National PTA and U.S. Department of Education to Honor Student Artists from Across the Country at Virtual Showcase

WHAT

On Tuesday, Jan. 25, National PTA will host a virtual showcase to continue to celebrate students from across the country for their talents and creativity in the arts. The event will feature remarks from National PTA President Anna King and U.S. Secretary of Education Dr. Miguel Cardona, as well as a selection of virtual student performances and a virtual exhibit of artwork created by the over 200 honorees of the 2020-2021 National PTA Reflections program, themed “I Matter Because…”

Each year, the National PTA Reflections program encourages students of all ages to create and submit original works of art in the medium of their choice—dance choreography, film production, literature, music composition, photography or visual arts—that reflect on the annual theme. Submissions are reviewed by arts experts in the mediums, and students are recognized for their artistic technique and ingenuity in bringing the theme to life. For over 50 years, the National PTA Reflections program has provided opportunities for millions of students to access the arts and gain recognition, which boosts student confidence and success in and out of the classroom. Participating in the arts also helps students express their thoughts, feelings, ideas and emotions, which is especially important to support children’s well-being during this time in our country.

WHEN
7 p.m. – 8 p.m. EST, Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2022

 

WHERE
National PTA’s YouTube Channel (YouTube.com/NationalPTA)

WHO

• National PTA President, Anna King
• U.S. Department of Education Secretary, Miguel Cardona
• 2020-2021 National PTA Reflections Student Honorees

Statement on Nationwide School Shooting Threats

National PTA is aware of public reporting that suggests possible threats to schools today, Friday, Dec. 17. Currently, PTA does not have any information indicating any specific, credible threats.

As you know, National PTA has a formal relationship with some social networking companies, like TikTok, through our PTA Connected initiative. This relationship gives us the opportunity to have direct, productive conversations so we can both deliver feedback and receive information.

This afternoon, we reached out to our partners to obtain more information about this particular social media rumor that has been widely reported by the media. TikTok responded to let us know that they have found no evidence of these threats on their platform, nor is there any “challenge” related to these threats.

However, TikTok also mentioned they have aggressively investigated their platform and remain alert to potential threats. Additionally, TikTok has coordinated with law enforcement officials, who have confirmed no credible threats have been reported to date.

TikTok previously commissioned third-party research on dangerous challenges and hoaxes and worked with experts to develop best practices to help stop hoaxes from being perpetuated. We encourage you to share this information to help educators and families assess viral warnings—including hoaxes—and report content to TikTok.

We also want to make you aware of the TikTok Guide for Parents we created with TikTok, as it contains critical information about the parental controls available to families on the platform as well as important digital safety information. We urge all families and caregivers to have open and ongoing conversations about digital safety and etiquette to ensure children are using technology responsibly.

Here is how to report content you believe may violate TikTok’s Community Guidelines so that the app’s safety team can review your report and take appropriate action. To report a video:

1. Long-press (also known as press-and-hold) on the video
2. Look for the pop-up and select ‘report’
3. Choose the appropriate policy
4. Tap ‘submit’

You can visit TikTok’s Support Page to learn more about reporting.

Thank you for all you are doing to support PTA’s mission and to ensure that families have timely resources and information. We appreciate your diligence and hard work to keep our children safe.

 

Disclosure: TikTok is a Proud National PTA Sponsor. National PTA does not endorse any commercial entity, product or service.

National PTA and Michigan PTA Statement on Shooting at Oxford High School

National PTA President Anna King and Michigan PTA President Tracey Troy issued the following statement on the fatal shooting at Oxford High School in Detroit: 

“Tuesday afternoon, there was a shooting at Oxford High School, during which three students were fatally shot and eight other people were injured, including a teacher. Unfortunately, this is not an isolated incident in our country. One school shooting is too many, but there have been over 25 school shootings this year alone. This violence against students, teachers and faculty must end. 

“Schools should be safe havens for our children. Families should feel confident that when their children enter the school building, they will return home unharmed. Our students should be focused on learning and making their dreams a reality. Instead, many leave their homes feeling scared and unprotected. This is unacceptable. 

“PTA will continue to raise its voice to urge Congress to address the critical gun and school safety issues we are facing as a country. We extend our support to Oxford High School, and all those impacted by this senseless act of violence. 

“Those in need of mental health support can visit PTA.org/HealthyMinds for free resources and services.”

National PTA Position Statement: Expectations of Civility

EXPECTATIONS OF CIVILITY

National PTA recognizes that we can only achieve our mission through ongoing conversation,
collaboration and partnership with other interested parties within the education system,
including educators, students, school staff and administrators, parents, guardians, school
boards, community organizations, and policymakers. Such partnerships are critical to ensuring
that our association’s mission and priorities are meaningfully advanced at the local, state, and
national level.

In the course of discussion and decision making, disagreements will inevitably arise between
parents and other individuals and groups who are invested in our education system. It is
essential that every person is treated with common courtesy and civility and that all parties
conduct themselves in a polite, appropriate and respectful manner, including tolerating
differences of opinion and disagreeing respectfully. National PTA strongly condemns any and all
acts of incivility, hostility and harassment, and encourages our constituent associations to take
an active stand opposing any attempts within their community to threaten, intimidate, and/or
commit violence against educators, students, school staff and administrators, parents,
guardians, school boards, community organizations, and policymakers with whom they
disagree. It is critical that constituent associations actively work to maintain a culture of
cooperation and partnership in their community that fully reflects PTA’s core values of
collaboration, diversity, commitment, respect and accountability.

National PTA recognizes that community collaboration and family engagement are key to
achieving our mission to make every child’s potential a reality. Strategic partnerships that are
grounded in our values will enhance our ability to serve and advocate for all children and
families and will create the strongest future and direction for PTA. When we respect our
differences and work together to identify shared commonalities, PTAs can unite their
communities, speak with one powerful voice, and secure meaningful and lasting change.

Adopted: by the 2021 Board of Directors

National PTA Statement on the Passing of Colin Powell

National PTA President Anna King issued the following statement on the passing of General Colin Powell:

“National PTA and our millions of family, students, educators and community leaders share in the mourning of the loss of General Colin Powell—a veteran, statesman and ardent advocate for the success and well-being every child in this country. We extend our deepest condolences to Mrs. Alma Powell and the rest of the Powell family.

As the first African American to be Secretary of State, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and National Security Advisor, General Powell lived his life with honor and dignity—showing many of us that we can achieve any position or career we set our minds to, regardless of race, ethnicity or cultural background.

National PTA is proud to have partnered with his organization, America’s Promise, on the key issues affecting our children. We will honor General Powell’s legacy by continuing to provide every child with the tools and opportunities they need to learn and grow so that they can thrive.”