Here are some “must do” items to take care of right away and others that will help you prioritize and stay on track.

• The DOE sent warning letters in late October to newer teachers who: 1. have state certificates that expired or will expire soon; or 2. were hired based on reciprocity from another state or a letter from their college, but have not yet been issued a New York State certificate. If you received such a letter, be sure to remedy your specific requirements promptly or you may risk termination from your teaching position and removal from payroll on June 30, 2010. The danger of termination for not completing your certification requirements is especially strong at a time when budget cuts may prompt schools to reduce staffing. Keep in mind that teachers working under an expired provisional state certificate or an extension of that certificate must pass the state’s Content Specialty Test in their certification area to achieve permanent state certification. Those with a pre-K-6 certificate must take the Multi-Subject Content Specialty Test, whether you are appointed under an early childhood or a common branches license.
• Middle school teachers are invited to Part 1 of a UFT workshop on Differentiated Instruction on Nov. 14 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 52 Broadway. The workshop focuses on how to differentiate assessment to match the learning styles and intelligences of students and on using assessment as the vital first step in providing differentiated instruction. The $20 fee includes a light breakfast. Call Sue Picicci at 212-598-9282 for registration information.
• The UFT Teacher Center is offering a wide array of free professional development opportunities this fall in math, reading, writing, science, special education, English as a second language and much more. These research-based offerings take place after school and on weekends in all five boroughs to support educators throughout the city. Upcoming offerings include:
• “Let’s Get Physical,” the second of three Spectacular Science Saturday Seminars, will take place on Nov. 14 at the New York Hall of Science;
• “Integration of the Arts across the Curriculum (grades K-5),” the first of three conferences in the series “Arts and Education” on Nov. 14;
• “Applying Best Practices in the Classroom,” the first of three conferences in the series “ABCs of Nurturing and Teaching the Whole Child” on Nov. 15;
• “Let’s Get Physical,” the second of three Spectacular Science Saturday Seminars, will take place on Nov. 14 at the New York Hall of Science;
• “Integration of the Arts across the Curriculum (Grades K-5),” the first of three conferences in the series “Arts and Education” on Nov. 14;
• “Applying Best Practices in the Classroom,” the first of three conferences for pre-K-1 educators, “ABCs of Nurturing and Teaching the Whole Child,” on Nov. 15;
• The Instructional Technology Network’s “Interactive Whiteboards and Online Resources: Effective Instructional Uses in the 21st-Century Classroom,” starting Nov. 18 in Brooklyn;
• “Measuring Up,” Seminar I in the three-part Urban Educators Forum on Nov. 21;
• “Equity and Excellence: Differentiating Instruction in the Mathematics Classroom,” a four-part series with after-school or weekend sessions in Brooklyn starting Dec. 6;
• “Bringing Literacy to Life: Research-Based Differentiated Instruction” will hold its final series of the year in Manhattan starting Sunday, Dec. 6.
For exact times, locations and full descriptions, see the booklet “Networks, Conferences and Seminars,” available in your UFT borough office. Space is limited and registration is required. UFT members can register online at www.uft.org by logging in, and clicking here.
• The next date to take the New York State Teacher Certification Exams (except the ATS-P) is Dec. 12 with a registration deadline of Nov. 6. The entire exam schedule and contact information is online. Go to www.nystce.nesinc.com, then click on Test Dates.
• Teachers planning to take the Dec. 12 state certification exam can prepare by attending UFT coaching sessions. The remaining after-school coaching sessions for the LAST-Writing for the Essay component meet in various UFT borough offices. The two daylong Saturday or Sunday sessions for the LAST or ATS-W short answer components will take place at UFT headquarters starting Nov. 21. For complete dates, locations, deadlines and fees, go to www.ufttc.org, click on Conferences and scroll down. To register, call 1-212-475-3737 and ask for Francine Steele.
• The Queens UFT borough office hosts a monthly after-school maternity workshop for expectant mothers; upcoming workshops are on Nov. 17 and Dec. 8 from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Space is limited and members must register in advance for the workshop. To register, contact Karla Jordan at kjordan@uft.org. Include your due date, file number, non-DOE e-mail address, school, district and phone number. You will be registered for a workshop according to your due date.
• Be on the lookout for a DOE letter mailed to your home in November on how to report your state-mandated professional development (PD) hours. New York State requires teachers to show that they have taken 175 hours of PD every five years after achieving their professional certification. However, the DOE has not yet decided how those hours will be authenticated. For now, the UFT recommends that all teachers with professional certificates keep their own logs and any documentation that shows the date, hours and title of the PD you have taken. Watch for updates on the reporting of these hours on this page and in communications from the DOE.
• Newly hired teachers should carefully review and save the e-mail from the DOE’s Department of Human Resources that you should receive in November. This DOE appointment notice records all your current information concerning your appointment and certification. Most important, check that it is correct. If not, be sure to follow the DOE’s instructions right away to correct any errors in the record.
• Planning to complete the ATS-P requirement for permanent state certification? Then take the UFT Teacher Center’s coaching course, “Creating a Videotape for Permanent New York State Certification.” The remaining fall sessions are on Nov. 21 and Dec. 6. UFT members may register online at www.uft.org: make sure you're logged in and click here.
• You can switch your health plan during the annual transfer period, which this year runs from Nov. 1-Nov. 30. The change becomes effective the first full pay period in January 2010. To learn more about each plan, check the city’s current Summary Program Description, available online here. Also, consult the comparison chart here. Of course, if people you know are pleased with certain doctors, you can ask which plan they participate in and consider enrolling in it. If you have further questions, call your UFT borough office.
• You have until Nov. 30 to change your past or future investment options in your Tax-Deferred Annuity (TDA). Changes made by Nov. 30 become effective on Jan. 1. You do not have to file anything to continue with your current investment choices. (You may change your annual contribution rate at any time.) The simplest way to alter your investment options is online by visiting the TRS Web site at www.trs.nyc.ny.us, using the site’s My TRS Account section and signing up for Full Access. Otherwise, you can order the forms you need by calling the UFT at 1-212-598-6866 or 6867; or TRS at 1-888-8-NYC-TRS to order the forms you need.
• State law now requires all pedagogical and nonpedagogical staff in a school to personally report suspicions of child abuse or neglect if you have reasonable cause to suspect child abuse or maltreatment. File your report with the State Central Register (SCR), open 24 hours a day, by calling 1-800-635-1522 or 311. Include the name, title and contact information for every staff person in the school who is believed to have direct knowledge of the allegations contained in the report. Afterward, immediately notify the principal or the principal’s designee and provide the “Call I.D.” number provided by the SCR. The principal or designee is then responsible for all subsequent internal action. If you are concerned about the progress of a child protective investigation or have additional information related to a case that you have already filed, you may contact a Safety Liaison at 1-718-KID-SAFE Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., or by e-mail at safetyfirst@acs.nyc.gov.
• The time before holidays often sees an increase in theft. This year, possibly because of the economic downturn, schools have to be diligent with respect to securing personal and school equipment. The UFT recommends that you follow these safety measures: 1. leave all valuables at home; 2. don’t leave your keys or property unattended; 3. don’t flash your cash; and 4. have a strong lock to secure your purse or wallet and don’t share or give out the combination or key. For additional safety measures or to voice your specific concerns, consult your chapter leader and members of the School Safety Committee.
• Newly revised and updated, the UFT’s essential New Teacher Handbook is now online here. An invaluable resource, the handbook is chock-full of information about certification, salary and finances, benefits, safety and discipline, and other matters new teachers need to know.
• The DOE expects to begin distributing the first round of Teacher’s Choice allocation checks before the winter recess. If you don’t receive a Teacher’s Choice check, please speak to your chapter leader. Be sure to complete all purchases and submit receipts with your Accountability Form by March 15. Please consult the Teacher’s Choice guidelines found at http://schools.nyc.gov/Offices/DFO/BusinessOperations/MostPopularClicks/tchoice.htm to ensure that you follow the appropriate procedures.
• The election may be over, but the need for political action is only just beginning. If you have not already done so, enroll as a COPE contributor and, through your voluntary payroll deduction, help support the union’s Committee on Political Education. For more information and to sign up, talk to your chapter leader.