NYSUT Statement on Teacher Evaluation Legislation

Source: NYSUT Media Relations
ALBANY, N.Y. April 26, 2018 — New York State United Teachers President Andy Pallotta issued the following statement on legislation introduced today that would fix New York’s broken teacher evaluation system:

“Fixing New York’s broken teacher evaluation system is long overdue. Parents and teachers are rightly angry and frustrated. The misuse of standardized tests and the state’s over-reliance on testing continue to plague the learning climate in our classrooms. There are far better ways to evaluate educators than to use mystery math and algorithms that spit out invalid ‘growth scores’ while subjecting kids to exhausting fill-in-the-bubble tests that aren’t particularly useful or accurate.

“This new legislation would prohibit the mandated use of state tests — including Regents exams and grades 3-8 ELA and math tests — in individual teacher evaluations. School districts and their teacher unions would be able to design their own effective and fair evaluation systems that help teachers to grow professionally while meeting the unique needs of their own communities. Local control is the best way to restore the trust and confidence of parents and teachers and help restore respect for the teaching profession.

“We thank Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie and Education Chairwoman Cathy Nolan for listening to parents and educators and introducing a bill that would ensure that students and teachers are once again valued as more than a test score. We look forward to working with Gov. Andrew Cuomo and the Senate to reduce the testing burden and enact this fairer evaluation system before the end of the legislative session.”

Distinguished Teacher, Amy Vario, Recognized by Rochester Institute of Technology

PMHS Math Teacher Amy Vario was recognized at Rochester Institute of Technology’s(RIT’s) Outstanding Undergraduate Scholar Awards as a Distinguished Teacher on, Thursday March 22, 2018, in Buffalo, NY.  Mrs. Vario’s former student, Nicole Pannullo, nominated her for this recognition.  Students recognized at the awards ceremony have at least a 3.85 average. Nicole was a 2015 graduate of PMHS and Valedictorian of her class.  Nicole was a student in Mrs. Vario’s 7th grade Accelerated math class at Saxton Middle School.

Nicole is persuing a BS in biochemistry. She is a member of the Honors Program at RIT as well as a recipient of the Women in Science Student Ambassador Award and the Undergraduate Research Award form the American Chemical Society. Nicole completed a research internship at the National Institute of Health. On campus, she conducted research on energy transfer between organic matter and tannic acid, and on proteins found on gram-negative bacteria. Nicole plans to pursue a Ph. D. in regenerative medicine.

In the photo below you can see the nomination essay Nicole wrote about Mrs. Vario’s outstanding dedication as a teacher.

Congratulations to Mrs. Vario on this great recognition and to Nicole for all her amazing work at RIT!!

Mrs. Amy Vario, Nicole Pannullo and the President of RIT, Dr. David C. Munson Jr.


Mrs. Amy Vario, Nicole Pannullo

PMCT Wins Read Across America Grant

The Patchogue-Medford Congress of Teachers is proud to announce that we’ve won a $1,000 grant as part of the 2018 Read Across America-NY “Celebrating a Nation of Diverse Readers”. This grant will be used to purchase books for Medford Elementary School Library. All students throughout the district will have access to the titles through their school’s library catalog system. We are proud to partner with NYSUT, AFT and Firstbook to bring quality literature to our students. Pictured Beth A. Warnken, PMCT President and Susan Miele, Medford Elementary Librarian.

Pat-Med Leaders are United on School Safety

Patchogue-Medford Superintendent, Dr. Michael Hynes, Erin Skahill, the President of the Patchogue-Medford Administrator’s Association, and Beth A. Warnken, President of the Patchogue-Medford Congress of Teachers, are united with their feelings on school safety.

 

PMCT Float at Patchogue’s Annual Parade – Saturday, November 25, 2017

On Saturday November 25, 2017 the beautiful PMCT Twelve Days of Christmas sleigh made it’s way down Patchogue’s Main Street at the village’s annual Christmas Parade.   The PMCT Sleigh was designed and created by the PMCT Outreach Chairpeople, Nadine Scalzo and Kerri Simeone.  A crew of talented executive board members and PMCT members helped hammer, nail, paint and decorate the float.  The final float was a holiday hit at the parade.   PMCT members, along with PMHS Key Club members, handed out pencils to children along the route while some of their own children rode on the float.  Thanks to all our members who joined in to help celebrate our amazing community and kick off the holiday season.

PMCT Family BBQ 2017

PMCT’s first Family Barbecue on, September 30, 2017, was a great event.  Attendees didn’t let weather get in the way of their fun.  There were burgers, drinks, henna tattoos, cotton candy, “water” slides, and great camaraderie.  As you can see in the pictures below everyone had an enjoyable day.  Thanks to PMCT Membership Chairperson, Cheryl Baker, for all her planning to make this such a memorable event.

 

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Pat-Med Welcomes 41 New Educators

On August 28-29, 2017, 41 new teachersstarted their Pat-Med Careers at New Teacher Orientation. They were welcomed by Superintendent, Dr Michael Hynes, and PMCT President, Beth Warnken. Assistant Superintendent, Dr. Joey Cohen, put together an informative and welcoming two day orientation that included a bus ride around the district to all our buildings. PMCT provided breakfast and lunch on the first day. At lunch on the first day the new teachers met their PMCT mentors/buddies, and headed off to see their buildings and classrooms. PMCT looks forward to a long and collaborative future with all our new members.

 

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Absentee Ballot and Voter Registration Info – Nov. 7, 2017 – Vote NO Constitutional Convention

Absentee Ballot and Voter Registration Info – Nov. 7, 2017 – Vote NO Constitutional Convention

If you or any of your family members will  be out of your county on Nov. 7, 2017 they are eligible to get an absentee ballot.  This is great for a handicapped member of the family, a college student or a business traveler.   It is a very simple process to download, print and mail the absentee form.

http://www.suffolkvotes.com/absenteevoting.asp

Download an absentee ballot application here. Any Registered Voter wishing to vote by Absentee Ballot must complete both sides of the Absentee Ballot Application

Must be postmarked by 10/31/17

or hand delivered by the day prior to the election

Register to vote here:

http://www.suffolkvotes.com/register.asp

Suffolk County, New York (NY) Board of Elections. Register to vote, check your voter registration, find your polling place, request an absentee ballot and see …