Thanks to the efforts of California State PTA and a broad coalition of health organizations and local municipalities, California just outlawed the sale of flavored tobacco products. Senate Bill 793 banned all sales of flavored tobacco and vaping products to both adults and children.
The tobacco industry waged a major opposition campaign, making this a sweet victory.
California State PTA had strong PTA authority for this bill. It had just adopted a convention resolution this summer that specifically called for the prohibition of all sales of flavored tobacco, not just to kids.
Recognizing that tobacco companies were more than happy to prohibit the sale to kids as long as they could continue marketing and selling to adults, convention delegates voted to outlaw all sales. This was to ensure flavored tobacco would not be available as an entry level product to create a lifetime of addiction.
In writing to the legislature, the PTA said:
“Flavored tobacco, and specially flavored e-liquids for vaping promote tobacco use by California’s youth. Over 5.3 million kids in the U.S. now use e-cigarettes. 27.5% of high school students used e-cigarettes in 2019 compared to 11.3% in 2016. Flavors are driving the demand for use. 97% of youth e-cigarette users report using a flavored product, and 70% cite flavors as the reason for their use. While we understand the tax implications and potential loss of revenue as a result of this bill, we believe the health benefits to our children and youth should hold more sway when deciding the future of this legislation.”
Several PTA districts drafted the resolution and worked with the California State PTA advocate in contacting key legislators and the Governor as the bill went through the legislative process. PTA worked closely with a range of state and national organizations to pass this legislation and used Action Alerts as well as the Advocacy Insider newsletter and social media to engage PTA members in this advocacy.
Governor Newsom said, “It will be a point of deep pride and personal privilege as a father of four and as someone who’s had many, many family members die at the hands of the tobacco industry to sign that bill.”
PTA Resolution and Background Statement: E-Cigarettes/Vaping, Flavored Tobacco Products and Youth Health
Policy Analysis for California Education (PACE), in cooperation with California State PTA, produced “Navigating the Uncertainty of Reopening Schools: A Guide for Parents, Families and the Public.” This report summarizes the current state of knowledge about key issues, and suggests a set of questions that parents and educators should ask when considering plans for reopening during the pandemic. This summary infographic serves as a valuable handout for community discussions.
“This report informs parents and helps raise important questions about health, equity, social-emotional issues, and effective teaching and learning,” said Celia Jaffe, President of California State PTA. “We hope that it will prompt discussions among all concerned as to when and how to conduct schooling during the pandemic.”
On Monday, an Alameda County Superior Court Judge ruled that the University of California system must stop using ACT or SAT test scores for admissions or scholarship decisions. In his ruling, Judge Brad Seligman cited the disadvantages the testing process places on applicants with disabilities, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic.
To read the rest of this article on NBCNews.com, click here.
Today the Education Coalition called on legislative leaders to prioritize education funding and identify additional revenue to close a projected $20 billion* education state budget shortfall during the global pandemic and beyond.
The coalition is comprised of the nine statewide K-12 education associations (including California State PTA) that work closely to advocate for the 8.4 million students in California’s public schools. The $20 billion shortfall for schools includes $12.5 billion in deferred costs to K-14 schools and community colleges, $1.4 billion in foregone COLA for the 2020-21 school year and a $6.3 billion reduction in Prop 98 Minimum School Funding Guarantee revenues.
Specifically, Education Coalition leaders are urging the Legislature and Governor to adopt additional revenue streams, such as suspending or eliminating tax expenditures (which includes credits, deductions, exemptions, and exclusions), imposing additional taxes on high income individuals, or corporate tax changes. The Education Coalition looks forward to working with the Legislature and the Administration in identifying and securing these revenues.
To read or download the full press release, click here.
In May 2020 California State PTA partnered with the California Collaborative for Educational Excellence (CCEE) to provide professional learning network services by offering three listening sessions to our primary stakeholders: parents/guardians, PTA leaders and educators.
Engagement of our stakeholders throughout each listening session was very high and the conversations were intense. Parents especially had a lot to say. They clearly needed an outlet where they could share their worries, ask questions, and find compassion. While distance learning and school reopening were the topics of greatest concern, common themes emerged through each session: communication and family engagement; social emotional health and well-being; and care for our most vulnerable children. Our stakeholders’ voices make clear how difficult the last few months have been for families and how vital it is that families are included in decisions about their children’s education.
California State PTA and CCEE compiled a report that analyzes the lessons learned from the listening sessions. The report details what we heard from families regarding their experiences during the first months of the pandemic and their concerns going forward. It also identifies available resources that address the needs and concerns of parents, and offers recommendations on how to support parents and families as schools navigate decision-making during this challenging time.
To read or download the complete report, click here.
To listen to recordings of the listening sessions, click here.
SACRAMENTO – JULY 17, 2020 – California State PTA has released the following statement in response to Governor Gavin Newsom’s press conference today, in which he made important announcements and laid out clear guidelines for when schools could safely reopen for in-person instruction.
“The health and safety of children, families and school staff are of paramount importance at this time,” said Celia Jaffe, President of California State PTA. “We appreciate Governor Newsom’s efforts today in laying out clear guidelines for when schools could safely reopen for in-person instruction. Provisions for regular testing, contact tracing, and use of masks are important in inhibiting the spread of the virus. Science should guide us as a state, and our children and families need to prepare for the school year ahead with clear guidance. We feel the Governor is providing that in his message today,” she added.
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About California State PTA: California State PTA connects families, schools and communities. We are part of the foundation of our public-education system and a trusted messenger to millions of members, parents, families, educators and allied agencies throughout the state. PTA is the nation’s largest volunteer-led child-advocacy association working to drive improvements in the education, health and well-being of all children and families. For more information: www.capta.org.
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Heather Ippolito
Vice President for Communications
communications@capta.org
Ignacio Barragan
Assistant Executive Director
ibarragan@capta.org
916.440.1985
California State PTA joins National PTA in supporting yesterday’s Supreme Court decision which blocks the repeal of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. National PTA participated with the National Education Association in the filing of an amicus brief with the Supreme Court in support of the DACA program.
Immigrants have immeasurably enriched our culture and economy, and are an essential part of the fabric of California. As a state with a large number of immigrant families, California is impacted heavily by this decision, which allows thousands of children and young people to once again focus on the future, free from stress and uncertainty.
California State PTA is committed to ensuring that all children – regardless of immigration status – are able to flourish in school, receive the healthcare they need, and live in safe and secure circumstances.
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DECLARACIÓN DE LA PTA DEL ESTADO DE CALIFORNIA EN APOYO SOBRE DE LA DECISIÓN DE DACA DE LA CORTE SUPREMA
La PTA del Estado de California se une a la PTA Nacional para apoyar la decisión de la Corte Suprema de ayer que bloquea la derogación del programa de Acción Diferida para los Llegados en la Infancia (DACA). La PTA nacional, junto con la Asociación Nacional de Educación, presentó un escrito de amicus ante la Corte en apoyo del programa DACA.
Los inmigrantes han enriquecido enormemente nuestra cultura y economía, y son una parte esencial del tejido de California. Como estado con una gran cantidad de familias inmigrantes, California se ve fuertemente afectada por esta decisión, la cual permite a miles de niños y jóvenes concentrarse una vez más en el futuro, libres de estrés e incertidumbre.
La PTA del Estado de California se compromete a garantizar que todos los niños, independientemente de su estado migratorio, puedan prosperar en la escuela, recibir la atención médica que necesitan, y vivir en circunstancias seguras.
On June 16, 2020, California State PTA President-Elect Carol Green testified on behalf of PTA during the State Assembly’s hearing titled “Re-Opening California’s Public Schools for the 2020-21 School Year.”
“The past three months have been difficult for everyone – especially children and families. California State PTA has been asking parents throughout the state how things are going and what they need. In such a large diverse state the answers are varied. But there are few universal concerns about the health & safety. These seem to fall into three main categories: Concerns about the social emotional well-being of children, their families and teachers. Concerns about communication – Parents want to know what is going on and what the school plans to do. They would also like to be part of the process. Concerns for our most vulnerable children – students with special needs, socioeconomically disadvantaged families and other vulnerable students. All kids need to be considered.”
Click here to see a recording of the hearing – Carol is on the first panel, “Health and Safety of Students and Staff.” To read a transcript of her testimony, click here.
SACRAMENTO, June 11, 2020 – During California State PTA’s Statewide Association Meeting taking place June 9-11, delegates from across the state voted to adopt a resolution that expands our members’ commitment to advocate for better mental health education for students, more mental health services in schools, and additional state funding for mental health and wellness programs for children and youth.
“Studies show that 21% of children ages 9 to 17 have a diagnosable mental or addictive disorder that causes impairment, but 79% of those children do not receive mental health care,” said Celia Jaffe, President of California State PTA. “The majority of young people who do receive mental health treatment do so at school. As an organization that advocates for the health and wellbeing of children and youth, PTA will be further empowered to fight for children to receive the mental health services they clearly need, and to ensure that schools are funded to supply these services.”
The mental health services resolution commits California State PTA to support and promote:
- Age-appropriate social-emotional learning and mental health education for all students;
- Mental health wellness and social emotional learning policies, including staff training, in schools;
- Legislation to revise the California State Education Code to require school counselors at all levels of education;
- Strategies to achieve the ACA-recommended 250:1 student-to-counselor ratio; and
- Legislation, regulations and other measures at all levels of government to allocate funds that are sufficient to address mental health issues.
“My nephew’s suicide, a result of mental illness, has devastated me and my family,” said Keri Lynn Baert of Trabuco Hills High School PTSA in Mission Viejo, the PTA that sponsored the resolution. “I wrote this resolution to do something to prevent another family from suffering the way mine has. This resolution will commit PTA to advocate for more funding, and to urge the State of California to make the mental health of our children a higher priority.”
SACRAMENTO, June 10, 2020 – During California State PTA’s Statewide Association Meeting taking place June 9-11, delegates from across the state voted to adopt a resolution to advocate for regulation of e-cigarettes and other “vaping” products, treatment for youth addicted to nicotine, and education of the public on the health effects of vaping.
These products have been marketed to young people by manufacturers despite the adverse effects on their health. The rate of vaping has skyrocketed. More than 25% of high school students nationally reported using e-cigarettes in 2019.
“Vaping is the new smoking, and millions of young people are becoming addicted to nicotine through the use of e-cigarettes and the marketing of these products specifically to them,” said Celia Jaffe, President of California State PTA. “PTA is committed to the well-being of children and families, and our members felt that the issue of vaping was important to address.
“For many years, we actively promoted anti-tobacco education and legislation, and we are happy to see that smoking is at an all-time low among young people,” Jaffe added. “We hope that through our efforts we can help achieve a similar reduction in e-cigarette use.”
The anti-vaping resolution commits California State PTA to educate members of its school communities about the ill health effects and addictive nature of e-cigarettes, and to support legislation, regulations and actions at all levels that:
- Prohibit the use of e-cigarettes and flavored tobacco products in public places and other places where youth may be exposed;
- Prohibit the sale, marketing and distribution of flavored tobacco products and e-cigarettes, including components, accessories, and tobacco product flavor enhancers, to protect the public, especially youth;
- Provide in schools and elsewhere, screening, counseling, intervention, and support, by trained health professionals, for young people who may use or are using products containing nicotine; and
- Encourage the education of PTA members of school and wider communities about the ill health effects and addictive nature of nicotine.
“We created this resolution because children and parents in our community are suffering,” said Jade Chao, President of Palo Alto Council of PTAs. “A mom I know has a son who is hopelessly addicted to vaping. She sheds a silent tear when sending him not to summer camp, but to a rehab clinic. Vaping products are designed to entice and ensnare a whole generation, and we are working to protect that generation – protect their lungs, their developing brains, and their emotional well-being.”