“Read MOre, Missouri!” Summer Reading Challenge

The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education is once again promoting the “Read MOre, Missouri!” summer reading challenge. This year, they are adding a math challenge as well.

You can Help Prevent “Summer Slide”

Your kids are probably already talking about what they’re going to do over the summer. Their plans could involve a slide: the slide at the water park, sliding into second base or flying along a Slip ‘N Slide® hooked up to a garden hose in the back yard. There’s one slide, though, that isn’t so much fun. It’s “summer slide.”

Summer slide is the loss of learning that can occur when children are away from school. It can rob kids of a month or more of grade-level learning during their break. Missouri has a couple of ways to help you put the brakes on summer slide.

“Read MOre, Missouri!” is our summer reading challenge. It’s easy and fun to help your children choose books to read during break. By visiting our website, you and your child can determine which books they’d want to read to keep up or increase their reading skills so that they’re ready for school to start again in August. You might find a few books to enjoy yourself, so you can read along with your child.

Missouri Math Challenge is a way for kids to keep their math skills sharp all summer long. Parents can help their children sign up for fun math activities and resources. Summer Math Challenge is intended for kids who have just completed 1^st through 7^th grades. The problems are based on the Missouri Learning Standards, so you know they are appropriate for Missouri students.

No one expects – or wants – your children to spend their summer doing school work. But along with playing ball, riding bikes, swimming and other fun summer activities, encourage your kids to spend a few minutes each day keeping up their reading and math skills. That will help get them ready for a new year of learning when they head back to school in the fall.

Have a wonderful, fun-filled summer!

National PTA Reflections Awards Announced – Missouri Students Recognized!

The 2016 National PTA Reflections Award recipients were officially announced today and Missouri students did well. Missouri PTA advanced the twenty three entries that received first place in their art categories and divisions to the national round on March 1^st. Six students have received the Award of Merit from National PTA. Congratulations to the following students:

High School Film Production
	Amaya A.	Tangled	Kickapoo High School PTSA	Springfield

High School Literature
	Jesse P.	Reminiscing in Red Velvet	Greenwood Laboratory School PTA	Springfield

Middle School Literature
	Alyah C.	A Vivid Dream	Discovery Middle School PTSA	Liberty

Middle School Music Composition
	John Y.	I, Clown (notation)	West Middle School PTSA	Columbia

Primary Music Composition
	Thomas K.	Thousands of Birds Flying	Rountree Elementary PTA	Springfield

High School Visual Arts
	Tinlley H.	Inside	Kickapoo High school PTSA	Springfield

2016 Missouri PTA Scholarship Recipients

The Missouri PTA Scholarship Committee selected three outstanding students to receive Missouri PTA Teacher Education Scholarships for the fall 2016 school year.

Helen B Maupin Foundation:

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Janelle D., Raytown South High School, Raytown, MO, plans to major in Secondary Education (Spanish/ESL). She has excelled in a variety of subjects and extracurricular activities including Missouri Girls State, Fashion Design, Forensics, Cross Country Track, Soccer, FCCLA, NHS, Student Council and Art Club and has a number of tutoring experiences. She is inspired to become a teacher because of the impact teachers have had on her life. Janelle looks forward to inspiring and mentoring others and plans to “pour love, encouragement and kindness into the lives” of her students.
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Caroline B Ullman:

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Kaylan B., Potosi High School, Potosi, MO, plans to major in Elementary Education (Music; 3^rd Grade). She has participated in National Honor Society, Future Teachers, All-District Choir, All-District and All-Conference Band, cadet teaching and is known to be a leader in both her school and her community. She believes that teachers are the shapers of the next generation and she looks forward to creating the “next generation of doctors, scientists, and great thinkers” who will change the world.
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Marissa S., Winnetonka High School, North Kansas City Schools, Kansas City, MO, plans to major in Elementary Education (Early Childhood-Kindergarten). She has been active in Student Council, Key Club, Softball, Choir, volunteering and informal tutoring of friends and family. She is known to excel academically while keeping up with 30 hours per week of working outside of school. Education has always been important to Marissa, and she wants to teach kids that “they can be anything they want if they stay in school and do their best.”
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Phoebe Apperson Hearst Memorial Award:

Each fall, the Phoebe Apperson Hearst Memorial Award (PAH Award) is awarded to an outstanding senior, one with a record of exceptional academics, outstanding character, community service and a commitment to teaching. Income from the PAH Fund is used to finance these awards.

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In August 2015, the Scholarship Committee selected Shannon C. of Independence, MO to receive this award. Shannon will graduate with honors from William Jewell College. In addition to her academic honors, she has been a dance instructor and is captain of the William Jewell dance team. Shannon states that she decided to become a teacher in part because of classroom experiences that she contributes to PTA’s impact: “PTA has had a large impact on my decision to become a teacher. PTA provides students with so many learning experiences and opportunities that coincide with what is being taught in the classroom and that make teaching worthwhile. All throughout elementary school, PTA funded and sponsored many things that contributed to my growth as a learner. They helped foster my love for school and learning, and that love is one of the reasons I decided to become a teacher.”

In addition to the PAH Award, seventeen (17) students have renewed their annual scholarship disbursements of $500.00; totaling $8,700.00 awarded by Missouri PTA in scholarships last fall. Historically, scholarships have been funded by income from endowment funds, individual donations and local PTA Council and Unit gifts. In addition to individual, unit and council contributions, half of the proceeds of the Distinguished Service Award is designated for scholarships.

Congratulations to these outstanding students, and thank you to everyone who contributes to Missouri PTA scholarships.

Donna Petiford
Scholarship Chair and Immediate Past-President, Missouri PTA

Please visit the Missouri PTA Scholarship page for more information.

Advice for College Students from Admissions Officers

Would you like an inside scoop regarding college admissions? The New York Times has a great article with advice that College Admissions Officers give to their own kids.

Click here to read more.

College Acceptance: What if you are rejected from your dream school?

It is officially Spring! Seniors are checking their emails and mailboxes daily. They are waiting for a very special envelope. It’s the one that contains the acceptance letter from their first choice of colleges.

Is your house on pins & needles? Mine is! As a parent, I am in the seat right next to my child on the roller coaster of emotions. The waiting is almost unbearable! The fear of rejection and the uncertainty about what to do next is heart breaking. I hate the “what if” game!

About Parenting has some great information about how to help your child deal with the rejection, finding other options and what to do now if he/she is having second thoughts about their choice or post-secondary plan.