About 200 honorees and guests attended the inaugural Middle School Awards Night on May 15 at UFT headquarters in Manhattan. Twenty-five members were honored for being stars at meeting the needs of their students during a transformative stage of adolescent life, serving as educators, mentors, counselors, parents, advisers and even friends.

The UFT Middle Schools Division hosted its annual Thanksgiving Luncheon and winter coat giveaway on Nov. 23 for nearly 180 students living in temporary housing throughout New York City. Students explored a variety of arts and crafts activities, enjoyed an early holiday lunch and received brand-new coats, hats, gloves and socks donated by UFT members and staff.

RoseAnn Victoria and LeeAnne Thristino, art teachers at IS 34 on Staten Island, organized the school’s sixth annual art show, where works of about 300 students were on display in the girls’ gymnasium on June 3 for family members to admire and purchase, with the funds raised going toward the program’s art supplies.