November 24, 2014

PARKING PERMITS                                                                                                          We will hold the parking permit lottery for the month of December on Tuesday, November 24 during the extended time. Those who had a permit for the month of November will not be included until everyone in the lottery has had a permit. If you have a permit this month, you MUST return it to Ms. Parache in the main office before you leave on Wednesday, November 26. Failure to do so will exclude you from future lotteries. If you give your permit directly to the person receiving it for the month of December, or if it goes to the person who you carpool with, let Ms. Parache know before you leave. Those who receive a parking permit for the month of December can pick up their permit in the main office on Monday, December 1.

LOBBY FOR FAIRNESS AND EQUITY FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS                                                     Between now and Jan. 7, when the next session of the state Legislature convenes with a new Republican majority in the state Senate, we are making a full-court press to meet with every state Assembly member in the New York City delegation as a part of our union’s new campaign to demand fairness and equity for all schoolchildren. We need to work with our friends in the Assembly to make sure that they know we're here to support our shared vision of fair and equitable education for all children. We will come bearing four messages: 1) support fair funding for education; 2) do not raise the charter cap; 3) repeal facilities funding for charter schools; and 4) do not sponsor the Education Investment Tax Credit bill, which would grant individuals tax credits of up to $1 million for donations to scholarship funds for religious or other private schools. Our elected representatives need to hear from public school educators and parents about the importance of fairness and equity for all schoolchildren. Please join us! Call Kathy Sharko at the Brooklyn UFT office, or email me so I could forward your information to her. You can also contact your own Assembly representative to demand fairness for public schools.

SECURITY                                                                                                                   1) Please remember that all staff must enter and exit through the front door of the school at all times. This is for the safety and security of the students as well as the staff members of our school. 

2) Reports of larceny in New York City schools are increasing. Please take care to secure all personal belongings and valuable school equipment such as laptops, and ELMOs. 

FREE FLU SHOTS                                                                                                                From now until the end of December, UFT members can take advantage of Mayor de Blasio's Flu Vaccination Campaign. The campaign allows all UFT members to get a free flu vaccination at in-network doctors’ offices, participating pharmacies and Advantage Care Physician facilities. Only city employees who are currently enrolled in city health benefits are eligible to receive the flu shot through the Flu Vaccination Campaign. Wherever you go to get the shot, please bring both your DOE-issued ID or other proof of employment and your health plan card. For more information about the Flu Vaccination Campaign, see the FAQ at http://files.uft.org/2014-free-flu-Shots.pdf

ENTEROVIRUS                                                                                                                        While only a few cases have been documented in the New York metropolitan area, it’s prudent to follow best practices as we enter the cold and flu season. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, your students and colleagues may be infected and not present any symptoms. Visible symptoms may include some or all of the following: fever, runny nose, sneezing, cough, skin rash, mouth blisters, and body and muscle aches. Enteroviruses are spread through close contact with infected people or touching infected surfaces or objects and then putting your hands in or near your mouth, eyes and nose. Children are at particular risk for more serious illness from this virus. Staff and students should frequently wash their hands with soap and water and avoid close contact, especially with those who are sick.

CONTACTS                                                                                                                                        UFT Welfare Fund: (212) 539-0500

Teachers’ Retirement System: 1-888-869-2877

UFT Brooklyn Borough Office: (718) 852-4900 

Have a Happy Thanksgiving!