by Mary Masterson
At a time when tensions are running high in public education, the Hicksville School District has found the key to insuring that its students are engaged, thriving, learning valuable life lessons, and are viewed as more than a “test score!” The secret to their success lies in the true partnership between its Union, the Hicksville Congress of Teachers, whose members have generated innovative ideas to motivate and challenge students, and its Administration who offer the support and encouragement to enable the teachers’ vision to materialize. In fact, Joan Deem, the President of the HCT and Susan Guiliano, the Director of Curriculum, Instruction and Assessments, were invited to attend a national American Federation of Teachers Conference in Washington D.C. this summer as presenters at the TEACH (Together Educating America’s Children) Conference for successful collaboration in education.
John Heffernan, on screen and Lee Cutler at the podium during the culminating PSA event
The first of three large-scale, district-wide endeavors began with President, Joan Deem excitedly initiating a conversation with Director, Susan Guiliano beginning with, “I have an idea…” Ms. Deem had learned about the RFK Elementary Public Service Announcement Contest – “Everyone Has Rights” and wanted to discuss how the contest might align with the curriculum and how the students of Hicksville could take advantage of this opportunity. Mrs. Guiliano determined that as this contest focused on Human Rights, it aligned with the 5th grade NYS ELA curriculum module and that it would best be implemented through the enrichment program delivered by the librarians in each of the District’s 7 elementary schools. Pooling resources and expertise, support and guidance for the librarians was provided. Mrs. Guiliano provided primary source material and curriculum connections. Ms. Deem used her expertise as an art teacher to develop design materials and coordinate the Union’s ability to fund purchases of software and material. Daniel Friedman, the Director of Technology and Grants for the District provided technology equipment, gave training on software for the staff, and offered desk-side support for individual librarians on whatever they needed. The librarians had only 6 weeks to work with the children from start to finish. Following the announcement that six teams from Hicksville were contest winners, a culminating event was planned by the Union and the District which included an address from Lee Cutler, former NYSUT Secretary/Treasurer and human rights activist; a video conference with John Heffernan, Director of the Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights; a viewing of all contest entries; and treating all of the student participants to a luncheon during which students received face time with Mr. Cutler.
Susan Guiliano, Director of Curriculum, Instruction and Assessments, Joan Deem, HCT President, and Mary Ellen Baumann, Speech Pathologist join together to organize "First Books" for distribution.
HCT 1st Vice President Tom Glenn providing books to the children of Hicksville at the District's Wellness Fair
The second project was “First Book Distribution.” The HCT had the opportunity to receive a large shipment of free books for its students, many of whom come from non-English speaking households and who are also living in poverty. Many do not have books of their own. The teachers and administrators shared an understanding of the need to increase literacy opportunities for those at-risk students, and set a cooperative goal to enroll all union members and administrators in the AFT First Book program enabling the Hicksville community to receive free books. The HCT purchased Post-it note pads as a gift to all those who registered. Over 1,500 books were set to arrive the day before the December vacation. The thought of how to receive, sort and distribute such a large volume of books was overwhelming. That was when the District stepped in with an offer to receive the pallet of books in the warehouse at the Administration Building. ESL and Reading teachers worked alongside administrators and helped decide how to distribute the books to Hicksville students. Teachers and administrators, including Supervisor of English, Reading and Libraries, Dr. Tom Moss, volunteered their time to sort and package books in preparation for distribution. The Facilities staff delivered the books to all the school buildings. ESL teachers held book fairs for their students at each elementary school to select books. So many books were received that every elementary ESL student was able to choose and take home 2 high-interest, visually appealing, hard-cover books with popular characters that the whole family could enjoy. The remainder of the books was given away at the District’s Wellness Fair in March by the HCT, promoting literacy district-wide and garnering enthusiasm from the community at large.
Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Carl Bonuso, Rohan Murphy, HCT President Joan Deem and Susan Guiliano, Director of Curriculum, Instruction and Assessments
The seed of an idea for the third collaborative project began with a discussion between two high school teachers talking over lunch about an amazing book with a message of empathy that everyone should read, called Wonder by RJ Palacio. Joan Deem explained, “Our union supports its teachers’ ideas and we want our members to know that their union and the administration are here to encourage them and to help them to jumpstart their ideas and see them to fruition, from start to finish!” So a literacy project was initiated with 5th grade and high school students reading Wonder and participating in a district-wide shared reading experience. Appreciating that this project was aligned with district-wide anti-bullying efforts, the HCT purchased an initial 100 books to be distributed to all schools for staff to read. The Administrators’ union donated an additional $100 for 10 more books, and the Hicksville PTA Council purchased additional books for parents to read. Hicksville Board of Education member, Brenda Judson, spoke about how the book had touched her heart at a PTA Council Meeting. For those needing additional support, the HCT provided Spanish editions, audio books, and the accompanying Book of Precepts, also by RJ Palacio. The HS English Honor Society Advisor, Michael Biondi, was excited for his students to have the opportunity to lead books talks at the elementary schools with the 5th grade students. The 5th grade teachers were encouraged to use their professional judgement and allow their creativity to lead them as they “brought the book alive” for their students. Stephanie Sullo, now a 5th grade teacher at Dutch Lane School, had several of the high school students leading the discussions in her class when she taught first grade. She was proud to see how the foundation she provided at the beginning of their school journey served them well as they matured into thoughtful young adults, able to facilitate character education discussions with younger students who looked up to them as role models. The culminating event was a presentation by Rohan Murphy, a motivational speaker who shared his story of overcoming the challenges he faced through the loss of his legs to become a successful wrestler at Penn State. The students were amazed at how he overcame his obstacles and were inspired by the experiences he shared. The HCT purchased blue T-shirts that read, “When given the choice between being right and being kind… choose kind!” Four hundred thirty 5th graders, their teachers and principals all received shirts. The Middle School auditorium was filled with a sea of blue as the students were recognized for the time and effort that they put into this project! The HCT was appreciative that the District made the arrangements for the 5th graders from all seven elementary schools to be bussed to and from the Middle School for this event.
Susan Guiliano noted that, “No tests were given at the end of this project. We focused on building character and developing empathy. How do you measure that with a test score?” Both Ms. Deem and Mrs. Guiliano agree that, “Working together, we do things better! President Deem expressed, “This is a partnership. Things change so frequently and quickly. We don’t need a punitive setting – we need support or we won’t succeed in this day and age.” They took that message with them this summer when they were invited to present a workshop entitled, “I Have an Idea… Cultivating a Culture of Collaboration” at a conference in Washington, D.C.
Dr. Carl Bonuso, Superintendent of the Hicksville Public Schools, had this to say when asked about this collaborative effort: “The success of the diverse and beautiful Hicksville community is the result of not only the energy of each individual member of our school family, but most importantly the synergy between all those who work collaboratively to provide what the children of Hicksville need and deserve. The best schools are the ones with the best relationships, and the collaboration between our teachers and administrators serves as a model of cooperation and professionalism. How proud are we that Ms. Deem and Mrs. Guiliano were asked to share that exemplary partnership in our nation’s capital at this prestigious national conference!”
First Book
RISE
Wellness Fair
Wonder
