When the Bronxville schools campus was shut down for nine days due to an April nor'easter, it left many classrooms under five feet of water. There were tremendous losses: permanent records, cherished books, musical instruments, health office supplies, physical education equipment, four gyms, a kitchen, the cafeteria - some teachers lost 25 years of memories, materials and lesson plans..

For the Westchester district's 38 teacher aides, the loss was even more immediate. While all the other district employees were paid for the lost days, the district was obligated under contract to pay the teacher aides only for the first emergency day off.

Jeff Zuckerman, president of the Bronxville Teachers Association, which covers teachers, secretaries, nurses and teacher aides, approached the administration, and the district agreed to cover the aides through the end of the first week, but no further.

"Everyone was devastated," said Maggie Eller, head of the teacher aides unit. "We all have families and bills to pay, and losing that money really hurt."

Many went to Zuckerman in tears. "I argued, I pleaded, but they wouldn't budge," he said. "Many of these people live paycheck to paycheck. They get an hourly wage, have no health benefits and very few benefits of any kind. They certainly couldn't afford to lose four days pay."

So the first day back at school, Zuckerman sent an e-mail to his other members. "I said we need $70 per BTA member and that will get us there. That will give us what we need to give every aide the money he or she lost."

In four days, teachers dug deep into their hearts and pockets and donated more than $11,000. Zuckerman said about one-quarter sent in $100 or more and, most importantly, virtually all the 155 teachers came through. By the end of the week, the association was able to give each of the 32 full-time aides $300 and each of the six part-time aides $200.

"This was our way of letting them know that teachers totally appreciate them and couldn't do their jobs without them," Zuckerman said. "This was our way of saying thank you."

The teacher aides were overwhelmed by the compassion and solidarity. "I feel happy that the teachers stood behind us and cared and showed that we really do mean a lot to the school," said teacher aide Denise Villani.

"It gave us all a warm feeling to be appreciated," Eller said of the "truly heartfelt payday."

The superintendent told a local weekly newspaper that the district "went above and beyond its obligations, and I'm pleased the teachers filled in the gap."

Zuckerman said the outcome "sends a strong message to the district that our solidarity is very deep. That's what the union is all about."

- Sylvia Saunders