I P T Indiana Parent Teacher Newsletter

Transcription

1 I P T Indiana Parent Teacher Newsletter 2525 N. Shadeland Avenue D-4 Indianapolis, IN (317) The President s Corner by Barry Jones, Indiana PTA President Indiana PTA is off to a great year. The convention committee is hard at work planning Indiana PTA s 100th Annual Convention on May 4-6 in Indianapolis. I want to invite each of you to be part of this monumental moment in history as Indiana PTA celebrates 100 years of advocacy for all children. Indiana PTA is focused on promoting and educating parents, teachers and community members on diversity, male engagement and legislation. There are many important issues in our schools today that affect the future of our children and grandchildren. Indiana PTA is actively taking part in legislative activities on important issues such as childhood obesity, safe schools and funding so that all students have an equal opportunity in life. We are excited about the membership theme My Membership Matters as well as the male engagement initiative Hoosier PTA Daddy. Indiana PTA continues to lead the way on issues related to advocacy and male engagement in our schools. Indiana PTA was the proud recipient of the first ever National PTA MP3 award for male engagement in June As Indiana PTA celebrates 100 years of advocacy and we continue our fight for the best education for our children, we invite you to combine your voice with ours because your Membership Matters! Thank you for your support! 100th Anniversary Memorable Moments... In 1915: Dues had been 10 cents. Units with more than 30 members paid $3 annually : Indiana PTA worked on child labor laws and urged equal education for rural and city children. Indiana PTA shared convention space with ISTA. Remember to remain in Good Standing and be eligible for awards you must submit your membership dues and roster, current financial statement and tax forms NP-20 and 990 to the State Office by November 15th! Officers President Barry Jones President-Elect Sharon Wise Vice President Theresa Distelrath Treasurer Kendra Rakestraw Secretary Pat Taylor Central Region VP Carissa Dollar Northeast Region VP Julie Klingenberger Northwest Region VP Celia White Southern Region VP Heidi Rueger This Issue November 2011 PTA Officers President s Corner...1 Deadlines...1 Membership Minutes...2 Convention...3 Reflections & Citizenship...4 Resolutions...5 Ivy Tech College Corner...5 Legislative Corner...6 Important Dates...6

2 Membership Minutes It was through sheer fate that one of our state board members, Shelly Hicks, happened to send me an and in that she made a comment about why her membership matters. From that simple came Indiana PTA s membership theme, My Membership Matters with the addition of *at my school, *in my community, and *when talking to my legislators! Indiana PTA has been making its mark on many of the communities within our state for 100 years. Many of you have shared the vision of why your Membership Matters with us on Facebook ranging from it helping you to be involved with your children to supporting all children. Some even said that they do not have time to physically volunteer so their membership gives them the opportunity to support the school as well as be a voice for children. My Membership Matters because I am the face of the future of 100 years of the Indiana PTA. I am a mother, teacher, school administrator, father, business and community leader who wants to devote my time to making a positive difference in the life of a child who also matters. I am everyone... and everyone has a part to play...so I am starting today to support schools in my community and in Indiana! Join Indiana PTA with your membership matters as we continue to advocate on behalf of all children across this state and country because you make a difference and your Membership Matters to all children! Indiana PTA is celebrating our centennial year in a big way, by offering membership incentives to our local units through the My Membership Matters Monthly Challenge. At the beginning of each month, a new challenge will be presented to local units and those who are up for the challenge have an opportunity to win $100 for their local unit. As you will notice, most challenges are centered around Indiana PTA s 100 year anniversary. October s challenge was to submit membership dues by the end of the month and many units stepped up to that challenge. November brings the challenge of local units helping Indiana PTA share our Good News and advocacy efforts with your members by submitting 100 s, whether teachers, parents, or family members, to add to our database so that we can keep them informed on all things related to children. Watch for your Good News at the beginning of each month for the current My Membership Matters Monthly Challenge so that your unit can have their chance at $100. As we all know, male engagement takes many forms. Studies have shown that children with fathers, or dominant male figures, who are involved in their education tend to achieve better grades and have fewer behavioral problems in school. Those children are also more likely to involve themselves in extracurricular activities. Indiana PTA has developed a brochure, Male Involvement: Helping Children Achieve, as a tool to help encourage male engagement. National PTA also has partnered with several organizations that comprise the PTA MORE (Men Organized to Raise Engagement) Alliance. Indiana has risen to the top across the country in our male engagement efforts with the FBI program and Real Men Join PTA. It is programs like these that helped Indiana PTA win the first ever National PTA MP3: Male Engagement Award in June Indiana PTA is focusing on a state-wide initiative to celebrate those men with the kick-off of Hoosier PTA Daddy. Men who have created positive outcomes that result from relationships that males have with our children each and every day. Hoosier PTA Daddy encompasses those men who are engaged for the welfare of all children as well as the 100 years that Indiana PTA has been advocating for all children. Join us as we continue to improve male engagement and celebrate those men who are currently involved with your support of Hoosier PTA Daddy. Page 2

3 Indiana PTA Convention May 4-6, 2012 Marriott East 7702 E. 21st Street Indianapolis, IN In 1912, do you think the founders of Indiana PTA knew that 100 years later, the legacy would still be alive and thriving? For 100 years Indiana PTA has been advocating for children and education while providing training to empower parents and community members to become engaged in schools and the education process. This convention will provide the opportunity to reflect on our history, learn how to be more engaged advocates and look forward to all of the possibilities while keeping the legacy alive. In 100 years, what will our legacy be? Will Indiana PTA still be around to support children and education? It s up to us to keep it going and growing! There are many ways that our members, students, past presidents/ board members, friends and family can join in this historic celebration. The best way is to make your plans today to attend on the Annual Convention on May 4 6, 2012 at the Indianapolis Marriott East. The registration fee is $100 and the hotel rate is $107 for up to four people in a room. The other ways you can participate include: become a Legacy Fund Donor or a Friend of PTA, purchase an ad, be an exhibitor or a sponsor and/or donate a basket for the auction. The Convention Committee is busy making plans for you to have the ultimate convention experience. This convention has something for everyone The convention will include earlier start time on Friday with a Hoosier PTSA Unit Meeting, Workshops/Mini-Workshops, Networking, Dinner and a General Business Session. Saturday is an action packed day starting with a First Timer s Workshop, Continental Breakfast, Healthy Walk, General Business Sessions, Workshops, Health Fair, extended time to visit the exhibitors, Reflections and Citizenship Luncheon (Tickets are $25.00), Election of Officers, Theme Basket Auction, Awards, Dinner and the Delegates Reception. We will culminate this once in a lifetime event on Sunday with Workshops/Mini-Workshops, Networking, the Awards Celebration Luncheon (included in your registration), Installation of Officers and the History of Indiana PTA (see sidebar). Visit us at for updates. If you have questions, contact us at info@indianapta.org or The History of Indiana PTA Presented by the Past Presidents (Invited) Mr. Bret McGinnis - Cincinnati, OH Mrs. Mary Mann Coulson - Greenwood Mrs. Freddie Souers - Sebring, FL Mrs. Ruth Reid - Evansville Mrs. De Woods South Bend Dr. Harold Gourley - Evansville Mrs. Louise Moates - Greenfield Mr. Paul Farmer - Evansville Ms. Linda Shopoff Fort Wayne, IN Ms. Jill Robertson - St. Joseph, MI Mrs. Sue Switzer - Indianapolis Mrs. Tinka Booe Indianapolis Mrs. Darlene Maloney - Chesterton Mrs. Barbara Eager Harlan Mrs. Mary Williams - Evansville Mrs. Marilyn Jones Hammond Mrs. Dee Jones - Hammond Mrs. Sonja Canterbury - Indianapolis Ms. Tina Hartman Fort Wayne Page 3

4 Reflections Program & Citizenship Reflections Theme: Diversity Means... The National PTA Reflections Program is an arts recognition and achievement program for students. The Reflections Program provides opportunities for students to express themselves creatively and to receive positive recognition for original works of art inspired by a preselected theme, while increasing community awareness on the importance of the arts in education. Participation in the Reflections Program is a great way for students to explore and learn about various art forms. Creating art is a valuable learning process that challenges students to use their critical thinking skills as well as their creative talents to create art that supports a specific theme. Students may submit an entry in any of the six arts areas listed below. Only original works of art are accepted. Depending on local PTA guidelines, students may enter more than one work of art. The six arts areas are as follows: Literature Musical composition Photography Visual arts Dance Choreography Film/Video Production Participation in the Indiana PTA Reflections program is open to all students in attendance at PTA/PTSA schools where the program is sponsored. Please remember that: Students may submit entries only through a PTA or PTSA in good standing. All entries submitted must be original works and must relate to the annual Reflections Program theme. Each entry must be the work of only one student. Assistance from teachers, parents or friends is not permitted except in special cases (such as those with visual or physical disabilities) Participation encourages creativity and exploration. Students should do their best, but crooked lines, incorrect musical notes, or misspelled words do not disqualify anyone. For more information about the Reflections Program, go to Citizenship Theme: I Love Being An American Because... Many PTA units throughout Indiana include the promotion of patriotism and good citizenship in their goals and plans. You do many things, almost automatically, related to citizenship and patriotism. Just stop and think about it! To promote good citizenship, Indiana PTA is again sponsoring the Student Citizenship Essay Contest for students in grades The theme is I Love Being an American Because It was submitted by Matthew Klingenberger from Blackhawk Middle School in Fort Wayne. Inform your students and your teachers of the contest early in the year and encourage them to participate. It offers a great opportunity for your students to think about our country, what it means to them, and what they can do for it and others. They will be recognized for their work. Students also have an opportunity again this year to have input into the selection of next year s theme as they participate in the Citizenship Theme Search Contest. PTAs/PTSAs are also invited to apply for the PTA Unit Citizenship Award. A plaque will be presented to one unit at the Indiana PTA Convention in the spring of 2012 in recognition of their work this year. For more information about Indiana PTA s Citizenship Programs, check out our website at org/units/citizenship. Page 4

5 Resolutions Do you have Hoosier Issues? We can help solve them..with RESOLUTIONS Do you have an ISSUE that really concerns you? Other members? Statewide? Nationwide? Do you want to bring a concern to the attention of other PTA s/councils in Indiana? Then get started now and have your resolution presented for consideration at the Indiana PTA Convention in May. January 25: February: Convention: Resolutions Timeline Final copy of Resolution sent to Indiana PTA Office postmark on or before January 25, Indiana PTA Resolutions Committee will review submitted resolution and submit to Board of Managers for action Resolution presented at Convention Resolutions are an important means for local PTA s/councils to directly affect the work of the PTA. The passage of a resolution at the Indiana PTA Convention directs the state Board of Mangers in areas of study and legislative priority that leads to local programs. Get your ISSUE heard! First, identify the issue of concern and determine whether a resolution is appropriate Is it a PTA issue? (It must affect children) Is it a statewide issue? (The background information must demonstrate this). Is it in harmony with PTA purposes and policies? Is it consistent with current or previous positions? Has it been previously addressed? Is there something PTA could do to influence the issue? Next, read our Indiana PTA Resource on How to Write a Resolution and get started For more information about Resolutions, visit Ivy Tech Community College Corner Start your college planning with Ivy Tech The two essential components of college readiness and planning are: Middle and High School Academic Course Planning & Preparation and Exploration of College & Financial Planning. It s never too early to start planning for college and with Ivy Tech s Dual Credit program your child can take Ivy Tech courses at no cost to you while still in high school. It s true, your child can earn FREE college credits while simultaneously earning high school credits through our Dual Credit program. Ivy Tech Community College is partnering with over 300 high schools in Indiana to help make college more affordable and accessible for students and parents across Indiana! By providing courses that count for both high school and college credits, parents can save literally thousands of dollars while their student is still in high school. Contact your child s guidance counselor to learn more about Dual Credit opportunities at your child s school. Contact us today at 888-IVY-LINE to learn more or visit our web-site at Indiana PTA would like to give a special Thank You to Ivy Tech Community College for becoming a Grand Champion Sponsor Page 5

6 Legislative Corner Save the Date! Indiana PTA Legislative Conference February 28, :00 a.m. Marriott Downtown & State House 350 W. Maryland Avenue Indianapolis, IN Additional training reguarding Advocacy and Legislation Keynote Speakers to provide updates on important Legislative issues Great opportunity to meet with and talk to your Legislator For more information or to register, visit Visit for more information Did You Know... In order to be eligible for awards you must have the following items turned into the State Office by November 15, Membership Dues and Roster Current Financial Report Tax forms NP-20 & 990 Current Officers List You also need to have your Bylaws reviewed and approved every three years to be in Good Standing. The IPT is the official newsletter of the Indiana PTA. It can be downloaded from the Indiana PTA website. It s purpose is to educate, inform and share PTA information with it s members and the general public. The IPT is produced by the Indiana PTA PR/Marketing Committee on a quarterly basis. Important PTA Dates November 15 Membership Dues and Taxes deadline January 15 Reflections Entries/Citizenship Essays January 25 Resolutions, Nominations, By-Laws and Legislation Forms February 1 Presidents Report, Council Reports, Outstanding Teacher Applications, Outstanding Principal Applications, Outstanding Volunteer Applications, Journalism Award Requirements and Website Award Requirements February 28 Indiana PTA Legislative Conference March 15 Membership Dues Deadline May 4-6 Indiana PTA 100th Annual Convention Page 6