Illinois PTA and the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) hosted a Back-to-School webinar with state superintendent Dr. Chris Koch and Illinois PTA president Peg Staehlin on Tuesday, September 9th. Topics discussed included the new Illinois Learning Standards, assessment, family engagement, and the award-winning Illinois school report card. Here are the top ten takeaways from … Continue reading Top Ten Takeaways from the Back-to-School Webinar
October 6th is Bring Your Parents to School Day in Illinois
House Bill 129 amends the Illinois School Code to allow school boards to designate the first Monday in October of each year as “Bring Your Parents to School Day.” The law took effect January 1, 2014. Local school boards have the option of adopting the law which will allow parents to attend class with their … Continue reading October 6th is Bring Your Parents to School Day in Illinois
You’re Invited To Attend a Back to School Webinar with Dr. Chris Koch, llinois State Superintendent September 9th at 7:00 p.m.
Please join Dr. Chris Koch and Peg Staehlin for a Back to School Webinar. Dr Koch will be sharing information regarding the new Illinois Learning Standards, test assessments and parent engagement. The hour long webinar will conclude with a Q and A session. Click here for registration details.
A Message from the President
On August 9th several of us attended a Back to School Event in Aurora where Otha Thornton, National PTA President was the key- note speaker. Sue Kling, the president of Gwendolyn Brooks School PTA was asked to introduce Otha to the audience. What an awesome way to start her term as a new local unit … Continue reading A Message from the President
Introducing…Crazy 8s Club!
Have you heard about Bedtime Math’s Crazy 8s? It’s the new nationwide after-school club designed to get kids fired up about math. Every week kids get to build stuff, run and jump, make music, make a mess… and make friendships at the same time. Crazy 8s is like no other math club before it. Unlike … Continue reading Introducing…Crazy 8s Club!
Congratulations to The Illinois Report Card
submitted by Deb Strauss, Illinois PTA Past President October 2014 will mark the second time in two years that the Illinois State Board of Education will release the new Illinois State Report Card. The Illinois Report Card goes beyond test scores to give you, parents and/or community members, a complete view of your school. This … Continue reading Congratulations to The Illinois Report Card
Running a PTA Committee
submitted by Brian Minsker, V.P. of Programs When you think about committees, chances are you aren’t having many positive thoughts about them. After all, just about every famous quote about committees is negative (e.g., “A camel is a horse designed by committee.”). But a well-run committee is the grease that keeps a PTA’s wheels turning … Continue reading Running a PTA Committee
HELP! MY MEMBERSHIP IS SHRINKING!
submitted by Rhonda Jenkins, Illinois PTA Membership/Marketing Director It will be here before we know it! In the next month or two your PTA will be hosting a back to school event and inviting parents to join PTA. These are just a few ideas to help you: When you are giving your speech, smile – … Continue reading HELP! MY MEMBERSHIP IS SHRINKING!
Planning for a Successful PTA Year
Submitted by Brian Minsker, V.P. of Programs So here you are, a brand new PTA president, with the National PTA Back-to-School Kit and Illinois PTA Local Unit Packet USB drives sitting next to you packed full of information, and you are starting to feel a little overwhelmed by the job you’ve taken on. Take a … Continue reading Planning for a Successful PTA Year
To immunize or not….THAT is the question!
Submitted by Debbie Izzo, Health Director When it comes to vaccinations, parents fall into one of two categories: they believe wholeheartedly in the benefits of regular vaccinations and follow that practice with their children or they have made the decision to NOT vaccinate, possibly due to religious reasons and, more often than not, due to … Continue reading To immunize or not….THAT is the question!
Reflections
Submitted by Joan Scovic, Cultural Arts Director Reflections is the National PTA Arts program that encourages children to create works of art in six different arts categories. The program has a different theme each year, and the theme for the 2014-2015 school year is "The World Would Be A Better Place If..." Each local unit … Continue reading Reflections
Stress-Less at Back to School: Simple Tools & Tips for Busy Families
Our friends at VolunteerSpot save parents time and make it easy for anyone to organize school activities with FREE online signups and reminders. Learn why parents and teachers love VolunteerSpot and enter for a chance to WIN $500 for your PTA today! Enter Here VolunteerSpot makes your volunteer life easier; check out these simple tips … Continue reading Stress-Less at Back to School: Simple Tools & Tips for Busy Families
BACK-TO-SCHOOL B.A.S.H.
Submitted by Carolyn McCarty, Southern Region Director The 2nd Annual Illinois PTA Southern Region Back-to-School B.A.S.H. (Backpack and Supplies Handout) was filled with returning friends and new ones. The classroom of Growing Scholars Educational Center’s Eins-Team invited families to take part in engineering experiences. Dental Safari provided free dental check-ups, cleanings, and fluoride treatments to … Continue reading BACK-TO-SCHOOL B.A.S.H.
Answer the Call for Resolutions – and Make a Difference for Illinois’ Youth!
As we begin the 2014-2015 school year, think about how you can make a difference for our children in Illinois with a Resolution for the Illinois PTA! Each year at the Illinois PTA Convention we have an opportunity to vote on Resolutions that have been proposed by our Membership – and every year that one … Continue reading Answer the Call for Resolutions – and Make a Difference for Illinois’ Youth!
One Voice Illinois 