If you have a high school student in your house, you are likely at least aware of advanced placement (AP) courses. AP courses allow students to take classes in high school that, should they do well enough on the AP tests in the spring, give them college credit. In Illinois, every student scoring a 3 … Continue reading Understanding Advanced Placement (AP) Courses
6 Things to Wrap Up Your PTA Year
May is a busy month for PTAs with Teacher Appreciation Week, end of the school year activities, and electing new officers. As a PTA leader, you’re probably a bit worn out from everything your PTA has done this past year. But making sure your PTA is successful next year begins with wrapping up this year. … Continue reading 6 Things to Wrap Up Your PTA Year
The Homework System for ADHD Kids
Homework can be challenging for kids, and not just the homework itself. Kids have to write down the assignment properly, bring home the right books and materials, keep track of due dates, and remember to hand in the completed homework—all of which can be extra challenging for anyone with poor memory, focus, or attention to … Continue reading The Homework System for ADHD Kids
3 Things High School Seniors Should Know About Student Loans
College is expensive, and as the resolution on financial literacy just adopted at the 2017 Illinois PTA Convention noted, student loan debt is the largest debt in the country, surpassing even credit card debt. US News & World Report has long been known for their college rankings. With high school seniors and their families making … Continue reading 3 Things High School Seniors Should Know About Student Loans
President’s Corner
It is National Volunteer Appreciation Week I want to take this opportunity to not only Thank You all for taking time away from your families, missing events, etc. but also for committing to this awesome mission of ensuring every child’s potential becomes a reality! I truly appreciate each and every one of you! With our … Continue reading President’s Corner
Bullying Doesn’t Happen Where You Think It Does
Where does bullying take place? Most parents would answer out on the school grounds, in the cafeteria, or perhaps in a bathroom or locker room—all places where teachers are less likely to be present or where there are a lot of kids. A new report from the US Department of Education’s National Center for Education … Continue reading Bullying Doesn’t Happen Where You Think It Does
Financial Literacy Resources
April is Financial Literacy Month, and one of the three resolutions passed at the 2017 Illinois PTA Convention called for the Illinois PTA to advocate for schools to incorporate financial literacy education into their existing curricula. Financial literacy is critical for students to acquire, as managing money, purchasing a car or house, saving for a … Continue reading Financial Literacy Resources
News from the Illinois PTA Convention—Membership Workshops
One of the great opportunities at the Illinois PTA Convention is to attend workshops by state board members that provide you with new ideas and help you to be a better PTA leader. Illinois PTA Membership Marketing Director Julie Holdeman presented two great workshops on growing your PTA’s membership. The first, Planning a Year-Round Membership … Continue reading News from the Illinois PTA Convention—Membership Workshops
News from the Illinois PTA Convention—School of Excellence Program
At first glance, Kreitner Elementary School in Collinsville looks like a school that would be struggling to get families involved. The Pre-K through fourth grade school has just under 400 students, and 91% are from low-income families, 100% receive free lunch, 75% are Hispanic, and 53% are English Language Learners. And a few years ago, … Continue reading News from the Illinois PTA Convention—School of Excellence Program
News from the Illinois PTA Convention—Report on Young Adults in the Justice System
Delegates at the 2016 Illinois PTA Convention passed a resolution creating a committee to study whether those young adults aged 18 to 21 involved in the justice system should be treated differently from older adults based on the latest scientific research on brain development. At the 2017 Illinois PTA Convention, that study committee presented its … Continue reading News from the Illinois PTA Convention—Report on Young Adults in the Justice System
News from the Illinois PTA Convention—Incoming President’s Speech
At the conclusion of the 2017 Illinois PTA Convention, incoming Illinois PTA President Brian Minsker addressed the delegates. Following the speech, many in the audience urged us to share his message with all Illinois PTA members. I’m willing to bet that almost every person in this room would say that they got involved with PTA … Continue reading News from the Illinois PTA Convention—Incoming President’s Speech
Micro-Volunteering and Your PTA
Is your PTA struggling to find volunteers? Are people afraid to join your PTA because you are always asking for volunteers to handle big jobs? If so, your PTA might want to look into micro-volunteering. What is Micro-Volunteering? One of the biggest challenges in finding volunteers is people who say they have no time. Micro-volunteering … Continue reading Micro-Volunteering and Your PTA
The Eraser Challenge Returns—What Families Need to Know
Social media “challenges” can spread quickly. Some, like the Ice Bucket Challenge, are relatively harmless and can make a difference in the world. Others, like the Cinnamon Challenge, can have serious consequences. Illinois PTA works to keep families informed about these activities that children are often engaging in without adults’ knowledge, such as with the … Continue reading The Eraser Challenge Returns—What Families Need to Know
Illinois PTA Convention Preview—Resolutions
The 115th Annual Illinois PTA Convention will be held on April 7th and 8th at the Hilton—Naperville. Convention is a great opportunity to attend interesting workshops and network with other PTA leaders, but it is also the time that the Illinois PTA conducts its business. Part of that business is directing the legislative and advocacy … Continue reading Illinois PTA Convention Preview—Resolutions
Student Competitions You Didn’t Know Existed
Most PTAs are aware of the annual PTA Reflections program focused on the arts, and chances are you’ve seen the Scripps National Spelling Bee on the news. Those are just two examples of the many competitions that are available to students each year. Kudoswall has created a list of 50 competitions in a variety of … Continue reading Student Competitions You Didn’t Know Existed
President’s Corner
We were blessed to meet with quite a few Representatives in the House and both of our Illinois Senator's offices. Everyone we met with was SO passionate about kids and families. They were very informative as well as reinforcing that they NEED PTA's voice to be loud, front, and center, as it has been these … Continue reading President’s Corner
Parenting Film Festival
Parenting is tough. We do our best to raise our kids and hope we don’t leave them with years of therapy. TED is a non-profit devoted to spreading ideas, usually in conferences of short talks (generally 18 minutes or less). Those talks are shared through video online. Here is a parenting film festival from selected … Continue reading Parenting Film Festival
4 Ways to Stop Siblings from Fighting
Sibling conflict has happened for as long as there have been siblings. With spring break happening for many families across Illinois, the opportunities for siblings to get on each other’s nerves abound. For those times when you feel more like a referee than a parent, iMom has four suggestions to stop siblings from fighting. Create … Continue reading 4 Ways to Stop Siblings from Fighting
New Research on Kids and Reading
Reading is the key to learning, as reading is a part of every subject. Here’s the latest research on kids and reading. Children Read Paper Books More In a study of Australian children in 4th and 6th grade looked at their reading habits and access to devices with reading capability (e.g., Kindles, iPads, and mobile … Continue reading New Research on Kids and Reading
Humor Helps When Teaching Your Kid to Drive
It’s a challenge for any parent to help their child learn to drive. For the parent of a child with extra issues, whether it’s ADHD, anxiety, or autism, the challenge can be even greater. Gina Gallagher, co-author with her sister Patricia Konjoian of the book Shut Up About Your Perfect Kid, recently shared a post … Continue reading Humor Helps When Teaching Your Kid to Drive
One Voice Illinois 