Change a Life. Become a Mentor.

Gracemarie Rozea, President

After a recent meeting with the Honorable Matilda Raffa Cuomo, NYS PTA is proud to partner with the NYS Mentoring Program.

Good role models can have a positive influence on others. We know that PTA members care about children and ask that you consider becoming a mentor.

Please click here for the program brochure and here to read the invitation letter and access to application.

March Madness Men’s Membership Ideas

Lori Fontana, Membership Coordinator and Dania Welch, Membership/Insurance Manager

• Dads like fun, physical activities, like derby car races, school carnivals, sports activities and father-child activities. Create these types of events and invite them to join and participate.
• Sponsor a “Father–Daughter” Dance – be sure to make it clear that any male role model may take the place of the “Father.”
• Hold a Father-Child Sporting Contest – maybe a basketball free-throw contest, or a football throw. Be sure to check the Green-Yellow-Red light lists to make sure you are in compliance with insurance regulations.
• Dads may not feel welcome at parent group events unless you personally invite them, and they will be more likely to attend if other dads will be there.
• Men also like working on projects with specific start and end times. Think along those lines when coming up with projects specifically for them, and then ask them to join and participate.

PTA Spring Cleaning Time

Antoinette Darden-Cintron, Leadership Development Coordinator

Spring is almost here, which means it’s not only time to do some spring cleaning, but it’s also time for some renewal! For PTA, renewal means preparing for nominations and electing leaders of your PTA! Here’s what you can do now:

• Review your bylaws for important dates and terms.
• Review the Bylaws section of the Resource Guide here.
• Begin to discuss your transition plan with this transition checklist here.

Happy spring cleaning from the NYS PTA Leadership Development Team!

Take Action Today!

Did you know that March is NYS PTA Advocacy Month?

Over the next few weeks we will send out Action Alerts on different issues.

Last week's alert was about Heroin and Prescription Opiates/Opioids.

NYS PTA supports Governor Cuomo's effort to combat the heroin and opiod addiction epidemic. We encourage you to contact your state legislators and ask for their support as well.

You can do that by clicking here.

Yesterday we sent out an alert to Support a $2 Billion Investment in Our Children.

NYS PTA calls for a $2 billion school aid increase, advocates for funding many programs, and is concerned about several other policy initiatives. We encourage you to contact your state legislators and let them know your position.

You can do that by clicking here.

Keep an eye out for two more Action Alerts coming in the next two weeks:

• Career and Technical Education and Pathways to Success
• Restrict and Ban Marketing of Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems to Children

Amicus Curiae Brief in Support of Gavin Grimm

From National PTA:

Linked below is the Amicus Curiae Brief submitted by National PTA, GLSEN and other education organizations in support of Gavin Grimm and transgender students in the case of Gloucester County School Board and G.G.

Please share the link to the amicus brief and our statement on the brief with your members. The amicus brief is on our Letters to Policymakers page and the statement is located on our News Releases page.

Direct link to the brief: Amicus Curiae Brief of National PTA, GLSEN, and Other Education Organizations in Support of Gavin Grimm and Transgender Students

Direct link to the press release: National PTA, GLSEN, Education Organizations Submit Joint Amicus Brief to Supreme Court in Support of Gavin Grimm and Transgender Students

SLC Save the Date!

Carol Raymond, Operations/Events Manager

Summer Leadership Conference | July 21-23, 2017, Utica College

Utica College is a casual, relaxing and scenic environment where PTA members from around the state can network with state PTA leaders and one another, and expand leadership skills.

Past attendees have found the information interesting, useful, motivational and supportive. It is also a great opportunity to meet new PTA friends and share ideas.

This year we are looking to the future of PTA! Save the date to join us and learn how you can take your PTA unit to new and exciting places.

PTA…IT’S THE TIME, IT’S THE PLACE

Your Voice Matters in Albany: Survey and Focus Group

The NYS Education Department (SED) just released a survey on "Possible Indicators of School Quality and Student Success," a tool which will be used to develop New York's Every Student Succeeds (ESSA) plan, the new federal education law.

See HERE for the link to the ESSA page with more details. Please consider taking the survey, which can he found HERE.

Also, HERE is a list of local public meetings on the ESSA plan development, RSVP is necessary.

SED Wants Your Input on Principal Preparation

SED is also looking for PTA members like you to attend focus groups around the state and discuss principal preparation.

HERE is your invitation to sign up for one of the 20 focus groups that will take place across New York.

SED has allotted four spaces at every focus group for parents. The topic is principal preparation in NYS, and you will be reacting to possible recommendations that may be presented to the NYS Board of Regents.

Please compete the application as soon as possible if you are interested in attending.

National PTA Award and Grant Opportunities – Deadlines Approaching

Jan Harp Domene Diversity and Inclusion Award: Apply by March 17

The Jan Harp Domene Diversity and Inclusion Award recognizes one local, one district/council and one state PTA that best exemplify a committment to diversity and inclusion. The awardees will be honored at the 2017 National PTA Convention & Expo. Apply here today.

Mary Lou Anderson Grants: Apply by March 17

The National PTA Mary Lou Anderson Reflections Arts Enhancement Grant provides up to $1,000 in matching funds to support local PTA arts projects within their school community. Funded projects will increase access to learning opportunities in the literary, media, visual and/or performing arts for at-risk or underserved audiences. Apply here today.

Your Unit Can Fundraise With Platinum Royalties

ATTENTION PTA LEADERS: PlatinumRoyalties.com is the top fundraising company in the country!

With a cutting-edge app and technology, you can enjoy amazing deals across New York, and also across the rest of the country when you travel! Platinum Royalties is also a Gold Alliance Partner with NYS PTA.

Check out their website and app for iPhone or Android. Platinum Royalties would love to do a presentation about how they can be a fundraising partner. Contact Joshua Pagan at 407-421-7655 or Josh@PlatinumRoyalties.com.

Click here for some of their discounts, and here to look at a sample order form.

Attention:

You received this email because you are an officer of your PTA unit, a PTA council officer, or a region board member, and you provided your email address.