Author: Frankie Caswell

CDC issues new guidance

The Centers for Disease Control today issued updated school masking guidelines and recommends new metrics to determine high-risk communities. Here’s a community risk breakdown by county under the new metrics. While this guidance does not change the current state mask guidelines, Gov. Hochul said New York’s mask mandate for schools would be reevaluated next week after students return from winter break.

Here we go, as lobbying efforts go into overdrive

As the Legislature comes back from its February break, NYSUT will ramp up the staff lobbying and volunteer political action throughout March to push the union’s Future Forward priorities. Actions include the Committee of 100, higher ed action days, BOCES lobby days and more. The state budget is due by April 1.

It’s Public Schools Week!

#PublicSchoolsWeek is a nationwide effort promoting the benefits schools offer to students. NYSUT members know firsthand how impactful a public school education is. From addressing students’ social and emotional needs to ensuring they have access to meals; we are working to further strengthen these institutions of learning.

More news

• As Women’s History Month begins, Executive VP Jolene DiBrango’s blog explores the triumph of trying, and not giving up hope. Get a free WHM poster for your classroom from NYSUT.
• A new national adjunct faculty survey underlines the economic reality faced by contingent and adjunct faculty at colleges and universities—and illustrates how the pandemic further eroded job security and bolstered the need for public help.
• Feb. 28 is the deadline for NBCT candidates to apply for Al Shanker Grants.
• Remote classes for NYSUT ELT Spring Session 2 begin March 7 through the Moodle. Registration closes Wednesday, March 2.
• Last chance! The deadline to submit article proposals for the next edition of Educator’s Voice, NYSUT’s professional journal has been extended to Tuesday, March 1. The issue will focus on the topic of Sustaining Democracy through Civics Education.
• Tax tip: The educator expense tax deduction was renewed for 2021 tax returns.
• Save the Date! for the NYSUT Professional Issues Forum on Health Care to be held May 7 via Zoom. This free virtual conference will provide professional development and some Continuing Education Unit credits to NYSUT members.
• New free webinars on certification issues have been added covering the most requested topics, including special education March 2 and expiring certificates and changing assignments March 3.
• Register online for one of NYSUT’s popular Student Loan Debt webinars. The next sessions are March 8 and 24. Space is limited.

Just for leaders

• Applications are now being accepted for the final round of the AFT Innovation Fund’s Return, Recover and Reimagine grants. Grant awards will range from $20,000 to $50,000.
• NYSUT offers a special one-time matching grant program to help aid local unions in their efforts to elect and re-elect pro-public education members to school boards across the state. To apply for a grant, complete the application no later than March 15.
• Be on the lookout for the RA Delegate Bulletin which was mailed to RA delegates. You can find updated information about the 2022 NYSUT Representative Assembly, April 1-2 in Albany, at nysut.org/ra.
• The AFT provides, at no cost, general liability coverage to protect AFT/NYSUT locals in the event of an incident that might result in a liability lawsuit.