Author: Lydia Vi

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

California State PTA Co-Sponsors SB 747: Protecting Constitutional Rights for All Californians

Posted on by Lydia Vi

The Legislative Advocacy Team, February 16, 2026

California State PTA has taken a support position on California Senate Bill 747 authored by State Senator Scott Wiener (San Francisco), and has signed on as a co-sponsor. Here’s what PTA members need to know.

What Does SB 747 Do?

Right now, if a state or local police officer violates your constitutional rights — through an unlawful search or excessive force, for example — you can take them to court and seek damages. But if a federal agent does the same thing, it’s much harder to hold them accountable. Recent U.S. Supreme Court decisions have narrowed the legal options available to people harmed by federal officers, leaving a significant gap in protections.

SB 747 closes that gap. It creates a clear pathway under California state law for individuals to sue any government official — federal, state, or local — who violates their constitutional rights. The bill does not create new rights. It simply ensures there is a meaningful way to enforce the rights we already have, including protections for free speech and peaceful assembly.  It also protects us from unreasonable search and seizure, and for equal protection under the law.

The bill passed the State Senate on January 27, 2026 on a 30-10 vote and now heads to the Assembly.

Why Is California State PTA Supporting This Bill?

Our position is grounded in our Democracy in Practice: Constitutional Principles, Human Rights and Civic Integrity position statement, adopted in August 2025, which states:

To preserve and protect our democracy, elected officials, government agencies, and the public must understand, honor, and uphold the established principles embedded in the U.S. Constitution.

That statement also calls on PTA to speak out to protect fundamental constitutional rights — rights that belong to young people and adults, citizens and immigrants alike. SB 747 directly advances these values. When constitutional rights can be violated without consequence, those rights exist only on paper. This bill ensures that Californians — including the children, youth, and families we serve — have a real path to accountability.

What About Concerns?

Some law enforcement organizations argue that SB 747 overlaps with California’s existing Tom Bane Civil Rights Act. However, the Bane Act requires showing that a violation involved “threats, intimidation, or coercion,”  a higher bar that can make claims difficult to pursue. SB 747 provides a more straightforward cause of action while maintaining the same legal immunities that already protect government officials from frivolous suits.

What Can PTA Members Do?

As SB 747 moves to the Assembly, PTA members can help by spreading the word within their local units and councils. Share this blog post, SB747 (Weiner) bill language, and California State PTA’s Democracy Position Statement. Sign up for advocacy information and take action alerts. When we understand our constitutional rights and the tools available to protect them, we are stronger advocates for every child and every family.

California State PTA’s Legislative Advocacy Commission voted to support and co-sponsor SB 747 on February 12, 2026. For more information on California State PTA legislative positions, visit capta.org.

California State PTA Co-Sponsors SB 1048 (Becker): State Seal of Climate Literacy

Posted on by Lydia Vi

The Legislative Advocacy Team, February 16, 2026

California State PTA has taken a support position on Senate Bill 1048, authored by State Senator Josh Becker and sponsored by Ten Strands and Undaunted K12. PTA has also signed on as a co-sponsor of the bill, which was introduced on February 12. Here is some preliminary information for PTA members. 

What would a State Seal of Climate Literacy signify?

The intent of SB 1048 is to create a voluntary climate literacy diploma endorsement program for California high school students. Participating school districts would offer students the opportunity to graduate with a Seal of Climate Literacy on their diplomas, signifying their completion of relevant science and climate literacy coursework and hands-on experiential learning projects in their communities. In attaining the Seal, students will gain college-preparatory and career-relevant skills and experiences that will enable them to both understand and act on the challenges of a changing climate.

The choice of approved courses in the area of climate literacy would be up to school districts. They could include existing high-level science courses, career technical courses (including through dual enrollment), and courses in other subject areas that integrate the state’s environmental principles and concepts. Students would also need to complete a final experiential learning project that focuses on the effects of climate change in the pupil’s local community and which demonstrates an academic understanding of climate literacy. 

The bill also calls for the creation of two special distinctions to recognize students who demonstrate proficiency in technical green skills or earn college credit while attaining the Seal of Climate Literacy. 

Why is a State Seal needed?

California students are feeling the impacts of climate change in their communities and at school. During the 2025 fall semester, for example, they lost 55,000 hours of instructional time due to extreme weather, including wildfires, flooding, and heatwaves. As students feel these impacts, it is clear they want more climate education. For example, a recent UN study found that 98% of young people surveyed felt climate education should be taught in primary, secondary, and higher education classrooms. 

Research shows that employers are seeking climate-literate workers who have both technical knowledge and essential skills. Climate change is reshaping the workforce, and students need preparation that reflects that reality.

The California Seal of Climate Literacy will recognize students who develop the skills to understand climate change and its impacts, to engage their communities with innovative solutions, and to prepare for careers and further study in environmental fields. 

The first state to adopt the Seal of Climate Literacy was Colorado, doing so in 2024. What began as a student-led movement there has become a growing national effort to recognize climate-ready graduates. Today, states across the country are considering adoption of this model in the hope that it helps prepare students for their futures. 

Why Is California State PTA Supporting This Bill?

California State PTA has a long history of supporting the need for students to be educated about environmental issues.

More than a decade ago, PTA Convention delegates adopted a resolution affirming that Climate Change is a Children’s Issue. As part of that resolution, our organization committed to urging school districts to educate students on climate and energy literacy, and human sustainability. 

But California State PTA first went on record in 2007 supporting a comprehensive K-12 environmental education curriculum for all students. That position statement, entitled Environmental Health and Environmental Education, states: 

“… protecting the environment and human health is a complex, interconnected and perpetual endeavor. PTA encourages schools, families, and communities to support environmental decision-making processes that are open to all and that are based on stewardship of the environment and concern for the people who live in it, especially the most vulnerable, our children.” 

What Can PTA Members Do?

PTA members can help raise awareness about SB 1048 and the Seal of Climate Literacy by spreading the word within their local units and councils. Share this blog post, the SB 1048 (Becker) bill language, and California State PTA’s resolution Climate Change is a Children’s Issue. Sign up for advocacy information and Take Action alerts. Our students want and need to be climate literate and the Seal of Climate Literacy can help further that goal.

California State PTA’s Legislative Advocacy Commission voted to support and co-sponsor SB 1048 on February 13, 2026. For more information on California State PTA legislative positions, visit capta.org.

Celebrating Arts Education with your PTA

Posted on by Lydia Vi

By the California State Arts Education Committee

In March, California State PTA will be celebrating Arts in Education Month, a perfect time for PTAs to spotlight the vital role the arts play in student learning and family engagement. We want to help motivate you to start your planning now so you and your PTA unit can highlight the arts next month. Perhaps your school/PTA can plan an art showcase or a student performance. Plan a family art night, talent show, hallway gallery, or invite local artists to lead a class for families. There are numerous ways in which the arts can be celebrated with your school and community; the sky is truly the limit! 

PTAs can also support arts education by advocating for strong arts funding, partnering with community arts organizations, sharing at-home creative activities, and celebrating teachers who integrate the arts across subjects. Together, we can help ensure every student has access to meaningful, creative learning experiences that inspire imagination, confidence, and connection.

The California State PTA Arts Education Committee will be sharing more details in the coming month: ideas on how to celebrate the arts, ways in which to advocate for arts in education, and information regarding Proposition 28 funding for the arts. Follow California State PTA on Facebook or Instagram to get the latest updates, or visit our website to learn more about arts education. 

Arts Education is a Student Right
Currently, only 11% of California Schools provide the mandated visual art, music, dance, theatre, and media arts classes to students. California State PTA advocates that every child should receive arts education. Share your feedback with us at bit.ly/capta-art-survey to provide essential data on our unit-level efforts to ensure that every child receives a complete and equitable education, which includes the arts. The deadline to complete the survey is February 28 and only one survey submission per PTA unit, so spread the word to your PTA leaders.

Champion the Arts with Your PTA
Visit National PTA’s website for more arts education resources to strengthen your PTA, or apply for a grant to support programs at your school.