around the uft

PS 288, Brooklyn

Oct 29, 2009 4:03 PM

It’s easy to see that the UFT chapter at PS 288, Brooklyn, is united — and not just because everyone was wearing pink for breast-cancer awareness on Oct. 20 when UFT President Michael Mulgrew stopped by for a visit with members. The unity, UFT District 21 Representative Judy Gerowitz said, is largely due to the efforts of Chapter Leader Felicia Turner. “Felicia has worked very hard at being a unifying force,” Gerowitz said. Turner, a teacher at the school for 14 years, admitted “morale was low” as the result of some unflattering newspaper reports about PS 288 when she began serving as chapter leader in 2006. “We have really good people here,” said Turner, who organized social events inside and outside the building as well as campaigns like the breast-cancer awareness drive to help build solidarity, and has put together a Web site to pass along information and advice. Professional collegiality is another key, Turner emphasized. “Sure we will have differences or disagreements, but we need to handle them professionally and discuss them with each other,” she said. Mulgrew was impressed. “This is a perfect example of a chapter that’s together,” the former Grady HS chapter leader said. In his meeting with the staff, after partaking in the pink cupcakes, candy and lemonade provided by the chapter social committee on “Pink Day,” Mulgrew gave updates on budget cuts and the UFT contract negotiations and discussed the importance of having a functioning School Leadership Team.