ALBANY, NY. Nov. 20, 2007. - Thousands of school bus drivers, teaching assistants, food service workers and other School-Related Professionals are being honored today in the statewide "School-Related Professionals Day."
Gov. Spitzer signed the law officially designating the third Tuesday of each November as School-Related Professionals Day beginning in 2007.
"This day honors some of our state's most dedicated educators - School-Related Professionals," Iannuzzi said. "Our schools are open, safe and healthy because of their efforts. SRPs help our students achieve every day, playing a vital role in our ongoing campaign to end the achievement gap."
There are more than 90,000 SRP members in NYSUT. They work in a variety of roles - such as driving school buses to get students to school; preparing nutritious meals for children; keeping students healthy and school buildings clean and secure; maintaining the flow of communication between parents and educators; and working directly with students as teaching assistants and aides.
"These professionals are the hidden heroes of our schools. Whether their work is inside or outside the classroom, their efforts deserve praise and fair treatment in every school in this state," said NYSUT Vice President Kathleen Donahue.
NYSUT represents 585,000 teachers, school-related professionals, academic and professional faculty in higher education, professionals in education and health care and retirees. NYSUT is affiliated with the American Federation of Teachers, National Education Association and the AFL-CIO.
SRPs on the job
While school is out for summer, T.J. McGrory gets to work on big projects at Cherry Hill like cleaning the carpets and painting.
Kori Smith, president of the Westhill Employees Union, checks over the 2007-08 calendar with Sue Demski, a secretarial rep with the union.
Evelyn Wood, an Albany Public School United Employees member, works as a teacher aide.
Tim Blevins, a mechanic and member of the Grand Island SRP Association, Makes sure buses are in working order for the start of school.
Barry Mahnk rides the tractor while Bill Bloand hitches up a rolling device to work on groups in West Valley.
Bill Sloand is on the right track at West Valley high.
Sweating the details on opening day at Roslyn schools.
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