Archives: Resources

Statement from California State PTA Regarding Ban on Flavored Tobacco Products

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

Learn More About Grants and Scholarships and Apply by October 15th!

The application period for the 2024-2025 scholarships and program grants is now open. The deadline to apply for both is October, 15, 2024 at 11:59 p.m.

SCHOLARSHIPS

To help you continue on your educational path, California State PTA is proud to offer two types of scholarship programs:

For Teachers, Counselors, Nurses, and School Staff:

Credentialed teachers, counselors, nurses and school staff who have a minimum of three years’ experience in a California public school are eligible to apply for the $500 Continuing Education Scholarship for School Staff. You must be employed in a California public school during the preceding year and plan to continue working in a California school. Download the instructions for the full list of requirements.

For PTA Volunteers:

PTA volunteers with at least three years of service are eligible to apply for the $500 Continuing Education Scholarship. Your scholarship must be used for advanced studies at accredited California colleges, universiti

es, trade and technical schools. Download the instructions for the full list of requirements.

To learn more about the scholarship requirements and application details, visit our Continuing Education page.

PROGRAM GRANTS

Grants are awarded to local PTAs to support efforts that build and grow student achievement, parent engagement and family involvement to make a difference in your community. They are available to unit, council and district PTAs in good standing, these unique annual grants are geared to support local PTAs in developing programs and projects that address four areas of major interest to our children, schools and members:

Parent Education

Develop and implement parent education programs and projects in such areas as health, child development, child abuse prevention or parenting skills. Programs or projects must be sponsored by the PTA applying for the grant. Program grant ideas include parent-resource centers, seminars and workshops, forums for parents of children with special needs and information on preparing healthy meals.

Cultural Arts

Develop and implement student-centered cultural arts programs which complement the California State PTA’s commitment to a quality arts education. The programs and projects should focus on expanding the students’ awareness and appreciation of the field of cultural arts and/or enriching and enhancing arts education programs and must be sponsored by the PTA applying for the grant. Program grant possibilities include performing arts assemblies, arts communications brochures, demonstrations, storytellers, read-a-thons and docents.

Outreach Translation

Translate PTA written materials and oral presentations in an effort to involve every member of the school community. Presentations or materials must be sponsored by the PTA applying for the grant. The California State PTA may use these translated materials when appropriate. Copy of the translated material must accompany the evaluation report. Program grant possibilities include translating written materials into other languages, providing translations at meetings and events, offering school community activities, enhancing partnerships and engaging non-English-speaking families.

Healthy Lifestyle

Develop, promote and implement programs, projects and activities that will improve the overall health of children and adults. Program grant possibilities include classes, health fairs, awareness events, walking/running programs, sun safety initiatives and depression awareness efforts. Please refer to the Insurance Guide for approved activities.

To learn about the program grants, eligibility requirements, and the application procedure, visit our Grants for PTAs page.

HOW TO APPLY FOR SCHOLARSHIPS & GRANTS

Check out the full webinar to learn more about our 2024 scholarships and grants application process.

Read the PACE Policy Brief on School Reopening

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.”

Judge Rules That UC System Must Stop Considering ACT, SAT in Admissions

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.

Education Coalition Calls on Governor and Legislative Leaders to Close $20 Billion Projected Shortfall for Schools and Students

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.

Final Report on PTA-CCEE Distance Learning “Listening Sessions”

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.

 

CALIFORNIA STATE PTA RESPONDS TO NEXT PROPOSED ECONOMIC STIMULUS ACT

California State PTA sent the following letter on July 29, 2020 to Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the House of Representatives, House of Representatives Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, and Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer:

Dear Speaker Pelosi, Minority Leader McCarthy, Majority Leader McConnell, and Minority Leader Schumer:

On behalf of our 700,000 members, California State PTA is writing to express our deep disappointment that the proposed HEALS Act does not respond adequately to the funding needs of our schools and the health and safety needs of our students and school staff.

The Senate HEALS ACT provides little healing and in fact tries to force schools to open with in-person learning despite the worsening of the coronavirus pandemic throughout the country.

Instead of protecting public education by funding at the levels school experts recommend, the HEALS Act shortchanges kids and teachers.  The Council of Great City Schools estimates that schools need at least $200 billion to meet the needs of students   The HEALS Act provides far less: $70 billion is allocated to the country’s K-12 schools BUT only one-third, or about $23.3 billion, will be available immediately.

The bill tries to persuade schools to reopen in person by dangling about two-thirds of the funding ($46.6 billion) — only to schools that reopen with more than 50% in-person instruction.

Schools that are reopening mostly with distance learning will not be eligible for any additional funding outside the initial $23.3 billion.

This punishes states that are opening primarily with distance learning and prioritizing the health and well-being of students and staff.  California, the state with the most students in the nation, will not get enough money to support its schools because it is putting safety and health first.

The timeline for the reopening of schools should be based on the current impact of the virus on individual communities.  Using the promise of extra money to re-open schools in person violates our responsibility to protect the safety and health of our children.

California State PTA has several additional concerns beyond the low level of funding for schools to open safely.

  • Oppose Private School Tuition Scholarships The bill provides money for private school tuition scholarships.  Public money should be used for public schools.  Private school voucher programs undermine our nation’s public schools by diverting desperately needed resources away from the public-school system to fund the education of a few, select students in private, often religious, schools.
  • Increase Funding for Childcare The HEALS Act would allocate $15 billion to help childcare providers reopen, including $190 million for programs aimed at preventing family violence and promoting child welfare.  Childcare experts estimate that $50 billion is needed to provide for personnel, sanitation, training and other costs associated with reopening and running childcare facilities. Childcare is one of the most critical needs to allow parents to get back to work.
  • Fund Special Education Missing from the bill is what most school districts put as one of their highest needs: fully funding special education. The costs of special education have grown much faster than revenues and schools are forced to reduce services for other students to meet their legal obligations.
  • Support Internet Connectivity It is unacceptable that Congress is not providing needed resources to connect students and teachers to the internet as schools have already announced plans to conduct remote learning or a hybrid combination to start the school year. This is an equity issue that prevents students living in poverty from accessing public education.

Congress must invest at least $175 billion for K-12 education to ensure that students can keep learning and schools can reopen for in-person instruction when it is safe to do so.

Sincerely,

 

Celia Jaffe
President California State PTA
president@capta.org

cc:  Senator Diane Feinstein
Senator Kamala Harris

College Board Opportunity Scholarships

Applying to college is a complicated process, so College Board has create the Opportunity Scholarships program to guide you through it. This program is open to all students in the class of 2022 and doesn’t require an essay, application, or minimum GPA. Instead, it rewards your effort and initiative.

Over $5 million is available this year, with $2 million earmarked for students whose families earn less than $60,000 per year. As a bonus, students can even earn a chance at a $40,000 scholarship if they complete all six steps.

The program guides them through the steps in the college planning process at their own pace at home. When students take the first two steps—building a college list and practicing for the SAT®—they’ll qualify for a $500 scholarship just by getting ready for college. And they don’t even have to get off the couch.

Click here for more information and to get started.

 

Attend One of Our Great Membership Idea Exchanges!

Got great membership ideas – or are you perhaps seeking some inspiration?

Join the California State PTA Membership Services commission during our upcoming Zoom brainstorming calls, which are intended to allow members to share membership campaign ideas, or get ideas from other local leaders.

 

California State PTA Responds to Governor’s Guidelines for Reopening Schools Safely

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.

####

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