Forum on Sensible Gun Laws
Monday, Jan. 7, 7:00 PM at Cooper Middle School
Lecture Hall
977 Balls Hill Road
McLean
Speakers will include:
Andrew Goddard, President of the Virginia Center for Public Safety; President of the Richmond Chapter, Million Mom March; Chairman of the Board, National Gun Victims Action Council -- A Force for Sane Gun Laws.
Born in England, Andrew received a degree in Mechanical Engineering from Trent University in Nottingham in 1976. His main career included 20 years of international humanitarian relief and development, working and living in a number of developing countries, including Kenya, Somalia, Bangladesh, Indonesia and Egypt. Andrew also worked for 8 years in North Carolina and Georgia as a Design Engineer and Project Manager.
Andrew moved to Virginia in January 2007 with his wife Anne and their two children.
His interest in mental health issues, as well as gun safety, came about as a result of his son's injuries sustained in the Virginia Tech tragedy of 4/16/2007. Colin Goddard now works for the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence.
LuAnn Maciulla McNabb
President, Angel Fund Board of Directors.
A native Washingtonian, LuAnn is a graduate of UVA and the Georgetown University Law Center. She has advocated for many years on behalf of schools, students and teachers as Legislative Chair for the PTAs of Cub Run Elementary, Rocky Run and Stone Middle Schools and Westfield High School. She was Legislative Assistant to Delegate Chuck Caputo in the Virginia General Assembly. After the tragic death of family friend Reema Samaha at Virginia Tech, she helped found the Angel Fund to address the issues of campus safety and security, mental health, information sharing and privacy laws. She was the first Executive Director and Director for Programs and Legislative Services for the Virginia Tech Victims Family Outreach Foundation, created by families and survivors of the tragedy.
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FCCPTA General Membership Meeting: Wed., Feb.6 at 7:00 PM at Gatehouse Cafe
In addition to regular business, we will host a forum for with the goal of defining FCCPTA recommendations on the Superintendent Search process. If time allows, we will seek input from members in creating the FCCPTA Community Engagement position. Save the Date for Wed., April 3 at 7:00 PM at Gatehouse Cafe for our fist in a series of Parent Advocacy Training. |
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Sandy Hook Elementary Tragedy
ALEXANDRIA, VA. (December 14, 2012)-The following statement can be attributed to National PTAŽ President Betsy Landers:
National PTA feels enormous sympathy for the students, families and communities affected by the horrendous tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn., today. Our country has experienced far too many of these tragedies, and we all share in the sense of loss and hurt.
School and child safety is one of PTA's core tenets as it is crucial to effective learning. A traumatic event like that of this morning affects the entire community, especially the families and friends of the victims. This can be an emotional time, and it's important for people affected by this tragedy to connect with and support each other.
National PTA has many resources to assist students, families, schools and PTAs in coping with school violence. The resources are downloadable atPTA.org/SchoolViolence.
National PTA believes the protection of children in all school settings is a fundamental right and has made this the utmost priority for our work and advocacy.
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Virginia PTA Advocacy Training & PTA Day - 2013
 PTA Day 2013: Putting The Advocacy in Your PTA
Registration Deadline is January 5. |
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FCCPTA President Ramona Morrow's Letter to the School Board
Implementation of Online Textbooks
Dear School Board Member,
On December 5, the Fairfax County Council of PTAs Executive Board and approximately 35 local PTA representatives heard a presentation by FCPS staff on issues and problems discovered during the implementation of the new Online Math and Social Studies textbooks. There was also a brief discussion of FCPS plans to address those issues and problems. During the presentation it became obvious that many concerns remained in the minds of the overwhelming majority of the audience regarding implementation of digital textbooks. As a result the Executive Board of the Fairfax County Council of PTAs voted at the January 2 meeting to request Fairfax County School Board to consider establishing an "Online Digital Textbook Study Work Group". The work group would be asked to:
- Review the requirements, costs, benefits, and deficiencies of digital textbooks.
- Explore other means of providing textbook knowledge to FCPS students.
- Identify the actions needed to integrate digital textbooks effectively in FCPS's instructional technology plan.
- Consider whether the Fairfax County School Board should adopt additional digital textbooks.
We suggest the proposed work group be composed of FCPS staff, teachers, students, parents, community members, and digital textbooks experts. It is recommended that all future FCPS purchases of digital textbooks be placed on hold until the work group issues its report.
There are many new and challenging developments currently occurring in the publishing and information technology industries that must be considered prior to an FCPS decision to convert additional textbooks to digital format. The entire community needs to be involved in the decision - not just FCPS staff.
Last night, we were made aware of Delegate Scott Surovell's plan to introduce legislation to prohibit the use of online textbooks unless a school system can show they've taken steps to ensure every child has home access to broadband and a home computer. The link for you to further review is: scottsurovell.blogspot.com and in part reads:
"This past year, the Fairfax County instituted an online textbook program. Many low income families in my district do not have broadband internet or home computers. It is not fair for a public school to give tools to one child that cannot be used by another at home because of income disparities. Some school systems have also refused to help market affordable broadband programs. I will introduce legislation to prohibit the use of online textbooks unless a school system can show they've taken steps to ensure that every child has home access to broadband and a home computer".
As you know from our past communications, home accessibility is one of our greatest concerns. We stand willing to assist you in finding a solution.
The Fairfax County Council of PTAs appreciates your consideration of this suggestion and hope you will endorse it.
Regards,
Ramona Morrow
President, Fairfax County Council of PTAs
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Superintendent Search Continues
There will be a second round of community meetings on Monday, January 14 and Tuesday, January 15 to review the draft of the Leadership Profile Report that was presented to the School Board on Thursday, December 20.
Have you completed the FCPS Superintendent Profile Survey? Have you encouraged your members to complete it? If not, there is still plenty of time. Just Click Here To Get Started.
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Unified Prevention Coalition Events
"Perils of the College Drinking Culture" Forums Set for 2013.
Fairfax County college-bound students and their parents are invited to take advantage of attending together one of four regional "Perils of the College Drinking Culture" forums set for 2013. The highly acclaimed program of the Unified Prevention Coalition of Fairfax County (UPC) will kick off at 7 pm Thursday, January 17 at McLean High School. The forums aim to prepare families for what students will face at college related to underage and binge drinking.
The forum, done in collaboration with the Fairfax County Police Department, includes viewing of an award-winning powerful (and graphic) documentary, HAZE, followed by a panel discussion with local experts and extensive Q & A.
In 2013, McLean and Westfield High Schools will host the first two forums, and Northern Virginia Community College will co-sponsor the final two events at its Ernst Community Cultural Center located on the Annandale campus. The 2013 schedule includes:
- Thursday, May 16 at Westfield High School auditorium in Chantilly Wednesday,
- May 22 at Northern Virginia Community College's Ernst Community Cultural Center, Annandale Wednesday,
- July 31 at Northern Virginia Community College's Ernst Community Cultural Center, Annandale
Each forum will be held from 7 to 9 pm.
Among those who will take part on the distinguished panel in 2013: Ray Morrogh, Commonwealth's Attorney for Fairfax County, and his deputy Casey Lingan; William Hauda, M.D., Inova Fairfax Hospital; Fairfax County Police Captain Bruce Ferguson, Commander, Community Resources Division; Jeff Levy, father of a student who died following drinking at a college party; Mary Ann Sprouse, director of the Office of Alcohol, Drug and Health Education at George Mason University (GMU); Ryan Smith, a Virginia Tech graduate student; and other local students.
Contact Sara Freund for more information. ________________________ Coffee & Conversation With Unified Prevention Coalition The Unified Prevention Coalition hosts "Coffee & Conversation" with Fairfax County PTSA/PTSO and coalition leaders. Wednesday, January 23 at 8:30 am at the UPC Offices located at 2970-B Chain Bridge Road, Oakton Contact Diane Eckert, UPC Executive Director, for more information. |
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