December 2008 |
How can we top an incredible '08? This past year, we hired an exciting new CEO, Byron V. Garrett; the PTA Healthy Lifestyles program served nearly half a million students; we kicked off the PTA MORE initiative for male involvement; Maya Angelou and Dr. Sanjay Gupta shared words of wisdom at our convention; we launched PTA Video Store and a revamped PTA.org; and did so much more. We made it an amazing year, and I'm confident we can make 2009 even greater. For proof, you need to look no further than this newsletter. The Legislative Conference is once again an annual event, our Emerging Minority Leaders Conference is still growing, and OMDR Plus will continue to add more features and capabilities. Working together, we've accomplished much for our nation's children—thank you for everything you've done, and the wonderful work I know is yet to come. Happy holidays! Jan Harp Domene
During the second half of this school year, PTAs will have an opportunity to win a Dell laptop computer for their unit through a special membership promotion from the national office. With "Laptops for Leaders," computers will be awarded to PTAs that really take the lead in recruiting new members. To qualify for this contest, PTA units must register their total membership as of December 31, 2008 with the national office. Registration needs to be completed online at www.pta.org/laptops sometime during January 1–15, 2009. The 12 units which post the largest percentage increase in membership (over their registered number) as of March 31, 2009 will be awarded a laptop computer in mid-May. Winners will be chosen from five pre-determined categories (based on unit size). Computers can be a great tool for PTAs—helping to manage the unit, balance the books, access OMDR, plan programs, and much more. But to win one, leaders first need to use the great membership tools in their 2008 PTA Back-to-School Kits and on PTA.org, and start bringing more members into the school community! PTA Announces the Release of OMDR Plus We're pleased to let you know that OMDR Plus powered by Just Between Friends is now ready for use by state and local PTA leaders. Over recent months, PTA and Just Between Friends have been working in tandem on the first installment of this unique suite of tools, and the current release is the first of several that you'll be seeing in the next few months to help you run your PTAs. If your state PTA has been in contact with Just Between Friends about participating, you will receive your login credentials from Just Between Friends—and if you have already gone through training with the Just Between Friends team, you'll be able to login immediately to start working. The local PTA leaders in your state who have gone through the Group Start-up Wizard will receive their login credentials after your state PTA approves them into the system. If a local PTA president has not yet gone through the Group Start-up Wizard, they can go to www.JustBetweenFriends.com/2008QuickStart to begin. PTA is proud of this new system, and looks forward to hearing your feedback—both positive and constructive—so that OMDR can be even further enhanced to meet your needs. To reach Just Between Friends with comments or questions about getting your state up and running visit https://www.justbetweenfriends.com/ContactUs.aspx or call (412) 561-0500.
Looking for Last-Minute Holiday Gift Ideas? PTA Video Gift Cards Make Great Stocking Stuffers! Looking for that special gift to round out your holiday shopping? According to the National Retail Federation, gift cards are popular items, with about 54 percent of people reporting that they like receiving gift cards. 
You can purchase PTA Video Gift Cards at more than 17,000 retailers nationwide including Office Depot, Walgreens, Dollar General, Kinney Drug, and Valero. These gift cards are redeemable for thousands of kid-friendly movies and TV shows for the entire family and make great stocking stuffers, too! With every purchase made, proceeds benefit PTA! Complete your holiday shopping without having to leave the house! Visit www.PTAVideoStore.com/giftcards and find one of the coolest ways to present the gift of movies: Online PTA Video Gift Cards. These gift cards can be customized with your choice of personalized messages, and range from $20 up to $100. Personalize your gift card for the person you're e-mailing it to by adding a message and sending it electronically—straight to the recipient's inbox. PTA Video Gift Cards never expire and have no fees; they make the perfect holiday gift! PTA Healthy Lifestyles 2008: Snapshots Healthy habits bring many rewards, and PTAs know it. That's why local units nationwide promoted good nutrition and physical activity in celebration of PTA Healthy Lifestyles Month—whether or not they received a PTA Healthy Lifestyles Award.
For more snapshots, check out the PTA Healthy Lifestyles 2008 Fotki album. Encourage units to send their pictures and stories to HealthyLifestyles@pta.org to add to the album. Registration Open for 2009 PTA National Legislative Conference On March 10-12, 2009, PTA will host its annual legislative conference, as well as meetings for state presidents and the National Council of States, just outside Washington DC at the DoubleTree Crystal City in Arlington, Virginia. The PTA national office will cover the expenses of participation for the state president and federal legislative chair from each state (special registration information will be sent directly to those individuals) . Attendees will hear the latest updates on federal education policy (including No Child Left Behind reauthorization) and learn how to motivate PTA members to take action as advocates. The conference finishes on March 12 with congressional visits on Capitol Hill. For individuals beyond the state president and federal legislative chair interested in attending, please register online here. As 2008 comes to a close, PTA Partners in Leadership looks ahead to a very successful new year. Read on for events, deadlines, and other information to help you lead PTA forward in 2009. FEBRUARY 2009 PTA Take Your Family to School Week: February 8–14, 2009 From Alaska to Arkansas, California to North Carolina, and even in our Department of Defense Dependents Schools overseas, PTAs are planning murals, game shows, grandparents days, career fairs, parent workshops, mystery science nights, and more to connect families and schools. The PTA national office received Take Your Family to School Week Award applications from 597 units, serving a total of 391,656 students and 140,171 PTA members. Thirty-two local units, representing 21 state PTAs, will receive cash awards of $1,897 to support their efforts to welcome all families as partners in their children's education. (See the list of award winners online.) Please continue to support and encourage all PTAs in hosting Take Your Family to School Week events. Web banners, promotional posters, special membership forms, and event ideas for units just getting started are available at www.pta.org/familytoschool. The PTA Take Your Family to School Week Awards are funded by AXA Foundation, Proud National Sponsor of PTA. MARCH 2009 Family-School Partnership Awards Deadline: March 1, 2009 The Phoebe Apperson Hearst Family-School Partnership Awards give national recognition and up to $2,000 to PTAs that are working to achieve the National Standards. All local, council, district, and regional PTAs in good standing are eligible to apply. Direct PTAs to www.pta.org/hearst for the application and details. The application deadline is 11:59 p.m. EST, March 1. Special recognition will be given at the 2009 PTA National Convention to the state that has the highest percentage of PTAs apply. PTA Reflections Program Application Deadline: March 2, 2009 The national deadline for state entries for the PTA Reflections Program is March 2. Refer to the State Arts Chairs' Guide, at www.pta.org/reflections, for instructions on submitting entries. PTA National Legislative Conference: March 11–12, 2009 (Regis Attend the 2009 PTA National Legislative Conference, Wednesday, March 11 and Thursday, March 12 in Washington DC.
For details and general registration, go to http://www.pta.org/2008_national_legislative_conference.asp. Additional March Events
APRIL 2009 PTA Reflections Program Celebrates 40 Years Throughout the 2009–2010 program year, PTA will celebrate the 40th anniversary of its popular Reflections arts recognition program. The 2009–2010 theme is "Beauty is…" Stay tuned for exciting updates. MAY 2009 Mary Lou Anderson Reflections Arts Enhancement Grant Deadline: May 1 May 1 is the deadline for all Mary Lou Anderson Reflections Arts Enhancement Grant applications. Local PTAs in good standing may apply for these matching grants of up to $1,000 to help establish or enhance school arts programs. The application and details are available at www.pta.org/2033.htm. PTA Teacher Appreciation Week: May 3–9 Thank teachers for their dedication and service. Bring together students, families, and community members to celebrate PTA Teacher Appreciation Weekon May 3–9. SUMMER 2009 113th Annual PTA National Convention and Exhibition in Fort Lauderdale, FL: June 26-29, 2009 Join PTA leaders and members from across the country in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, for the 2009 PTA National Convention, June 26–29. In 2009, pre-convention workshops will be free, and you'll be able to participate in even more of them. Moreover, the exhibit hall will have longer hours, the polls will be open for delegates on Saturday and Sunday, and the newly expanded Family Expo will have more resources, activities, and entertainment than ever before. Registration opens in February at www.pta.org/annualconvention. PTA Back-to-School Kit All PTAs will again receive the popular PTA Back-to-School Kit to equip them for a successful school year. Please keep all records up-to-date to help ensure that PTA presidents receive their kits—and other valuable tools. School Year's Eve: August 2009 For millions of parents, the new year begins in late August as they put away the pool toys and pick up the books. From schedules to sports to clothing for kids, fashion for mom, and health for the whole family, it's the start of a whole new year. To celebrate this exciting time of year, Cookie magazine and PTA are partnering to create a new national holiday: School Year's Eve! Look for more information this spring on how your state and local units can get involved. We'll be counting down to the start of the 2009-2010 school year with a national launch campaign, website, materials to each local unit, and more! OCTOBER 2009 PTA Training and Capacity Building Initiative Emerging Minority Leaders Conference 2009 in Atlanta NOVEMBER 2009 PTA Healthy Lifestyles Month: November 2009 The PTA Healthy Lifestyles program is growing each year—to the great benefit of our children and communities. Encourage PTAs to keep up the great work and great creativity to continue promoting healthy habits in 2009. For more important deadlines and dates to close out the current membership and school year, refer to the PTA State Leader's Calendar. Happy Holidays from the PTA Partners in Leadership editorial team and the entire PTA national staff! |
The health center at Michigan's