Author: CAPTA IT

California State PTA Empowers Local Leaders as Trusted Partners Supporting Safe Schools

Posted on by CAPTA IT

By the California State PTA Legislation Advocacy Team

On October 6, 2025, California State PTA hosted an “unpacking webinar” for local PTA leaders on the new document, California State PTA Advice: Immigration Enforcement Near Schools. PTA leaders from across California joined the session, which provided guidance on how PTAs can serve as trusted partners to families and schools in response to increased federal immigration enforcement activity. The eight-page resource document discussed during the webinar is available in both English and Spanish at capta.org/focus-areas/advocacy/safe-schools.

California State PTA President Heather Ippolito opened by reaffirming PTA’s core mission and the organization’s unique position. “As PTA leaders, you’re uniquely positioned as trusted partners,” she said. “You connect families with schools, help communicate vital information, and support district efforts to ensure every child feels safe. School districts need partners like you to reach families and reinforce important messages.”

Supported by members of the California State PTA Board of Directors and Board of Managers, Robin Klau, Director of Legislation, led participants through the comprehensive guide.  Designed specifically for local PTAs, the document provides templates, resources, and step-by-step guidance for local units wanting to support their school communities.

PTAs as Community Connectors
The webinar emphasized PTA’s powerful role as a bridge between families and schools. PTAs are encouraged to share vital know-your-rights information and help families understand legal protections. The goal is that all families know their children have a constitutional right to education regardless of immigration status. This role builds on California State PTA’s September 2025 Statement on Safe Schools, which declares that “schools should first and foremost be a safe and welcoming environment for all students.”

Partnering with School Districts
A key theme throughout the presentation was collaboration. Before taking any action or making statements, PTAs should: 

  • meet with their principal or superintendent to understand district policies, 
  • learn what information is already being shared with families, and 
  • coordinate messaging. 

“Your goal is to amplify district efforts to support children and families, not work at cross-purposes,” Klau explained.

This partnership approach helps PTAs understand what assistance their districts are providing—such as family safety plans or caregiver affidavits—and identify where PTA support can be most effective. More information on these services and helpful resources are listed in the document California State PTA Advice: Immigration Enforcement Near Schools.  

Sharing Valuable Government Resources
The webinar highlighted extensive resources PTAs can share with their communities, including the California Department of Education’s “Our Schools” toolkit, which features five family-facing posters and counter cards. These materials, currently available in English and Spanish with more languages planned, cover student privacy rights, guidance on responding to immigration agents, caregiver affidavits, and safety plan recommendations. The visual materials are ideal for PTA newsletters, websites, and social media.

Additional resources include the California Attorney General’s “Know Your Rights” fact sheets in multiple languages, quick-reference guides for school officials, and step-by-step instructions for creating family preparedness plans. All resources are compiled in the guidance document and can be easily shared through PTA-owned communication channels.

Amplifying PTA’s Voice
The webinar provided four ready-to-use statement templates that local PTAs can adapt after executive board approval. These statements align with National and California State PTA position statements on rights and services for children in immigrant and mixed-status families, giving local units confidence that their messaging is grounded in established PTA policy.

PTAs were encouraged to coordinate with Council and District PTAs when making statements, and to consider joint statements with other school organizations for greater community impact. For significant incidents or media attention, California State PTA offers support; email safeschools@capta.org.

Taking Meaningful Action
Beyond sharing information, PTAs can partner with school districts to host educational workshops on student and family rights, bring Safe Zone resolutions to local school boards, and host PTA meetings at protected locations. PTAs can also advocate for protective legislation, including sharing California State PTA’s Take Action Alert on the federal Protecting Sensitive Locations Act (S. 455/H.R. 1061).

The webinar acknowledged that while there are important boundaries—PTAs cannot provide legal advice or pay for legal services—there are numerous positive, impactful ways PTAs can support their communities within their mission and role.

As the session concluded, Klau reminded participants that they don’t have to navigate these challenges alone. California State PTA stands ready to provide guidance, resources, and support to local units committed to ensuring safe schools for all children. PTA members can sign up for future advocate alerts, monthly updates and the California State legislative advocacy quarterly newsletter PTA Advocate on the website.

The Power of Partnership: Family Engagement Takes Center Stage at the 2026 PTA Convention

Posted on by CAPTA IT

By the California State PTA Convention Commission

The 2026 PTA Convention in Fresno will bring together parents, educators, and community leaders from across California to celebrate the vital role families play in education. With November being Family Engagement Month we want to emphasize the importance of family engagement. This highlights how collaboration between home and school leads to greater student achievement, motivation, and well-being.

Family engagement is more than checking homework or attending school open houses. It’s about building strong, ongoing partnerships between families, teachers, and the school community. When families are involved, students experience better attendance, higher grades, stronger confidence, and a deeper sense of belonging. Research proves what parents and educators have long known: children thrive when they see their families and schools working together.

The Fresno Convention will focus on strengthening these vital partnerships through inspiring keynote speakers, hands-on workshops, and meaningful networking opportunities. Attendees will learn practical strategies that can be applied in every school community from building inclusive PTAs to improving communication between home and classroom. Whether you’re a parent, teacher, administrator, or PTA leader, this event will offer valuable insights and connections to help students succeed.

Five Simple Ways Families Can Stay Engaged

Here are five meaningful ways families can support their children’s education and strengthen the school community:

  • Stay informed and connected. Attend PTA meetings, family nights, and school events to stay up to date on programs, goals, and opportunities. Your presence shows students that their education matters.
  • Communicate regularly with teachers. A quick message or conversation helps families understand classroom expectations and how to support learning at home. Open communication builds trust and teamwork.
  • Encourage learning beyond the classroom. Ask about your child’s day, read together, or explore new topics as a family. Showing interest in what they’re learning boosts curiosity and confidence.
  • Volunteer when possible. Engagement doesn’t always mean being on campus. You can help plan an event, share a skill, or assist from home. Every contribution big or small strengthens your school community.
  • Advocate for all students. Join your local PTA or serve on school committees to help shape policies and programs that benefit every child. Advocacy ensures that all students have access to the resources and opportunities they need to succeed.

At the 2026 California State PTA Convention, participants will come together to exchange ideas, celebrate successes, and return home with practical tools to build stronger family-school partnerships. Together, we can create school environments where every family feels welcomed, every voice is heard, and every student is supported.

Mark your calendars for May 1-3, 2026 in Fresno and join us for this inspiring, energizing event. When families are engaged, schools grow stronger, communities unite, and students thrive.

Let’s keep working together to ensure every child has the support they need to reach their full potential.

Promoting Family Engagement Through PTA Programs

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By the California State PTA Membership Services Commission

PTAs play a key role in family engagement by serving as the bridge between school and home. PTA has the unique ability to cultivate relationships between parents, students, and the school. Through parent education, PTAs offer resources to support caregivers. We help keep parents informed through regular communication and we offer opportunities for families to get involved in their child’s education. Programs such as science night, the school play, or carnival bring families together through fun enrichment programs. When a school community comes together to raise money for a specific goal – such as funding field trips for all students- everyone benefits from the collaboration. By nurturing these bonds, the effect is a stronger school community and more engaged families.

Here are some ways parents can engage with their child and the school:

  • Talk to your student about their school day.
    • Tell me one thing you learned today.
    • What do you like most about your teacher?
    • What is your favorite part of school?
    • What was the hardest thing you did today?
  • Make sure to opt-in to receive communication from your child’s school
  • Attend Back-to-School Night, Open House and other school events in which you can talk with your student’s teacher
  • Get involved in school activities. It makes a difference to your child when they see how much you care about them and their education
  • Connect with other parents to share ideas and support one another

Things for PTA leaders to keep in mind:

  • Communication is key!
  • Build trust and communication with families in order to develop relationships
  • Is your school community bilingual? Translate ALL correspondence that goes home to families
  • Maintain consistent, regular, and succinct communication with families in their preferred language
  • Communicate with families in a manner that they prefer: text message, an app, email, etc.
  • Be inclusive – welcome all attendees at PTA meetings and events. Invite families to join your PTA!

What can our PTA do?

  • Schedule a walk to school day. Consider inviting teachers and staff to meet at a central location and walk to school with students and their families.
  • Plan a school picnic with a loved one; make sure to give families enough notice so loved ones can attend.

Family engagement starts with each of us. What can you do for your school community today that will make a difference for your child?

What Happens to Resolutions After California State PTA Convention

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By the California State PTA Resolutions Committee

PTA Members,

What happens to our resolutions adopted by convention delegates that have a resolved clause to “submit to National PTA for consideration”? 

At the 2024 California State PTA Convention, delegates adopted the resolutions: Returning to the Classroom Following Student Concussions, Cannabis and Youth Health and Safety, and Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Children and Two-Spirit Individuals. Each of these included a resolved statement that the resolution be forwarded to National PTA for consideration.

When an adopted resolution includes a resolve to forward it to National PTA, the Resolutions Committee will have reviewed the submission to assure it meets National PTA’s criteria. The Resolutions Committee Chair works with the State PTA President to submit it to National PTA during their submission window.  

The resolution Cannabis and Youth Health and Safety, addresses issues about the negative effects of cannabis use for youth and calls for California State PTA and its units, councils and districts to seek and support legislation or other measures to educate youth and families about the risks of youth driving under the influence of cannabis. It also urges for more community education about regulations concerning location and density of licensed and unlicensed cannabis stores near youth-frequented areas.  

The resolution Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Children and Two-Spirit Individuals calls for California State PTA and its units, councils, and districts to promote awareness about the disproportionate impact of violence, alarming rates of disappearance, homicide, and assault for Indigenous Women, Children, and Two-Spirit Individuals. The resolution seeks to raise public awareness about the crisis and to increase knowledge among school officials and local families about the Feather Alert Act and how it can be used to help address this problem in urban and rural communities.

Each of these California State PTA resolutions were submitted to National PTA last fall. The National PTA Resolutions Committee reviewed them and determined that the Cannabis and Youth Health and Safety resolution needed further review. The committee referred the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Children and Two-Spirit Individuals resolution to their legislative committee to review in conjunction with the National PTA 1982 Missing Children Resolution and consider drafting a position statement to address this issue.

The resolution Returning to the Classroom Following Student Concussions highlighted the need to address significant declines in academic performance following a concussion and that California does not have laws addressing return to learning following a concussion. The resolution recognized that the issue of concussed student academic decline was not only a statewide issue of concern, but also national in scope.

The resolution provides authority for California State PTA and its units, councils, and districts to encourage the education of all members of the school and larger community about the cognitive impact of concussion on all students. The resolution also asks that we seek and support legislation for state-wide policy change in public and private schools to include nationally recognized concussion recovery protocols with Return to Learn (RTL) plans following student concussions. It calls on California State PTA to advocate with our partners in the Education Coalition, as well as state and national organizations, provide support for implementing Return to Learn (RTL) practices.

This resolution was also submitted to National PTA for consideration and was determined (accepted) by the National PTA Board of Directors who brought it before delegates at the National PTA Convention in June of 2025. Members of our California State PTA Board of Managers spoke in support of the resolution and the resolution was adopted by National PTA delegates.

The (now) National PTA Resolution “Returning to the Classroom Following Student Concussion” can be found here: Resolution on Returning to the Classroom Following Student Concussions

Celebrating Family Engagement Month with California State PTA

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A Message from President Heather Ippolito on National Family Engagement Month

Happy Family Engagement Month!  

This is a special time for PTA since family engagement is at the heart of all we do. Each one of our local PTAs is doing this important work every day – and we at California State PTA thank you for it! You are hosting events that bring families to campus; you are engaging families in their students’ education through family literacy or math nights; and you are helping the families on your campus to see how they can make changes in their community through their voice and participation.  

Remember that the PTA definition of “family” is a broad one. It basically includes all adult caregivers who interact with educational systems in support of their students. 

These caregivers include biological, adoptive, and foster parents; expectant families; out-of-household parents; grandparents; legal and informal guardians; adult siblings; and other family members. So as you think about your family engagement work, remember to encompass ALL of these definitions at a minimum.

I also want to remind you of the difference between involvement and engagement as we work with families. Involvement was the buzzword about a decade ago, but it faded because involvement is passive. “Parent involvement” was something that schools would do TO families, such as notifying them, informing them, or even granting them permission to participate, instead of seeing parents as full partners with inherent rights and responsibilities to work WITH schools in order to achieve success for their students. It’s a kind of shift in mindset that acknowledges that there is expertise on both sides about what’s right for kids. We want to focus on the more active engagement of families to be a key part of their students’ education in the work we do. 

In honor of all things family engagement, take some time this month to look at the National Standards for Family-School Partnerships and see if there is anything your PTA can do to keep your school moving forward in these areas. Create a social media post celebrating all the families at your school for helping their students succeed. The research tells us, the number one factor in student success is a family member who is engaged in their school!  

Remember that we are here to support EVERY student and family – today, tomorrow, together.

Heather Ippolito
California State PTA President

A Message from President-Elect, Will Sanford on Engaging with your PTA’s School Administration

Principals are people just like you and me. They just happen to have a job that requires great skill and the ability to lead a variety of groups (teachers, support staff, children and youth, families, volunteers and community members). They are responsible to their school district’s administration to follow all the complex rules and regulations, manage a budget, and deal with staffing issues. They support your school community, often almost 24/7. Have you thanked your principals? Have you recognized them when they have done something outstanding for your community or when they have taken the heat for the actions of others or policies they are required to implement?  

PTA’s mission is to positively impact the lives of all children and families. To fulfill our mission, we must build trust, communicate in positive, solution-oriented ways, and take shared responsibility for promoting positive learning opportunities. As PTA leaders, we must be willing to help build bridges, show others how to build relationships and trust and take the time to say thank you to the individual(s) who are charged with leading the learning at our schools. The time to build relationships is before you need them. In times when a crisis or challenge arises, you have a connection as people with the same goal to positively impact the lives of the children and families of your school community. Remember, building relationships is not a one and done activity; it takes effort over time. The impact and benefits can last a lifetime.

Will Sanford
California State PTA President-Elect

Celebrating Culture and Diversity Through the Arts

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By the California State PTA Arts Education Committee

Fall is a vibrant season of cultural celebration across California and the world — a time when communities come together through festivals, art, music, dance, and shared traditions. From Indigenous Peoples’ Day and Filipino American History Month to Día de los Muertos preparations and Diwali celebrations, it offers a colorful reminder of how deeply the arts connect us all.

Arts education provides students with the opportunity to explore diverse cultural expressions in meaningful ways. Through classroom activities, performances, and community art projects, students learn about history, identity, and the universal language of creativity. Encouraging schools to highlight global festivals helps students appreciate the beauty of different traditions and fosters inclusion, curiosity, and respect.

California State PTA believes that arts education should reflect the diversity of our communities — inspiring every student to see their story represented in the arts. Let us bring families together by embracing cultural heritage through creativity. Publicize local festivals so families will visit them. Encourage students to talk to their families and friends about their traditions and art forms. 

Your PTA can hold a multicultural fair, talent show, or music festival where families can showcase their music, art, and dance with their school community. The adults can prepare the students for their performances by teaching them traditional arts. All generations will benefit from having opportunities to share cultural creativity.

Supporting Lifelong Learning with Archways to Opportunity

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Message from California State PTA Sponsor, McDonald’s
California State PTA is a nonprofit and non-commercial volunteer organization and does not endorse any product, publication, or business associated with sponsorship partners.

McDonald’s local Owner/Operators in Central and Northern California believe in creating pathways to success both inside and outside our restaurants. Through the Archways to Opportunity program, eligible McDonald’s crew members can earn a high school diploma, work toward a college degree, improve their English skills, or receive academic and career guidance—all while earning a paycheck.

As longtime supporters of education, we were proud to join the California State PTA Convention earlier this year to share how McDonald’s is investing in the future of our workforce, our students, and our communities. Archways is just one of the ways we help individuals, whether they’re teens getting started or parents continuing their education, gain the confidence and skills they need to succeed.

Our commitment to education doesn’t stop there, our restaurants participate in programs like McTeacher’s Nights, support local reading initiatives, and engage in school-based partnerships throughout the year.

We’re proud to stand alongside the PTA in supporting students, families, and educators. If you’d like Archways materials for your school or community, we’d love to connect! Visit the McDonald’s website to learn more.

Celebrating the Power of the Arts

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By the California State PTA Arts Education Commission

The arts enrich academic experiences and help students develop vital skills that extend far beyond the classroom. Whether through visual arts, music, dance, theater, or any other form of creative expression, students gain meaningful opportunities to communicate, collaborate, and think critically.

We’re celebrating the power of arts in everyday life and learning year-round! There are many ways your PTA can continue advocacy and program efforts regardless of the season.  Let us explore and enhance arts education by harnessing the power of technology! Did you know that in addition to creating art digitally, you can also explore world-class art through free virtual museum tours from the comfort of your home? Here are a few to get you started:

And don’t forget to explore arts in your own community! Local theaters, dance studios, and schools often host performances throughout the year. By attending them, you not only enjoy live arts experiences but also support local talent.

Let us celebrate arts education in our schools and communities—not just during National Arts in Education Week, but throughout the year! Together, we can honor the role of the arts in shaping well-rounded learners and celebrate the artists, educators, and advocates who make it all possible.

The California State Superintendent: Shaping Education for Millions

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By the California State PTA Education Commission and Legislative Advocacy Team

The California State Superintendent of Public Instruction (SSPI) serves as chief executive of the nation’s largest public school system, overseeing over 6 million students across 1,000+ districts. This elected position directly impacts children, youth, and families throughout California.

As head of the California Department of Education (CDE), the superintendent implements state policy, manages a $100+ billion budget, and ensures federal and state compliance. Working with the State Board of Education (SBE), which sets policy direction, the superintendent translates these policies into action across statewide communities while addressing achievement gaps, funding disparities, and technological needs.

  • The superintendent’s influence reaches every classroom through curriculum standards and frameworks. When California adopts new academic standards, millions of children are affected. The superintendent ensures a third-grader in Fresno learns the same foundational skills as one in San Francisco, promoting educational equity statewide.
  • Beyond academics, superintendent policies shape students’ social and emotional development. School climate initiatives, anti-bullying programs, and mental health services directly impact how safe children feel when learning. A focus on social-emotional learning reflects the recognition that academic success requires addressing the whole child.
  • The position has a significant impact on equity and opportunity. Through funding formulas, special education services, and English learner programs, the superintendent’s decisions can eliminate or perpetuate disparities. School choice policies, charter authorization, and accountability measures have a significant impact on educational options for families, particularly in underserved communities.
  • Teacher preparation and professional development fall under the superintendent’s oversight, impacting the quality of instruction. Credentialing requirements, development funding, and evaluation systems have a direct impact on classroom effectiveness and student outcomes.
  • During emergencies, the superintendent coordinates statewide responses. Whether addressing wildfires, earthquakes, or public health concerns, the office ensures student safety while maintaining educational continuity. These decisions affect entire families as parents adapt to changing circumstances.
  • Technology policies shape student experiences through digital equity initiatives, cybersecurity measures, and funding decisions that determine access to modern learning tools and digital literacy development.
  • Superintendent policies influence daily family life through school meals, transportation, and parent engagement programs. These administrative decisions create real impacts: whether children receive nutritious meals, arrive safely at school, or have engaged parents. The office offers channels for community input, recognizing that family engagement is essential to success.

The California State Superintendent serves as more than an administrator—they’re responsible for ensuring educational opportunity and equity for millions of young Californians. Through policy development, resource allocation, and leadership, this role shapes what students learn and who they become.

Parents, Guardians, and PTAs play vital roles in this democratic process. Staying informed about superintendent responsibilities helps families make educated ballot choices and ensures voices are heard in decisions affecting their children’s futures.

This article is the first in a series on California’s state elected officials, offices, agencies, and how they impact the education of children and the lives of families throughout California. PTA/PTSAs in California are encouraged to share/reprint this information with all members as we head into the June 2026 California primary and November 2026 election. 

Why Your Local PTA Should Host School Board Candidate Forums

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By the Legislative Advocacy Team

School board elections directly shape the educational experience of every student in your district. School board members wield significant authority over policies affecting students daily. They hire and evaluate superintendents, approve budgets that determine class sizes and program availability, set educational priorities, review the Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP), and establish policies on everything from curriculum adoption to school safety measures. 

Despite this enormous impact on children’s lives, school board races frequently lack the visibility of higher-profile elections, leaving voters with limited information about candidates’ qualifications and positions. Local PTAs and PTSAs are uniquely positioned to fill this information gap.

While PTA never supports or opposes a candidate for public/political office, it does take positions on issues that affect children and youth. As organizations dedicated to supporting student success, PTAs have both the responsibility and opportunity to share as much factual, objective information as possible during election campaigns to help voters make informed choices. 

Candidate forums provide an ideal platform for this vital civic service.

  • PTAs bring unique credibility to the candidate forum process. Parents and community members trust PTAs as genuine advocates for children without hidden political agendas. This trust, combined with PTAs’ deep knowledge of local education issues, positions PTAs as natural conveners for meaningful discussions with candidates.
  • Hosting candidate forums aligns perfectly with PTA’s mission to promote civic engagement and informed participation in democracy. These events demonstrate PTA values in action while providing practical benefits to the entire school community. Forums create opportunities for parents to ask direct questions about issues they care most about, from academic programs and special education services to school safety and technology initiatives.
  • The forum format levels the playing field for all candidates, giving each equal time and opportunity to present their qualifications and vision. This structured approach enables voters to evaluate candidates based on their substance rather than campaign messaging or name recognition. For incumbent board members, forums provide opportunities for accountability, where they must explain their past decisions and future plans to the families they serve.
  • Local media often cover well-organized candidate forums, amplifying their reach beyond attendees to inform the broader community. Many PTAs partner with local cable stations or livestream forums online, making them accessible to families who cannot attend in person. This expanded reach maximizes the educational impact of PTA’s investment in organizing these events.

Organizing successful forums requires careful planning, but it is entirely achievable for local PTAs. Comprehensive resources are readily available, including detailed guidelines for maintaining nonpartisan neutrality while maximizing educational value:

  • California State PTA’s Toolkit: Local Candidates Forum provides essential information about the PTA’s role in election activities. 
  • California State PTA’s Toolkit: Organizing a Local Candidates Forum offers a comprehensive planning checklist from committee formation through event execution.
  • National PTA: A comprehensive guide in partnership with Nonprofit VOTE, includes media guidance and 501(c)(3) compliance.
  • California State PTA Guidance: A handout addressing PTA and Elections, provides guidance for PTAs and PTA leaders. 

By hosting candidate forums, local PTAs fulfill their highest calling as advocates for children while strengthening democratic participation in their communities.