Nextdoor Launches First-of-its-Kind National Campaign Empowering Neighbors to Raise Funds for Local Schools Who Need it Most

Nextdoor is launching a new national campaign and collaborating with National PTA to tap into neighborhoods to raise funds for schools and families as an unpredictable school year gets underway. From distance learning and food insecurities to technology access, school communities are facing unprecedented challenges. Through this collaboration, PTAs for the first time can instantly reach verified neighbors through Nextdoor to gain support for their mission and raise funds for students and schools in need—something they need now more than ever due to the COVID-19 pandemic. With Nextdoor’s new Sell For Good feature, neighbors can support their local schools by simply buying and selling household items on Nextdoor’s For Sale & Free and donating the proceeds to their local PTAs.

“COVID-19 has presented significant challenges for so many students, families and schools, and PTAs across the country are working hard to help navigate these,” said Leslie Boggs, president of National PTA. “We appreciate Nextdoor’s new way of supporting local PTAs and their communities’ challenges.”

Nextdoor and PTA are kicking off the collaboration and first-of-its kind campaign in Austin and Chicago. In Austin, neighbors can clean out their closets in support of the Austin Council of PTAs, and all proceeds donated via Sell For Good will go toward the Austin Fun + Learning project. In Chicago, proceeds will support grants awarded to Title I schools that are most in need.

“If there were ever a moment to connect with our neighborhoods on a deeper level, that time is now,” said Nextdoor CEO Sarah Friar. “We’re thrilled to team up with National PTA to provide a timely solution as neighbors unite to help provide educational resources for students in need this school year.”

PTAs interested in learning more can visit nextdoor.com/nonprofit. Sell for Good is free to use and available for all Nextdoor members in the United States at nextdoor.com/good or by visiting the For Sale & Free section in your Nextdoor app.

National PTA does not endorse any commercial product, entity or service. No endorsement of Nextdoor is implied.

Missouri PTA Signs-On to show support of extending key Child Nutrition Waivers through June 30, 2021

While extending the child nutrition waivers through December 31, 2020 is an important first step, it is critical that these waivers are available through June 30, 2021, and that this extension is made quickly.

Schools and community sponsors need consistency and time in order to effectively plan and implement meal service. Requiring school nutrition directors and community sponsors to switch from one program to another on January 1st will only result in confusion for families, as well as disruptions to meal access at a time when child hunger continues to grow.

We ask that USDA acts before September 30th – when the Families First Coronavirus Response Act authority to issue nationwide waivers expires – to extend the following waivers to ensure continued access to meals through the entire school year:

– Allow the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) and Seamless Summer Option (SSO) to be used to feed children through the school year;

– Extend all nationwide waivers for SFSP and SSO, including non-congregate feeding, parent/guardian pick-up, meal pattern flexibility, meal service time, and area eligibility waiver through the school year;

– Waive the Afterschool Activity Requirement for the Afterschool Meal Program and the Snack Programs available through CACFP and NSLP; and

– Allow those providing meals through the Summer Food Service Program or Seamless Summer Option to also utilize Afterschool Meal and Snack Programs.

National PTA Designates Sept. 14-18 ‘Back-to-School Week’

National PTA has designated Sept. 14-18 Back-to-School Week to support families, teachers and PTA leaders as schools reopen across the country. Throughout the week, National PTA will share information and resources on social media using #PTABackToSchool and at PTA.org/BackToSchool to help school communities navigate the new school year and address the challenges that have emerged during the COVID-19 pandemic. The association will also launch the third season of its Notes from the Backpack podcast. National PTA’s Back-to-School Week is sponsored by PTA Proud National Sponsor Office Depot.

“This is a school year like no other as the COVID-19 pandemic continues,” said Leslie Boggs, president of National PTA. “Whether school communities are returning to classrooms in person, virtually or a hybrid of both, we want to make sure everyone gets a great start; support families, teachers and students’ success; and ensure the critical needs of every child are met.”

Each day of Back-to-School Week, National PTA will share resources for:

PTA Leaders in Action
Learning at Home
Family-School Partnerships
Teacher Support

On Wednesday, Sept. 16, National PTA will launch the third season of Notes from the Backpack. The season will feature nationally acclaimed guests and episodes about digital learning, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on education and the importance of civic engagement. Episodes will be released every week this fall and will be available to stream at PTA.org/BackpackNotes. The first episode will feature the award-winning children’s book author Kwame Alexander.

“Since our founding, National PTA has been committed to supporting students, families and teachers; promoting the health, safety and well-being of all children and youth; and making sure every child has the resources they need to learn, grow and thrive,” said Nathan R. Monell, CAE, National PTA executive director. “We are pleased to launch another season of our podcast and mark our Back-to-School Week to help make this unique school year a success.”

National PTA has also compiled resources, tools and information at PTA.org/COVID19 to support families and educators during the pandemic. National PTA has also provided over $1 million in grants to local and district/council/region PTAs to help meet critical needs of students, families and teachers during this challenging time. In addition, the association continues to call on Congress to provide more resources immediately to schools.

National PTA 50th Anniversary Unification Webinar

National PTA is holding a special event on August 20th, 2020 at 10:00 AM (Central) to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the unification of the National Congress of Colored Parents and Teachers (NCCPT) and the National Congress of Parents and Teachers (NCPT) to form National PTA.

“In these unprecedented times, we must be unified in our advocacy for all. Please join and learn how it all started, as we continue to make advancements in diversity, equity, and inclusion so that everybody feels a sense of belonging within PTA.” – Steven Cook, Missouri PTA Diversity Outreach & Engagement Chair, Vice-President Elect & Director of Membership

See the following letter from National PTA President Leslie Boggs for more information about the event:

As many of you know, 2020 marks the 50^th anniversary of the unification of the National Congress of Colored Parents and Teachers (NCCPT) and the National Congress of Parents and Teachers (NCPT) to form National PTA. We have decided to celebrate this momentous occasion all year in 2020 – from Founder’s Day recognition to virtual Convention highlights of Selena Sloan Butler and more.

To further honor this anniversary, next week on Thursday, August 20^th at 11:00 AM EST we are holding a special webinar:

“PTA History 101: The National Congress of Colored Parents and Teachers and Unification.” In it, we will hear from Dr. Christine Woyshner of Temple University and author of the book

National PTA, Race, and Civic Engagement: 1897-1970 about the history of the NCCPT and the behind-the-scenes process that led to the unification of our two Congresses to form today’s PTA. I will also be joined by Anna King, President-Elect and Sylvia R. Reyna, Chair of the Diversity, Inclusion and Outreach Committee, to reflect on Dr. Woyshner’s research and the lessons learned from this important history.

This history is critical for every PTA leader, so we hope that you will join us and help promote it within your networks. The webinar will be recorded and available to anyone who registers. You can register here:

https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/8875535345124786447?fbclid=IwAR0tMtSpd92Be9FV4rIXhzT-6PYP6vJ7qDFaqxsL7GAU89NrD2eqBfT55ws

I know how committed all of you are to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion so that everybody feels a sense of belonging within PTA and are able to contribute to making our mission a reality. Thank you again for your service.

Warm wishes,

Leslie Boggs

New Resources from The Center for Family Engagement

8/20 @ 11 am EST Webinar: PTA History 101 – The National Congress of Colored Parents and Teachers and Unification

50 years ago, the National Congress of Colored Parents and Teachers (NCCPT) and the National Congress of Parents and Teachers signed a declaration of unification forming the National PTA. On Thursday, August 20th at 11:00 AM EST, join Dr. Christine Woyshner of Temple University to learn about the important contributions of the NCCPT and the behind-the-scenes process of unification. Also hear from National PTA President Leslie Boggs, President-Elect Anna King, and Chair of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee Sylvia R. Reyna to explore lessons learned to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion in today’s PTA.

REGISTER NOW

Season 3 of Notes from the Backpack: a PTA Podcast

New episodes Notes from the Backpack will be available on September 16th! This season we’ll be answering the questions that are on your mind like…

– How do I talk to my kids about race and racial justice?

– How in the world am I going to survive another semester of virtual learning?

Already an avid listener? Don’t forget to rate & review our show and provide feedback via our online survey!

SUBSCRIBE NOW

NEW RESOURCES FOR PTA LEADERS

Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Explore our beliefs and definitions of diversity, equity and inclusion — as well as what these values look like in action.

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Facilitating Listening Sessions Toolkit is available in 5 new languages

It’s important for PTAs to provide opportunities for families whose native language isn’t English to share their thoughts and opinions. In order to help you better serve your community, our Facilitating Listening Sessions Toolkit is now available in Mandarin, Arabic, Somali, Vietnamese and Haitian.

EXPLORE THE TOOLKITS

Join the Schools of Excellence Program

By enrolling in this program, your PTA and school administrators make a year-long commitment in identifying and implementing an action plan for school improvement based on PTA’s National Standards for Family-School Partnerships and Transformative Family Engagement. We hope you will join us in recovering from the effects of COVID-19 and building family-school partnerships at your school!

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