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Greetings!
It's December and while the temperatures cool down our PTAs are just warming up. We now look back at all of the programs and activities the PTAs brought to the campuses this semester and give thanks for all of the dedicated volunteers that work tirelessly to see that PTA runs smoothly. We also look ahead to the new semester and plan the positive contributions that PTAs will bring to the students and to the parents.
One way to gain a fresh perspective in the new year is to attend the annual 103rd Texas PTA Convention in February. It will be held in Houston this year and Mr. Ed Smart, father of Elizabeth Smart, will be the keynote speaker. I hope to see many local unit board members in attendance. In addition to training workshops, eligible attendees may take part in this annual membership meeting as well as witness the formality of running a meeting.
Happy Ho lidays to all!
Diane Fatora
CCCC PTA President
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Leadership Training & Education
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 Training & Materials Team Helpful Hints
Scenario: You are in a PTA meeting, and one topic has been discussed for ten minutes with no end in sight. You are not the president. What can you do?
(If the answer to the following questions is "No", check out the 'Try This' suggestion.)
- Was a motion made prior to the topic being discussed?
Try This: Make a main motion that incorporates the essence of the topic. Be specific - if the discussion is revolving around which date to pick, put one date in the motion. This will help focus the discussion. (Remember, a motion to amend your motion allows the group to modify the date to the date the majority prefers.) Parliamentary Pointer: Discussion is part of a motion. Without a motion, there is no discussion.
- Has everyone who wants to had a chance to speak to the motion?
Try this: Make a motion to give everyone two chances to speak, each opportunity for up to two minutes. You could say, "I move that debate be limited to each person speaking only twice to the pending motion, for a maximum of two minutes per time, and no one may speak their second time until everyone that wishes has spoken a first time." The effect of this motion is that after everyone (that wants to) has spoken twice, discussion is automatically closed and the vote on the motion is taken. Parliamentary Pointer: This motion requires a 2/3 vote to pass. It is called Limit or Extend Limits of Debate and has many variations. Note that the word 'debate' is synonymous with 'discussion'.
- Everyone has good points, but is the discussion heading toward a conclusion?
Try this: Make a motion to refer the motion and all of its discussion to a committee. You could say, "I move to refer the motion to a special committee, appointed by the president, which will have no less than three and no more than nine people who will bring their recommendations to the next Executive Board meeting." Parliamentary Pointer: This motion is called Commit or Refer. Note: "I move to refer the motion . . ." is the only standard part of the motion - the rest of the details are up to you.
- The debaters are starting to repeat what they have to say - are you interested in hearing more discussion?
Try this: Make a motion called Previous Question. The effect of this motion is to immediately close debate and bring the pending motion to a vote. You could say, "I move the previous question." Parliamentary Pointer: This motion requires a 2/3 vote to pass.
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Questions can be directed to Vicky Fransham,
Training and Materials Team tmt@ccccpta.org |
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PTA HISTORIAN: Preserving the Past to Inform the Future
In the past two articles of this series, I have discussed an overall look at being a Historian and suggested tools & guidelines for a scrapbook. In 2009, Texas PTA modified the PTA/PTSA Bylaws template (shown below) to allow local units the option of including the position of historian as an officer on the executive board. The historian is appointed officer (not elected) because Texas PTA feels this position is an asset in every local unit. This council recommends local unit historical records be documented and suggests if your unit bylaws does not state a historian is required, someone on the board should fulfill the responsibility of documenting the events, activities, and accomplishments of the unit.
Local Unit PTA/PTSA Bylaws
Article VIII: Duties of Officers (include after 'Section _: The parliamentarian shall ')
"If a historian is appointed, insert the following wording and renumber the subsequent sections.
Section __. The historian shall:
*a. collect and preserve documents relating the history of the association; and
*b. present a written report to the association as the official history to be adopted at the annual meeting."
The historian's scrapbook, or public record book, is optional; but having a 'physical record' is a great visual for your future boards to review; as well as your general membership and students. Creating a power point presentation or a DVD might be nice to present at your final Membership Meeting, but technology changes and those formats will eventually become obsolete.
A written report presented by the historian, is the most practical way to preserve what your unit has accomplished. The historian should read this report aloud during the last membership meeting of the year. After the presentation, a motion is made to adopt the report. If approved, the report is filed as a permanent record of your unit.
Here are the suggested content guidelines for the historian's report:
Historian's Report
I. Prepare a brief report of what your PTA has done during the past year:
- Provide dates, facts, and figures;
- List officers and chairmen roster (no need to list phone numbers/address/email).
II. Where to get information - use your sources:
- Gather info first-hand from your board members as the year progresses;
- Get a perspective from the President;
- Review copies of the minutes from every meeting, as provided by the PTA Secretary;
- Use PTA newsletters and newspaper clippings to include published information about activities and events.
III. How to write your history:
- Be short and concise - not more than one page (remember, you will have to read it aloud at the final regular meeting);
- Make duplicate copies: one for the secretary, one for the president's file, one for the Historian Procedure book and one for the PTA Scrapbook.
- Sign your name and the year you served at the end of the Historian's Report
- Have the President sign the copy that will be placed in the Scrapbook and the date of the adoption of the Historian's Report.
IIII. Final Procedure (for adoption of the report):
- According to your local unit bylaws, the report must be presented (read aloud) at the final regular meeting of the school year;
- After reading the report, make the following motion:
" Madam/Mister President, I move to adopt this report as the History of PTA XYZ for the year 20xx - 20xx." (This motion DOES NOT require a second. The President will request a vote from the membership.)
- A copy of the report should be given to the unit secretary to accompany the bound minutes of the year; a courtesy copy should be provided to the president. After this report has been adopted and approved by a vote of the general membership, it becomes part of your unit's permanent files.
Best wishes to all local unit historians! Enjoy documenting your board's accomplishments--"Preserve the Past to Inform the Future"!
Pam Moore, CCCC of PTAs
2011-2012 Historian
historian@ccccpta.org |
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Awards/Recognition/Nominations |
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CCCC Seeking Nominations for Honorary Life Membership(s) and Extended Service Award(s)
CCCC of PTA's is now taking nominations for Honorary Life Memberships and Extended Service Awards. The nominees should have positively impacted children and youth. Texas Life Memberships are one of the highest honors that may be presented to individuals for outstanding service to children and youth.
Honorary Life Membership:
- Life Memberships may be given formally or informally at any time by local, council, area or state PTAs.
- The recipient does not have to be a PTA member; nor must the service for which the honor has been bestowed be connected with the PTA.
- The only requirement for receiving a Texas PTA Honorary Life Membership is that the recipient is making or has made a worthwhile contribution to the well-being of children and youth.
- Life Memberships are honorary memberships and do not carry with them automatic rights to vote or to hold office. In order to participate actively in PTA, an Honorary Texas Life Member must enroll in a local PTA by paying the National PTA and local portions of the dues and his name must be included on the membership list sent to the Texas PTA Office.
- Texas PTA Life Members are exempt from paying the Texas PTA portion of dues for one local PTA per membership year unless they have received more than one Honorary Life Membership. In that case, they may register as a Texas PTA Life Member with as many Local PTAs as they have Texas PTA Life Memberships.
Extended Service Award:
In 1987, the Texas PTA Board of Directors developed the criteria for awarding a Texas PTA Extended Service Award to those people who have continued to give outstanding service to the Texas PTA.
- This award may be presented at any time by a local, council, area or state PTA.
- The recipient must have been actively involved in the Texas PTA for ten (10) years and be a Texas Life Member.
This is also a great opportunity to recognize someone on a local level. Please remember that you can recognize outstanding members of your PTA. There are several ways to say Thank You and recognize special individuals through Texas PTA; Texas Honorary Life Membership, Extended Service Award, a Recognition Square and Certificate of Appreciation.
If you know of someone you would like the committee to consider, please forward their name, along with a brief explanation as to why you feel they deserve consideration to Vanessa Cortez, Membership Chair at membership@ccccpta.org. The deadline for submissions is Friday, January 13, 2012.
Source: Texas PTA Website |
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CCC Nominating Committee for 2012-2013 Elected
The CCCC of PTA's Nominating Committee is looking for suggested nominees for the 2012-2013 Officer Positions. The committee was formed on November 2, 2011 at the Regular Meeting. Members of the committee are:
Vicky Fransham, Committee Chair - (Clear Lake HS)
Rich Leeney - Clear Creek HS
Michele Klages - Victory Lakes Int --(Clear Springs HS)
Yvette Rodriquez - Westbrook Int - (Clear Brook HS)
Laura Varley - Mossman Elem - (Clear Falls HS)
Open positions are President, 1st VP Leadership Training, 2nd VP Parent Ed & Programs, 3rd VP Communications, 4th VP Legislation, Recording Secretary and Treasurer. More details to follow.
In the interim, please contact Vicky Fransham, committee chair, vickyfransham@comcast.net to submit your nomination or with any questions. |
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2012 Dates Set
Founders' Day Dinner, Reflections Reception & Presidents' Dinner
This year Council was fortunate to lock in the dates early for two very important celebrations--Founder's Day Dinner and the Presidents' Dinner. Please SAVE THE DATE for the below Council hosted events!
Founders' Day Dinner & Silent Auction
Thursday, February 9, 2012 -- Clear Lake City Elementary
PTA members and school officials from our entire Council come together to celebrate the great work that PTA has done for our children since its inception in 1897. A silent auction is also held in conjunction with the dinner supporting the CCCC scholarship fund. Local Units may invite PTA community supporters (i.e. businesses, individuals etc.) to attend and have them acknowledged during the event.
Reflections Reception
February 16, 2012--Tad Akers Center, League City--Tad Akers Event Facility
CCCC of PTAs Presidents' Dinner
Thursday, May 24, 2012--Clear Springs High School
A dinner to celebrate the accomplishments of the local PTA units. Outgoing and returning presidents are recognized and incoming presidents are introduced. Principals, executive board members and guests of the local unit are welcome.
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Texas PTA Area 10
General Information
Area 10 PTA Nominating Committee was formed on October 7, 2011. Members of the committee are: Vicky Rodriguez, Pearland ISD Council President, (vrr3k@aol.com ); Diane Fatora, Clear Creek ISD Community Council of PTAs President, (dfatora@comcast.net ); Patsy Ledezma, Katy ISD Council/Area 10 Parliamentarian, (ledezma227@yahoo.com). Please contact the Nominating Committee Chairman, Vicky Rodriguez, if you are interested in serving on the Area 10 PTA Board. Elected positions are: President, Vice President, and Secretary.
Check us out at our new website:
http://www.area10pta.doodlekit.com/home |
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Registration Open for Texas PTA Annual Convention
Attendee/Delegate Information
Did your PTA "Bundle Up" at Summer Leadership Seminar?
We had many PTAs who pre-registered to send up to (4) delegates to this year's convention. Please review the Bundle Up! roster to see if your PTA took advantage of this special promtional offer. If your PTA is on the Bundle Up! roster, contact your PTA president prior to completing your registation. There are no refunds of convention registration fees.
Is your PTA a member of the Class of 2011?
Any Local PTA chartered between January 1 - December 31, 2011 is entitled to receive two complimentary registrations to the 2012 Family Engagement Conference and 103rd Annual Convention. To confirm your PTA's inclusion in the Class of 2011, please review the current roster of newly-chartered PTAs.
How do I submit my registration?
Only attendees or delegates paying the standard registration fees should use the online form. Bundle Up and Class of 2011 particpants should complete the paper registration form and send to the Texas PTA State Office by January 15. Please note tickets to the Founders' Day Dinner are not included with any promotional offers.
Attendee Registration
(all deadlines require postmark by deadline or online registration by 5:00 pm)
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DISCOUNTED REGISTRATION: $50
Valid until Friday, January 13, 2012 |
STANDARD REGISTRATION: $75
Valid January 14 - February 3, 2012 | |
STUDENT REGISTRATION: $25
Valid for grades 9-12 until February 3, 2012 |
ONSITE REGISTRATION: $100
Available Feb. 24-25, 2012 (closes at noon on Feb 25) |
- Online Attendee Registration
We suggest using online registration if only registering yourself, as the online process requires a unique login for each member. - Registration Via Mail or Fax
Those attendees registering as part of the Bundle Up! or Class of 2011 promotions should complete the paper registration form. Don't forget to purchase your ticket to the Founders' Day Dinner on Friday evening!
For more information go to www.txpta.org and click on the "Events" tab! |
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PTA Take Your Family to School Week is celebrated each February to pay tribute to PTA's legacy of building family-school partnerships. PTA Take Your Family to School Week will be held February 12-18, 2012 with the purpose of expanding and enhancing family engagement in schools across the country.
Source: National PTA Website |
| CCISD Approves Duplicating Successful Gifted and Talented Program |
 Clear Creek Independent School District December 13, 2011 Contact: Elaina Polsen
Office of Communications
(281) 284-0020 or epolsen@ccisd.net
League City, Texas --The Clear Creek Independent School District Board of Trustees unanimously approved a plan to open a second location for the Webster Academy Visions in Education (WAVE) program. Beginning the 2012-2013 school year, the Gifted and Talented program will be offered at Westbrook Intermediate and its new location, League City Intermediate. An expansion team of educators, parents and students from both locations will be formed to implement the second program. The Board of Trustees heard from parents and community members during a public hearing and general board meeting on Monday, December 12, 2011. The Board discussed six options and ultimately decided two programs would be in the best interest of all students. The other options, developed by parents, included closing either League City Intermediate or Clear Creek Intermediate to accommodate WAVE in its entirety. The additional options presented to the board included: take no action and increase the student population at Westbrook Intermediate; place an enrollment cap on the program; or move the entire program to League City Intermediate with its current student population. WAVE is currently offered at Westbrook Intermediate. The program for the Gifted and Talented has grown from 320 students in 2000 to more than 745 students in 2011, pushing Westbrook Intermediate beyond its instructional capacity. The issue of overcrowding is before the School Boundary Advisory Committee (SBAC). SBAC is charged with reviewing elementary and intermediate attendance zones and developing recommendations to ease overcrowding at some campuses while populating underutilized schools. Based on demographic projections for Westbrook Intermediate and the WAVE program, Westbrook Intermediate's student population could reach 1,411 next year. Westbrook Intermediate's instructional capacity is 1,100. WAVE was created in 1996 for 6th - 8th grade Gifted and Talented students. The services and courses offered at WAVE focus on the nature and needs of adolescent gifted learners. By replicating WAVE at League City Intermediate, the District can continue to offer the same courses and services to all students who qualify as Gifted and Talented. League City Intermediate is under capacity, current enrollment is 445 students. League City Intermediate's instructional capacity is 1,100 students. Such a move would also prevent the District from having to cap the number of students who can participate in WAVE. The District currently caps enrollment in the Science Magnet at Seabrook Intermediate. As approved by the school board, the student population will be split between the two campuses using high school feeder patterns. Gifted and Talented students who feed into Clear Creek High School, Clear Springs High School, and Clear Falls High School will attend the South Campus and Gifted and Talented students who feed into Clear Brook and Clear Lake High School will attend the North Campus. The cost of duplicating the program will be $236,000 to ensure equity between the two sites. |
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Texas Education Agency STAAR Information |
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STAAR™ Resources
Student Assessment Home | Assessment A-Z Directory | Contact Student Assessment | Printing PDFs
 Beginning in spring 2012, the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR™) will replace the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS). The STAAR program at grades 3-8 will assess the same subjects and grades that are currently assessed on TAKS. At high school, however, grade-specific assessments will be replaced with 12 end-of-course (EOC) assessments: Algebra I, geometry, Algebra II, biology, chemistry, physics, English I, English II, English III, world geography, world history, and U.S. history.
The resources on this website provide information and sample test questions to familiarize Texas educators and the public with the design and format of the STAAR assessments. The information is intended to help educators understand how the new STAAR program measures the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) curriculum standards. These resources are intended to support, not narrow or replace, the teaching of the TEKS curriculum.
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For more information:
Texas Education Agency STAAR
Source: Texas Education Agency Website |
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The Community Voice is the newsletter of the Clear Creek Community Council of PTAs. It is published nine (9) times during the school year. You can find out what's happening at the Local Unit level and in and around your school district by by visiting their respective website links at the bottom of this newsletter.
If you are interested in submitting an article to appear in the newsletter, please do so by the deadline(s) listed below.
- November 18 (December issue)
- December 16 (January issue)
- January 20 (February issue)
- February 17 (March issue)
- April 20 (May issue
- May 18 (June issue)
Comments and articles should be directed to the CCCC of PTAs Newsletter Chair,
Tamara Zaman, newspub@ccccpta.org
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Clear Creek Community Council of PTAs is on Facebook. Local Units in our council are welcome to connect with council members via this page to ask questions or make announcements about their activities. This page is monitored. |
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Boot Camp Basics
**Members of the nominating committee are elected, not appointed, at a regular meeting of the membership.
**The local unit bylaws dictate which month the nominating is to be formed.
**December 31 marks the conclusion of the sales tax year. Returns must be postmarked by January 20, 2012.
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Calendar of Events | |
January 2012
11th
9:30am
Presidents' Meeting
CCISD Board of Trustees' Rm.
20th
Deadline for Submission of Sales Tax Return for 2011
31st
EIN Verification Form due to Texas PTA
February 2012
1st
CCISD Board of Trustees' Rm.
8:40am
Presidents' Mtg
9:30am
Regular Mtg.
9th
Founders' Day Dinner--Clear Lake City Elementary
16th
Reflections Recep.
Tad Aker Center
24-26th
103rd Annual Texas PTA Convention-- Houston
March 2012
7th
Regular Meeting
May 2012
2nd
Regular Meeting
24th
Presidents' Dinner--Clear Springs High School |
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CAMPUS in the SPOTLIGHT
Has your PTA Unit accomplished something great at your Campus? Do you think other schools might benefit from this "something"? Are you willing to share your successes?
If you have started a new program, improved an old one, had a wonderful guest speaker, parent and/or student workshop; then we would love to share your ideas with others so that they can try them at their campus.
To encourage these innovative ideas and to applaud the PTAs and Campuses that allow them to flourish, we continue our program called "Campus in the Spotlight."
All entries will be judged and a winner announced at each CCCC Regular Meeting. The winning entry will be presented at the meeting.
If you have a program you would like to submit for this honor, please click
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CCCC of PTAs
A complete list of the Appointed Officers and Stand-
ing Chairmen can be found on our webiste:
www.ccccpta.org.
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