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         California State PTA Online Newsletter                                                   December 2009

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IN THIS ISSUE
California State PTA receives new grant
2010 Coming Up Taller Awards
Reflections Video Message
The Big Read
 

Offbeat Ways to Celebrate the Arts

It's amazing what can be done with sand.
 
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SMARTS is California State PTA's program to encourage arts education. Please spread the word about the benefits of arts education.

California State PTA receives new arts education and parent engagement grant

The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation has awarded California State PTA a $340,000 grant over the next 18 months to advance our efforts to promote increased and equitable access for all California public school students to a complete curriculum that includes high quality arts education. California State PTA's plan, developed with the guidance of a special committee and advisory group convened this past year, includes a pilot parent engagement program at 16 school sites in four school districts.

Work on the new project is underway. More information about how you can get involved will be provided in the coming months.

Thank you to everyone in the SMARTS network. Your passion and active work has helped California State PTA take our advocacy for the arts to this next level!
2010 Coming Up Taller Awards

The President's Committee on the Arts and the Humanities is inviting nominations for its Coming Up Taller Awards, which recognize and reward excellence in after-school and out-of-school arts and humanities programs. Completed nominations should be sent to the President's Committee and be received by Friday, January 29, 2010. If you have any questions, please contact the President's Committee at (202) 682-5409.

"That's what these Coming Up Taller Awards are all about. You ask our young people to dream, and you give them the tools to fulfill those dreams. You affirm that their contributions are valuable, and their success matters to all of us." - First Lady Michelle Obama.

PTA Reflections Video Message
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As you plan your PTA Reflections
awards reflections ceremonies, consider including the congratulations of National PTA President Chuck Saylors. He has recorded a video message to the students, parents, teachers and volunteers who participated in the program this year. The video shares National PTA's thanks and praise, and reminds your communities that this program is a benefit of being part of a national association. Download the video message here
NEA: The Big Read
 
The Big Read is an initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts to restore reading to the center of American culture by providing citizens with the opportunity to read and discuss a single book within their communities. The initiative includes innovative reading programs in selected cities and towns, comprehensive resources for discussing classic literature, and an extensive website providing comprehensive information on authors and their works.  For more information, check out the NEA website.
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