Florida PTA local units and county councils will be celebrating PTA Day in the Park around the state, utilizing city, county and state parks. This statewide event is designed to bring families together, raise awareness of PTA's Healthy Lifestyles Month, and encourage PTA membership by showing the value of joining together to advocate for all children.
To promote childhood health and wellness, National PTA created Healthy Lifestyles Month. Throughout the month of November PTAs nationwide participate by conducting programs or events that promote health education, physical activity and parental involvement. PTAs can play an important role in increasing physical activity and improving nutrition in the school community by engaging families, teachers, administrators and students in programs and activities that encourage the school community to be active and eat healthier foods. Believing strongly that healthy children can achieve and learn more, FPTA President Jean Hovey asked Vice-President of Regions and Councils Mindy Haas to develop a program in which the County Councils and local units could participate. Key words for the day's activity are Fun, Free and Family Friendly. Plans vary from county to county, but all include activities in a park, enjoying Florida's great fall weather, games and other outdoor activities, as well as a family picnic. Examples of just a couple of the programs planned include:
The Palm Beach County PTA Council is planning their picnic at Buttonwood Park, in Lake Worth from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. They are hoping their efforts along with others from about the state will result in the largest statewide picnic ever!
The Pinellas County PTA Council has teamed up with the Pinellas Education Foundation's Take Stock in Children program for Strides for Education 5K walk/run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Eagle Lake Park, in Largo, Florida.
"Providing an opportunity for children and parents to spend a day outdoors, enjoying all that Florida has to offer in activities, is a great way to encourage healthy lifestyles and showcase one of the many ways parents can be involved with their child and PTA", said President Jean Hovey. "Florida PTA is truly about advocating for every child, with one voice; and we can all have great fun doing just that."
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