About 265 new retirees and guests celebrated their education careers at the UFT Welfare Fund New Retiree Luncheon in Shanker Hall at UFT headquarters on Nov. 18. At a vendor fair prior to lunch, they learned about health care options like the UFT Welfare Fund’s Supplemental Health Insurance Program, as well as classes, seminars and trips offered through the Si Beagle Learning Centers, before enjoying a festive luncheon.

About 300 nurses convened at a midtown hotel for a day of professional development, including a keynote address on neurology, during the federation’s annual Professional Issues Conference.

Parents, caregivers, educators and community members convened at the UFT Queens borough office on Nov. 22 for the borough’s annual parent conference. The roughly 70 attendees learned about mental health, emergency preparedness, personal finances and more, while connecting with each other and taking time for themselves.

About 150 students living in temporary housing enjoyed a day of crafts, games, face-painting and fun at UFT headquarters on Nov. 22 to celebrate Thanksgiving and receive new winter gear courtesy of UFT members’ generosity. Headed by the UFT’s Middle Schools Division, the event provided each student with a new winter coat, a pair of gloves or mittens, a scarf and a hat to keep them warm in the coming winter months.

Parents, caretakers, educators and community members gathered at the UFT’s Staten Island borough office on Nov. 8 for the UFT Staten Island parent committee’s annual conference. Attendees took the day to bond with other caregivers and gained valuable information and resources during workshops on topics like keeping students safe online and parent-teacher association governance.

UFT members around the city participated in a Day of Action to show solidarity with paraprofessionals. The action was timed to coincide with the City Council’s public hearing for the “RESPECT check” bill, which would provide annual checks of at least $10,000 to paraprofessionals.

More than 100 parents, caretakers, educators and community members gathered at the UFT’s Brooklyn borough office on Oct. 25 for the UFT Brooklyn parent committee’s annual conference. This year’s conference theme was “Organize and Activate,” and attendees took in workshops on school safety, political action, special education and PTA organizing.

More than 100 parents and community members gathered at UFT headquarters on Oct. 25 for the UFT’s annual Manhattan parent conference. Attendees learned about first aid and emergency preparedness, trained to become IEP (Individualized Education Program) parent members and spread the word about the rights of immigrant students and their families.

About 1,700 UFT members, families and friends gathered at the New York Hilton on Nov. 2, 2025, to commemorate the 65th anniversary of the 1960 strike that won collective bargaining rights for UFT members. At the union’s annual Teacher Union Day event, more than 250 individual members and chapters were honored for their exceptional work and longtime service to the union’s mission, including the members of the UFT Health Care Committee and the Occupational and Physical Therapists Chapter.

UFT organizers of this year’s event treated 140 Bronx families to a KidZone & Community Resource Fair at the Bronx borough office. The event featured educational seminars and helpful information for parents from UFT’s Dial-A-Teacher homework helpline, the BRAVE anti-bullying initiative and partners including the Red Cross.  There also was plenty of fun — face-painting and giveaways  — for the kids.