This is the Dec. 20 issue of the Manhattan parent newsletter.

The UFT testified before the New York City Council Committees on Education and Finance regarding the fiscal year 2019-24 capital plan.

UFT President Michael Mulgrew issued a statement in response to Gov. Andrew Cuomo's speech outlining his agenda for the first 100 days of 2019.

UFT Director of Staff Ellie Engler testified before the New York City Council on Civil Service and Labor jointly with Committee on Health regarding oversight of the survivors' state of health of 9/11 responders and the surrounding community.

It was a day of wonder and thrills for the 120 children from homeless shelters across the city who lined up to whisper in Santa’s ear at the UFT’s annual Holiday Party at union headquarters on Dec. 15. They also fist-bumped with the mighty Bumble Bee Transformer, danced with the Black Panther and went home with armloads of gifts.

UFT members from co-located Chelsea Prep HS and the NYC iSchool in Manhattan gathered in the auditorium on Dec. 13 to hear from UFT President Michael Mulgrew about education issues and to discuss features of the new DOE-UFT contract.

Before determining that a student requires special class services, the IEP team must consider several factors.

Students in special classes participate in the general education curriculum, with accommodations and supports, unless otherwise specified on their IEPs.

With the exception of students in special classes with a staffing ratio of 12:1:4, the chronological age range within special classes composed of students who are less than 16 years of age must not exceed 36 months.

State regulations delineate specific criteria for operation of special classes. The maximum class size for special classes and maximum chronological age ranges within these classes are specified in these regulations. The regulations allow some...