Happy New Year!  I hope Winter Break has given each of you a chance to relax, reflect, and re-energize for 2014.

While "selfie" was the word of the year for 2013, "advocacy" is certain to be the word for MCCPTA this year.  Critically needed funding from our county and state governments for our students and schools is only going to materialize if each of us commits to advocacy in the weeks ahead, whether by attending and speaking out at County Council hearings, at one of County Executive Leggett's budget forums, at upcoming candidate forums, or by making a trip to Annapolis with MCCPTA.  Your presence matters.

Our advocacy also will be needed to push state and federal education leaders to waive the Maryland School Assessment (MSA) this year.  We know the MSA no longer aligns with the curriculum our teachers deliver in the classroom; we think these leaders recognize the disconnect too. And if not, who better than each one of us to point it out for them?    

And, of course, to advocate most convincingly, we must speak for the vast majority of the parents, teachers, and students in Montgomery County in one, strong, unified voice.  If you're reading this and  you're not yet a PTA or PTSA member, find a school here and check their website for a PTA membership form, fill it out, and send it in.  If you are a PTA or PTSA member or leader, talk to your board and ask what you can do to help engage more parents, staff, and students in PTA at your school.  50,000+ members--and voters--speaks volumes to elected officials.

Janette Gilman