Guide . Advocate . Collaborate . Empower                           October 2013 
From GCC of PTAs
Are You Ready For Reflections?

Encourage creativity and lifelong learning while offering recognition for artistic endeavors. The PTA Reflections Program is designed to enhance quality arts education for students in preschool through grade 12. 

 

The 2013-14 theme is "Believe, Dream, Inspire." Students can submit their

 original work in one of seven categories:
  • Dance Choreography 
  • Film Production
  • Literature
  • Music Composition
  • Photography
  • Visual Arts
  • Special Artists 
Reflections Guide

The Reflections Guide contains everything you need to know to successfully administer a Reflections Program at your school. Please take the time to read this important guide.

 
If you have further questions please contact Lynne Williams
  
Note: Only PTAs in good standing may participate in the Reflections Program. 

Online S.P.I.C.E. Grant Applications
Now Available on Website
 

S.P.I.C.E. (Strengthening Parent Involvement In Children's Education) grew out of a community planning effort by the Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro and GCC of PTAs to help families and communities improve education.  Research shows that children perform better in school if their parents are involved.  Jointly recognizing the significant impact of parent involvement, the two organizations have joined together to promote the National PTA Standards for Family-School Partnerships.

 

Up to $1000 is available for programs you would like to try at your school to increase parent involvement.

 

Deadline for Applying is Friday October 18th at 11:59pm.


In an effort to make submitting the application easier for our local PTA units, this year, the grant submission process will be online. See how to complete and submit your application.

 

Note: These grants are available to PTAs or PTSAs in good standing.

From NCPTA

Join us on Tuesdays in October for a series of Lunch & Learn Webinars focused on career and college readiness, grants, advocacy, and leadership.


What are NC's Career and College Readiness Standards? Should They Matter to Me?
October 8, 2013
Noon - 1 p.m.

Facilitator: John Denning, State Director of K-12 & Postsecondary Alignment Initiatives


Wondering How to Write an Effective Grant Proposal?
October 15, 2013
Noon - 1 p.m.

Facilitator: Marianne Hedrick Weant, Director of Health Programs, NCPTA


Advocacy Tips and Nonprofit Guidelines
October 22, 2013

1 - 1:45 p.m.
Facilitator: Ashley Perkinson, Attorney & Lobbyist, Perkinson Law Firm


Tips for PTA Officers

October 29, 2013
Noon - 1 p.m.
Facilitator: Sarah Martin, Board Member, NCPTA

 

  Learn more and register

From National PTA

NFL AND NATIONAL PTA LAUNCHES
BACK TO SPORTS INITIATIVE
 
NFL, National PTA Join Forces on Youth Health and Fitness
NFL, National PTA Join Forces on Youth Health and Fitness
The National Football League (NFL) has partnered with National PTA to launch the Back to Sports initiative, which helps PTAs across the country educate their communities on wellness-from concussion prevention and detection to NFL PLAY 60 tips on nutrition and youth physical activity. 

 

Back to Sports Night helps PTAs build excitement in their communities about the start of sports season, while educating families about youth sports safety. The Night includes stations aimed at key health issues including:
  • Keeping families active with NFL PLAY 60
  • Concussion symptoms and treatment
  • Hydration
  • Proper tackling with Heads Up Football  

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell announced the NFL-PTA Back to Sports partnership in Cincinnati, Ohio, at the 2013 Annual National PTA Convention and Exhibition in June. View the announcement.   

 

How You Can Participate  

Please spread the word to all of your units and encourage them to host a Back To Sports Night. We want to ensure that our new NFL partners know the value of collaborating with Today's PTA. For more information on how local units can register to host a Back To Sports Night with the support of NFL resources, please visit www.nflevolution.com/backtosports. We hope to have at least five units in every congress host a Back To Sports Night.


National PTA Announces 
2014 Take Your Family To School Week
Grant Oportunity

We are pleased to announce the 2014 Take Your Family to School Week grant opportunity! Now open at www.pta.org/awards, local PTAs from your State can apply for a $1,000 grant to support 2014 Take Your Family to School Week Grant events.

 

Held annually in celebration of PTA's Founder's Day, PTA's Take Your Family to School Week will be from February 17-21, 2014. The theme will be Supporting Student Success, and will focus on family engagement solutions that are proven to help prevent the risks associated with high school dropout.

  

Grant Award: $1,000 to 50 Local PTAs

Application Deadline: Friday, October 25 at 5pm

Informational Webinars*:
Wednesday, September 18 at 1pm
Thursday, September 26 at 7pm

 

*Attendees gain 10 bonus points on the grant application for attending one webinar.  

 

All PTAs are encouraged to celebrate Take Your Family to School Week!
 
Questions? Please contact programs@pta.org or Jeff Evans at 
Guilford Parent Academy
In This Issue



Congratulations
PTAs Taking Positive Steps!

The PTAs at Cone Elementary, Sumner Elementary and Washington Montessori are on a roll! Each school has taken steps to engage more parents and community members in the PTA. Each school is working closely with its principal to create a vision for PTA involvement and is focused on building trust every step of the way. GCC of PTAs is providing board development support for each PTA too.

Want to learn more about what they're doing and how the GCC of PTAs can support your school as well?
Contact us. 

Special thanks to the Junior League of Greensboro for their ongoing support of Cone Elementary School. 
PTA Networking Event!
Looking for some fresh ideas? Want advice about where to take your PTA from here?  GCC of PTAs can help!

Join us for a networking event 
 
Tuesday, October 15 
PTA Room 
(behind the GCS building)
 712 N. Eugene Street
Greensboro NC
 
10:00 am 
Elementary School  PTA network
 
6:00 pm
Middle School PTA network

7:00 pm
High School PTA network

Come for one or come for all!

Save the Dates
OCTOBER
8: Board of Education Mtg
 
12: Title I Conference

15: PTA Networking Event 
           Register Now

18: S.P.I.C.E. Grant online              submission deadline at 11:59pm
 
24: Board of Education mtg
 
NOVEMBER
Elect your Nominating Committee
1: Council membership dues      deadline
 
5: Board of Education mtg
 
12:  Social Media and Internet          Tools Training with guest            presenter WFMY's Eric              Chilton at Kernodle Middle          School from 6-8pm
 
15: 990s are due
 
21: Board of Education mtg

Title I Conference is
 Saturday, October 12
Parents of students in Title I schools are invited to attend the 2013 Title I parent conference, "Every Child, Every Family . . . Now!" to learn more about topics like Common Core, home-and-school communication and family wellness. Kids will have their own fun activities to enjoy such as fitness by The Rush and arts and crafts by GCS art teachers while you hear from a nationally recognized speaker and participate in hands-on workshops. The best part ... it's all free!

 

The event, which is sponsored by the Title I Office, DPAC and Guilford Parent Academy, is Saturday, Oct. 12, 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., at Hairston Middle, 3911 Naco Road in Greensboro.

 

Visit 
to register. Transportation and lunch will be provided.

Newsletter Editor GCC of PTAs

Guilford County Council of PTAs  -  PO Box 8712  -  Greensboro, NC 27419 |  www.guilfordcountypta.org
Copyright © 2013
All Rights Reserved.