Join PTA In Our Commitment To #StopCutsToClassrooms

Did you know that Federal funding for public education programs has remained at 2% of the federal budget for decades, despite the increase in public school enrollment and the rising cost of education resources and services.

This disparity between funding levels and actual costs means that the federal government has essentially enacted cuts to classrooms. National PTA is running a nationwide campaign—from July 7 to September 29—to raise public awareness that current levels of federal education funding are an inadequate investment in our children.

We need YOU to help to make this initiative a success—Every state PTA, local unit and PTA member is critical to stopping cuts to classrooms!

Here’s how to participate in the STOP Cuts to Classrooms campaign:

Sign the petition to #STOPCutsToClassrooms to make your voice heard and receive regular updates on the campaign.

Share your thoughts on social media (use our sample tweets and Facebook posts) and participate in Funding Fridays on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram to raise awareness that 2% of federal funding for public education is not enough.

Visit National PTA’s #STOPCutsToClassrooms webpage to learn more about federal funding for public education and view the campaign toolkit for more info.

National PTA Headquarters

1250 N. Pitt Street

Alexandria, Virginia 22314

PTA.org

Phone: (703) 518-1200

Toll Free: (800) 307-4782

Fax: (703) 836-0942

E-mail: [email protected]

1250 N. Pitt Street, Alexandria, VA 22314

Connecticut Father Takes Helm of Nation’s Preeminent Child Advocacy Association

ALEXANDRIA, Va., (June 30, 2017)—James L. Accomando of Fairfield, Conn. has been installed as the 55th president of National PTA, the oldest and largest all volunteer child advocacy association in the United States. Accomando’s installation took place during a ceremony at the 2017 National PTA Convention & Expo in Las Vegas.

A father of two children, the husband of a public school teacher and with a K-12 teaching credential of his own, Accomando has been engaged in education and active in PTA for nearly 20 years. Accomando firmly believes in the mission of PTA and that everyone can make a difference in the lives and futures of all children.

“Jim is a passionate and dedicated advocate for children and education, and we welcome him as president,” said Nathan R. Monell, CAE, executive director of National PTA. “His steadfast commitment to our mission, his leadership experience at all levels of PTA and his extensive professional career will build on the association’s rich 120-year legacy and make a positive impact on the lives of our nation’s children.”

As president, Accomando is committed to ensuring that all children have equity and quality in learning and access to a first-class public education. He will also focus on making sure PTA is relevant to today’s families.

“This is an extraordinary time in our history, where the issues affecting our children can greatly shift the progress we made in the past and the progress we are going to make in the future,” said Accomando. “These issues, however, provide us with great hope, promise and tremendous opportunities to make an impact. I look forward to working with the Board of the Directors, members, partners and staff to meet generational and demographic needs and challenges of today’s families, support and enhance our nation’s school system and make sure every child’s potential becomes a reality. I am honored to lead the association.”

Accomando has served in a variety of leadership positions in PTA. For the past two years, he served as president-elect of National PTA. Prior to his election, he served a two-year term on the National PTA Board of Directors and was also a member of the National PTA Standards of Affiliation Committee. Additionally, Accomando served as president of the Connecticut PTSA, president of Fairfield Ludlowe High School PTA, and was a board member and executive at Holland Hill Elementary School and Fairfield Woods and Tomlinson Middle Schools. While president of Connecticut PTSA, he was instrumental in the Snow Flakes for Sandy Hook Elementary School Healing Initiative.

Accomando will serve as president of National PTA until June 2019.

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.

Media Contact

Heidi May Wilson, National PTA

[email protected], (703) 518-1242

New ESSA Resource

PTA Leaders:

We are pleased to share with you this new PTA ESSA stakeholder engagement resource – “6 Keys to Engaging Families in ESSA” and the accompanying rubric, “ESSA Family Engagement Rubric.” Over the last year, we have heard from many of you about the need and importance of stakeholder engagement in the development of new education plans under ESSA. Based on your experiences and input, we have identified six critical ways states, school districts and schools should be engaging parents and families as part of ESSA or any new education initiative.

This resource is for education leaders to use to evaluate how they are engaging parents and family on ESSA implementation and for parents and families to hold decision-makers accountable to the family engagement requirements in ESSA.

You will be able to access the document at www.PTA.org/ESSA on Monday, June 26. National PTA will be pushing this resource out via our communications channels this week. We hope you will help us spread the message as well!

If you print the document from your computer, we suggest you use 11X17 paper. The document can be printed on 8 ½ x 11 but the font will be small.

Here are some sample social media posts and a short blurb that you can use in electronic communications to highlight the resource:

Twitter:

There are 6 keys to engaging families in #ESSA or any new ED initiative. How is your state/district/school doing?http://tinyurl.com/yd2p7arb
DYK there are 6 keys to engaging families in #ESSA? Make sure your education leaders do all 6! #PTATakesActionhttp://tinyurl.com/yd2p7arb
ICYMI there are 6 keys to engaging families in #ESSA. How is your state & school district ensuring voices are heard?http://tinyurl.com/yd2p7arb

Facebook Post: National PTA has identified six critical ways states, school districts and schools should be engaging parents and families as part of ESSA or any new education initiative. Use the rubric on the back to evaluate how your state, school district and school are doing! 6 Keys to Engaging Families in ESSA

E-Newsletter Blurb:

New Resource: 6 Keys to Engaging Families in ESSA

Parents and their children are the consumers of our nation’s public education system, and parents have always been essential partners in education. However, they haven’t always been included at the decision-making table. The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) provides a unique opportunity for parents and families to give their input and to hold states and districts accountable for their children’s educational experience.

National PTA has identified six critical ways states, school districts and schools should be engaging parents and families as part of ESSA or any new education initiative. Use the rubric on the back to evaluate how your state, school district and school are doing!

6 Keys to Engaging Families in ESSA

Please let us know if you have any questions!

Thank you in advance for sharing this resource throughout your networks!

Jacki

Jacki Ball | Director, Government Affairs

National PTA^®

1250 N. Pitt Street
Alexandria, VA 22314

P: (703) 518-1243 | C: (703) 405-5206

[email protected] | www.pta.org | @balljacki

Connect with National PTA^® on: Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | One-Voice Blog

Congratulations to National PTA’s #ThankATeacher Contest Winners ?

Join Us in Congratulating Our #ThankATeacher Contest Winners!

Google Express Grand Prize Winners

Fullerton Elementary School PTA – Addison, IL
Martha Baldwin School PTA – Alhambra, CA

Google Express First-Place Winners

duPont Manual High School PTSA – Louisville, KY
James E. Randolph Elementary PTA – Fulshear, TX
Lakeview Middle School PTA – Greenville, SC
Sycamore Elementary School PTA – Vail, AZ

Google Express Runner-Up Winners

Bandelier Elementary School PTA – Albuquerque, NM
Bethke Elementary PTA – Katy, TX
Cedargrove Elementary School PTA – Covina, CA
Cornerstone Health + Technology High School PTSA – Southfield, MI
Crosspointe Elementary School PTA – Boynton Beach, FL
Deer Run School PTA – East Haven, CT
Denali Elementary School PTA – Fairbanks, AK
Fairview Park PTA Council – Fairview, OH
Farmington PTA – Farmington, NH
Floyd Middle School PTSA – Mableton, GA
Hamburg Central PTSA – Hamburg, NY
Hanover Highlands Elementary School PTA – Hanover Park, IL
Henderson Mill Elementary PTA – Atlanta, GA
Herndon Elementary School PTA – Herndon, VA
John M. Bailey Community School PTA – Bayonne, NJ
Laukhuf Elementary School PTA – Louisville, KY
Liberty Elementary School PTA – Boise, ID
Lukas Elementary School PTA – Westminster, CO
Nimitz Elementary School PTA – Cupertino, CA
Northwoods Elementary School PTA – Cary, NC
Pathfinder Elementary PTA – Kansas City, MO
Procter Elementary School PTA – Independence, MO
Rose Springs Elementary School PTA – Stansbury Park, UT
Ruth Chaffee Elementary School PTA – Newington, CT
Valley View Elementary PTA – Rapid City, SD

HarperCollins Major Winners

Creekside Elementary School PTA – Winterville, NC
Joe Nightingale Elementary School PTA – Santa Maria, CA
Unity Drive Pre-K Kindergarten Center PTA – Centereach, NY

HarperCollins Runner-Up Winners

Alice Birney Elementary PTA – San Diego, CA
Cave Spring Elementary School PTA – Roanoke, VA
Celebration School PTA – Celebration, FL
Colona Grade School PTA – Colona, IL
Hedge Elementary PTA – Plymouth, MA
Norman J. Levy Lakeside School PTA – Merrick, NY
Southside Elementary School PTA – Johnson City, TN
Tumbleweed Community PTA – Phoenix, AZ
W.A. Porter Elementary School PTA – Hurst, TX
Westowne Elementary School PTA – Catonsville, MD

GoFundMe Campaign Flash Funding Recipients

Sand Lake Elementary School PTSA – Anchorage, AK
Grafenwoehr Elementary School PTA – APO, AE
Central Kitsap High School PTSA -Silverdale, WA
Pinnacle View Middle School PTSA – Little Rock, AR
Grover Cleveland Elementary PTSA – Erie, PA