October by Robert Frost

Hello everyone,

There has been a definite chill to the air lately and after the few gray and rainy days we have had we know that Autumn is now fully upon us.  The kids have been in school now for well over a month and the half-term is looming.

Now is the time for our October 2009 Monthly E-Newsletter. 

So, Sit back, have a cuppa and enjoy.

Latest News

Are You Interested In Food In Schools?

Following on from our consultation over the summer about your impressions of food in schools we have arranged an informal get-together at the Brunswick pub, Holland Road this Wednesday 14th October from 7pm. We have some tasty food and it would be great if you could join us to discuss this important issue.

Come and Meet Us

We are having our annual come along and meet the Parents' Forum morning on Friday 23rd October from 9.30am please come and join us at Cornerstone Community Centre, Hove.

Help With School Apps

We have researched some helpful information and websites to help all those parents that are currently wrangling with or about to go through the school admissions process. Please let us know what you think.

Is Your Child in Year 7?

These children will be the first to be required to stay in school or training until they are 18.  In order to support that, the government has come up with several schemes to make it easier for young people to do so.

Safety Net Assertiveness Programme

Are you worried that your child may be dealing with bullying at school or think they could learn to be more confident to withstand peer pressure?   Safety Net may have the answer.

35 Years of Women supporting Women

The Brighton Women's Centre has been supporting the women of our city for 35 years.  They are running a few new programs for women that you might be interested in.

Events

October is UK Black History Month

We now live in a society that is made up of a lot of different cultures and this month is to celebrate the contributions of Black people to the history of our country.

White Night 2009

Last year this, overnight cultural festival was a big success and this year it is back, bigger and better. 

October Half Term Suggestions

Here we are, just about to have the first half-term of the school year.  Once again we have our popular fun half term suggestions.

Have Your Say About........

The Level

The consultations concerning the redevelopment of the Level will be happening soon.  They have some pretty ambitious plans for this very central city park so if you can try to drop by and have your say.

This new section replaces the Consultation section in previous E-Newsletters.  This section will now include any consultation local or national that we hear about, not just the ones we are directly involved in. 

Blogs

This month has been a particularly busy month for all of us in the Parents' Forum, especially our bloggers.  They have not as yet managed to post their latest blogs, but you can read their previous ones while you are waiting to see what they have been up to this month.

Website of the Month

This month's website is My Brighton and Hove.  

This historical site is full of stories, memories, and photos by the residents of our lovely city.  Go on and take a look, you may learn something new about our city or your neighbourhood.

Discussion of the Month

In Portslade someone is looking for different groups they can attend with their son in the local area where they live.  Why not pop on and give your suggestions?

Did You Know?

That October is also the International Walk to School Month?  Almost 50% of children don't walk to school regularly and that there is an impact to urban congestion, air pollution and childhood obesity as more pupils are being driven to school. 

This campaign is run by the charity Living Streets and you can find out more about Walk to School Month by going to the website.

Join Us

We would like to introduce Caroline and Karen, who over the next few months will be working on the Events and Web Links on our website after they agreed to volunteer to help our Web Editor with our website. 

Their help has already been invaluable and we hope you like all of the work they are doing on our web links as well as doing a fantastic job in finding events for you and your families.

Do you have a few extra hours a month?  Would you like to help the Parents' Forum continue our work serving the parents and families of Brighton and Hove and have a great time doing it?

We need help with our Events, website, and much, much more.

If you are interested in helping us or would just like to hear more about the Brighton and Hove Parents' Forum, take the time to ring Tasha our Development Worker on 01273 294391 or Andrew our chair on 07758008628.

Come on, don't be shy.  We are a friendly lot and with all reasonable expenses (travel and childcare) paid for you what are you waiting for?

Next month.............

This year's annual Burning the Clocks event will be on the day of the winter solstice, December 21, but unlike previous years, they are not holding the usual open family workshops.  They will be working with three local communities who have not participated before.  If you want to be a part of it, you must purchase a lantern kit which not only allows you to make a safe lantern, but it is your ticket to allow you to participate in the parade and enter the VIP viewing area during the event.  There are only a limited number of these available to purchase so get them fast if you or your children are interested in being part of this amazing and well known festival. 

Go to their website to find out details about where to get the packs and information on the event itself.

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Thanks for reading!  See you again soon.

The Parents' Forum Team