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March is filled with MCCPTA and PT(S)A opportunities--the nominating committees of local PT(S)As and MCCPTA are busily looking for our future leaders, our units are being challenged to grow their membership, and we are working to speak in One Voice to urge strong support for local funding for our students and schools. Definitely coming in like a lion!
Janette Gilman
President, Montgomery County Council of PTAs
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One Voice Campaign
The Board of Education approved the proposed FY 2014 MCPS operating budget on Monday, February 25. The Operating Budget includes funding for instructional programs, professional development, transportation, salaries, and school maintenance.
To win support for moving our students forward, MCCPTA is engaging in a One Voice campaign, including written and oral testimony before the County Council and a postcard campaign. Please join us at 100 Maryland Avenue on April 9, 10, and 11 when MCCPTA leaders and representatives from our clusters will present testimony before the County Council; a schedule of dates, times, and PTA speakers will be published as soon as we have that information from the County Council staff. Local school communities also are engaging in a postcard writing campaign. Contact your local PT(S)A president or MCCPTA delegate for your card. To learn more about the campaign CLICK HERE.
MCCPTA also hosted our annual forum at which all members of the Board of Education, Superintendent Joshua P. Starr, County Executive Ike Leggett, and members of the Montgomery County Council joined us at the Carver Educational Services Center to answer audience questions about the proposed school system budget. You can watch the rebroadcast of that event weekends through March 24; CLICK HERE for details.
YOU can show our elected officials that you and your school community care about keeping our students moving forward. You have a voice. Be part of ours.
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MCCPTA challenges all local PTAs and PTSAs to work like mad in March to grow membership at least to the level they reached last school year. Not only does membership strengthen your school and engage your parents, it can win your PT(S)A cash and/or gift cards. Slam dunk or what?
What could your PT(S)A win? National PTA has a Buidling Today's PTA Contest with cash incentives for local units and our State PTA. Maryland PTA is awarding $250 to additional units who report at least 50 members by March 31; Rocky Hill MS won one of these checks in the round that ended December 31. And thanks to the generous support of Silver Diner, MCCPTA has $250 in Silver Diner gift cards to award! CLICK HERE for MCCPTA contest rules and details.
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Presidents & Principals Dinner
If your calendar isn't already marked for our annual celebration of PTA and public education in Montgomery County, GET OUT YOUR SHARPIE and pen in Thursday May 9, 6-9pm, Bethesda North Marriott and Conference Center today! Awards, officer inductions, and student performances will highlight an evening of conversation, celebration, and champions of public education in Montgomery County; this event is attended by over 400 community members, including PTA and MCPS leaders and local elected officials. Reservations are being taken now; just download and complete THIS RESERVATION FORM. Dinner is still just $50 per person; sponsorship opportunities for individuals, organizations, and businesses also available. |
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Annual MCCPTA Awards
Nomination deadline for the National PTA Lifetime Award is April 4, deadline for all award nominations is April 12th. Award winners will be announced and honored at the Presidents and Principals Dinner on May 9th.
In addition, our annual Membership Awards and a new MCCPTA President's Award will be announced that evening. The MCCPTA President's Award will be awarded to an individual PTA member whose efforts on behalf of the Montgomery County Council of Parent-Teacher Associations (MCCPTA) during the current fiscal year has had a significant impact on the work of the Council. This award is distinguished from other MCCPTA honors as it is based solely on work performed on behalf of the MCCPTA. |
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MCCPTA Sponsors Needed
Our Presidents and Principals Dinner is less than two months away. To ensure that every PT(S)A leader and their principal can attend and that the programs and advocacy of MCCPTA continue, MCCPTA annually looks for individuals, non-profit organizations, and businesses to support our work through sponsorship of MCCPTA and this event.
Become a sponsor or help us find sponsors. Sponsorship has many benefits including an invitation to participate in our April 23 Vendors' Showcase to be held again at Richard Montgomery High School; that and more benefits can be found at our MCCPTA website by CLICKING HERE.
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National PTA Reflections
MCCPTA will be celebrating our County Reflections participants and winners on Saturday, March 16, 12:30-3pm, at our MCCPTA Reflections Showcase and Ceremony at Clarksburg High School. Come share the Magic of a Moment with our creative students and devoted Reflections chairs and volunteers.
We are anxiously awaiting the results from our entries that moved on to the State-level of competition and will share the good news as soon as it is released!
If your PT(S)A did not participate in the contest this school year, don't miss out in 2013-2014. Students will be encouraged to share Believe, Dream, Inspire!
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March Delegates Assembly and MCCPTA Presents!
The March Delegates Assembly (DA) will be held on THURSDAY March 21 staring at 7:30pm in the Carver Cafeteria (note unusual scheduling due to Spring Break). This month, the resolution introduced by local PTA leaders from the Blair Cluster supporting active advocacy of National PTA positions on reducing gun violence will be discussed, and we will have updates on key MCCPTA initiatives and programs, including our One Voice campaign, MCCPTA Performing Arts Festival, and Presidents and Principals Dinner.
Immediately before the DA, from 6:30-7:30pm MCCPTA Presents: Safe Routes to School, featuring a panel discussion on the County's pedestrian safety program, Safe Routes to School, and what Montgomery County is doing to make the areas around our schools safer. Panelists will include Commander Luther Reynolds, Montgomery County Police Department, 5th District Commander; Captain Thomas Didone, Montgomery County Police Department, Traffic Captain; Nadji Kirby, Planning Specialist III, Safe Routes to School Coordinator, Deptartment of Transportation; and Jeff Dunkel, Pedestrian Safety Coordinator. Join us!
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Visit the MCCPTA Website
and Get Social with MCCPTA
MCCPTA unveiled our new web presence in October at www.mccpta.org. This site, designed and built by our MCCPTA volunteer Webmaster Doni Stassel, is a user-friendly resource for local PTAs leaders and members, county PTA leaders, and all in our community who are interested in the work, activities, and scope of the Montgomery County Council of PTAs. Are you social? Then follow us on Facebook, Twitter, or get LinkedIn. Being tuned in is just a CLICK away! |
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 Upcoming Dates
MCCPTA Reflections Showcase and Celebration
Saturday, March 16
12:20-3pm
Clarksburg High School
MCCPTA Presents: Safe Routes to School
Thursday, March 21 6:30pm
Cafeteria, Carver Center
850 Hungerford Drive
March Delegates Assembly
Thursday, March 21
7:30-9:30pm
Cafeteria, Carver Center
850 Hungerford Drive
County Council Hearings on the BOE Recommended CIP and Operating Budgets
Tuesday, April 9, 7:00pm
Wednesday April 10, 1:30 and 7pm
Thursday April 11, 1:30 and 7pm
County Council Office Building
100 Maryland Avenue, Rockville
MCCPTA Performing Arts Festival Saturday, April 20 11am-6pm Rockville Town Center MCCPTA Performing Arts Festival Sunday, April 21 12 noon-6pm Veteran's Plaza at the Silver Spring Town Center MCCPTA Presents: Vendors' Showcase Tuesday, April 23, 6:30-9pm Richard Montgomery High School April Delegates Assembly Tuesday, April 23, 7:30-9:30pm Richard Montgomery High School Presidents and Principals Dinner Wednesday, May 9, 6-9pm Bethesda North Marriott Hotel and Conference Center MCCPTA 25th Annual Special Education Awards Monday, May 13, 6-9pm Rockville High School MCCPTA Spring Leadership Training Wednesday, June 5, 6-9:30pm Wootton High School Quick Links |
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