Announcements & Events

• Workers Compensation Board (NYS) Links: The VCTA does not provide specific information regarding potential Workers' Compensation Claims. Members should refer to the following links to seek information, advice and/or representation:
  • NYS Workers' Compensation Board Main Page
  • Phone Numbers/Contact Information: Newburgh Customer Service Center
  • Finding Legal Representation
• New Certification Renal Requirements: The following webpages will answer questions about the upcoming new SED five (5) year renewal or re-registration requirements, including information regarding change of address. The new registration requirements go into effect in the 2016-2017 school year:
  • http://www.highered.nysed.gov/tcert/news/newsitem05122015.html
  According to the SED site: “Any change of name or address for a certificate holder must be updated by the holder in the TEACH system within thirty days of any such change; any certificate holder who fails to inform the Department of his or her new address may be subject to moral character review.” Directions for changing address using TEACH system can be found at:
  • http://www.highered.nysed.gov/tcert/teach/address.html 
  Directions for changing your name using TEACH system can be found at:
  • http://www.highered.nysed.gov/tcert/ctname.html
• Tarrytown Learning Center: Professional Development Seminars for NYSUT Members
  • 2015-2016 Seminar Catalog
  • Tarrytown Learning Center Frequently Asked Questions
• 2015-2016 VCTA Get-Togethers: Join your teacher, secretary and paraprofessional colleagues at Billy Joe's Ribworks on the Newburgh Waterfront for conversation and appetizers starting at 3:00 on the following dates:
  • Friday, September 25
  • Friday, October 23
  • Friday, November 20
  • Friday, December 18
  • Friday, January 29
  • Friday, February 26
  • Friday, March 18 (Friday before Spring Break)
  • Friday, April 29
  • Friday, May 20
  • Friday, June 17
• OUSDHP Medicare Retiree Change: Starting January 2014 the OUSDHP Prescription Drug Benefit will be a combination of Part D Medicare and the OUSDHP supplement, administered through Envision Rx Plus. This change/notice does not apply to active employees or non-Medicare retirees. No action is required on the part of the member to maintain current levels of benefits. Ultimately, this is a behind the scenes change. Medicare retirees will receive 2 new cards: an Indecs Medical card and an Envision Rx Plus Prescription Card. However, the actions, procedures and options available to Medicare Retirees will not be impacted. Select Health Beat—November 2013 and OUSDHP Letter to Medicare Retirees—November 2013 for more information.
• New York State Teacher Retirement System on YouTube: Navigating the ins and outs of the NYSTRS can be difficult and frustrating at times. NYSTRS does have an excellent website and an outstanding staff who are more than willing to assist members. To further assist NYSTRS members there is also a new tool now available in the form of YouTube videos. These videos are both informative and often very humorous. It is well worth taking some time to check them out. There are 13 different videos covering such topics as:
  • A Tutorial for New Members
  • Prior Service Credit
  • Filing for Disability Protection
  • Beneficiary Information and Options
  • Countdown to Retirement
  • Accessing your Personal Retirement Information via the NYSTRS Website
• Montgomery Food Pantry: Select this link to download a Payroll Deduction Form for the Food Pantry. If you choose to participate, deductions for the Food Pantry will be taken two times per month from October to June (i.e. 18 deductions). For example $1 per pay will equal $18 per year (i.e. $1 x 18 pays = $18 per year), $5 per pay will equal $90 per year (i.e. $5 x 18 pays = $90 per year) and $10 per pay will equal $180 per year (i.e. $10 x 18 pays = $180 per year). All deductions will be deposited into a designated account and then forwarded to the Food Pantry. By agreeing to payroll deduction you can ensure that the Montgomery Food Pantry receives your funding monthly, making their mission of providing food to Valley Central families and children more efficient.
• VOTE-COPE: Select this link to download a VOTE-COPE Payroll Deduction Form. Please consider increasing your VOTE-COPE contributions to $100 annually. It is our most effective means of supporting children, education and the rights of workers. Visit our VOTE-COPE page for more information.
• Valley Central Education Foundation: Select this link to download the VCEF Teacher Grant Application from the VCEF website
• The Gap Between the Rich and Poor is getting bigger each year in the US. Wall Street would have us believe that the rich must get richer for the US to compete—I guess their mamas never taught them not to lie! Read the Article: “Greater Equality; The Hidden Key to Better Health and Higher Scores” http://www.aft.org/pdfs/americaneducator/spring2011/Wilkinson.pdf. This article demonstrates that nations with a more even distribution of wealth are superior to those with a greater disparity. “Health and social problems are more common in countries with bigger income inequalities.
• Dental/Vision/College Verification:  Fax your information to:

  • Maggie Rosado

  • FAX # 516-396-5588
  • Fall verification covers September - December and Spring verification covers January through August.
• Dental/Vision―Use of SS#:  Written requests to stop using your social security number and start using "Valley Central 1234" (i.e., last 4 digits of SS#) should be mailed to:

• Member Services

• SIDS/ASO

• P.O. Box 9005

• Lynbrook, New York  11563

• Claims Reimbursements:  Due to fiscal restrictions on school districts regarding reimbursements from the State Auditor's Office, please submit all claim forms from September to January by the end of January and all claim forms from February to June by the end of June. If you were given verbal instructions in the past that differ from this, disregard those instructions. NOTE: If reimbursements are due to grant work, the claim form must be submitted while the grant is active. Please discuss this with CO to ensure that submissions for grant work are timely.
• AFL-CIO Do Buy List:  There are companies that play naughty and some that play nice. As you compose your school and holiday lists and make vacation plans, be a good union shopper. Reward merchants who are included on the AFL-CIO's "do buy" list for their good-faith bargaining and fair labor practices.
• Do Not Call Registry:  It is recommended that members register with the Do Not Call Registry to prevent unwanted phone solicitations. Many of our members have been receiving annoying phone calls from First Investors out of Newburgh. First Investors was able to access your telephone numbers by coordinating your name on the VCSD website with the 411.com search engine. One of their representatives also bad-mouthed teacher unions in his conversation with one of our members. Needless to say First Investors will no longer have access to our members through payroll deduction.