Huntsville Council of PTAs
August 2012 |
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Message from the President | |
Summer is coming to a close, and while fall is not yet in the air , the excitement our students are feeling to jump back into school, is. This year is the beginning of many things for me personally. It is the beginning of my term as council president. It is a tremendous honor to serve the parents, teachers, students and PTAs of the city of Huntsville. I have learned from some of the best, who are champions of both education and parent involvement. I am still learning, and so grateful that the mentors and friends I have, and the new friends I am making, are passionately involved with the education and support of the children in Huntsville City Schools and in Alabama.
This year is also the beginning of my only daughter's senior year. I have four boys, and one of them has already gone to college. Somehow though, this is just different. I get a little "mom" lump in my throat putting that in writing. It seems like yesterday when Winnie the Pooh was her fuzzy yellow BFF. Now others have taken his place. I am always in awe at how quickly life changes. One of those big and exciting changes for every one of us will be the new digital curriculum. Just in case you are wondering, this will be ground breaking! As my daughter Hannah was growing up, there were scraped knees, occasional tears, happy celebrations and hard earned victories all mixed together. There will be similar situations with our new digital curriculum. As we watch this program through its infancy, and we grow along with those scrapes and bumps, remember, in the end we will be filled with pride to see all that was accomplished.
I am looking forward to a fantastic year, probably with a few scrapes and bumps, but I am sure, there will be even more celebrations and victories. I hope you are looking forward to it too!
Elisa Ferrell
President, Huntsville Council of PTAs
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Alabama PTA Reporting Forms | |
 The 2012-2013 Local Unit Officers Form is now on the Alabama PTA website. Please complete these forms and send it to both Alabama PTA and Huntsville Council of PTAs. Clicking on the Local Officer's Form Link will take you directly to Alabama PTA's website where the forms can be found in a Word format and in a PDF form. Forms can be emailed or mailed. Thank you for making this one of your first priorities.
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Legislative Update | |
Huntsville City Elections August Tuesday, August 28th, 2012
On Tuesday, August 28th voters in Huntsville will be going to the polls. Some of the things on the ballot will be the mayoral election, City Council Representatives for Districts 1 and 5 and School Board Representatives for Districts 1 and 5. In addition to these elected positions, the Ad Valorem tax renewal is up for a vote. Translated, Ad Valorem is added value. This tax adds value to the education for our students. Funds brought in from the tax are used for capital improvements, and debt repayment. This is not a new tax, but a continuation of a tax we are already paying. The income this tax produces is used to repair and renovate our schools. The HCPTA supports the renewal of the Ad Valorem tax. It is in line with our mission which includes student enrichment. Please thoughtfully review the Ad Valorem renewal, and stand with us to support our schools in its passage.
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HCPTA Annual Summer Leadershp Training |
ONLINE REGISTRATION CLOSES TODAY!
Carry the Torch! Training is the one of the best ways your PTA board can prepare for the coming year. Join us at the Huntsville Council of PTAs annual Summer Leadership Training this Saturday at Lee/New Century High School. The event is from 9:00a -12:00n . We will be offering a record 21 classes to meet your training needs. There are options, for everyone. Mayor Battle and Dr. Wardynski will be brining greetings in our opening session. Bring all the members of your PTA board, and have a representative from your school in every class.
Once classes are done, jump start your 2012-2013 planning over lunch. Spend an hour together as a board, discussing all that you have learned, and how it can be applied to your school's success. Registration is $10 and lunch is $6. Make sure to register soon. On site registration will be available, but online registration closes today at midnight. Register Now |
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Reflections |
It is never too early to begin preparing for Reflections. This year's theme is "The Magic of a Moment." The deadline for submitting your students' entries for judging is November 9th. Your entries can be dropped off in the Executive Dining Room at MERTS from 9am - 1pm. For information on the categories, age groups, and ways to promote the fine arts program in your school, please click on Reflections. |
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Alabama PTA Summer Leadership Training |
 Alabama State PTA is hosting their summer leadership training at Johnnie Carr Middle School in Montgomery. Training will be on Saturday, September 8th from 9a-12:30p. For more information, visit the Alabama PTA site.
www.alabamapta.org |
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Healthy Huntsville | |
Check out the WEBSITE for more information
and for a calendar of upcoming events. |
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PTA Membership Cards |
 Membership cards are here; and before school starts! Many thanks to the staff at Alabama PTA for doing such a great job in getting the cards to us so quickly! We will be handing out the membership packets sent by Alabama PTA at Summer Leadership Training. Please have someone from your board attend training, and come by and pick up the packet. There is important information in the envelope for your Reflections Chair, Your Membership Chair and the President. The membership card has been redesigned this year. Check out the new card, its benefits and the new printing requirements on the National PTA site.
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Concessions Stand Applications |
 The first wave of applications has been sent out for the available Concession Stand opportunities at Milton Frank Stadium. It is not too late to be a part of this fundraising activity. If your PTA or booster organization is interested in working concessions make sure you are on the mailing list. You can reach Melvin Scruggs, HCPTA concessions manager at mellews1@live.com.
Members of the HCPTA had a chance to tour Milton Frank and see first hand, all the improvements being made in phase 1 of 3, to the locker rooms, the restrooms and the two new concessions stands under the bleachers. The new concessions locations are very close to the fans, and provide our PTAs and boosters with more income opportunities. Don't miss out! Click on Concessions Agreement and Schedule to get more information.
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FamilyWize Prescription Discount Cards |
 United Way of Huntsville has been distributing their free FamilyWize prescription discount cards since 2007 and has saved Madison County residents over $90,000 on prescription drugs not covered by insurance or due to lack of insurance coverage. This is a discount program, not an insurance plan, and it is available to anyone in Madison County. Use the link below to simply print out the discount card and then visit almost any pharmacy. Over 95% of pharmacies nationwide participate. Share the news and the card with your friends!
CLICK HERE to get a discount card |
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Discount Internet Access |
Comcast is offering a reduced Internet access fee to families enrolled in the free or reduced lunch plan.
Details:
Cost is $9.95 per month for 1.5 MB Internet access. Although this is probably not considered "high speed," it is definitely faster than dial-up, per Comcast, and is more affordable than their standard rates.
Requirements:
- Proof of current enrollment in free or reduced lunch plan
- Currently not a Comcast Internet customer (although you could have an account with a competitor)
This is an affordable home Internet offer that will help students have access to technology at home.
CLICK HERE to visit the website for more information
CLICK HERE for an English flyer
CLICK HERE for a Spanish flyer |
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Speakers' Bureau | |
Does your unit need a speaker for an event? The HCPTAs has started a Speaker's Bureau that includes speakers on varied topics who have agreed to donate their time and share their expertise with parents or students in your schools free of charge. If you would like to coordinate a speaker to visit your school, contact Kelly May, VP of Family Support (tkmay@knology.net, 256.508.4323) and she will tell you more. Please send us topics and potential speakers to add to our bureau so we can grow and serve your units better!
For a flyer with the current list of available speakers and topics, click HERE. |
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Resources Galore! | |
The Loop is the newsletter for ServeAlabama.gov. It is one of the best compilations of resources for nonprofit organizations - like PTA - in the state. You can find everything from upcoming training events, community activities, grants, and more. CLICK HERE for the March/April edition of The Loop. If you want to sign up for this informative publication, CLICK HERE to be added to the mailing list. |
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Partnership for a Drug-Free Community | |
 The Partnership for a Drug-Free Community does a fabulous job of educating parents and youth about the dangers of drugs.
You can check out their WEBSITE for more information about issues and programs that impact our community.
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Mark your school calendars . . . | |
Community Awareness for Youth Event
August 18, 2012 ~ 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Open to all Madison County youth in grades 7-12; parents are also encouraged to attend.
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I am looking forward to an amazing year Together we can achieve "every child . . . one voice." |
Elisa Ferrell President, Huntsville Council of PTAs
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