Organize a teach-in at your school on the class size law

It's time to organize a teach-in at your school to educate the staff and families about the class size law. Please present this PowerPoint presentation and send a photo of your teach-in to UFTphotos [at] gmail [dot] com (UFTphotos[at]gmail[dot]com). This teach-in will help us dispel the myths and make sure staff and families at our schools have accurate information so our students can benefit from this ground-breaking law.

If you haven't yet submitted your class size consultation survey in the Chapter Leader Hub, you should have received an email reminder on Wednesday. It's important that every chapter leader begins the hard work of discussing with the principal the space or staffing challenges the school faces to bring class sizes under the new limits by 2028. Principals should be told that they don't need to cut any programs — the city has committed to providing additional money to individual schools for the sole purpose of coming into compliance with the state law. Principals received this DOE guidance on class size in the May 28 Principals Digest.

Christina McGrath wins TRS trustee election

The election for a teacher-member of the New York City Teachers' Retirement System board is over — yet it's not over. Christina McGrath, the candidate overwhelmingly approved by the Delegate Assembly for the position, received 69% of the online vote to win the election. McGrath, a longtime pension rep in the UFT Pension Department, had been challenged by Ben Morgenroth, a math teacher at Brooklyn Technical HS.

However, since the city Department of Education decided to conduct an electronic election for the position on May 8-9 instead of the paper balloting called for in the election bylaws, an Article 78 complaint will be filed in state court and there could be a re-vote, UFT President Michael Mulgrew told the Delegate Assembly on May 22. "It was decided that, whether the winner was Christina or Ben, we have to follow through on a complaint," Mulgrew said. "The rules weren't followed, and we can't allow a precedent to be set." For now, McGrath will serve as the new teacher-member as a result of the vote.

Citywide pivot-to-remote simulation on June 6

The DOE has decided to test its remote learning setup on Chancellor's Conference Day next Thursday to gain a better sense of what the system can handle on a day when severe weather or other emergencies require all schools to pivot to remote. The goal is to avoid a repeat of the system failure that happened on Feb. 13, when schools were closed because of a snowstorm.

On the morning of June 6, teachers will log in for 30 minutes at set times for each school division. They are not expected to deliver regular lessons. The DOE has provided a list of sample activities for the students who choose to log on. "The Chancellor's Conference Day is not an instructional day," the DOE guidance for principals states. "The goal of this activity is to test the system's readiness."

Paraprofessionals, out-of-classroom teachers, related service providers and other staff will also be asked to log in at a time designated by their principal.

Read the full guidance

Present newly designed UFT certificates to graduates

UFT officers and the chairs of the union's Professional Committees have a long tradition of supporting and rewarding graduating students by supplying certificates to recognize excellence in academic achievement. All of the union's certificates have fresh new designs and may be presented to the most deserving students in each subject area as well as our youngest students in early childhood classrooms and pre-K centers. Download the student certificates for excellence in academic achievement, extraordinary effort and early childhood. For more information, read the letter from UFT President Michael Mulgrew and Rashad Brown, the coordinator of the UFT Professional Committees.

Sold-out Spring Education Conference was a success

On May 18, 1,200 UFT members turned out to reflect, celebrate and have fun at the UFT's Spring Education Conference at the New York Hilton. The event kicked off with a town hall discussion on the new reading curricula featuring UFT President Michael Mulgrew, Schools Chancellor David C. Banks and a panel of UFT Teacher Center literacy coaches. Members then had the choice of four workshops and the chance to peruse an exhibit hall showcasing the skills of career and technical education students. First Lady Jill Biden was the keynote speaker at the gala luncheon. Attendees also heard from U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer, state Attorney General Letitia James, AFT President Randi Weingarten and NYSUT President Melinda Person. D.J. Grandmaster Dee of Whodini kept everyone energized and moving to the beat. See photos from the event on the UFT website and check out the #UFTSpring tweets that captured the spirit of the day.