UFT events

Annual Breast Cancer Update

Around the UFT

Good news — much success from current treatment

published January 19, 2012

Miller PhotographyDr. Norton addresses participants. Miller PhotographyEsther Liss-Turner of the helpline staff asks a question. Regular mammograms and early detection are still the top strategies when it comes to getting the best outcomes for breast cancer, according to Dr. Larry Norton, the deputy physician-in-chief and director of breast cancer programs at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in Manhattan. Norton addressed some 130 people on Dec.

Meeting for new paraprofessionals

Around the UFT

First impressions

published January 19, 2012

Photo - Cara Metz Manhattan paraprofessionals Arlene Wong (right) of Gouverneur’s Hospital Work-based Learning program and Mary Canada of PS 751 at the Bayard Rustin Educational Complex, Manhattan.

Photo by Cara Metz

Tung Wun Seid, Qianhong Liu, Bin Zhao, Shuhua Wang.

Photo by Cara Metz First Chapter Executive Board member Tung Wun Seid (standing) with (seated, from left) Qianhong Liu and Bin Zhao of PS 310, Brooklyn, and Shuhua Wang of the HS for Language and Diplomacy, Manhattan.

This year’s crop of new paraprofessionals received a thorough and warm introduction to the UFT’s Paraprofessionals Chapter on Dec. 15. The session included a literature table with information on ergonomics, violence prevention, safety and health, and the features of the UFT Welfare Fund — not to mention a hearty “congratulations” on their choice of careers. Greetings came from UFT President Michael Mulgrew, who thanked the several hundred attendees “for dedicating yourselves to helping children,” while Chapter Leader Shelvy Young-Abrams (inset) surveyed the chapter’s work.

Kids’ letters to Santa answered — and then some

Feature stories

by Ellie Spielberg | published January 19, 2012

Photo - Miller Photography

UFT Brooklyn Borough Representative Howard Schoor (third from right), district representatives and office staff arrive bearing gifts at New Horizons Shelter.

Photo by Miller Photography

A monetary cap for buying gifts was established “but everyone ignored it,” said Brooklyn UFT Special Representative Tony “Santa” Sclafani.

One of the children wanted a coat for Christmas. Others wanted bedsheets. Fifty dollars. A long-sleeved shirt “because it’s getting really cold.” A few bags of Chex-Mix snacks. Socks. A gift certificate to McDonald’s.

When the “Dear Santa” letters with their wish lists arrived from a Brownsville family shelter, there was hardly a dry eye at the Brooklyn UFT office.

“Please can I have a bit of candy and see Santa!” — Marcus

UFT spreads holiday cheer for homeless kids

Feature stories

by Ellie Spielberg | published January 19, 2012

Photo - Miller Photography

UFT President Michael Mulgrew, Vice President Karen Alford and a group of children are tickled by the sight of Elmo.

Photo by Miller Photography

Queens teachers Diane Yodice (left) of PS 89 and Diane Chiauzzi of PS 153 see that the children are on task with their coloring.

A boy is smiling, with bendable glow wands stacked around his neck like a collar worn by sci-fi royalty.

A little girl is reaching up to put a big necklace of the glowing links around the neck of Brobee, the green-striped character from the “Yo Gabba Gabba” TV show, but can’t get it over his huge fuzzy head.

As the guy in the Brobee suit waves and prances, the youngest children take the little stuffed animals from their toy bags and hold them out to him as if for a blessing.

UFT Hispanic Affairs Committee hosts Three Kings Day celebration

Around the UFT

Continuing a tradition

by Cara Metz | published January 19, 2012

Photo - Miller Photography

Three kings Gustavo, Siramane and Philip lead children and parents to a wondrous room filled with toys. More photos >>

Photo by Miller Photography

Checking out their options are (from left) Jeremiah and Isaiah with their uncle Angel Moran on one side and Yasheika (in white) with her mom Yajaira Garcia and baby Valeria on the other side.

Photo by Miller Photography

Elizabeth Colon with her grandchildren Dangy and Michelle, who look pleased with their choices.

They may have been the three kings, but they seemed like Pied Pipers as they led entranced children (and their parents and grandparents) toward the beautiful gifts that awaited them.

On Jan. 6 — Three Kings Day — the UFT’s Bronx borough office was transformed for a festive children’s party. There was a reading of the story of the three kings (or wise men) in both Spanish and English and a tasty dinner, but the highlight came when each child got to choose a favorite gift from an enticing array laid out before them by the kings.

UFT Hispanic Affairs Committee hosts Three Kings Day celebration

Jan 6, 2012

They may have been the three kings, but they seemed like Pied Pipers as they led entranced children (and their parents and grandparents) toward the beautiful gifts that awaited them.

‘We have the same needs and goals’

News stories

Annual UFT Parent Conferences

by Cara Metz | published December 22, 2011

Queens parent conf: Assemblywoman Grace Meng meets with parents

Queens parent conference: Assemblywoman Grace Meng meets with parents Sunita Suvasia, with a child at PS 212, and Seema Nawa, with a child at PS 69.

Photo by Bruce Cotler

Bronx parent conference: At a Power Over Diabetes workshop, health educator Yamileth Martinez gives a thorough overview of Types 1 and 2 diabetes, insulin resistance and deficiency, and how to control blood sugar.

More than 2,000 parents, grandparents and guardians turned out for annual conferences organized by the UFT in every borough on Saturdays this fall, each focusing on topics selected by parents for parents.

The full-day events, which included exhibitors, gave parents plenty of information and resources to use and share.

UFT President Michael Mulgrew attended each conference and told participants that he was pleased to see that their concerns are getting more attention from elected officials and the press these days.

See more photos in the 2011 UFT Parent Conferences gallery

2011 UFT Parent Conferences

Dec 16, 2011

'Look where we are today'

News stories

1,100 celebrate UFT activism at annual ceremony

by Ellie Spielberg | published November 24, 2011

Miller PhotographyUFT President Michael Mulgrew welcomes everyone to the 51st annual Teacher Union Day celebration.

It was their moment, whether they were young UFT members just finding their union voice or longtime activists without whom the UFT would not be what it is.

What the union is, in addition to its everyday function as an advocate for the city’s public school students and educators, said UFT President Michael Mulgrew in his opening remarks at the Nov. 6 Teacher Union Day, is a national symbol of hope for workers whose rights are under attack.

See more photos in the "Teacher Union Day 2011" gallery.

‘Someone is remembering your teaching’

News stories

Famed author among those who addresses educators at sendoff

by Dorothy Callaci | published November 24, 2011

Photo - Miller Photography Retired elementary school chapter leaders.

Photo by Miller Photography Retired Teachers Chapter Leader Tom Murphy and Director of Retiree Programs Gerri Herskowitz (right) present a proclamation to keynote speaker Bel Kaufman.

Photo by Miller Photography UFT President Michael Mulgrew addresses the group.

“I’m 100 years and six months old,” Bel Kaufman told a ballroom filled with retirees — and from there she had them rolling in the aisles.

The former teacher and author of the best-selling 1960s novel “Up the Down Staircase” stole the show at the Retired Teachers Chapter’s annual luncheon for 1,300 new retirees at the Hilton Hotel in Manhattan on Nov. 15.