Help prepare your child or teen with a disability for the next stage of their life. Featuring Merle Cohen, Transition Coach at District 75 and Harry Nussbaum, F.E.G.S. Presented in conjunction with the Brooklyn Developmental Disabilities Council Transition Committee.

Free workshop: College Admissions and Financial Aid 101: What you need to know about the college admissions and financial aid process including: -How should you create a balanced college list? -What really happens in the admissions office? -The lowdown on the differences between merit and need based aid -What sources can you find online to assess your eligiblity? -How can your son or daughter's application strength influence influence grant award? Presenters: Deena Maerowitz, former Assoc. Director of Admissions at Columbia Business School, attorney and social worker with background in adolescent education issues and Professional member of the Independent Educational Consultants Association. Maura Griffin, mom to a 16-year-old high school junior, is founder of Blue Spark Capital Advisors and a certified college planning specialist. She has her undergraduate degree from Georgetown University and her MBA from Columbia.

Public Education Parents Town Hall organized by City Council member Brad Lander, together with ParentVoicesNY – to make sure that parent voices are heard loud and clear. We’ll be talking about parent organizing efforts to: • Reduce the over-emphasis on high-stakes testing (crowding out well-rounded education for our kids, and adding stress to students and teachers alike), and shift to a better system of evaluation and support. • Shape the debate about public education in the 2013 mayoral and citywide elections • Address overcrowding in District 15 • Support John Jay High School • Develop innovative PTA & parent involvement efforts to support all schools • Support healthier food, gardening, and sustainability RSVP: http://salsa.wiredforchange.com/o/2777/p/salsa/event/common/public/?event_KEY=113807

Public Education Town Hall Meeting This meeting will be an opportunity for parents to meet with Brad Lander, Parent Voices NY, and the Youth, Human Services, and Education Committee of CB 6 for a discussion about how to get involved with: Parent organizing to reduce the over-emphasis on high-stakes testing; Addressing overcrowding in District 15; Community efforts to support John Jay High School building; Innovative PTA work to support all schools; Supporting healthier food, gardening, and sustainability.

Public Education Parents Town Hall sponsored by Brad Lander, councilperson, and Parent Voices NY.Parent Voices NY in Brooklyn. Topics:parent organizing as 2013 elections approach, high-stakes testing & more. Agenda: -- Short "pitches" for the break-out sessions; Breakout sessions, Parent Voices NY: organizing on education policy; 2013 elections;high-stakes testing. PTA resources/link/web-site/support project, and also some hard questions like fundraising, and its effects on school budgets. -- School food, wellness, gardening, and sustainability work -- Special education reform -- Park Slope rezoning proposal: DOE on-hand for Q & A, CEC as well to receive "official" feedback -- John Jay High School support efforts

Brooklyn Gifted & Talented Information Sessions: Learn about elementary school gifted and talented programs and how to apply. Incoming kindergartners - 3rd graders must sign up to test by Nov. 9. Education Department enrollment officials will explain the process and answer questions.

Brooklyn Gifted & Talented Information Session: Learn about elementary school gifted and talented programs and how to apply. Incoming kindergartners - 3rd graders must sign up to test by Nov. 9. Education Department enrollment officials will explain the process and answer questions.

Brooklyn Gifted & Talented Information Session. Learn about how to apply to elementary school G&T programs from DOE officials. Nov. 9 is the deadline to sign up for tests required for incoming kindergarten-3rd graders. Q&A with DOE enrollment officials.

The Brooklyn Phil Youth Orchestra has a place for all students with any level of experience. String auditions for 2012-2013 will be held during the following dates and times. Students should be prepared to perform two pieces of music as well as play one scale in any key. The music portion of the audition will be followed by a short interview with parent and student. At least one parent or legal guardian must accompany each student to the initial audition. To schedule an audition please contact us at 718-488-5700 or email us at info@bphil.org. October 14, 21 and 28, 2012 12-3 pm

The Brooklyn Phil Youth Orchestra has a place for all students with any level of experience. String auditions for 2012-2013 will be held during the following dates and times. Students should be prepared to perform two pieces of music as well as play one scale in any key. The music portion of the audition will be followed by a short interview with parent and student. At least one parent or legal guardian must accompany each student to the initial audition. To schedule an audition please contact us at 718-488-5700 or email us at info@bphil.org. October 14, 21 and 28, 2012 12-3 pm

The Brooklyn Phil Youth Orchestra has a place for all students with any level of experience. String auditions for 2012-2013 will be held during the following dates and times. Students should be prepared to perform two pieces of music as well as play one scale in any key. The music portion of the audition will be followed by a short interview with parent and student. At least one parent or legal guardian must accompany each student to the initial audition. Ages 7 to 18. To schedule an audition please contact us at 718-488-5700 or email us at info@bphil.org. October 14, 21 and 28, 2012 12-3 pm

College Prep Fair for Latino students and their families. Information on tuition costs, financial aid and guidance through the college preparation process will be available. register http://schools.nyc.gov/ParentsFamilies/parentsaspartners

3rd Annual Brooklyn UFT Parent Conference Advocating, Transitioning, and Building Partnerships for Greater Academic Success * Workshops * Exhibitors * Raffles

As part of Parents as Partners Week, the NYC Department of Education will host a panel discussion featuring fathers of children with special needs and a keynote speech from NYC Fatherhood Services Coordinator Alan S. Farrell before the discussion.

AFC’s Parent Training Information Center is offering the following free workshop: Charter Schools: What are they? How do they differ from public schools? For information or to register, contact Joanne Buccellato, (212) 947-9779, ext. 505.

District 15 Community Education Council October meeting. On the agenda: possible rezoning in the district for PS 321 and PS 39 and the creation of a new K-5 school in the St. Thomas Aquinas building. A rezoning of PS 10 and PS 107 may also be considered. There will also be a discussion on the impact of rezoning on the area covered by PS 32, PS 58, and PS146 as well as District 15 as a whole.

The Community Education Council (CEC) for District 15 is hosting a meeting to discuss their current plan to rezone district 15, which includes adding a k-5 elementary school at St. Thomas Aquinas school to alleviate overcrowding throughout the district. The current DOE proposal is expected to affect children in PS10, PS39, PS107, and PS321. There will also be a discussion on the impact of rezoning on the area covered by PS 32, PS 58, and PS 146 as well as District 15 as a whole.

Community Education Council District 21 Meeting Karen Alford, UFT Vice President for Elementary Schools Topic: UFT initiative to support and assist six schools, including PS 188, in their development of a community learning school’s model: Lauren Lefty, Associate Planner, Brooklyn Planning Team - Office of Portfolio Management. Topic: Work of the Portfolio Team and some specific planning scenarios regarding D21. Light refreshments & door prizes.

The Zoning Committee of District 6's CEC is holding a series of meetings throughout the District to share information and solicit community feedback on proposals to change from a zoned-school system, to a choice system. Under such a plan, families would have the choice of applying to any school in District 6, rather than automatically qualifying for admission to the school closest to their home. Any system has advantages and disadvantages; come learn about this proposal, how this might affect your child(ren), and make your voice be heard on this important topic. Additional meetings will be held on: - Thurs October 25th @ PS 115/Humboldt (568 W. 177th St.) - Thurs November 1st @ PS 98/Shorac Kappock (512 W. 212th St.)

Chancellor Dennis Walcott will speak about the importance of parent involvement and the steps the DOE is taking to make it easier for parents to be a part of their school community. There will be other speakers, as well as a parent panel on College and Career Readiness.