New national tests released on Oct. 28 showed a troubling drop in both math and reading scores for New York City 4th-graders, while 8th-graders notched modest gains.

The UFT Brooklyn Families and Educators Conference drew some 400 parents and teachers from across the borough to Boys and Girls HS in Bedford Stuyvesant for workshops and other activities on Oct. 24.

SESIS, paperwork, RSAs, observations and audiology.

UFT President Michael Mulgrew on Oct. 27 visited Automotive HS, which is participating in the Department of Education’s School Renewal Program, to bolster spirits, provide practical advice and answer difficult questions as the faculty and staff of the Greenpoint, Brooklyn, school work to turn it around.

UFT President Michael Mulgrew met with faculty and staff at Staten Island’s Tottenville HS on Oct. 26. Mulgrew spoke about the additional time for PD and parent engagement created in the 2014 contract and allayed concerns about the school’s recent restructuring and transition from a multi- to a single-session school. He also stressed the importance of collaboration at large schools like Tottenville, which has 300 faculty and staff.

UFT President Michael Mulgrew issued a statement in response to state Board of Regents Chancellor Meryl Tisch's decision not to seek another term.

Staten Island parents and grandparents gathered for a day of networking and workshops at this year's Staten Island parent conference on Saturday, Oct. 24 at the Hilton Garden Inn, "Making Connections to Spark Success."

As the air gets brisker and the days shorter, we settle into the fall semester with our students. We hope that class sizes have been equalized, that classes are going well for you and that the energy in your schools is vibrant and positive.

Art teachers gathered for the daylong 35th anniversary New York City Art Teachers Association/UFT conference on Oct. 24 at the HS of Art and Design entitled Art Education: Empowering Creativity. The conference’s 29 workshops demonstrated and explored innovative practices to encourage student creativity.