FCCPTA NEWSLETTER - October 4, 2010

Check out our new website at http://www.fccpta.org
Dear PTA Friends,

Welcome to the first weekly FCCPTA newsletter update.  We are very excited about
this new communication tool.  Every week we will be reporting on new resources, events and
so much more. 

If you are interested in submitting an article for the FCCPTA weekly newsletter,
please send articles to Christy McFerren at corressec@fccpta.org
2010 Virginia PTA Convention
altGet Ready for 2010 Convention!

Visit the Convention homepage for details about the conference

and don't miss out on the opportunity to Build Strong Minds,

Bodies and Voices!

Online registration is now open.

Download Proposed State Bylaws Revisions and

Convention Resolutions


[PEATC] Governor's Proclamation - October is Virginia Family Involvement

In Education Month.

PEATC, the Parent Educational Advocacy Training Center, is celebrating 33 years of service

to families of children with disabilities and those who work with families. There have been

many beneficial changes for everyone involved, and our work continues. Our goal is to

build better futures for children with disabilities by working collaboratively with families,

schools and professionals to improve their opportunities for excellence in education and

success in school and community life.  www.peatc.org

Family and School Partnerships 

The Family Services and Involvement Section of FCPS has been renamed as

"Family and School Partnerships"  See: http://www.fcps.edu/cco/fam/pta.htm. 

They have had an existing partnership with PTA/PTSAs in developing parent programs

for many years.   If you serve on a PTA Bd. your Bd. may want to conrtact Family and

School Partnerships; they provide many programs for parent meetings and may be

able to help consider additional school-based strategies to target parent involvement

for parents; including parents of Students With Disabilities.

Joint BOS and SB Community Engagement Forums
 
Board of Supervisor Chairman Sharon Bulova and School Board Chairman Kathy Smith will
co-host two Community Engagment Forums in October:  Tuesday, October 5 from
7:00 to 9:00 PM at the Fairfax County Government Center; and Saturday,
October 23 from 2:00 to 4:00 PM at Hayfield Secondary School. 
New this year is an online Do-it-Yourself Toolkit that allows Fairfax County residents
to host their own self-facilitated Budget discussions at times and locations that are
most convenient.  The Toolkit includes:
  • A 15 minute video overview on the FY 2012 Budget.
  • Background information to guide the discussion.
  • An online form to provide feedback to the county
The Toolkit will be available on the county website beginning October 4th.

Fairfax Education Summitt - October 16th, 2010
You are invited to join parents, students, community members, business leaders,
principals, teachers, PTA leaders, and college leaders in the first Fairfax Education Summit
hosted by the Fairfax County School Board on Saturday, October 16, from
8 a.m. to 12 noon at Robinson Secondary School.  The event will feature a keynote
presentation by Ken Kay, a nationally known leader in bringing 21 st century skills into
education and preparing every child to succeed in the new global economy. 
 
Summit participants will explore critical questions about how Fairfax County Public Schools
can better prepare its students for the future, and engage in a rich dialogue on the
multi-faceted topic of what our kids will need in order to succeed in the world after
high school. 
 
I hope you are able to join in the discussion.  This important topic will be enhanced by a
broad spectrum of participants.  Please help spread the word by including this information
in your next newsletter and sharing the attached invitation with your colleagues.  
For more details, including registration logistics, please visit
http://www.fcps.edu/news/summit.htm . 
 
Superintendent's Parent Advisory Council
 
Welcome to a new school year!  We have gotten our schools off to a great start.
I invite you to join me to discuss hot issues and share what's on your mind at the
four Superintendent's Parent Advisory Council meetings this year:
 
  • Tuesday, October 26, 2010, 7 pm, Gatehouse Center Café
  • Tuesday, January 18, 2011, 7 pm, Gatehouse Center Café
  • Tuesday, February 22, 2011, 7 pm, Gatehouse Center Café
  • Tuesday, April 26, 2011, 7 pm, Gatehouse Center Café   
Meetings will be held at the Gatehouse Administration Center, 8115 Gatehouse Road,
Falls Church, VA 22042
Meeting reminder emails will be sent about a week before each meeting. 
As always, light refreshments will be available.
Thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedule to meet with me.  I'm looking
forward to a productive and successful year together.
 
Parenting Magazine & Early Literacy Program at Georgetown University
On Thursday, October 7th, from 10:00 am - noon, at Georgetown University,  Parenting Magazine
is partnering with Target for an event to celebrate early literacy, and promote a love of reading and
learning in kids from a young age.  Parenting magazine editors, members of the Mom Congress
advisory board, noted children's authors, and representatives from Target will all be on hand to
share their own personal dedications to early literacy with local moms and community members.
 
If you're interested in attending, please RSVP at the link below and share this with anyone you
know that might be interested.  The informational flyer is also attached.
 
Thanks-  Connie Lorentzen
Ramona Morrow
Fairfax County Council of PTAs
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