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
12 Bullying Myths
We hear about bullying a lot in the media these days, from cyberbullying to fights at school to children committing suicide after months of tormenting. As parents, we like to think we would know when our kids are bullied or are bullying, or that they would at least tell us that they were being bullied. … Continue reading 12 Bullying Myths
10 Tips to Get You Ready for Back to School
from kids.gov Back to school time can be both exciting and stressful for students and parents alike. Getting ready for the first day of classes is family effort. These tips from Kids.gov may help parents make this year’s back to school time easier: Schedule time with teachers. Keep an open dialog with school staff to … Continue reading 10 Tips to Get You Ready for Back to School
How to Talk About Bullying
from StopBullying.gov Parents, school staff, and other caring adults have a role to play in preventing bullying. They can: Help kids understand bullying. Talk about what bullying is and how to stand up to it safely. Tell kids bullying is unacceptable. Make sure kids know how to get help. Keep the lines of communication open. Check … Continue reading How to Talk About Bullying
Governor Signs Two More Illinois PTA-Supported Bills
Governor Rauner continues to take action on bills that were passed by the legislature this past spring, including two more that were supported by the Illinois PTA. Multiple Measure Index Bill House Bill 2683, the Multiple Measure Index Bill, now known as Public Act 99-0193, was signed into law on July 30, 2015 by Governor Rauner. … Continue reading Governor Signs Two More Illinois PTA-Supported Bills
News from National Convention—Resolutions
One of the important business items at the National PTA Convention is adoption of resolutions. PTA resolutions and position statements are official documents outlining the opinion, will, or intent of the association to address national problems, situations, or concerns that affect children and youth and require national action to seek resolution on the issue. They … Continue reading News from National Convention—Resolutions
Building Relationships Between Families and Schools
Research has shown that engaged families play a crucial role in student success, and today’s schools are reaching out to families more than ever for that support. Whether it is e-mail lists, robo-calls, Facebook, Twitter, websites, or the good old “backpack express,” schools are trying to provide families with more information about their child’s school … Continue reading Building Relationships Between Families and Schools
The 2014 KIDS COUNT Data Book
The KIDS COUNT Data Book is an annual publication that assesses child well-being nationally and across the 50 states, as well as the District of Columbia andPuerto Rico. Using an index of 16 indicators, the 2014 report ranks states on overall child well-being and in four domains: economic well-being education health family and community For 2014, the … Continue reading The 2014 KIDS COUNT Data Book
Teach Your Kids About Water Safety Before Heading to the Pool or Beach
With the warmer weather and summer months coming up, more people will be spending time taking part in swimming, boating, fishing, and other recreational activities in and around water. Before you and your kids hit the pool or lake, take the time to review some basics of water safety. Drowning is the number 1 cause of unintentional … Continue reading Teach Your Kids About Water Safety Before Heading to the Pool or Beach
May is National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Month: Focus on Trauma and Violence and Their Effect on Children’s Mental Health and Behavior
In honor of National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Month in May, Illinois PTA would like to bring awareness to the importance of the mental well-being of our children. Trauma and violence are widespread, harmful, and costly public health concerns. They have no boundaries with regard to age, gender, socioeconomic status, race, ethnicity, or sexual orientation. … Continue reading May is National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Month: Focus on Trauma and Violence and Their Effect on Children’s Mental Health and Behavior
Time to Prepare for Severe Weather
Today, for Severe Weather Preparedness Week, we have a guest post from Danny Neal, an Evergreen Park Firefighter/EMTand owner of Northern Illinois Storm Chaser, a science website/Facebook page and associated YouTube channel. Danny is an amateur meteorologist and storm chaser who many turn to for accurate weather conditions and safety advice and was asked to … Continue reading Time to Prepare for Severe Weather
Protect Your Family—Check Your Smoke Alarms
It’s important to have enough smoke alarms in your home. Fire research has demonstrated that with today’s modern furnishings, fires can spread much more rapidly than in the past when more natural materials were used. Because of this, having a sufficient number of properly located smoke alarms is essential to maximize the amount of available … Continue reading Protect Your Family—Check Your Smoke Alarms
Speaking Up for Children—Juvenile Justice
Illinois PTA has teamed up with Juvenile Justice Initiative and several other associations to share our positions on Juvenile Justice with Governor Bruce Rauner. Through a recently sent letter, we have encouraged the governor to support: The expansion of Redeploy Illinois, an effective community-based alternative to incarceration. Returning to the judiciary the authority to make … Continue reading Speaking Up for Children—Juvenile Justice
The Illinois Fire Prevention Association, in conjunction with the National Fire Protection Association and the US Fire Administration, is alerting consumers to fire safety issues for the winter months. The Put a Freeze on Winter Fires campaign features several free information sheets, including: Thanksgiving Safety Ten Tips to Get Ahead of the Winter Freeze Cooking … Continue reading
November is National Runaway Prevention Month
Approximately 1.6 to 2 million troubled teens between the age of 13 and 17 run away from home each year. The most common reason that troubled teens runaway is family resistance over such issues as curfew, truancy, behavior, dress code, academic performance, and the teen's choice of friends. Troubled boys and troubled girls also may … Continue reading November is National Runaway Prevention Month
Advocacy in Action: What Parents and Caregivers Need to Know about the Choking Game
Today we can celebrate our recent progress on our 2013 Resolution on Prevention of Asphyxiation Games (the Choking Game). Today we are another step closer to eliminating participation in this dangerous activity. The joint efforts of the Illinois Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Illinois PTA have brought two important publications in this … Continue reading Advocacy in Action: What Parents and Caregivers Need to Know about the Choking Game
New Concussion Law to Protect High School Athletes
Friday night high school football is as much a part of the fall as cider and raking leaves. A new law signed by Governor Pat Quinn adds new protections for high school athletes regarding concussions. The law requires the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) to develop and implement an online training program on concussion awareness … Continue reading New Concussion Law to Protect High School Athletes
The End to Bullying Starts with YOU!
Bullying has become a major problem in our communities and our schools. Where does it end? With us, parents, school staff, community partners, law enforcement, and yes, even students. Preventing bullying is everybody's business, so why not work together to do it? Studies have shown that 43% of teens have either been physically bullied or … Continue reading The End to Bullying Starts with YOU!
What New Things Your Kids are Doing Online This Year
Common Sense Media has a helpful article on the various new apps and websites that teens are using, how they’re using it, and what you as a parent can do to ensure your child is being safe online with each of them. From fairly well-known apps like Snapchat to anonymous question sites and cringepics, teens … Continue reading What New Things Your Kids are Doing Online This Year
National PTA and LifeLock Launch #ShareAwesome Contest
You experience awesome every day, and PTA wants you to share it! Snag a photo and tag it with #ShareAwesome anytime between September 15 to November 30 on Instagram, Facebook or Twitter for a chance to win a tablet or $2,500 scholarship! #ShareAwesome is a new campaign from National PTA with the support of LifeLock … Continue reading National PTA and LifeLock Launch #ShareAwesome Contest
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