| Dear Parent / Caregiver, Happy New Year! I hope your family had an enjoyable winter break. Last month, the UFT filed a lawsuit against Mayor Adams to restore funding to our schools and prevent his drastic budget cuts. If they aren’t stopped, these cuts will damage our children’s schools and school communities. Visit the UFT’s website to join the fight and take action now. The first quarter of this year will be full of further activism and organizing that will lead us to Albany for Lobby Day on March 11. Check out upcoming events, opportunities and news you can use below. |
| Sincerely, Maria Morales UFT Bronx Parent and Community Liaison mmorales@uft.org |
 Bronx parent Erika Gonzalez, Community Education Council and IEP Representative for District 10, speaking at a press conference on the UFT lawsuit against Mayor Adams. She joined UFT President Michael Mulgrew and other parents to voice their concerns about the mayor’s budget cuts to education. |
| Upcoming Events |
| School Budget Workshop Come to a workshop on the school budget. We will cover how to read and understand the budget, your rights regarding the budget and how to use the budget consultation process to further your advocacy at your school.Date: Thursday, Jan. 24Time: 6 to 7:30 p.m.Where: La Central YMCA, 434 Westchester Ave.Register now |
| Community Indoor Soccer Clinics with Asphalt GreenAsphalt Green is offering winter soccer clinics for youth ages 5 to 13. Participants will learn footwork exercises, ball techniques, teamwork and play fun games and trial matches. Space is limited, so please register soon. If you have any questions, contact Asphalt Green at communityprograms@asphaltgreen.org.Dates: Sundays, Jan. 7, 14, and 28; Feb. 4, 11, and 25; March 10, 24, and 31; and April 7Session one (ages 5-6): 9:30 – 10:30 a.m. Session two (ages 7-9): 10:45 – 11:45 a.m. Session three (ages 10-11): 12 – 1 p.m. Session four (ages 12-13): 1:15 – 2:15 p.m.Where: The gymnasium at Roberto Clemente State Park, 301 W. Tremont Ave.Register now |
| Saturday Night Lights at the Betances Community CenterSaturday Night Lights is a youth development and violence prevention program that provides free, high-quality sports and fitness activities for youth ages 11-18. Sports on offer include basketball, volleyball, hockey and kickball. Participants will also engage in general fitness classes and cooking and nutrition classes to improve their overall health. This program is free with registration and includes transportation to sporting events. Call (718) 585-5040 to register.Dates: SaturdaysTime: 5 to 7 p.m. for younger youth, 7 to 9 p.m. for older youthWhere: Betances Community Center, 547 E. 146 St. |
| Family Nature Club at the Bronx ZooJoin the Family Nature Club for free sessions that will connect your family to the local environment through unstructured play, exploration and investigation. Registration is required and spots are limited to 25 people per session. For more information and to view ticketed family programs, visit the Bronx Zoo website.Date: Various Sundays through May 2024Time: 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.Where: Mitsubishi RiverwalkCost: FreeRegister now |
 Opportunities |
| Take free beginner English classes with Oyate Group and WeSpeakNYCOyate will be offering English classes for beginners in partnership with WeSpeakNYC, the city’s free English language learning program developed by the mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs. WeSpeakNYC provides classes where participants can practice English while learning about immigrant rights and New York City services. There is no English skill level requirement, but the material is most useful for beginner learners. Participants must be 18 or older. Date: Wednesday, Feb. 7, to April 3Time: 6 to 8 p.m.Where: Oyate Group office, 276 Grand Concourse, ground floorRegister now |
| Apply for a job at the Betances Community CenterBronxworks is looking for employees for multiple positions at the Betances Community Center, including youth workers, group leaders, instructors and coaches. Follow the link below or call (718) 585-5040 for more information on positions, benefits and the application process,Learn more and apply |
| Take adult academic and career courses with SUNY North Bronx SUNY North Bronx Career Counseling & Outreach Center offers tuition-free adult education courses and career workshops, including GED prep, resume assistance, ESOL classes and a Google IT Professional program.Learn more and enroll |
 News You Can Use |
| Save key education programs Over the last few years, the Department of Education has been using temporary federal COVID-19 relief funds for important programs such as preschool special education, Summer Rising, bilingual education, dyslexia and literacy initiatives and more. But the federal funds will run out in 2024, and there is not yet a plan for what comes next. Sign this petition calling for elected leaders to continue these programs and make sure that our children have the resources they need to succeed.Learn more and sign |
| Defend children’s right to shelterMayor Eric Adams has introduced a new policy to limit families with children to a 60-day stay in shelters. Asylum-seeking families will be evicted from city shelters this winter. They will either have to reapply for shelter or find alternative housing. To uproot these families during the coldest months of the year and interrupt their children’s education will create further distress and insecurity for them and for their school communities. Please sign this petition calling on the mayor to reverse this policy before it creates havoc in our schools and harms families who are the most in need of our support.Learn more and sign |
| Check out the UFT College and Career Fair Resource HubAccess tools to help prepare your teen for college and the workforce. View financial aid resources, get information from the New York State Higher Education Services Corp and see upcoming college and career readiness events below.Learn more |
 Maria MoralesUFT Parent and Community Liaisonmmorales@uft.org |