Dear parents, grandparents and education activists,

As many of you know, I'm leaving the UFT at the end of this month to do organizing work with low-wage workers at 32BJ SEIU, the union of service workers. This will be the last newsletter you receive from me, but they'll continue to be sent out by whoever takes over my position.

It has been a privilege to work with all of you for 15 years. You are such a hardworking and committed group, dedicated to improving public education and supporting your children. Given the new presidential administration, we have difficult battles ahead. As you know, there will be a push to dismantle public education, the health care that millions of Americans receive through the Affordable Care Act, unions, supports for public housing and immigrants, and more. We will have to be united in the continued fight for social and economic justice.

I wish you a happy and healthy holiday season.

Sincerely,

Francine Streich
UFT Parent-Community Liaison

Upcoming events

• Wednesday, Jan. 18: You are invited to attend and submit testimony to a Panel for Educational Policy meeting at 6 p.m. at the Taft Educational Campus, 240 E. 172nd St. in the Bronx. Testimony will be accepted until Jan. 17 at 6 p.m. To read the proposals the panel will vote on, visit the Department of Education website »

• Friday, Jan. 27, and Saturday, Jan. 28: Sportsnet New York, The Mets and other sponsors invite families to the annual SNY invitational high school basketball tournament on Jan. 27 at 6 p.m. and Jan. 28 at 2 p.m. at the City College of New York Nat Holman Gymnasium in Harlem. Tickets are free. Register now »

• Saturday, Jan. 28: The District 5 Community Education Council and Community School invite families to a "Pathways to College and Careers" event from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Frederick Douglass Academy, 2581 Seventh Ave. There will be workshops about financial aid, admissions and more. Child care and refreshments will be provided. Register online now »

• Saturday, Jan. 28: IncludeNYC invites families of children with disabilities to a free summer camp fair for young people with disabilities from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Hotel Pennsylvania, 402 Seventh Ave. on the 18th floor. Translation will be available in Spanish, Chinese and American Sign Language. See the event listing »

News

• The Alliance for Quality Education calls for a halt to Success Academy funding after alarming audit findings: A recent audit of Success Academy Charter Schools found that the network used money meant for children's education in the management budget, failed to maintain adequate systems of accountability, billed the city Department of Education for special education services that were never rendered to students and more. In the wake of the shocking findings, the Alliance for Quality Education is calling for a halt to Success Academy funding. Read more »

• Puerto Rican activists calling for removal of fiscal control board members: Two members of Puerto Rico's fiscal control board were found to have boosted bank profits at the expense of the island's financial health. Activists who are upset about the role this played in worsening Puerto Rico's debt crisis are calling for the control board members' removal. Read the story from the Huffington Post »

• Trump sold his stocks, but not the money he has invested in hedge funds: President-elect Donald Trump sold his stocks out of concern for conflicts of interest. The millions of dollars he has invested in hedge funds, however, remain unaccounted for. Read the story from CNN Money »

Opportunities

• Black History Month essay contest for students in grades 2 through 10: The Association of Black Educators of New York invites New York City public school students to enter its Black History Month essay contest. This year's topic is "The Civil Rights Movement and Its Impact on American Life." Winners will receive a $25 Barnes and Noble gift card and will be awarded a certificate at a celebration in Brooklyn on Feb. 4. The deadline for entries is Jan. 6. For full instructions, download an information sheet »

• Art and movement classes for kids with disabilities in Brooklyn and Queens: Extreme Kids and Crew offers dance, art and movement classes for kids with special needs out of its Ridgewood, Queens, and Red Hook, Brooklyn, locations. Many classes are pay-what-you-can admission. Winter classes start on Jan. 7. For more information, see the website »

• The Center for Anti-Violence Education is hiring: The Center for Anti-Violence Education, a nonprofit that develops and implements violence prevention programs in Brooklyn, is hiring a deputy director. See the job listing »

• Apply to join a Manhattan Community Board: Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer is accepting applications for new members on Manhattan's 12 community boards. Applications will be accepted until Feb. 3. Apply online now »

Resources

• Grant-writing resources: If you are interested in learning how to write grant proposals for your parent-teacher association, community group or job, then check out this list of resources about grant-writing »

• Holiday safety tips: The New York City Poison Control Center has published a list of safety tips and resources for the holiday season. Read it now »