22 July 2019

• LOCAL ACTION PROJECT: Union outreach program builds stronger locals through member engagement

  Eight-thirty in the morning in the middle of July and there they were — more than 100 teachers and education professionals representing almost 20 local unions— packed inside a large conference room, hard at work.

  They came from all over — Long Island, Buffalo, Northern New York and the Southern Tier — using their summertime not to lounge in the sun and do nothing, but to hone their leadership and communication skills as part of NYSUT’s weeklong Local Action Project.

  With assistance from NYSUT staff, they spent the week discussing ways to build meaningful partnerships within their communities and improve communications and outreach. They strategized on how to boost member participation within

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• NYSUT members urge vigilance around water

  Water safety is of heightened concern each summer as families, swimmers and hikers head to beaches, creeks, waterfalls and backyard pools to cool off.

  NYSUT members are among those who are on call to protect and educate.

  For others, water safety is an unexpected call to action, as it was this summer for Oneida Teachers Association member Peter Gillander, who jumped into action to rescue a child.

  Gillander was enjoying time with friends at Pixley Falls State Park when he noticed two children struggling in the current at the base of the waterfall. Gillander’s friend Greg Hoag, an off-duty New York State forest ranger, rescued the boy while Gillander rescued the girl, according to reports from the Department

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• NYSUT statement on State Education Commissioner MaryEllen Elia’s resignation

  ALBANY, N.Y., July 15, 2019 — New York State United Teachers released the following statement regarding the announcement that State Education Commissioner MaryEllen Elia is resigning her position:

  “As Commissioner Elia’s tenure comes to a close, we wish her well in her future endeavors. We look forward to engaging with the Board of Regents as the search for the next commissioner begins and ensuring that the voices of hundreds of thousands of educators across New York State are heard throughout the process. We look forward to working closely with the next commissioner to fix the broken state testing system for children in grades 3-8 and on our mission to cultivate the next generation of highly

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• NYSUT statement on the passing of 32BJ SEIU President Héctor Figueroa

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  ALBANY, N.Y. July 12, 2019 — New York State United Teachers President Andy Pallotta released the following statement on the passing of 32BJ SEIU President Héctor Figueroa:

  “The entire NYSUT family is deeply saddened to hear of Héctor’s passing. A true champion of the working class, Héctor fought tirelessly to ensure hardworking New Yorkers were able to achieve a better life for themselves and their families. His work to empower New Yorkers, particularly immigrant communities, in the political arena was critical in shaping major debates and ultimately

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• Taking on plastic, one class at a time

  As many are realizing, discarded plastic is to the earth, its animals and its oceans what kryptonite was to Superman: super toxic.

  As environmental advocates press for a change in habits, International Plastic Bag Free Day (Wednesday, July 3, 2019) aims to sound the alarm about the harm that plastic is causing, and to convey the urgency to start using alternative products.

  In schools – the very place for inquiry – the subject of plastics is explored in green clubs, science classes, and in other parts of the curriculum. And deep in the Adirondack forest, students in Newcomb — one of the smallest districts in the state — are learning

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