Donations for Hurricane Victims

Our PTA families in the south – TX, FL, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands – have been impacted by Hurricanes Harvey and Irma.  If you would like to donate, National PTA has a Disaster Relief Fund that can accept donations.  Here is the link  http://pta.org/donate#disasterrelief – it’s quick and easy.

Support Families and School Communities in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands

This message is being sent on behalf of National PTA President Jim Accomando

PTA Leaders,

Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands are facing an unprecedented crisis. The islands were heavily damaged by Hurricane Irma, and before they had a chance to recover, Hurricane Maria hit and devastated any remaining structures and supports.

Families and school communities in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands need our support now more than ever.

Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Maria were the strongest storms to hit the islands in decades—families remain without power and access to basic necessities and schools remain closed. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of the families, educators, schools and communities affected, particularly all of our PTA families. We acknowledge the leadership of Puerto Rico PTA President Vivian Ruiz and Virgin Islands PTA President Richard Muhammad during this difficult time. We are deeply concerned for everyone impacted and encourage all of our members to rally together to assist families and help restore communities and learning environments as quickly as possible.

We urge everyone to donate to our association’s Disaster Relief Fund, which was established to respond to tragedies that grievously disrupt a school or education system. One hundred percent of donations to the fund will go directly to PTAs and schools in need and will help provide important supplies for students and teachers when schools reopen.

We also encourage our members to donate basic necessities and/or make a financial contribution to theAmerican Red Cross, Salvation Army Emergency Disaster Services, National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster or other similar organizations to help the children and families that need it most.

Please share this message with PTAs, members and families in your state to help spread the word about ways to support families and school communities in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands in their efforts to rebuild and recover. Please watch for more information on additional ways to support the recovery efforts.

The need to give has never been greater and our mission at PTA has become that much more important.

Thank you for your support of those impacted by this unprecedented hurricane season and for everything you do to give our children and school communities what they need to thrive.

Jim Accomando

National PTA President

Opportunity – STEM + Families applications due Oct 26

There is another opportunity for grant money for STEM + Families grants!

For Local PTAs: National PTA STEM + Families Science Grants (Bayer)

• The 2017 National PTA STEM + Families Science Grants will award $1,000 to 30 local PTAs to host a STEM + Families Science Festival. 
• All elementary and middle school PTAs are eligible provided they can host their event during the 2017-2018 school year.
• In addition to the $1000 grant, National PTA and Bayer will provide awardees with a starter pack of $400 worth of materials to give PTAs a jump-start on collecting the supplies needed for your Science Festival.
• www.pta.org/STEM

National PTA STEM + Families Game Giveaways (ThinkFun)

• Looking for cool new ideas to host an exciting PTA family game night? Let National PTA and ThinkFun help!
• Complete a short survey for your chance to win 48 FREE award-winning learning games from ThinkFun.  Use 36 games to host a STEM + Families Game Night and 12 more as prizes.
• This is a GIVEAWAY! That means winners will be chosen at random from ALL PTAs that submit a survey!
• www.pta.org/STEM

National PTA LegCon Save the Date!