National PTA and Florida PTA Statement on Anniversary of the Shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School

ALEXANDRIA, Va., (Feb. 14, 2019)The following statement can be attributed to National PTA President Jim Accomando andFlorida PTA President Linda Kearschner:

“Feb. 14, 2019 marks the anniversary of the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla. The anniversary is an important time to reflect on the efforts of student activists and other advocates over the past year to push for solutions to eliminate gun violence and keep our children safe. It is also an important time to redouble our nation’s efforts to make meaningful changes to ensure every child learns in an environment that is safe and has the opportunity to grow into a happy and healthy adult.

“Since the shooting in Parkland, youth across the country have mobilized and raised their voices at the federal, state and local levels. The youth movement has been an inspiration to all of us. National PTA and Florida PTA are proud of our youth, and we applaud their leadership on this issue. Their voices are what is going to make the changes needed to ensure students and everyone feel safe wherever they are—at school, a movie theater, the park or their sidewalk.

“In the year since the tragedy, National PTA has taken swift and concrete action to advocate for and address school safety. In August 2018, the National PTA Board of Directors adopted a position statement on Safe and Supportive Schools, which calls fora multi-faceted approach to address school safety that involves all stakeholders, especially students and their families. National PTA has also endorsed multiple pieces of legislation related to school safety, including the Background Check Act. Additionally, our association co-hosted a webinar and developed resources for parents on steps they can take to advocate for and ensure schools are safe and supportive places for their children.

“PTA has a strong history of supporting and advocating for policies in the areas of gun safety and violence prevention, juvenile justice, mental health and students’ overall well-being. It remains a top priority of our association to promote safety for children and youth, make sure the needs of the whole child are met and ensure every child reaches their full potential.”

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 Florida PTA

Florida PTA is the largest statewide volunteer association working exclusively on behalf of children and youth. Founded in 1923 as a branch of the 4 million member National PTA, Florida PTA is made up of approximately 1,450 local units with more than 300,000 Florida members seeking to unite home, school and community for all children. For more information, visit FloridaPTA.org.