| Masks to become optional starting March 7 |
| Mayor Adams announced this morning that mask wearing will become optional for all staff and for students ages 5 and up in New York City public schools starting Monday, March 7. Kids under 5 and the staff who work with them must continue to wear masks since these kids are not eligible for vaccination. The decision was made considering the CDC’s categorization of New York City as low risk and the continuing decline in COVID cases. The new mask policy brings the city in line with the state, which lifted its statewide school mask mandate on March 2. Both the take-home tests and the in-school random tests this week showed no post-break spike and put the infection rate at less than 1%. Our union’s doctors agree with the city that it is the right time to safely move from a mask mandate to an optional mask system as long as all testing remains in place. We will continue our testing program — both in-school and the at-home rapid tests — so we can keep monitoring what’s happening inside our schools. KN95 masks will also continue to be available for staff. The change in policy still allows for staff and students who wish to continue wearing masks to do so. We encourage those who choose to continue masking and those who decide to unmask to be respectful of each other’s individual choices. See our FAQ for more details about the new mask policy, along with DOE updates on its social distancing and visitor policies. |
UFT District 11 4th Scholarship Dinner Dance is on Friday, May 6th at Villa Barone. It would be great to have a table from Baychester Academy. The cost per ticket is $100. It covers cocktail hour, open bar, DJ, and dinner. If you are interested in attending, please let me know. This year a UFT member and a 5th grader are being honored from our district. If you would like to nominate a UFT member, please let me know by Monday. I will give the 5th grade nominations form to Ms. Agee and Ms. Martini. All nominations are due by March 28th.
| Work In Progress |
| The UFT is working on the following issues with the DOE and other city, state and federal-level entities as appropriate: – Reviewing COVID test results as decision is made about mask mandate – Resolving spring break 2020 dispute over vacation days for members with low CAR balances – Fighting for state funding for UFT initiatives and other education priorities – |
| Tell the UFT about an inspiring classroom at our school … Inside My Classroom in the New York Teacher features a classroom photo that highlights stimulating anchor charts, visually interesting class projects, innovative classroom organization strategies and layouts, and more. If a teacher in our school has a classroom that deserves to be spotlighted, use this online form to tell the UFT about it or submit a photo. |
| Recommend a teacher |
| UFT helps paras climb career ladder… Any para considering going back to school should know that the UFT supports its paraprofessionals pursuing higher education for career growth, skills enhancement and personal development. Through the LEAP to Teacher program, the UFT helps place its paraprofessional members pursuing their education in any field of study offered by the CUNY School of Labor and Urban Studies in collaboration with participating colleges throughout New York City. LEAP to Teacher provides paras with a wide range of free, specialized support services over and above the union’s tuition support. For more details, see the LEAP to Teacher page on the UFT website or contact a program counselor. |
| Attend an open house |
| Optical and hearing aid benefits enhanced |
| The UFT enhanced its Welfare Fund optical benefit and hearing aid benefit for in-service members and retirees effective March 1. Every two years, UFT members are eligible to be reimbursed for a maximum amount of $175, up from $125, toward the purchase of eyeglasses or contact lenses plus a basic eye exam. Members will continue to be eligible for additional discounts for progressive lenses and designer frames from participating optical providers. The hearing aid benefit, which can be used once every three years, will also increase. Members will be reimbursed for up to $1,500, up from $1,000, for a hearing aid, comprehensive audiological evaluation, ear impression and required visits necessary for a proper fitting. “We’ve worked diligently over the last few years to make sure the UFT Welfare Fund is in strong fiscal shape so we can improve our offerings to members,” said Geof Sorkin, the executive director of the Welfare Fund. |
| DOE enforces need for second dose of vaccine |
| DOE employees who received their first dose of the vaccine in the fall have a deadline of Friday, March 11, to submit proof of their second shot. The DOE notified these employees in mid-February that they must upload proof of a second dose of COVID-19 vaccination by that date to the DOE Vaccine Portal or face immediate termination. Any UFT member who received only a single dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines should prioritize getting the second dose by this date. |
| Watch the Paraprofessionals Festival and Awards onlineJoin us online this Saturday, March 5, from noon to 2 p.m., as we celebrate our wonderful paraprofessionals at the UFT’s annual Paraprofessionals Festival and Awards. Paraprofessionals Chapter Leader Shelvy Young-Abrams and UFT President Michael Mulgrew will present awards to those paraprofessionals who have gone above and beyond during these challenging times. Due to COVID restrictions, only the para honorees and one of their guests will be attending the event in person at UFT headquarters, while their friends and colleagues cheer them on online. |
| Register |
If you have any individual questions, please speak with me. If you have any school wide issues, please speak with any member of the consultation committee.
Enjoy the weekend.
Fraternally Yours,
Janina
Baychester Academy UFT 