Fall is prime time for School-
Related Professionals.
They have the opportunity
to attend NYSUT’s annual SRP
Leadership Conference, Oct. 23-25,
and to enjoy New York State SRP
Recognition Day, Nov. 17.
Hard-working SRPs, serving
students in ever-shifting assignments
under pandemic protocols, will be
honored on the state’s annual SRP
Recognition Day the third Tuesday of
November.
Among NYSUT’s 100,000 SRP
members are clerks, secretaries, bus
drivers, maintenance workers, custodians
and teacher aides.
Those SRPs who are leaders, or
those interested in learning about
becoming more involved with their
union, can speak with their local
union president about attending the
42nd annual conference, being held
online this year.
Ron Gross will be speaking at his
first SRP conference as NYSUT second
vice president. “Our SRPs continue
to demonstrate how invaluable
they are to our educational community,”
Gross said. “I’m looking forward
to meeting with the heroes of this
pandemic and thanking them for all
they do.”
Conference presenters will tackle
many issues related to the pandemic.
Ani Shahinian, of NYSUT social
services, will provide strategies to
manage stress and anxiety and build
resources during these times.
There will also be a workshop led
by NYSUT health and safety specialist
Veronica Foley on how to use
advocacy and organizing to keep the
workplace healthy and safe — a primary
concern during the pandemic.
“Do you know where to turn when
you have questions about cleaning,
indoor air quality, exposure to pathogens
and other important health
and safety concerns?” Foley asked.
Participants will learn who to turn to
with health and safety concerns and
hear best practices for advocating for
their rights.
National Education Association’s
Tim Barchak will speak on stopping
privatization of SRPs.
To prepare for celebrating SRPs
on the official state recognition day,
local presidents can order newly
designed car magnets proclaiming,
“SRPs Care for their Community,” as
well as posters at www.nysut.org/eReg/SRPREC2020. Celebrations
for SRPs are encouraged and winners
are chosen for the best SRP
shout-outs.
Last year, SUNY Broome
Community College Educational
Support Personnel Association,
Greenburgh Federation #11 and
Schenectady paraprofessionals
won awards for creating logos that
were used on t-shirts; honoring SRPs
with posters and word art; hosting
parties; and creating social media
campaigns.