Dear parents, grandparents and education activists,

We had a wonderful Staten Island parent conference this past weekend. Nearly 200 Staten Island parents and education activists gathered to network and attend informative workshops. Thank you to everyone who made the conference such a success. See more photos from the conference »

I want to remind you to sign up for UFT text messages by texting the word "PARENT" to 30644. We'll send you updates about things like school closings and delays. We'll also send you a copy of this newsletter that you can easily read on your mobile phone. You can also sign up for text messaging using this online form »

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

Sincerely,

Joan McKeever-Thomas
UFT Parent-Community Liaison

Upcoming events

• Saturday, Oct. 29: The NYC Parks Department invites you to volunteer for a day of service projects at Wolfes Pond Park in Staten Island from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. as part of the stewardship program. Volunteers should meet at the corner of Chisholm and Eylandt streets. For more details, contact Dawson Smith at 917-885-5843 or dawson@nycmtb.com. Or, see the flier »

• Saturday, Oct. 29 and Sunday, Oct. 30: Ocean Breeze Park in Staten Island invites families to "Haunted Trails" Halloween walks all Halloween weekend. There will be a half-mile Haunted Trail walk from 6:30 to 9 p.m. both nights which will be a scary attraction. Stop by from 1 to 3 p.m. on Sunday for a more child-friendly walk. Costumes are encouraged. These activities are free. See the event listing »

• Sunday, Oct. 30: The Lower East Side Ecology Center will host a free seed bomb workshop from 1 to 3:30 p.m. at The Lowline, 140 Essex St. in Manhattan. Learn about the soil nutrient cycle and composting, then make wildflower seed bombs. RSVP online now »

• Wednesday, Nov. 2: Come to a free workshop about improving communication skills in early childhood for parents and caregivers. This workshop will run from 7 to 9 p.m. at Castleton Hill Moravian Church Preschool at 1657 Victory Blvd. on Staten Island. Registration begins at 6:30 p.m. For more information or to RSVP, call 718-226-6670 or email dreig@northwell.edu. See the flier »
  
  The same workshop will be offered on Tuesday, Nov. 22 at Zion Lutheran Preschool at 505 Watchogue Road on Staten Island. See the flier »

• Sunday, Nov. 6: The NYC Parks Department invites you to volunteer planting trees in Conference House Park as part of the stewardship program. This is a great chance to get exercise and fresh air while supporting green spaces in your community. For more information and to sign up, email joseph.homsey@parks.nyc.gov. See the flier »

• Saturday, Nov. 12: Me 'N' My Dad invites Staten Island fathers and their kids to a free kick off event with music, activities and more from 3 to 6 p.m. at 1781 South Ave. on Staten Island. All children must be accompanied by an adult. Single mothers and their children are welcome. See the event listing »

• Sunday, Nov. 13: Staten Island Community Organizations Active in Disaster invites families to its 1st Annual Family Ready Day from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Joan and Alan Bernikow Jewish Community Center, 1466 Manor Road on Staten Island. There will be a blood drive, face painting for the kids, workshops on CPR and more. This is a free event. For more information, contact Laura Del Prete-Conde at 718-355-6229 or ldelprete@sinfpa.org. Or, see the flier »

• Monday, Nov. 14: Bait-Ul Jamaat invites women to receive free mammogram screenings between 9:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. at the Richmond Gardens parking lot on Jersey Street on Staten Island. If you are over the age of 40 and have not had a mammogram in the past 12 months, you're eligible for a free screening. To make an appointment, call 917-636-0346 or email baituljamaat@gmail.com. Mammograms detect early signs of breast cancer and save lives. See the flier »

• Monday, Nov. 14: Parent to Parent of New York, Inc. invites parents of children with disabilities to a free information session about special education mediation from 10 a.m. to noon at 1050 Forest Hill Road on Staten Island. Learn tools for effective communication and meet representatives from organizations that assist parents and schools with communication issues. See the flier »

• Sunday, Dec. 4: The College of Staten Island invites high school students with disabilities to a college tour and information session from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 2800 Victory Blvd. on Staten Island. Learn about the support services available at the College of Staten Island. To RSVP, call 718-494-4872 or email SIPTP@aol.com. See the flier »

News you can use

• Free career advancement program in Staten Island for young adults: Young adults between the ages of 16 and 24 who are not working or enrolled in school are eligible for Career Matters. This program offers a scholarship to a CUNY Advanced Training Program, a paid internship, job placement assistance and more. To enroll, you can attend an orientation at 26 Bay St. on Staten Island. They're held every Monday and Tuesday at 10 a.m. For more information, email careermatters@grantassociatesinc.com or see the flier »

• Don't miss these November grant application deadlines: There are two great community project grants with deadlines at the beginning of November. See if they can help you with a project in your neighborhood.
  
  Grow to Learn Mini-Grant — Apply by Nov. 4: NYC public and charter schools may apply for between $500 and $2,000 to build or expand a school garden. Learn more and apply »
  
  Love Your Block Grant — Apply by Nov. 6: Resident-led volunteer groups may apply for up to $1,000 and city services for projects that will improve your block. Learn more and apply »

• Scholarship opportunity for high school students: Students in grades 9 through 12 are invited to enter the Voices of Democracy essay contest for a $5,000 college scholarship. Entries are due by Nov. 1. For more details, see the rules and eligibility » and download the application »

• Enter the "Doodle 4 Google" student art contest: Google invites K-12 students to submit their art to the "Doodle 4 Google" contest before the deadline of Dec. 2. The winner's art work will be featured on the front page of Google, and prizes include college scholarships and an Android tablet. Visit the website »