Officers of NYSUT welcomed 109 participants to the opening session of the first-ever virtual SRP conference Friday night. The conference has drawn School-Related Professionals from regions all over the state.
President Andy Pallotta welcomed the group, praising the work of SRPs throughout the pandemic and showing a NYSUT video highlighting the work of SRPs feeding children and cleaning schools while buildings were closed last spring.
“We have the commitment and resources and will come out of this even stronger,” he said, including taking on legal battles to restore funding to schools.
Second Vice President Ron Gross, whose office oversees SRPs, acknowledged how difficult the changes in education have been due to the pandemic.
“Going together is always going to help us through difficult times,” he said. He asked for a moment of silence to honor teachers and SRPs who lost their lives from the pandemic.
Executive Vice President Jolene DiBrango said there are new, creative ways to show how SRPs remain essential even with remote learning.
Secretary-Treasurer Philippe Abraham discussed how the organization is continuing social justice outreach during the pandemic, and how NYSUT helps SRPs with savings through Member Benefits, as well as legal and financial services.
The conference continues through Sunday.