Countdown to the UFT Manhattan parent conference: 26 days!

Dear parents, grandparents, guardians and education activists,

We're looking forward to a wonderful fall parent conference on Saturday, Oct. 21 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at UFT headquarters, 52 Broadway.

With 16 workshop selections that touch almost every area of family and community, 14 special exhibitors and 20 scholarship organizations in our first-ever Manhattan parent conference scholarship fair, this is not an event to miss.

Register now »

This is a free event. The conference is adults-only, and unfortunately childcare is not available. Be sure to register soon, as workshop choices are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

If you are a parent coordinator or Parent-Teacher Association member or serve in any parent-engagement capacity, please help us get the word out! Fliers are available in English, Spanish and Mandarin. There is also a print-out registration brochure for parents without ready access to the internet. Versions of the registration brochure in Spanish and Mandarin are being produced right now and will be available soon.

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

Sincerely,

Rob Robinson
UFT Parent-Community Liaison

Upcoming events

• 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 »

• Friday, Sept. 29: Come to a free college fair at the New York Public Library, 476 Fifth Ave. in Manhattan, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. There will be representatives from colleges and universities, plus community organizations will be there to share information and resources about applying for financial aid. 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 »

• 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 are 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 »