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A perfect 10

Borough parent conferences mark a decade of engaging communities
New York Teacher
Karen Chambers, a parent volunteer for the Brooklyn conference, displays a 10th-anniversary cake.
Erica Berger

Karen Chambers, a parent volunteer for the Brooklyn conference, displays a 10th-anniversary cake.

Participants learn CPR techniques
Erica Berger

Participants learn CPR techniques in a workshop at the Bronx conference.

Ten years, 50 conferences!

Every fall since 2010, public school parents and community leaders in each borough have flocked to five Saturday conferences, courtesy of the UFT. This year, the borough-specific events had an especially festive atmosphere as they marked their 10th anniversary.

From 1997 until 2009, the UFT held one citywide conference. The change to five borough events provided “the opportunity to engage folks in the very communities we serve,” said Nicholas Cruz, the UFT director of community and parent engagement. “In the span of six or eight weeks, we reach more than 3,000 parents, educators and community-based organizations. With those numbers, with that reach, we can have an impact on communities; we can have an impact on legislation.”

Queens parents check in at their conference.
Erica Berger

Queens parents check in at their conference.

Twenty-two years after the first UFT parent conference, these events still help parents harness their power to improve public schools for their children. And the local conferences are better able to serve the unique needs of parents in each borough.
“Each conference has its own style,” said Celia Green, a Brooklyn parent who attends and helps plan conferences in Manhattan, Queens and Brooklyn. “In all cases, it’s a team effort.”

The first conference this year was for Manhattan parents. Held on Oct. 26 at UFT headquarters, it featured 16 workshops and, for the first time, a Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) fair for middle and high school students — one example of how the event evolves every year. Green said the conference was full of “excellent presenters, engaged audiences and really knowledgeable people.”

Queens parents check in at their conference.
Erica Berger

Participants learn about sugar content in drinks at the Bronx conference

The Staten Island parent conference at IS 2 on Nov. 2 featured games, music and activities for the kids. For the grownups, there were workshops in English and Spanish about parent advocacy, communication, self-care and more. Fredey Rodriguez, who was attending his third parent conference, encouraged other parents to participate. With the “right information” — which parents may struggle to get from their children’s schools, but can get easily from the UFT, Rodriguez said — “we can make sure our ideas become actions.”

A week later and 30 miles north, the Bronx parent conference welcomed more than 300 parents to the UFT’s borough office. In two of the seven workshops offered, Amiel Lucre learned about first aid at a Stop the Bleed training and about special education mediation. Lucre said she’s been “struggling” to get her son the services he needs in school for his disability. “I’m informed about procedures, but when things go wrong, I don’t know what to do,” she said. The conference, Lucre said, is “a great resource for the Bronx community” and showed her “the next step to take.”

The next Saturday, Nov. 16, more than 400 parents gathered at P 140 in Brooklyn, where the planning committee put together a carnival-themed event complete with lively student performances, a photo booth and makeovers by cosmetology students. There was a teen summit, 21 workshops and more than 100 exhibitors. Karen Chambers, a parent volunteer, said the conference is like a “support group” for parents, who realize once they talk to each other that “they’re not the only ones facing problems” in schools. “There’s a lot of help out there that they don’t know about,” she said, until they come to the conference.

Parents take a workshop titled Steering Your Students Toward Success
Erica Berger

Parents take a workshop titled Steering Your Students Toward Success at the Staten Island conference.

The parents who attended the Queens conference on Nov. 23 at the UFT’s borough office learned about everything from school budgets to busing and specialized transportation. Tonya Williams, the mother of a 2nd-grader, said “it’s not easy to keep up” with all the things her son’s generation is dealing with, such as new technology and the Next Generation Learning Standards. But because the UFT offers “so much information” with “no shame or judgment,” Williams said, she can do her part to help her son.

As the parent conferences grow stronger each year, so does the partnership among parents, educators and the union in their work to support public schools.

“Parents are with the UFT because of the bridge and guidance provided by the UFT community and parent liaisons,” said Cruz. “We have the start of a parent movement because of our parent and community power.”

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Queens Parent Conference 2019
During a workshop titled Math in Our World: Advocating for Your Child’s Mathematical Mind, presenter LeRoy Sampson (standing) shares a laugh with participants.
Erica Berger
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Queens Parent Conference 2019

Taking a selfie are (from left) Janella Hinds, the UFT vice president for academic high schools; Sean Blanks, the UFT Dial-A-Teacher coordinator; and Delci Rodriguez, the UFT Queens parent liaison, who spearheaded the conference.

Erica Berger
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Queens Parent Conference 2019
At the breakfast table before the workshops begin are (from left) Liliana Wu, Isabella Zegarra and Rawnok Rayeka, special education teachers at Brookville Center for Children’s Services.
Erica Berger
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Queens Parent Conference 2019
Amilcar Rodriguez, a Queens parent, listens to presenter Andre Peterson during the Principles for Men to Live By workshop.
Erica Berger
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Queens Parent Conference 2019
UFT Queens borough office staff take a quick photo break during a busy day running the conference.
Erica Berger
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Queens Parent Conference 2019

Amy Arundell, the UFT Queens borough representative, talks with attendees.

Erica Berger
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Queens Parent Conference 2019
Volunteers from the Chinese American Parent Student Council, led by Yen Chou (center), the organization’s president, helped make the day a success.
Erica Berger
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Queens Parent Conference 2019
Getting ready for an exciting day are (from left) Sandra Cauthen, a math teacher at IS 96; Shamel Lawrence, the president and Queens representative for the Citywide Council for District 75; Delci Rodriguez, the UFT parent liaison; Patrick Rahamatulla, a district advocate; and Andre Peterson, a presenter at the conference.
Erica Berger
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Queens Parent Conference 2019
Conference attendees peruse tables full of resources for Queens parents.
Erica Berger
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Queens Parent Conference 2019
During a workshop titled Math in Our World: Advocating for Your Child’s Mathematical Mind, presenter LeRoy Sampson (standing) shares a laugh with participants.
Erica Berger
Image
Queens Parent Conference 2019

Taking a selfie are (from left) Janella Hinds, the UFT vice president for academic high schools; Sean Blanks, the UFT Dial-A-Teacher coordinator; and Delci Rodriguez, the UFT Queens parent liaison, who spearheaded the conference.

Erica Berger
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Queens Parent Conference 2019
At the breakfast table before the workshops begin are (from left) Liliana Wu, Isabella Zegarra and Rawnok Rayeka, special education teachers at Brookville Center for Children’s Services.
Erica Berger
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Queens Parent Conference 2019
Amilcar Rodriguez, a Queens parent, listens to presenter Andre Peterson during the Principles for Men to Live By workshop.
Erica Berger
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Queens Parent Conference 2019
UFT Queens borough office staff take a quick photo break during a busy day running the conference.
Erica Berger
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Queens Parent Conference 2019

Amy Arundell, the UFT Queens borough representative, talks with attendees.

Erica Berger
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Queens Parent Conference 2019
Volunteers from the Chinese American Parent Student Council, led by Yen Chou (center), the organization’s president, helped make the day a success.
Erica Berger
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Queens Parent Conference 2019
Getting ready for an exciting day are (from left) Sandra Cauthen, a math teacher at IS 96; Shamel Lawrence, the president and Queens representative for the Citywide Council for District 75; Delci Rodriguez, the UFT parent liaison; Patrick Rahamatulla, a district advocate; and Andre Peterson, a presenter at the conference.
Erica Berger
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Queens Parent Conference 2019
Conference attendees peruse tables full of resources for Queens parents.
Erica Berger
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Manhattan Parent Conf 2019

Laurdes Lebron (center), a UFT Manhattan parent outreach committee member, teaches CPR to participants in her workshop.

Erica Berger
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Manhattan Parent Conf 2019

An attentive crowd takes notes during lunch.

Erica Berger
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Manhattan Parent Conf 2019

Rob Robinson, the UFT Manhattan parent-community liaison and conference organizer, addresses the group.

Erica Berger
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Manhattan Parent Conf 2019

Workshop presenter Denisha McPherson tells parents about different college financing options.

Erica Berger
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Manhattan Parent Conf 2019

Parents listen to comments about the Next Generation Learning Standards during a workshop titled How to Raise Brilliant Children.

Erica Berger
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Manhattan Parent Conf 2019

Listening to UFT representative Adhim DeVeaux present a workshop titled End Bullying Now are public school parents Cassandra Williams (left) and Bernadette Seda.

Erica Berger
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Manhattan Parent Conf 2019

UFT Staff Director LeRoy Barr delivers the keynote speech.

Erica Berger
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Manhattan Parent Conf 2019

Every participant went home with a bag full of resources.

Erica Berger
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Manhattan Parent Conf 2019

Laurdes Lebron (center), a UFT Manhattan parent outreach committee member, teaches CPR to participants in her workshop.

Erica Berger
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Manhattan Parent Conf 2019

An attentive crowd takes notes during lunch.

Erica Berger
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Manhattan Parent Conf 2019

Rob Robinson, the UFT Manhattan parent-community liaison and conference organizer, addresses the group.

Erica Berger
Image
Manhattan Parent Conf 2019

Workshop presenter Denisha McPherson tells parents about different college financing options.

Erica Berger
Image
Manhattan Parent Conf 2019

Parents listen to comments about the Next Generation Learning Standards during a workshop titled How to Raise Brilliant Children.

Erica Berger
Image
Manhattan Parent Conf 2019

Listening to UFT representative Adhim DeVeaux present a workshop titled End Bullying Now are public school parents Cassandra Williams (left) and Bernadette Seda.

Erica Berger
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Manhattan Parent Conf 2019

UFT Staff Director LeRoy Barr delivers the keynote speech.

Erica Berger
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Manhattan Parent Conf 2019

Every participant went home with a bag full of resources.

Erica Berger
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Bronx Parent Conference 2019

Participating in an interactive workshop titled Rethink Your Drink are Lorna Eubanks (left), a paraprofessional at PS 596 in the Bronx, and Angelique Perez, a paraprofessional at P168 in the Bronx.

Erica Berger
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Bronx Parent Conference 2019

Sharon Anderson, the UFT’s Bronx paraprofessionals representative, welcomes Bronx parent Constance Asiedu at the conference check-in.

Erica Berger
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Bronx Parent Conference 2019

Sean Blanks (seated), the UFT Dial-A-Teacher project coordinator, hands out swag and tells parents about the UFT’s free homework help hotline.

Erica Berger
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Bronx Parent Conference 2019

Bronx parent Beatrice Rodriguez-Falu gets ready for the conference’s activities for grownups, while her daughter gets ready for the conference’s activities for kids.

Erica Berger
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Bronx Parent Conference 2019

Nicholas Cruz, the UFT director of community and parent engagement, speaks to the conference attendees.

Erica Berger
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Bronx Parent Conference 2019

Margarita Martinez (center), Amiel Lucre (right) and Amiel’s daughter listen to the presenter from IncludeNYC during a workshop about special education mediation.

Erica Berger
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Bronx Parent Conference 2019

In a workshop from the Hey There Beautiful Foundation, Eva Daniel, a Bronx parent who is part of the conference planning committee, participates in a trust exercise while Bronx student Nancy Nessim leads her through the crowd.

Erica Berger
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Bronx Parent Conference 2019

During the Rethink Your Drink workshop, participants measure out the amount of sugar in different beverages.

Erica Berger
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Bronx Parent Conference 2019

LadyPamela Damon, the CEO of Talitha Cumi Urban Etiquette and Leadership Academy, talks to participants about a program for young women called SWAGG (Sophisticated, Wise, Accomplished, Graceful Girlz).

Erica Berger
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Bronx Parent Conference 2019

Participating in an interactive workshop titled Rethink Your Drink are Lorna Eubanks (left), a paraprofessional at PS 596 in the Bronx, and Angelique Perez, a paraprofessional at P168 in the Bronx.

Erica Berger
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Bronx Parent Conference 2019

Sharon Anderson, the UFT’s Bronx paraprofessionals representative, welcomes Bronx parent Constance Asiedu at the conference check-in.

Erica Berger
Image
Bronx Parent Conference 2019

Sean Blanks (seated), the UFT Dial-A-Teacher project coordinator, hands out swag and tells parents about the UFT’s free homework help hotline.

Erica Berger
Image
Bronx Parent Conference 2019

Bronx parent Beatrice Rodriguez-Falu gets ready for the conference’s activities for grownups, while her daughter gets ready for the conference’s activities for kids.

Erica Berger
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Bronx Parent Conference 2019

Nicholas Cruz, the UFT director of community and parent engagement, speaks to the conference attendees.

Erica Berger
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Bronx Parent Conference 2019

Margarita Martinez (center), Amiel Lucre (right) and Amiel’s daughter listen to the presenter from IncludeNYC during a workshop about special education mediation.

Erica Berger
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Bronx Parent Conference 2019

In a workshop from the Hey There Beautiful Foundation, Eva Daniel, a Bronx parent who is part of the conference planning committee, participates in a trust exercise while Bronx student Nancy Nessim leads her through the crowd.

Erica Berger
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Bronx Parent Conference 2019

During the Rethink Your Drink workshop, participants measure out the amount of sugar in different beverages.

Erica Berger
Image
Bronx Parent Conference 2019

LadyPamela Damon, the CEO of Talitha Cumi Urban Etiquette and Leadership Academy, talks to participants about a program for young women called SWAGG (Sophisticated, Wise, Accomplished, Graceful Girlz).

Erica Berger
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Two women working with kids on project

Carolina Mendez (seated, center) and her children work on an art project with the help of instructor Melanie Sepulveda, a teacher at IS 27.

Erica Berger
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Mother holding child in her arms

Listening to a presentation titled Steering Your Students Toward Success is Fidelfa Zosasas and her daughter.

Erica Berger
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Three women and one man in school hallway talking
Chatting between workshops are (from left) Analia Gerard, the UFT Staten Island borough representative; Marie Rodriguez, the UFT parent and community liaison for Staten Island, who spearheaded the conference planning; Toni Bennett, the parent coordinator at IS 2; and Nicholas Cruz, the UFT director of community and parent engagement.
Erica Berger
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People seated in a classroom with teacher standing
Steering Your Students Toward Success workshop facilitator Patrice Buffalo (standing, left) listens to a parent’s question.
Erica Berger
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Two women talk to each other from across a table

Julia Luppino (left), who presented on behalf of Parent to Parent of New York State about state resources for people with developmental disabilities, speaks with Lucia Curatolo-Boylan, a PS 9 parent.

Erica Berger
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Woman speaks in front of crowd of people seated
Vincenza Gallissio, the District 31 superintendent, introduces a panel in the auditorium.
Erica Berger
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Woman sits in auditorium with sleep child in stroller
Claudia Galindo, a PS 20 parent, listens to a panel while her child naps.
Erica Berger
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Three women on stage, one speaking into microphone
Speakers from My Sister’s Keeper, an organization dedicated to closing opportunity gaps for students, address the group.
Erica Berger
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Man receiving a shot by nurse
Nicholas Cruz, the UFT director of community and parent engagement, was among the many conference attendees who got a flu shot on site.
Erica Berger
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Next
Image
Two women working with kids on project

Carolina Mendez (seated, center) and her children work on an art project with the help of instructor Melanie Sepulveda, a teacher at IS 27.

Erica Berger
Image
Mother holding child in her arms

Listening to a presentation titled Steering Your Students Toward Success is Fidelfa Zosasas and her daughter.

Erica Berger
Image
Three women and one man in school hallway talking
Chatting between workshops are (from left) Analia Gerard, the UFT Staten Island borough representative; Marie Rodriguez, the UFT parent and community liaison for Staten Island, who spearheaded the conference planning; Toni Bennett, the parent coordinator at IS 2; and Nicholas Cruz, the UFT director of community and parent engagement.
Erica Berger
Image
People seated in a classroom with teacher standing
Steering Your Students Toward Success workshop facilitator Patrice Buffalo (standing, left) listens to a parent’s question.
Erica Berger
Image
Two women talk to each other from across a table

Julia Luppino (left), who presented on behalf of Parent to Parent of New York State about state resources for people with developmental disabilities, speaks with Lucia Curatolo-Boylan, a PS 9 parent.

Erica Berger
Image
Woman speaks in front of crowd of people seated
Vincenza Gallissio, the District 31 superintendent, introduces a panel in the auditorium.
Erica Berger
Image
Woman sits in auditorium with sleep child in stroller
Claudia Galindo, a PS 20 parent, listens to a panel while her child naps.
Erica Berger
Image
Three women on stage, one speaking into microphone
Speakers from My Sister’s Keeper, an organization dedicated to closing opportunity gaps for students, address the group.
Erica Berger
Image
Man receiving a shot by nurse
Nicholas Cruz, the UFT director of community and parent engagement, was among the many conference attendees who got a flu shot on site.
Erica Berger