Weekly DispatchSeptember 25, 2023

This week at Children's Aid: Performance Review Deadline … Oppose Cuts to Head Start … Harry Potter Raffle Winner … Register for October’s All-Staff Meeting … Book Club … Vacation Carryover Policy Update … And More!


Annual Performance Reviews
Deadline Approaching

Annual performance reviews are due this Friday, September 29. We want to remind you of the recorded webinars that offer guidance for the next stages of the process:

Here are a few additional important reminders:

  • All reviews must be completed and have the appropriate signoff in the TM portal by September 29.
  • Guides to support completion of the staff performance review process (TM portal login; delegation; dual supervision; SMART Goals) are available in the "Talent: Hiring & Learning" tab under "Resources" on your TMHR Dashboard on Charlie.
  • Translation support for completion of the performance review process in a language other than English can be requested by contacting TMHR.

The TMHR team is ready to answer your questions and assist you in this process. You can reach us at [email protected] or 212-284-4590.


Oppose Cuts to Head Start!

Early Childhood Program

Over 60% of our Early Childhood budget comes from Federal Head Start funding. The House Labor/HHS Appropriations Subcommittee has proposed cutting funding for Head Start by $750 million for the next fiscal year. These programs promote school readiness for infants, toddlers, and preschool-aged children, and this cut would eliminate approximately 80,000 slots nationally. The Senate Appropriations Committee, on the other hand, proposed a bill that increases Head Start funding by $275 million. Please write to your representative to oppose cuts to Head Start and urge your senators to support increased funding for Head Start!


Harry Potter Raffle Winner

Sandra Ramirez and daughter

Congratulations to Sandra Ramirez from PS 5 for winning last week’s raffle to see “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child” live on Broadway! She was able to enjoy the show with her daughter, Chanel.

Remember to read the Dispatch every week for important information about our work, our colleagues, our clients – and for the occasional giveaway! Thanks to everyone who participated in the raffle.


Register Now for our Next All-Staff Meeting
Wednesday, October 4

Our next quarterly All-Staff Meeting will take place on Wednesday, October 4, from 12:30-1:30 p.m. Please register today for the meeting, which is required viewing for all Children’s Aid staff. The goals of All-Staff Meetings are to provide updates on organizational priorities; share information and deliver announcements; and to build community among the Children’s Aid team.

  REGISTER  


NEW! Children’s Aid Book Club and Our Commitment to Excellence and Equity
Friday, October 6

In line with our values to “strive for excellence” and “seek equity and transformation in our communities,” we invite you to an opportunity to both learn together and improve our practice.

Dr. Bettina Love is coming out with a new book, Punished for Dreaming: How School Reform Harms Black Children and How We Heal. All Children’s Aid staff are invited to attend the Children’s Aid Book Club on Friday, October 6, at Noon. Join your colleagues to discuss what Ibram X. Kendi has called “a landmark book.”

Reach out to your local NYPL branch today to reserve a copy, or purchase it from an independent bookstore, like The Lit Bar in the Bronx.

  JOIN THE BOOK CLUB  


Vacation Carryover Reminder

We want to remind you about an important change to our vacation carryover policy. You must use any carryover days from FY23 (days earned from July 1, 2022, through June 30, 2023) by June 30, 2024, or you will lose them. This is a change from a former policy, where up to five days could be carried over an additional year with VP/TMHR approval. We are flagging this change early in the fiscal year so that staff can plan ahead.

Please note that your unused FY24 days will still carry over to FY25.


Story Spotlight

Story Spotlight

How a Dancer Became a Community School Director

Shannon Heffernan turned her love of dance into a career in schools.


Social Media Spotlight

Social Media Spotlight


Take care, everyone, and have a great week!