Dear parents, grandparents, guardians and education activists,

I'm excited to see many of you at the UFT Staten Island parent conference this Saturday! There will be informative workshops, food and the chance to network with fellow parents.

• Date: Saturday, Oct. 21
• Time: 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Location: New Dorp High School at 465 New Dorp Lane on Staten Island. Directions »

If you haven't yet, register online now »

I look forward to seeing you there.

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

Sincerely,

Joan McKeever-Thomas
UFT Parent-Community Liaison

Upcoming events

• Saturday, Oct. 21: The Staten Island Alliance for North Shore Children and Families will host a Parent Empowerment and Action Meeting from 1:15 to 2:30 p.m. at Stapleton Library, 132 Canal St. Learn how to change your community. Refreshments and giveaways will be provided. See the flier in English » or in Spanish »

• Saturday, Oct. 21: Families are invited to a Pre-K For All event from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. at the St. George Library, 5 Central Ave. Learn about the benefits of pre-kindergarten and how to get your child enrolled. This will be one of several Pre-K For All events held in Staten Island libraries until the end of the month. For details, see the flier in English » or in Spanish »

• Monday, Oct. 23: There will be a conference about the intersection of domestic violence and substance abuse from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Staten Island University Hospital, 475 Seaview Ave. To RSVP, email jessica.spector@safehorizon.org. See the flier »

• Tuesday, Oct. 24: The New York Public Library will hold a Back-To-School Open House from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Port Richmond Library, 75 Bennett St. Learn about the educational resources available at the library. See the flier »

• Wednesday, Oct. 25: CARE NYC of Staten Island invites you to A Caregiver's Guide to Alzheimer's/Dementia from noon to 1:30 p.m. at the St. George Library, 5 Central Ave. Learn the basics about Alzheimer's Disease and other forms of dementia, develop your caregiver skills and more. Light refreshments will be served. To register, email carenyc@scsny.org. See the flier »

• Wednesday, Oct. 25: The next Panel for Educational Policy meeting will be at 6 p.m. at Michael J. Petrides High School, 715 Ocean Terrace. Parents are welcome. For more information about the Panel for Educational Policy, visit the Department of Education website »

• Wednesday, Oct. 25: There will be a Citywide Education Council for District 75 public hearing about busing problems from 6:30 to 9 p.m. at PS 373, 91 Henderson St. Families of children with disabilities are invited to share testimony about their busing experiences. See the flier »
  
  The Citywide Education Council for District 75 will hold another public meeting about busing on Wednesday, Nov. 15, in the same location. See the flier »

• Thursday, Oct. 26: Parent to Parent of New York State invites parents of children with developmental disabilities to a workshop on the Medicaid Waiver Program at 3:15 p.m. at Mariners Harbor Public Library, 206 South Ave. This program offers benefits to children with developmental disabilities below the age of 18 based on diagnosis, not income. Registration is required. RSVP by emailing mfadelici@ptopnys.org. See the flier »

• Friday, Oct. 27: The Staten Island Developmental Disabilities Council invites families to a Family Resource and Transition Fair from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the College of Staten Island Center for the Arts, 2800 Victory Blvd. There will be workshops and resources for families of children with disabilities and service workers. See the flier »

• Friday, Oct. 27: Come to an Overdose Prevention Training from 11 a.m. to noon at 126 Stuyvesant Place. Learn how and when to administer the life-saving antidote that can reverse the fatal effects of an opioid overdose. All participants will receive free antidote kits after completing the training. Register online now »

• Sunday, Oct. 29: The College of Staten Island invites students with disabilities to a College Information Session and Campus Tour from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. starting at college's the Center for the Arts, 2800 Victory Blvd. Learn what resources are available at the college. RSVP by calling 718-494-4872 or emailing siptp@aol.com. See the flier »

• Sunday, Oct. 29: Autism Warriors will have a Halloween party for children with autism spectrum disorders and their families from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Eve Ultra Lounge, 2354 Arthur Kill Road. To RSVP, email autismwarriors@yahoo.com. See the flier »

• Monday, Nov. 6: The New York State Education Department and partners invite parents of children with disabilities to a Parent Member Training from 10 a.m. to noon at 1050 Forest Hill Road. This event is for experienced parents of children who receive special education services to learn how they can support other parents who are new to the system. To RSVP, email siptp@aol.com. See the flier »

News you can use

• Enroll in a free parenting seminar: The Jewish Board of Family and Children's Services will hold a 12-session seminar titled The Parenting Journey on Thursdays from 4 to 6 p.m. starting on Oct. 19 and ending on Jan. 18. To register, contact Ryan Kelly at 718-727-3303, ext. 830249. See the flier »

• Help public schools in Puerto Rico: The UFT Disaster Relief Fund is accepting donations to support public schools and public school educators recovering from the devastating effects of Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico. Make a donation »