Beyond Bake Sales the causes of academic deficiencies, the ptas invariably sponsor as PTA literaturepoints out, that ptos do not 4401A Connecticut Ave.,NW washington, DC 20008 http://www.educationpolicy.org/files/bakesales.htm
Extractions: by Charlene K. Haar, EPI President Hardly a week goes by without another article encouraging parental involvement in education accompanied by a poll showing the benefits of having parents active in their child's education. Busy parents have long been engaged in volunteer work within classrooms, extra-curricular activities, on school playgrounds, and at home. Today, however, parents who are contributing more time and money feel like they are resources to be tapped rather than major stakeholders in the system. Parents are turning to traditional parent-teacher groups for help. The question is: What kind of help can they expect? The century old National Congress of Parents and Teachers (PTA), has been a long-time proponent of parental involvement. The PTA has local affiliates in slightly over one-fifth of the K-12 schools in the United States. In Florida, about 26 percent of the schools have PTAs. However, all is not well with the PTA. At the PTA's national convention in Kansas City, Missouri, last June, most states reported no membership increases, while many states reported membership losses. Some states, like Indiana, have seen significant dropout rates. In 1994, the Indiana PTA lost 3,384 members and at least 9,000 members quit in 1996. In my opinion, there are several reasons for this decline.
Environmental Health - #22 Jul/Aug 96 In response to the growing concerns about indoor air quality, the washington StateDepartment of Health, under I advise all ptas and ptos to create parent http://www.speakeasy.org/wfp/22/mcs.html
Extractions: Alanna Ahern has been diagnosed with multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) from an exposure to solvents, including naphtha. She is periodically ill with headaches and stomach aches, and suffers from memory loss typical of people with MCS. She may suffer with this the rest of her life. This could be a long time, because Alanna is only 13 years old. Alanna is one of several children and teachers who became ill since a chemical exposure in the Blakely Elementary School on Bainbridge Island in 1993. The chemical exposure occurred as a result of an asbestos abatement project in which mastic remover orange was used during the spring and summer of 1993. This solvent contains naphtha, a toxic substance that can cause permanent brain and nervous system damage according to the material safety data sheet (MSDS). Air Quality Problems Common Although not usually as severe as at Blakely, air quality problems are common in schools that have been recently remodeled. In a state-wide survey conducted by Dr. Richard Ellis from the Washington State Department of Health, 33 of 62 schools that had been built or remodeled since 1989, had indoor air quality problems since the construction. Ed Heller, the maintenance manager for the Seattle School District, said that the air quality was sacrificed in the 16 buildings that were remodeled since 1989 in order to meet the energy code at the time, which specified a 5 percent fresh air mix. This has since been changed to a 15 to 25 percent mix, depending on the occupancy rate.
Jump$tart Coalition 345 W. washington Ave. 3rd Fl. Look for public and private partnerships toprovide financial education; Work with ptas, ptos and public officials; http://www.jumpstart.org/stcoaltx.cfm?state=wi
Jump$tart Coalition David Mancl. 345 W. washington Ave. 3rd Fl. Look for public and private partnershipsto provide financial education; Work with ptas, ptos and public officials; http://www.jumpstartcoalition.org/stcoaltx.cfm?state=WI
Welcome To The Jump$tart Coalition For Personal Financial Literacy 345 W. washington Ave. education standards ?h Look for public and private partnershipsto provide financial education ?h Work with ptas, ptos and public http://www.jumpstartcoalition.org/stcoaltxf.cfm?state=WI
Gunter Elementary PTO political voice, as the national PTA maintains a washington lobbying office How arePTOs and ptas similar ptos and ptas are more alike than they are different http://www.gunterpto.org/faq.htm
Extractions: School Officials Elementary Staff Misc. Webmaster Activities Board By-Laws Finances News Fundraising Links Absence Note What is the difference between a PTO and a PTA? The technical differences between a PTA and a PTO are fairly simple. The national PTA is a formal membership organization headquartered in Chicago with a 103-year history of working for children. Local groups that choose to belong to the PTA must pay dues to the state and national organization and abide by state and national group rules. In return they get member benefits, and they get a voice in the operations of the larger organization. PTA groups also have a political voice, as the national PTA maintains a Washington lobbying office and most state PTAs advocate at their respective state capitals. The PTA carefully protects its name, so thatin theoryonly dues-paying members of the group can call themselves "PTA." "PTO," on the other hand, is a more generic term. It generally represents the thousands of groups that choose to remain independent of the PTA. The acronym PTO is the most popular name, but other common names include PTG (Parent Teacher Group), and HAS (Home and School Association). These are most often single-school groups that operate under their own by-laws andby and largeconcern themselves with the goings-on at their building or in their town only.
District Digest - Plano ISD Futures Foundation, The Classics, Plano Childrens Theatre, ptas/ptos and booster atthe National Art Education Association convention in washington, DC Both http://www.pisd.edu/WN/DDs/dd5699.htm
ENews Archive - Plano ISD The students are from 47 states, the Virgin Islands, and washington, DC and rangein age from 15 to 19. ptas and ptos fund the purchase of McGruff House http://www.pisd.edu/enews11603.htm
Extractions: 1. TEA School Report Cards Communicate School Success Each Plano ISD school will distribute in January a School Report Card to the parents of PISDs nearly 51,000 students. The reports, which are published annually as a result of a 1993 Texas Legislative Act, provide parents with a statistical analysis of student test scores, attendance and other indicators of school success and district achievements, as reported by the Texas Education Agency (TEA) and Plano ISD. Superintendent of Schools Dr. Doug Otto, noted, The School Report Cards provide yet another opportunity for us to communicate school success to our parents and community. Individually and collectively, Planos students have demonstrated outstanding accomplishments and they deserve our praise for their efforts. The reports also allow us to recognize the efforts of teachers, administrators and support staff who work tirelessly to provide our students with an excellent education.
Hunt Primary School Even today, the PTAs lobbying branch in washington, DC, is actively involved inworking against school vouchers and fighting for ptos and ptas are more http://www.myschoolonline.com/folder/0,1872,12692-52123-16-46954,00.html
The Arts Council Of Fairfax County Members of CAPs currently include schools, ptas and ptos, corporations andcommunity organizations throughout the metropolitan washington DC area. http://www.artsfairfax.org/caps.shtml
Extractions: On the evening of May 2, in the multi-purpose room of Fort Wayne's Northrop High School, a historic vote occurred. The board of the school's PTSA (Parent-Teacher-Student Association) voted to abandon its ties to the state and national PTA and form a PTSO (Parent-Teacher-Student Organization). It had received numerous state and national PTA awards. Northrop's PTSA had previously stopped contributing to Fort Wayne's PTA Council, giving instead to an organization it considers more productive and worthwhile - the citywide clothing bank. Cathy Simonds, president of the now-defunct PTSA, said she was "no longer willing to pay for something that didn't even exist" as far as her high school was concerned. Worse, according to Simonds, the money sent to PTA Council in previous years simply vanished, leaving her questions as to its whereabouts unanswered for several months. Fort Wayne's PTA Council seems to be following in its state and national organizations' footsteps, where secrecy is the byword. According to Charlene Haar, president of the Education Policy Institute in Washington, D.C., and author of "The Politics of the PTA," membership in the national PTA is continuing to decline - down some six million members nationwide since reaching a record 12.2 million in the early 1960s. In Indiana, membership has dropped by almost 11,100 members since 1993, with a subsequent loss of revenue to the organization of over $16,650. Significantly, Indiana public school enrollment has steadily
Rural Loudoun Study Committee Final Report by September 30, 1999, addressed to the represented rural ptas/ptos and the forcesit to compete aggressively within the extended washington metropolitan area. http://www.loudoun.k12.va.us/ruralstudy/finalreport.htm
Extractions: Committee Representation R ural areas and communities encompass a large area of Loudoun County, yet they have received relatively little attention recently due to the significant growth issues in Loudouns more suburban areas. These rural communities, however, are also feeling the stress of impending growth. Maintaining strong community focus, while addressing encroaching growth and resource restrictions, has been a key focus of the Rural Loudoun School Study Committee (RLSSC). RLSSC is made up of a vocal group of parent representatives, designated by their local PTAs/PTOs and school administrators. Committee members are deeply concerned about the impact this growth will continue to have on rural Loudoun County schools and are committed to work with the School Board to plan for our future. Information presented by county officials on a wide range of development and school-related topics affecting existing and future school planning facilitated the Committees efforts (Appendix III). The Committee, along with the Planning and Legislative Services department of Loudoun County Public Schools, then turned its efforts to the task at hand. Building a consensus of opinion for its recommendations was the approach it adopted. A strong and overwhelming consensus among the representatives is that the primary focus for all considerations and recommendations of the Study Committee and ultimately the Loudoun County School Board should reflect a sense of community. Small rural communities, perhaps more than larger, more diverse suburban locales, consider their local school, no matter its size or challenges, to be the heart of the community. This conviction remains a bedrock of local school support and should at all times be the primary determinant in any considerations about projected changes arising from the challenges facing Loudoun County in the future.
Moms' Network Newsletter - February 2002 schools in our community have fundraising programs through their ptas or ptos, andeven if of Fancy at National Air and Space Museum in washington, for ages http://www.cascadesva.com/clubs/moms_network/MomsNewsletterFeb2002.htm
Extractions: Moms Network Newsletter February 2002 Happy February! Hope youve enjoyed the balmy weather of the past few days. What a treat to be able to get outside with the kids! This months Moms Night Out will be on Tuesday, February 19 at 7:15pm at Bacchus Café in Leesburg. Bacchus is a new, slightly upscale Italian restaurant with a great variety of appetizers, salad, pasts, meat and fish entrees and a Moms Night Out requirement awesome desserts. R.s.v.p. to Sally Nanas at 703-406-2034 or sally.nanas@mindspring.com by February 18. If your child or children are not yet elementary school age, heres something to consider. All three public elementary schools in our community have fundraising programs through their PTAs or PTOs, and even if you dont have children in those schools, you can still help out. No, there are no candy bars or gift wrap to buy these fundraisers involve things that you probably already have in your pantry or fridge. Horizon Lowes Island , and Potomack Elementary Schools all collect General Mills Boxtops (the little boxtop square can be found on plenty of products like GM cereals, Go-Gurt, and Trix yogurt). Also, all three schools are part of the
EMPOWER AMERICA : Parents Or Politics? of independent parentteacher organizations (ptos), which focus Where funding fallsshort, ptas sometimes make up analyst for Empower America in washington, DC. http://www.empoweramerica.org/stories/storyReader$636
Extractions: It was a mid-Summer showdown at the House Education and the Workforce Committee. Republicans were pushing a bill to provide scholarships to low-income students in the District of Columbia, and committee Democrats knew exactly who to turn to for testimony against parental choice in education: an organization ostensibly for parents, the National PTA. It was the second time this year that a PTA representative had testified against parental choice before the committee. Most Americans know the PTA as a world of bake sales, fun fairs, and teacher-appreciation lunches, and at the local level it is. The national organization, however, has a different agenda. Whether the issue is opposing educational choice or calling for increased federal funding for public-school programs, politicians on the left know they have a friend in the National PTA. But its one-sided politics are out of touch with its members, and political analysts say the National PTA soon may have to decide whether its priority is representing parents or its liberal political agenda.
Extractions: All Fundraising Companies Directory Home Free Fundraising Information Index of 100's of Fundraising Products Special Event Fundraiser s American Clothing Recycling Co. [Seymour, Connecticut] Recycling, Special Events CompuThon - SuperThons walk-a-thons. Finally, a better way to raise money for your group! Year after year, schools and youth groups agonize over how to raise money. No door-to-door. No waste or returns. No hassles with collections. No products to buy or deliver. Much less work. More profits for your group. (800-327-0332) [Tampa, Florida] A Nite At The Races [Jupiter, Florida] Wesleyan Thespians - Mystery dinner kits. Can fund raisers be fun raisers Absolutely!! Wesleyan Thespian Mystery Dinner Kits include scripts, clues, solutions and detailed instructions on how to present mystery dinner performances which we would like to share with your church or organization. ( e-mail [Marshfield, Massachusetts] NameBeads International - Over 500 schools in 3 years have conducted this unique fundraiser and you should too. No money upfront. We provide a beautiful full color brochure to help you group sell personalized products. Each item is custom-made with handcrafted ceramic beads that spell out a first name or saying. ( ) [St. Clair, Missouri]
Family.org - CitizenLink Research - Does The PTA Still Support from the PTA/ Form a PTO ptos are local Institute, 4401A Connecticut Ave., Box294, washington, DC 20008 5 Both Colorado and Minnesota ptas have made efforts http://www.family.org/cforum/research/papers/a0001704.html
Bledsoe Mac told us, My father was a cattle rancher in washington state, where Barbara nowboth Mac and Barbara Bledsoe are available to speak at ptas, ptos or any http://www.livingprimetime.com/bledsoe.htm
Extractions: by Joseph H. RADDER Both Mac and Barbara were teachers in Washington. About 25 years ago they became disillusioned with the culture they saw in the classroom. After much thought they finally hit on the idea of using their teaching skills to teach parents ways to improve relationships with their children. It all started when Mac and Barbara Bledsoe invited the parents of their students to come to the school to discuss parenting. In that first session the Bledsoes shared some ideas they had about parenting and some of the things they had learned themselves from making mistakes as parents and classroom teachers. Mac's dad Stewart Bledsoe with his father Albert McQueen (Mac) Bledsoe. In addition to the web-site, the Parenting with Dignity curriculum consists of a monthly newsletter, a parenting workbook, a CD version of the curriculum, nine videos, a manual and a summary of warning signals on drugs, alcohol and even computer addiction. Furthermore, the Bledsoes take their program before live audiences, at PTA and PTO groups, for example. Barbara in 1951.
October 2000 SAI Report E. Kelly Schlapkohl, former superintendent at washington, took over the helm in Let'salso not forget about looking at the ptas, ptos, Booster Clubs, petty cash http://www.sai-iowa.org/1000Report.html
Extractions: Fitz started his career in school administration as high school principal in Mexico, Mo. From there he moved to Cedar Rapids and served as principal at Washington High School from 1962-67. Fitz was appointed as principal of Kennedy High School when the building first opened in 1967. After leaving Cedar Rapids in 1970, Fitz went to work for NASSP as Director of Student Activities. In 1972, Fitz was appointed executive director of the Iowa Association of Secondary School principals (succeeding Del Battrick). In 1983, the Iowa Association of Secondary School Principals merged with the Iowa Association of Elementary and Middle School Principals to form the Educational Administrators of Iowa (EAI). Fitz served as associate executive director of EAI from 1983-87. On Sept. 1, 1987, the Educational Administrators of Iowa (building principals) merged with the Iowa Association of School Administrators (superintendents) to form the School Administrators of Iowa. Fitz served as Coordinator of Professional Services for SAI from Sept. 1, 1987, until his retirement on June 30, 1991.
Extractions: School Administrators Center Archives: VIEW ALL ARTICLES Funding ... Goals School Administrators Article S C H O O L A D M I N I S T R A T O R S A R T I C L E Talk to administrators about critical goals and you'll find communications with parents high on their list. But what's the best way to reach parents? Often important notices given to middle or high school students never get home to parents, who no longer make checking their children's backpacks a daily habit. SchoolCast FM helps schools solve the communications-with-parents-problem. The small FM radio station provides everything a school needs to get daily messages on the air and requires no FCC license. Included: Education World spoke with principals whose schools use SchoolCast FM! In February, after an earthquake that registered 5.8 on the Richter scale hit the area around Everett, Washington, Dr. David Jones, principal of Eisenhower Middle School in Everett, needed to alert parents that the students and the school were safe. Jones immediately began broadcasting on Radio Ike 101.9FM
Extractions: Everybody wins when parents volunteer ! Kevin Walker, the founder of Project Appleseed, a nonprofit organization, is helping schools involve parents. The organization has created a list of 37 different ways parents can help and is on its way to recruiting 5 million parent volunteers nationwide. INCLUDED: The Project Appleseed Parental Involvement Pledge. Parent- and Community-Involvement Strategies That Work The research is clear: When parents and communities are involved in schools, education improves. From New York to California, from an individual student's notebook to community-outreach programs, here are five approaches to parental and community involvement that work! Included: Five successful programs for parent and community involvement plus links to dozens of online resources! Young Authors and Artists Collaborate on Humanitarian Project Parents at a Washington state elementary school organized a Share a Story student enrichment project that promoted the literacy and humanitarian goals of the school. The students shipped more than 1,000 books to schools in the South Pacific. Among the books were 115 the students had written themselves! What they got in return was a lot of satisfaction - and a big surprise!
