Programs + Events

Workshops, Table Talks & Trainings

Workshops are your opportunity to gain skills in areas of leadership, finance, membership, parliamentary procedures, and more necessary in running your local PTA. A skilled board of managers, professionals, and specialists will also present workshops on education, health, advocacy, and more to enrich your learning experience.

* Tentative and subject to change 

Last updated: 3/12/2024

FRIDAY, MAY 3, 2024 WORKSHOPS*

Mini Table Talks – 8:45 am to 9:45 am in the Exhibit Hall

Birds of a Feather Flock together

Join our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) committee to discuss a variety of topics.

Totem Onboarding and Questions

Come and work with our Membership Team to help you get your unit on to Totem or get questions answered.

Workshop Series 300 – Friday 10:00 am to 11:30 am

FRI300 Creating Inclusive School Communities

With the rising number of young newcomers entering schools in the United States, it is crucial to address their cultural, social-emotional, and academic needs to help them succeed not only in the classroom but also in life. We invite you to participate in this engaging and interactive session that offers practical resources for creating a socially and instructionally welcoming environment for all students.
FRI301 E-Membership:  Make Your Life Easier With TOTEM

This beginner’s class will help unit, council and district leaders start and run a TOTEM e-membership program that will help your membership soar!  Learn the 5 steps to make TOTEM work for you.  You will discover that once you get your board on board with TOTEM, your PTA can focus on providing great things for kids!

FRI302 Every Board Member Needs to Know About PTA Finances

Did you know that the entire board has a responsibility to make sure that financial procedures are being followed? Join us to learn what your part of the finance puzzle is.

President? Yes! Treasurer? Yes! Secretary? Yes! 11th Vice President of Cool Office Supplies? Yes! This class is for everyone who is just starting their PTA journey.

FRI303 Todo Miembro de la Junta Necesita Saber Sobre las Finanzas de la PTA

¿Sabía que toda la junta tiene la responsabilidad de garantizar que se sigan los procedimientos financieros? Únase a nosotros para saber cuál es su parte del rompecabezas financiero. ¿Presidente? ¡Sí! ¿Tesorero? ¡Sí! ¿Secretario? ¡Sí! ¿Undécimo vicepresidente de artículos de oficina geniales? ¡Sí! Esta clase es para todos los que recién comienzan su viaje en la PTA.

FRI304 Footsteps to Freedom

Hardy Brown, will talk about the path to create, collect and share the artifacts that are on display in Room 104 during our Exhibit Hall hours and how this program can help our students to understand our history.

FRI305 Lights, Camera, Action!: Running a  Fabulous Meeting with Robert’s Rules

Robert’s Rules of Order and bylaws help our business run smoothly and ensure everyone can be a part of the process! In this workshop, we’ll not only navigate meetings and contentious situations, we’ll also show attendees how everyone can use Robert’s Rules and bylaws can make meetings run smoothly.  These tools will help ensure that leaders find a balance between the majority making the decisions and the minority being heard while keeping the focus where it should be – on the kids!

FRI306 National PTA Grants – A Great Opportunity to Support the Work of Your PTA

While funding is not needed to run many National PTA Programs, it can certainly be a great benefit! Come learn about the many ways that National PTA is able to support your PTA in executing programs through our various grant opportunities. We will walk you through our grant application process and talk you through the anticipated funding options for the 2024-2025 school year. Whether your local PTA has received funding from National PTA before or if you are learning about our grants for the first time, this session will help you get prepared to apply for the upcoming grant opportunities. Applying for, and implementing, a grant from National PTA doesn’t have to be scary; let us show you how!

FRI307 PTA Social Media From A to Z

Don’t get stuck in beginner mode, bring your laptop to learn more about beating the algorithms to get your PTA news out to your members.

FRI308 Reflections 2024-2025- Get Your Program Started!

The 2024-2025 Reflections Theme is Accepting Imperfection. Join us and learn how to bring this amazing art program to your school. Get your families and students involved in the arts. Students can get creative and express themselves in a variety of art categories.

FRI309 Resolutions: Our Link to Membership-Guided Advocacy

PTA Resolutions provide direction (authority) for our membership to take positions on issues affecting children, youth and families.  Join us for an interactive workshop highlighting the why and how of the Resolutions process.

Hear local leaders share how they have used Resolutions in their advocacy efforts. The workshop will also provide an overview of the steps in writing and submitting a Resolution to California State PTA for consideration.

FRI310 Strengthen Parent Engagement for Student Success

Every parent has the power to assist their child in getting off to a great academic start is life.

This workshop will explain the distinction between parent involvement, parent engagement and parents as partners.

Mini Table Talks – 11:45 am to 12:45 am in the Exhibit Hall

Increase Student Involvement

Talk with our Student State Board Members on ways to increase student involvement with your PTA

The State PTA – What do we do?

Come meet current and former California State PTA leaders, including Past Presidents to find out more about what we do.

Workshop Series 400 – Friday, 1:00 pm to 2:30 pm

FRI400 Balancing Academics and Life

Join the Education Commission for an insightful discussion exploring the importance of a balanced education that encompasses academic excellence alongside personal growth and development. Hear from a diverse panel of students and parents as they share perspectives on prioritizing a well-rounded education.

FRI401 PTAs Engaging Families of Students with Disabilities

This session is your compass for navigating the language of disability and understanding the array of services schools provide for students with disabilities, including 504 Plans and Individualized Education Plans (IEPs). Navigating the special education process engages families in a journey through assessments, setting goals, services, and placement. When there is disagreement, there are a variety of solutions and resources available. Discover a treasure trove of local resources, from Parent Training Information Centers, Family Empowerment Centers, Family Resource Centers, Regional Centers, and Community Organizations to help families navigate the process. Gain insight into the pivotal role of inclusion for students with disabilities, both within educational settings and broader community contexts. Explore strategies for fostering inclusivity in PTA events and activities, ensuring families with children with disabilities feel embraced and empowered within the PTA community while also maintaining confidentiality. Get ready to embark on a journey of understanding, advocacy, and meaningful inclusion!

FRI402 Engaging, Educating, and Empowering Teens and Parents to Make Our Communities Safe

Join us for an hour of dynamic learning with Impact Teen Drivers (ITD), renowned for its award-winning, evidence-based parent and teen programs. Let’s collaborate to combat reckless and distracted driving, ensuring safer communities for all!  Discover effective strategies to address reckless and distracted driving, the primary cause of unintentional injuries and fatalities among young people.

FRI403 Holding Schools Accountable for Family Engagement – It’s The Law

Join us for an empowering session that unlocks the key to meaningful family engagement in California schools! Discover why family involvement isn’t just best practice — it’s the law. California’s Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF) grants local school districts significant autonomy in shaping policies that directly impact their communities. However, with this power comes responsibility. The LCFF mandates comprehensive family engagement strategies, documented within your district’s annual Local Control and Accountability Plans (LCAP). In this session, we delve into innovative strategies tailored for PTAs to foster authentic family engagement essential for compliance with legally mandated engagement processes. Explore the role of crucial forums such as LCAP District Advisory Committees, English Language Learner Advisory Committees, and Site Councils with confidence and efficacy. Don’t miss this opportunity to revolutionize family-school partnerships and drive positive change in your community’s educational landscape!

FRI404 Insurance, Taxes, and Legal Aspects of PTA. What you need to know.

Do you know what your insurance covers? Why does the Attorney General’s office regulate raffles? Have you been thinking about adding a scholarship program to your PTA’s budget? This is the class for you. Come with your questions and leave with real answers from our panel of experts.

FRI405 Leveraging local resources for your PTA goals

Have you ever thought about offering local membership incentives or questioned why other units have more community business supporters than you do?  Let our Resource Development team help you!

FRI406 $how Me The Arts Education Money!

Proposition 28 adds The Arts and Music in Schools— Funding Guarantee and Accountability Act to the California Education Code to provide a minimum source for annual funding to “supplement arts education programs” for pupils attending PK–12 public schools.

Representatives from Create CA will provide an overview of Prop 28, review promising practices for parents and schools to support and expand arts education, showcase exemplary arts programs, and dive into new resources to aid school leaders in planning and implementing arts programs.

FRI407 The Two Halves of Communications: Design & Words

Unlock the power of visual and verbal communication. Whether you’re creating newsletters, flyers, or social media posts, this workshop will equip you with essential skills to effectively communicate and inspire. Join us for a journey where creativity meets impact, and transform the way you engage with your community.

FRI408 Universal Design for Learning: Empowering Every Learner

Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is a research-based approach that supports the diversity of students to access, engage, participate, and express themselves in all learning opportunities. This workshop will explore how barriers to learning exist in the lesson design, school environment, and instructional routines, and share how intentional UDL can reduce barriers for every learner.

FRI409 You’re on the Board, Now What?

I just got elected and now what do I do? Join us for an overview of the main positions on an executive board, what they do, and how and why we do it. This is an introductory level class for all board members who are new to PTA. It is intended for all elected board members to help you understand your role and how it affects the rest of your team.

FRI410 Estás en la Junta Directiva, ¿y Ahora Qué hago?

Me acaban de elegir y ¿ahora qué hago? Únase a nosotros para obtener una descripción general de los principales puestos en una junta ejecutiva, qué hacen y cómo y por qué lo hacemos. Esta es una clase de nivel introductorio para todos los miembros de la junta directiva que son nuevos en la PTA. Está destinado a todos los miembros electos de la junta directiva para ayudarlos a comprender su función y cómo afecta al resto de su equipo.

SATURDAY, MAY 4, 2024 WORKSHOPS*

Mini Table Talks – 8:45 am to 9:45 am in the Exhibit Hall

Birds of a Feather Flock together

Join our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) committee to discuss a variety of topics:

Totem Onboarding and Questions

Come and work with our Membership Team to help you get your unit on to Totem or get questions answered.

Workshop Series 500 – Saturday 10:00 am to 11:30 am

SAT500 Advocacy:  Hot Topics

What bills have legislators introduced? Where does PTA stand on current state legislation, and why? What will be on the November ballot?  Learn the inside story behind current state legislation and ballot initiatives to identify how PTA leaders and communities can take action on the bills and initiatives that are important to them.

SAT501 Explore Passenger Power and Who Can Make a Difference Curriculums!

The journey of safe driving begins long before teens hit the road solo—it starts from their earliest moments in a car seat. Children observe, listen, and imitate adult behaviors, including those behind the wheel. Join us to discover how our elementary and middle school programs can be integrated into your schools, laying the foundation for responsible riding, and driving habits. From car seats to car keys, safety and injury prevention are paramount. Our materials are available in multiple languages, ensuring accessibility for all. Let’s empower our youth to become safe and responsible drivers from the start.

SAT502 Family Engagement: Building Strong Partnerships in Special Education

Get ready for an invigorating session where parents join forces with school administrators to enhance special education services! This dynamic gathering showcases parents’ involvement in SELPA Community Advisory Committees, District Special Education Advisory Committees, and Special Education PTAs. Through their experiences, attendees learn about effective family engagement strategies and opportunities for advocacy. By fostering collaborative partnerships, these parents inspire a new wave of advocates, driving positive change and improving educational outcomes for all children.

SAT503 Grow Your Membership: Learn the Basics and Benefits of Membership

The ABC’s and 123’s of Membership – learn the value of your PTA membership!  Learn how to maintain and increase your unit members, creating a more robust unit and developing a team with your school’s administration. You’ll receive needed tools to run an effective, yearlong membership campaign and reach your unit’s goals.

SAT504 Meet the Registered Parliamentarian

Even the California State PTA needs expert advice when it comes to running meetings. Come meet the registered Parliamentarian to get expert answers on procedures you have been struggling with.

SAT505 New President? What You Need to Know to Have a Successful School Year

Are you a brand new president? Have you been a president before but it has been a while? Join us for our specialized president’s training! We will be working our way through the PTA year and covering everything you need to know to run an effective PTA.

SAT506 ¿Nuevo Presidente? Lo que Necesita Saber Para Tener un Año Escolar Exitoso

¿Es usted un nuevo presidente? ¿Ha sido presidente antes pero ha pasado un tiempo? ¡Únase a nosotros para nuestra capacitación especializada para presidentes! Trabajaremos durante el año de la PTA y cubriremos todo lo que necesita saber para ejecutar una PTA eficaz.

SAT507 The Intersection between Ethnic Studies and Policy

School Boards across California are grappling with the balance of those who believe Ethnic Studies bridges the gap of understanding each other’s contributions to history and those who believe that it puts the blame on past leaders and further divides our communities. This session will include current school board members who will provide their experiences and perspectives navigating this topic within their community and school districts while also allowing participants to engage in lively discussions.

SAT508 Treasurer 101- Show Me the Money!

Are you a new treasurer or financial secretary? Do you want to know more about PTA finances? Then join us for our specialized treasurer’s class! We will be going over all aspects of being a PTA treasurer or financial secretary in a way that takes you through the PTA year.

SAT509 Tesorero 101 – ¡Muéstrame el Dinero!

¿Es usted un nuevo tesorero o secretario financiero? ¿Quiere saber más sobre las finanzas de la PTA? ¡Entonces únase a nosotros en nuestra clase especializada de tesorero! Repasaremos todos los aspectos de ser tesorero o secretario financiero de la PTA de una manera que lo lleve a lo largo del año de la PTA.

SAT510 Virtual Reflections – Work Smarter, Not Harder

Bring your laptops and join the California State PTA Reflections Chair for a hands on learning session of the Google Virtual Form, Virtual Judging, Certificate mail merging, and more! Learn how to make Reflections easy for your school so you can spend more time celebrating the amazing student artists at your school!

Mini Table Talks – 11:45 am to 12:45 am in the Exhibit Hall

Increase Student Involvement

Talk with our Student State Board Members on ways to increase student involvement with your PTA.

The State PTA – What do we do?

Come meet current and former California State PTA leaders, including Past Presidents to find out more about what we do.

Workshop Series 600 – Saturday, 1:00 pm to 2:30 pm

SAT600 “Membresía Electrónica: Facilita tu vida con TOTEM”

¡Esta clase para principiantes solo en español ayudará a los líderes de unidad y consejos a iniciar y ejecutar un programa de membresía electrónica TOTEM que ayudará a que su membresía se dispare!  Descubrirás que una vez que tengas a tu junta directiva a bordo del tren TOTEM, ¡tu trabajo en la PTA será mucho más fácil! ¡Dedica tu valioso tiempo dejando que TOTEM se encargue de todo el trabajo ___ mientras tú te diviertes invitando a los padres y estudiantes de tu escuela a unirse a tu unidad!”

SAT601 Navigating the Gender Spectrum: A Transformative Journey to Inclusivity

This workshop is crafted to foster awareness, understanding, and acceptance of the diverse ways individuals experience and express their gender. It will be a thought-provoking session that aims to deepen the participants’ understanding of gender beyond traditional binaries and foster a more inclusive and empathetic community.

SAT602 May is Mental Health Awareness Month – learn from NAMI how to end the silence

Mental illnesses are medical conditions that disrupt a person’s thinking, feeling, mood, ability to relate to others, and daily functioning. Mental Health Awareness Month is an opportunity for us to let everyone know that mental illnesses can affect people of any age, race, religion, or income. They are not the result of personal weakness, lack of character or poor upbringing and cannot be overcome through willpower. But they are treatable.

SAT603 President – Beyond the Basics

Things come up throughout the year that don’t fall into the regular flow of your PTA calendar. Conflict happens, strange requests from the school board happen, pandemics happen! Join us for an interactive session to talk about how to handle situations that don’t fall into the basic duties of being a president. Bring your questions and share ideas with other presidents from across the state. No question is too strange, no ideas are too out there. We have seen it all.

SAT604 Decoding TOTEM for Council and District Leaders

TOTEM is a great tool and even better when you know all the tips and tricks for Councils and Districts.  We will walk you through every process that Councils and Districts can use in TOTEM to grab data and communicate with your leaders quickly and easily to maintain and increase your membership and provide fun challenges and perks for your units!

SAT605 School Smarts – A Family Engagement Program

Join us for an interactive discussion about our fee for service, nationally recognized School Smarts Program. This program is about engaging with other families to learn more about the education system, communicating effectively, advocating for a quality education and the importance of parent involvement. We will feature a unique art based instructional activity and will provide you with ways to bring this award-winning program to your school district.

SAT606 Take a bite out of Food Insecurity (working title)

Millions of children and families struggle with food insecurity that impacts their physical and mental health and education. How can your PTA help? Find out how to spot the subtle signs of food insecurities and identify the resources available to help those in need.

SAT607 The Great Bylaws Expedition

Join us for an interactive workshop that turns learning about your PTA’s bylaws into a fun and engaging experience! Through games, activities, and collaborative challenges, you’ll:

    • Gain a clear understanding of key sections of your bylaws, including roles & responsibilities, voting procedures, and meeting protocols.
    • Learn how bylaws empower you to actively participate and shape your PTA’s direction.
    • Develop the confidence to navigate and contribute to discussions about bylaw amendments.
    • Connect with fellow PTA members in a collaborative and enjoyable setting.
    • Whether you’re a seasoned member or new to the PTA, this workshop is for you!

Attendees will walk away from this workshop more informed, engaged, and effective advocates for their children and school community.

SAT608 Tips and Hints from Membership Leaders 

Come and learn from California PTA’s shining stars!  Grant recipients and Spotlight award winners are bringing their best membership ideas for you to borrow and make your own.  This will be break out by grade level, and it will also include a multi-level Spanish-speaker’s table.  You will walk away energized to put our award winners’ ideas into action!

SAT609 Treasurer Beyond the Basics

Lots of things happen throughout the year that don’t fit easily in a basic training. Join us for an exchange of helpful ideas for dealing with the oddball things that pop up like when your principal suddenly decides they need unbudgeted funds for a new, time sensitive project or when your bank thinks they can dictate who the check signers for your PTA are. No question is too weird, we have probably heard it all!

SAT610 What’s All the Fuss About?  Equipping Parents on Literacy

California State PTA adopted the Equitable Literacy for All Students resolution in 2023, the basis of which would drive the content of this session. Join this workshop to learn more about the policies and practices that are impacting literacy.

SUNDAY, MAY 5, 2024 WORKSHOPS*

Workshop Series 700 – Sunday 8:30 am to 10:00 am

SUN700 AI in K-12 Education

As the use of artificial intelligence (AI) continues to grow across different industries, it’s becoming increasingly clear that it has the potential to transform the field of education. Learn about AI and hear from a panel of education leaders and students about how it can offer a range of benefits to enhance learning experiences in K-12 education.

SUN701 Council and District Board

Are you on a council or district board? Are you wondering what is going to be different at this new level of leadership? Come find out what you need to know to be an effective council or district leader. The leadership team has been in your shoes and wants to help you make the transition smooth and easy for you.

SUN702 Empowering your PTA to Build Partnerships and Strengthen Community Collaboration

Introducing PTA Units Councils and Districts to Establishing Community Partnerships as build Community Collaboration to further achieve the Mission of PTA.

The Workshop will present information about how to seek out and affirm Partnerships with other agencies and Non Profit Organizations whose mission and purpose align with California State PTA.  Attendees will hear from two seasoned PTA Leaders with decades of experience building and strengthening Community Collaboration to further resources and achieve goals that benefit children, youth and families.

SUN703 Get LOUD for the Arts!

You’ve attended the workshop on arts money and Prop 28, now come and network and discuss ways that you can bring these ideas and funds into your own schools and districts.  You will have hands on interactions and materials to help you be a successful arts advocate.

SUN704 Haga crecer su membresía: Aprende los Fundamentos y Beneficios de la Membresía

El ABC y los 123 de la membresía: ¡conozca el valor de su membresía en la PTA! Aprenda cómo mantener y aumentar los miembros de su unidad, creando una unidad más sólida y desarrollando un equipo con la administración de su escuela. Recibirá las herramientas necesarias para llevar a cabo una campaña de membresía efectiva durante todo el año y alcanzar tus metas de unidad.

SUN705 PTA Healthy Minds

PTAs are perfectly positioned to help families and communities make mental health an everyday priority. This workshop provides programming guidance and materials to help your PTA understand the mental health needs of families, identify relevant resources to share, how to partner with school administration, and how to host PTA’s Healthy Minds program for your school community.

SUN706 PTA in an Election Year

In this 2024 election year, use your voice to promote civic engagement!  PTAs can engage their local communities in participating in the electoral processes.  Learn about PTA guidelines for campaigns, how to host a candidates’ forum, launch a voter registration drive, create positions for ballot measures, and more!

SUN707 Raising Healthy Citizens in a Digital World

What is your family’s unique relationship in the 24/7 digital world? Learn how to navigate the opportunities & challenges in this changing landscape.

SUN708 School of Excellence: Getting Real about Family Engagement

National PTA School of Excellence recognition program encourages PTA leaders to think critically about their schools’ commitment to family engagement. This session will introduce the National PTA Family Engagement Standards and consider how the School of Excellence survey questions relate to these standards.  Working through the School of Excellence, PTA leaders can advocate for their schools to become stronger at family engagement, using these standards. PTA leaders from schools that received the School of Excellence 2022-24 recognition will share how they related the issues in family engagement to their PTA activities.

SUN709 Student Engagement 101: Tools to Empower Student Leaders

You are already working hard FOR students.  How about working hard WITH students! Come and learn practical tips for engaging meaningful student participation on your PTA boards. Hear from our California State PTA student board members on their PTA journeys.