There are a lot of changes for kids starting middle school—moving between classes, having a locker and combination, eighth-graders who are often much bigger, changing bodies, and more. Getting Smart published an article to help families prepare for middle school by identifying four keys to success. Middle schoolers need adults to teach them how the … Continue reading 4 Tips for Student Success in Middle School
Top 10 Tips for Middle School PTA Success
Middle school is different from elementary school for kids—they’re changing classrooms, managing a locker, and meeting new people from other elementary schools. It’s different for parents as well. New activities like band or sports may pull parents who have been involved in PTA at the elementary level away at the middle school level. Here are … Continue reading Top 10 Tips for Middle School PTA Success
President’s Corner
As I wind down to the last day there are a few things I would like to express...... As everyone knows being President of the greatest association I have ever know was never on my bucket list but I cannot explain how Jehovah makes things happen and puts them into perspective. I have never been … Continue reading President’s Corner
News from National Convention: Attracting Today’s Parents
PTAs used to be able to simply set up a table with a “Join PTA” sign and have parents line up. But those days are long gone, and today’s PTA needs to provide parents with reasons for joining that resonate with them. At the 2017 National PTA Convention, two events focused on how PTAs can … Continue reading News from National Convention: Attracting Today’s Parents
News from National Convention: Resolutions
PTA resolutions are a way for the membership of the association to express its opinion and intent to address issues affecting the lives of children and youth. They focus and formalize the position of the PTA on a variety of issues. At the 2017 National PTA convention in Las Vegas, the delegates adopted one resolution … Continue reading News from National Convention: Resolutions
10 Allowance Do’s and Don’ts
An allowance is an important part of building up a child’s financial literacy. It teaches them how to save and builds responsibility. Great Schools offers a list of ten do’s and don’ts to consider before starting your child’s allowance. Have a plan: Before you start, figure out why you are giving them an allowance, how … Continue reading 10 Allowance Do’s and Don’ts
Revamped FERPA|Sherpa Provides More on Student Privacy
Online access and technology plays an increasing role in classrooms, and with that increase comes concerns about student data and privacy. Illinois PTA highlighted this issue a few years ago when National PTA partnered with the Future of Privacy Forum and ConnectSafely to create the Parents’ Guide to Student Data Privacy. The guide was part … Continue reading Revamped FERPA|Sherpa Provides More on Student Privacy
Catch Up on National PTA Webinars
Perhaps you’ve seen them mentioned in an Illinois PTA Weekend Update e-mail or in a National PTA Newsletter. Maybe you saw it on National PTA’s Facebook page or Twitter feed. “It” being a webinar on a topic you were interested, but being held at a time you couldn’t join in. Think you’ve missed out? Think … Continue reading Catch Up on National PTA Webinars
Protecting Your Kids from the Sun
Summer means spending more time outside, and with that comes an increased risk of sunburns. For children, sunburns significantly increase the risk of melanoma (skin cancer) according to the American Academy of Dermatology. Even one blistering sunburn during childhood or adolescence can nearly double a person’s chance of developing melanoma. Skin cancer is the most … Continue reading Protecting Your Kids from the Sun
President’s Corner
It's starting to warm up and we are getting a great source of vitamin D these days. As we head to the National PTA convention this year I would like to you to review the resolutions and bylaws that are being presented and let me know what your thoughts are. It is very important to … Continue reading President’s Corner
Be Internet Awesome Teaches Kids to Be Safe Online
Technology and the internet are integral to our daily lives these days, and just like we teach our children to be careful and good citizens in the real world, we need to teach them to do the same in the online world. For adults who are less tech-savvy than their kids, that can be a … Continue reading Be Internet Awesome Teaches Kids to Be Safe Online
7 Ways to Teach Your Kids to Have Productive Screen Time
As summer begins, it may seem like your child is now staring at a screen 24/7. The Safe, Smart & Social blog had seven digital safety experts who are also parents provide their best advice for teaching kids to be productive with their online time. Those are: Teach self-moderation: Learning to control your screen time … Continue reading 7 Ways to Teach Your Kids to Have Productive Screen Time
President’s Corner
Greetings, As we look to close and finalize the year, I would like to thank all your teachers, principals, administrators, and you for your hard work and collaboration. Every day it is important to work towards a better tomorrow. If we wake up each day and find one way to make life better, then we … Continue reading President’s Corner
Plan Now for PTA Success in the Fall
With the school year coming to a close and summer activities to look forward to, many PTA leaders may be looking to put their feet up for the next few months. But summer provides an excellent time for PTA leaders to make their lives easier once school starts back up. By doing some planning for … Continue reading Plan Now for PTA Success in the Fall
PTA SPOTLIGHT 2017: A Story of Art and Celebration
On May 13, the Illinois PTA 4th Annual SPOTLIGHT: A Children’s Celebration of Art and Community was held at Millikin University in Decatur. This year, 235 participants viewed the galleries, participated in workshops, and celebrated our children. We thank Mother Nature for providing our families a perfect day to make a day trip to Decatur … Continue reading PTA SPOTLIGHT 2017: A Story of Art and Celebration
National PTA Statement on President Trump’s Budget Proposal
National PTA released the following statement on Wednesday regarding President Trump’s proposed budget. President Trump’s Cuts to Public Education Devastating for America’s Children President Donald Trump released his budget proposal for Fiscal Year 2018. The proposal cuts funding for public education programs by $9.2 billion. “Equitable, high-quality public education for all students is essential to … Continue reading National PTA Statement on President Trump’s Budget Proposal
Top 10 Reasons to Play Board Games with Your Kids
Illinois PTA has shared why the new renaissance in board games provides a great way for your family to spend time together. The Geek Dad blog has an article on the top 10 reasons to play board games with your kids. Each reason has the theory behind it, how it has worked in practice, and … Continue reading Top 10 Reasons to Play Board Games with Your Kids
Minute by Minute Strategies to Build Good Study Habits
As the school year wraps up, final exams loom for many students. And parents looking to build good study habits in their children may be dreading the effort to get them to study. For many students, studying means filling in a review sheet or rereading a chapter, but that may not be the best way … Continue reading Minute by Minute Strategies to Build Good Study Habits
Help Your Child Find Their Summer Stride
You may be aware of the “summer slide.” It is kids sliding backwards in their learning over the summer months. Research indicates that children in low-income households fall behind an average of 2 months in reading over the summer, and differences in children’s summer learning experiences during elementary school years can affect whether they earn … Continue reading Help Your Child Find Their Summer Stride
President’s Corner
Hello and welcome again, Don’t forget to #Thankateacher during this Teacher Appreciation Week. They are the lifeline of our children’s learning experience! As we finish up and come to the end of our terms let’s make sure our hand-off goes as smooth as possible. We all should have our books in order and gear towards … Continue reading President’s Corner
One Voice Illinois 