The UFT distributed 1,600 backpacks, as well as school supplies and food, to families on Staten Island during the union’s fifth annual Back-to-School BBQ. The union collaborated with District 31 and more than 35 community organizations to host the event in the schoolyard of PS 18 in West Brighton.

Parents, caregivers, educators and community members convened at the UFT Queens borough office on Nov. 22 for the borough’s annual parent conference. The roughly 70 attendees learned about mental health, emergency preparedness, personal finances and more, while connecting with each other and taking time for themselves.

Parents, caretakers, educators and community members gathered at the UFT’s Staten Island borough office on Nov. 8 for the UFT Staten Island parent committee’s annual conference. Attendees took the day to bond with other caregivers and gained valuable information and resources during workshops on topics like keeping students safe online and parent-teacher association governance.

More than 100 parents, caretakers, educators and community members gathered at the UFT’s Brooklyn borough office on Oct. 25 for the UFT Brooklyn parent committee’s annual conference. This year’s conference theme was “Organize and Activate,” and attendees took in workshops on school safety, political action, special education and PTA organizing.

More than 100 parents and community members gathered at UFT headquarters on Oct. 25 for the UFT’s annual Manhattan parent conference. Attendees learned about first aid and emergency preparedness, trained to become IEP (Individualized Education Program) parent members and spread the word about the rights of immigrant students and their families.