November 2021

Volume 14, Issue 1

Published by the Oceanside Federation of Teachers:

Affiliated with the NEW YORK STATE UNITED TEACHERS, AFT/AFL-CIO
“YOUR CHILD...OUR PRIORITY”

The Award Winning Newsletter of the Oceanside Federation of Teachers

A 22-Year Legacy
Rob Pittman, OFT President, #9M
Every year seems to go faster and faster. Ten weeks has passed and the first quarter is nearly ended. The anxiety
of returning to school is gone and we are back in the groove. While the stress of returning this year was certainly
less than last year, it surely wasn’t “back to normal.” The question of mask mandates, the diverse viewpoints of
our members, the return to full classes, in-person “Back to School Night,” in-person faculty and department meet-
ings and more raised the stress level well above pre-COVID norms. As usual, the anxiety is typically worse than
the reality and although things weren’t perfect, they were better than expected due to the collaborative efforts of
our OFT Labor Management team and administration over the summer. Fortunately, our advocacy to prioritize only in-school in-
struction was fully embraced by our community, our union, the board, and the administration. All these groups know that children
learn best and achieve more when they are in school where their needs can more readily be ascertained and directly addressed. For
myself, this has made me feel like things are “back to normal.”

This year is the last year of our contract (2017-2022), which expires June 30th 2022. Those five years went fast! Our union and our
district is unique in that we have had twenty-two years of uninterrupted contracts. This has benefitted our students, our members,
our community, and the district. Many of our union brothers and sisters in neighboring districts have not been as lucky.

“I am a great believer in luck, and I find the harder I work, the more of it I have” – Thomas Jefferson.

Our contracts have not been the result of luck, but rather due to the hard work by all of our members. Our community knows how
much each of us cares about our students and the challenges of what we do, especially after observing us during the shutdown. Each
member of our union, affiliates and teachers, plays an important role in serving our students and the Oceanside community: Our
security greets and forms bonds with students in ways others do not; our aides are the shoulders on which so many of our neediest
students rely; our nurses and guidance professionals provide for our students emotional, mental and physical needs, and our teachers
and teacher assistants encourage our students to be the best they can be. Each of our students can find one member of our union they
can connect with and feel cared for. Past and present Oceanside superintendents have publically recognized our incredible staff.

The OFT and its affiliates also partner with the Oceanside community:

 We support Oceanside Community Service (OCS) and the important work they do by making annual monetary donations.
 We collect toys and gifts cards through our yearly OFT Toy Drive during the holidays.
 Through our “From the Heart of the OFT” initiative, our members generously contribute Stop and Shop gift cards. All this goes
to help OCS help those members of the Oceanside community who are less fortunate.
 We support Kiwanis Club by attending their annual dinner, making a Kiwanis Journal donation and sponsor their Superbowl
Pancake Breakfast fundraiser to help their “Camp Kiwanis” program, which sends Oceanside children to summer camp for free.
 The OFT also attends the Knights of Columbus “Circle of Pride” dinner and is a Silver donor sponsor.
 We show our commitment to the Oceanside community through our support of Dawn Delirium.
 We give several OFT scholarships for Oceanside High School graduates pursuing a degree in education.
 We welcome over 400 new kindergarteners to our schools by purchasing a new book for each.
 Many of our members have taken it upon themselves to organize and enlist other OFT members to support the Oceanside Com-
munity through crises like Hurricane Sandy and other more personal and tragic events. (Continued on page 6)

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President: OFT Officers Affiliates Vice President:
Rob Pittman, #9M 2021-2022 Tom Morreale, #7
rpittman@oceansideschools.org tmorreale@oceansideschools.org

Executive Vice President: Secretary:

Donna Gales, #2 Amy Brown-Rand, #9M
dgales@oceansideschools.org abrownrand@oceansideschools.org

Elementary Vice President: Treasurer:

Jen Whyte, #9E Sue Tantleff, #7
jwhyte@oceansideschools.org stantleff@oceansideschools.org

Middle School Vice President: Membership and Welfare:

Mike Demarco, #9M Vicki Trum, #5
mdemarco@oceansidechools.org vtrum@oceansideschools.org

High School Vice President:

Gavin Kalner, #7
gkalner@oceansideschools.org

OFT Additional Positions

OFT Times Co-Editors-in-Chief: Jeanmarie Johnson, #9M and Brian Weinstein, #9M
Eyeglass Coordinator: Kristine Ryan -ofteyeglassvoucher@gmail.com
Grievance Chair: Frank Nappi, #7 VOTE COPE Coordinator: Amanda Iemma, #9E
Public Relations/Outreach: Christine Blake-Jeremias, #8
New Teacher Coordinator: Stephanie Bragman, #9M
Maternity Leave Specialist: Heidi Burns, #8 Webmaster: Stephen Melish, #9M

OFT Affiliate Representatives

Administrative Assistants: Victoria Ramalho, #9M Monitors: Laurie Denson, #3
Nurses: Sharon Hughes, #2 and Mary Beth Murphy, #7 Security: Leo Bonacasa, #7
Teacher Aides: Susanne Cavale, #9E, Stacey Formont, #6, Donna Fulgieri, #7,
Andrea Johnson, #9M , Roe Palette, #7, Michele Worley, #6
Pre-K: Maria Cantone and Christina Peruffo, #6 Eyeglass Coordinator: Susanne Cavale, #9M
OFTRC (OFT Retirees): oftrcmail@gmail.com Executive Committee - Susan Henkus, Rita Kaikow,
Sharonann Katcher, Leslie Krasnoff, Roslyn Lorge, Lois Nevitt, Arlene Wegard and Bonnie Zebalese.

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 This past September 11th
was the 20th anniversary of
that momentous and horrible
day in American history.
Members of the OFT gath-
ered and wore memorial t-
shirts to acknowledge and
honor those who were lost
and those who responded to
the tragedy.

The OFT held a Tenure Celebration on June 15th at Kasey’s in Rockville

Centre. The tenure classes of 2020 and 2021 were honored together and a
great time was had by all. Congratulations to all who received tenure.

Congratulations Tenure Class of 2021!

School 2 - Jacqueline Hughes, Roseann Schiller, Suzana Silva and Casey Walegir.
School 3 - Tina Pumo, Victoria Rafter and Alisha Tricarico.
School 4 - Jennifer Belmonte and Jillian Mustich.
School 6 - Marissa Alonso, Elizabeth Barbakoff and Kerri Schramm.
School 7 - Erica Dzwlewicz, Brian Ellis, Andrew Landers, Kaitlyn Marciano,
Nirmala Ramsaran, Jaclyn Sileo and Jeremy Zylbert.
School 8 - Dawn Lynch.
School 9M - Michael Kelly and Jennifer Lupia.

In June, the OFT celebrated the retiree class of 2021 at

Frank’s Steaks in Rockville Centre. A fun time was had by
all!
Congratulations to all of our retirees!

Remembering Bob Nuxoll By Mike Pressman Edelson, OFT Retiree

I spoke to Bob Nuxoll about 10 days ago. He called me to ask me to edit his work on the Rose group, a resistance group of young peo-
ple in Germany during World War 11. I knew even then that he was too ill to address this project.
Bob was a fighter who was unafraid to stand up for our freedoms, especially freedom of speech. We worked together for 15 years after
putting together a humanities curriculum for 10th grade students employing European World History and Honors English. Our three
period block worked like a charm as we had time to build both writing and abstract thinking skills. In fact, we took our show on the
road, opening our curriculum to many schools in New York State. Bob enthusiastically backed any hare-brained idea I came up with
and brought up the rear, reining in the stragglers, on the many field trips we initiated. We covered the Eastern Seaboard, from Wash-
ington DC north, exposing our students to major art. sculpture, music and architecture. At the same time Bob invited me to join his in-
terfaith group in Rockville Centre; then recently he started a Great Books discussion group that is still meeting on zoom and which got
us through the worst of the pandemic.
I will sorely miss my 'gentle giant' who delighted in scholarship and a good baseball game and who encouraged every student who
came within his sphere.
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The OFT welcomes our new members and wish them a productive and fulfilling school year.

Elena Almeida Juliana Baloglou Michael Challice Sheila Crews Brandon Crofts John DeNicola
School 7 School 7 School 9M School 7 School 7 School 6

Conor Dorney Joseph Ednie Dakota Ejnes Isabella Famighetti Brian Gilbert Meghan Harrington
School 9M School 7 School 9E School 7 School 7 School 7

Kristy Hellmund David Korn Ariel Livanos Julia Montgomery Thomas Pallatto Jessica Phillips
School 5 School 7 School 2 School 7 School 7 Traveling

Teresa Pietromonaco Amanda Profera Cassidy Richards Jackie Saeli Katie Scianimanico Stephanie Sheehan
School 9M School 4 School 2 School 2 School 2 School 5

Vincent Simonetti Jake Spielberg Shauna Spruiell Michelle Taplin

School 7 Traveling School 8 School 7

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The OFT Back To School Social was held on September 24th at Kasey’s in Rockville Centre. Members had an op-
portunity to mingle with their union brothers and sisters from other schools while relaxing and celebrating in per-
son again. Laughs and good times were had by all!

On October 17, 2021, the OFT was represented at the first post-COVID closure Making Strides Against Breast Cancer
Walk. It was a gorgeous fall morning as our members joined thousands of walkers on the Jones Beach boardwalk
representing the Oceanside Federation of Teachers and NYSUT Nassau.
Along with our representation at the walk, the OFT has raised nearly $3,000 toward this cause. With over 1,000
teams registered, the OFT is, once again, in the top 10% of all fundraising teams.
We walk each year to honor the memories of those members we've lost, in celebration of our survivors, and in sol-
idarity for those who are fighting. Thank you to our walkers and all those who generously donate toward this annual
collection.

It’s a family affair! School #6 and #8 OFT members and their families

Our Representative, Chuck Schumer,

on hand to cheer on walkers.
OFT members from School 9M.
The “Regulars”: Heidi Burns (#5&8), 5
Chris Blake (#8) and Ramona D’Aulisa (#5)
 Gina Smith (Romeo) Deanna Confredo, #7, Laura Gallo, #7, and her Iliana DiTalia, #9M, and
#9E/9M, and her husband, William husband, Joseph wel- her husband, Paul wel- Jacqueline Nerney,
and her husband, Matt Monsees welcomed baby comed baby Lucy Evelyn comed baby Giancarlo Castleton, her husband,
welcomed baby Mat- Nora Marie on May 20th. on June 7th. She weighed Rene on August 16th. He Christopher and proud
thew Gerard on Febru- She weighed in at 7lbs. in at 7lbs. 8oz. weighed in at 7lbs., 6oz. big brother, Wyatt wel-
ary 19th. He weighed and 21 inches. and 19 inches. comed baby Everett
in at 7lbs., 9oz. and 20 Jackson on June 26th.
inches. He weighed in at 9lbs.
and 22 inches.

Kristine Ryan, #3 is Stephanie Stagnitta, #7,

happy to announce the her husband, Frank and
engagement of her son, proud big sister, Aria wel- Proud Grandma, Janet
Edward Risener, #9M, Ryan Spielman (OHS comed baby Jagger Cade Otis, #4, welcomed baby
his wife, Nicole and Stephanie Bragman,
graduate 2013) to Shan- on June 9th. He weighed grandson Gavin Reed #9M, and her husband,
proud big brother, An- non O'Connell. An Octo- in at 7lbs., 15oz. And 20 Henry-Lester on June 3rd.
drew welcomed baby Peter welcomed baby
ber 2022 wedding is inches. Owen Peter on October
Jacob Samuel on Au- planned.
gust 22nd. He weighed 16th. He weighed in at
in at 9lbs. 22 inches. 7lbs., 11 oz. and
21 inches.

A 22-Year Legacy (Continued from page 1)

With the enactment of the Tax Cap in 2012, the OFT and its members have responded by helping the Oceanside School District face the
ensuing financial challenges. We acted reasonably, responsibly, and worked collaboratively and creatively with the administration and
board in order to help address these challenges. Our members supported:

 Renegotiating two contracts whereby we gave back guaranteed raises.

 Restructuring our salary structure on multiple occasions over the last 10 years again, forgoing guaranteed raises.
 Restructuring the timeline of incentives for continued professional development.
 Efforts by the OFT to help the district school budgets to pass by forming an OFT phone bank, writing letters and taking out ads in the
local Herald.

Our members supported all these proposals and more because we are part of the Oceanside community and wanted to do our part to help it
through these challenges. Our members wanted to ensure that student programs and services were preserved and that staffing (secretaries,
teachers, custodians, etc.) would not be cut. We know that the Oceanside community appreciates what our members do every day and they
know that we are an important part of the community and not just employees. Our twenty-two year legacy of peaceful, reasonable and mu-
tually respectful contract negotiations will continue. We are a model that many other districts and unions have admired and aspired to be.

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 What Does the “Other Side” Look Like?
By Susan Comerford, #4
I have been approached by parents of my students multiple times during the online learning phase when the pandemic of
COVID-19 was at its peak. Each time, they voiced their frustration at how ineffective this unconventional mode of teaching
felt. Their concerns were sometimes rightly placed, but we all needed to understand that those were unusual times.

These are times when we need to reprioritize and reevaluate our collective responsibilities. As teachers, our foremost priority is to keep eve-
ryone around us safe. As far as the educational process is concerned, teachers, like healthcare workers, board members, and administration
have borne the brunt of the pandemic and went an extra mile to ensure that it is not totally disrupted. After all, online teaching at one point
was the only option and, in this case, a compromised study session was better than no studies at all. We as teachers felt equally frustrated
when a mathematical or literary concept is not absorbed well by the students. Or when there needs to be a healthy classroom discussion on
the basics of phonics or essay writing, but it is not possible to carry it out due to limitations associated with distance learning.

Catering to the needs of online learning by spending hours in front of the laptop to make what we evolved into the next year’s “hybrid les-
son plans,” and making sure that the lessons reach every student has been a formidable challenge of the virtual and in person teaching. The-
se lessons were redesigned to be explicitly simple so that they were intelligible for parents and students alike. Not only this, but every day
the lectures needed to be delivered to multiple groups of students, one after the other, without ever really doing this type of mixed teaching
before.

Finally, we are back to a complete in-person learning situation with the challenges of full classrooms with students and teachers wearing
masks for safety and trying to seat them three feet apart in a room not designed for this. However, it seems that all the rigor and mandates
haven’t changed, even though our situation has evolved dramatically. The emotional components of students and teachers are and continue
to be of utmost importance.

The accumulated effect of all this was an extreme burnout among the teaching staff. Even then, and despite all these odds, the teachers re-
mained steadfast and resilient and gave hope to not only the students but also to distressed parents. They did more than what was
“sufficient” to sincerely and efficiently carry out the collective responsibility as members of a society and in a broader sense, members of
humanity.

Teachers need more recognition and less pressure to accomplish things that cannot possibly be accomplished purely because of a situation
we haven’t faced in more than 100 years. We cannot ignore the reality of the present times. It is like the visualization of a person who has
lost a limb being expected to run a marathon before they had enough physical therapy to learn how to walk.

More than ever...kudos to all school staff who have managed to make it work!

Welcome Back!
By Kelly George, #7
I drove down Ocean Parkway looking out at the waves and feeling the light of sun inching its way up the horizon behind
me. The radio played an upbeat tune as the open windows in my minivan treated me to the fresh, salty air and although it
was just before dawn, I felt light, carefree and happy. I had carefully planned for the first three weeks and set up my
Google Classroom back in June so there was no sense of urgency, no anxiety and no stress. This drive belonged solely to me and I enjoyed
every second from start to finish.

It had been an amazing summer with things to do, places to go and people to visit. The world seemed to have opened up once again and the
feeling of walking around bare faced and mask free was heavenly. I went to the beach, walked the trails in my favorite parks, met friends for
outdoor concerts and visited friends and family I had not seen in over a year. BEST. VACATION. EVER.

And just like that I was back in the classroom greeted by a full complement of students. There was no wrestling with my Chromebook, hav-
ing to open 20+ windows or praying the Google Meet link was working. It felt different this year, even better than before, as if we were all
ready to get out of the house and back into the classroom (although probably me more so than the students). I asked questions and five or
six kids raised their hands at once. “Wow! Engaged students. I forgot what this was like,” I thought to myself. In comparison, last year
was like pulling teeth with only half of the students present at one time. The classroom was eerily quiet then, the halls empty and sad.

As I write this we are about one month back in the classroom and I have noticed so many differences in addition to the students seeming
genuinely happy to be back. First being able to enjoy different events like sports, drama club and of course the welcome back OFT Happy
Hour. Just meeting for Extra Help with students in person seems to have given everyone a boost and the good feeling that comes with tak-
ing action. With the roses comes the thorns though and I had to fill out a disciplinary form which I haven’t done in ages and constantly re-
minding students to “pull your mask up please” is wearing thin and if I’m not saying it I’m listening to my colleagues, security guards and
administrators say it too. I don’t get it; did the kids just get smaller or are they making the masks extra large now? Whatever it is, I'm just
happy we’re all together again. Besides, I've got a glue stick and I’m not afraid to use it. *Winks conspiratorially*

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