Congratulations to our three Missouri local units designated as 2022-2024 National PTA Schools of Excellence!

  • Graden Elementary School PTA, Parkville, MO

  • Hazelwood Central Middleschool PTSA, Blackjack, MO

  • New Mark Middle School PTSA, Kansas City, MO

 
The 2022-2024 National PTA Schools of Excellence are designated in recognition of their commitment during the 2022-23 school year to build an inclusive and welcoming school-community where all families contribute to enriching the educational experience and overall well-being for all students.  Click here to read more at the National PTA website!
 

Congratulations once again to these three outstanding units!!


JC/DC ACTION ALERT: Parents’ Bill of Rights Act of 2023

Missouri PTA needs you to contact your Representatives now and ask them to OPPOSE this tactic to change the feel of community schools.

Missouri PTA is opposed to Senate Bill 4 This bill would put more pressure on our already strained educators and ultimately have a detrimental effect on Missouri’s children.

Missouri PTA advocates for all children and for the improvement of public education. While we fully support parents’ rights, this bill is an attempt to undermine public education.

Missouri PTA advocates are called upon to ensure your Representative understands that you are paying attention and that this issue is important to you!

ACTION NEEDED: PLEASE CALL OR E-MAIL and urge your Representative to oppose SB4.

MOPTA Advocates are invited to utilize the letter below to guide your calls, emails, and social media contact with your lawmaker(s).


Dear Representative,

Missouri PTA opposes bills that essentially ban curriculum and education around diversity, equity, and inclusion.  All students benefit from the ability to critically reflect upon our nation’s history.  Parents do have a right to know what their kids are learning in the classroom, but most public school handbooks already allow for parents to review and choose to have their student participate or not in any curriculum. 

Missouri PTA supports measures that ensure the privacy of our student data. Student data should never be given to outside organizations or groups. A minor is unable to give legal consent for sharing data. School districts and organizations should take necessary protections to protect students’ privacy.

This bill would put more pressure on our already strained educators and ultimately have a detrimental effect on Missouri’s children.

Sincerely,

Your Name and PTA


Not sure how to contact your Representative? Click Here and enter your street address or zip code. 

Paula McKinney
Vice President of Legislation and Advocacy 
Missouri PTA

[email protected]


National PTA Reflections Awards

National PTA Reflections

Each year, students in Pre-K through Grade 12 are invited to create and submit original works of art in the areas of Dance Choreography, Film Production, Literature, Music Composition, Photography and Visual Arts. Based on State PTA rules and guidelines, these works of art may be submitted for state and national level awards and recognition opportunities.

Congratulations to the 2022-2023 Show Your Voice! Reflections Winners

A special shoutout to our winner:
Adalyn Goodwin,  Primary, Lucy Franklin Elementary PTA
Award of Merit “Speak Kindness”

 


National PTA received over 900 student entries from 44 state PTA congresses in all the available arts categories. Of those submissions, we are thrilled to award over 200 student artists on the national level.

Congratulations to all of the 2022-2023 National PTA Reflections winners and our 7 Outstanding Interpretation awardees, who received the highest honors for their creative interpretation of the theme Show Your Voice!

The 2022-2023 Reflections theme, Show Your Voice!, was submitted by Jason Yevin, from Salk/Macarthur PTSA in New York.


2022-2023 National PTA Reflections Outstanding Interpretation Awardees

These seven students achieved the Award of Outstanding Interpretation, which is given to the student artworks that achieved the highest scores for interpretation of theme. Join us in congratulating:

  • Alice Grieve: Visual Arts: “Paved the Way”
  • Juliet Auten: Music Composition: “Listen”
  • Minka Van Berkel: Literature: “The Girl Who Was Loud Even Though She Didn’t Speak”
  • Nia McKnight: Dance Choreography: “Where Did the Night Go?”
  • Sarina Policastro: Film Production: “Amira’s Letters”
  • Sebastian Tulin: Photography: “The Runner Triumphant”
  • Megan Lambert: Visual Arts-Special Artist Division: “Hear Me Roar”

 


Stay Tuned For More Celebrations!

Along with the prizes outlined below, we will continue to celebrate our National award winners on National PTA’s website and social media channels.

Stay tuned to PTA.org/ReflectionsAwards for information on upcoming celebrations like our Virtual Exhibit, the Outstanding Interpretation Awardee Celebration and our Student Arts Showcase. Be sure to connect with National PTA on social media at @NationalPTA and through #PTAReflections as we continue to recognize and celebrate student talents throughout the year.

Need help celebrating?

Download and share these template Reflections Winner graphics to highlight your artist accomplishments to everyone in your network. Remember to use #PTAReflections to share your photos and artwork with us!


More information can be found at the National PTA website here.


JC/DC ACTION ALERT: The Siddens Bening Hands-Free Law

Missouri PTA needs you to contact your Representatives now and ask them to support hands-free legislation, specifically Siddens Bening Hands-Free Law – Senate Bill 56/61

Missouri PTA supports SB 56/61. This bill has been voted out of committee and will be placed on the calendar for debate soon.

Missouri PTA advocates to eliminate distracted driving-related injuries and deaths on Missouri roadways through policy, education, and collaboration. Handheld devices delay reaction time as much as having a blood alcohol level of 0.08%.

Missouri PTA advocates are called upon to ensure your Representative understands that you are paying attention and that this issue is important to you!

ACTION NEEDED: PLEASE CALL OR E-MAIL and urge your Representative to support SB 56/61

MOPTA Advocates are invited to utilize the letter below to guide your calls, emails, and social media contact with your lawmaker(s).


Dear Representative,

Please support legislation that restricts drivers from using electronic wireless devices such as cell phones, laptops, and other similar devices while driving.

Distracted driving can be anything that diverts the driver’s attention from the task of driving. Cell phone related crashes, in particular, are one of the fastest growing causes of traffic crashes in Missouri, increasing by more than 30%. 

Motor-vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for U.S. teens. Mile for mile, they are involved in three times as many fatal crashes as all other drivers. And one in three teens who text say they have done so while driving.

I  ask you to support SB 56/61. Join together to help parents and advocates raise awareness of this danger and reduce the tragedies. 

 

Sincerely,

Your Name and PTA


Not sure how to contact your House Representative? Click Here and enter your street address and City. 

Paula McKinney
Vice President of Legislation and Advocacy 
Missouri PTA

Vice President & Director of Legislation and Advocacy

[email protected]