Dear parents, grandparents and education activists,

I hope your family has a wonderful spring break next week.

The UFT will host our Be BRAVE Against Bullying Conference from 4 to 7:30 p.m. on Friday, May 6 at UFT headquarters, 52 Broadway on the second floor. This is a great chance to learn about organizations that know how to stop bullying and speak with anti-bullying advocates, vendors and allies. We will also feature our student video awards ceremony highlighting student efforts to create welcoming and inclusive school environments. I hope you can join us!

RSVP online now »

I also want to remind you about an information session about Staten Island middle schools on May 3. If your child is in fourth or fifth grade, your family is invited.

• Date: Tuesday, May 3
• Time: 7 p.m.
• Location: IS 72 at 33 Ferndale Ave. in Staten Island. Directions »

Representatives from 31 I.D.E.A.L. (Information Dealing with Education and Learning) and Staten Island intermediate schools will debunk the myths of the middle school years and discuss the real experiences our students will encounter. Refreshments will be served. RSVP by emailing theneeze83@gmail.com or calling me at 917-692-6793. See the flier »

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, we'll even send a text message that links to a copy of your newsletter you can easily read on your mobile phone.

Enjoy the events, resources and news below.

Sincerely,

Joan McKeever-Thomas
UFT Parent-Community Liaison

Upcoming events

• 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 »

• Friday, April 29: The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene will host a workshop about autism across the lifespan for grandparents of people with autism from 10 a.m. to noon at 15 Beach St. in Staten Island in the fifth floor conference room. Please RSVP by contacting Rosemarie Stavola at rstavola@eden2.org or 718-816-1422, ext. 1027. For more details, see the flier »

• Saturday, April 30: Come to a free Brooklyn college expo from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at St. John's Recreation Center, 1251 Prospect Place between Schenectady and Troy Aves. Learn about scholarships and admissions for CUNY, SUNY and more colleges and universities. See the flier »

• Tuesday, May 3: Come to an information session about free English classes at Great Kills Library, 56 Giffords Lane in Staten Island at noon. In order to register for English classes, you must attend an information session. This will be the last information session this spring. See the flier »

• Thursday, May 5: Parents of children and adults with autism are invited to a workshop about parental advocacy in residential settings from 10 a.m. to noon at 15 Beach St. in Staten Island on the fifth floor. This workshop is offered by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. Please RSVP by April 29 by contacting Rosemarie Stavola at rstavola@eden2.org or 718-816-1422, ext. 1027. For more details, see the flier »

• Tuesday, May 17: Come to a Borough of Manhattan Community College open house to learn about all the college's educational programs, including allied health, emergency management, media arts and more. This free orientation will run from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at 25 Broadway on the 8th floor. A light breakfast will be served. Register online now »

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 »

• Guidance on Parent Association/Parent-Teacher Association (PA/PTA) elections: The Department of Education recently held a training for PA/PTA Presidents' Council members about spring PA/PTA elections. The materials from this presentation are available for you to see. Download a flier of myths and facts, a copy of the PowerPoint presentation about PA/PTA elections, and an overview of PA/PTA elections.

• 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 it is doing to prevent 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 and low-cost summer camps and programs

• Free academic summer programs and after-school programs: Inside Schools has gathered a list of free summer and after-school programs with an academic focus, sorted by subject. See the list of free programs at InsideSchools.org »

• 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 »

• 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 »

• 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 »