Dear parents, grandparents and education activists,

I'm excited to invite you to this year's UFT Bronx parent conference on Nov. 12 at the UFT Bronx borough office. Preregistration is required.

• Date: Saturday, Nov. 12
• Time: 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Location: UFT Bronx borough office at 2500 Halsey St. Directions »

You'll have the opportunity to attend two workshops from 10 offerings on topics ranging from career and technical education to understanding finances and so much more. Spanish translation assistance is available.

Download the brochure in English and Spanish »

There will also be breakfast, lunch and an address from our keynote speaker, Chancellor Carmen Fariña. I hope to see you there!

Check out more upcoming events and news you can use below.

Sincerely,

Nicholas Cruz
UFT Parent-Community Liaison

Upcoming events

• Saturday, Oct. 8: Come see the 5th biannual exhibition of Latin American artists of the Bronx between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. at the Poe Park Visitor Center in the Bronx. This art exhibition is one of many free and low-cost events happening in NYC parks every day. For a full listing of events in Bronx parks, visit the NYC Department of Parks and Recreation website »

• Monday, Oct. 10: The Department of Parks and Recreation invites Bronx families to Columbus Day canoeing with the Harlem River Working Group from noon to 4 p.m. at Roberto Clemente State Park. No experience is necessary to explore the Harlem River in beautiful wooden canoes. For more information and to register, see the event listing »

• Friday, Oct. 14: The Department of Education invites English language learner middle school students and their families to its College Access for All Conference for middle schools from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at Tweed Courthouse, 52 Chambers St. in downtown Manhattan. There will be workshops about life planning after high school as well as activities and games. Interpretation services and child care are available. RSVP online now »

• Saturday, Oct. 15: Come to a UFT First Book giveaway from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the UFT Bronx borough office, 2500 Halsey St. We will be handing out 40,000 books while supplies last to anyone who registers in advance with First Book. Books are available on a first-come, first-served basis, so arrive early and bring bags to carry your books home. To register, you must print, fill out and mail in the First Book registration form. If you have any questions, contact me at ncruz@uft.org. Download the flier and First Book registration form in English » and in Spanish »

• Monday, Oct. 31: Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. invites Bronx families to the annual Pumpkinfest Halloween Spooktacular event from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Claremont Neighborhood Center, 489 E. 169th St. There will be popcorn, cotton candy, pumpkin decorating and more. Children should be accompanied by an adult. See the flier »

• Wednesday, Nov. 2: United Cerebral Palsy of New York will hold a workshop about special education mediation from 10 a.m. to noon at 1770 Stillwell Ave. in the Bronx. Parents of children with disabilities are invited to attend for information about how to mediate conflicts within the public education system about your child's special education services. This is one of four free workshops that United Cerebral Palsy will hold throughout the city this fall. For more details, see the flier in English and Spanish »

• Thursday, Nov. 17: The Apollo Theater invites students to Ballet Hispanico's Performances for Young People at 10:15 a.m. and again at 11:45 a.m. This 45-minute performance is a guided journey through Latin American dance and music. Tickets are only $8. Teachers, parents and students interested in attending should email kkelley@ballethispanico.org. For more details, see the website »

• Saturday, Nov. 19: The Department of Education invites you to its Spanish language conference at Monroe College in the Bronx from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. This conference is a chance for Spanish-speaking families to learn about English as a second language services and more at workshops presented in Spanish. See the flier »

News you can use

• NALEO is seeking entry-level canvassers: The National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials is hiring part-time and temporary election field and phone canvassers in New York. These are entry-level positions, but they require fluency in both English and Spanish. For more information, see the job postings for field canvassers » and phone canvassers »

• Donate new coats or winter clothing to homeless students: The UFT Coalition for the Homeless is collecting new winter coats and other winter clothing for our city's homeless students until Nov. 15. You can bring your donations to UFT headquarters at 52 Broadway in Manhattan, the UFT Bronx borough office at 2500 Halsey St. or the UFT chapter leader at your child's school. Download the flier »

• Register to vote by Oct. 14: Friday, Oct. 14 is the last day to register to vote in the Nov. 8 general election. Find out whether you're registered, where your polling place is, who's on the ballot in New York and more by visiting Voting.NYC »