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Download the latest parent tip sheets on the H1N1 (Swine Flu) Virus.
In This Issue
Peace of Mind When Your Kids Are Home Alone
School closings, or even the threat of school closings, due to recent flu concerns forced many parents to think about alternative day-care arrangements for their children. For some families with older children, this might have meant leaving the children at home while the parents went to work.
When is the last time you talked with your children about how they can stay safe when they are home alone?
Here are some tips on topics to cover with your kids:
- Teach your children how and when to use 9-1-1, and make sure they have a trusted adult to call if they’re scared or have an emergency.
- Make sure your children know how to reach you at work and on your cell phone.
- Role-play with your children how to answer the phone when they are home alone.
- Remind your children about the household rules regarding having friends over when you are not at home.
- Set up "what if" situations and ask your children how they would respond. "What if someone came to the door and asked to come in? What would you do?"
For more things you can do to help your family stay safer, visit PTA.org’s new "Child Safety Events: How to Get Involved" page. Learn how to take action on the safety topics most relevant to your family.
How to Read with a Beginning Reader
By Joanne Meier, Reading Rockets
Sometimes parents of beginning readers wonder if their child is on track with reading. They don't understand why their child can't read a word today they were able to read yesterday. They grumble that their child only wants to read the same book over and over again.
Most beginning readers are inconsistent. They may read a particular word correctly on one page, but they have to stop and sound it out again on the next page. When you listen to a beginning reader, you hear short, choppy words with little attention to punctuation. Sometimes a new reader can tell you very little about what they just read.To assist beginning readers, use the following approaches:
At the beginning stage of reading, all of these reading behaviors are to be expected. Beginning readers are building their fluency. This means they’re working to make several skills—like matching a letter to a sound and decoding--more smooth, accurate and automatic. Without fluency, each word must be decoded, and that takes time and energy. This means that other reading behaviors like reading with expression and comprehension have less of a focus.
When reading with a beginning reader, it’s important to do the following:
- Give them time to read. Reading is a skill, and like many other skills, it takes time to develop. A beginning reader should spend at least 20 minutes a day reading to or with someone. The books read during this time should be relatively easy for your child.
- Let them reread the same books. Rereading the same words over and over again helps build fluency. Over time, you’ll notice that your child will stop less often to decode words.
- Encourage attention to the print. If your child is stuck on a word, help him look at the first letter(s) and encourage him to sound it out. If it’s a difficult word, or one that can’t be sounded out, simply supply the word and continue reading.
- Take turns reading. By listening to your fluent reading, your child will hear what good readers sound like. After you’ve read a short passage, ask your child to reread the same passage. This provides a chance for her to practice reading with expression.
- Have realistic expectations. For example, students should be reading approximately 60 words per minute correctly by the end of first grade, and 90-100 words per minute correctly by the end of second grade. Your child’s teacher can help you learn your child’s reading rate.
It’s important to nurture your beginning reader in a way that helps make reading a daily habit and a lifelong love. By being aware of what’s normal for a beginning reader, and by knowing how to help them progress, you’re sure to instill those qualities in your reader.
To learn more about reading with your child, see Reading Tips for Parents (babies to third graders) in 11 languages.
PTA Briefs
Show Your Support —
Submit an 'I am PTA' Video or Essay
Help PTA show the world what a dynamic, diverse, and inclusive organization you belong to. You can get in on this exciting new project by submitting an 'I am PTA' video or essay. Your entry could be used in a video montage shown at the 2009 PTA National Convention or in any of PTA's print or online media.
Read more to find out how to participate.
Here’s how to participate: Using the theme "I am PTA," record why you think you represent the vibrant and inclusive organization that is PTA. You may record a short video (20 seconds or less), write a short essay (200 words maximum) or read an audio essay (20 seconds or less)
There are three ways to participate:
- Video - Post your video on PTA YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/) and send the web address to parent@pta.org along with your name, PTA affiliation, e-mail address, and phone number.
- Essay - E-mail your essay as a Word document to parent@pta.org (and also include contact information). Please put I am PTA in the subject line of your e-mail.
- Audio - Record an audio essay by calling (312) 670-6782, ext. 374 (use the password 0000). Again, please record contact information at the end of the submission.
Celebrate the End of a Great School Year – Host PTA Movie Night Live 2: Now Extended Through June 12th!
$250 of Value for Only $125! We are pleased to announce that we have just extended movie screenings of Walt Disney's BOLT (PG rated) and the high school hit TWILIGHT (PG-13 rated). Your school can now host your movie night until June 12th.
We've also made it easier for you to participate: Simply register and purchase the 25 attendee minimum for your school, and for $125 you will receive the required movie license agreement, DVD to raffle off after your event (Total value: $125). In addition, you will also receive (25) $5 PTAdigital.com gift cards, valued at $125, that you can sell or raffle off to your attendees. By purchasing the attendee minimum of $125, you will be able to invite as many attendees as you'd like. Your school can also raise funds by selling snacks, beverages, raffle tickets, and more at your event. Visit PTAMovieNightLive.com/register to register your school now.
How can my school participate? It's easy, here's how:
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Designate a movie night event coordinator (this could be you!) |
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Have your school pick a date for your school's movie night between May 19th and June 12th. |
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Register at PTAMovieNightLive.com/register by your deadline (7 days before your event if you pay by credit card). |
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Receive your PTA Movie Night Kit and enjoy your event! |
What can I purchase with the PTAdigital.com gift cards?
$5 PTAdigital.com gift cards are redeemable at PTA's new online store, PTAdigital.com, where families can create personalized photo products such as customized posters, calendars, small photo books, greeting cards, door hangers, and photo cubes, all delivered right to your door for less than $5. Celebrate your teachers, graduates, mothers, fathers, friends, and more! It's easy to use your favorite pictures and messages to create memorable photo gifts... and it's fun! You can also apply PTAdigital.com gift cards towards the purchase of family-friendly DVDs as well.
Can't participate in this Movie Night?
Even if your school can't participate in this movie night event, we encourage you to check out ptadigital.com for great photo gift ideas and fundraising products at discounted prices. Shipping is free on all products and most of our personalized photo products are priced below $5 including sales tax! Check it out today and help support PTA.
 The Search is on for 'Today's Extraordinary Grandparents'
Grandparents.com is looking for grandparents who are active, involved, and redefining what it means to be a grandparent — whether they're contributing extraordinary things to their grandchildren's lives or they're making an impact on the world with them.
Visit Grandparents.com and nominate someone (or yourself!) who is an extraordinary grandparent. An expert panel will narrow down the field and select five grandparents who will each receive a $500 donation to a school of their choice and be featured on Grandparents.com.
Nominate Here
Three Hours, Three Cheers for Parents
To all the parents and other family members who gave three hours to their children's schools and education this year to fulfill the PTA Three for Me commitment—thank you.
Thanks to you, schools received needed support, family-school partnerships were strengthened, and, best of all, children benefited. No matter how small the act may seem, your contribution to your child's school plays an important role in school performance and student success. You are a vital part of the school community. Thank you.
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The PTA national office wants to know how Three for Me has made a difference for your family and school. Send your stories to threeforme@pta.org. | |
PTA Teacher Appreciation Week: Share Your Stories
How did your family and school thank teachers last week? Share pictures, stories, links, and videos with PTA's Thank-A-Teacher group on Facebook (be sure to click through to the PTA Teacher Appreciation Week event to see more posts).
Also, remember to send in your teacher thank-you cards for potential inclusion in the PTA Teacher Appreciation Virtual Gallery.
 Picture PTA Is Back!
Get your cameras ready: The 4th Picture PTA Photo Contest is coming your way.
Picture PTA offers all adults a chance to show off activities and events in their homes, schools, and communities and exercise their creativity. Graduation, end-of-school year events, picnics, and other outdoor fun are just around the corner. Take advantage of these picture-perfect moments to preserve your experiences and try to win gift cards and recognition.
The contest opens May 20 and runs through June 30. Details will be available shortly on PTA.org. Enter for your chance to win a $50 gift card and national acknowledgment online and in PTA publications.
100 Ways to Help Your Child and School Succeed
There are many ways that you can help your child succeed! A few small activities each week will pay huge dividends over the course of the year. Here are a few that you can do this week:
Coordinate and participate in evening and weekend volunteer activities at school. - Coordine y participe en actividades que se llevan a cabo en la escuela durante la tarde y los fines de semana.
Attend training and orientation on how to be an effective volunteer. - Brinde asistencia a la capacitación y orientación sobre cómo ser un voluntario eficaz.
PTA in the News
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