Elementary School Division News

For over 100 years, New York State law has required elementary schools to teach students about the humane treatment and protection of animals, but many teachers are unaware of the legislation.
The UFT Humane Education Committee is working to change that.


Go along with teachers Maureen Collins and Jessica Smalley of PS 264 in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, as they take their 3rd-graders on a field trip to the New York Aquarium as a complement to the HMH into Reading curriculum.

A 4th-grade math teacher at PS 284 in Brownsville, Brooklyn, outfits her classroom with a colorful math calendar that builds fluency and grounds them in the start of the school day.

School social worker Shirley Gavidia and 2nd-grade teachers Eva Cerverizzo and Carolyn Sullivan of PS 10 on Staten Island are credited for saving the life of a 2nd-grader who became unconscious earlier this school year.

Hundreds of early childhood educators gathered at UFT Headquarters to address a serious topic: the power of play. The UFT’s 18th annual Early Childhood Conference integrated the theme “learning through play” throughout the joyous events of the day — from a group karaoke sing-along to powerful presentations and nine CTLE-credit-bearing workshops.

Play fosters a lasting love of learning, and must be protected in early childhood classrooms. Research overwhelmingly reinforces the benefits of play-based instruction. Children who engage in cooperative play generally have higher self-esteem, and play fosters social skills like sharing, taking turns, and resolving conflicts. Active learning has been shown to boost academic achievement and retention compared to teacher-led instruction.