@cndelarosa.bsky.social understands the critical role paras play in supporting our students. That’s why she and the NYC Council unanimously passed a workforce stabilization bill: The Para RESPECT Check. Learn more: www.riverdalepress.com/stories/nyc-... #RESPECTforParaprofessionals

@riverdalepress.bsky.social: NYC paraprofessionals often need 2-3 jobs just to cover their bills, on top of a full day supporting NYC's most vulnerable kids. That's unacceptable and is exactly why the @council.nyc.gov unanimously passed the RESPECT check legislation. #RESPECTforParaprofessionals

NYC paraprofessionals await pay boost as Mamdani weighs 'Respect Check' bill - The Riverdale Press

The New York City Council unanimously approved the Respect Check, a $10,000 payment for paraprofessionals, but Mayor Zohran Mamdani has yet to sign the bill as legal questions remain.

riverdalepress.com

Paraprofessionals change lives, helping students navigate & thrive in school. But that work can only continue with the right staffing & support. The RESPECT Check passing @council.nyc.gov is a great 1st step – but now it’s time to get this done. #RESPECTforParaprofessionals all day & everyday!

NYC students depend on paras every single day. As the cost of living rises, the RESPECT Check will provide emergency relief to paras and help fix a critical staffing crisis. Paras need this — which is why the @council.nyc.gov stepped up. 💪 Coverage from CBS NY 👇 www.youtube.com/watch?is=1XC...

"Respect check" bill for NYC paraprofessionals faces some pushback

YouTube video by CBS New York

youtube.com

Thread (1/2) Thanks to $1.2M in funding secured by Council Member Yusef Salaam's office, Thurgood Marshall Academy for Learning & Social Change is receiving a major investment! The funds will establish a culinary arts & cultural foods lab, equipping students with lifelong culinary skills.

Ms. Jones, a NYC paraprofessional put it best: There’s no way that she and other paraprofessionals can survive in NYC on their current paycheck. That’s why the @uft.org is fighting for educators to get the financial boost they deserve: www.nytimes.com/2026/07/24/n... #RESPECTforParaprofessionals

1/ @uft.org is proud to fight for policies that help educators afford to live in the communities they serve. This is the promise of the RESPECT check, the promise we are holding this city accountable to, and the promise that we will fight to deliver for paras.

CM Ty Hankerson is a proud product of NYC schools, and knows firsthand the difference that paraprofessionals make in the classroom.🎓 Thank you, Councilmember Hankerson, for demonstrating what is means to give real #RESPECTforParaprofessionals!

Para Katrina Long isn't asking for sympathy. She's demanding RESPECT! Paras go the extra mile for students & it's time NYC showed them how much that means through fair compensation⚖️ That's why we're so excited that the RESPECT Check has PASSED New York City Council! #RESPECTforParaProfessionals

CM Selvena Brooks-Powers has firsthand experience witnessing the critical work paraprofessionals do every day, nurturing & fostering the development of loved ones. And as it stands – paras do not have the support they need to live in NYC. She voted YES to give #RESPECTforParaprofessionals.

CM Eric Dinowitz worked alongside paras as an NYC teacher & UFT Chapter Leader. From his experience in our schools, he knew voting YES for the para RESPECT check was the right decision to empower workers who support our most vulnerable students ‼️

CM Shirley Aldebol on paras: they're vital to public education & critical to the school community – yet schools are suffering from massive vacancies. She voted 👍 on the RESPECT check. Thank you, Councilmember!

Crippling low wages force paras to choose: the job they love supporting students, or making ends meet. UFT para Undrea Polite knows how hard that choice is, and that's why she's celebrating the RESPECT check passing @council.nyc.gov. The 1st step toward paras never having to choose again 🎉

Speaker Menin stands with UFT paraprofessionals 🌟 Schools face a para retention crisis: 1,600+ vacancies and paras who can’t afford to live in NYC. @speakermenin.bsky.social knows inaction is NOT an option. Change starts with RESPECT – and $10K in critical retention support for paras! @uft.org

At today's rally, @uft.org Para Chair Priscilla Castro attested to how badly our paras need financial relief. Thank you to @cndelarosa.bsky.social and every single member of @council.nyc.gov l for standing for our paras and voting to give them the RESPECT they deserve. #RESPECTforParaprofessionals

Thank you @speakermenin.bsky.social and every single member of @council.nyc.gov for your leadership in pushing the RESPECT check bill towards the finish line!! We are one step closer to helping paraprofessionals afford to live in the City that they serve. Let’s👏get👏this👏done

“We have a responsibility to look out for the people who look out for our children, and today, we have the opportunity to do just that [...] Let’s continue, as we have today to put some RESPECT on that check” - Council Member Chris Banks #RESPECTforParaprofessionals

Thread (1/2) Thank you to @speakermenin.bsky.social, @cndelarosa.bsky.social and @council.nyc.gov for passing the RESPECT Check🎉 This bill has come a long way and it will provide critical relief to paras and their families.

🚨NEWS - THE RESPECT CHECK PASSED CITY COUNCIL🎉 Solidarity is our strength! UFT members united and paras made their voices heard to move the hearts and minds of the @council.nyc.gov, especially our champions @speakermenin.bsky.social and @cndelarosa.bsky.social.

Councilmember Ty Hankerson is a proud product of NYC public schools and knows just how important paras are to the classroom. Thank you Councilmember Hankerson for your support and for proudly demonstrating what it means to give #RESPECTforParaprofessionals

@mayor.nyc.gov, @cndelarosa.bsky.social is right, the RESPECT check is an equity issue. Black and brown educators deserve wages that allow them to afford to live in NYC. Not tomorrow, not in the future, TODAY!!! #RESPECTForParaprofessionals

@speakermenin.bsky.social is right on the money - the low pay for paraprofessionals is causing a retention crisis, and ultimately hurts our kids. Thank you Speaker Menin for standing up for our paras and pushing the RESPECT check to the finish line. #RESPECTforParaprofessionals

“Paraprofessionals are the backbone of the school system” - John Kamps, Vice Chair of the @uft.org para chapter. Paras attend to students’ medical needs, offer critical classroom aid and SO MUCH MORE. It’s vital that this bill gets passed into law TODAY @mayor.nyc.gov #RESPECTforParaprofessionals

1.6K para vacancies means some students with disabilities are unable to ride the bus to school – there’s no para to accompany them. City Council must pass the RESPECT check TODAY to recruit & retain paras, so every student gets to school 🚌 Learn more👇 www.chalkbeat.org/newyork/2026...

Left on the curb: How NYC’s paraprofessional shortage leaves some students with disabilities stranded

Without a para to ride the school bus with him, Matthew’s bus drives right past his house. Families face the brunt of an underpaid, understaffed system.

chalkbeat.org

@uft.org Paraprofessional Diana Judge works bell to bell supporting our students– then works two more jobs just to afford to live. No educator should face that. We must pass the RESPECT Check so that paras can afford to live in the city that they serve. #RESPECTforParaprofessionals

Some paraprofessionals are forced to live in shelters or work 2-3 jobs just to make ends meet– all while showing up everyday to support our students. With a starting salary of $32K in NYC, something has to change for these vital educators. Pass the RESPECT Check NOW!! #RESPECTforParaprofessionals

Paraprofessionals are the backbone of NYC schools. @uft.org Para Priscilla Castro knows firsthand the demands that paras face everyday to support our students. We must pass the Para RESPECT Check and give these hardworking educators the relief they deserve. #RESPECTforParaprofessionals

NYC spends $1.5B for private schools for families with special ed students when NYC fails to provide them with support services. @uft.org Para Priscilla Castro says there’s a better way: staffing support services properly. That’s why we need the RESPECT Check. #RESPECTforParaprofessionals

With salaries starting at 32K/yr, NYC paraprofessionals literally can’t afford to stay in their positions. We're losing seasoned educators, and our school communities deserve better. That's why @uft.org is fighting to pass the Para RESPECT Check. #RESPECTforParaprofessionals

Students with special needs require support services. With ~2K vacant para positions, NYC is struggling to provide this support. Paras are leaving the profession because they can’t afford to live in NYC. Pass the RESPECT Check to make NYC affordable for our educators. #RESPECTforParaprofessionals