|
In This Issue
Here we are once again. Another year has come and gone - and quickly, at that. But what a year it was for PTA! We had some lofty goals and introduced new inclusion initiatives, and you all responded to these efforts with impressive zest.
First off, I'm happy to report that we made great strides with our Male Involvement Alliance MORE: Men Organized to Raise Engagement. Getting men more involved in PTA was - and will continue to be - a high priority for the association. In 2009, we set the bar high by working with the National Fatherhood Initiative to launch the "Get in the PTA" campaign in schools, implementing Real Men Cook and Real Men Read programs in Texas, welcoming more than 200 new male PTA leaders to WATCH D.O.G.S, and co-sponsoring the Million Father March on the first day of school. We all know how vital it is to get men more engaged and, as a father of four myself (one in elementary and one in middle school), I'm just thrilled to see that we're on the right track toward making that happen.
We also put the spotlight on diversity this year with our fourth annual Emerging Minority Leaders Conference and the official launch of our Urban Family Engagement Initiative. When leaders like you came together to collaborate, network, learn and share, the result was a powerful foundation that we must continue to build on in the years to come.
So, we'll continue to ramp up these inclusion efforts in 2010, but that's not all we've got planned for the year. We'll have the National PTA Reflections Exhibit at the U.S. Department of Education, the always-important Take Your Family to School Week demonstrating our National Standards for Family-School Partnerships in action, the National PTA Legislative Conference in DC and our 114th annual National PTA Convention and Exhibition in Memphis, which will also feature the 2010 EMLC, Male Engagement Summit, Youth Summit and a celebration of the 40th Anniversary when the National Congress of Parents and Teachers merged with the National Congress of Colored Parents and Teachers, forming today's PTA.
With all of these exciting initiatives on the horizon, 2010 is shaping up to be another incredible year for PTA. Let's make sure of it, together. Your participation is what makes all the difference and I'm looking forward to working with each of you to continue this momentum in making inclusion and academic success a reality for all of our children.
Happy holidays, from our family to yours.
Chuck Saylors
National PTA President
A father and daughter show off their first place certificates from the Day of Basketball with Your Dad event hosted by Centerville Elementary School PTA in Snellville, Georgia. The two-on-two basketball tournament was organized with the help of the school's Watch D.O.G.S. (Dads of Great Students). |
This November, for PTA Healthy Lifestyles Month, hundreds of PTAs hosted events to encourage physical activity and good nutrition. Visit PTA's Fotki page to see photos. Here's what just a few of the PTA Healthy Lifestyles Award recipients did:
- Arundel Middle School PTA in Odenton, Maryland, hosted a "So You Think You Can Cook" contest. Judges from the community picked the healthiest and most flavorful dishes in four categories: least expensive, favorite dish, most surprising, and most unusual. Read more in The Capital (Annapolis, MD).
- Conway PTA in Conway, Pennsylvania, started an intramural basketball program for over 200 students, and plans to offer other sports in the months ahead. Read more in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
- As the culmination of a month-long recess walking challenge, Longfellow Math & Science Magnet Elementary PTA in Westerville, Ohio, hosted a fitness and nutrition night at a local community center. Families participated in a healthy recipe potluck and a fresh-fruit tasting, then burned off some calories on the climbing wall and with other activities in the gym.
Help spread the word about the 45 PTA Healthy Lifestyles Award recipients-and all PTAs that participated in the month. Consider including a feature article about some of the celebrations in your newsletter or on the state PTA website, and recognize winners from your state at your next statewide meeting.
Created in partnership with the Entertainment Software Rating Board, A Parent's Guide to Video Games, Parental Controls and Online Safety is a full-color, 17-page informational guide for parents that provides guidance for choosing age-appropriate video games, setting up parental controls on video game systems, and making sure their child's video game experience is safe and secure. PTA state leaders may request bulk orders of hard copies of the English version, at no cost. You might consider distributing these booklets at your next convention, or any other state-wide meeting. To submit a request, send an e-mail to marketing@esrb.org that contains your name, title, phone number, mailing address, and the quantity you need. Electronic copies are also available for download online in both English and Spanish (scroll to bottom of the page).
In November, the Georgia PTA launched the Membership Messenger newsletter. View this innovative publication online.
| National PTA knows the PSAs are airing but we want to know what effect they're having in your state. Send us an e-mail telling us what kind of responses and inquiries you are receiving because of the PSAs. |
The PTA Gateway Public Service Announcements (PSAs) are online. Download them at PTA.org/GatewayPSAs (go to the PSA Web portal). You can also
- Find reports on stations airing the PSAs
- Order DVDs of the television PSAs and CDs of the radio PSAs for your PTA to use or send to additional television and radio stations
- Download Web banners and print ads
- Download tools to help you reach out to media gatekeepers and support the PSA campaign
|
To learn more, visit PTA.org/ccssi. |
Earlier this month, PTA announced a new three-year effort to mobilize parents to advance key education priorities, beginning with the common core state standards - a voluntary, state-led, internationally benchmarked set of high academic standards in English language arts and mathematics. Currently each state has their own academic standards, which has resulted in students being taught at different levels of rigor, depending on where they live. Common core standards will help ensure that all students receive a rigorous, quality education that prepares them for college or a career. For parents, this effort will help them know what their students will learn in school and how they can support that learning at home. Beginning in January 2010, National PTA will educate and train PTA members and parents about common core state standards, focusing early outreach in four states: Florida, Georgia, New Jersey and North Carolina. Other states will be engaged as the work moves forward in mid-2010. A $1 million grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation will help support this effort.
Member Benefit Provider Message
Introducing the PTA Rewards Card, an incredibly easy and effective way to fundraise. With more than 250,000 retail offers to take advantage of, your supporters will enjoy a full year of saving up to 50% at thousands of Retailers, Restaurants, Movie Theaters, Golf Courses, Theme Parks and so much more. They can expect to save hundreds even thousands of dollars a year! To register your school for an upcoming fundraiser or to learn more, visit www.ptarewardscard.org or call (866) 229-8787 Ext.704.
Wednesday, January 20th, 12 pm EST
This webinar will help you, as parents and caring adults, influence efforts to conduct health-promoting and profitable fundraisers in your children's schools. Explore guiding principles and alternatives to traditional candy and baked goods fundraisers. Hear from others, including PTA leaders, who have stories to share or come ready to share an example of your success. Ask questions and gain ideas and resources for taking the next step in your school community. School staff and other interested parties are welcome to attend. (Co-sponsored by National PTA and the Alliance for a Healthier Generation.) To participate, register online..
As 2009 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 2010.
PTA Reflections Exhibition at U.S. Department of Education, January 15-February 19
PTA ReflectionsSM is going on exhibit at the U.S. Department of Education in Washington DC. Forty pieces of nationally recognized visual arts and photography pieces from the 2008-2009 Reflections Program will be on display in the lobby of the LBJ Education Building as part of the U.S. Department of Education's Student Art Exhibit Program.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony and reception will be held Friday, January 15. The exhibit will be open to the public through February 19. Please e-mail Chantay Carter, National PTA arts in education program coordinator, at ccarter@PTA.org to learn more.
Special thanks to Parenting, National Media Sponsor of the PTA Reflections Program, and HP, PTA National Member Benefits Provider, for their support.
PTA Take Your Family to School Week, February 7-13
With science discovery days, math and reading nights, international festivals, art fairs, classroom activities, volunteer opportunities, curriculum-based games, workshops, and more, PTAs across the nation and in American schools overseas will celebrate the fifth annual PTA Take Your Family to School Week this February 7-13, 2010.
Thirty-two local units, representing 18,762 students and 23 state PTAs, will receive cash awards of $1,897 to support their events. (See the list of award winners online.) Hundreds more will join them in hosting activities to connect parents to their children's education and strengthen family-school partnerships.
Please continue to support and encourage all PTAs in holding Take Your Family to School Week events. Event ideas, Web banners, promotional posters, and special membership forms are available at PTA.org/FamilyToSchool.
The PTA Take Your Family to School Week Awards are funded by AXA Foundation, Proud National Sponsor of PTA.
Family-School Partnership Awards Deadline, March 1
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 for Family-School Partnerships. All local PTAs in good standing are eligible to apply.
Direct units to PTA.org/Hearst for the application and details starting January 15. The application deadline is 11:59 p.m. EST, March 1.
Reflections Deadline, March 2
The national deadline for state entries to the PTA Reflections Program is March 2. Refer to the State Arts Chairs' Guide, at PTAreflections.org under How to Begin: State Participation, for instructions on submitting entries. (Username and password required.)
PTA National Legislative Conference, March 9-11
- Attend the 2010 National PTA Legislative Conference, March 9-11, in Washington, DC.
- Learn more about PTA's federal public policy priorities.
- Build your advocacy skills and hear guest speakers.
- Visit your members of Congress on Capitol Hill.
- Honor fellow child advocates.
Learn more at PTA.org/LegislativeConference. Registration opens January 5. State presidents and federal legislative chairs will be sent an e-mail with more details.
Additional March Events
- Tuesday, March 9-National Council of States Meeting, Washington, DC
- Tuesday, March 9-State Presidents' Training, Washington, DC
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. Special consideration is given to programs reaching students whose environmental, familial, and/or socioeconomic situation may affect their academic success or ability to learn.
The application and details will be available starting January 22 at PTA.org/ArtsGrants.
PTA Teacher Appreciation Week, May 2-8
Thank teachers for their dedication and service. Bring together students, families, and community members to celebrate PTA Teacher Appreciation Week, May 2-8. Join PTA's Thank-A-Teacher group on Facebook
Flu Vaccination Clinic Registration
Encourage units to register in May for seasonal flu vaccination clinics to be held the following fall. Units should talk with school administrators and school nurses to choose a date that is most convenient for the school and the community. Go to PTA.org/flushotclinics for registration and more information.
114th Annual National PTA Convention and Exhibition, June 10-13
Join PTA leaders and members from across the country in Memphis, Tennessee, for the 2010 National PTA Convention, June 10-13. In 2010, the national convention will include new Emerging Minority Leaders, Male Involvement, and Youth tracks; a prize wheel in the exhibit hall; and all the great training opportunities you've come to expect. Registration opens in February at PTA.org/Convention.
2010-2011 Official PTA Kit
National PTA will again offer the Official PTA Kit to all units in good standing. Please keep all records up-to-date to help ensure that PTA presidents receive important updates about receiving their kits.
For the 2009 Official PTA Kit Online, go to PTA.org/OfficialKit.
PTA Healthy Lifestyles Award Applications Due
Each fall, local PTAs have the opportunity to apply for awards of up to $1,000 to support events, activities, and programs designed to promote good nutrition and physical fitness in their school communities during PTA Healthy Lifestyles Month and beyond. Remind units to include November's PTA Healthy Lifestyles Month in their 2010 calendars, and to be prepared to apply for the PTA Healthy Lifestyles Awards in early September. Award recipients are notified in October. More details are available at PTA.org/HealthyLifestyles.
Let's Fight Flu Together! Flu Vaccination Clinics
Seasonal flu vaccination clinics take place September through January. Units can find details on event logistics, as well as FAQs and promotional information, at PTA.org/flushotclinics. Help prevent the spread of influenza.
PTA Healthy Lifestyles Month
PTA Healthy Lifestyles is getting families exercising and eating right. Encourage PTAs to keep up the great work. For pictures from some of the 2009 events, check out PTA's Fotki page.
$1,897 Award Applications Due
Each year, National PTA awards $1,897 to 32 PTAs planning events for PTA Take Your Family to School Week. Applications for the 2011 awards will be due in early November 2010. Award recipients are notified in early December. View the list of 2010 winners.
Please note that the National PTA offices will be closed December 24, 2009, through January 3, 2010. The offices will reopen Monday, January 4, 2010.
Happy Holidays from the PTA Partners in Leadership editorial team and the entire National PTA staff!
|
