NYCDOE UPDATE: BRILLIANT NYC
Reimagined Accelerated Learning to All K-5 Students, Eliminates Gifted & Talented Test and Separated Classrooms
Mayor Bill de Blasio and Schools Chancellor Meisha Porter announced “Brilliant NYC,” a blueprint for accelerated learning for all elementary students in New York City and a 32 district engagement plan to solicit community feedback. Starting with Kindergarten in September 2022, accelerated learning will be offered to 65,000 kindergarteners compared to 2,500 kindergarteners that the current Gifted & Talented (G&T) model serves. Students currently in G&T will remain in their programming so there is no disruption to their learning. Brilliant NYC will be phased in for grades one through three.
NYCDOE UPDATE: Face Covering Policy
The DOE’s face covering policy has been updated to align with the NYS Commissioner of Health’s determination that all persons entering a NYC Department of Education building must wear a face covering. This policy provides schools with examples of how they can use age and developmentally appropriate strategies to support children towards improving mask tolerance and includes steps to take when children will not wear face coverings (not including children with approved mask exemptions). We are delighted to share that our students have been phenomenal at taking care of themselves and each other by wearing their face coverings.
If your child is not medically able to tolerate a mask, please let your school know so that an alternative accommodation can be provided. For questions about the face covering policy, please contact your school.
NYCDOE UPDATE: SUBMITTING COVID TESTING FORMS
The DOE increased random COVID-19 testing in all elementary, middle, and high schools for students in grades 1-12 from biweekly to weekly. We can only test students whose parents have provided an updated testing consent form to their school. You are encouraged to provide this consent for your child if you have not done so. If you have already submitted a testing consent form for the 2021-22 school year, that consent form remains in effect. If you have not yet submitted your consent, you can do so one of two ways:
NYCDOE UPDATE: "COVID-19 Vaccines: What You Need to Know" WEBINAR
The DOE’s Parent University invites NYC families to another session of “COVID-19 Vaccines: What You Need to Know”. In this course, families will learn about the COVID-19 vaccines, as well as participate in a live question and answer session. This course will be taught by our partners and experts at the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH).
Date: Wednesday, October 13, 2021
Time: 10am OR 6pm
Register on Parent University
AM Session: COVID-19 Vaccines: What You Need to Know (10am Session)
PM Session: COVID-19 Vaccines: What You Need to Know (6pm Session)
NYCDOE UPDATE: “Parliamentary Procedures” WEBINAR
Are you a parent leader and want to run meetings more effectively? Join us and learn about Parliamentary Procedure. In this training we will discuss rules for running a meeting in an orderly and productive fashion, rules for productive debate, and rules for taking action.
Date: Wednesday, November 3, 2021
Time: 6pm - 8pm
Register on Parent University
NYCDOE UPDATE: “Capital Plan” WEBINAR
The Office of Family and Community Empowerment invites CCEC members to attend a presentation on the Capital Plan. Representatives from the School Construction Authority will present and explain the role of CEC members in the Capital Plan process and how to identify and prioritize projects for capital funding.
Date: Thursday, November 18, 2021
Time: 6pm - 8pm
Register on Parent University
NYCDOE UPDATE: Mindfulness Classes on Parent University!
Mindfulness is emerging in public education based on 60 years of teachers, parents, and families discovering and utilizing these strategies of stress management, attentional focus, awareness, acceptance, and self-regulation to:
- Stay with & realize solutions to personal and public challenges and changes
- Increase one's capacity to notice and appreciate life in ways that support resilience
- Support joyful learning and growth
- Develop critical thinking skills
Join us each Tuesday and Thursday at 7:30pm as we build community and harness the power of self-care and self-healing through the discovery of the conscious breath, meditation, and movement.
View this flyer and register on Parent University.
NYCDOE UPDATE: Family Healing Ambassadors
NYCDOE Family Healing Ambassadors: A journey to Empower Families as Leaders and Partners
October 22, 2021 - 1:30pm-2:30pm EST
Last spring, NYCDOE launched a mental health and wellness initiative aimed at providing parents/caregivers with professional learning and support to serve as Family Healing Ambassadors. This fall, Family Healing Ambassadors are leading conversations with families in more than 850 schools, and transforming the way school communities talk about mental health and wellness.
Join Deputy Chancellor Adrienne Austin for a Lunch and Learn as part of the Family and Community Engagement Learning Network. The series is hosted by Successful Innovations, a women-owned / minority-owned company that has been partnering with school districts to support strategic family engagement practices for over 16 years.
Learn more and Register here!
UPDATE: United Federation of Teachers Virtual Parent Conference 2021
Join us for this year’s Manhattan Virtual Fall Parent Conference! We’ll convene online this year, so parents and caregivers from all over the city can join us. This year’s theme is Educate, Organize, Activate! We’ll have 10 choices of workshops offered during two sessions. Topics include funding college, social media for parents and special education advocacy. We’ll hear from speakers including UFT President Michael Mulgrew, Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer and Schools Chancellor Meisha Porter.
October 16, 2021
9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Learn more and register here!
Read the UFT 2021 Virtual Manhattan Parent Conference Program
UPDATE: “Helping Our Kids Build Healthy Relationships” WEBINAR
Please join First Lady Chirlane McCray and the NYC Mayor’s Office to End Domestic and Gender-Based Violence for “Helping Our Kids Build Healthy Relationships,” a virtual parent and caregiver webinar focused on healthy relationship skill building for students in grades K-5. Come learn about “The ABCs of Healthy Relationships”, new web-based resources for students, parents, caregivers and educators and get tips from experts on how to support kids in developing healthy relationships.
Date: Tuesday, October 19, 2021
Time: 6:00pm to 7:30pm
Register on Parent University
UPDATE: Mental Health Resources for All New Yorkers
NYC has greatly expanded mental health and substance misuse services, and increased services as the COVID-19 pandemic created additional challenges.
The 24/7 helpline 1-888-NYC-WELL is FREE and provides many different kinds of support and interventions. The website Mental Health for All helps with finding support for recovery from depression; grief support; support through any kind of crisis; and substance use disorder services.
New York City has universal health care (NYC Care) that includes counseling services. No New Yorker, documented or undocumented, needs to go without coverage. Mental health is as important as ever during tough times. NYC will continue to promote universal access to mental healthcare during the COVID-19 recovery and beyond.
UPDATE: New York City’s Public Libraries Announce No More Late Fines, Ever
As of October 5, 2021, everyone is getting a fresh start at the Library: All existing fines and replacement fees in all patron accounts have been cleared and erased. This is the case for all three of New York City’s public libraries: New York Public Library, Brooklyn Public Library and Queens Public Library.
Late fines will no longer accrue on borrowed materials returned after their due date.
Check out your local library for all the great free resources and services it offers!
The Office of Food & Nutrition Services is Hiring!
The Office of Food and Nutrition Services needs your assistance in letting the community know they are hiring. Below is the image and text that you can post on your Social Media Accounts:
Food and Nutrition Services is Hiring! Providing healthy food choices to NYC Public School Students. Looking for service oriented employees to work year round in school kitchens. Openings in 5 boroughs, part time work and full benefits. Learn how to apply at schools.nyc.gov/foodsrvicejobs.
Let’s Talk NYC Training for Mental Health
Live Webinar
Join us on Parent University to learn about new initiatives and resources from the Mayor’s Office of Community Mental Health, the Department of Education, and external partners that you can access to promote your child’s mental health. This webinar will introduce the “Let’s Talk NYC: To Support Student Mental Health” campaign, useful guides to engage your child about their emotional wellbeing, and information about how to find additional support.
Date: Thursday, October 28, 2021
Time: 2pm - 3:30pm
Register on Parent University
Resources
Any school staff member can be a mental health ally - including parent coordinators and parent leaders. This fall, if you work in an NYC school, we encourage you to take the Let’s Talk NYC training. This virtual training will give you the skills to listen actively, engage students in conversations on mental health, and help connect young people to appropriate mental health support. Hundreds of school staff have already completed the training and are ready to help when students arrive back in the classroom. Learn more and register here.
The Let’s Talk NYC campaign also has resources for students. We encourage you to share this microsite with the young people you serve – it includes a guide answering common questions about privacy and confidentiality related to mental health, and free mental health resources like hotlines, toolkits and campaigns you can join to fight stigma and advocate for open dialogue on mental health.
Universal NYC Baby Bonds: Kids Rise Save for College Program
The Mayor and Chancellor have announced a citywide expansion of the community-driven NYC Kids RISE Save for College Program. This public-private-community partnership provides families, schools, and communities access to a universal scholarship and savings platform, regardless of a family’s income or immigration status. Starting this year, every kindergartener enrolled in a New York City public school will have access to an NYC Scholarship Account, with $100 invested toward their future education and up to $200 in rewards. Register for an info session to learn more.
GetFoodNYC: Free Food Locations
NYC has a map of locations that offer free food (food pantries, soup kitchens), as well as farmers’ markets and grocery stores. Please visit a map of food resources across the city.
Pandemic Electronic Benefits Card for Food
Every single NYC public school student is automatically eligible—regardless of income or immigration status. No application or registration is required. P-EBT does not affect any other benefits or public charge status. Students in parochial or charter schools may be eligible if their school participates in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP). For more information, please check out the links below.
For detailed instructions on how to replace your P-EBT card, see below:
