What’s Included in the NYS PTA Insurance Package?
Neil Johanning, Treasurer

With the recent mailing of insurance certificates to units, there have been several questions about what is included. Here’s a quick summary of the three parts:

LIABILITY: This insurance protects your unit in case of injury during a PTA event. The coverage comes in two steps: a $2 million basic coverage and a $15 million umbrella.

DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS (D&O): This insurance protects your PTA on the decisions made by your unit. There is $5 million of basic coverage.

DISHONESTY, DISAPPEARANCE AND DESTRUCTION: This is the basic crime insurance and the “bond” for those PTA officers and volunteers who handle money for the PTA. For a loss inside or outside the premises there is $25,000 coverage. For dishonesty or forgery there is $200,000 coverage. For each incident there is a $2,500 deductible.

Membership System Training Videos
Donna Imobersteg, Vice President

Did you know that there are now VIDEOS detailing how to use the new Online Membership System?

Check them out at the NYS PTA YouTube page here.

20 Tips to Encourage Reading With Your Child
Stephanie Avidon, PARP Specialist

As parents you are encouraged to read at least 15 minutes every day with your child. Here are some tips to help you become successful at reading together while making it an enjoyable experience for you and your child.

Click here to view the list (beginning on page 22) or visit nyspta.org – under Your PTA – Pick A Reading Partner – PARP Toolkit (Section 5). In the PARP Toolkit you will find a lot of resources to help you as a parent.

If you are a PARP Chair, the Toolkit is a terrific source of information. Sections 1-4 give examples of how to run a PARP program at your school. Section 5 includes a list of different resources for all to use.

Please consider holding a PARP program at your school! If you are already hosting a PARP program, look through the Toolkit for new ideas to add this year. Any questions, please contact parp@nyspta.org.

SAVE THE DATE: March 19, 2016 – PARP CONFERENCE – Melville Marriott

Second Annual Reflections Roadshow –
October 17-November 1
Sarah Henris, Reflections Specialist

The Second Annual NYS PTA Reflections Roadshow will be October 17-November 1, at the Cradle of Aviation Museum, Garden City, and hosted by Nassau Region. This wonderful event will celebrate student artists from across New York and their award-winning, 2014‐2015, The World Would Be A Better Place If..., Reflections entries.

The opening of the Reflections Roadshow will begin with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and keynote speaker on Saturday, October 17 at 7 p.m. All are welcome to attend the ceremony on October 17. The original artwork will be on display through November 1. Please click here for the invitation with details.

Tech Tip
Nori Gartner-Baca, Publications Specialist

Chances are you have some digital pictures on your phone, some on your computer, and others on your iPad – in other words: everywhere.

So how do you find your PTA pictures or your summer vacation memories? Here's a great link with six tips to help you organize them all. Check it out here.

National PTA’s Our Children Magazine Goes Online – Stay Connected

National PTA’s Our Children Magazine will transition to an online magazine beginning in November. The National PTA Board of Directors and Finance Committee made this decision earlier this year, and the new monthly format will include one print edition in the spring.

Our Children Online Magazine will continue to be a useful tool for you to use for ideas to share with your PTA parents throughout the school year. This change will allow National PTA to expand their audience and shift their focus to more parent-focused content.

The online magazine will also be a portal to:

• Engage parents with information, tips and resources that will solidify National PTA as the primary informational source for making each child’s potential a reality—and give parents the confidence they need to support their child from cradle to career.
• Tell more in-depth, relevant and timely stories about the successes and challenges of students, schools and families and provide parent tips for a child’s health, safety and success.
• Spotlight, motivate and inspire everyday PTA heroes who make PTA’s mission a reality.
• Drive targeted promotions, sponsorships and partnerships.

We are excited about this transition and look forward to our November launch.