Skip to main content

OTA Book-Giveaway a Success

bookgiveaway_003.jpg

Hundreds of books donated by OTA members this year were given away to the general public at the annual Woodstock Elementary School PTA yard sale. Each book was stamped with the greeting:  "A gift for you from the Onteora Teachers Association."  Shoppers were also given homemade, leather bookmarks and magnets, both imprinted with OTA.  Great PR!

troutrelease.jpg

On May 15th the students in Ingrid White's and Jane Wolfrom's classes released the trout they raised from eggs into the Stony Clove Creek.  We were able to take a field trip in the fall to the New York State Hatchery in Livingston Manor and pick up 200 eyed brown trout eggs for each class.  Over the course of the year students were responsible for caring for them, checking water temperature, and learning about the creatures they eventually released into the wild. We also incorporated many art projects, as well as a visit from Ira McIntosh and his program called "Twist and Trout." We sang, we

MORE
battleofbooks.png

The competition took place on May 28th in the middle/high school library.  The three competing teams were cheered on by classmates, parents, and several middle school staff as they answered a slew of jeopardy-style questions about ten different books from this year’s list.  The line-up included award winners such as The Graveyard Book, by Neil Gaiman; The Boy in the Striped Pajamas, by Joyn Boyne; Counting by 7s, by Holly Goldberg Sloan; and Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Raven.”

Despite tough competition and a close finish, Team “Vermcious Knids” was victorious, receiving Barnes and Noble gift cards

MORE

Photo of AFT President Randi Weingarten addressing TEACH 2023

The AFT has always been a solutions-driven union, and our new campaign, launched during TEACH on July 21, proves it once again with a fresh, practical approach to strengthening public education. As AFT President Randi Weingarten pointed out during her keynote speech, the $5 million, yearlong campaign, “Real Solutions for Kids and Communities,” stands up against attacks on public schools and offers real-world solutions to build up, rather than break down, our communities.

MORE

Thank you for all you do!

As the school year draws to a close, all of us at NYSUT want to thank you for your tremendous dedication. It’s been a challenging year — but through it all, you've stood strong and persevered. Over and over, you've shown how public schools are the place where students, parents and educators come together as a community.

U.S. Supreme Court hands down landmark cases

This week, the Supreme Court handed down multiple decisions that will touch the lives of millions of Americans. Earlier this week, in Carson v. Makin, the court laid the groundwork that states must provide publ

MORE

Union wins APPR reprieve

Gov. Kathy Hochul Friday signed a bill suspending, for an additional year, the Annual Professional Performance Review process. Advanced through grassroots advocacy from NYSUT members and lobbying by union legislative staff, the bill recently passed both the state Senate and the Assembly.

“As we come to the end of another school year that has been anything but normal, we welcome the governor’s decision to suspend the APPR process for another year,” said NYSUT President Andy Pallotta. “We will continue working with the legislature and the governor to address the APPR

MORE
wildthing.jpg

Both First Grade classes presented a play based on a popular children’s book. Mr. LaFera’s class performed Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak. Mrs. White’s class performed The Signmaker’s Assistant by Tedd Arnold.

The students in both classes took complete ownership of their respective plays. Ideas for costumes, props, backdrops, and movements were created organically. As the students thought of new and exciting ways to enhance their play, their ideas were listened to and incorporated into the performance. Mrs. Weiss, Phoenicia’s wonderfully talented Art teacher, helped us create all

MORE
SRP_newslink_spring_2014.jpg

In this edition:

  • Margie Brumfield – SRP of the Year
  • New course mandate for new teaching assistants applying for certification
  • AFT: Reclaiming the promise
  • Have you reviewed your TRS or ERS member information lately?
MORE
colonialtradefair.jpg

Are you in need of a new wig? Has your horse thrown a shoe? Perhaps your goodwife would like to order a new gown for the ball. Allow any one of the fine 18th century tradesmen and women of the Bennett fourth grade to fill your order! Each one eagerly set up shop, or shall we say “shoppe” on May 15th under the sign of the white tent! It was an exciting day when well over one hundred students greeted an amazing crowd of enthusiastic visitors. Each blacksmith, shoemaker, potter and tinsmith aptly explained his/her product, discussed tools, demonstrated work, and proved his/her interdependence

MORE