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 Achievery. Feedback 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:

Preview a pre-recorded session to learn about The Achievery, and complete an initial survey.
Explore The Achievery and complete 2-3 lesson activities with the students in grades 3-8 in your family.

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].

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

Safe Drinking Water Resource

Environment Missouri, has created a free “Get the Lead Out Toolkit” that includes a fact sheet, sample materials for taking action, and links to additional resources. Most importantly, the toolkit identifies new sources of funding available to school districts to prevent lead contamination.

https://environmentmissouri.org/feature/ame/get-lead-out-safe-drinking-water-school

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:

Long-press (also known as press-and-hold) on the video
Look for the pop-up and select ‘report’
Choose the appropriate policy
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.”