18 March 2019

• NYSUT kicks off March Madness with “Sweet Sixteen” union values bracket challenge

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  ALBANY, N.Y. March 18, 2019 — New York State United Teachers reminded New Yorkers on Monday to just how “sweet” union membership is, announcing the launch of the second annual" Our Voice, Our Values, Our Brackets" challenge taking place during March Madness.

  The “Sweet Sixteen” event coincides with the NCAA Division I men’s and women’s basketball tournaments. It offers people an opportunity to vote for their favorite benefits offered by strong unions and tell their own stories about how their union improves their lives.

  “Even after the Janus decision, wealthy union busters have had their bubble burst by

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• DiBrango: Unions play a role in women's history

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  This opinion piece for Women's History Month by NYSUT Executive Vice President Jolene DiBrango originally appeared in the Rochester Democrat & Chronicle.

  During Women’s History Month last year, I reflected on the strength of women in America, from my grandmother, a postwar GE radio assembler, to the women who have demanded respect and equal treatment as part of the Women’s Marches.

  This year, I’m struck by the strides women in America have made yet again — and the work still left to be done.

  We’ve set new records for the number of women in Congress and state legislatures,

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• NYSUT March Madness

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  Are you ready to vote for the "Sweet Sixteen" reasons to stick with our union?

  This week marks the beginning of the NCAA Division 1 Men’s and Women’s basketball championship.

  With millions of people focusing on filling out their brackets, we're ready to have a little fun with the concept by releasing our second annual NYSUT March Madness.

  Each week, you'll be able to vote on your favorite union benefits and values and share your brackets.

  If you find it hard to choose one union benefit over another - that's the point.

  To learn more - and to vote! - visit ...

• Join your AFT colleagues in the U.S. Virgin Islands as we launch second phase of student health screenings

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  NYSUT's national affiliate the AFT and its partners are headed back to the Virgin Islands to complete phase 2 of our health screenings. we are asking for volunteers from our members who are school nurses, nurses, and speech & hearing specialists. phase 2 will tentatively start may 6, 2019 in St. Croix and then end in St. Thomas/St. John May 17, 2019. We know that not everyone will be available for the entire two-week period, but would love for you to volunteer for either one complete week or both. We are looking for 30 to 40 volunteers who love kids and want to help our students in the virgin islands. health screening volunteers will administer vision and hearing tests.

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• 'Hamilton' awakens history for Lake Placid students

  Since landing an unexpected trip to the Broadway musical “Hamilton” this semester, Lake Placid High School history students realize American history was personal, messy, turbulent and imaginative.

  “They make connections in class now,” said Keith Clark, who teaches 8th grade history and 11th grade AP U.S. History. “Now, they say, ‘Hamilton started the bank!’”

  As secretary of the Treasury under President George Washington, Hamilton was one of the Founding Fathers. For decades, this former soldier was involved in politics center stage, from the sidelines and behind the scenes.

  Clark said the founding era is part of the 11th grade curriculum. When the news came in

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