MCCPTA News and Updates                                           March 2014

In like a lion is right!  MCCPTA is preparing to "pounce" on Annapolis this Thursday evening, March 6th, for a show of the strength of our community.  Hundreds of PTA parent, staff, and student members and their families--together with Superintendent Josh Starr, County Executive Ike Leggett, our Montgomery County Delegation, and members of our Board of Education and County Council--are expected to make the trip to our state capital on Maryland PTA Night in Annapolis to push lawmakers and our Governor to provide Montgomery County with the construction funds required now to build the schools our kids need.  Not ten or twenty years from now, but over the next five years. 

 

The press is reporting that our chances of getting state construction funds this year are "dim", but they underestimate PTA in Montgomery County.  Let's show them what we've got.  This is our opportunity.  Join us.  Let's stand and speak together in one voice.  We can make this happen.

 

Janette Gilman

President, Montgomery County Council of PTAs
Annapolis, Here We Come!

PTA and MCCPTA leaders, members, and many of their students, as well as County Executive Ike Leggett, Superintendent Josh Starr, and many members of the Board of Education and County Council are heading to Annapolis on Thursday evening, March 6th, in support of additional state funds for our county's critical construction needs. 

 

We  invite every one of you to join us--and to bring your friends, neighbors, grandparents, and students--when we go to the rescheduled, winter weather-free (cross your fingers), Maryland PTA Night in Annapolis. You are welcome to meet us there around 6pm on Lawyers' Mall OR to take one of the school buses MCCPTA is sending from five points throughout Montgomery County; CLICK HERE for details and links to register to ride FREE from Bethesda, Germantown, Poolesville, Rockville, or Silver Spring. Register soon, seats are filling up!

 

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SSL hours will be given to middle and high school students who come prepared to tell delegates and senators why our schools need their support; students must be accompanied by their parent(s) or guardian(s). SSL forms will be provided by MCCPTA in Annapolis or on the return bus trip.  

 

Please remember that due to security in the State buildings, ALL ADULTS MUST BRING A PICTURE ID TO ANNAPOLIS. 
County Executive Urged to Fully Fund the MCPS Budget
We are all working together--the County Executive, County Council, Board of Education, our Annapolis delegation, and PTA--to find the capital improvement funds to meet the demand for school buildings and capacity in MCPS.  We must also agree on the necessity of dedicating local funding to the learning that goes on inside those brick and mortar structures; that funding comes from the Montgomery County Fiscal Year (FY) 2015 Operating Budget. 
 
MCCPTA endorses the recommended $2.32 billion FY 2015 Operating Budget approved by the Board of Education last month, and strongly urges our members and community to call on Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett to fully fund the Board's recommendation in his forthcoming operating budget; MCCPTA operating budget priorities largely are addressed in this fiscally reasonable request. The proposal, $51.2 million--or just 2.3 percent--above the minimum funding level required by law, would restore roughly $340 of the nearly $1,500 per child that was cut since 2007, an increase in line with recovering local revenues.   
 
Please call County Executive Leggett's office today, 
240-777-2500, and let him or his staff know that YOU also support the Board's recommendation.
 
With the needs and numbers of our students on the rise, and the imperative of closing the achievement gap, Montgomery County--led by County Executive Leggett--must take concrete steps in this budget cycle to support new programs and to develop staff. After almost a decade of cuts, the fat is gone. The time has come to begin restoring funding for this county's greatest asset, our public schools.
 
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MCCPTA Annual Achievement and Special Education Awards:
Nomination Deadlines Approaching Fast
The time is now to honor volunteers and community partners. MCCPTA Achievement Award information can be FOUND HERE on our website; MCCPTA Special Education Award information can be FOUND HERE. Don't delay nominations for MCCPTA Achievement Award nominations close March 7, 2014; MCCPTA Special Education Award nominations close March 9, 2014.  
Presidents & Principals Dinner
MCCPTA Presidents & Principals Committee Chair Jill Trone unveiled the amazing keynote speaker and master of ceremonies lined up for this year's gala at our February MCCPTA Delegates Assembly.  Who's coming to dinner? Check it out HERE on our MCCPTA website.  
 
We ask all PTA and PTSA presidents to mark the date, and to invite your principals if you haven't already to join you on Thursday May 1, 6-9 pm, at the North Bethesda Marriott Hotel and Conference Center, for an evening celebrating the work and achievements of PTA in Montgomery County. We encourage other local PTA leaders, including incoming presidents, to join us as well. Tickets will be available soon for $50 per person.  
 
MCCPTA will have seats available for any PTA or PTSA president who feels his or her school cannot afford the cost of the evening; please contact the MCCPTA office to inquire.  Our generous MCCPTA sponsors enable us to cover these seats; if you or your organization would like to be a sponsor, CLICK HERE to view sponsorship details, benefits, levels, and download the paperwork to become a supporter of MCCPTA.  
Be Heard on Bell Times
MCCPTA urges every PTA and PTSA to encourage the members of their school community to share their views on the Superintendent's recommendation on bell times.  MCPS has created a Neighbor-to-Neighbor toolkit to facilitate providing input; CLICK HERE to access this program and resources.   
 
Parent surveys have been sent to a random sample of households. If you received the survey, please make your voice heard and complete the survey online or on paper no later than March 31, 2014.  


MCCPTA Officers  

President
 
Janette Gilman

VP for Educational Issues 
Deb Lang

Vice President for Administration 
Frances Frost

Vice President for Programs  
Paul Geller

Vice President for Legislation
Lynne Harris

Treasurer  
Susan Burkinshaw

Recording Secretary -
Board of Directors 
Karen Collishaw

Recording Secretary - Delegates Assembly 
Kellie Schoolar-Reynolds
 
MCCPTA Office
Office Administrator
Pamela Loebach 
301.208.0111
 


Upcoming Dates

Maryland PTA Night in Annapolis
Thursday, March 6
5-9pm
Get on the Bus!
MCCPTA-MCPS Literacy Curriculum Night
Wednesday, March 12
7:30-9:15pm
Cafeteria, 
Richard Montgomery HS
 
MCCPTA Parents Engaged for Academic Success Workshop
Thursday, March 13
5:30-8:30pm
Albert Einstein HS
 
MCCPTA Presents!
Tuesday, March 25
6:30-7:25pm
Auditorium, Carver Educational Services Center
 
March Delegates Assembly
Tuesday, March 25
7:30-9:30pm
Auditorium, Carver Educational Services Center
 
MCCPTA 3rd Annual Performing Arts Festival
Saturday, April 5 @ Rockville Town Center
Sunday, April 6 @ Downtown Silver Spring
 
MCCPTA Presents!
Tuesday, April 22
6:30-7:25pm
Auditorium, Carver Educational Services Center
 
April Delegates Assembly
Annual Meeting 
Tuesday, April 22
7:30-9:30pm
Auditorium, Carver Educational Services Center
 
MCCPTA-MCPS Math Curriculum Night
Thursday, April 24
7:30-9:15pm
Cafeteria,
Richard Montgomery HS 

MCCPTA Presidents and Principals Dinner
Thursday, May 1
6:00-9:00pm
North Bethesda Marriott Hotel and Conference Center
 
MCCPTA 26th Annual Special Education Awards Ceremony
Monday, May 12
7:00-9:00pm
Rockville High School


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