Wish your kids would eat more fruits and vegetables? A visit to your local farmers market can help. As summer turns to fall, farmers markets are bursting with a bounty of fresh fruits and vegetables. Taking your kids to the farmers market can help make healthier eating into an adventure. Start by watching a short … Continue reading Get Your Kids to Eat More Fruits and Vegetables
Top 5 Takeaways from the ISBE & Illinois PTA Back-to-School Webinar
The Illinois PTA and the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) co-hosted a back-to-school webinar for the second time on September 23, 2015. The webinar featured Illinois PTA president Matthew John Rodriguez, new Illinois state superintendent Dr. Tony Smith, and ISBE assistant superintendent for the Center for Language and Early Child Development Reyna Hernandez. Here are … Continue reading Top 5 Takeaways from the ISBE & Illinois PTA Back-to-School Webinar
New Study Shows Even Nicotine-Free E-Cigarette Vapor Damages Lung Cells
Illinois PTA has posted about e-cigarettes and “vaping” previously. Among middle and high school students, use of e-cigarettes has surpassed use of traditional cigarettes according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The perception most people have is that e-cigarettes are less harmful than regular cigarettes. A new study in the American Journal of … Continue reading New Study Shows Even Nicotine-Free E-Cigarette Vapor Damages Lung Cells
8 Key Points Families Need to Know About the PARCC Score Release
The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) released preliminary statewide scores from this past spring’s Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC) assessment yesterday. District-level scores will be released in late-October, and families will see their individual student’s scores sometime in November. Here are the eight key points to know about the … Continue reading 8 Key Points Families Need to Know About the PARCC Score Release
Have the Smart Talk with Your Child
National PTA has announced a new, free resource for families that helps parents have clear conversations with their children about using technology and agree on ground rules together. Developed in conjunction with LifeLock called The Smart Talk, the digital tool is designed to empower families to make smarter, safer choices online and help build the next … Continue reading Have the Smart Talk with Your Child
Teen Suicide in Illinois
Today marks World Suicide Prevention Day. In Illinois, suicide is the third leading cause of death for young adults ages 15 to 34. Suicide deaths are only part of the problem. In Illinois, for every adolescent suicide there are an estimated 100 adolescent suicide attempts. Unsuccessful suicide attempts increase the risk of future suicide attempts. While … Continue reading Teen Suicide in Illinois
A Summer of Legislative Success for the Children of Illinois
The Illinois PTA is pleased to announce another success on Illinois PTA-supported legislation: Senate Bill 1793, Suicide Awareness Policy, was signed into law by Governor Rauner on August 21, 2015. Now known as Public Act 99-0443 or Ann Marie’s Law, requires that the State Board of Education: Develop a model youth suicide awareness and prevention … Continue reading A Summer of Legislative Success for the Children of Illinois
Math Video Series To Help You Help Your Child With Homework
The New Illinois Learning Standards for Math, based on the Common Core State Standards, are a fundamental shift in the way our children learn math. These new standards don’t just spell out what a student needs to learn, but shift teaching in focus, coherence, and rigor. The standards focus on the skills that students truly … Continue reading Math Video Series To Help You Help Your Child With Homework
20 Important Questions Families Should Ask Teachers
It’s back-to-school time, which means new teachers for most students and families. It’s easy to find information online supporting teacher-student interaction and family-student interaction, but not much is available on the third side of the triangle, the teacher-family interaction. Students are best supported when families and teachers are working together as a team. Part of … Continue reading 20 Important Questions Families Should Ask Teachers
One Voice Illinois 