Author: Lydia Vi

Be Empowered by Education at the California State PTA 2026 Convention

Posted on by Lydia Vi

By the California State PTA Education Commission

The Education Commission’s convention mantra for Fresno is “Empowered by Education.” Just as students are empowered by their education, parents and caregivers are empowered when they are better educated about California’s educational system. We will present several timely, informative workshops at Convention on topics including: AI, literacy, community schools, school boards, testing, postgraduate options, and education data. Please join us in these empowering workshops, where we make the complex education system more understandable to help you become a better advocate for your school community when you head home!

  • Community Schools’ Positive Impact on Student Outcomes: Efrain Mercado, Director of California Policy at the Learning Policy Institute, will share how California’s Community Schools Partnership Program is transforming student outcomes and strengthening school communities. We will discuss how this statewide investment is helping boost test scores, reduce chronic absence, and lower suspension rates.
  • The Power of Understanding Your School Board: Briana Mullen, Founder and Executive Director of the Education Justice Academy, will explain why school boards are one of the most powerful—and often overlooked—pillars of our democracy. This workshop explores how school boards shape and improve education systems, influencing everything from classroom conditions to long-term district priorities.
  • Essential Guide to Education Information: Discover the best websites for exploring data on school districts and individual campuses, then watch and participate in live demonstrations so you can confidently use these tools on your own to be a more informed parent and caregiver.
  • Strengthening Reading Skills with Targeted Instruction: James Brannon, licensed educational psychologist, will offer a practical look at how a school’s reading intervention system can directly influence student success and long term outcomes. Parents will learn what effective intervention looks like, how to recognize when a system is working well, and what questions to ask when concerns arise.
  • AI Use For Student Success: Ron Ippolito, middle school educator, and James McConihe, author and tech industry veteran, will demystify what AI really looks like in today’s classrooms. This workshop offers a clear, accessible overview of how this rapidly changing technology is being used and how educators are guiding students to use it responsibly. 
  • Pathways to Success: Exploring Community Colleges & Careers: Lori Swain, representing Fresno City College, will offer information about attending community college after high school graduation. This workshop will help families understand the wide range of successful postsecondary options available in California, emphasizing balance, well-being, and lifelong learning rather than a one-size-fits-all definition of success.
  • What’s on the Test? A Hands-On Parent Workshop: Educational Testing Services will lead this interactive session to explore California’s assessments, including CAASPP and ELPAC. You’ll learn how test items are created, scored, and used to support student learning. You will write and score simplified test questions, experience a short practice test, and discover resources to help your school community understand and use assessment results effectively. You will leave with a practical toolkit and ideas to share with other parents and educators.
  • Empowered Pathways: Clear, Practical Steps for Parents and Families Supporting College & Career Readiness: Led by Dr. Darlene V. Willis, Co-founder and Executive Director of Concerned Parents Alliance/College Bound Academy Programs, this panel begins by affirming parents/caregivers as essential partners in their child’s success. Through conversation and real examples, the panel centers on what families need to know to navigate college and career readiness pathways in California, and gives families practical, actionable guidance they can apply immediately into their households.

Communicating About Universal PreKindergarten with Families – A Resource for Families

Posted on by Lydia Vi

By the California State PTA Family Engagement Commission

California State PTA is partnering with Universal PreKindergarten (UPK) to share valuable resources for families and children. New materials are now available to help communicate clear, accurate information on early learning programs with families in ways that meet their needs. We know that families get their information about their options from trusted advocates like you.

Check out the Toolkit: Communicating about Universal PreKindergarten with Families that includes customizable materials you can use as-is or adapt for your community:

  • Flyers and posters
  • Social media carousels and sample captions
  • Parent testimonial videos and short clips
  • Email and newsletter templates
  • Talking points and key messages
  • Referral and enrollment resources
  • Links to translated materials

All materials are designed to be easy to share, culturally responsive, and free to use on the UPK website.

DOWNLOAD THE TOOLKIT RESOURCE

PTA Leaders: Help Spread the Word About These Materials To Your PTA Community

Help us make it easier for families to understand their enrollment options by sharing UPK CA materials through your networks. Whether it’s via social media, newsletters, or community events, your support can make a difference!

The materials were shaped to ensure they:

  • Use clear, family-friendly language
  • Explain free and low-cost early learning options in simple terms
  • Reflect the experiences of racially, culturally, and linguistically diverse families
  • Reach families who may not yet be connected to school districts

About the Materials

This project was supported by the generous investment of the Heising-Simons Foundation and Sobrato Philanthropies. It represents a joint venture between the CDE Foundation’s California Family and Community Engagement (CA Face) Initiative, the California Department of Education (CDE) Early Education Division, and Collaborative Communications.

The success of this initiative is a direct result of the project’s Co-Creation Committee; these members stepped up to the charge with immense dedication, ensuring that the community’s voice remained at the heart of every deliverable.

The Co-Creation Committee members included:

  • Nancy Villarreal — Interim Executive Director, Parent Organization Network (PON)
  • Janet Nuñez-Pineda (or representative) — Director, CA State Family Engagement Center, led by The Parent Institute for Quality EducationKeisha Nzwei — Co-founder, Black Californians United for ECE (BLACKECE)
  • Carla Bryant — Founder, The Center for District Innovation and Leadership in Early Education (DIAL EE)
  • Kristel England — Parent Voices
  • Houri Khatchadorian — Vice President for Family Engagement, California State PTA
  • Nina Buthee — Executive Director, Every Child California

 

Instagram Teen Accounts: Balancing Connection, Creativity, and Safety

Posted on by Lydia Vi

By the California State PTA Health & Community Concerns Commission

Social media has become a way of life for adults and teens alike. Instagram is one of the most popular social media platforms for teens, offering a place to connect with friends, explore interests, and express creativity.Its widespread use also raises important questions for families about privacy, safety, and mental well-being.. To address these concerns, Instagram has introduced special protections and features for teen accounts, described in their Parents and Guardians Guide to Instagram.

Age Requirements and Account Setup
Instagram’s minimum age requirement is 13 years old, in compliance with the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA). When users under 18 create an account, Instagram automatically classifies them as teen accounts, applying stricter privacy and safety settings by default. These measures aim to make the platform a safer and more controlled environment for younger users.

Privacy and Safety Features for Teens
Instagram has implemented several tools to protect teens from unwanted interactions and exposure to harmful content:

  1. Private profiles by default: Teen accounts are automatically set to private, helping limit who can view posts and interact with content.
  2. Sensitive content controls: Instagram limits teens’ exposure to sensitive or inappropriate content in areas like Explore and Reels.
  3. Direct message restrictions: Adults cannot message teens unless the teen already follows them.
  4. Parental supervision tools: Parents can connect their accounts to help monitor settings, screen time, and other account activity.

Mental Health and Digital Well-Being
While Instagram can be a place of creativity and connection, research has shown that excessive social media use can affect self-esteem and mental health, particularly for teenagers. To combat this, Instagram has launched initiatives promoting positive online experiences, including:

  • “Quiet Mode” and “Take a Break” notifications encourage users to pause notifications and log off after extended use.
  • Content promoting self-care and body positivity.
  • Partnerships with mental health organizations to provide resources and support directly within the app.

Empowering Teens to Use Instagram Responsibly
Tools matter, but ongoing conversations with trusted adults are just as important in helping teens build safe and healthy digital habits. We should be encouraging teens to:

  • Be thoughtful about who they follow, what they share, and who can see their content.
  • Report bullying, harassment, scams, or harmful content.
  • Use privacy tools actively to control their audience.
  • Take regular breaks to maintain a healthy balance between online and offline life.

Instagram’s teen accounts represent the platform’s effort to balance freedom of expression with safety and well-being. While technology continues to evolve, so must the ways we protect and empower young users online. Through thoughtful features, parental involvement, and open conversations about digital responsibility, Instagram aims to create a space where teens can connect and create—safely.

Celebrate PTA Membership at California State PTA 2026 Convention

Posted on by Lydia Vi

By the California State PTA Membership Services Commission

April is National Volunteer Month, which is the perfect time to honor the incredible volunteers who make a difference in PTAs across California. The Membership Services Commission is excited to champion volunteer commitment through impactful workshops and activities at this year’s PTA Convention May 1-3, 2026 in Fresno.

During Convention, our workshops will focus on practical strategies to help PTAs grow and strengthen membership, create impactful programs, and connect with other volunteers from across the state. Whether you are new to membership work or are an experienced leader looking for fresh ideas, these sessions will highlight real examples from PTAs across the state and provide tools you can take home and use right away.

One highlight will be our Membership Idea Exchange, a table-talk style session where participants can connect, share, and discuss membership strategies. These conversations often spark creative solutions and new partnerships, reminding us that no one is doing this work alone.

We are creating opportunities for attendees to make meaningful connections with other PTA volunteers from around the state. These informal networking moments are designed to build relationships, exchange ideas, and learn from one another’s experiences. Volunteers often say that some of their most valuable takeaways from Convention come from the conversations they have with fellow PTA leaders who understand the work they do, and we are looking forward to providing a fun way to help make those connections.

Finally, we invite all volunteers to come to Convention to meet our new PTA mascot, Petey A. Bear, who will make his official debut at this year’s Convention. Don’t miss out on some limited edition Petey A. Bear swag and an opportunity to join the Petey A. Bear Fan Club! 

We can’t wait to see you in Fresno as we celebrate volunteers and continue working together to strengthen PTA membership across California.

Experience the Power of the Arts at California State PTA 2026 Convention

Posted on by Lydia Vi

By the California State PTA Arts Education Committee

The Arts Education Committee is looking forward to meeting PTA leaders from across the state at the upcoming State PTA Convention in Fresno (FresYES!) May 1-3, 2026! 

The committee is planning two fun and engaging workshops, an arts education resource room, as well as a hands-on art activity. We invite you to join our workshops listed below:

  • Bringing the Arts to Every Child- Become an Arts Advocate!: This interactive workshop for leaders will be held Saturday afternoon, May 2. Take part in making creative, accessible art activities while learning how the arts support student success. Arts advocates from Create CA will share their tips on how PTA leaders can champion arts programs in their schools and districts .Participants also take home an “Arts Engagement Toolkit” with resources and lesson ideas listing low-cost arts activities they can replicate at school events or family nights!
  • Improv(e) Leadership & Communications: This workshop will be held Sunday morning, May 3. Attendees will participate in improvisational theater exercises designed to improve public speaking, presentation, and leadership skills. Faculty from a Fresno Talent K-8 school will lead interactive improv-based activities and games.

Drop in, open house style, to the Arts in Action! Arts Education Resource Center to meet with arts education committee members, ask questions, obtain resources, and participate in a hands-on art activity. 

Arts education teaches teamwork, leadership skills, public speaking, creativity, and problem solving skills, and you can discover more at Convention. Visit capta.org/convention to register now and we will see you in Fres”yes”!

Recognizing the Dedication of our Incredible PTA Volunteers

Posted on by Lydia Vi

A Message from California State PTA President Heather Ippolito

April is Volunteer Appreciation Month. It is the perfect time to thank the PTA volunteers on your campus.  

One of the best ways to appreciate your volunteers is by investing in their personal development and sending them to our California State PTA Convention, May 1-3, 2026, in Fres-YES (also known as Fresno, CA). This allowable expense for your unit, council or district shows that you value your volunteers. Convention offers opportunities to expand knowledge, strengthen leadership skills, and stay informed on issues impacting children and families.It is also a wonderful networking opportunity and a chance to rekindle joy in their PTA work. I hope that you will consider sending some key volunteers to show your appreciation for all they have done and will continue to do for your PTA. 

Personally, I want to take this moment to thank you all for the work you do. Volunteering is the best job you will ever have! It gives us purpose and meaning to be part of the good work of this organization, but volunteering is never easy. You are choosing to give of your time alongside work, family, and other commitments. PTA leaders have the responsibility of IRS compliance, fiduciary responsibilities and navigating challenges within your community. However, you continue to show up, lead, and serve because you know that being engaged in your school community makes a difference for all children and families. 

Thank you for being a part of the legacy of PTA’s work- you are making a difference TODAY, TOMORROW, TOGETHER!

With gratitude, 

Heather Ippolito
California State PTA President

Students Have a Voice — And Now a Seat at the Table

Posted on by Lydia Vi

A recap of the first CA State PTA Student Advocacy Voices Webinar

On February 25, 2026, California State PTA launched the Student Advocacy Voices Webinar Series. The kickoff session focused on one of the most powerful ways students can make themselves heard: voting. Presented by The Civics Center, the session brought together PTA members, students, educators, and advocates from across California to learn how to bring student-led voter registration drives to their schools — and why it matters more than ever.

The Problem: Too Many Young Voices Are Going Unheard

The numbers tell a sobering story. Only about 30% of 18-year-olds are registered to vote nationwide — and despite having some of the most voter-friendly laws in the country, California ranks just 25th in youth registration rates. Why? The traditional paths to registration often miss students entirely: 51% of 18-year-olds don’t have a driver’s license, and 40% don’t go straight to college after high school, so they miss the campus registration drives that so many rely on.

The good news? California has already built a strong foundation. Students can pre-register to vote starting at age 16, student IDs are accepted as first-time voter identification, and the state supports two official voter registration weeks each year (September and April). The infrastructure is there — what’s needed now is activation.

The Solution: Students Leading, Adults Supporting

The session introduced a California State PTA partnership with The Civics Center (TCC), a nonprofit dedicated to closing the youth voter registration gap. Their model is simple and powerful: students are best positioned to reach their peers, while parents and teachers play a critical support role.

For students: You can sign up for a free Run a Drive Workshop — one-hour virtual training sessions offered weekly — and get everything you need to lead a registration drive at your school. TCC also provides custom registration URLs so you can track your school’s impact and even compete on a leaderboard against other schools. Sign up for a workshop here.

For parents: Help activate your school by connecting with administrators and teachers, and sharing TCC’s free resources, including flyers and template emails. Get parent volunteer resources here.

For educators: Download the free California Teacher Toolkit with state-specific data and classroom materials, or schedule a 1:1 training session with TCC.

All of TCC’s resources are completely free. Find the full library at lnk.bio/thecivicscenter.

Now Is the Moment: Cap, Gown, and Ballot

Spring is the ideal window for action. TCC’s Cap, Gown and Ballot campaign is designed for graduation season — the perfect time to reach seniors who are newly eligible to vote. Students who register by May 18, 2026 can vote in the June 2 primary. For many, it will be their first vote ever. Research shows that when young people vote early, they build a lifetime habit of civic participation.

Stay Connected With the Series

The Student Advocacy Voices Webinar Series is just getting started. Future sessions will continue to elevate student voice and provide practical tools for civic engagement across California.

Visit the Student Advocacy Voices Webinar Series page to access the recording of this kickoff session, register for upcoming webinars, and find all related resources in one place.

Have questions about voter registration drives or want to bring The Civics Center programming to your school? Contact TCC’s team directly: Molly Ford at molly@thecivicscenter.org or Leslie Ortiz at lortiz@thecivicscenter.org. For questions related to CA PTA’s Legislative Advocacy work, reach out to advocacy@capta.org.

Together, we can ensure every eligible student in California has the opportunity — and the encouragement — to make their voice count.

The Student Advocacy Voices Webinar Series is proudly sponsored by College Board.

How Advocacy Helped Change Arts Education in California

Posted on by Lydia Vi

By Carol Kocivar, Past President and Current Legislative Team Member, California State PTA

I have a confession to make. When I first joined PTA, I had an advocacy strategy in mind. It stemmed from an elementary school experience.

When my kids were young, our school paid for the music teacher, Mrs. Bank, by reaching deep into parents’ pockets. We were one of the only schools in San Francisco to have a full time music teacher. When I found out that this was how public schools paid for what I thought was essential, I got angry. And I got organized.

I convinced a city supervisor that this was an urgent issue, and she organized town hall meetings across the city to highlight it. She appointed me as chair of a city study group to analyze the shortages in schools and develop a financial plan. That work built enough momentum to put a measure on the city ballot to fund school music and arts with city money. Since our school also lacked funding for a librarian and a sports instructor, we added those too. It passed, and San Francisco’s public schools now have that support.

With this experience in mind, I learned that California State PTA was a strong advocacy organization. I joined, and the first thing I did was to write a resolution supporting guaranteed funding for the arts in all schools. It passed unanimously, and the PTA then sponsored a number of bills to get this going at the state level. Some passed, but none went far enough.

Advocacy lesson learned. If at first you don’t fully succeed, keep going.

Through years of sustained effort to make arts education a priority issue, the state finally passed Proposition 28, which now provides funding for the arts in all schools throughout California.

Along the way, we helped get Governor Schwarzenegger to dedicate $100 million for arts education in one of his budgets. And PTA started School Smarts based on one essential element: every lesson included an art activity to help parents understand the importance of arts education.

Today, California State PTA is a strong partner with Create California, supporting the arts.

So thank you to Mrs. Bank, that first music teacher in my children’s elementary school. The need to fund your position became a great lesson in parent advocacy. 

The lesson: if at first you don’t succeed, find allies, persist, and keep advocating together for what’s good for kids and families.

Let Creativity Soar this Arts Education Month

Posted on by Lydia Vi

By the California State PTA Arts Education Committee

Celebrate California’s Arts Education Month in March by diving into a month-long celebration of creativity and imagination! 

California State PTA’s Arts Education Committee has created a printable calendar that is packed with engaging activities for the whole family, from drawing prompts to exciting storytelling adventures. There’s something for everyone to try and enjoy together as we embrace our inner artists, innovators, and dreamers. Be sure to share the calendar with your PTA families!

Get ready to make lasting memories, connect with loved ones, and let your creativity soar! Place the calendar on your refrigerator and prepare for a month filled with fun, laughter, and endless imagination.

Share your amazing creations with us using #ArtsEdMonthCA and help spread the joy of arts education!

What better time to begin, or continue, to advocate for the arts to be included in your student’s curriculum. Families and educators can urge school boards to recognize the value of arts education for all students. Find more information on how to advocate for the arts, including 13 ways to improve arts education, on the Arts Engagement webpage on the California State PTA website. 

For more opportunities, register for the California State PTA Convention so you get access to our Arts Education Resource Center and workshops that will make you a better arts advocate in your local community.

Celebrating Reading and Arts Education Month this March

Posted on by Lydia Vi

A Message from California State PTA President Heather Ippolito

I love reading! I love the feel and smell of a book in my hands. My mother was an elementary school librarian and my grandmother was a teacher, so growing up we had no shortage of books in our home. We made weekly trips to the library, we frequented bookstores in our travels, and every night we read a story before bedtime. 

When my daughter was born, we continued with those traditions and she grew to be a book lover too. Sadly, during high school this love of reading faded. I’m not sure if it was the pressure of her full class load or if it was the busyness of extracurricular activities, but she no longer found escape in books. 

While this was a worry to me, I’m happy to report that after heading off to college her love of books has returned! Not only is she reading for her classes, she is reading for pleasure. She is devouring novels and is excited to share what she’s reading with her family and friends. 

To the families  who wonder, “Will this make a difference for my child?” I’m here to tell you an emphatic YES!!! Don’t stop reading TO your child, WITH your child, IN FRONT OF your child. All of it seeps into them. Keep the love of reading going in your family- today, tomorrow, together!

Heather Ippolito
California State PTA President

A Message from President-Elect Will Sanford

One of the most powerful skills that our children need is the ability to read and truly understand what they are reading. Literacy is a skill that helps level the playing field, as it provides access to information and knowledge- whether from a book or a computer screen. It gives individuals the power to learn. 

Literacy is more than sounding out words on a page. It is the ability to understand the meaning of words, analyze how those words and sentences may impact you, and influence the decisions you make. We read for many purposes, including enjoying creative fiction and poetry, completing class work, filling out job applications, and understanding election ballots. Literacy influences nearly every aspect of life.

Literacy promotes independent thinking, and we want to ensure that all children can access and use that personal power to be the best they can be. We encourage you to read with your child, talk about what you read, explore words and their meanings, and discuss how language can be used to encourage and discourage others. In a world increasingly shaped by digital content and Artificial Intelligence, our children must be equipped to not only read, but to analyze and appropriately use information. 

As Edward Bulwer-Lytton wrote, “The pen is mightier than the sword.” Words shape ideas, decisions, and communities. When children learn to read with understanding, they gain the power to think critically and participate as informed citizens. Literacy is not just an academic skill, it is the foundation of responsible citizenship. By nurturing strong readers today, we help prepare engaged leaders for tomorrow.

Will Sanford
California State PTA President-Elect