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  • Free Money for College and Career Training Available for Low-Income High School Seniors with CalKIDS

    February 29, 2024

    High school seniors are now preparing to start the next chapter in their lives, but some do not have a key piece of information that could help. Many students have money for college and career training in an account as part of the California Kids Inves …

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  • Celebrating Arts Education Month this March

    February 28, 2024

    March is Arts Education Month, and we’re diving into a world of creativity and imagination! Join us in celebrating the power of the arts in education with a month-long calendar packed with exciting activities for you and your children. From drawing cha …

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  • Spotlight Awards: Share Your Accomplishments

    February 28, 2024

    PTA members bring innovative services to our kids and schools each and every day. California State PTA wants to hear about your amazing accomplishments. PTA Unit/Council Spotlight Awards recognize successful programs that are planned, organized, and im …

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  • Celebrating Black History Month

    February 28, 2024

    This February, California State PTA is proud to join the nation in celebrating Black History Month. This annual observance is a time to honor the achievements, contributions, and history of African Americans. As unit leaders, it is crucial to embrace t …

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  • How Do I Handle a Missed Meeting or Missed Election Meeting?

    February 28, 2024

    One of the more important dates for all PTA units is the annual election meeting. This association meeting is where officers for the upcoming term will be elected. Your unit bylaws specify the date of your annual election meeting in Article V, Section …

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  • Filling Out FAFSA? Remember to check your eligibility for free money for college from the State of California with CalKIDS

    January 29, 2024

    It’s that time of the year for high school seniors to prepare for college expenses by filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This document is completed by almost 18 million students each year and can open the door to federal …

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  • Creating an Inclusive Environment: Embracing Diversity in Our School Community

    January 19, 2024

    by the Family Engagement Commission When families, schools, and communities effectively work together as partners, family engagement is a powerful strategy that boosts student achievement and better prepares our children to lead healthy, happy, and pro …

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  • Legislative Updates

    January 18, 2024

    Greetings from your CAPTA Legislation Team!  We are thrilled to provide an update on recent activities around the State Capitol, including the 2024-2025 Budget outlook for California, and a summary of the recent “Taking Stock of California’s March to E …

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  • Funding and Advocating for Arts Education

    January 17, 2024

    Research shows that education in the arts improves student social-emotional well-being, keeps students in school, increases the graduation rate, boosts academic performance, and adds to students’ ability to create, collaborate, think critically, and co …

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  • Graduating Senior Scholarship Applications Are Due Soon!

    January 16, 2024

    Do you know a student who might be interested in applying for one of California State PTA’s two Graduating High Senior scholarships? Now is the time to apply; the application deadline is February 1!    The following two types of scholarships are a …

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  • Nominating Committees Play a Vital Role in PTA’s Success!

    December 5, 2023

    It is time to think about electing the nominating committee to ensure a successful election for the coming term. election for the coming term. The nominating committee is a very important part  of a PTA’s continued success! Think of the nominating comm …

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  • Building a Community of Belonging – A Crucial Step in Family Engagement

    December 3, 2023

    Standard 1 Welcome all families   Article 1: Building a Community of Belonging – A Crucial Step in Family Engagement As parents, we play a vital role in our children’s education, and fostering a sense of belonging within the school community is es …

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  • Redefining Homework

    December 2, 2023

    Homework is one of the most debated topics of this century, discussed by students, parents, and educators. We all know that homework is vital for students to review the concepts they learn at school and to learn how to apply them. We also know that hom …

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  • LegCon2024 registration is now open. Join us and make a difference!

    December 1, 2023

    We’re inviting you to use your voice at the 2024 California State PTA Legislation Conference in Sacramento on January 22-23, 2024. Our annual trip to California’s state capitol is your opportunity to hear from experts and key speakers on children’s iss …

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  • Help spread the word about CalKIDS college savings accounts

    December 1, 2023

    Dream big. That’s the message at the heart of the California Kids Investment and Development Savings Program (CalKIDS). The program provides $2 billion in state funds for millions of California children with the goal of inspiring families and students …

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  • New laws for California’s schools and youth

    November 27, 2023

    by Legislation Commission Many new laws were passed in 2023 that affect the lives of California’s children, youth, and families. Here are just some of them that were supported by California State PTA: Recess guaranteed.  Schools must provide at least 3 …

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  • PTA-Supported Legislation Protecting LGBTQ+ Youth Signed into Law by Governor Newsom

    October 25, 2023

    By Kathleen Fay, Director of Legislation National PTA and its constituent associations have long believed that every child deserves to go to school excited to learn, in a safe and nurturing environment, without the fear of bullying, violence, or discri …

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  • How to tell if an email is “Phishy”

    October 24, 2023

    Email is a vital tool for conducting PTA business, but like many tools it can be misused and cause harm. Bad actors are using email as a way to transmit malware, ransomware, and phishing attacks, all of which can harm the finances and reputations of in …

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  • Climate Change: What’s PTA got to do with it?

    October 23, 2023

    Climate change is one of the most pressing and complex issues that families and schools face today. Further, it’s an issue that California State PTA is committed to addressing.  In recent years, delegates to the California State PTA convention have ado …

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  • Hanging Out the Welcome Sign

    September 14, 2023

    Labor Day has come and gone and most of our students are back in school for the fall. The school year is filled with excitement and possibility for your PTA. Now is your chance to “Make a difference every day with PTA!” What are you going to do every d …

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  • National PTA Wins Award for Advocacy Efforts to Promote Family-School Partnerships

    September 13, 2023

    National PTA is being recognized for its efforts to use the power of the association to shift the narrative around parents’ rights on Capitol Hill towards meaningful family engagement. During the COVID-19 pandemic, parents got a front-row seat to their …

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  • PTA Program Grants & Scholarships

    September 12, 2023

    California State PTA is pleased to offer these grant & scholarship opportunities to you and your PTA. The application deadline is October 15, 2023. Don’t miss out! Here’s a quick rundown. PTA Program Grants: California State PTA grant funds are ava …

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  • Save the Date: California State PTA Convention 2024

    August 5, 2023

    Did you know that as president of your PTA, you and one other PTA officer from your school can be voting members at the annual meeting of the California State PTA?   Part of your leadership role is to attend the annual meeting known as convention. Voti …

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  • Unlock your child’s full summer potential with practical tips to prevent learning loss!

    August 5, 2023

    By California State PTA Education Commission This summer you may be wondering how to make the most of your child’s time while still supporting their education. Learning loss can occur when students are away from school for a long break like summer. But …

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  • Plan for a full year of advocacy!

    August 4, 2023

    As your PTA develops its plans for the 2023-24 school year, it’s important for education administrators and PTA leaders to nurture PTA advocacy efforts together.   PTA leaders understand that speaking up for children – the essence of advocacy – is esse …

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  • Use Your Meetings to Encourage PTA Participation

    August 3, 2023

    By the California State PTA Leadership Services Commission As your local PTA starts to plan the year ahead, take some time to think about how to use meetings to both accomplish the business of the organization and engage members.  The first question is …

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  • For new officers, bylaws are your best friend!

    August 2, 2023

    PTA bylaws are the foundation of the organization. What officers you will elect, when you will have your meetings, how many voting members must be in meetings – even meeting notice requirements and budget adoption requirements – are in the bylaws. Byla …

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  • GET ON BOARD WITH TOTEM

    August 1, 2023

    If your PTA isn’t registered yet in the TOTEM electronic membership system, now is the time to get onboard! You can set up the e-membership account from home – it’s easy, quick and free – all you need is the contact information for a few of your key of …

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  • 15 Tips For New Leaders

    July 31, 2023

    The first months as a new PTA leader may seem overwhelming, but California State PTA is  here to help! A lot needs to be done to get things up and running. This list will help you figure out when and how to schedule meetings, create calendars, and perf …

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  • National Standards for Family-School Partnerships Standard 4- Speaking Up For Every Child

    June 16, 2023

    by Colleen Hervey, Family Engagement Commissioner  “Every Child, One Voice.” That is the foundation for the work of PTA. Parents want what’s best for their children but may not always have the knowledge, means, or opportunity to provide that. This is w …

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  • Meet the Incoming, 2023-25 California State PTA Board of Directors

    June 14, 2023

    Incoming California State PTA President – 2023-25 Term Shereen Walter, Fourth District PTA Shereen has been involved with PTA for over 20 years, becoming involved for the same reason many parents do, to make a difference at her own child’s school. She …

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  • Ideas For Filling Out Your Executive Board

    June 14, 2023

    by California State PTA Leadership Services Commission Your local PTA elections are over, your new board is ready to take up their roles, but wait…  Despite your best efforts, and those of your nominating committee, you still have some board positions …

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  • Tips for Making Sure Family Engagement Includes the Whole Family

    June 9, 2023

    by Kathleen Fay, Family Engagement Commission Consultant Research shows that students succeed better when the entire family plays an active role at school. That includes joining and being active in PTA. Today’s PTA leaders know that more and more men w …

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  • Board Elect Planning for the New Term

    May 16, 2023

    by Leadership Services Commission The end of this school year is in sight. That makes it an ideal time for next year’s PTA officers to start planning in earnest. You may already have great ideas for the work and activities you want to undertake, but do …

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  • School Research Resources Online: California provides access for all

    May 16, 2023

    by Guest Author: Mary Beth Barber, California State Library Every parent has faced it: the research paper. The first report and bibliography are introduced in fourth or fifth grade, and the assignments get more sophisticated every year after. How can a …

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  • How to Tell Your PTA Story in Pictures

    May 11, 2023

    by California State PTA Communications Commission As a PTA leader, you know the importance of effective communication with your members, parents, and the broader school community.  One powerful tool to make your communications more engaging and effecti …

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  • Expert Tips For Raising and Educating Digital Citizens

    May 11, 2023

    by California State PTA Communications Commission Our children are growing up in a rapidly-changing digital world. How do we make sure they’re safe and at the same time give them the skills they need to thrive in the world that awaits them? This topic …

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  • Who is this adult in my child’s body?

    April 28, 2023

    by California State PTA Family Engagement Commission Parents work hard to create good humans.  We feed our children not only for them to survive but to make sure they get good nutrition so their brains and bodies thrive. We teach them to wash their han …

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  • Hoping to See You at Convention

    April 21, 2023

    by California State PTA Membership Services Commission Join us at the Convention! Celebrate PTA Membership & Programs The members of the Membership Services Commission are the people who have been bringing you Membership Mondays. We have also done …

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  • Convention Preview – Family Engagement Workshops

    April 21, 2023

    by California State PTA Family Engagement Commission The Family Engagement Commission is excited to share the workshops we will be presenting at the 2023 California State PTA Convention in Sacramento, April 21-23.  We hope that you will register to att …

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  • 7 Ways Cheddar Up Simplifies PTA Event Management

    April 17, 2023

    by Sponsored content from Cheddar Up Cheddar Up began as a payment platform geared for groups — specifically PTAs like yours. But over the years, users have discovered another ideal use: event management. Given Cheddar Up’s automation, versatility, cus …

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  • School Staff Appreciation Week

    April 17, 2023

    by California State PTA Leadership Services Commission It’s that time of year – time to show appreciation to teachers and other school staff. They are working harder than ever and are worthy of recognition. Luckily, scheduled event days or weeks make s …

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  • Families Need to Understand the Risks of Fentanyl for Children

    April 17, 2023

    by California State PTA Health and Community Concerns Commission As a parent, guardian or family member, you likely take steps to make sure your children take medications safely and under your watchful eye. That includes carefully following dosing inst …

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  • It’s Time for the Mid-Year Financial Review

    March 14, 2023

    By Laura Ann Hawk-Loya, California State PTA Treasurer Your bylaws currently state that you should be conducting twice yearly reviews of your financial records. This may change soon based on an amendment coming up for vote at convention. For most PTAs …

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  • Mental Health is part of the California Health Curriculum

    March 14, 2023

    by California State PTA Health and Community Concerns Commission More middle and high schools throughout California should be receiving mental health information in their health curriculum. Thanks to a new law supported by California State PTA.  Mental …

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  • Learn more about the Resolutions at the 2023 Convention

    March 14, 2023

    Convention delegates will have the opportunity to vote on four resolutions at this year’s 2023 California State PTA Convention in Sacramento! One of these is an update to one of our oldest resolutions. The other three cover suggested tools and strategi …

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  • Donated Items and Giving Donations to Those in Need

    March 14, 2023

    by Leadership Services Commission Donations, Fundraising, Disasters and Taxes–what’s a PTA to do?  Knowing how to handle donations your PTA receives and perhaps some they want to make can be confusing. Tax laws affect both. California State PTA often g …

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  • Applications for the 2023-25 California State PTA Board of Managers Now Open!

    March 7, 2023

    by California State PTA Would you like to serve on the 2023-25 California State PTA Board of Managers? Be part of the nation’s largest volunteer child advocacy association working to improve the education, health, and welfare of all children and famili …

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  • Celebrate Arts in Education Month in March – An Education without the ARTS is Incomplete!

    March 6, 2023

    by Arts Education Committee In PTA we believe that arts education is a student right! It is our responsibility to continue to advocate for comprehensive, accessible arts education in your schools and communities.  Art can be many things – in the PTA Re …

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  • National PTA Introduces New Standards for Family-School Partnerships

    February 22, 2023

    by California State PTA Family Engagement Commission PTA believes families are essential partners with schools in the shared mission to help every child reach their full potential. For more than 20 years, PTA’s National Standards for Family-School Part …

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  • How Well Are Your Local Schools Serving Students?

    February 22, 2023

    by California State PTA Education Commission During the pandemic, many parents gained a new understanding of the challenges and successes their children experienced in school. But a two-year hiatus in state assessments and data reporting generally made …

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  • Recharge Your PTA Board!

    February 22, 2023

    by California State PTA Leadership Services Commission As we head into spring, do you and your PTA board need some energy to finish the year strong? If the answer is yes, it’s a good time to applaud your successes. Take 15 minutes at your next executiv …

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  • Make DEI a PTA Membership Topic

    February 20, 2023

    MEMBERSHIP TIP: World Day of Social Justice – Make DEI a PTA Membership Topic February 20th is the United Nations World Day of Social Justice. This year’s theme is “Overcoming Barriers & Unleashing Opportunities for Social Justice”. You can learn m …

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  • Saying Welcome to All Families Comes First for Effective Family Engagement

    February 16, 2023

    by Kathleen Fay, California State PTA Family Engagement Commission Consultant Before families are willing to partner with the school and the PTA, they need to feel that they are welcome and belong. That’s why Welcome All Families is the first of the si …

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  • PTA Leaders Get Good News About Education Funding

    February 14, 2023

    by California State PTA Legislation Team In January PTA leaders from throughout California attended an online briefing about Governor Gavin Newsom’s recently released proposal for the 2023-24 State Budget. Watch the full briefing.  Attendees heard abou …

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  • You’ll Love These Membership Ideas

    February 13, 2023

    by California State PTA Membership Services Commission MEMBERSHIP TIP: You are Our Valentine! Share the Love through PTA Membership We’re celebrating 126 Years of PTA this week! Join PTA members throughout California and the nation as we celebrate the …

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  • Help Wanted: Student Board Members for the California State PTA

    February 10, 2023

    by California State PTA It happens whenever an articulate, well-informed student steps forward to describe their experiences to the California State PTA Board of Managers. State PTA leaders listen.  And they inevitably get a richer perspective by seein …

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  • Take Your Family to School Next Week or Any Week

    February 10, 2023

    by California State PTA Family Engagement Commission February 13-17th is Take Your Family to School Week. This annual event, created by the National PTA In 2006, gives families a chance to see what happens on their child’s school campus. It’s all about …

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  • Share the Power of PTA During Black History Month

    February 6, 2023

    by California State PTA Membership Services Commission MEMBERSHIP TIP: Celebrating Selena Sloan Butler, One of Our Founding Mothers, Tells the PTA Story Starting Black History Month Off with Our Very Own Selena Sloan Butler Selena Sloan Butler is one o …

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  • Put Some Spring into Your Plans

    January 30, 2023

    by California State PTA Membership Services Commission MEMBERSHIP TIP: Plan Your Spring Membership Drive to Help You Qualify for California State PTA Challenges & Incentives Membership is year round! It is time to start planning your spring drive t …

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  • Use PTA’s 126-Year History to Promote Membership

    January 23, 2023

    by California State PTA Membership Services Commission MEMBERSHIP TIP: Plan Ahead to Make Founders Day Part of Your Membership Campaign Founders’ Day is Coming! Start Planning for What You Can Do in February. On February 17th each year, PTAs throughout …

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  • Celebrate Black History Month by Celebrating Selena Sloan Butler

    January 18, 2023

    by California State PTA Membership Services Commission The power of PTA is our proud history and dedication to “every child with one voice” that we have continued to demonstrate over the years. We honor Selena Sloan Butler as one of our Founding Mother …

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  • California State PTA Supports Climate Resilient Schools

    January 18, 2023

    by California State PTA Health and Community Concerns Commission Recently, California State PTA joined the statewide Climate-Ready Schools Coalition.  What is that, you ask? Well, it is a coalition formed of education, climate, health, youth, labor, ci …

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  • Job #1 for the New Year: Getting Ready for PTA Elections

    January 17, 2023

    by California State PTA Leadership Services Commission January may seem early for thinking about your PTA officers for next year, but it’s time! Keep on schedule with these three vital tasks and ensure leadership continuity for your PTA going forward. …

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  • PTA Membership: An Opportunity to Serve

    January 16, 2023

    by California State PTA Membership Services Commission Today, January 16th, is MLK Jr. Day, A Day of Service. We’re Grateful for Your Service. Martin Luther King Jr. Day is now often observed as a Day of Service As a part of this day and observance, we …

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  • A New Year And New Opportunities

    January 9, 2023

    by California State PTA Membership Services Commission2023 is a New Year and That’s an Opportunity for New Members This new year, California State PTA is setting a New Year’s Resolution to start all our PTAs back on a Journey to a Million Members! Each …

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  • California State PTA Communications Commission and You

    December 16, 2022

      The state Communications Commission’s job is to help ensure that all our members and leaders are connected and can find the information they need to do their work well. We also raise the visibility and positive image of the PTA with all families …

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  • California State PTA Convention Commission and You

    December 16, 2022

      Each year, PTA members and leaders from every corner of California gather for our association’s annual convention. It’s an important opportunity to meet and learn from each other, come together to conduct the vital business of our association, a …

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  • California State PTA Education Commission and You

    December 16, 2022

      Quality public education is crucially important to individual families and the future of our society as a whole. California State PTA is committed to connecting families and schools by providing a range of information, resources and training to …

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  • The Family Engagement Commission helps build strong family-school partnerships

    December 16, 2022

    Healthy family–school partnerships benefit students, parents, teachers, schools, and the community. Developing these partnerships is essential for student success and crucial to PTA’s work to positively impact the lives of children and families.  The F …

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  • Meet the Health and Community Concerns Commission

    December 16, 2022

    California State PTAs Health and Community Concerns Commission addresses issues related to the support of the whole child within the home, school, and community through relevant programs and through advocacy at the state and local level.  The commissio …

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  • Meet the Leadership Services Commission

    December 16, 2022

    The California State PTA Leadership Services Commission strengthens and extends the work of PTA in all arenas, and enhances the influence and public understanding of PTA, its purpose, and work.  Commission  activities include:  Opportunities for leader …

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  • California State PTA Legislation Team and You

    December 16, 2022

    PTA began, in 1897, as an advocacy organization with a nationwide campaign to eliminate threats that endangered children. Today, one of the important roles of the California State PTA is to advocate for policies and laws that improve the lives of all C …

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  • Meet the Membership Services Commission

    December 16, 2022

    California State PTA is a membership-based, nonprofit impact organization. Membership is the foundation upon which the entire organization rests. Members are vital to the advocacy work PTA does on behalf of children and families. Policy makers pay atte …

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  • Communication Tips for PTA Leaders Over the Holidays and Beyond

    December 14, 2022

    by California State PTA Leadership Services Commission PTA Communications keep your members, school and community informed and engaged. The California State PTA Leadership Services Commission has worked with the state Communications Commission to share …

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  • Community Service and Your PTA

    November 18, 2022

    by Family Engagement Commission Consultant, Kelly Mattinson Volunteering in your local community can be fulfilling.  Think about all the things we do to make our community, ours. How can PTAs and PTSAs encourage children and families to be good citizen …

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  • Support For Adult Mental Health – Part 2

    November 11, 2022

    by Colleen Hervey, CA State PTA Family Engagement Commissioner, Derby Pattengill, CA State PTA Health and Community Concerns Vice-President, and Justine Fischer, Community Director for CalHope Schools Initiative Partnership As parents and/or caregivers …

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  • Hybrid PTA Meetings Are a Giant Step Forward

    November 10, 2022

    by California State PTA Leadership Services Commission PTAs learned a few things during the pandemic. Teleconferencing and video-conference meetings are now utilized by PTAs frequently.  Three years ago the term “hybrid meeting” was pretty much unknown …

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  • California State PTA positions on education bills

    November 10, 2022

    by California State PTA Legislation Advocates  Anita Avrick, Melanie Lucas and Beth Meyerhoff California State PTA supported nine education bills that were signed into law this year.  These laws range from classroom air quality and school drinking wate …

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  • Support For Mental Health: The CalHOPE Schools Initiative

    November 4, 2022

    Adults who care for kids want what’s best for them, whether they’re in the role of parent, caregiver, teacher, or something else. What’s best includes providing young people with care that helps them to be happy, healthy, loved, nourished, protected, e …

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  • California Department of Education Releases CAASPP Data

    October 28, 2022

    by California State PTA Education Commission Earlier this week, the California Department of Education (CDE) released the results of the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) tests administered during the 2021-22 school yea …

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  • Learn, Share, Grow: Strategies that Work at Secondary Schools

    October 21, 2022

    by California State PTA Family Engagement Commission Connecting with secondary-school students and their families is just as important as when they were in  elementary school. But sometimes the programs that were successful when the students were littl …

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  • PTAs help students stand up and stand out

    October 14, 2022

    by California State PTA Family Engagement Commission Consultant, Kelly Mattinson For students hoping to attend highly competitive colleges and universities, the application process can be daunting. That’s especially true for students with a good grade …

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  • Making Digital Citizenship a PTA Priority

    October 12, 2022

    By Mary Perry, California State PTA Communications Commission How do we help families use technology responsibly for learning, creating, and participating in the larger community? That is the central question that educators, parents, and students are a …

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  • California State PTA Supports Prop 31: Keep Kids and Tobacco Apart

    October 12, 2022

    by California State PTA Legislative Action Committee Flavored tobacco products like blue raspberry, root beer, and minty menthol target and  hook kids. Tobacco companies use these flavors to make our children their lifelong customers. The numbers speak …

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  • California State PTA Urges Support of Prop 28: Art and Music in Public Schools

    October 12, 2022

    by California State PTA Legislation Team California State PTA supports Proposition 28 on the November ballot which funds art and music in public schools. California State PTA has strongly and actively advocated for a full curriculum that includes the a …

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  • Reflections – Another Way to Celebrate the A in STEAM

    October 9, 2022

    by California State PTA Arts Education Committee An A in the classroom is still the best grade. And we know putting the A in STEM, making it STEAM, is the right decision for all students. When schools include the arts as an integral part of their curri …

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  • What do families need? The chance to be heard.

    October 7, 2022

    by California State PTA Family Engagement Commission Consultant, Kathleen Fay Families want to be heard by their school community. PTA leaders can help make that happen by hosting listening sessions to provide families with an authentic opportunity to …

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  • PTA Contracts Require Thoughtful Consideration

    October 6, 2022

    by California State PTA Leadership Services Commission Your PTA’s efforts to provide programs for students and to support your schools often require that you contract with individuals or companies to fundraise or provide services. California State PTA …

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  • How Your PTA Can Easily and Safely Collect Payments

    October 3, 2022

    In our personal lives everyone is using apps to make payments, and folks are asking “Can PTAs use Venmo?” “What about Cash App?” The answer is no. These types of apps are peer-to-peer (P2P)  platforms which aren’t developed to serve groups, especially …

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  • College Essay Writing

    September 30, 2022

    by California State PTA Vice President for Family Engagement, Heather Ippolito As many families with high school students know, fall is not just the beginning of the school year. For a high school senior planning to continue their education at a four-y …

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  • Attendance & Why It Matters

    September 23, 2022

    by California State PTA Family Engagement Commissioner, Shannon Jaeger As we start off another school year, we know that local PTA leaders are excited to see students returning and eager to welcome parents and students alike to the school campus and al …

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  • Knowing your family’s rights: Students have rights, too

    September 16, 2022

    by California State PTA Family Engagement Commission Consultant, Kathleen Fay As events and programs for the new school year get underway, your PTA will be more successful and your plans will go more smoothly if your leaders have a solid understanding …

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  • California State PTA Supports Prop 28: Art & Music in Public Schools

    September 14, 2022

    by California State PTA Legislation Team For almost thirty five years, California State PTA has strongly and actively advocated for a full curriculum that includes the arts. Arts education supports all kids. In the past, many schools have cut arts educ …

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  • California State PTA Supports Prop 31: Prohibit Sale of Flavored Tobacco Products

    September 14, 2022

    by California State PTA Legislative Action Committee With flavors like “cotton candy,” “mango slushy,” and “chocolate,” vaping tobacco products have become increasingly popular among youth as young as 4th grade. A 2020 report from the Centers for Disea …

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  • Committees Help Your PTA Get Things Done

    September 13, 2022

    by California State PTA Leadership Services Commission Are you wondering how your executive board can possibly plan, promote, and implement all the activities you hope to have? Are you looking for ways to engage new PTA members or those with limited ti …

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  • PTAs Throughout State Receive Grants to Support Their Programs

    September 13, 2022

    by California State PTA Scholarships and Grants Committee A dozen local PTAs have received the extra resources they need to turn great program ideas into reality in 2022. Thanks to our California State PTA Scholarships and Grants program, these local u …

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  • Learn, Share Grow: Ideas for Family/Caregiver Elementary School Events

    September 9, 2022

    by California State PTA Family Engagement Commission Elementary school is many families’ first interaction with the school system. When your PTA finds ways to engage families early in the year it can have lasting impacts on your campus, your PTA, and t …

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  • Local PTAs Successfully Advocate For School Facilities Improvements

    September 9, 2022

    by California State PTA Legislative Advocate Beth Graves-Meyerhoff Many PTAs coordinate programs and opportunities for their members to advocate directly with their local elected officials. Palos Verdes Peninsula Council of PTAs invited students, teach …

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  • PTAs Can Help to Get Out the Vote!

    September 8, 2022

    by California State PTA Get Out the Vote! Many PTAs coordinate voter registration campaigns as part of their advocacy programs to engage PTA families and students. Along with the adult advocacy California State PTA undertakes, we have long encouraged s …

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  • Mock Elections Generate Real Election Excitement For Students

    September 5, 2022

    by California State PTA While many middle and high school students may not yet be able to vote officially, they can participate in mock elections. Many PTAs offer mock elections as a student program to teach students about the elections process, the el …

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  • Knowing your family’s rights helps to protect them

    September 2, 2022

    by California State PTA Family Engagement Commission Consultant, Kathleen Fay Decades of research back up what we know and value: Family involvement is the real key to our kids’ success. California State PTA wants to make sure you know your family’s ri …

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  • Learn, Share, Grow: Ideas for Creating Successful Family Events

    August 26, 2022

    by California State PTA Family Engagement Commission Creating family-oriented events, and making sure every family feels welcome, is a great way to strengthen the engagement of families with school and their kids’ education.  More than  100 participant …

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  • BigFuture: Offering Scholarships for All

    August 17, 2022

    Sponsored by College Board Lin from New Utrecht High School in New York High school students are heading back to classrooms for a new school year, and it’s never too early for families to start thinking about life after high school.  Exploring careers …

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  • Explaining the “WHY” for Family Engagement

    August 12, 2022

    By California State PTA Vice President for Family Engagement, Heather Ippolito, and California State PTA Family Engagement Consultant, Kathleen Fay Experienced PTA leaders know that effective family engagement is key to student success. Yet, it can be …

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  • National 988 Crisis Hotline is Now Up and Running

    August 3, 2022

    by California State PTA Health and Community Concerns Commission A new nationwide hotline phone number, 988, will provide 24/7 free and confidential emotional support to those struggling with a mental health crisis. Promoted as an alternative to 911, 9 …

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  • Plan and Prepare for Your First Association Meeting of the Term

    July 26, 2022

    by Leadership Services Commission Kicking off your PTA year with an association meeting is important and is an opportunity for all your members to be involved.  Your association meeting is the membership meeting and all members should be invited.  Thro …

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  • Summer Tips to Stay on Track for College & Career Planning

    June 17, 2022

    Sponsored by College Board As summer arrives, rising seniors might have extra time to think and plan for life after high school. Families are making big decisions that starts with planning for what happens after high school graduation and choosing what …

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  • Making Media Literacy Happen

    June 17, 2022

    By Mary Perry, California State PTA Communications Commission The phrase “media literacy” can raise different issues for different people. One parent  might point to the cacophony of different advice regarding the pandemic. Another parent might put the …

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  • Make PTA Planning Part of Your Summer. You’ll Be Glad You Did.

    June 17, 2022

    By Leadership Services Commission  Summer is certainly a time to relax and take a breath. For PTA leaders it’s also the ideal time to get a head start on the next PTA term. When things begin to get busier with the start of school, you and your team wil …

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  • Summer Break Learning and Activities for Families

    June 3, 2022

    by California State PTA Family Engagement Commission California PTA leaders’ top recommendations for summer break learning activities and adventures you can discover together with your child. Check out the Resource Library-  The California State PTA’s …

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  • California PTA Program Grant Helps Dunsmore Elementary Present Anti-Racism Series

    May 27, 2022

    By Colleen Hervey, Family Engagement Commission Member and Chair of Scholarship and Grants Committee This week, we’re highlighting Dunsmore Elementary School PTA which received a $2,000 Parent Education program grant from California State PTA in fall 2 …

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  • How you can have a voice in developing your school district’s LCAP

    May 20, 2022

    by Kathleen Fay, California State PTA Family Engagement Commission Consultant At this time of year, California school districts  can demonstrate their commitment to family engagement in their Local Control and Accountability Plans (LCAP).  National PTA …

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  • Nominate a Teacher for McDonald’s Outstanding Educator Awards

    May 16, 2022

    Sponsored by McDonald’s McDonald’s California owners value education and have long recognized the hard work that teachers across our state put in every day. For years, McDonald’s has worked with local schools and school districts to support initiatives …

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  • Understanding Annual Statewide Test Scores

    May 16, 2022

    Sponsored by ETS Beginning in June, parents should be on the lookout for their child’s Student Score Report on the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP). The California Department of Education in partnership with the state’ …

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  • How to Incorporate Your Historian’s Work Into Your PTA All Year

    May 16, 2022

    By California State PTA Leadership Services Commission In the bylaws of many PTA/PTSA Units, Councils, and Districts the historian is identified as an elected officer (a member of the executive board). Even though this person has a seat at the table ye …

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  • Tips to Celebrate Student Success: Graduations, Promotions and Proms

    May 14, 2022

    By California State PTA Leadership Services Commission Each year, PTAs are asked to sponsor various graduation and celebration events in May and June. These events may be for high school seniors or for eighth and fifth/sixth grader advancement to the n …

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  • New Resolution Gives Equitable Access with Plant-based Meals

    May 11, 2022

    By California State PTA Resolutions Committee and Maya Bhandari, Student Board Member, California State PTA Student Involvement Committee We are pleased to announce that the delegates to the 2022 California State PTA Convention adopted a new resolution …

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  • Family Engagement is an Education Priority for California

    May 5, 2022

    By Kathleen Fay, California State PTA Family Engagement Commission Consultant Springtime brings warmer weather, a week off, and preparations for the future. As school districts tackle budget planning to get ready for the next school year, families are …

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  • Apply now: California’s Parent Advisory Council

    April 22, 2022

    By California State PTA Family Engagement Commission The California Department of Education is looking for parents and guardians of public-school students in Pre-K through 12th grade from a variety of communities throughout California, to serve on the …

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  • California State PTA Supports AB 1703: California Indian Education Act

    April 17, 2022

    By Beth Meyerhoff, California State PTA Education Advocate Assembly Bill 1703 (Ramos) California State PTA supports Assembly Bill 1703 (Ramos). This bill would change California’s education code to encourage school districts, county offices of educatio …

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  • Summary of the CAAASA Conference

    April 13, 2022

    by Family Engagement Commission The California State PTA is proud to partner with the California Association of African-American Superintendents and Administrators (CAAASA) to support its statewide professional development summit titled: An Equitable A …

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  • 8 Tips for Families with Young Children 

    April 8, 2022

    By California State PTA Family Engagement Commission Did you know that during the first three years of life, brain development is especially rapid, with more than 700 neural connections created each second? This means that more is learned — at a faster …

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  • Family Engagement Opportunities at the 2022 Convention

    April 1, 2022

    By California State PTA Family Engagement Commission The Family Engagement Commission is excited to meet you at our upcoming state convention on April 29-May 1 in Ontario! We have been planning workshops to help you take your PTA family engagement to t …

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  • Celebrating Arts in Education Month at Home

    March 24, 2022

    by California State PTA Family Engagement Commission and Arts Committee March is Arts in Education month.  Here are some resources and tips to help you celebrate: Here are five reasons to make art a part of your family time:  Art is something that all …

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  • Schools Can Access a Wealth of Free Resources That Support Media Literacy

    March 16, 2022

    By Mary Perry, California State PTA Communications Commissioner Do you know how well your local school is doing at addressing media literacy? It may be hard to tell if you just look for middle and high school courses with that title. Instead, the conse …

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  • Attendance Issues Could Drive a Change in How School District Funding is Calculated

    March 16, 2022

    By Beth Meyerhoff, Education Legislation Advocate In California, school districts receive funding based on the number of students who attend school or what is known as Average Daily Attendance (ADA). This funding system has become challenging for schoo …

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  • California State PTA Supports SB 878, the Road to Success Act

    March 16, 2022

    By Beth Meyerhoff, Education Legislation Advocate SB 878 (Skinner) Yellow Buses for Every TK-12 California Public School California State PTA supports Road to Success, a bill which will make sure that every TK-12 public school student has bus transport …

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  • California State PTA Supports SB 291: Giving Students a Voice Act

    March 16, 2022

    By Melanie Lucas, Education Legislation Advocate SB 291 California State PTA supports a bill that would give students a seat at the table on a special needs advisory board. Roughly 800,000 students in California receive special education services which …

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  • California State PTA Supports AB1675: Expedited Application Process For Teacher Credentialing of Military Spouses

    March 16, 2022

    By Beth Meyerhoff, Education Legislative Advocate AB 1675 (Ward) Expedited Teacher Credentialing for Spouses of Active Duty Armed Forces Members California State PTA took a support position on a bill that will streamline the barriers to obtaining a lic …

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  • California State PTA is a Sponsor of AB 1614, Increasing the LCFF Base Grant

    March 16, 2022

    By Anita Avrick, Education Legislation Advocate  AB 1614 (Muratsuchi) It’s Time to Raise the Base Grant California State PTA supports increasing school funding for all students. Our students deserve adequate funding for a full curriculum. AB 1614 (Mura …

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  • California State PTA Supports AB558, School Meals: Child Nutrition Act of 2022

    March 16, 2022

    By Vinita Verma, California State PTA Health Advocate AB 558 (Nazarian) School meals support education by providing nutrition to children. They improve behavior, ability to focus, and academic performance. For some students, school meals are the only m …

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  • California State PTA Supports AB 58:  Pupil health: suicide prevention policies and training

    March 16, 2022

    AB 58 (Salas) by Vinita Verma, California State PTA Health Advocate California State PTA has taken a support position on Pupil health: suicide prevention policies and training.  The California State PTA has a strong advocacy goal of improving pupil men …

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  • Social and Emotional Learning and the Arts

    March 16, 2022

    By California State PTA Arts Education Committee and Health & Community Concerns Commission  There is no question that an emphasis on the importance of Social Emotional Learning (SEL) in the educational environment has grown exponentially. SEL has …

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  • Bylaws for Local PTA/PTSA Units: Essential and Easy to Update

    March 16, 2022

    By Leadership Services Commission What do you think of when you hear the term “bylaws?” Does “restrictive,” “rules,” and “Who needs them?” come to mind? The more familiar you are with unit, council, or district bylaws ― the more you’ll appreciate their …

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  • PTA Advocacy is Member Driven: Resolution at the 2022 Convention 

    March 16, 2022

    By California State PTA Resolutions Committee PTA advocacy is led by our members from the local elementary school to the state and national level. Our efforts are guided by PTA authorities; such as resolutions, position statements, and legislation plat …

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  • Interview: Ways to Include and Engage the Men in Your PTA

    February 25, 2022

    Byline: LaQuisha Anderson, Family Engagement Commissioner The California State PTA Family Engagement Commission sat down with PTA dad Murali Vasudevan to discuss his experience serving in the PTA at his daughter’s schools, ABC Council PTA, and Thirty-T …

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  • Keeping Family School Partnerships Strong as COVID Challenges Continue

    February 18, 2022

    by By Kathleen Fay, California State PTA Family Engagement Commission Consultant When families are involved in their children’s education they have better outcomes and when families and schools are partners all children do better.  That’s the findings …

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  • Take Your Family-to-School Week: Strengthening Family-School Ties

    February 11, 2022

    by Family Engagement Commission February 14-18th is Take Your Family to School Week. This statewide event, created by the National PTA In 2006, gives families a chance to see what happens on their child’s school campus. Help families, teachers, and sch …

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  • Tips to Foster Educational Equity for All Students

    February 10, 2022

    Sponsored by College Board In California, college-readiness and college-going rates vary greatly by race and ethnicity. Black, Latino, Native American, and Pacific Islander students are less likely to be prepared for and enroll in college due to lack o …

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  • Why Teaching Media Literacy Is Optional in California

    February 8, 2022

    By Mary Perry, California State PTA Communications Commission When it comes to media literacy, our students may be in real trouble.  For example, nine out of ten students who participated in a 2019 national research study related to media literacy flou …

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  • Six Ways to Fix the “Everyone Welcome Sign” on Your PTA

    February 8, 2022

    By: California State PTA Leadership Services and Family Engagement Commissions You’re in the PTA to do good things for all kids and families. You might think your PTA is a place where everyone feels welcome, but others could see it differently because …

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  • Proposed State Budget Is A Cause For Guarded Optimism

    February 8, 2022

    By: Beth Meyerhoff, California State PTA Legislative Advocate  Each January in California, a new legislative year kicks off with the governor submitting a proposed state budget. This year, the Governor’s Budget proposal includes funding for many PTA pr …

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  • A High School Counselor Shares Tips for Families to Help Preparing Their Child for College or Career

    February 8, 2022

    By: Family Engagement Commission A high school counselor shares tips on how families and counselors can work together for success after high school.  February 7-11 is National School Counseling Week. Kimberly Goller, a counselor at Canyon High School i …

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  • Promote Safer Internet Day & Start Planning Future Membership Drives

    February 7, 2022

    by Membership Services Commission MEMBERSHIP TIP:  HOW TO PROMOTE SAFER INTERNET USAGE The pandemic has forced students and educators across all levels of education to rapidly adapt to online learning. Safer Internet Day is February 9th and PTAs can bu …

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  • National School Counseling Week is February 7-11

    February 4, 2022

    By: Family Engagement Commission There are many people on a school campus that families should become acquainted with — one key person is the school counselor. The week of February 7th is National School Counseling Week. To help families understand mor …

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  • Membership Monday: Spread Warmth and Grow Your PTA

    January 31, 2022

    by Membership Services Commission MEMBERSHIP TIP: GROWING MEMBERSHIP CAN BE AS EASY AS A CUP OF HOT CHOCOLATE Today is National Hot Chocolate Day! Spreading a little warmth and joy can help you build community and grow your PTA membership. Offering a c …

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  • Celebrating February Holidays and Events as a Family

    January 28, 2022

    By: Family Engagement Commission It’s almost February! Get ready for a month full of important holidays and events including Black History Month, Presidents’ Day, Safer Internet Day and Valentine’s Day. Schools will be focused on these events in a vari …

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  • MEMBERSHIP TIP: Founders’ Day. Remind Your Community of the Value of PTA

    January 24, 2022

    By Membership Services Commission PTA has been a fierce advocate for children and families in our schools, across the nation, and throughout California. PTA was founded on February 17, 1897, and California State PTA was chartered in 1902 and has proudl …

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  • Building Relationships Starts With Trust

    January 21, 2022

    by California State PTA Family Engagement Commission Relationships are at the core of high-quality family engagement. As a PTA leader, you must take the time to build trusting, authentic relationships with families on your campus before they buy into a …

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  • Family Engagement is a Shared Responsibility

    January 14, 2022

    By Heather Ippolito, Vice President for Family Engagement , California State PTA Whose job is it to create partnerships between families and the schools that serve them? That question has driven the work of Dr. Karen Mapp, a Harvard professor and a con …

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  • Media Literacy: Should it be part of your school’s curriculum?

    January 13, 2022

    By Mary Perry, California State PTA Communications Commission In the era before internet and social media news, we looked to a limited number of media sources (e.g. newspapers and magazines, TV networks, and radio broadcasts) for the facts and informat …

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  • Online Security for PTAs

    January 11, 2022

    By Mireira Moran, California State PTA Communications Commissioner If you receive an email/text or social media message that seems a bit strange – you might be a target of a scam. You may have received an email that seems like it’s from someone on your …

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  • Make Sure You’re Prepared for Your PTA’s Annual Meeting

    January 11, 2022

    By Michael Morgan, Vice President for Leadership Services Your PTA is required to have an annual association meeting. Your California State PTA Leadership Services Commission is here to help you. A few simple tips will ensure the official business is d …

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  • PTA Perspective on Federal Infrastructure Bill

    January 10, 2022

    By Dianna McDonald, California State PTA Advocate New laws around Infrastructure, jobs, and climate change will impact California’s children and families. California is due to receive about $45 billion dollars from the federal Infrastructure Investment …

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  • New Law Helps Schools Better Serve Homeless Students 

    January 10, 2022

    By Amy Rickard, California State PTA Advocate California’s population of homeless youth is growing. Assembly Bill (AB) 27, supported by California State PTA and recently signed into law, assures that our homeless students will now be counted and given …

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  • Start 2022 With a New Membership Campaign 

    January 9, 2022

    By Membership Services Commission MEMBERSHIP TIP: The New Year Calls For New Membership Campaigns Let’s ring in the new year by bringing in new members to our PTAs so we can continue to support children and families in our communities! This is the idea …

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  • Family-School Partnership Standard #6: Collaborating With Community 

    January 7, 2022

    By Kathleen Fay, California State PTA Family Engagement Commission Consultant The PTA National Standards for Family-School Partnerships offer best practices for increasing authentic family engagement in our schools. The sixth standard, Collaborating wi …

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  • How Your PTA Can Engage Even the Busiest Working Parents

    December 17, 2021

    By Heather Ippolito, Vice President for Family Engagement  To be as inclusive as possible, every PTA needs to provide opportunities for all parents and families to be involved. So far on the blog we’ve given you some ideas for engaging middle school fa …

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  • Family-School Partnership Standard #5: Sharing Power

    December 9, 2021

    By Heather Ippolito, Vice President for Family Engagement When families and schools work together as equal partners in decision-making, students succeed. Parents/caregivers, students, school staff, and administrators should partner to develop programs, …

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  • Beware of Tricky Texts

    December 9, 2021

    By California State PTA Treasurer and state office IT Staff We are no strangers to various scams across the internet — whether it’s through phone calls regarding our car’s extended warranty or emails from princes in faraway countries. Now a new type of …

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  • Celebrating Handwashing Awareness Week

    December 3, 2021

    By California State PTA’s Health and Community Concerns Commission The holiday season is upon us along with cold and flu season! California State PTA’s Health and Community Concerns Commission wants to remind you that December 5-11 is National Handwash …

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  • Celebrate Inclusive Schools This Week — And All Year Long

    December 3, 2021

    By Derby Pattengill, Vice President, Health and Community Concerns During the week of December 6, schools across the country will be raising awareness about how to make sure every classroom offers opportunities for ALL children to succeed. The national …

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  • It’s Time for Your PTA Mid-Year Financial Review!

    December 3, 2021

    By Laura Ann Hawk-Loya, California State PTA Treasurer Your bylaws state that you should be conducting twice yearly financial reviews of your financial records. For most PTAs that means you have a mid-year financial review coming up (double check your …

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  • Legislation Conference Strengthened My Confidence and Connections

    December 3, 2021

    By Kathryn Rickard, Student Board Member, California State PTA When I look back and think about why I applied to become a student member of the California State PTA Board of Managers, I am reminded of the first state PTA Legislation Conference I attend …

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  • Nominating Committee: The most important committee of your PTA

    December 3, 2021

    By Brad Waller, CA State PTA Parliamentarian January marks the time to think about the election of your PTA’s nominating committees!  Your local bylaws determine when your nominating committee should be elected, typically in January or February. The no …

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  • Family Engagement Strategies for Middle School

    December 3, 2021

    By: Heather Ippolito, Vice President for Family Engagement During elementary school connecting with your child’s school and teacher can be relatively straightforward and our kids generally welcome our involvement. However, the hands-on approach of fami …

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  • Bipartisan Background Check Act of 2021 (Thompson)

    December 3, 2021

    By Dianna MacDonald, California State PTA Legislative Advocate For more than a century, California State PTA has advocated for safer schools. While gun violence is a public-health crisis that affects us all, it is of particular concern when it comes to …

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  • Celebrate International Men’s Day By Getting Men Involved at School

    November 19, 2021

    By Heather Ippolito, Vice President for Family Engagement  Involving men on school campuses and in school activities has lasting positive impacts on children. When fathers (or other male role models) are engaged in a child’s education, attendance incre …

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  • Celebrating American Education Week

    November 15, 2021

    By California State PTA Education Commission The National Education Association (NEA) has officially declared November 15-19, 2021 as “American Education Week.” This is a time to celebrate public education and honor the individuals working to ensure th …

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  • Advocates Plan to Continue Work on Several Education Bills

    November 12, 2021

    By Anita Avrick, Melanie Lucas and Beth Meyerhoff, California State PTA Education Advocates The California State PTA takes positions on bills to improve the lives of children and families.   The Legislation Team reads hundreds of bills a year. The Legi …

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  • How to Engage High School Parents in PTA

    November 12, 2021

    By Kathleen Fay, California State PTA Family Engagement Commission Consultant As kids get older, family involvement in school and in PTA tends to drop off – even as stakes grow higher. When high school PTA leaders make family engagement a central goal, …

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  • The Legislation Conference Turned Me Into an Advocate

    November 11, 2021

    By Jade Chao, Immediate Past President, Palo Alto Council of PTAs I first heard about a conference focusing on advocacy and legislation through my local PTA. As a relatively new volunteer in my children’s middle school and not knowing exactly what I mi …

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  • Multiple Bills Addressing Students’ Mental Health are Now Law

    November 11, 2021

    By Beth Meyerhoff, California State PTA Advocate Fear and isolation heightened during the pandemic have reinforced California State PTA’s long-standing commitment to the mental health of children and the need for adult education to address youth mental …

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  • Governor’s Signature on AB 417 Supports College Access

    November 10, 2021

    By Beth Meyerhoff, California State PTA Education Legislative Advocate College opportunities for incarcerated teens and adults increased significantly when Governor Gavin Newson signed Assembly Bill (AB) 417 (McCarty) into law on October 6, 2021. This …

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  • AB 856 Established Protocols for Safe Return to School

    November 10, 2021

    By Vinita Verma, California State PTA Community Concerns Legislative Advocate  California State PTA supported Assembly Bill (AB) 856 (Maienschein) which was signed  by Governor Gavin Newsom in July.  The bill addressed the much-needed COVID era protoco …

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  • Senate Bill 796: A Step Closer to Historic Justice for a Southern California Family

    November 10, 2021

    By Beth Graves Meyerhoff, California State PTA Legislative Advocate In a historic moment on September 30, 2011, the issue of reparations was addressed by Governor Gavin Newsom when he signed Senate Bill (SB) 796, authored by California State Senator St …

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  • Takeaways from the Family Engagement Summit (Part 2)

    November 5, 2021

    Byline: Heather Ippolito, California State PTA Vice President for Family Engagement   At schools all over the country, educators and community members are working to build stronger connections between families and schools. We already shared some t …

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  • Finding the Right College for your Student

    October 28, 2021

    By California State PTA Family Engagement Commission A Conversation with Kelly Mattinson, Family Engagement Commission Consultant Q. How does a student find the “perfect fit” college? In most cases it’s a family decision. The choice needs to fulfill th …

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  • Takeaways from the Family Engagement Summit: Part 1

    October 22, 2021

    By California State PTA Family Engagement and Communication Commission What do focusing on equity, motivating and validating others, understanding learning goals, pivoting away from passive information, and bridging the digital divide have in common?  …

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  • Halloween Safety Tips

    October 19, 2021

    Halloween is just around the corner. To ensure a fun and safe holiday, California State PTA suggests the following tips from Safekids.org: Walk Safely – Use crosswalks, walk on sidewalks instead of the street, and always check before crossing Watch You …

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  • Learn How To Put Arts Education Into Your District Budget

    October 17, 2021

    LEARN HOW TO PUT ARTS EDUCATION INTO YOUR SCHOOL DISTRICT BUDGET Parents, students, and community advocates can help assure that arts education is part of their school district’s annual funding discussion. The state’s Local Control Funding Formula (LCF …

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  • California Supports Diversity with New Ethnic Studies Graduation Requirement

    October 15, 2021

    By California State PTA Legislation Team with the Health and Community Concerns and Education Commissions With the governor’s signing of Assembly Bill (AB) 101 Ethnic Studies (Medina), California is the first state in the country to require that every …

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  • Futureproof: A Book About Your Kids’ Futures (and Yours)

    October 15, 2021

    By California State PTA Family Engagement and Communication Commission   Futureproof, written by technology writer Kevin Roose, offers new perspectives and interesting food for thought on matters that shape the relationship between families and sc …

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  • Parents Can Help Prevent Bullying

    October 15, 2021

    By California State PTA Health & Community Concerns Commission October is Bullying Prevention Awareness Month. Bullying is a serious issue at home and in school, and parents and caring adults can play pivotal roles in creating healthy, safe school …

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  • Celebrating Partners in Education: School Administrators

    October 13, 2021

    By California State PTA Education Commission Our kids’ education is a team effort! A collaborative partnership between families, teachers and school administrators who are dedicated to the well-being of all children and youth can strengthen family life …

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  • Taking Personal Responsibility for Cybersecurity

    October 11, 2021

    October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month “The line between our online and offline lives is indistinguishable. In these tech-fueled times, our homes, societal well-being, economic prosperity and nation’s security are impacted by the internet,” the Natio …

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  • Six Tips for Building Your Local PTA Leadership

    October 11, 2021

    Children are back in school, but for many of us it feels like we are still a long way from a full pandemic recovery. One place many PTA leaders feel that is in the volunteers on their local boards, or should we say the lack of volunteers. Filling a vac …

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  • It’s Tax Time for PTAs: Connect with us for help

    October 11, 2021

    Need help heading off tax issues before they start? Need help reaching the right contacts at the various government agencies who can help expedite processing of paperwork? We’re here for you. California State PTA has a dedicated tax support specialist …

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  • Family-School Partnership Standard #4: Speaking Up for Every Child

    October 8, 2021

    by Heather Ippolito, Vice President Family Engagement Commission The fourth PTA National Standard for Family-School Partnerships calls for empowering families to speak up and advocate for their child and other children to ensure that students are treat …

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  • Fall Family Challenge

    October 1, 2021

    by Family Engagement Commission Thank you to all of the families, schools, PTA councils, and districts who joined us in the September walking challenge.  Remember that you can use that  family engagement idea at any time during the year. We’ve done the …

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  • September is Attendance Awareness Month

    September 28, 2021

    by Heath & Community Concerns and Family Engagement Commissions  Parents Need to Know Why Attendance is Vital About forty percent of parents underestimate how many school absences their child has and the impact those lost days have on their child’s …

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  • Sunday is Gold Star Mother’s Day

    September 24, 2021

    by Heather Ippolito, Vice President Family Engagement Commission This Sunday, September 26th is Gold Star Mother’s Day.  Gold Star Mother’s Day is designated as the last Sunday in September and is designed to honor mothers who have lost a son or daught …

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  • Disaster Preparedness – Protecting Those We Love

    September 20, 2021

    by California State PTA Vice President for Health & Community Concerns, Derby Pattengill We recently highlighted September’s National Preparedness Month, a great reason to raise awareness about the importance of preparing for disasters and emergenc …

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  • Let Everyone Know About PTA Perks

    September 20, 2021

    by Membership Services Commission MEMBERSHIP TIP: Let Everyone Know About PTA Perks PTA members get more perks than you may have realized! Membership in a Statewide and Nationwide organization comes with a lot of perks and bonuses. Tell parents and tea …

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  • Question: College? When do we start talking about college? Answer: NOW!

    September 17, 2021

    by California State PTA Family Engagement Commission Consultant, Kelly Mattinson The best time to discuss and prepare for college is now. That said, your three-year-old does not need to decide where they are going to college BUT open discussion about a …

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  • How to Apply for CA State PTA Scholarships and Grants

    September 16, 2021

    by California State PTA Scholarships and Grants Committee California State PTA is pleased to offer these scholarship and grant opportunities to you and your PTA. The deadline is coming up fast for two: October 15th. Don’t miss out, here’s a quick rundo …

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  • We Should Have a Resolution on That!

    September 15, 2021

    by Resolutions Committee A History of Parent Advocacy Founded in 1897, Parent Teacher Association (PTA) is a nationwide network of 4 million families, students, educators, and community leaders working at the school building, district, state, and natio …

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  • PTA leaders can spread hope and vital information to people affected by suicide

    September 15, 2021

    by Derby Pattengill, Vice President for Health and Community Concerns Over the last year and a half, we have faced a pandemic, combined with a massive experiment in remote schooling, a racial justice movement stemming from police killings of Black Amer …

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  • Every PTA should be your kind of PTA

    September 13, 2021

    by Membership Services Commission  Did you know anyone can be a member of the PTA? That’s right, from students (even elementary), to grandparents, alumni, school board members, and… Well, you get the picture.  It is so important that your PTA reflect …

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  • It’s Arts in Education Week

    September 12, 2021

    by CA State PTA Arts Education Committee This National event, taking place this year on September 12-18, is a great chance for local PTA leader and members to show your support for Arts Education and add your voice to a national movement. It also gives …

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  • Back to School Week September 13-17

    September 10, 2021

    by Heather Ippolito, VP Family Engagement This coming week National PTA celebrates Back to School Week.  From September 13-17 they are hosting activities and encouraging school sites across the country to hold events to welcome students and their famil …

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  • September 12- Grandparents Day

    September 10, 2021

    by Family Engagement Commission On September 12th we celebrate Grandparents Day to honor all of the contributions that grandparents have made in our lives.  While it can be a wonderful idea to bring grandparents to campus for some sort of celebration, …

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  • September 8 – International Literacy Day

    September 7, 2021

    by Education and Family Engagement Commissions The website, Raising a Reader, recently shared these statistics about reading and literacy: Less than half of the 16 million U.S. children who live in poverty enter school with the language and reading ski …

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  • Participate and WIN: 2021-2022 Membership Awards & Incentives

    September 6, 2021

    by Membership Services Commission We’ve made the directions simple on your journey to a successful membership drive. Visit each checkpoint along the route to build a strong membership campaign for your PTA this year.  Read the official rules, find dead …

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  • Family-School Partnership Standard #3: Supporting Student Success

    September 3, 2021

    By Heather Ippolito, VP Family Engagement As we continue our series about the  PTA National Family-School Partnership Standards  we want to remind you that we have several blog posts around this topic:  PTA National Standards for Family-School Partners …

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  • Family Engagement Monthly Activities – September Family Walking Challenge

    September 1, 2021

    By Family Engagement and Health & Community Concerns Commissions Each month the Family Engagement Commission is going to share an activity that you can do with your school, council, or district.  The goal is simple– let’s get families having fun a …

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  • Test Scores Can Help Jump Start the Learning Process

    September 1, 2021

    Register Now! California State PTA Presents: A Zoom presentation by Educational Testing Service and Metametrics September 2, 2021 – 4-5pm   We often think of test scores as the ending point of a student’s learning, a “final score.” But test result …

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  • Child Tax Credit Outreach Requested by US Department of Education

    September 1, 2021

    We recognize that many families are still struggling financially from the pandemic and that the Child Tax Credit is an important opportunity to help them cover their expenses, especially as kids prepare to return to school. We’re engaging with the Trea …

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  • PTA Tools Can Help You Exceed Your Membership Goals

    August 30, 2021

    by Membership Services Commission School has started now, and we know just how easy it is to be overwhelmed by the commotion of getting your own students out the door and into the classroom. Because it can be just that hectic, we wanted to take some ti …

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  • Meet the Family Engagement Commission

    August 27, 2021

    by Heather Ippolito, VP Family Engagement The Family Engagement Commission this term consists of a Vice President, nine members of the CA State PTA Board of Managers (five of whom are District Presidents), and two consultants.  We are located around th …

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  • Electronic Membership Makes it Easy to Join PTA

    August 24, 2021

    by Membership Services Commission ELECTRONIC MEMBERSHIP WORKS! A few years ago, at the request of our local leaders, California State PTA created the online membership system known as Totem. Since its unveiling, over 2,400 PTA units have joined Totem a …

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  • Congratulating 29 California PTA/PTSAs designated 2020-2022 Schools of Excellence

    August 24, 2021

    by Communications Commission Congratulations to the twenty-nine California State PTA/PTSA units at schools throughout our state who were designated 2020-2022 National PTA Schools of Excellence in recognition of their commitment to building an inclusive …

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  • Standard #2: Communicating Effectively

    August 19, 2021

    by Heather Ippolito, VP Family Engagement In July we introduced the PTA National Standards for Family School Partnerships and Standard 1- Welcoming All Families on this blog.  Today we are going to share some tips and best practices for Standard 2:  Co …

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  • CONQUERING ANXIETY AS WE ALL HEAD BACK TO SCHOOL

    August 19, 2021

    by Mary Perry, California State PTA Board of Managers All over California, the back-to-school ritual has begun. This year, of course, that ritual is so different. For many students and families, it’s the first time in more than a year that in-person sc …

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  • PTA Knows Family Engagement! Learn more about the School Smarts Program

    August 18, 2021

    by School Smarts Committee For nearly 125 years PTA has helped parents and caregivers make lasting connections to their school campus to benefit all children.  Over the last ten years our School Smarts family engagement program has helped over 10,000 p …

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  • Getting Inspired About Reflections

    August 17, 2021

    by Reflections Committee Want to be inspired? Just spend some time looking at the dance routines, films, visual artwork, written poems and stories, and photographs California students created as part of the 2020-21 PTA Reflections program. Thousands of …

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  • Involving Students Strengthens Your PTA

    August 16, 2021

    By Membership Services Commission  Adding student members to your association and having students serve on your executive board is great for them and great for your PTA.   PTA was established to be a powerful voice for all children. Having student and …

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  • Eleven Ways to Draw a Crowd to Your PTA Meetings

    August 13, 2021

    By Heather Ippolito, Vice President for Family Engagement PTA units are always asking our state leaders “How can we get more people to attend our association meetings and events?” The Leadership Services and Family Engagement commissions teamed up and …

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  • PTA Membership: Teacher is Our Middle Name

    August 9, 2021

    By the Membership Services Commission In the PTA universe, we know how important our teachers are! Having the teachers and administrators at your school join your PTA and participate in your programs is a great way to encourage children and families to …

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  • Family Engagement: A Hot Back-to-School Topic

    August 6, 2021

    As the summer ends, many workshops, webinars, and virtual conferences are preparing educational leaders, teachers, and parents for the return to school.  Our Family Engagement Team has attended several of them.  Here are some of the take-aways: We can …

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  • The CDC is Asking You to Help Raise Awareness About Immunizations

    August 5, 2021

    By Mary Perry Vaccinations are a hot topic right now, thanks of course to COVID-19. But long before the current pandemic the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) designated August as National Immunization Awareness Month.  To help schools and families mak …

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  • Standard #1: Welcoming all families into the school community

    July 30, 2021

    By Heather Ippolito, VP for Family Engagement Earlier this month we introduced the PTA National Standards for Family-School Partnerships on the blog. You can view that article by clicking here.  Today we are going to dig a little deeper into the first …

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  • Protecting Kids from the Academic Impact of a Lost Year

    July 29, 2021

    By Mary Perry, California State PTA Board of Managers For many California children, the 2020-21 school year was a time of lost potential as one fourth of families did not have a high-speed internet connection and thousands of students did not even enro …

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  • Parent Town Hall with the US Department of Education

    July 26, 2021

    There is a unique opportunity for parents this Thursday, July 29th at 5:00 p.m. — The National Association for Family, School and Community Engagement and the United Parent Leaders Action Network are hosting a parent town hall featuring the US Departm …

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  • Interview with Danni Kim, National PTA Family Engagement Whole Child Fellow

    July 23, 2021

    Earlier this month National PTA announced the names of four Family Engagement Fellows from across the United States. California State PTA is proud to announce that Danni Kim from Franklin Magnet PTA in First District was selected for this prestigious p …

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  • Family Engagement in the News

    July 16, 2021

    As we gear up to head back to school, our commission has been noticing a trend in the news — there has been a great deal of talk about Family Engagement! This is exciting for all of our PTA units, as this continues to show that the work you do every d …

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  • Summer learning ideas and resources

    July 13, 2021

    Learning loss during the summer months is a real concern, especially after the challenging school year we’ve had. If you’re looking for ways to keep your child’s mind active over the term break, or just want to take part in some interesting summer acti …

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  • Introduction to the National Standards for Family-School Partnerships

    July 9, 2021

    National PTA is focused on transformative family engagement which is defined as “a shared effort of families, schools, and community leaders to advance programs, practices, and policies that empower every parent to make their child’s potential a realit …

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  • First Tasks for New PTA Officers

    July 9, 2021

    Getting started as a brand-new PTA officer can seem daunting at first. There’s a lot that needs to be done to get things up and running, but who does what, and in what order? This list help you figure out when and how to schedule meetings, create calen …

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  • What is Family Engagement?

    July 2, 2021

    By Heather Ippolito, Vice President for Family Engagement In PTA we often talk about family engagement, but what does it really mean and why is it so very important?   Family engagement with schools has many definitions:   The US Department of Health a …

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  • Thank you from PTA president Celia Jaffe

    June 29, 2021

    Hello PTA friends and friends of California State PTA: The resilience, dedication, and creativity shown by PTA leaders during this challenging term has been exceptional. Through the pandemic, PTAs continued to play meaningful roles in their local commu …

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  • Focus on Eye Health

    June 28, 2021

    The biggest challenge of the last year to maintaining healthy vision has been digital eye strain. With kids being forced to switch from in-person to digitally based distance learning because of the pandemic, the number of hours per week they spend star …

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  • College and Career Readiness Summer Activity

    June 25, 2021

    Helping our students think about college and career readiness is a great thing to do during the summer months. The Family Engagement Commission has found a really fun resource for students in grades 5-12 to use this summer AND they could win a $1,000 s …

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  • Advocacy Agenda for Equity 2021

    June 21, 2021

    California State PTA believes that all children deserve a quality education regardless of the community in which they live, the color of their skin, their language, their gender identity, or their immigration status. But too many California students fr …

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  • What’s Happening in PTA? June 2021 Edition

    May 28, 2021

    Please find below a listing of California State PTA’s June training and advocacy opportunities for our leaders and members. We hope you will join us for some of these offerings: June 1, 8, 15, 22, and 29 DEI Virtual Office Hours 7:00-8:00 p.m. Our Dive …

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  • Family Engagement in a Virtual World

    May 14, 2021

    This year was different – and Family Engagement was different, too. Families are struggling with physical and fiscal health. There were so many uncertainties about this school year – and even next year! Our usual routines have been changed dramatically …

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  • Addressing Microaggressions to Make PTAs More Welcoming

    May 13, 2021

    We all want all families to feel welcome at our schools. An active middle school PTSA was committed to including all voices in their PTSA planning. They worked with their school’s Spanish-bilingual and Chinese-bilingual family liaisons to engage the En …

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  • Family Engagement: It’s the Law

    May 11, 2021

    As PTA members, we know how important family engagement is for student and school success.  Did you know that family engagement is not just good practice? In California it’s the law!  The California Department of Education’s Local Control Funding Formu …

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  • ETS Update: Spring Assessments

    May 10, 2021

    This article was provided by our sponsor ETS. Read more about ETS here. State tests are underway and like this school year when learning is  different—whether your child is in a school, learning at home, or both—the tests are also different. We recogni …

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  • What’s Happening in PTA? May 2021 Edition

    May 10, 2021

    Please find below a listing of California State PTA’s May training and advocacy opportunities for our leaders and members. We hope you will join us for some of these offerings: May 3-16 Convention 2021 Join hundreds of fellow PTA members and leaders fo …

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  • Staying Connected with PTA Families in a Virtual World

    May 10, 2021

    How do we keep everyone connected when we can’t meet in person? The same way we did before: by communicating clearly and frequently, by hosting a variety of social and learning activities, and by building authentic relationships. Clear and frequent com …

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  • National PTA Reflections Results for 2020-21

    May 1, 2021

    By the Reflections Committee A total of 13 students from California received recognition for their creative accomplishments from the National PTA Reflections program. You can see a list of all the 2020-21 California Reflections awards here. National PT …

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  • Are you feeling engaged with your school site?

    April 26, 2021

    Family Engagement is at the heart of what we do in PTA — but do you feel like you are running out of ideas for good programming? The Family Engagement Commission is hosting a workshop that will help you with just that at our 122nd Annual Convention. T …

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  • Screenagers NEXT CHAPTER: Uncovering Skills For Stress Resilience

    April 22, 2021

    The Family Engagement Commission is excited to share a little teaser about its upcoming Convention workshop. You won’t want to miss the showing of the documentary “Screenagers NEXT CHAPTER,” as well as the discussion that happens afterward! Title of Pr …

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  • It’s Time for a Renewed Focus on the Old LCAP

    April 20, 2021

    This article was written by Kathleen Fay, member of the California State PTA Legislation Team. A school district’s Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP) is an important tool that requires a district to identify goals, address priorities, allocat …

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  • School Reopening Advocacy: What Can Your PTA Do?

    April 20, 2021

    This article was written by Shereen Walter, California State PTA’s Director of Legislation. Now that the Governor and Legislature have come to agreement on the details surrounding the $2 billion to incentivize schools to reopen for in person learning, …

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  • March 31st is National Crayon Day

    March 31, 2021

    Take some time with the family today to celebrate both National Crayon Day and the end of Arts Education Month. Our Communications Commission created these coloring sheets that highlight PTA’s advocacy efforts over the years — enjoy coloring them with …

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  • The Importance of Civics Education

    March 30, 2021

    California State Board of Managers member and past Vice President of Education Mary Perry recently wrote an article for Ed100 entitled, “Are California Students Prepared for Citizenship?” She writes, “Some students are deeply involved in civic life. Th …

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  • What’s Happening in PTA? April 2021 Edition

    March 29, 2021

    Please find below a listing of California State PTA’s April training and advocacy opportunities for our leaders and members. We hope you will join us for some of these offerings:   Thursday, April 1 Social Media Kit Reveal  Join our Communications …

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  • Preventing School Absenteeism: What Parents Need to Know

    February 23, 2021

    Chronic absence is defined as missing 10 percent or greater of the total number of days enrolled during the school year for any reason. It includes both excused, unexcused, out-of-school suspensions, and in-school suspensions that last more than one-ha …

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  • National Eating Disorders Awareness Week

    February 22, 2021

    The goal of National Eating Disorders Awareness Week (#NEDAwareness) is to shine the spotlight on eating disorders by educating the public, spreading a message of hope, and putting lifesaving resources into the hands of those in need. Every Body Has a …

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  • Leg Con 2021 Wrap-Up: Bringing Equity to California Public Schools

    February 19, 2021

    This article was written by Kitty Cahalan, President of Blair School PTSA in Pasadena (First District) “A Path to Equity” was the focus of this year’s Legislation Conference, which I attended as a local PTA leader and advocate, but also as the parent o …

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  • What Does President Biden’s Coronavirus Relief Plan Mean for Children and Families?

    February 19, 2021

    The Biden administration recently released its $1.9 trillion Coronavirus relief plan. So what does this plan mean for our children and families through the lens of equity?   Stimulus The plan calls for sending another $1,400 per person to eligible reci …

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  • What’s Happening in PTA? February 2021 Edition

    February 9, 2021

    Please find below a listing of California State PTA’s February training and advocacy opportunities for our leaders and members. We hope you will join us for some of these offerings: Thursday, February 7: Social Media Kit Reveal  Join our Communications …

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  • Op-Ed: 10 Things California State PTA Recommends for the Safe Reopening of Schools

    February 8, 2021

    It’s been almost a year since California closed school campuses. And you know who is counting? Parents, teachers, and students are counting each day with growing frustration. The California State PTA shares that angst. Not only are children falling beh …

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  • How Is California’s Education Budget Created?

    January 25, 2021

    The California State budget is complex, to say the least. How do we, as parents, help to understand it especially as it relates to education funding?  Our own former State President, Carol Kocivar, wrote the following article for Ed100 last week to hel …

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  • What’s Happening in PTA? January 2021 Edition

    January 1, 2021

    As the new calendar year begins, California State PTA continues to offer training and advocacy opportunities for our leaders and members.  We hope you will join us for some of our offerings: Date Event Details Wednesday, January 6: School Smarts Distan …

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  • What is the Role of the Federal Government in Education?

    December 18, 2020

    Education is primarily a state and local responsibility in the United States. It is states and communities, as well as public and private organizations of all kinds, that establish schools and colleges, develop curricula, and determine requirements for …

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  • Will There be More Money for Schools Next Year? Let’s See…

    December 16, 2020

    The headlines say California schools will get billions of dollars of new funding next year under Prop 98 which guarantees schools about 40% of the state budget. This is great news. But it is only part of the financial picture, because last year schools …

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  • Virtual Icebreakers for PTA Meetings

    December 10, 2020

    This article was originally published on MindTools.com. Virtual ice breakers are a great way of overcoming one of the biggest challenges of managing a remote team – that is, the lack of opportunities for team bonding. It’s no longer as simple as walkin …

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  • Inclusive Schools Week: December 7-11, 2020

    December 9, 2020

    This week is Inclusive Schools Week, celebrating the progress that schools have made in providing a supportive and quality education to an increasingly diverse student population, including students who are marginalized due to disability, gender, socio …

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  • Why Should You Attend the 2021 California State PTA Legislation Conference?

    December 2, 2020

    Have you considered attending Leg Con 2021, but are still on the fence? Well, here are five reasons that will convince you that attending is DEFINITELY worthwhile: This is our first-ever virtual Legislation Conference — don’t you want to be able to sa …

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  • What’s Happening in PTA? December 2020 Edition

    December 1, 2020

    We never want you to miss a training opportunity, advocacy call or webinar hosted by California State PTA, so we’ve rounded up all the PTA events happening in December here, including dates, times and ways to join. Wednesday, December 2: Monthly Advoca …

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  • Online Security for PTAs: What You Need to Know

    November 30, 2020

    You may have received an email appearing to be from someone on your board — or that even has their actual email address — asking for some sort of financial transaction, but it wasn’t actually from them. As a non-profit association, PTA can be vulnera …

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  • Book Review: “The New Jim Crow,” by Michelle Alexander

    November 19, 2020

    The CAPTA Legislation team is in the process of reading and discussing one book a month on the topic of the African American experience in the U.S. We decided to do this to educate ourselves about this pertinent and important issue. Our first two books …

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  • Global Diversity Awareness Month: Parent Stories, Part 2

    November 5, 2020

    First, listen… Unit PTA leader: We decided to move to an area where my Black son would see peers and school adults who looked like him. As a PTA leader, I know the power of advocacy and partnership with school staff. I advocated with his teachers about …

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  • Advice on Maintaining a Healthy Lifestyle – During COVID-19, and Year-Round

    October 29, 2020

    Although we’ve all learned a lot over the last eight months about how to stay healthy in the face of the COVID-19 crisis, we wanted to take this opportunity to remind you of the importance of maintaining a healthy and active lifestyle year round. Exerc …

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  • Global Diversity Awareness Month: Teacher Stories, Part 1

    October 27, 2020

    First, listen… Educator: I use the word ‘grownups’, not parents, or mom and dads. I used to use those words but I learned that some of my students are being raised by their grandparents or other family members. Some had one parent because the other was …

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  • How Next Gen Science Standards Prepare Students for Next Gen Careers

    October 27, 2020

    “Mom, what’s the point of taking biology if I’m not going to use anything I learn? I’m not going to be a scientist. I’m going to be a reporter.” Many of your children may ask similar questions when they come home from school. Unable to make a direct co …

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  • What’s Happening in PTA? November 2020 Edition

    October 25, 2020

    We never want you to miss a training opportunity, advocacy call or webinar hosted by California State PTA, so each month we are going to post information right here on our blog about dates, times and ways to join our PTA events. November 4: Advocacy Ca …

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  • Global Diversity Awareness Month: Student Stories, Part 2

    October 22, 2020

    First, listen…. Student: It wasn’t until I took an AP class my sophomore year where the books we read were by authors of color. I became really interested in who gets to choose the books that I am taught in school. I found out it’s up to the teacher to …

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  • Global Diversity Awareness Month: Student Stories, Part 1

    October 13, 2020

    First, listen… Student: Whether I wear pants or a skirt, I sing the same. Does it matter if I wear pants instead of a skirt? Yes it matters to me. I don’t understand why my teacher and principal insist on me wearing a skirt to sing in the choir. It fee …

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  • Global Diversity Awareness Month: Parent Stories, Part 1

    October 8, 2020

    First, listen… Parent: There it was — in print. The new Superintendent wrote in his message to the whole district that special education was taking funds meant for general fund programs. My heart sank. My child and thousands like her were positioned …

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  • Tips and Tricks from the Great Membership Idea Exchange

    September 21, 2020

    Back in late July and early August we held a few Membership Idea Exchange Zoom calls. We were so excited to be joined by PTA leaders across the state — sharing their ideas and some of their struggles. We took notes from each of the calls and here are …

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  • Students Active in PTA Could Get State Recognition

    September 9, 2020

    California students may soon be able to get official state recognition for the work they do to support their local PTSAs and schools. An item before the State Board of Education on September 10 establishes the criteria by which local school districts c …

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  • Why Wednesday? Continuing Education Scholarships and PTA Grants

    September 9, 2020

    It’s Why Wednesday!  Q: Who qualifies for California State PTA grants and continuing education scholarships? When is the application due? Continuing Education Scholarships: To help you continue on your educational path, California State PTA is proud to …

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  • Finding a “New Normal” During Unprecedented Times

    September 1, 2020

    With California schools set to be closed through the end of the academic year, many students and their families have had to deal with sudden upheaval to their everyday lives. Most schools have transitioned to online and virtual learning with varying le …

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  • NASA IS GOING TO MARS!

    July 28, 2020

    Thursday, July 30 is the scheduled launch date for the NASA 2020 Mission to Mars. The Mars Rover Perseverance will be taking off for the Red Planet on that day — if everything goes as planned. You can watch the launch and the mission online by clickin …

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  • Virtual Summer Leadership Academy Class Recommendations by Position

    July 6, 2020

    Are you wondering if there is a class that benefits you at our Summer Virtual Leadership Academy? We have suggested tracks of classes for everyone on your board – from president to chairperson and everything in between. Training is beneficial to your e …

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  • NASA Brings Space Exploration to You

    June 29, 2020

    This summer, most of us won’t be going very far from home. So, to make up for that, you might want to fill your kids’ days with some “out of this world” adventures. Thanks to the folks from NASA, you will find more ideas and activities for kids than th …

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  • California’s New Science Standards are a Good Fit for Distance Learning

    May 22, 2020

    In a recent survey, California State PTA asked parents their opinions about science education.  Almost all those who responded agreed with the statement “learning science is equally important as reading, writing and math.” Most also agreed that “it’s i …

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  • May 2020 Advocacy Update: What Bills is California State PTA Currently Supporting?

    May 14, 2020

    These are certainly unusual times in Sacramento. With the Senate back in session as of Monday, May 11th and the Assembly the prior Monday, our legislators are back at work either in the Capitol wearing masks and practicing physical distancing, or parti …

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  • Why Wednesday? What is the New Resource Library?

    May 6, 2020

    The Resource Library is a new addition to our website where parent leaders, teachers, and families can find links to activities and resources.  Today for Why Wednesday we would like to share with you a quick video tour as well as a handout that can be …

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  • Why Wednesday? Teacher/Staff Appreciation Week Ideas While Social Distancing

    April 28, 2020

    May 5th is National Teacher Appreciation Day and many schools had week-long celebrations planned to honor these hard-working individuals. Even though we are not on our school campuses, we know that our teachers are working harder than ever and that the …

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  • Let’s Make Every Day Earth Day

    April 23, 2020

    Earth Day shouldn’t be just one day! And environmental education isn’t just the responsibility of educators. That said, our previous blog did explain that it’s a required part of the school curriculum. Today, we’re presenting the second part of a talk …

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  • How are Earth Day and the Environment Connected with Schools and with PTA?

    April 22, 2020

    April 22 marks the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day. In the midst of sheltering at home and worries about coronavirus, it seems like a particularly important time to think about how all of us are connected to each other and to the natural world. What does …

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  • FAQs for Staff Appreciation

    April 13, 2020

    We know that many of our units had lots of great plans for Teacher Appreciation Week on their campus. School closures are causing us to rethink what teacher appreciation looks like this year. Our leadership team has given us a few ideas for ways to cel …

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  • FAQs for Donations During Coronavirus

    March 30, 2020

    California State PTA’s Treasurer, Melinda Kirkland, has been getting lots of financial questions from local leaders as they begin to navigate online meetings and event cancellations. Today she is sharing with us information about what to do with items …

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  • Distance Learning Resources

    March 19, 2020

    As thousands of families are now learning from and working from home, things have changed in all of our daily lives. California State PTA always prioritizes the health and safety of our children, families and communities. Here are a few things to keep …

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  • An Arts Education Success Story: Moreno Valley Unified School District

    March 6, 2020

    The Moreno Valley Unified School District (MVUSD) understands the direct impact that parent engagement has on student academic achievement across all socioeconomic groups. In fact, the Board of Education approved a resolution earlier this academic year …

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  • Celebrating Black History Month

    February 6, 2020

    February is Black History Month, and we know that you want to celebrate with your children. Our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee have given us some great resources to help you in your school, home, and community.  This four-part series helps s …

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  • Why Wednesday? 2/5/20 – What is Founders’ Day and Why Should We Celebrate It?

    February 5, 2020

    In 1897 a group of parents, teachers and community members met in Washington D.C. to champion causes that impacted children and families. 123 years later in schools and towns across the globe, we are still meeting for the same purpose. Founders’ Day ce …

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  • The Benefits of Phenomenon-Based Science Learning

    February 4, 2020

    “Why are some days cloudy?” “Why can a cactus survive without water when a willow tree can’t?” “Why does the light on the ceiling go on when I flip the switch on the wall?” Our kids’ “why” questions provide near-constant reminders of their curiosity ab …

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  • Meet the Board of Directors: Maria Steck

    January 23, 2020

    Get to Know the Vice President for Leadership, Maria Steck Maria Steck, Vice President for Leadership Services, has been involved in PTA for 19 years. Her favorite thing about PTA is working with our local leaders. She loves hearing about all the great …

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  • Why Wednesday? 1/22/2020: What Happens at the State Convention and Why Should I Attend?

    January 22, 2020

    This year leaders from across California will come together in Riverside for the 121st annual California State PTA Convention. For three days in May we convene to do the business of the association, attend workshops and network. If you have never been …

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  • Parent Involvement and Your Child’s Long-Term Success

    January 17, 2020

    Parent involvement in a child’s education is likely to have a positive impact on a child’s long-term success. Students with involved parents are more likely to have higher grades and test scores, have better social skills, show improved behavior, atten …

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  • Why Wednesday? 1/15/20

    January 15, 2020

    Why should you order Honorary Service Awards? Finding ways to honor and recognize our volunteers is a challenge. We can’t pay them or give them gifts and sometimes a volunteer appreciation breakfast just doesn’t feel like enough for all the work they d …

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  • Why Wednesday? 1/8/2020

    January 8, 2020

    Why Should You Have a Mid-Year Membership Drive? “Our school does a huge membership drive in the fall, so why should we have another drive now?” We hear this question a lot at California State PTA. Here are a few reasons why a mid-year membership drive …

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  • Why Wednesday? 12/11/2019

    December 11, 2019

    How can our nominating committee find the best people for the job? The Nominating Committee is one of the most important committees your PTA has. It is their task to find the best people to fill the elected positions on your board. Remember that you el …

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  • PTA: A Place for Everyone!

    December 6, 2019

    PTA is an inclusive organization. Although you want everyone on your campus to participate in PTA events, often times certain groups are unintentionally forgotten during event planning. For example, individuals with disabilities. Some disabilities are …

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  • The Importance of Inclusive Education

    December 3, 2019

    Below is an excerpt from Marilyn Cachola Lucey’s blog post “Schools Should Include Everyone,” on Ed100.org. Click here to read the full post. When students with disabilities are educated alongside their peers without disabilities, outcomes improve for …

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  • Why Wednesday? 11/6/2019

    November 6, 2019

    Why should you register to attend the California State PTA Legislative Conference?  You don’t have to be a policy expert or an advocacy rock star to get great benefit from the conference. The Legislative Conference is designed to meet the needs of ever …

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  • Meet the Board of Directors: Michael Morgan

    November 5, 2019

    California State PTA VP of Membership Services, Michael Morgan Michael Morgan has been involved in PTA for the past 15 years. His favorite thing about PTA is that we speak for all children. It takes a village and PTA helps to connect that village. Outs …

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  • November 2019 Updates

    November 4, 2019

    Welcome to November! There are lots of exciting things happening in the PTA world this month. Here are a few: The Legislative Conference early bird deadline is November 15th, so make sure you register in time to get the lowest price. Elections for Nomi …

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  • Why Wednesday? 10/30/2019

    October 30, 2019

    What kinds of benefits do you get from National PTA? Once you join your local PTA unit, you are entitled to benefits from both the state and national level. In addition to the membership perks from California State PTA and National PTA, there are great …

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  • Resources for Safe Usage of the Internet

    October 29, 2019

    Today is National Internet Day! California State PTA has some great resources on our website to ensure you and your family to have a positive and safe experience using the internet. This article lets you learn more about the benefits, risks and tips fo …

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  • Nine Things You Need to Know About Vaping

    October 28, 2019

    Vaping and e-cigarettes are something all parents need to be aware of. As we hear on the news, these devices are small, easy to hide, and can lead to severe health issues. Here are nine commonly asked questions about vaping and e-cigarettes with links …

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  • Meet the Board of Directors: Mariaelena Huizar

    October 25, 2019

    Mariaelena Huizar, Vice President for Health and Community Concerns on the Board of Directors, has been involved with California State PTA for 26 years. Her favorite thing about PTA is opening the eyes of parents and caregivers to the importance of the …

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  • Why Wednesday? 10/23/2019

    October 23, 2019

    What does a California State PTA advocate do? The basic job of a California State PTA advocate is to research bills written by California legislators and present the bills to the Legislation Action Committee (LAC). That committee then votes to take a p …

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  • How Well is Your School Preparing Kids for Democracy?

    October 23, 2019

    Schools play a critical role in educating children for democracy. In fact, a core purpose of public education is to teach children how to be good citizens. There are lots of ways schools can prepare our children. In fact, there are actually six proven …

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  • Give Your Feedback on the LCAP Template

    October 23, 2019

    This year, school districts will once again be developing their three-year Local Control and Accountability Plans (LCAPs). You can get more information about what the LCAP is and why it matters at https://capta.org/focus-areas/lcfflcap/. The state is r …

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  • October is Principal Appreciation Month

    October 18, 2019

    October is Principal Appreciation Month. Site administrator support is a key component to PTA success– and the principal is a large part of that! Here are some tips for forming a stronger relationship with your site administrator: Set a positive, coll …

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  • Meet the Board of Directors: Heidi Goddi

    October 17, 2019

    We want you to get to know our Board of Directors better, since they are all here to serve you! Let’s meet our Vice President of Convention Heidi Goddi. Heidi Goddi, Vice President of Convention, has been involved in PTA for 21 years. Her favorite thin …

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  • Why Wednesday? 10/16/2019

    October 16, 2019

    It’s Why Wednesday! Why should your unit budget to attend Convention? Convention is THE place to come for: Training opportunities Amazing speakers Networking with other PTA leaders from around the state Participating in the business of the association …

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  • Breast Cancer Awareness Month

    October 15, 2019

    Other than skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common cancer among American women. Mammograms are the best way to find breast cancer early, when it is easier to treat and before it is big enough to feel or cause symptoms. Each year in the United Sta …

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  • Our Children Magazine

    October 14, 2019

    The Fall 2019 version of National PTA’s magazine “Our Children” was just released. There are lots of great articles including 10 Questions You Should Ask About Your Child’s Curriculum, How to Navigate Speech and Language Services in School, Get Your Mo …

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  • Meet the Board of Directors: Deborah Johnson

    October 11, 2019

    We want you to get to know our Board of Directors better, since they are all here to serve you! Let’s meet our Vice President of Family Engagement Deborah Johnson. Deborah Johnson, Vice President of Family Engagement, has been involved with PTA for 33 …

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  • Mental Health Day

    October 10, 2019

    World Mental Health Day is observed on 10 October every year, with the overall objective of raising awareness of mental health issues around the world and mobilizing efforts in support of mental health. The day provides an opportunity for all stakehold …

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  • Get the Lead Out

    October 8, 2019

    “I know many parents who had a new water bottle on their ‘back to school’ shopping list,” said Mariaelena Huizar, California State PTA Vice President of Health and Community Concerns. “We’ve got to make sure what’s going in those bottles is safe. For t …

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  • World Teachers Day

    October 4, 2019

    Tomorrow is World Teachers Day– and in the PTA universe, we know how important our teachers are! Having the teachers at your school join your PTA and participate in your programs is a great way to encourage children and families to join in the fun! St …

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  • Meet the Board of Directors: Tim Davidson

    October 3, 2019

    We want you to get to know our Board of Directors better, since they are all here to serve you! Let’s meet our Parliamentarian Tim Davidson. Tim Davidson, Parliamentarian, has been involved with PTA for 14 years. His favorite thing about PTA is sociali …

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  • Why Wednesday? 10/2/2019

    October 2, 2019

    It’s Why Wednesday! Why should you listen to the new National PTA podcast? As members of the PTA, we naturally want what is best for all children. This 30 minute or less podcast is full of information designed to fit into our busy lives. The first few …

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  • It is Reflections season!

    October 1, 2019

    It is currently Reflections season in our PTAs. As you encourage your artists to work on their submissions for “Look Within” keep these things in mind: If you have not already done so, please register your unit with National PTA. It’s a simple form to …

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  • Meet the Board of Directors: Jeff Price

    September 27, 2019

    We want you to get to know our Board of Directors better, since they are all here to serve you! Let’s meet our Secretary Jeff Price. Jeff Price, Secretary, has been involved in PTA for 10 years. His favorite thing about PTA is knowing that he is making …

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  • Meet the Board of Directors: Melinda Kirkland

    September 26, 2019

    We want you to get to know our Board of Directors better, since they are all here to serve you! Let’s meet our Treasurer Melinda Kirkland. Melinda Kirkland, Treasurer, has been involved in PTA for 10 years. Her favorite thing about PTA is helping other …

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  • Why Wednesday? 9/25/2019

    September 25, 2019

    It’s Why Wednesday! What are resolutions? Q: Our PTA unit/council/district wants to change …. Q: How can our PTA address the issue of ….. Q: Our PTSA is concerned about ….. A: Write a PTA Resolution – it’s our way of calling attention to a problem an …

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  • Voter Registration

    September 24, 2019

    Are YOU registered to vote? Do you need to update your registration or not sure how to register for the November 3, 2020 election? The deadline to register online is Monday, October 19, 2020. The deadline to register by mail is (postmarked by) Monday, …

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  • Fall is Here!

    September 23, 2019

    Fall is an exciting time for your PTA! As you begin all of your PTA programming there are a few things to keep in mind: Check the insurance guide to make sure that your programs don’t require any extra waivers or that you don’t have any red light activ …

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  • Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month

    September 20, 2019

    CELEBRATE HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH Did you know that Hispanic Heritage month is celebrated in the United States from September 15 — October 15? We celebrate the contributions that Hispanic and Latino Americans have made to the vitality, history and cul …

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  • Meet the Board of Directors: Heather Ippolito

    September 19, 2019

    We want you to get to know our Board of Directors better, since they are all here to serve you! Let’s meet our Vice President for Communications Heather Ippolito.  Heather Ippolito has been involved for 20 years in PTA. Her favorite thing about PTA is …

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  • Why Wednesday? 9/18/19

    September 18, 2019

    It’s Why Wednesday! Q: Why hasn’t your PTA applied for one of our grants yet? We offer grants to units, councils and districts in four different areas. Here is a little more information about each of them: Parent Education Grant — Parenting is hard. T …

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  • Ask the Governor to Support Later School Start Times

    September 17, 2019

    California State PTA is co-sponsor of SB 328 which advocates for a later school start time for middle and high schools. Last week it was approved by the state legislature and now it is sitting on the governor’s desk waiting for his signature or his vet …

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  • Meet the Board of Directors: Sherry Skelly Griffith

    September 13, 2019

    We want you to get to know our Board of Directors better, since they are all here to serve you!  Let’s meet our Executive Director Sherry Skelly Griffith. Sherry Skelly Griffith has been involved in PTA for 19 years — 15 as PTA parent and 4 as the Exe …

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  • New Arts Education Data Released

    September 12, 2019

    Every student has the right to a dynamic, creative education, and California Education Code requires it. Yet 88 percent of California schools are failing to meet this standard. This. Must. Change. That’s why California State PTA joined forces with Crea …

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  • Why Wednesday? 9/11/19

    September 11, 2019

    It’s Why Wednesday! Q: Who qualifies for California State PTA grants and continuing education scholarships? When is the application due? Continuing Education Scholarships: To help you continue on your educational path, California State PTA is proud to …

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  • Meet the Board of Directors: Carol Green

    September 10, 2019

    We want you to get to know our Board of Directors better, since they are all here to serve you!  Let’s meet our President-Elect Carol Green. Carol Green has been involved in PTA for 22 years. Her favorite thing about PTA is the people and the good thin …

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  • Grandparents Day is September 9

    September 9, 2019

    Today is Grandparents Day! In 1969, Russell Capper wrote to President Nixon suggesting a holiday to honor grandparents. Grandparents Day didn’t become a national holiday until 1978, when President Carter signed the proclamation. If it weren’t for Russe …

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  • International Literacy Day is September 8

    September 6, 2019

    This weekend is International Literacy Day. On Sunday, September 8, countries around the world acknowledge that literacy is a fundamental human right. The theme this year is literacy and multilingualism. If you want to celebrate, here are a few ideas: …

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  • Meet the Board of Directors: Celia Jaffe

    September 5, 2019

    We want you to get to know our Board of Directors better, since they are all here to serve you!  First up, let’s meet our President Celia Jaffe. Celia Jaffe, President, has been involved with PTA for 27 years. Her favorite thing about PTA is making a d …

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  • Why Wednesday? 9/4/19

    September 4, 2019

    It’s Why Wednesday! Q: What are the back to school steps for jump starting the Reflections program? State Reflections Chair, Lisa Snowiss gives us some great tips! Reflections Quick Start: Learn about the program in the Reflections Leader’s Guide. The …

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  • Why Wednesday? 8/28/19

    August 28, 2019

    It’s Why Wednesday! Q: Why should my school participate in the Reflections program? Lisa Snowiss, state Reflections Chair, answers your question: Because it… Allows students to express themselves to a new theme every year. Builds PTA awareness becaus …

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  • Leadership TED Talk Inspiration

    August 26, 2019

    Sometimes we need a little inspiration to help us get through the day and sometimes we need to give inspiration to others. There are lots of wonderful TED Talks out there with poignant and brief leadership messages. Here are a few of our favorites: Dre …

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  • Family Engagement Friday 8/23/19

    August 23, 2019

    Where can I find resources to increase engagement on the California State PTA website? Ideas to encourage family-school partnerships: www.capta.org/focus-areas/family-engagement/family-school-partnerships In this section of the website, you will find t …

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  • Why Wednesday? 8/7/19

    August 7, 2019

    It’s Why Wednesday! Q: Why does California State PTA have a Board of Directors? A: The Board of Directors operates much like your executive board does at the unit level. We meet monthly to continue to do the business of the organization, we make recomm …

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  • Beware of Email Phishing Scams

    August 1, 2019

    As the new term begins, we would like to remind all of our leaders about the dangers of email phishing. A phishing scam may ask you to send money, gift cards or personal information to someone you trust from within your organization. A phishing email m …

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  • Why Wednesday? 7/24/19

    July 24, 2019

    It’s Why Wednesday! Q: Why is there so much paperwork in PTA? A: We have been working to streamline some of the paperwork to try to make your life easier. This includes creating fillable versions of some of the most commonly used forms, which are avail …

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  • Membership Campaign Ideas

    July 22, 2019

    As you begin to think about your fall membership campaign, your first orders of business are to select a theme and set a goal. These are often some of the most fun parts of your campaign, as you can be as creative as you would like to be! You can find …

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  • Why Wednesday? 7/17/19

    July 17, 2019

     It’s Why Wednesday! Q: Why PTA and not another parent group? A: When you are a PTA, you have multiple levels of support. We have comprehensive insurance that covers your activities and volunteers for the entire year for a very reasonable rate. We prov …

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  • Why Wednesday? 7/10/19

    July 10, 2019

    It’s Why Wednesday! Q: Why does the PTA year begin on July 1 for most units? A: California State PTA recommends a July 1 to June 30 fiscal year is because it is an “academic calendar” year.  Most educational related entities (school districts, colleges …

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  • Why Wednesday? Information

    July 3, 2019

    Every Wednesday on the blog and on social media, we will be answering the most commonly asked questions about PTA. If you have any questions that you would like for us to answer you have four ways to get them to us:  Complete this form: forms.gle/iy6z2 …

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  • Get Ready for Summer with Electronic Membership

    May 30, 2019

    Get set up with e-membership before summer so members can join while you’re on vacation! If your PTA is not yet using the PTA electronic membership system, you can get set up now so you’ll be ready for the new school year. It’s just five easy steps and …

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  • Federal Legislative Highlights by Derby Pattengill

    May 22, 2019

    NATIONAL PTA National PTA has taken a positions on a number of bills currently being debated in the 116th Congress. Click here for the complete list. Some notable bills include: HR5 Equality Act (SUPPORT) This bill prohibits discrimination based on sex …

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  • Protecting Our Children from Sex Trafficking

    February 22, 2019

    Sex trafficking of youth has been escalating over the past decade and is prevalent in all major California cities. Sexual and labor exploitation are problems that touch our schools, as victims can be students or their family members. Recruiters can be …

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  • 2019 Legislation Conference Recap

    February 13, 2019

    2019 has just begun and the California State PTA Legislation Team is gearing up for a busy season. California State PTA hosted its annual Legislation Conference in Sacramento in January. PTA members came from across the state to learn and advocate. Aft …

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  • Mid-Year Membership Campaign Tips

    January 18, 2019

    WOW, we are hearing great things about how easy mid-year membership campaigns are using electronic membership links. Here are some tips from our experts (leaders like you): Send out a designated email about PTA membership to your whole school community …

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  • New Year’s Resolutions for Membership

    January 7, 2019

    The great thing about the new year is that you get a fresh start. No matter what you forgot to do, meant to do or thought you should do – now you can. Here are five resolutions that will increase PTA membership, and leave you less stressed in 2019. Get …

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  • Youth Mental Health Awareness

    December 13, 2018

    Mental health affects the way our children think, feel, relate to others and behave. Like physical health, mental health can and does evolve throughout life. Symptoms of mental health conditions are often invisible and can be easy to miss.  It may be d …

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  • Promoting Good Nutrition

    December 13, 2018

    Take a look around your school building or campus. How does your school promote good nutrition? Take Action  Nutrition promotion should happen in multiple settings throughout the school building. Reinforce nutrition messages to students by using these …

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  • Best Practices for Handling Phishing and Ransomware

    November 29, 2018

    Both email-phishing scams and crypto ransomware/malware are increasingly common and can have devastating impacts on businesses and non-profit associations of all sizes. As a non-profit association, PTA can be vulnerable to these types of cyber crimes a …

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  • PTA Store Holiday Gift Guide

    November 20, 2018

    Check out the PTA Store’s special holiday gift shop with new items and old favorites, plus new holiday cards! Beat the crowds and get your holiday shopping done from the comfort of your own home. Shop online for:  Holiday greeting cards Plush textured …

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  • Homework: How Much is Enough?

    November 13, 2018

    Is it fine for your kindergartener to spend an hour after school on homework? Does your high school student never crack a book or do an assignment at home? As parents, we would likely find both of these scenarios concerning. But do you feel confident a …

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  • Reducing Smoke Exposure

    November 13, 2018

    Wildfire smoke includes particles from not only burning trees and grasses but also chemicals from buildings mixed with gases. So if your eyes feel like they’re stinging, smoke exposure could also be inflicting other damage as particles could be getting …

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  • Being an Involved Parent

    November 9, 2018

    We’ve been hearing a bunch lately that parental involvement matters more for educational performance of our kids than even the lessons in school.  Study after study tells us that parents matter.  But what does this really mean and how can I do that and …

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  • Talking to Children About School and Community Shootings

    October 22, 2018

    Just like adults, children and teenagers are better able to cope with upsetting news when they understand more about an event and how it might impact them. Often what children and teens need the most is to have someone they trust listen to their questi …

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  • Impact of Heat on Student Health and Performance

    October 22, 2018

    It may technically be autumn, but many communities in California are still experiencing a heatwave, and the number and severity of extreme heat events is increasing. Poorly maintained and older HVAC systems in schools may not be able to respond to high …

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  • Is Your Child’s School Drinking Water Safe?

    October 22, 2018

    A new law that went into effect in California in January requires that schools have their drinking water tested for lead contamination by July of 2019. Schools built after 2010, private schools and those already required to test their drinking water ar …

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  • Bullying Prevention in Schools

    October 19, 2018

    Bullying can threaten students’ physical and emotional safety at school and can negatively impact their ability to learn. The best way to address bullying is to stop it before it starts. There are a number of things school staff can do to make schools …

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  • E-Membership Next Steps

    September 4, 2018

    Congratulations, you are all set up in the new Electronic Membership System, powered by Totem. Now what? We have some marketing ideas you can use that will help you get members signing up right away. Now that you have a membership link — share it — far …

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