Jan. 8, 2026

To Do #1

Clarify prescription information for your members

There has been some confusion and misinformation circulating recently about prescriptions. Please share key information with your members about what to expect:

• The UFT Welfare Fund will continue to provide most prescriptions for in-service members. Nothing is changing with the UFT Welfare Fund.
• For members who fill any prescriptions through the PICA drug program, nothing is changing with that process.
• The only change affects a small number of medications covered by your EmblemHealth plan, known as Affordable Care Act (ACA) or New York State‑mandated drugs, which typically include diabetes medication, contraceptives and low-dose statins. Even in these cases, the only change is that 90-day mail-order prescriptions for these specific medications will now be filled through Amazon Pharmacy. If members or their dependents take ACA or NYS‑mandated prescriptions, they can learn more on our website.
• Prescription plan copays and benefits will remain the same.

In summary:

• UFT Welfare Fund: no change
• PICA: no change
• ACA/NYS:
  • Retail: no change, show your NYCE PPO or HIP HMO card
  • Mail order: now 90-day mail-order prescriptions are filled through Amazon Pharmacy

Read more about what is happening with prescriptions in our prescription FAQ.

To Do #2

Review your school's register projections with your special education committee and school leadership team

Your principal has received your school's initial register projections for the 2026-27 school year, which are based on historical enrollment data, and must review them and agree or request edits to the data by Jan. 23.

It is important that your school's special education committee and the school leadership team meet to discuss this information before Jan. 23.

The initial projections will impact your school's budget and your school's compliance with special education rules and regulations for the 2026-27 school year.

Here are some examples of issues you may wish to address:

• The need to open additional ICT classes if, for example, your school will be newly implementing class size reductions.
• Whether the projected number of students recommended for ICT is at or near the current limit for one or more grades.
• In middle and high schools, consider offering new programs, such as special classes or SETSS services, instead of changing the IEPs of incoming students to match the programs and services the school currently offers.

The goal is for all students to receive the instruction and support they are entitled to on the first day of school.

Note that any school that has committed to lowering class size in the 2026-27 school year must do so without reducing programs such as special classes, integrated co-teaching and dual language.

For information about how schools are funded, how initial register projections are calculated and how "seat targets" for general and special education students are determined, review the DOE's FY 27 Register Projections Toolkit and the DOE's MS and HS Admissions Targets memo.

To Do #3

Remind teachers about the deadline for fall term observations

Teachers should have received half of their observations by Friday, Jan. 23, which is the last day of the fall term. If you have not had half of your observations by this date, you can file an APPR complaint on the UFT website. You could receive an observation report from a fall observation during the spring term, but you cannot be observed in the spring term until after you have received written reports for all your fall observations. Review the key dates for teacher evaluation on the UFT website.

To Do #4

Flyers to share with your members

Here are flyers you can print and distribute in member mailboxes or post on your school's UFT bulletin board:

• Member Hub Salary Checkup Tool
• Paraprofessionals Awards Luncheon 2026
• Save the Date: Early Childhood Conference 2026
• NYC Childcare Navigator
• UFT Irish American Heritage Committee's Feb. 5 Celebration