There’s Kevin Lawton, senior custodian and president of the Carthage School-Related Personnel; and teaching assistant Suzette Robbins, United Federation of Teachers.
Hilda Monfredo, Western Sullivan SRPs, is a teacher aide and Karen McLean, Herricks TA/Clerical, Nurses, Therapists, is a payroll administrator.
They are among NYSUT’s nearly 100,000 School-Related Professionals — the bedrock of keeping schools and students on course — who will be celebrated Nov. 16 as part of New York State SRP Recognition Day.
In NYSUT speak, these workers are heralded with the shout out “SRPs Rock!” Thanks to union advocacy, each year New York state honors them with an official School-Related Professionals Day. This year, especially, the SRPs deserve over-the-top spotlighting for their work during this pandemic.
“NYSUT SRPs have gone over and above to ensure their schools and workplaces are clean and sanitized and well maintained during this pandemic — and making sure students and their families were fed,” said Ron Gross, NYSUT second vice president.
“They make sure students are supported, both in person and virtually, on various high-tech platforms. And through it all, our clerical staff members have ensured school employees continue to be paid and that student records are maintained. SRPs Rock!” NYSUT encourages locals to start planning for SRP Recognition Day as early as possible. Celebration ideas and materials are available for download at nysut.org/srpday.
Local presidents can also order SRP Recognition Day posters and “SRPs Rock” pins.
Past celebrations have included schools decorating hallways; car magnets; goodie bags; specially crafted SRP cookies; and cards.
SRPs are represented at NYSUT by the SRP Advisory Committee, led by Cheryl Rockhill, president of the Brushton-Moira Support Staff Association.
Remember to share your photos with us via Facebook, Twitter and at united@nysut.org.