National PTA Back-to-School Week–SAVE THE DATE!

PTA Leaders,

Back-to-school is practically a holiday for PTAs around the country–and this year we’re celebrating in a BIG way! Mark your calendars because we’ve designated Sept. 17-21 as National PTA Back-to-School Week.

Each day of the week we will highlight and share tips and resources for the amazing people who support our children’s learning and success. And we’re excited to announce that we’ve teamed up with Office Depot to make all of this happen!

Monday, September 17 – PTA Leaders
Tuesday, September 18 – Parents
Wednesday. September 19 – Students
Thursday, September 20 – Teachers
Friday, September 21 – Office Depot Day

Back-to-School Week will feature a comprehensive webpage with a wide variety of resources, announcements on grant recipients and new grant opportunities, classroom surprises–and so much more!

Be sure to visit PTA.org and use and follow #PTABacktoSchool as we rev up plans and promotions. I’ve also attached three “Save the Date” graphics that you can use on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to help spread the word.

We want you to celebrate with us! Together, we can make the 2018 National PTA Back-to-School Week and 2018-2019 school year a huge success for PTA leaders, parents, teachers and students. Enjoy the rest of your summer and get ready for an exciting back-to-school season.

Jim Accomando
National PTA President

National PTA School of Excellence Program – Open Enrollment

Dear PTA Leaders,

Enrollment for the 2018-2019 National PTA School of Excellence program year is now open at PTA.org/Excellence! As you know, the National PTA School of Excellence program supports and celebrates partnerships between PTAs and schools to enrich the educational experience and overall well-being of all students. By enrolling in this program, PTAs are making a yearlong commitment to identify and implement an action plan for school improvement based on PTA’s National Standards for Family-School Partnerships.

We appreciate your support in spreading this news to your network by using the promotional tools found on the State Excellence Library—including our new social media graphics! Please visit PTA.org/StateExcellenceLibrary for resources to recruit, support and celebrate PTAs throughout the School of Excellence program.

Thank you for your continued dedication and support.

Sincerely,

Amy Weinberg I Manager, Programs & Partnerships
National PTA
1250 N. Pitt Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
(800) 307-4PTA (4782)
(703) 518-1248 (Direct)

Gun Violence Awareness Day – 6/1/18

This Friday, 6/1, is Gun Violence Awareness Day. National PTA is a partner in Everytown for Gun Safety’s Wear Orange Weekend, a weekend where people all over the country will show their support for gun violence prevention both online and at community events. Here’s their link: https://wearorange.org/about/

Take a picture of yourself in your orange and post on social media using the hashtags #PTAProud #Enough and #EndGunViolence. Wouldn’t it be cool to see your councils and locals getting involved as well?

I’ve been trying to find some different resources for you. I have compiled some in this email.

For those of you that have held your conventions – here’s a debrief exercise to use if you haven’t done so already

https://instituteod.com/conducting-successful-debrief-evaluation-organization-development/

Amanda Palmer – the Art of Asking:

https://www.mrss.com/lab/amanda-palmers-the-art-of-asking-7-lessons-for-nonprofits/?utm_source=newpost&utm_medium=emaildigest&utm_campaign=Lab

Check out these TED Talks:

Amy Edmondson https://www.ted.com/talks/amy_edmondson_how_to_turn_a_group_of_strangers_into_a_team

Ingrid Fetell Lee https://www.ted.com/talks/ingrid_fetell_lee_where_joy_hides_and_how_to_find_it

Priya Vulchi and Winona Guo (just graduated high school) https://www.ted.com/talks/priya_vulchi_and_winona_guo_what_it_takes_to_be_racially_literate

Tanya Menon https://www.ted.com/talks/tanya_menon_the_secret_to_great_opportunities_the_person_you_haven_t_met_yet

Book – The Art of Gathering by Priya Parker (haven’t read it yet) Sounds like a good book

If you have any resources that you’d like to share, please let me know. I will get it out to the group.

Thank you for all that you do for children, families and educators in your state and nationally.

Mary Jo Neil | National Service Representative

C 301.919.8839 | [email protected]

National PTA Statement on Shooting at Noblesville West Middle School

ALEXANDRIA, Va., (May 25, 2018)—National PTA President Jim Accomando issued the following statement on the shooting at Noblesville West Middle School in Noblesville, Ind.:

“We can no longer be patient. More must be done immediately to keep our children safe at school.

“The Federal Commission on School Safety must take action now and bring stakeholders together to share knowledge, perspective, insight and best practices in school safety and climate, student mental health, instructional leadership, teaching and learning so that meaningful changes can be made to improve school safety in this time of crisis. Parents and all stakeholders want to be engaged in this effort to stop these acts of violence, protect their children and ensure they are safe at school.

“National PTA also urges Congress to adopt legislation that would strengthen background checks, fund gun violence research efforts, ban assault weapons and prevent persons who may endanger public safety from accessing guns. Additionally, the association urges policymakers to prioritize mental health education, early intervention, prevention and access to school and community-based mental health personnel and services.

“It remains a top priority of PTA to promote safety for children and youth and improve education. PTA has a strong history of supporting and advocating for policies in the areas of gun safety and violence prevention, juvenile justice, mental health and students’ overall well-being.

“PTA is also committed to supporting students, families, schools and communities in coping with and preventing violence. The association offers a variety of resources that can be downloaded at PTA.org/SchoolSafety.”

About National PTA

National PTA® comprises millions of families, students, teachers, administrators, and business and community leaders devoted to the educational success of children and the promotion of family engagement in schools. PTA is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit association that prides itself on being a powerful voice for all children, a relevant resource for families and communities, and a strong advocate for public education. Membership in PTA is open to anyone who wants to be involved and make a difference for the education, health and welfare of children and youth. For more information, visit PTA.org.

National PTA and Texas PTA Statement on Shooting at Santa Fe High School

ALEXANDRIA, Va., (May 18, 2018)—National PTA President Jim Accomando and Texas PTA President Lisa Holbrook issued the following statement on the shooting at Santa Fe High School in Santa Fe, Texas:

“This is the second shooting at a high school in the past week and the second mass shooting at a school this year. We are way beyond ‘enough is enough.’ More must be done immediately to keep our children safe.

“It is unconscionable that we fear for the safety of our children every time they leave home for school. There needs to be a greater sense of urgency to improve school safety and protect our children.

“Parents, students, teachers, administrators, counselors, law enforcement, community leaders and elected officials must work together to make truly meaningful changes to stop senseless acts like the one in Santa Fe that rob our students of a safe learning environment. Each group provides unique and important knowledge, perspective, insight and information. Partnering is essential to shape policies based on best practices in school safety and climate, student mental health, instructional leadership, teaching and learning.

“The Federal Commission on School Safety has a unique opportunity to bring all stakeholders together to share our working knowledge and ensure our children are able to learn and grow in a safe environment and reach their full potential. National PTA asks the Commission to work urgently to engage stakeholders in the field in a substantive way and to continue its efforts to study, evaluate and make recommendations on how to improve school safety in this time of crisis.

“Texas PTA calls on the state legislature to make school safety the number one issue on its agenda. The association urges policymakers to assess current policies to identify students with mental health issues and the methods of intervention being utilized. The association also calls for the state to evaluate all school campuses to ensure full implementation of school safety plan requirements.

“It remains a top priority of PTA to promote safety for children and youth and improve education. PTA has a strong history of supporting and advocating for policies in the areas of gun safety and violence prevention, juvenile justice, mental health and students’ overall well-being.

“PTA is also committed to supporting students, families, schools and communities in coping with and preventing violence. The association offers a variety of resources that can be downloaded at PTA.org/SchoolSafety.”

About National PTA

National PTA® comprises millions of families, students, teachers, administrators, and business and community leaders devoted to the educational success of children and the promotion of family engagement in schools. PTA is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit association that prides itself on being a powerful voice for all children, a relevant resource for families and communities, and a strong advocate for public education. Membership in PTA is open to anyone who wants to be involved and make a difference for the education, health and welfare of children and youth. For more information, visit PTA.org.

About Texas PTA

Texas PTA is the largest grassroots organization in Texas with half a million members – parents, teachers and others who have a special interest in children, youth, families and schools. Texas PTA is a noncommercial, nonsectarian-nonpartisan organization that does not endorse any candidate or political party. For more information on Texas PTA, visit www.txpta.orgor contact the state office at 800-TALK-PTA.