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June 2012

On the Cover

• Iannuzzi: The essence of our dream is our unity
  

  We, as unionists in education, health care and public service are the key to reclaiming the American Dream for millions of Americans: the unemployed, the under-employed; the immigrant, the migrant worker; the student on the wrong side of the achievement gap, the patient seeking proper health care; and, the less fortunate seeking assistance through the multitude of services our dedicated members provide. All of us create opportunity for all who seek the American Dream.

  
  
• NYSUT demands end to 'broken' testing system
  

  Armed with a resolution overwhelmingly adopted by nearly 2,000 delegates at the union's annual convention, NYSUT is demanding an end to the current system of testing in New York - and calling on SED to reduce the focus on questionable standardized tests in favor of quality measures of student learning that are more "accurate, fair and appropriate."

  
  

Union News and Views

• 'Fairness' resonates through resolutions
  

  Union delegates delivered common-sense directives at their 40th annual policy-making convention.

  
  
• Voters join union's call to support their schools
  

  A full court press of awareness and get-out-the-vote campaigns by NYSUT and its locals made a difference: Voters overwhelmingly showed their support for public education across the state by adopting 96 percent of budgets last month.

  
  
• Delegates support dues increase
  

  NYSUT delegates approved three constitutional amendments, including a measure that will increase dues.

  
  
• Presidents call for unity amid challenges
  

  A day of solidarity, strategy and calls for unity marked the Local and Retiree Council Presidents Conference that preceded NYSUT's 40th Representative Assembly.

  
  
• Nassau County locals say 'thank you'
  

  Take Action Long Island — was spearheaded by dozens of local unions wishing to take a positive leadership role in their communities, in part by building stronger connections with parents, community groups and other "natural allies" who support strong public schools.

  
  
• Minority rules in some districts
  

  Even though more than 59 percent of New Paltz voters said "yes" to their school budget, the will of the minority prevailed.

  
  
• Health insurers must limit administrative expenses or issue rebate
  

  As part of the Affordable Care Act, health insurers must limit the amount they charge for administrative expenses, profits and broker fees to 15 percent for large groups.

  
  
• Locals in action
  
  
• Kudos!
  
  
• Students get star treatment at TriBeCa
  

  Students from the Saratoga area were announced as grand prize award winners by Kerry Kennedy in the first-ever video contest by the Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights. Their uplifting video honors human rights defender Wangari Maathai.

  
  
• Short takes: Heroes hailed
  
  
• Short takes: Film event on education reform
  
  

Up Close

Education

• Delegates question King on tests, APPR process
  

  Delegates to NYSUT's Representative Assembly were respectful, yet clearly angry when they grilled State Education Commissioner John King on everything from ridiculous test questions to how quickly the state will review district APPR plans.

  
  
• NYSUT demands end to 'broken' testing system
  

  Armed with a resolution overwhelmingly adopted by nearly 2,000 delegates at the union's annual convention, NYSUT is demanding an end to the current system of testing in New York - and calling on SED to reduce the focus on questionable standardized tests in favor of quality measures of student learning that are more "accurate, fair and appropriate."

  
  

Health and Safety

• Education best defense to combat addiction
  

  The use and abuse of drugs and alcohol is especially harmful to young, developing brains and bodies that slug, sniff, snort or smoke.

  
  
• Unions fight for Downstate Medical
  

  NYSUT and United University Professions, the statewide union's higher education affiliate at SUNY, are fighting to stave off a devastating double blow to health services and the economy in Brooklyn from a "restructuring" of SUNY Downstate Medical Center.

  
  

Cool Tools

• Freebies: Developing global citizens
  
  
• Check it out: Secret Saturdays
  
  

Greenways

• Creating an ecosystem trout by trout
  

  Teachers and students in Schroon Lake's science department have fashioned tubes, bubblers and beakers into a 300-gallon, self-sustaining aquatic ecosystem where rainbow trout swim about in all-natural filtering units filled with lake water, and hydroponic plants grow in water from the trout tank.

  
  

We Are NYSUT

Retirees and Retirement

• TRS: Getting the credit you deserve
  
  
• ERS: How much is my pension benefit?
  

  Your Employees' Retirement System statement contains important information about all aspects of your ERS membership.

  
  
• Southerton endorsed for TRS term
  
  

Opinion

• Iannuzzi: The essence of our dream is our unity
  

  We, as unionists in education, health care and public service are the key to reclaiming the American Dream for millions of Americans: the unemployed, the under-employed; the immigrant, the migrant worker; the student on the wrong side of the achievement gap, the patient seeking proper health care; and, the less fortunate seeking assistance through the multitude of services our dedicated members provide. All of us create opportunity for all who seek the American Dream.

  
  
• Letters: How 'thorough' is thorough?