Solidarity now, and forever
NYSUT leaders wrapped up the 2021 Representative Assembly with a powerful sense of hope, purpose and union pride — a feeling that together, we can get through anything. Though the pandemic forced the statewide union to conduct its annual convention in a remote format, NYSUT leaders and a who’s who of speakers recalled a year that offered tremendous challenges, yet brought people together like never before. Visit nysut.org/RA for coverage and videos of speakers and award recipients. (Above, President Pallotta checks out some of the technology needed to take the RA online.)
Support your local schools, and pro-public ed candidates
The 2021 local school budget voting in most districts will be in person and by absentee this year on May 18. A new law adds risk of contracting or spreading illness during a declared disaster emergency to the reasons a voter can apply for an absentee ballot.
NYSUT local unions can play a large part in convincing supportive members of the community to get out and vote to pass budgets and elect school board candidates who will promote public education. Local leaders can contact your regional political organizer for assistance.
Support school staff!
For all they do, we must establish the protections for school-related professionals so they can continue to provide their valuable services to the school community: Take action now at the NYSUT Member Action Center to ask lawmakers to ensure that SRPs are afforded the same rights and protections as other education professionals. Here’s a wrap-up of this week’s SRP lobby day.
More news
- It’s not too late to share our Teacher Appreciation Week poster!
- SED has posted summer school guidance with some nontraditional recommendations and resources for in-person and remote summer learning programs.
- NYSUT has advocated for years that safe staffing is about ensuring that hospital and nursing home patients have access to safe, high-quality and reliable health care, and this week both houses of the Legislature passed a bill to do it.
- Register now to attend NYSUT’s free online workshop on implicit bias. In two parts, from 4-6 p.m. May 24 and 26, it will include real-life examples of implicit bias, microaggressions and stereotypes, and how they impact schools. It also will provide practical strategies to address and confront them.
- Join us online May 25 for our next "Many Threads, One Fabric" workshop on "Operationalizing Peace in America’s Schools" with nonviolent communications expert Cindy Bigbie.
- The new NYSUT Legacy Fund helps members celebrate members. Honor an activist from your local, chapter or retiree council by making a contribution to the Legacy Fund in their name.
- NYSUT’s Civil and Human Rights meeting May 12 on Asian Hate will be open to all members, but you must register.
- May 17 is the deadline to submit student art for NYSUT’s virtual art show.
- Register online now for NYSUT’s 2021 Health and Safety Conference to be held virtually May 21-23.
- NYSUT’s Social Services Department has some tips for dealing with anxiety about going back to “normal.” Read here: The Emotional Edges of the Pandemic - Languishing.
- In recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month, NYSUT Member Benefits hosts free Everyday Resilience webinars at 4 p.m. May 11 or May 18. Each session focuses on ways to prioritize your own well-being during times of stress.
- Member Appreciation Weeks, May 2-15, will feature prize drawings for items donated by NYSUT Member Benefits and its endorsed program providers. You must be a participant in the MAP Alert email service to be eligible.
- Still working on your taxes? Remember the educators’ expense tax deduction includes PPE and other COVID-related expenses. Also, new charitable giving tax incentives help the NYSUT Disaster Relief Fund. If you itemize, you can deduct union dues from New York state taxable income.
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