT 16, between Sept. 19 and Dec. 19, 2019.  That number is important as you calculate the total amount that you paid annually in dues in 2019. To determine your 2019 dues, you may also consult the UFT dues page on the website.

Teaching and Learning

New Win a class set of a magazine on the legacy of slavery: AFT’s Share My Lesson is partnering with the Pulitzer Center to give away class sets of the 1619 Project, an entire issue of the New York Times Magazine devoted to marking the 400th anniversary of the arrival of the first enslaved people to our shores. The magazine contains essays reflecting on the legacy of slavery by some of the best journalists working today. Drawings are scheduled for the following Wednesdays: Feb. 12, 19 and 26. Fifteen winners will be selected each week. You may submit up to nine entries. For more information and to enter the drawing, see the Share My Lesson website.

Back to top

This Week in Education and Labor News

Experts tout dual-language programs for ELLs: As the number of English language learners in the nation’s schools swells, research points to dual-language education as the path to equity, according to USA Today. These programs, however, face hurdles that include a debate over the best way to teach English learners, public hostility towards speakers of languages other than English, a shortage of qualified bilingual teachers and the fact that dual-language programs often grow fastest in areas where upper-income parents ask for them. English language learners account for five million U.S. students, about 10% of all students. 

Trump makes clear his aversion to public schools: In his State of the Union address on Feb. 4, President Donald Trump bemoaned the “countless American children … trapped in failing government schools” and urged Congress to create a $5 billion voucher program, reports the Washington Post. While the president’s education comments were a small part of his speech, they were significantly more than he offered in his 2019 State of the Union, which mentioned education policy in a single sentence.

Charter network closes Brooklyn school: The Achievement First charter network will close its Crown Heights Voyager elementary school due to low student enrollment, reports Chalkbeat. The school, with just 73 students, will close at the end of the school year, two years after its launch. The school has struggled to recruit students as newcomers to the neighborhood choose other area schools. The network is spending about $32,000 per student on Voyager, about double the normal cost, which is tearing a hole in its $1 million budget. This marks the first time that Achievement First has closed one of its schools.

Back to top

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 and 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 Midtown, 1335 Sixth Ave. 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 may also take advantage of wellness activities including a health fair, and 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.

Saturday, March 21: Middle school members may attend the seventh annual UFT Middle School Conference at UFT headquarters, 52 Broadway, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Participants at our conference will have the opportunity to attend various workshops to learn more about the union’s Empower! Organize! Engage! campaign as well as how to implement specific strategies to build powerful chapter committees. See the workshop descriptions on the UFT website. Awards will be presented to honor the vital work performed by UFT delegates, paraprofessionals and other functional chapter members who work with middle school students and play a crucial part in ensuring the vitality of their chapters and school communities. 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.

This Week

Saturday, Feb. 8: Social workers are invited to Trauma Through the Lens of Domestic Violence, a workshop presented by the UFT’s Member Assistance Program. Participants will learn about domestic violence from a social justice perspective. This training takes place from 8 a.m. to noon, at UFT headquarters, 52 Broadway, 19th floor. Two CE hours are offered. The cost to register is $50. Register online. 

Monday, Feb. 10: Social workers are invited to Strength-Based Conversations, a workshop presented by the UFT’s Member Assistance Program. Participants will practice using strength-based language to help facilitate difficult conversations. This training takes place from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., at UFT headquarters, 52 Broadway, 19th floor. Two CE hours will be offered. The cost to register is $50. Register online.

Monday, Feb. 10: Parents are invited to a parent leaders and UFT President meet and greet from 6 to 8:30, at UFT headquarters, 52 Broadway. Participants may network with other parent education activists and learn about UFT campaigns. Dinner will be served. Register online.

Tuesday, Feb. 11: The Hearing Education Services Chapter meets at the UFT’s Staten Island borough office, 4456 Amboy Road, from 8 to 11 a.m.

Tuesday, Feb. 11: REGISTRATION CLOSED — The District 75 paraprofessionals celebration is at 809 Bar and Grill, 112 Dyckman St., from 4 to 7 p.m. 

Tuesday, Feb. 11: The Paraprofessional Representative Chapter monthly meeting is from 4 to 6 p.m., at UFT headquarters, 52 Broadway. 

Tuesday, Feb. 11: Money Moves, a financial workshop, will be held at the UFT’s Queens borough office, 118-35 Queens Blvd., Forest Hills, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Participants will learn strategies for living within their means while saving to meet their short- and long-term financial goals. Register online. 

Wednesday, Feb. 12: REGISTRATION CLOSED — The paraprofessional workshop Let’s Talk About It: Using Advanced Literacies to Support Students will take place from 4 to 6 p.m., at the UFT's Brooklyn borough office, 335 Adams St., 24th floor.

Wednesday, Feb. 12: Members are invited to sign up for an informational webinar to hear an overview of the Student Debt Relief Program from 6 to 7:30 p.m. After you register online, you will receive log-in information for the webinar.

Thursday, Feb. 13: Queens-based members in District 28 are invited to a Student Debt Relief Program informational session from 3:30 to 5 p.m., at the UFT’s Queens borough office, 118-35 Queens Blvd., Forest Hills. After this session, participants may make an appointment to speak by phone with a loan specialist to discuss their individual needs and create an action plan. Register online.

Thursday, Feb. 13: REGISTRATION CLOSED — The Brooklyn sabbatical workshop takes place from 4 to 6 p.m., at the UFT’s Brooklyn borough office, 335 Adams St., 24th floor.

Thursday, Feb. 13: First-year speech teachers are invited to a speech survival class from 4 to 6 p.m., at the UFT’s Staten Island borough office, 4456 Amboy Road, and the UFT’s Bronx borough office, 2500 Halsey St. 

Thursday, Feb. 13: All members are invited to the UFT Black History Month Film Series screening of “Back to Natural,” from 4:30 to 7 p.m., at UFT headquarters, 52 Broadway, 2nd floor. We’ll hold a discussion after the screening. For a description of the film and to register, see the online form. 

Saturday, Feb. 15: Members may sign up for an informational webinar to learn about the Student Debt Relief Program from 9:30 to 11 a.m. After you register online, you will receive log-in information for the webinar. 

Wednesday, Feb. 19: Members may sign up for an informational webinar to learn about the Student Debt Relief Program from 6 to 7:30 p.m. After you register online, you will receive log-in information for the webinar. 

Tuesday, Feb. 25: Queens parents are invited to a free parent workshop from 6 to 8 p.m., at the UFT’s Queens borough office, 118-35 Queens Blvd., Forest Hills. This event is presented by the Hey There, Beautiful Foundation. This month's workshop theme is love. Child care, dinner, coffee and tea will be provided. Register online. For more information, see the Love Workshop flier.

Wednesday, Feb. 26: Brooklyn-based members in District 16 are invited to a Student Debt Relief Program informational session from 3:30 to 5 p.m., at MS 267, 800 Gates Ave. After this session, participants may make an appointment to speak by phone with a loan specialist to discuss their individual needs and create an action plan. Register online.

Wednesday, Feb. 26: Manhattan-based members in Districts 3,4,5 and 6 are invited to a Student Debt Relief Program informational session from 3:30 to 5 p.m., at PS 200, 2589 Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. Blvd. After this session, participants may make an appointment to speak by phone with a loan specialist to discuss their individual needs and create an action plan. Register online.

Wednesday, Feb. 26: Manhattan-based first year speech teachers are invited to a speech survival class from 4:15 to 6:15 p.m., at UFT headquarters, 52 Broadway, 19th floor, room H.

Wednesday, Feb. 26: The Occupational and Physical Therapists Chapter monthly meeting will take place from 4:30 to 6 p.m., at the UFT’s Brooklyn borough office, 335 Adams St., 25th floor, rooms A/B/C. 

Wednesday, Feb. 26: The monthly joint meeting of the Administrative Education Officers/Analysts Chapter and the Education Officers/Analysts Chapter runs from 5:30 to 7 p.m., at UFT headquarters, 52 Broadway, 19th floor, room F.

Wednesday, Feb. 26: Members may sign up for an informational webinar to learn about the Student Debt Relief Program from 6 to 7:30 p.m. After you register online, you will receive log-in information for the webinar.

Thursday, Feb. 27: District 27 probationary teachers are invited to a tenure meeting from 3 to 6 p.m., at PS 64, 82-01 101st Ave., Ozone Park. Participants will learn about the tenure process and requirements. For more information and to register, see the District 27 Tenure Meeting flier. 

Thursday, Feb. 27: Bronx-based D-10 members are invited to a Student Debt Relief Program informational session from 3:30 to 5 p.m., at PS 37, 360 West 230th St., Bronx After this session, participants may make an appointment to speak by phone with a loan specialist to discuss their individual needs and create an action plan. Register online.

Thursday, Feb. 27: Bronx-based members are invited to a Pathways to Parenthood workshop from 4 to 6 p.m., at the UFT’s Bronx borough office, 2500 Halsey St, rear entrance. We’ll provide answers to all maternity and parental leave questions. Register online. For more information, see the Road to Parenthood flier. 

Thursday, Feb. 27: All members are invited to the UFT Black History Month Film Series screening of “College Behind Bars,” from 4:30 to 7 p.m., at UFT headquarters, 52 Broadway, 2nd floor. There will be a discussion after the screening. For a description of the film and to register, see the online form. 

Friday, Feb. 28: School counselors and chapter leaders are encouraged to bring students to the Bronx College and Career fair to learn about college and career training opportunities. This event is from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., at the UFT’s Bronx borough office, 2500 Halsey St. For more information and to register, see the online form. 

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

Back to top

In Case You Missed It

ParaScope Newsletter — February 2020

Photo gallery: Staten Island First Book event

Back to top

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.

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., “Discussion and Analysis in a Culturally Responsive English Classroom.” For more information, see the Discussion and Analysis in a Culturally Responsive English Classroom flier.

Hellenic American Educators Association

• Friday, Feb. 28, 4:15pm, Annual Book Talk - The Thread by Victoria Hislop. See the Hellenic American Educators Association Annual Book Talk flier.

New York City Art Teachers Association

• 2020 Student Exhibit Opportunity, Inside/Outside: Young Artists Unite Against Bullying IV. The submission deadline for images and statements is Thursday, March 5.

Players

• Friday, Feb. 28, 5 to 7 p.m., Story Slam. See the Story Slam flier.

Pride Committee

• Friday, Feb. 28, 4 to 6 p.m., Pathways to Parenthood workshop. See the Pride Committee Pathways to Parenthood workshop flier.

Science Committee

• Friday, Feb. 28, 7:15 p.m., Dark Matter Genesis: Tales from an Agnostic. See the Dark Matter Genesis: Tales from an Agnostic flier.

Women’s Rights Committee

• Friday, March 6, 4 to 5:30 p.m., planning meeting. See the UFT Women’s Rights Committee flier.

Back to top

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

Send us your feedback

We are committed to making the Chapter Leader Update as interesting and relevant as it can be. Please fill out this online form to let us know what you found most valuable in this week's newsletter and how we can improve the Chapter Leader Update.

Editor: Peter O’Donnell

Executive Editor: Bernadette Weeks

Contributors include: Karen Alford, Bradley Alter, George Altomare, Nancy Aromando, Ina Babb-Henry, LeRoy Barr, Doreen Berrios-Castillo, Hannah Brown, Rashad Brown, Tom Brown, David Campbell, Joseph Colletti, Rita Danis, Evelyn DeJesus, Crystal Deoraj, Brian Gibbons, Alison Gendar, 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, Nanette Sanchez-Rosario, Robin Sentell, Michael Sill, Anne Silverstein, Geof Sorkin, Rosemarie Thompson, Joseph Usatch, Angel Vasquez and Betty Zohar.