Dear parents, grandparents, guardians and education activists,

It’s going to be a fabulous year filled with challenges, excitement and learning opportunities.

A secretary of education who is an enemy of public education, an administration with anti-immigrant policies, and other challenges mean our work is cut out for us this school year. With your continued support, the UFT is committed to facing these challenges along with our allies.

One of our highest priorities is to support and empower parents by providing them with the best resources available. I will keep in contact with you throughout the year through this newsletter and in person to tell you about community and educational opportunities.

I hope you will take the time to attend any of our free UFT parent conferences throughout the boroughs. They all promise to be wonderful days of learning, connecting and finding valuable resources for your community and family. The Bronx conference will be on Saturday, Nov. 18, from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the UFT Bronx borough office, 2500 Halsey St. I'll be in touch soon with registration information. In the meantime, you can download and distribute the flier in English and Spanish » and check out the rest of the borough parent conferences on the UFT calendar »

You're welcome to reach out to me any time for support. Email me at ncruz@uft.org or call me at 718-379-6200. I'd love to come to your Bronx parent-teacher association or Community Education Council meeting so we can discuss new ways to support our New York City public school children.

Thank you for the wonderful work you do. Have an awesome year!

Sincerely,

Nicholas Cruz
UFT Parent-Community Liaison

Upcoming events

• Saturday, Sept. 16: You're invited to a health and wellness family fun day at the Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. State Office Building, 163 W. 125th St. in Harlem, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. There will be musical performances, free massages, activities for kids and medical screenings. See the flier in English and Spanish »

• Monday, Sept. 18: Come to a free lecture about the political climate, Latino issues and strategies for resistance at Hostos Community College, 500 Grand Concourse in the Bronx, room B-501, from 12:30 to 2 p.m. This lecture will be presented in both English and Spanish.
  
  The lecture is one in a series of events that Hostos Community College will hold as part of Latino Heritage Month. The college will have free events that are open to the public through September and into October, including film screenings, lectures and more. See the full schedule in English and Spanish »

• Wednesday, Sept. 27: High school students are invited to a free New York City Performing and Visual Arts College Fair from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center at 655 W. 34th St. in Manhattan. Registration is required. For more information and to register, visit the website »

• Saturday, Sept. 30: Community School District 12 invites families to a fall harvest festival and resource fair from 12 to 3 p.m. at PS 6 at 1000 E. Tremont Ave. in the Bronx. Learn about the schools in District 12, resources and community representatives while enjoying games, raffles and family activities. See the flier in English and Spanish »

• Saturday, Oct. 7: Come to a free college fair for elementary, middle and high school students and their parents at 177 Dreiser Loop in the Bronx. There will be activities for students in 3rd to 6th grade from 9 a.m. to noon, speakers on the field of aeronautics at 11 a.m., meetings with professionals and college representatives for middle and high school students from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m., and financial aid workshops for parents from 4 to 6 p.m. See the flier »

• Saturday, Oct. 14: Come to the annual Festival of Books/El Festival Del Libro at 6 p.m. at PS 109, 215 E. 99th St. in Manhattan. Families and Latino writers are invited to network, learn about new bilingual literature, attend panels and discussions and win free books. Learn more and register »

News you can use

• Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) fact sheet: Many families are rightfully worried about changes in policy that will affect undocumented immigrants. If you're concerned about how changes to DACA could affect you or your loved ones, check out this fact sheet in English » and in Spanish »
  
  The American Federation of Teachers also published a DACA update for educators »

• Free softball and baseball training: Turtle Cove Golf Center's batting cages will provide free training from licensed instructors to players of all ages and skill levels this fall. Classes will be offered every Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to noon at 1 City Island Road in the Bronx. For more information, call 718-885-1129 or see the flier »

• Universal free lunch starts this year: Thanks to the hard work and activism of parents, students, educators and organizations like the UFT, New York City public schools will start offering free lunch to all students this school year. Read the New York Teacher article »

• How to talk to your kids about race and racism: Border Crossers, an organization that supports educators in teaching K-12 students about race and racism, has free resources for parents on the same topic. Visit the website »

• Writing internship for teens: YCTeen Magazine is accepting applications until Friday, Sept. 29, for its fall internship program. New York City high school students between the ages of 15 and 20 are eligible. Interns will write articles for the magazine. Learn more and apply »