1 – U.S. Justice Sonia Sotomayor Speaks at Annual ELL Parent Conference—May 15

Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor will be the keynote speaker at the 10th Annual ELL Parent Conference, Creating Pathways to College – Dream, Believe, Succeed! Justice Sotomayor serves on the nation’s highest court as its first Hispanic and third female justice.

Parents and guardians of English Language Learners (ELLs) and former ELLs in New York City public schools are invited to attend this event. The conference will feature panels, workshops, and community resources. Translation services, breakfast, and lunch will be available.

The conference is scheduled for Wednesday, May 15 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Jacob K. Javits Center: 655 West 34th Street, New York, NY 10001 For more information, click here.

  • Download a flyer and registration form in Arabic, Bengali, Chinese, English, French, Haitian Creole, Korean, Russian, Spanish and Urdu.
  • PLEASE NOTE parents must return the registration forms to parent coordinators no later than Wednesday, May 1.
  • Parent coordinators should enter all parent information from the forms into the Excel spreadsheet (provided) and email the spreadsheet to Mabel Fu at mfu@metisassociates.com no later than Wednesday, May 8, sooner, if possible. If you have trouble opening or completing the Excel spreadsheet, contact Mabel Fu at (212) 430-9188.

2 -Kindergarten Workshops for Families

Starting in May, a workshop entitled “Getting Ready for Kindergarten” will be held in each borough. The workshops will provide transition support to families of children entering Kindergarten in September 2013.

Parents will learn about what to expect in Kindergarten, DOE protocols and procedures, and how to get involved with their child’s school community. Activities, snacks and child care will be provided for children. Parent coordinators, pre-k and kindergarten teachers, paraprofessionals and family assistants are welcome to attend.

Please contact Nana Ofosu-Amaah with any questions. All sessions run from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Please share the flyer in Arabic, Bengali, Chinese, English, French, Haitian Creole, Korean, Russian, Spanish, and Urdu.

3.     Youth Health Care Conference—April 27

Mentoring in Medicine is hosting a conference entitled “Yes, I Can Be a Health Care Professional.” This free event will feature hands-on workshops, interactive demonstrations, a research competition, health fair, parent workshops, health screenings and more.

  • Saturday, April 27 from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
  • Frederick Douglass Academy I, 2581 Adam Clayton Powell Boulevard (between 148th and 150th).
  • Register at www.medicalmentor.org.

4 – Gifted & Talented Assessment

Students who took this year’s Gifted & Talented (G&T) assessments recently received score reports, which determine their eligibility for G&T schools and programs. Pearson, the vendor responsible for the assessments, miscalculated some students’ scores. Parents and guardians may have questions about how this affects their child’s G&T application. Please use the resource below to support families in understanding how to obtain more information:

  • The DOE’s Gifted and Talented website has a Frequently Asked Questions document that can answer many questions and provide information.

5 – Newly Redesigned NYC FITNESSGRAM Reports to be Delivered in May

This year is a great opportunity to initiate conversations in your school about the role of health and fitness in student success. Research indicates a strong tie between health and academic achievement.

REMINDERS:

6 – Final Parent Academy Workshops of the School Year

Workshop Topics include: Understanding Special Education and Supporting Your Child’s Ability to Learn; Understanding Common Core, Standardized Tests and Response to Intervention; Creating Welcoming Schools; Identifying Resources/Local Organizations to Support Your Child’s Learning and Developmental Needs; Collaborating Effectively; and How to Find Resources for Your Child Inside and Outside of School for Success in Math/Science/Arts.

  • Bronx—Thursday, April 25

6 p.m.-8:30 p.m., P.S. 72 Dr. William Dorney, 2951 Dewey Avenue, Bronx, NY 10456

Register at www.nycpaapr25.eventzilla.net. Share the flyer in English (translated versions forthcoming).

  • Staten Island—Thursday, May 9

6 p.m.-8:30 p.m., Michael J. Petrides High School, 715 Ocean Terrace, Staten Island, NY 10301

Register at www.nycpamay9.eventzilla.net. Share the flyer in English (translated versions forthcoming).

  • Manhattan—Monday, May 13

9 a.m.-1 p.m. (breakfast at 8:30 a.m.; free museum tours after 1 p.m.), NY Historical Society, 70 Central Park West, Manhattan, NY 10024

Register at www.nycpamay13.eventzilla.net. Share the flyer in English (translated versions forthcoming).

  • Bronx—Saturday, May 18

9 a.m.-1 p.m. (breakfast at 8:30 a.m.), I.S. 219 New Venture School, 3630 Third Avenue, Bronx, NY 10456

Register at www.nycpamay18.eventzilla.net. Share the flyer in English (translated versions forthcoming).

7 – Report Parent Teacher Conference Data on PCAR

In an effort to streamline data collection, Parent Teacher Conference attendance for spring 2013 should now be reported on the Parent Coordinator Activity Reporting (PCAR) system. The PTC survey will no longer be used. Parent coordinators or principals can submit the total attendance for the afternoon and evening conferences. Instructions for completing the report are available here. Contact PCPage@schools.nyc.gov with access issues or other questions.

  • The deadline to submit spring PTC data is May 15.
  • April PCAR data must be submitted by May 15.

8 – 2013 Education Council—Candidate Profiles and Forum Schedules Available

Encourage parents to meet nominees for their Community or Citywide Education Council. Click here for the 2013 candidate forums schedule and view candidate profiles at www.nycparentleaders.org.

9 – Help Make NYC A Healthier City—April 24-May 14

The NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene invites representatives from community organizations, health care providers, businesses, labor groups or faith-based organizations to five borough-wide listening sessions to share their ideas and strategies to implement the City’s new health plan, Take Care New York. The plan highlights 10 priority areas for improving the health of all New Yorkers: Tobacco-Free Living, Healthy Eating, Active Living, Heart Health, HIV Prevention, Promote Mental Health, Reduce Alcohol and Substance Abuse, Prevent and Treat Cancer, Healthy Indoor and Outdoor Air, and Quality Preventative Care.

  • Register here to participate in one of the five listening sessions.
  • Share the flyer or call 347-396-7964 for more information.

10 – NYC Dads Matter Awards—Nominations due by April 26

The New York City Fatherhood Initiative is proud to present the Third Annual NYC Dads Matter Awards. The award will recognize 10 fathers from across the city who overcame challenges to become positive and consistent forces in the lives of their children.

11 –  Health FairMay 4

Families are invited to attend P811X’s Health Fair on May 4, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 1434 Longfellow Ave., Bronx, NY 10459. The fair will have resources for families of students with disabilities and will feature relaxation massages, Zumba, yoga, parent workshops, and prizes. Please share the flyer.

12 –  Citizenship Opportunities for Parents—May 4, May 18
NYCitizenship in Schools is a new citywide program that offers free immigration information, assistance and financing options to eligible parents of students in the city’s public schools seeking to begin the application process to become U.S. citizens. Please share this opportunity with parents in your community. Citizenship events will be held through June. For more information, read this overview or go to the City’s website.

  • Share the eligibility requirements and flyer in English/Spanish. Individuals will receive a time slot for the event after registering here.
  • Saturday, May 4, at P.S. 189, 2850 Amsterdam Ave., Manhattan, NY 10040.
  • Saturday, May 18, at P.S. 503/506, 330 60th St., Brooklyn, NY 11220.

13 –Eagle Week Activities—May 4-11

The Eagle Academy Foundation, which manages the Eagle Academies for Young Men public schools, is holding a full week of activities during Eagle Week, May 4-11.

  • A Parent Expo will be held on Saturday, May 4 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Eagle Academy of Queens, 171-10 Linden Blvd., Queens, NY 11434. This is a free community event open to parents and will focus on effective strategies to engage inner city young men in school.  Download a flyer or click here to register.
  • A two-day Professional Development Conference will be held Wednesday, May 8 and Thursday, May 9 for educators and school leaders from across the country to share proven education solutions for inner city young men. NYC DOE complimentary registration for educators is available here.

14 – 25th Annual Family Support Conference—May 16

The Bronx Developmental Disabilities Council is hosting its 25th Annual Family Support Conference Thursday, May 16 from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Maestro’s, 1703 Bronxdale Avenue, Bronx, NY 10461. More information is available here.

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