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A list of the most commonly asked questions.
Classrooms should have the following materials available:
- supply of diapers/pull-ups
- wipes
- extra clothes (at least 1 full set of clean clothes, including underwear, per child)
- plastic bags (to send soiled clothes home)
- paper for changing table to cover the surface
- latex gloves
- sanitizing spray & towels to disinfect surfaces
Families may be asked to provide items for their child (extra clothes, diapers, etc.) but programs are responsible for supplying these items if not provided by families and should have extra supplies on hand at all times.
In addition, pre-K classrooms should have the following equipment:
- A toddler changing table that provides a sanitary surface and does not require physically lifting a student off the floor
- A source of running water near the changing area
- A lined trash receptacle with a closed lid
- Safe step aids and modified toilet seats in the bathroom
- A portable sink is recommended in classrooms that doe not have a sink installed
While paraprofessionals must be available to change soiled diapers or clothes promptly, teachers are responsible for the health and safety of the classroom environment and should take any steps necessary to maintain a safe and clean environment, such as setting up a designated changing area in the classroom and incorporating routines for toileting into the daily schedule.
Pre-K students are developing bladder and bowel control and cannot wait long periods of time before using the bathroom, and may need prompts and reminders to master toileting routines. Staff should routinely offer students the opportunity to visit the bathroom individually or in small groups.
Paraprofessionals are responsible for providing hands-on assistance to remove student clothing, change soiled diapers, clean students' bodies after toileting, and assisting students with getting dressed and putting on a clean set of clothes/underwear if necessary.
Students who have shown the ability to use the bathroom independently should be encouraged to do so. However, line of sight supervision of students must be maintained during toileting and handwashing. Paraprofessionals are responsible for offering step-by-step guidance during these routines.
It is strongly recommended that two adults always be present when assisting students with toileting and diapering. Classroom volunteers may not assist children in the bathroom or change children's diapers or clothes.
Current per-session rates for different positions, as well as coverage and training rates, can be found here.
The UFT operates the Dial-A-Teacher program, which is a free, after-school homework help/tutoring service for K-12 students in New York City public schools. It is staffed by experienced classroom teachers who can provide help in all subject areas.
The program is now fully online. For help, you can go to: https://tutor.dialateacher.org/ or you can call in to the Dial-A-Teacher hotline at (212) 777-3380. The program operates from 4pm-7pm, Mondays through Thursdays, on days when school is in session. Students or their parents are welcome to contact the center.
Many of the teachers are bilingual, so Dial-A-Teacher is able to assist parents and students in 10 languages, including Armenian, Bengali, Chinese, English, French, Haitian-Creole, Korean, Russian, Spanish and Tagalog.
For more information about the program, go to: https://dialateacher.org/.
The UFT's Dial-a-Teacher program is a free, homework help/tutoring line for K-12 students attending New York City public schools. The program operates from 4pm-7pm, Monday through Thursday, on days when school is in session.
The program is now fully online. You can access help here: https://tutor.dialateacher.org/ or you can call in to the hotline at (212) 777-3380.
Students or their parents can contact Dial-A-Teacher, which is staffed by classroom teachers who are experienced in all subject areas.
Help is available in 10 languages: English, Spanish, French, Chinese, Bengali, Russian, Armenian, Korean, Tagalog, and Haitian-Creole.
For more information, go to: https://dialateacher.org/.
Here is a chart with payroll codes used by the DOE:
Differentials:
MA – C1 NA – C1 with PD
PA – C2
QA – C2 with ID
RA – C2 with PD
SA – C2 with ID
TA – C6
UA – C6 with PD
Longevity Codes:
A or B – under 5 years
V or W – 5 years but less than 10 years
C or D – 10 years but less than 13 years
G or H – 13 years but less than 15 years
E or F – 15 years but less than 18 years and PD
I or J – 18 years but less than 20 years
K or L – 20 years but less than 22 years
M or N – 22 years or more
Pay stubs with deduction information can be found by logging in to the DOE Payroll Portal: https://payrollportal.nycboe.net.
See this helpful chart »
Anyone seeking to qualify for any differential should consult DOE circulars and regulations to make sure any courses you take are acceptable for accreditation before enrolling.
As a state-approved provider of Continuing Teacher and Leader Education (CTLE) hours, the UFT's LearnUFT program offers professional learning opportunities specifically designed to meet our members’ needs.
State regulations now require all teachers who hold professional certificates and paraprofessionals who hold Level III teaching assistant certificates to collect and track 100 professional development hours (known as CTLE hours) by a state-approved provider in five-year cycles.
LearnUFT courses are designed by teachers and taught by teachers and we solicit input from our members to craft new offering. Courses high quality and engaging, and are designed to model the instructional strategies being covered.
For more information and to see current CTLE credit-bearing classes, visit the UFT website.