2010 LEGISLATION CONFERENCE
Feb. 21-22, 2010
CONVENTION
Sacramento
April 29-May 2, 2010
Registration opens Feb. 2
PTA IN CALIFORNIA
Read the latest PTA news.
SACRAMENTO UPDATE
Covering legislative issues that affect California's children and youth.
THE COMMUNICATOR
Camera-ready resources to use in your PTA publications and website.
SMARTS
Covering California State PTA's program to promote arts education.
COMMUNICATIONS SATELLITE
Beaming news from California State PTA Commissions.
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Nominating Committee Election should be held in time to present a slate of
officers to the membership 30 days before the election meeting. Check your PTA
bylaws for dates. For information, click here. California State PTA Spotlight Award, applications due in the state office by Feb. 1. For information, click here. Founders Day,
February 17. For information and program ideas, click here.
Honorary Service Awards raise money for PTA scholarships and grants while honoring a special member, teacher or administrator. For information, click here. |
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Join us on Facebook. Just click on the logo above and become a fan.
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Making a midyear connection
Midyear membership
campaigns build community unity. PTAs that run multiple campaigns each year
have, on average, 20
percent more members. Nationwide, approximately 18 percent of
PTA members join in January and February. To build the PTA presence at your
school, weave membership into programs, activities and general PTA work.
The
new year is a great time for parents to make a resolution to have a real impact
on their children's education. Visit www.capta.org
for membership
campaign ideas. Send an e-mail Invitation to join
PTA in English
| in Spanish.
Process per capita as received and submit through PTA channels promptly.
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Time to forward audits, tax returns and revenue
information
By now each unit should have forwarded a copy of its IRS 990 tax return, 2008-09 Annual Financial report, 2009 year-end
audit, and 2009-10 budget to the council, if in council, or PTA district.
Midyear audits are due January 2010. If you have not forwarded your
reports, please do so.
National PTA has requested that California provide
a report of 2008-09 gross revenue total
- fundraising
income, non-dues revenue and in-kind donations - by mid-February. This information can be found on your IRS 990 tax
return. Let your council or PTA district know the gross revenue total for
2008-09 today. California State PTA would prefer to boast accurately about
the funds raised by our wonderful PTAs.
For more information, click here.
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Nominations: Reaching for new stars!
The
nominating committee is your unit's hope for 2010-11. Those elected to serve
are entrusted to reach out and find capable, enthusiastic parents to build the
board as well as encouraging experienced members to stay on in new capacities. The
committee is elected by the membership at least two months before the annual
election meeting. No board member is automatically a member. The California
State PTA Toolkit has an excellent section on
nominations and elections (Toolkit Section 2.2, pages 38-42) to help committee
members learn the ropes.
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Scholarships: Calling all seniors
Any graduating senior who is a member of a PTA or PTSA in good standing is eligible for a $500 California State PTA scholarship. More than $65,000 will be awarded. The scholarships recognize students for volunteer service in their schools and communities. Applications are due to the California State PTA office by Feb. 1, 2010. Click here to find an application and learn more.
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Open discussion of school closure
Years of budget reductions
and declining enrollment are requiring boards of education throughout
California to consider school closure. For guidance and PTA involvement during
the decision-making process refer to the position
statement 4.5.61 School Closure, Toolkit, Advocacy section, posted
on the website www.capta.org in English and
Spanish.
Parent involvement and
participation is critical during these difficult economic times. The acceptance
and success of school closure depends upon demonstrated need, positive
attitudes and total involvement of the communities involved. Refer to the Toolkit, 7.4.2 How to
Make a Study. PTAs may also contact their council or district PTA for
assistance and collaboration.
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National PTA Awards
National PTA's Phoebe Apperson Hearst Family-School
Partnership Awards celebrate PTAs working to achieve the National Standards for
Family-School Partnerships. There are three levels of recognition:
One Outstanding Family-School Partnership
Award, $2,000. Six Family-School Partnership Awards of
Excellence, $500. The Family-School Partnership Award of
Merit, for all local PTAs that apply.
Applications will be accepted January 15 through
March 1, 2010. Learn more at PTA.org/Hearst.
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2010 Census in Schools: It's About Us
The census - a
count of everyone living in the United States once every 10 years - is required by the U.S. Constitution. Census questionnaires will be mailed or delivered to
every household in the United States in March 2010. View lesson plans, maps, teaching guides,
and other informational materials to help teachers, students and parent
learn about the importance of the Census. The program will engage America's
youth to help ensure every child and every household member is counted in 2010.
Why is the U.S.
census count important for schools?
Census data are used to determine the
number of representatives each state has in the U.S. Congress, as well as
each county's representation in the state legislature. Government agencies use
the data to make funding decisions for more than $300 billion each year,
including: Title 1 allocations, college grant and loan programs, public
transportation, road and community improvements, public health services and hospitals, neighborhood improvements,
and senior services. Click here for a fact sheet.
Explore an interactive walk-through of the form, available in multiple languages, to understand the "10 questions in 10 minutes."
For more information, visit www.2010.census.gov.
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EdSource Forum set for March
The 2010 EdSource Forum will be held Friday, March
19, at the Marriott Hotel in Santa
Clara. The forum includes four sessions: the state's fiscal crisis and its impact on education;
middle grades best practices; candidates for superintendent of public instruction;
and the community college system. To register online or for more
information, visit www.edsource.org.
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