MCCPTA News and Updates                                           April 2014

It's April and that means it's time for PTA in Montgomery County to use our united voice to secure much needed County Council operating budget funds for our students and schools, for our annual MCCPTA Performing Arts Festival, for local PTA and PTSA nominating committees to name the wonderful volunteers who will lead our school communities next year, and for MCCPTA's annual meeting and elections.  

 

It's also time for PTA and community leaders to get their reservations in for the Montgomery County event of the year, the annual MCCPTA Presidents & Principals Dinner, a celebration of the work our PTA and PTSA volunteer leaders do for our students and schools, this year featuring Keynote Speaker Rosie Rios, Treasurer of the United States, Master of Ceremonies Leon Harris, Maryland PTA President Ray Leone, and some amazing student talent.  I hope you'll reserve your seat today and come party MCCPTA-style with me on Thursday, May 1! 

 

Janette Gilman

President, Montgomery County Council of PTAs
PTA Advocacy's Next Stop:
County Council Hearings on the FY 2015 Operating Budget

This month, PTA has a critical message to deliver, together, here in our backyard. We need PTA and PTSA leaders and members to come out to County Council public hearings in force on April 8, 9, and 10, in support of full funding for the Board of Education's recommended FY 2015 operating budget; CLICK HERE for the schedule of MCCPTA speakers. Our presence will make our leaders understand that all of us live in Montgomery County because of the schools and we expect nothing less than their full support of public education. Many councilmembers are waffling on support for this funding; a roomful of PTA members might just cause a change of heart. 

  

Let the Council know how you feel even before the hearings. Please call the County Council's office today, 

240-777-7900, and let them know that YOU support the Board's recommendation, or send an email by CLICKING HERE.

 

MCCPTA welcomed County Executive Leggett's operating budget recommendation and his inclusion of roughly $26 million in county funds above the minimum required by law for the first time in six years. We must let the County Council know we see this as the starting point, and hope the Council will not only support this but find the additional funds requested by the Board of Education. School operating budget funding enables every child to reach his or her potential at any Montgomery County public school; these funds should not be subject to political gamesmanship or posturing.  

Presidents & Principals Dinner
RSVP Deadline April 11
Don't put it off another day!  DOWNLOAD THIS FORM, and send in your reservation by Friday, April 11 (before you leave for Spring Break) to our celebration of PTA in Montgomery County, the MCCPTA Presidents & Principals Dinner. Our dinner, to be held Thursday May 1, 6-9 pm, at the North Bethesda Marriott Hotel and Conference Center, features Keynote Speaker Rosie Rios, Treasurer of the United States, Master of Ceremonies Leon Harris, and fabulous student entertainment. We encourage all PTA leaders to join us and bring their principals as their guests; other local PTA leaders, including incoming presidents, are encouraged and welcome to join us as well.  
 
Our dinner also will highlight the membership accomplishments of our local PTAs and PTSAs; more than half our local units have increased membership this year, pushing MCCPTA above its prior year total three months before year end!  We also will announce and honor outstanding volunteers and community partners for their work on behalf of our students and schools.  
 
 
Third Annual MCCPTA Performing Arts Festival
Time to revel in springtime and in our student talent at the MCCPTA Performing Arts Festival, Saturday, April 5, starting at 11:30am in Rockville Town Center, and Sunday, April 6, starting at 12 o'clock noon in Downtown Silver Spring. 
 
CLICK HERE for all the details, including the current list of performing school and student groups. This is a great opportunity to recover from cabin fever and witness some terrific student performers from MCPS elementary, middle, and high schools. Bring the whole family and cheer our kids on!
MCCPTA Partnering with MCPS to GIVE BACKpacks
Wouldn't it be wonderful if every child in Montgomery County started the 2014-2015 school year with a sturdy backpack filled with necessary school supplies?  
 
MCCPTA and PTA in Montgomery County can make sure that happens for the almost 55,000 children who qualify for FARMS in MCPS.  MCCPTA has taken the first step; at our March Delegates Assembly, our delegates voted to donate $1,500 to GIVE BACKpacks, providing supplies to 150 students--"A Grade" of children--in our schools.   
  • With the final general membership meetings of the year approaching, MCCPTA urges each local PTA and PTSA to look to see if you have a budget surplus, and to consider proposing a donation to MCPS GIVE BACKpacks to help students in your school, at a sister school, or across the county.   
  • MCCPTA also encourages our local units to publicize this campaign and to encourage their parents and communities to consider a tax-deductible donation; last year, one PTA's communication of the initiative resulted in a generous donation helping hundreds of children.  

CLICK HERE for the full details of this program.  Let's see what PTA and our school communities can do for our children and schools. Can we get 55,000 new backpacks for our kids this Fall?  At $10 per child, PTA in Montgomery County can!

Nominating Committee Announces 2014-2015 Slate
The MCCPTA Nominating Commitee announced the slate of MCCPTA officers, area vice presidents, and cluster coordinators for the 2014-2015 year via MCCPTA eLists and delivered its report at our Delegates Assembly in March; CLICK HERE to view the slate. 

Elections will be held at the Annual Meeting at the Delegates Assembly on April 22, 2014, starting at 7:30pm in the Auditorium of the Carver Education Services Center. Nominations also will be taken from the floor. All delegates will be required to have their MCCPTA Delegates Card to check in prior to the meeting (plan to arrive up to an hour early)
to obtain a voting card. 

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

MCCPTA 3rd Annual Performing Arts Festival
Saturday, April 5 @ Rockville Town Center
Sunday, April 6 @ Downtown Silver Spring

 

MCCPTA Committee Fair
Tuesday, April 22
6:30-7:15pm
Auditorium, Carver Educational Services Center
DETAILS COMING SOON

 

April Delegates Assembly
Annual Meeting and Elections
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 Reflections Showcase
Saturday, May 10
Gallery 3:30-4:30pm
Ceremony 4:30-6pm
Clarksburg High School

 

MCCPTA 26th Annual Special Education Awards Ceremony
Monday, May 12
7:00-9:00pm
Rockville High School
 
MCCPTA Spring Leadership Training
Wednesday, June 4 
6-9:30pm
Location Pending
SAVE THE DATE!
 
Maryland PTA Summer Leadership Conference
Friday, July 11 
Saturday, July 12
Baltimore Sheraton North
Towson, Maryland
 


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