PTA Testifying Before Congress
We are excited to share that this Wednesday, May 16, 2012 New York State PTA President Dr. Maria Fletcher will be testifying before Congress. The House Education and Workforce Committee’s Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education will host a hearing at 10 am EST entitled “Exploring State Success in Expanding Parent and Student Options.” Dr. Fletcher was invited at the request of Congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy (NY-4).
Dr. Fletcher will be joined on the panel by Kevin Chavous, Senior Advisor for the American Federation for Children and Todd Ziebarth, Vice President, State Advocacy and Support , National Alliance for Public Charter Schools. For more information, including a link to watch the hearing live on Wednesday, please visit http://www.edworkforce.house.gov/Calendar/EventSingle.aspx?EventID=294598.
Please join us in both congratulating and sending well wishes to Dr. Fletcher as she represents PTA before Congress! Let us know if you have any questions.
National PTA on Lifetime Network
National PTA President Betsy Landers will participate on Lifetime Network's “The Balancing Act” tomorrow, May 15, as well as on May 16, June 5thand again in September. An interview with National PTA President Betsy Landers will be featured on the show. Her appearance is part of the Dream School Challenge by Lifetime Television. She previously appeared on the show in April. Watch a preview of her interview here: http://www.pta.org/5083.htm.
The Balancing Act also produces The Parent Teacher Corner, a website that addresses the issues within K12 education in America today. The series on education, as a part of The Balancing Act, empowers teachers, administrators, parents and community with the information that can support positive change.
BBB Wise Giving Alliance Standard
The Better Business Bureau Wise Giving Alliance evaluates charitable organizations on specific standards to help consumers make informed choices in their charitable giving. These rigorous standards cover governance and oversight, organizational effectiveness, finances, fund raising and communication.
I am very pleased to announce that with the submission of our 2011 audit, the National PTA now meets all standards! The BBB Wise Giving Alliance does make available a commendation seal that organizations can display confirming they meet these standards and we will apply for use of the seal.
Meeting the standards of an independent third-party, particularly an organization with the public recognition and trust of the Better Business Bureau, will assure our members and donors that National PTA operates with the highest ethical and fiduciary accountability.
Eric R. Hargis, Executive Director
After-school and youth programs throughout Illinois are in immediate jeopardy of losing state funding for the coming year.>>>Read More.
2012 PTA Votes Election Guide Now Available
The 2012 PTA Votes Election Guide is now available online at the PTA Votes webpage. The printable guide provides an array of guidance for PTAs ranging from voter registration drives, questions for candidates, ballot initiatives, and the "cans" and "cannots" for PTAs around election time. In addition to other resources, the PTA Votes website also provides an interactive tool that allows members to register to vote and identify local elections by entering a ZIP code.
>>>Read More
National PTA now Accepting Applications for the Summer 2012 PTA Training of the Trainers
The 2012 National PTA Grassroots Advocacy Training of the Trainers (ToT) application is now open! The training will take place at National PTA headquarters in Alexandria, Virginia on July 21-22, 2012. Selected participants will receive a trip to National PTA headquarters to receive training to help expand advocacy capacity at the state and local levels. Applications will be accepted through June 1, 2012. For additional information - and to apply - visit the National PTA ToT website.
>>>Read More
National PTA Submits Comments on USDA's Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program Proposed Rule - >>>Read More
May 2, 2012
War Comes to PTA
Whether soldiers are on their tours of duty, at war or returning home, military families may have their own battle keeping as normal a family life as possible, especially for their children. This episode of National PTA Radio focuses on the challenges that military families face and how we, PTAs and the community, can help through these tough times as "War comes to PTA." Award-winning military mom, Amy Zink, and Region Director for Tennessee PTA joins this episode to talk about the effects of war on families. Since the end of the war in Iraq and as the Afghan war and negative media coverage of the war continues, communities should be aware that military families are still coping with the effects of war.
A new National PTA Radio show was posted this morning! Visit National PTA Radio’s webpage (http://www.ptanewsroom.org/pta_radio.html) to listen online or click the links below to download the show. Please share with friends, family and colleagues and tell us what you think. Thanks and enjoy!
Washington Post Reports on Lack of Education Funding, PTA Fundraising and Hearst Awards
A Washington Post story today reported on PTA fundraising, advocacy and education budgets. The story features local PTAs and quotes from National PTA Betsy Landers. It’s online and on the front page of today’s print edition. Online: http://www.washingtonpost.com/todays_paper?dt=2012-04-05&bk=A&pg=1
A second Washington Post story also reported on Mantua Elementary PTA in Fairfax, Va., receiving the Phoebe Apperson Hearst-National PTA Outstanding Family-School Partnership Award. See The Washington Post’s blog post about the award-winning PTA here: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/answer-sheet/post/fairfax-school-wins-national-family-engagement-award/2012/04/04/gIQAPcSQwS_print.html
The Power of Parents
The Power of Parents is MADDs new program that focuses on educating parents in influencing their children
on underage drinking. A national Study was performed by MADD noting that parents are the most impactful
when it comes to healthy behavior change. The handbook and other information are information pieces that help
parents learn about how to talk to their teen about underage drinking and drunk driving.
The Power of Parents program can be accessed online at: www.madd.org/powerofparents. The web site has
information about facilitator trainings and parent workshops.
National PTA Featured Again in USA Today Special Supplement
>>>Read more: http://www.pta.org/Health_and_Wellness.pdf
