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Manhattan Parent Newsletter - April 8, 2016

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Dear parents, grandparents and education activists,

Thank you for your hard work this budget season lobbying legislators to fully fund public schools. Our efforts paid off when the governor and Albany lawmakers on April 1 finalized a new state budget that contained a $1.4 billion increase in state education funding, with $525 million going to New York City public schools.

We had close to 100 parent activists at our very informative grant-writing workshops this week. Thank you to those of you who attended. One great resource we learned about is the Foundation Center at 32 Old Slip in Manhattan. The Foundation Center can steer you in the direction of available grants to fund your project idea.

Visit the Foundation Center website »

Remember to sign up for UFT text messaging by texting the word "parent" to the number 30644 and answering the questions that follow. We'll alert you about school cancellations due to weather, political campaigns and breaking news. And, once a critical mass of Manhattan parents have signed up, we'll even send a text message that links to a copy of your newsletter you can easily read on your mobile phone.

Enjoy more events, resources and news below.

Sincerely,

Francine Streich
UFT Parent-Community Liaison

Upcoming events

  • Wednesday, April 13: Come to a Citywide Council on High Schols meeting with Chancellor Fariña at Tweed Courthouse, 52 Chambers St. on the second floor at 6 p.m. See the flier »
  • Saturday, April 16: Get free legal advice at a community law day from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Adam Clayton Powell State Office Building, 163 W. 125 St., sponsored by Manhattan Borough President Gail Brewer and partners. Bring your questions about criminal law, divorce, immigration, wills, landlord-tenant issues and more. To get life-planning documents, such as health care proxies or wills, bring a government-issued I.D. If you have questions, email communityservice@mbbanyc.org.
  • Saturday, April 19: ENACT invites parents to a parent advisory committee spring meeting to share resources about homework and other parenting issues. The meeting will run from noon to 3 p.m. at 630 9 Ave. To RSVP, email darci.burch@enact.org. See the flier »
  • Wednesday, April 20: The Child Welfare Program of the Manhattan Division of Child Protection will hold a child welfare roundtable from 5 to 7 p.m. at 431 W. 125 St. Bring questions about child and parent well-being. RSVP by calling 212-531-1609.
  • Wednesday, April 20: There will be a Panel for Educational Policy meeting about allocating revenue among community school districts and other budget issues from 6 to 8 p.m. at MS 131, 100 Hester St. in Manhattan. The panel will consider adding new weights to its budget formulas for English language learners. You can submit comments to this meeting by emailing budget@schools.nyc.gov. For more details, see the event listing »
  • Friday, April 22 and Saturday, April 23: The Hell's Kitchen Farm Project will hold a movie night and spring kickoff party on the weekend of Earth Day. Come to Metro Baptist Church, 410 W. 40 St., on Friday night at 6 p.m. for a reception and 7:30 p.m. for a screening of the documentary "Plant This Movie," which explores urban farming around the world and in the United States.

    Then, on Saturday, come to the kickoff party for the Hell's Kitchen Farm Project's sixth season from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The whole family is welcome to enjoy farm tours, gardening activities and refreshments. Plus, you'll have the chance to sign up as a volunteer or for the Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program. For more details, see the website »
  • Saturday, April 23: High school students are invited to a Black College Expo from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., with an after show from 3 to 5 p.m, at 94-20 Guy R. Brewer Blvd. in Jamaica, Queens. Learn about college admissions, scholarship opportunities and more. Tickets are $8. For more details and to register, see the website »
  • Thursday, April 28: If you're having trouble accessing light, heat or other utilities, come to a utility rights legal clinic sponsored by Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer and the Public Utility Law Project from 6 to 8 p.m. at 431 W. 125 St. They can help explain processes, updates and options for families who have lost their utilities or are being bullied by energy service companies into high-rate plans. There will also be a question-and-answer session.

News and Resources

  • Principals must get approval for K–3 suspensions: A footnote in the Department of Education's discipline code requires principals to seek authorization from the Office of Safety and Youth Development before suspending students in kindergarten through third grade. You can read the entire discipline code on the DOE website »
  • Schools and organizations are invited to join the Harlem Debate League: The New York City Urban Debate League's Harlem group is expanding and seeks schools and community organizations as partners in creating new middle and high school debate programs. To learn about starting a debate program, contact Meg Hess-Homeier at megan@debate.nyc or 215-300-4354. For more details about the debate league, see the flier »
  • Updates on Chancellor Fariña's education initiatives: Chancellor Carmen Fariña published an update of progress made on her education initiatives this year. To read the update, visit the DOE website »
  • Join a committee to revise state learning standards: The State Education Department needs parents to participate on committees that will review and revise our state standards for English language arts and mathematics. Parents who are selected will work on teams sorted by grade level and collaborate with educators. The application deadline is April 14. Apply online now »
  • You can track lead testing in your child's school: The Department of Education is checking the water in all schools built before 1986 for lead content. You can track the lead testing in your child's school on the DOE website »
  • Updates on the Zika virus: The New York Health Department has issued updates on the work they're doing to preven the spread of the Zika virus, which has affected some countries in Latin America and the Caribbean. Find out more »
  • Grants for physical activity in elementary schools: Do you have an idea for a program in your child's school that could help spark and sustain physical activity before, during or after the school day? GO! Grants of $1,000 and $5,000 are available to elementary schools seeking funds for equipment, facilities, professional development and other programs that increase kids' physical activity. The application deadline is June 1. Find out more »

Free summer camps and programs

  • Free sleep-away camp: The Fresh Air Fund sends low-income New York City children to sleep-away camps and to stay with host families in upstate New York free of charge. It is accepting applications for this summer now, and applications are available in English, Spanish, Bengali, Chinese, French and Korean. To learn more and apply, visit the website »
  • STEM enrichment programs for all grade levels: The Department of Education offers summer enrichment programs in science, technology, engineering and math for all grades levels. Applications are open until April 19. Visit the website »
  • Summer youth police academy: New York City children who are between the ages of 10 and 16 and attending school are welcome to apply for the New York Police Department's summer youth academy. This 6-week program, running from July 5 to Aug. 12, offers educational sessions about law, behavioral science, drug prevention and gang resistance. Students will also enjoy field trips and outdoor volunteer opportunities. There are locations in all boroughs. Lunch and transportation are included. Applications are being accepted until May 20. To learn more and apply, visit the website »
  • Summer employment for New Yorkers between 14 and 24 years old: The New York City Department of Youth and Community Development is accepting applications for its summer youth employment program. Anyone between the ages of 14 and 24 who is a New York resident is eligible to apply for a paid summer job, plus workshops about career awareness, money management and more. Applications will be accepted until April 15. Apply online now »
  • Summer internships at the NYC Department of Design and Construction: High school students over the age of 16 are invited to apply for paid, full-time summer internships at the Department of Design and Construction. Applications are due by April 15. For more information, see the flier »
  • Free summer science program for high school girls: New York University is accepting applications for GenCyber CS4CS, a free, three-week, full-day summer program for high school women. The program will focus on cyber security and computer science. Applications are due by April 27. For more information and to apply, visit the website »
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