Take Action: Urge Congress to Participate in Public Schools Week!

Each year, communities across the United States come together for Public Schools Week to celebrate the importance of our nation’s public schools. This school year there are about 98,000 public schools in the United States serving over 50 million students! National PTA thanks all of our public school administrators, teachers, teacher assistants, specialists, nutrition staff, health professionals, bus drivers and all other key staff that keep our public schools running, especially during this pandemic.

Public schools are open to every child regardless of ability, wealth, country of origin, or needs, and by supporting public school systems we strengthen our country. Join us in urging Congress to designate the week of February 21 through February 25, 2022 as “Public Schools Week” by co-sponsoring the annual, bipartisan, bicameral Public Schools Week Resolution.

In addition, we are encouraging all PTA members to invite their elected representatives to visit their local public school during Public Schools Week to showcase some of the exemplary work of all public school staff and honor our nation’s commitment to public education.

Before you begin coordinating a school visit, check out National PTA’s Hosting a Site Visit for a Decisionmaker webpage where you can find resources for:

Click the link below to log in and send your message:
https://www.votervoice.net/BroadcastLinks/JYn4F2SZzLttbP0DJ72Qdw


National PTA and Minnesota PTA Statement on Shooting at South Education Center

National PTA President Anna King and Minnesota PTA President Amy Nelson issued the following statement on the shooting at the South Education Center in Richfield, Minn.:

“Our hearts go out to the families, students, teachers and staff at South Education Center and to the community of Richfield. As parents and grandparents, we cannot imagine how horrifying yesterday was. School should be a safe place, and we should not have to fear sending our children to school.

“There have been at least six incidents of gunfire on school grounds already this year, and yesterday we began a new month with another school shooting. We must immediately take action to protect our students, families and educators, and we must work together to help children channel their anger and resolve problems in a positive and productive manner. We cannot let another such incident occur or have our children and families experience gun violence in their school community again.

“National PTA, Minnesota PTA and PTAs nationwide remain committed to urging Congress to address the severe gun and school safety issues we continue to face as a country. Our association also stands firm in our commitment to support the well-being of those impacted by such incidents as they recover. For those in need of mental health support during this time, visit PTA.org/HealthyMinds for free resources.”


Take Action: Urge Congress to Prioritize the Mental Health of Students by Passing the STANDUP Act

At the beginning of the school year, due to the continuing pandemic, families focused on their children’s safe return to class. However, this pandemic has exacerbated a crisis that existed prior. Across the country, local emergency departments are recording dramatic increases in all mental health emergencies, including suspected suicide attempts. Our country is currently witnessing soaring rates of mental health challenges among our children and it is inextricably tied to the stress brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Childhood mental health concerns and suicide rates have steadily risen in the last decade. By 2018, suicide became the second leading cause of death for youth ages 10-24. The American Academy of Pediatrics, American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Children’s Hospital Association have officially declared a national emergency in children and adolescent mental health. Additionally, the U.S. Surgeon General issued an advisory report to highlight the current youth mental health crisis in correlation with the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Suicide Training and Awareness Nationally Delivered for Universal Prevention Act (STANDUP Act) is the first federal legislation providing uniform research-based suicide prevention and awareness standards in schools to address the mental health needs of students. The bill currently has 46 bipartisan sponsors (38 Democrats and 8 Republicans).

 

PTA calls on Congress and the Administration to immediately address the many factors that contribute to the mental health crisis in the United States. Our association strongly encourages efforts that establish comprehensive community mental health. In addition, our organization supports all programs and projects that educate and inform parents, students and the general public about youth suicide prevention and support services for survivors of a suicide attempt.

 

The STANDUP Act has already passed in the Senate. Now it is the House of Representatives’ turn to cast the final vote! Take action today and urge your representative to vote to prioritize youth suicide prevention and vote “Yes” on the STANDUP Act!


Register Now: National PTA Vaccine Hesitancy Webinar 1 Week Away

Your PTA has been working extra hard to support children and families throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. School communities know they can count on PTA as a trusted source for timely and helpful information to keep our children healthy, safe and learning. Let’s work together to keep our kids safe by joining us for an important conversation about vaccines.

Register for our webinar, “Take Action to Keep Kids Safely in School: What Your PTA Can Do to Address Vaccine Hesitancy,” where we will address concerns and questions about vaccines and share the benefits of getting your child vaccinated and boosted. You will also learn more about specific actions your PTA can take and hear examples of how you can partner with other community organizations in this effort. We will be joined by Vice Admiral Vivek Murthy, Surgeon General of the United States, community organizations and fellow PTA leaders. The webinar will be Wednesday, Feb. 2 from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. EST. Register now!


Parents Feedback Needed for a Funded Research Project. Honorarium Provided!

Background: 80% of teachers and parents say their kids would be more interested in learning tools that include popular entertainment, and 70% think the traditional classroom learning environment will rely more heavily on technology after the COVID pandemic. The Achievery (currently in Beta version), created by AT&T in collaboration with WarnerMedia, is a FREE educational platform designed to make online learning more entertaining, engaging and inspiring for today’s connected students. 

 

The Achievery will officially launch this Spring. Before then, AT&T wants to hear feedback from parents, caregivers and families about their experience using The AchieveryFeedback is confidential and will be used to help enhance The Achievery and the connected learning experience for families, like yours, using the platform. 

 

The Opportunity: Each cohort member will receive a $50 honoraria, and be expected to: 

  1. Preview a pre-recorded session to learn about The Achievery, and complete an initial survey.  
  2. Explore The Achievery and complete 2-3 lesson activities with the students in grades 3-8 in your family.  
  1. Provide feedback on the digital learning platform by completing The Achievery feedback survey.  

 

This project will run from January 28 – February 11, 2022. 

 

We are seeking 300 parents and caregivers to participate in the cohort, and we would love for some of them to be from your community.  We welcome both PTA and non-PTA parents and guardians of kids in grades 3-12!   

 

Please share this opportunity with your network of families.  Interested in having your family participate too? Please complete this enrollment form by Friday, January 28, 2022.   

 

Questions?  Contact [email protected].