Dear parents, grandparents and education activists,

I would like to wish you and all the parents, grandparents and guardians of Staten Island a joyous and healthy holiday season and a happy New Year. May 2017 be a wonderful, educational experience for all of your families!

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

Sincerely,

Joan McKeever-Thomas
UFT Parent-Community Liaison

Upcoming events

• Thursday, Dec. 29: Mariners Harbor Library invites families to a holiday cookie decorating event at 1 p.m. The library is located at 206 South Ave. on Staten Island. Mariners Harbor Library hosts free community events all the time. To see what other exciting things are happening at the library, check its website calendar »

• Tuesday, Jan. 3: Staten Island University Hospital and City Harvest invite families eligible for City Harvest's Mobile Market program to a workshop about healthy lifestyles, including cancer prevention and healthy aging from 9 a.m. to noon at the Stapleton Houses Courtyard, 75 Hill St. This is just one of nine free events the hospital will hold throughout Staten Island in January. For more details, see the calendar »
  
  Staten Island University Hospital also will host support groups on Staten Island throughout January 2017. The support groups include Alcoholics Anonymous, an Alzheimer's support group and more. Download the schedule »

• Tuesday, Jan. 17: The UFT is partnering with Parent to Parent of New York, Inc. to host a focus group for grandparents from 10 a.m. to noon at the UFT's Staten Island borough office, 4456 Amboy Road. Grandparents who care for their grandchildren are invited to discuss educational issues. RSVP to me at jmckt@uft.org. See the flier »

• Tuesday, Jan. 17: The Early Childhood Direction Center of Staten Island invites families to a workshop about the transition into kindergarten for children with special needs at 7 p.m. at the First Foot Forward program of the Jewish Community Center. For more information and to register, call 718-226-6670 or email SIUHH_ECDC@northwell.edu.

News you can use

• Early intervention services on Staten Island: Los Niños Services of Staten Island offers early intervention services, including at-home services, to children with disabilities. Find out more »

• Free pharmacy technician training program for unemployed youth: Anyone who lives in a New York City borough, is between the ages of 18 and 24, and is neither employed nor in school is eligible for Ready, a free career advancement program this spring. Ready participants will be part of a nine-week training program that includes evening classes and 120 "externship" hours. This program is offered through the College of Staten Island and the city department of Youth and Community Development. Space is limited. To apply, contact Emanuel Bloomfield at 718-313-0846 or emanuel.boomfield@csi.cuny.edu.

• Apply for a UFT Albert Shanker Scholarship award: Every year, the UFT awards nearly $1 million in undergraduate and graduate scholarships to academically excellent and financially eligible students from New York City schools. The application deadline is Jan. 31. Find out more and download the application materials on the UFT website »

• 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 »