Susan, Author at Patchogue-Medford Congress of Teachers

Congratulations and Thanks to the Class of 2017 PMCT Retirees

March 28, 2020June 21, 2017 by Susan

American Historian, Henry Adams, once said, “A teacher affects eternity; he can never tell where his influence stops.” PMCT would like to thank the Class of 2017 retiring teachers for their hard work and dedication in teaching the students of the Patchogue-Medford School District throughout the years. We know their influence and legacy will live on in their students’ minds and throughout the school district. Our deepest congratulations on your retirement!

The 2017 retirees are: Donna Bartolomeo, Robert Borowski, Victoria Brown, Barbara Cioffi, Stuart Cohen, Laura Ann Davis, Theresa Dolan, Elizabeth Galligan, Mary Lou Giacobbe, Maria Grimaldi, Kathleen Kay, Stephen Molinaro, Kevin Ray, Patricia Stavdal and Paula Tito

PMCT Pickets in Support of Clare Rose Teamsters Strike

March 28, 2020May 10, 2017 by Susan

On Wednesday May 10, 2017 dozens of Patchogue-Medford Congress of Teachers members joined the picket line in Yaphank to support the union workers from Clare Rose who are fighting for a fair contract.

Clare Rose is a distributor of Anheuser Busch products including Budweiser, Bud Light, Heineken, Stella, Blue Point, Michelob, Dos Equis, Pabst Blue Ribbon and Natural Light. The company has proposed a contract with DRASTIC cuts to pay, pension and benefits. The drivers are starting their third week on strike.

The Patchogue-Medford Congress of Teachers encourages all members to BOYCOTT all the products mentioned above.

PMCT Recognized for Social Justice at 2017 NYSUT RA

March 28, 2020April 17, 2017 by Susan

PMCT President, Beth Warnken, was presented with the Ken Kurzweil Social Justice Recognition Award at the NYSUT RA held on April 7-8, 2017 in New York City.

The Patchogue-Medford Congress of Teachers consistently evidences a belief in social justice issues. In 2016, they demonstrated this by:

Educating their colleagues, students and community about the dangers of domestic abuse.

Advocating for educational justice. n Supporting initiatives to combat hunger and poverty.

Demonstrating labor solidarity.

Championing women’s issues, history and rights.

Championing racial justice.

This award was created as a result of a resolution passed at the 2016 NYSUT RA. The award recognizes those locals that have made a collective and sustained contribution to promoting social justice and human rights during the previous year. The award is named after longtime NYSUT Civil and Human Rights Committee Member and activist Ken Kurzweil, who spent years educating fellow NYSUT members and the local community on civil rights, social justice and human rights issues.

The PMCT delegates who attended the RA were Beth Warnken – President, Kevin Toolan – Vice-President, Alicia Connelly-Foster – Secretary, June Gagnon – Elementary Vice President and Syndee Zegel – Political Action Chairperson.

Kevin Toolan, Beth Warnken and June Gagnon are the ION in the picture above.

How Could a NYS Constitutional Convention affect Your Family and You?

March 28, 2020February 9, 2017 by Susan

How Could a NYS Constitutional Convention affect Your Family and You? – Please click the link to read how!!

VOTE “no” to a NYS Constitutional Convention on November 7, 2017. – Video Link

NYS Constitutional Convention – Shorter Video Link

PMCT Joins the Alliance to Reclaim our Schools Day of Action on January 19, 2017

March 28, 2020January 20, 2017 by Susan

We support Public Education!

We want the US Secretary of Education to be an educator!

Devos would be devastating to public Education!

We believe in public schools for EVERY student!

We support our schools!

We want our legislators to VOTE NO for Betsy Devos @senatorSchumer @SenGillibrand

PUBLIC SCHOOLS ARE FOR ALL CHILDREN! WE MUST SUPPORT THEM!

#WearRed4Ed

National Day of Action – Anti Devos Letter Published by LI Advance

March 28, 2020January 13, 2017 by Susan

The letter below by PMCT President, Beth Warnken, was published in the Long Island Advance on Thursday January 12th.

Long Island Advance

20 Medford Avenue

Patchogue, NY 11772

ATT: Editor

Letter to the Editor

The Patchogue-Medford Congress of Teachers is joining with the Alliance to Reclaim Our Schools on January 19th for a National Day of Action – #PMCT4PublicEd #ReclaimOurSchools.

Our purpose is to share our concerns about the nominee for US Secretary of Education,

Ms. Betsy DeVos. Ms. DeVos is a billionaire activist from Michigan. She has a degree in Business Administration and Political Science. Ms. DeVos has no educational experience. She has not ever attended public schools herself nor have any of her four children. Never having worked in a school – public or private, we believe, should disqualify her from serving in this role. It seems obvious to us that the US Secretary of Education should hold some minimal credentials: a degree in teaching, have served as an educator and have a connection to a public school system – where 85% of the children in this nation are educated.

We are concerned that Ms. DeVos will support policies intended to privatize, defund and destabilize public education in America. We are troubled at the prospect of what that would mean for us here in Patchogue-Medford.

We, the teachers in Patchogue-Medford, stand united in support of our schools. We believe in public education and the right EVERY child has to a free and appropriate education. We are concerned how national policies may adversely affect our public schools and the quality education our students receive in Patchogue-Medford.

We are against the nomination of Betsy DeVos for US Secretary of Education. We, on this National Day of Action, encourage you to do as we have done, contact your US Senators Chuck Schumer (ph#518-431-4070 or go to www.schumer.senate.gov) and Kirsten Gillibrand (ph#631-249-2825 or go to www.gillibrand.senate.gov) and tell them to Vote NO! Betsy DeVos should not be confirmed Secretary of Education.

Sincerely,

Beth A. Warnken, President

Patchogue-Medford Congress of Teachers

PMCT Express a Holiday Delight at the Patchogue Christmas Parade

March 28, 2020December 2, 2016 by Susan

On Saturday November 26, 2016 the beautiful PMCT Express Float made it’s way down Patchogue’s Main Street at the town’s annual Christmas Parade. The PMCT Express 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!

Thanks to the PMHS Key Club for their help handing out Candy and Pencils!

PMCT Float at Patchogue’s Annual Parade – Saturday, November 26, 2016

March 28, 2020November 20, 2016 by Susan

Patchogue-Medford teachers are excited to get into the holiday spirit with their beautiful new float at Patchogue’s Village’s 54th Annual “Christmas Parade”. We can’t wait to see all our students and parents on the parade route. Below you can see some of the pictures from the float construction process. Thanks to all our float builders!!

The parade is on Main Street from 6-8PM on Saturday, November 26, 2016.

PMCT Wins NYSUT Solidarity Grant

March 28, 2020September 25, 2016 by Susan

The Patchogue-Medford Congress of Teachers is proud to announce that it has won a New York State United Teacher’s Solidarity Grant. Our executive board designed a strategic plan in 2015 that focused on building member engagement and building stronger coalitions within our community. Through the hard work of our Political Action Chair, Syndee Zegel and past PMCT secretary, Linda Nowicki, a grant was written to help fund our plan. The $15,000 award will be used to build member engagement through the use of “PMCT TV”. Each faculty room will have an LCD display installed and a continuous loop of information will be available for members to view so as to keep up to date. Also, each faculty room will have a bulletin board installed that will be dedicated to keeping the PMCT up to date with pertinent information

The plan also calls for ways to work with our community groups. Each elementary teacher will be providing note pads to the parents of their students to keep the lines of communication open. Teachers will also be using new stationary purchased through the grant for parent/teacher communication. Along with the Chamber of Commerce, we’ll provide educational activity books branded with a PMCT Logo for a “Safe Halloween Event”. Finally, our local will construct a float for use in local parade events.

The PMCT is dedicated to meeting the needs of both its members and the community: working together to educate the whole child.

These bulletin boards are in faculty rooms in all our buildings to keep members informed.

These TV’s are in faculty rooms in our buildings highlighting all our activities.

Notepads were given to all K-5 parents at open house nights.

A tweet from a happy parent thanking us for the notepad.

Making Strides for Breast Cancer Walk – Sunday Oct. 23, 2016

March 28, 2020September 21, 2016 by Susan

Sunday, October 23, 2016
at Suffolk County Community College – Riverhead Campus.
Walker check-in: 8:00 – 9:00 a.m.
Walk begins: 8:00 – 10:00 a.m.

Please check in at the NYSUT Suffolk table when you arrive.

Proudly wear your Patchogue-Medford Breast Cancer T-shirt.
(To receive a T-shirt your $10.00 donation and T-shirt order form must be given to your Building Outreach Rep. by Friday, September 30th.)
You can also wear your PMCT T-shirt/apparel
or Pat-Med colors!

DIRECTIONS FOR ON-LINE DONATIONS
1. Go to: www.makingstrideswalk.org
2. Go to: DONATE
3. Enter: PMCT Outreach
4. Click on: DONATE (in green)

Donations can be made online, or if you prefer, you can give
your donation to the Outreach Rep. in your building.
Checks made payable to the American Cancer Society.

A Making Strides Walk will also be taking place on Sunday,
October 16, 2016 at Jones Beach. PMCT Outreach Chairs will be present at this event. Please stop in to say hello and join us for snacks.
(You will also have the opportunity to hand in cash donations at the NYSUT tent on this date.)

https://patmedteachers.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Making-Strides-Walk-Flyer-.pdf – Click to see the flyer