January 31, 2014
FRIDAY FORWARDS
Connecting and Collaborating with the Community
The following are items sent to GCC of PTAs from our community partners, non-profits with similar missions and other organizations that benefit children.  Please pass this on to families in your school community.
Guilford County Schools

Many of you were able to join us in person on Jan. 23 at the High Point Theatre for our annual State of Our Schools event: "We Rise." As you watched the program, I hope you shared the same sense of pride in public education and in our public schools that I do. Our students, teachers and support staff are tremendous.

 

If you weren't able to join us, I encourage you to watch the program online. You can also browse photos from the event  here.

 
National PTA
NBC News' Parent Toolkit Now Available in Spanish
Last fall, NBC News launched a digital "Parent Toolkit" to educate and empower parents with easily accessible resources to help support their child's academic development at all grade levels. Continuing to build on the tool, NBC News recently launched a Spanish-language version of the website and mobile app. A health and wellness section also is being added and will launch later this year. PTA members from across the country have provided feedback and insight to NBC News to help inform the toolkit as it has been developed. To access the Parent Toolkit in English and Spanish, visit ParentToolkit.com. Share this resource with your PTAs as another tool to support children and families.

PTA.org now available in Espaņol
National PTA is pleased to announce that PTA.org is now available in Spanish, through Google Translate. To translate the website, select Spanish in the dropdown bar at the top right of the screen anywhere on the site. Share this new feature with your PTAs and in outreach to our Spanish-speaking membership as another tool to support Hispanic families in the school community. 
Kids.gov

What Is Small, Passed From Child to Child, And Is Every Parent's Nightmare?

 

Did you guess head lice? It's an unpleasant subject that most people would rather not discuss, but the reality is that outbreaks occur, and did you know that January is a peak month for head lice outbreaks? This article, "Treating Head Lice," discusses what you need to know about head lice and what to do if your child's school has an outbreak. 

   

Keep Your Kids Safe From Frostbite

 

How many of you have been out on a cold day and seen kids that were not properly dressed for cold weather? How many of you have kids who insist they don't feel the cold and they argue about wearing warm clothes or a winter coat? Across the U.S. we are having record breaking low temperatures. It is important that your kids understand the dangers of frostbite and how quickly exposed skin can be affected in severe cold weather. Check out these resources on kids and cold weather and what to do in the case of frostbite:

 

Do Kids Feel the Cold Like We Do?

Frostbite

How to Be Safe in the Ice and Snow (an article for kids)
Greensboro Parks and Recreation Youth Services
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is seeking applicants for its Youth Preparedness Council.

The Youth Preparedness Council is a unique opportunity for youth leaders to serve on a highly distinguished national council and participate in the Youth Preparedness Council Summit. Additionally, the youth leaders have the opportunity to complete a self-selected youth preparedness project and to share their opinions, experiences, ideas, solutions and questions regarding youth disaster preparedness with the leadership of FEMA and national youth preparedness organizations. Once selected, members serve on the Council for one year, with the option to extend for an additional year, if formally requested by FEMA. 

Any individual between the ages of 12 and 17 who is engaged in individual and community preparedness or who has experienced a disaster that has motivated him or her to make a positive difference in his or her community, may apply to serve on the Youth Preparedness Council. Individuals who applied last year are highly encouraged to apply again. Adults working with youth and/or community preparedness are encouraged to share the application with youth who might be interested in applying.   
Youth interested in applying to the Council must submit a completed application form and two  letters of recommendation. Specific information about completing and submitting the application and attachments can be found in the application instructions. All applications and supporting materials must be received no later than February 24, 2014, 11:59 p.m. EST in order to be eligible. New Youth Preparedness Council members will be announced in May 2014.   
For more information about the Youth Preparedness Council and to access the application materials, please visit http://www.ready.gov/youth-preparedness-council.
Our Partners
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