Last FACE Update of the Year

The following is an update from the Office of Family and Community Empowerment:

A Year in Review
This has been one of the strangest, longest, and most challenging years that many of us have encountered. We’ve learned to live virtually and have experienced the thrills and defeats of remote learning and working. We have missed weddings, parties, live sports, concerts, and singing in our choirs.
 
And yet, even faced with the ever-changing circumstances of the pandemic, we have much to be grateful for. We came together as a community to support the families and children of New York City and accomplished wonderful things together.
 
FACELab
Thank you to our parents, teachers, principals and superintendents from Districts 7, 16, and 29, for all of your amazing work with FACELab. FACE, our partners, Makeosity, Inc., Robofun and ReLearning Curve were able to create a curriculum that allows students and parent volunteers to be introduced to electrical engineering while working from home. During the 12-week program, over 75 students created electrical circuits and a model airport with a runway, control tower, hanger, and airplane by using electrical components and real engineering tools with the assistance from our mentors and trained parent volunteers.

We are grateful for our partners, Karen Kaun of Makeosity Inc, Laura Hart and her team at Robofun and Josephine Imbimbo of ReLearning Curve.

Thank you to the students, staff, and parents of PS 156 (29Q156), Concourse Village (07X359), Brooklyn Brownstone (16K628), Brighter Choice (16K627), PS 26 (16K026). Special thanks to Karen Hymes of the Office of Family and Community Engagement at the New York State Education Department for her support and mentorship of the My Brother’s Keeper (MBK) grant that funded our program.

Please check out our students’ AMAZING work at the  Make Everything Possible Website.
 
Parent University
FACE launched Parent University in November of 2020. Parent University is a course registration and management system where NYC families can find free trainings on a wide range of topics. Parent University serves all families, from early childho-od through adulthood, and seeks to educate and empower them as partners and advocates through free courses, resources, events, and activities.
 
As of this date, there are 158 courses on Parent University, with 23,000+ users and 78,000 views. 
 
Public Meetings and Parent Leader Supports
FACE, in close collaboration with DOE partners has hosted, managed, or supported:
 
·         17 Citywide listening tours, information sessions and office hours to an audience of over 100,000
·         1110+ weekly check ins with Citywide and Community Education members
·         1140+ weekly check ins with President’s Council members
·         400+ CCEC Business and Calendar meetings
·         300+ Presidents’ Council Meetings
·         13 CEC Town Halls with the Chancellor
·         30+ weekly briefings with Adrienne Austin and ECC’s steering committee and CPAC’s executive board
·         30+ FACE End of Week Wrap Up Newsletters to 6,000+ family facing DOE staff and elected parent leaders
 
Provided Professional Development and Training:
·         10 CEC Trainings for Citywide, Community Education members and Administrative Assistants
·         36 Trainings for PA/PTA/SLT members
·         38 Staff Professional Development sessions, ranging from technology supports at home to mental health supports for families 

We did all this with you as partners every step of the way, and we know that you have also done so much as well!
 
A huge thank you to all our parent teacher and parent association members and officers, Presidents Councils members, Chancellor’s Parent Advisory Council (CPAC) members, community and citywide education council members, Education Council Consortium (ECC) members, administrative assistants, advocates, parent coordinators, family leadership coordinators, family support coordinators and educators who have kept our schools and city running. Your care and compassion for our children and their families as been the shining light in dark times. We are so grateful for all that you do!
 
NEW POLICY
Screened Middle Schools and High School Enrollment September 2021
 
Today, the Mayor and Chancellor announced the elimination of the academic screens in Middle School admissions and the elimination of geographic screens/priorities in High School admissions.  Thank you to all of our parent leaders and community partners who provided ideas and recommendations on how to ensure a fairer and more equitable admissions process for next year.  We will be following-up with more details in the coming weeks:
 
Middle School:
·         All middle school screens will be paused for this year. This includes academic screens, school-based assessments, composite scores, and auditions. Students will be admitted through a lottery-based system.
·         District and geographic priorities, as well as Diversity in Admissions priorities, will still apply for those middle schools that have them.
·         The middle school application will open the week of January 11.
 
High Schools:
·         Geographic priority for admissions will be eliminated over a 2-year period, beginning with the immediate elimination of district priority, followed by other geographic priorities in the next admissions cycle.
·         In consultation with their school communities, screened high schools can choose to remove their screens, utilize the Educational Option admissions method, or maintain academic screening. For those that maintain academic screening, we encourage schools to implement a Diversity in Admissions priority.
·         Schools that choose to maintain academic screening will be able to use a combination of students’ 2018-2019 state tests and grades, and the grades from the first part of last year for their screening criteria. Schools that have used their own assessments may continue to do so as long as those assessments can be administered equitably, fairly, and safely.
·         Arts high schools will move to a common virtual audition system that will allow students to submit their audition materials online. Students will only need to create one audition that can be submitted for all schools that require it.
·         The high school application will open the week of January 18.
·         Additionally, we are required by State law to administer the Specialized High School Admissions Test (SHSAT). To ensure health and safety of our staff and students, the exam will be administered in students’ own middle schools to reduce travel and different cohorts of students intermixing. Test registration will open in myschools.nyc on Monday, December 21, 2020.
 
For more information and details about middle and high school enrollment, please visit the DOE’s website.
 
EVENTS FOR PARENTS AND FAMILIES
 
Parent University is ALWAYS Open
 
Parent University is for all parents and family members and is always open! Parent University is a course registration and management system where NYC families can find free trainings on a wide range of topics. Parent University serves all families, from early childhood through adulthood, and seeks to educate and empower them as partners and advocates through free courses, resources, events, and activities.
 
Check out some of our upcoming featured live courses:
·         Post Secondary Funding Options - 1/6/2021 @ 6:00 pm
·         Job Retention and Self Advocacy in the Workplace – 1/6/2021 @ 6:00 pm
·         Work Based Learning for Families – 2/3/2021
 
Or check out our on-demand offerings, such as Google Classroom, How to Use Text to Understand Unknown Words or Phrases, Tweens, Teens, Tech and Mental Health, and so much more!
 
You can check out the site here:  https://parentu.schools.nyc/
 
For more information, including flyers in different languages please visit the DOE’s Family Empowerment site.
 
Virtual Elementary Admissions Event
Learn about 3-K, pre-K, and kindergarten admissions. Find out what to expect and how to apply. All New York City families are welcome to attend.

Sessions will be held on:
·         Wednesday, January 6 at 6pm
·         Thursday, January 7 at 6pm (Spanish only)
·         Tuesday, January 12 at 2pm
Click here to register—please register for just one event. When you register, be sure to indicate your language preference; interpretation services will be provided according to demand.

We are here to support you throughout the admissions process!  If you have questions, you can:
·         Call us at 718-935-2009 or
·         Email us at [email protected]
 
Celebrar & Elevar
Workshop to Support Remote Learning with Spanish-Speaking Families
The DOE, in partnership with Ramapo for Children, is offering “Celebrar & Elevar,” a workshop in Spanish about strategies for families to strengthen their connection when they are learning remotely. Families may attend any of the following sessions:
 
·         January 6, from 5:30-6:30PM
 
Please share this workshop and flyer with your Spanish-speaking students and families. Participants may register for any of these sessions here: https://rb.gy/l9jzej.
 
PA/PTA Financial Reporting Training
Tuesday, January 12th, 2020 10:00 am
FACE has been hosting a series of trainings for parent leaders and DOE colleagues. The next virtual training will be on PA/PTA Financial Reporting and will demonstrate how to complete financial reports for PA/PTAs.
 
Join us at 10 am on January 12th:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83195079224?pwd=RjVLNitqQ0R0bmdyc3R5dEdtU0ZhZz09
Or Telephone: Dial 646 558 8656 
Webinar ID: 831 9507 9224
Passcode: 035287
 
New Annual School Leadership Team (SLT) Webinar
 
We are excited to announce the new Annual School Leadership Team (SLT) webinar!  The video is kicked off by DOE, UFT, CSA, DC37, and Parent Leaders, as a united front in support of SLTs.  The webinar covers topics such as SLT/DLT membership roles and responsibilities, CEP development and school-based budgeting, related requirements for Title I schools, best practices, resources, and support for effective SLT/DLT operations. Collective viewing of the pre-recorded webinar will count towards the required annual SLT training for SLT member remuneration purposes (see this Remuneration Form). 
 
This webinar must be viewed by all SLT members, as well as BCO and superintendent teams.  Please support schools regarding required activities summarized below:
·         Principals and SLT members must view the pre-recorded webinar together and discuss these sample guiding questions during their December or January SLT meeting. See this Top 10 SLT FAQ to support the discussion.
·         Principals must complete this survey to confirm the date of their December or January SLT meeting and identify the SLT members who attend, by February 1.
·         Ongoing support for SLTs will be provided by BCO/superintendent/FACE/DLTs. 

For SLT resources, visit the SLT support site and reach out to the FACE school based liaison or the BCO-assigned director of state and federal program implementation (DSFP).
 
Shelf Help at the New York Public LibraryDiscover The New York Public Library’s (NYPL) new personalized book selection service!While browsing is limited, NYPL offers a friendly, adventurous alternative. Tell them your reading interests and they’ll pick five books for you!Get Shelf Help now!
The New York Public Library offers a personalized book selection service through Shelf Help. Fill out the online form, call Ask NYPL, or drop off a request form at your local branch to receive new reads handpicked for you based on your interests. Await their signal then pick up a book bundle of five recommended reads.
While many branches of the Library have reopened for grab-and-go service—and have welcomed back thousands of patrons—browsing remains limited at this time. To recreate the experience of discovery that patrons love, the Library is pleased to offer Shelf Help to anyone with an NYPL Library card. 
Get a digital library card through NYPL's app, SimplyE.There are three ways to request Shelf Help:1.      Tell us about your reading interests here.
2.      Call Ask NYPL (917-ASK-NYPL or 917-275-6975) to connect with a member of our team, Monday to Friday, 12 PM to 5 PM. For TTY service (Text Telephone for patrons who are deaf or hard of hearing), dial 212-930-0020. We’ll ask you about your interests and take it from there.

1. Pick up a request form at one of our grab-and-go locations, or download one here, and return it to the Library on your next visit.

 
Job Opportunity at the City Parks Foundation
The Catalyst Grant Project Manager will report to the Director of the Catalyst program and track all goals and grant deliverables. The Project Manager will support a team of four Catalyst Organizers who lead Catalyst’s community engagement efforts in up to 16 high need communities and parks.  The full job posting can be found here.

Application must be received by December 21st.CONTACTInterested parties should email a cover letter and resume to: [email protected].  Put “Catalyst Grant Project Manager” in subject header.
 
City Parks Foundation is an equal opportunity employer. Only potential candidates will be contacted. No calls, please.
 
Students in Temporary Housing Supports
    
Benefits Navigator
We’re pleased to announce that the Office of Community Schools’ Students in Temporary Housing Team has just published their Benefits Navigator tool - a simple way for families to access a wide array of publicly available benefits and resources from the DOE and other city agency partners.
 
UPDATES
 
Community Meal Service
There will be no food service available on the following dates. December 25th (Christmas Day) and January 1st (New Year’s Day).
 
There will be food service available on the following dates from 12pm to 3pm only. December 24th (Christmas Eve) and December 28th-31st (Including New Year’s Eve).
 
For more information about meals in New York City, check the Community Meals section on the DOE website.
 
 
Chancellor’s Regulations
 
Presidents' Council Election Certification Forms
Presidents’ Councils are organizations of PA/PTA presidents (or designees) that represent the interests of parents within the respective district. Each community school district is required to have a Presidents' Council. Each borough is required to have a Presidents' Council for its high schools. Citywide Special Education (District 75) has a citywide Presidents' Council.
Presidents' councils who have already completed their elections should send their certification form signed by the Superintendent/Designee to  [email protected].
 
If the President will not be able to attend the Chancellor's Parent Advisory Council (CPAC) Meetings, please make sure the name of the designee who will represent the council on CPAC is indicated in the last section of the form.
 
To support CPAC in establishing their council we ask that you send in election certification forms as soon as elections are completed. The link for certification forms can be accessed here or here.
 
In Case You Missed It (ICYMI)
It’s Our MoneyYoung people vote and decide on how to spend $100,000 to address their needs in this moment.The Civic Engagement Commission (CEC) is running a participatory budgeting process designed by youth, for youth, in partnership with the Coro New York Leadership Center PB Youth Fellowship Program. The goal of the project is to engage and empower young people to decide how to spend $100,000 of expense funding on projects that meet their needs, address their interests, and strengthen youth engagement across the city.
 
Youth provider organizations will be invited to submit proposals that directly address the ideas and needs youth identify in the first stage of the project. Youth votes will determine the projects awarded.
 
If you are a young person between the ages of 9-24, you are eligible to participate by submitting ideas and voting on projects that quality for an award.
 
If you are an organization serving young people in the following communities (insert link), you can submit a proposal for up to 20K in funding.
 
Visit https://www.participate.nyc.gov/processes/itsourmoney to learn more!
 
Waiver to Chancellor’s Regulation A-660
On December 11, 2020, Chancellor Carranza signed a Waiver of Sections of Chancellor’s Regulation A-660. The full text is here, below is a summary of key provisions.
 
·         PA/PTAs who were unable to hold elections of their mandatory officers between 4.2.2020 and 10.31.2020 pursuant to the waiver issues on 5.5.2020 may request an extension to December 31, 2020 by submitting a request to FACE at [email protected].
·         If a request to extend an extension of elections to December 31st has been granted, the terms of the PA/PTA officers can also be extended to December 31st, but no later than that date.
·         Presidents’ Councils who were unable to hold elections of their mandatory officers between 4.2.2020 and 10.31.2020 pursuant to the waiver issues on 5.5.2020 may request an extension to December 31, 2020 by submitting a request to FACE at [email protected].
·         If a request to extend an extension of elections to December 31st has been granted, the terms of the Presidents’ Councils can also be extended to December 31st, but no later than that date.
·         PA/PTA meetings can be held virtually until September 2021.
·         PA/PTA’s deadline to submit the Annual Financial Report (extended to October 31st by the May 5th, 2020 waiver) was extended to November 16th, 2020.
 
 
Chancellor’s Regulations -D-Regulations
The DOE has proposed changes to Chancellor’s Regulations D-140, D-150, D-160 and D-170. These regulations address the process for the nomination and selection of the members of Community Education Councils (CR D-140), the Citywide Council on Special Education and the Citywide Council for District 75; the Citywide Council on High Schools (CR D-160) and the Citywide Council on English Language Learners (CR D-170). These proposed changes will be voted on by the Panel for Education Policy (PEP) at its January 27th, 2021 meeting.
 
The proposed changes will be posted for public comment on the DOE’s website here: 
 
https://www.schools.nyc.gov/about-us/leadership/panel-for-education-policy
 
The public comment period will be open until January 26 at 6:00pm. We encourage you to review them and give us your feedback.
 
Electronic Devices for Students
Whether they’re learning in-person or remote, we are committed to equipping every student with the resources they need to access a high-quality education, and we’ve delivered 62,000 new internet-enabled iPads to schools in the past four weeks. We’re working hard to get the remaining devices into the hands of students before winter break and will continue coordinating with schools to ensure their families’ device needs are met.
 
We’re working aggressively to distribute the new batch of 100,00 internet-enabled iPads to schools, of which 62,000 have been delivered.
 
Kindergarten Application Period Open
Beginning Thursday, December 10th, children born in 2016 can apply to kindergarten for the 2021-22 school year. The application deadline is Tuesday, January 19, 2021. All families who apply by the deadline will receive a kindergarten offer in April.
All families should participate in kindergarten admissions, including children currently attending pre-K, students with disabilities, English Language Learners, and students with accessibility needs.
 
MySchools.nyc includes an online directory tool that allows families to explore program choices, save programs of interest and submit their application, all on the same site.
 
Families can apply to Kindergarten in two ways, online at MySchools and over the phone by calling 718-935-2009.
 
Announcement on Renewed Academic Priorities
On Thursday, December 10th, Mayor Bill de Blasio, and Chancellor Richard A. Carranza shared their 2021 Student Achievement Plan.
 
The key principles are:
·         Leveraging the innovative work educators have done over the last eight months and making the best digital curricula available to all schools
·         Implementing diagnostic assessments to understand where students are and help teachers target instruction and accelerate learning gains
·         Phasing in a learning management system that enables a one-stop shop for all digital components of learning
·         Increasing professional learning 
·         Expanding Parent University to bring family support into the home through digital courses in different languages
 
COVID-19 Testing Report for Schools
The DOE’s  website  has been updated to include the results of COVID-19 testing at individual public schools. Mandatory in-school testing is part of the Department of Education’s comprehensive effort to keep school communities healthy and safe and ensure our school buildings remain open. You can find citywide and borough-wide testing data below, as well as information for specific schools. The DOE testing site shows results from as recent as Monday, December 7, 2020.
For more information visit the DOE Website at https://www.schools.nyc.gov/school-year-20-21/return-to-school-2020/health-and-safety/covid-19-testing/covid-testing-results
 
Big Apple Awards
The New York City Department of Education (NYCDOE) is excited to announce the nomination period for the ninth annual Big Apple Awards. We encourage you to celebrate outstanding educators in your community bynominating them for the Big Apple Awards by January 10th.
 
We need your help to highlight some of our city’s best teachers and celebrate the dedicated educators who serve our 1.1 million students. We hope you will help spread the word—and consider making a nomination yourself!
 
To make a nomination, visit http://schools.nyc.gov/bigappleawards.
Nominations accepted through Sunday, January 10
Click here for more information.
 
IT Help Desk and Resources for Remote Learning for Families
The DOE’s IT HELP DESK AND RESOURCES FOR REMOTE LEARNING in English, Spanish and Chinese, Arabic, Bengla/Bengali, French, Russian, Urdu, Korean and Haitian-Creole are here. This document outlines resources that are available to our families to support remote learning.