Join the UFT’s virtual Lobby Day on March 12

UFT members will not travel by bus to Albany this year, but member advocacy on behalf of public schools is more important than ever as New York State faces a massive pandemic-triggered budget deficit. We need to encourage state lawmakers to increase funding for public schools and support the rest of the union’s legislative agenda. If you or other members from your school would like to participate in this year’s virtual event on Friday, March 12, please reach out to the political action coordinator in your UFT borough office. We are still working out the details with the DOE about the time commitment and release time.

States must resume annual tests this year

The Biden administration said on Feb. 22 that states must do some sort of standardized assessment of student learning this year, but schools won’t be held accountable for the test results. The test results will only be used to gauge student learning so resources can be targeted appropriately to deal with educational inequities. These tests will not be used in teacher evaluations. “To be successful once schools have reopened, we need to understand the impact COVID-19 has had on learning and identify what resources and supports students need,” U.S. Department of Education officials wrote to the states. The new guidance also made clear that no child should be made to come to school to take this assessment. New York State Education Department responded that it was exploring all possible options. State education officials said they planned to amend regulations at their next meeting so Regents exams would not be required to meet graduation requirements and they planned to cancel any Regents exam not required by the U.S. Department of Education.

Save the date for our virtual Spring Education Conference

The UFT’s annual Spring Education Conference, which will take place this year on Saturday, May 15, celebrates, supports and inspires our work as public school educators. New York City educators have truly been heroes without capes this year. Our free virtual conference will offer CTLE workshops at no cost as a small thank-you. The conference will feature a town hall and the presentation of the John Dewey Award for Excellence in Education. Conference participants may attend an Ed Talk workshop on the importance of social-emotional learning during a pandemic or a workshop on a holistic approach to social-emotional support for students and teachers. There will be raffle prizes as well. Registration will open soon on the UFT website.

We Feed NYC raised nearly $300,000 to combat hunger

We Feed NYC, our Feb. 13 virtual fundraiser for families in need, was a huge success! Our community came together and helped those in need — beyond our expectations. We shattered our fundraising goal of $250,000. Every dollar of the nearly $299,000 in donations is going to support community-based food pantries in the highest-need neighborhoods. You can still make a donation to this worthy cause. You’ll receive a We Feed NYC tote bag with a donation of $100 or more. All contributions are tax-deductible.