National PTA Statement on Shooting at Saugus High School

ALEXANDRIA, Va., (Nov. 14, 2019)—National PTA President Leslie Boggs issued the following statement on the shooting at Saugus High School in Santa Clarita, Calif.:

“National PTA is both deeply saddened and angry to hear of the shooting today at Saugus High School. This is yet one more day that a child won’t make it home from school.

“While the shooting was occurring at Saugus High School today, the Senate again failed to advance the Background Check Expansion Act, a common-sense measure that can and will save lives. For years, we have called for action and we’ve said, ‘Enough is enough!’ Yet again we are met by only ‘thoughts and prayers’ from our elected leaders. Our children and families deserve more than thoughts and prayers. Continuing to merely do nothing is unacceptable.

“The question our association must, once again, ask is, will our elected officials, including our president, continue to do nothing? We demand that Congress and the president act immediately in the best interest of our children, families and nation.

“National PTA demands that our leaders take action and put laws in place that address our nation’s gun violence epidemic and the ease of access to firearms and weapons of war to protect our children and families. Our association urges the immediate adoption of legislation that would strengthen background checks, ban assault weapons and prevent persons who may endanger public safety from accessing guns.

“In September, National PTA’s Board of Directors added to a long list of many advocacy activities over the years. We amended the association’s position statement on Gun Safety and Violence Prevention to reinforce our unwavering call for universal background checks and the adoption of ‘red flag’ laws, among other measures that will decrease gun violence and make our schools and communities safer for everyone. I also testified before the U.S. House of Representatives Gun Violence Prevention Task Force in support of universal background checks. Additionally, our association sent a letter to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell urging him to bring the Background Check Expansion Act to the floor and facilitate its passage in the Senate.

“For nearly 30 years, National PTA has advocated for common-sense and comprehensive gun safety and violence prevention measures, while preserving the lawful use of firearms for sport and personal protection. It has been and remains a top priority of the association to prevent and eliminate violence in schools, communities and at home; promote safety for children; make sure the needs of the whole child are met and ensure every child reaches their full potential.”

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.

PTA Stands with Families, Schools and Communities Impacted by California Wildfires

ALEXANDRIA, Va., (Nov. 4, 2019)—National PTA President Leslie Boggs and California State PTA President Celia Jaffe issued the following statement regarding the wildfires in California:

“PTA is deeply concerned for all our members and the families, schools and communities affected by the wildfires across California. We empathize with and stand ready to support those dealing with loss of property, safety and routines.

“As the oldest and largest child advocacy association in the U.S., it is our duty to help families and school communities as they rebuild and recover. We remain committed to doing everything we can to assist those affected and help restore learning environments as quickly as possible.

“PTA offers resources to help families and educators have conversations with children to help them deal with emotions of fear, confusion, sadness and anger they may feel after incidents like the wildfires. These resources and other tips can be accessed at PTA.org.

“PTA also offers a Disaster Relief Fund to respond to tragedies that grievously disrupt a school or education system. We encourage PTAs and schools impacted by the wildfires, blackout and school closures to apply for support from the fund. We also urge everyone to donate to the fund to help support PTAs and schools in need.

“PTA members work every day to give our children, families and school communities what they need to thrive. Following this type of event, our mission becomes that much more important. And as Thanksgiving approaches, the need to give has never been greater. We know we can count on our PTA members across the country to help meet the needs caused by the wildfires.”

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 California State PTA
California State PTA connects families and schools and has more than 800,000 members throughout the state working on behalf of public schools, children and families, with the motto, “every child, one voice.” The PTA is the nation’s largest and highest profile volunteer association working to improve the education, health and welfare of all children and youth. The PTA also advocates at national, state and local levels for education and family issues. The PTA is nonprofit, nonsectarian and noncommercial. For more information: www.capta.org. 

Media Contacts

Heidi May Wilson, National PTA

[email protected], (703) 518-1242

Ignacio Barragan, California State PTA

[email protected], (916) 440-1985 ext. 106

National PTA Awards $300K in Grants to PTAs and Schools Across the Country

National PTA announced this week that over $300,000 in grants have been awarded to more than 200 PTAs and schools across the country for programming during this school year. The funding is part of National PTA’s PTA Connected, STEM + Families, healthy lifestyles and Take Your Family to School Week initiatives—key aspects of the association’s long-standing efforts to make a difference in the education, health, safety and well-being of every child through advocacy and family and community education.

“With the grants, these PTAs and schools will educate, engage and empower families; support student success; improve the health of students; expand knowledge about online safety; and increase access to STEM education,” said Leslie Boggs, president of National PTA. “National PTA is thrilled to provide the PTAs and schools with resources to support their work in these areas of critical importance to families and to the lives and futures of every child.”

Following are the grant recipients:

• 75 local PTAs have been selected to receive a $1,000 grant and 18 state/district/council/regional PTAs have been awarded a $5,000 grant from National PTA and Google to host Be Internet Awesome Family Workshops.
• 25 local PTAs have been awarded a $1,000 grant to host a Smart Talk conversation at their school in conjunction with Safer Internet Day, which will be celebrated Feb. 11, 2020. The grants are sponsored by Symantec.
• Five local PTAs have been awarded a $1,000 grant to promote digital family safety tools in conjunction with Safer Internet Day. The grants are sponsored by Life360, a leading safety and coordination service for families.
• 30 local PTAs have been selected to receive a $1,000 grant plus $250 in materials and five state/district/council/regional PTAs have been awarded a $3,000 grant plus $500 in materials to engage families in science education. The grants are sponsored by Bayer.

 35 local PTAs have been awarded a $1,000 grant sponsored by Mathnasium to host a math night for families at their schools.

• 25 local PTAs have been selected to receive a $1,000 grant sponsored by Nestlé Waters North America along with Nestlé® Pure Life® bottled water to host healthy hydration events in their communities to encourage families to choose water and show the important role water plays in an overall healthy lifestyle.
• 15 local PTAs have been awarded a $1,000 grant to promote family engagement in education during Take Your Family to School Week, Feb. 16-23, 2020. The grants are made possible by support from Office Depot.

“We are grateful to all of our sponsors for supporting the efforts of PTA to make a difference in the education, health, safety and well-being of every child,” added Nathan R. Monell, CAE, National PTA executive director. “Together, we are supporting families and helping all children realize their full potential.”

National PTA announced the grant recipients live on Facebook. Visit National PTA’s Facebook page to view the video. For more information about the grants, visit PTA.org/Grants.

 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.