D75 Chapter Leaders, Para Reps & Teacher Delegates, fill this form out to add your name.
To: Mayor Bill de Blasio
Chancellor Richard Carranza
Governor Andrew Cuomo
Cc: UFT President Michael Mulgrew
District 75 Representative David Doorga
We write to you not only as the proud Educators of District 75, but as the UFT Chapter Leaders who are on the frontlines of this fight for the safe re-opening of our schools.
During a press conference on August 19th, our UFT President Michael Mulgrew brought to the attention of the public that the Department of Education had not yet sat down at the table to discuss the largest school district in the New York City Department of Education, District 75. Here in District 75, we serve the most vulnerable, medically fragile and exceptional students in New York City. Our concerns run far beyond our staff. Our first concern in District 75 is the risk that is being imposed on our special-needs students. During the one and only meeting between Chancellor Carranza and DOE Staff, also held on August 19th, Chancellor Carranza mentioned District 75 and stated that work is being done to address our needs. Nothing has been shared with us since then.
Here in District 75, we often feel that despite serving the most special-needs students in New York City, and despite being the largest district in the New York City Department of Education, we fall to the bottom of the barrel when decisions are being made by DOE leadership. Now more than ever, that lack of support is evident. During a parent meeting held on August 27th, Chancellor Carranza mentioned he would address District 75 over the next few days. Chancellor Carranza, we have questions for you. Where is the safety plan for our district? Why do we not have an ample amount of PPE being delivered to our schools? District 75 organizations are multi-sited. Why is our PPE not being sent to our individual sites? We have been out of our school buildings for the last 6 months. Why have you just begun to address the ventilation problems in our buildings? Where is the busing our students require for safe travel to and from school? And most concerning, why have you repeatedly refused to acknowledge the safety plan provided by the UFT?
Chancellor Carranza, you have continuously promised that the health and safety of our school communities is your number-one-priority. By sending us back into an environment that is clearly not ready, you are in fact throwing us to the wolves. You have not kept your promise to the students and staff of District 75. Chancellor Carranza, we demand transparency and open communication from you and the Department of Education. We implore you all to either meet the simple demands of the UFT for Supplies, Procedures and Testing or delay reopening until you can safely have your students and staff return to buildings.
Sincerely,
Sarina-Ann Raffa, UFT Chapter Leader @811Q
Margaret L. Negrelli, UFT Chapter Leader @370K
Chad Hamilton, UFT Chapter Leader @231K
Steven Mintzer, UFT Chapter Leader @177Q
Erin Betito, UFT Chapter Leader @224Q
Alexander Reich, UFT Chapter Leader @373R
Crystal Richberg, UFT Chapter Leader @P141K
Donell Singleton, UFT Chapter Leader @P10X
Esther Moreno, UFT Chapter Leader @P77K
Maha Husein, UFT Chapter Leader @186X
Vilma Sánchez, UFT Chapter Leader @469X
Deborah Gordon, UFT Chapter Leader @372K
Reina Black, UFT Chapter Leader @77K
Paula Thomas, UFT Chapter Leader @P4Q
Amberle Reyes, UFT Chapter Leader @226M
Charles Jacobs, UFT Chapter Leader @811K
Natalia Valle, UFT Chapter Leader @721K
Lisa Viscovi, UFT Chapter Leader @993Q
Our District 75 Paraprofessional Representatives and Teacher Delegates stand with us in Unity & Solidarity.
Kimberly Howard, Teacher Delegate @811Q
Sarah Berloe, Teacher Delegate @811Q
Elizabeth Barrera, Paraprofessional Representative @811Q
Jennifer Wambser, Paraprofessional Representative @811Q
Vladimir Lacrete, Paraprofessional Representative @811Q
Nicole Grant, Paraprofessional Representative @811Q
Mark Friedman, Teacher Delegate @177Q
Laura Urban, Teacher Delegate @177Q
Mindy Rosier-Rayburn, Teacher Delegate @811M
Yenny Jimenez, Teacher Delegate @186X
Emily Mellor, Teacher Delegate @186X
Jo Marcellaro, Teacher Delegate @186X
Clarita Rodriguez, Paraprofessional Representative @186X
Joseph Parnell, Paraprofessional Representative @373R
Marianne Guzman, Paraprofessional Representative @226M
Luis Garcia, Paraprofessional Representative @469X
Torera Olapade, Teacher Delegate @721K
Helen Chichester, Paraprofessional Representative @ 721K
Rob Roszkowski, Teacher Delegate @993Q
Fred Leibowitz, Teacher Delegate @993Q
Danielle DeBellis, Teacher Delegate @993Q