You have probably heard that you should be helping your child learn math at home through everyday activities. But perhaps you have been reluctant to do so, either because you didn’t know where to begin, you find the new math curriculum is confusing, or you have always thought that you were “bad at math.” For … Continue reading Help for Parents Supporting Their Child’s Math Skills
How to Grow Your PTA Membership
Membership is what makes PTA go. Members are our volunteers and future leaders, and they amplify our voice when speaking to school leaders and legislators. Some PTAs, like many membership-driven organizations across the country, have struggled recently to grow their membership. Here are some tips and PTA resources to help you grow your PTA membership. … Continue reading How to Grow Your PTA Membership
Celebrating Our 2019-2021 Schools of Excellence
National PTA recently announced the 2019-2021 Schools of Excellence, and Illinois PTA is proud to congratulate our record number of schools being recognized. The 11 schools are: Frederick Douglass PTSA, Chicago George W. Lieb PTA, Inc, Bridgeview Glacier Ridge PTA, Crystal Lake Granger Middle School PTA, Aurora Greenbrier Elementary PTA, Arlington Heights Homewood PTA, Homewood … Continue reading Celebrating Our 2019-2021 Schools of Excellence
News from National Convention—Engaging Hispanic/Latino Families
National PTA ran the Hispanic/Latino Outreach Initiative from June 2018 to May 2019 in ten states to develop ways for PTAs to connect and engage with Hispanic/Latino families. The results of the initiative will be packaged in a toolkit for PTAs to use that will be released in early 2020. At the 2019 National PTA … Continue reading News from National Convention—Engaging Hispanic/Latino Families
Host a Summer Learning Listening Session
Summertime, and school’s out, so you may not be thinking about having your PTA host an event. And while school may be out, the summer also provides a unique opportunity to reach out to families that haven’t been involved with PTA or new families coming to your school and show them what PTA is all … Continue reading Host a Summer Learning Listening Session
News from National Convention—Proposed Dues Increase
Early this year, National PTA proposed an increase in national membership dues of $1.50/member, raising the total National PTA portion of dues from $2.25/member to $3.75/member. The original proposal was to make the dues increase effective July 1, 2019, but National PTA moved the proposed start date to September 1, 2019 based on feedback. The … Continue reading News from National Convention—Proposed Dues Increase
12 Bullying Myths
Bullying at school is nothing new, but a lot of what we think we know about isn’t necessarily true. Great Schools has put together a list of 12 myths about bullying along with the facts that bust those myths. Those myths are: You’ll know when your child is being bullied. Bullying is always physical. The … Continue reading 12 Bullying Myths
Solving Your Lack of Volunteers Problem
Getting people to volunteer at your events is a continual struggle for many PTAs. In fact, fear of being asked to volunteer is one of the reasons people don’t join the PTA. While PTA membership doesn’t require someone to volunteer, we still do need some folks to step up to run things. So how do … Continue reading Solving Your Lack of Volunteers Problem
Illinois PTA Policy on Fundraising and Alcohol
In response to an increasing number of questions from PTAs regarding fundraising and alcohol, the Illinois PTA State Board of Directors has adopted the following policy for local PTAs, PTA Councils, districts, regions, and the State Board of Directors. Like every PTA activity, fundraising should be conducted in alignment with our mission: to make every … Continue reading Illinois PTA Policy on Fundraising and Alcohol
Is Your PTA a Clique?
Today’s guest post comes from Washington State PTA with some advice on how to avoid having your PTA seen as a clique. Sometimes, the reason more people don’t join your PTA is because they feel unwelcome. Whether warranted or not, your PTA may have a reputation as a clique. Overcoming this common issue can be … Continue reading Is Your PTA a Clique?
A PTA President’s Guide to Being an Ex-
As the school year wraps up, many PTA presidents will soon be ex-PTA presidents. And while the job description for an ex-PTA president sounds simple—stop running the PTA—some PTA presidents struggle to do that, especially if they are still at the school where they were president. Here’s a handy guide to being a successful ex-PTA … Continue reading A PTA President’s Guide to Being an Ex-
Building Your PTA Leadership Skills
Perhaps you’ve just been nominated or elected president of your PTA. Maybe you’re thinking about running for PTA president next year. Or maybe you’re headed into your second term and want to do things differently this year. However you’ve arrived at the position, being a PTA president will require you to develop your leadership skills. … Continue reading Building Your PTA Leadership Skills
Start Planning Your Teacher Appreciation Week Now
Next to their parents, teachers probably have the largest effect on the lives of children. Many of us can still remember a teacher who made a difference in our lives years ago. This year, Teacher Appreciation Week is May 6-10, 2019, and National PTA has created a toolkit to help PTAs celebrate their school’s teacher … Continue reading Start Planning Your Teacher Appreciation Week Now
Parliamentary Procedure for Beginners
As a PTA leader, you probably know that you are supposed to use parliamentary procedure in your meetings, but looking at the more than 800 pages of Robert’s Rules of Orderin the PTA materials the previous PTA president passed on to you might have you thinking, “Really?” Yes, really, but parliamentary procedure isn’t nearly as … Continue reading Parliamentary Procedure for Beginners
Creating a Social Justice Reading Group for Children and Their Families
Seeing an increase in intolerance shortly after the 2016 election, National Education Policy Center(NEPC) director Kevin Welner and associate director Michelle Renée Valladares were discussing how to address the issue with their young children. They decided to collaborate other parents and their children to create an intergenerational social justice reading group. The aim was to … Continue reading Creating a Social Justice Reading Group for Children and Their Families
Nominations and Elections—A How to Guide for PTAs
One of the critical roles given to a PTA’s general membership is the election of its officers, a process that begins with the election of the nominating committee by the general membership. Nominating and electing a good slate of officers is essential for a PTA’s success. Nominations and Elections Timeline Because the nomination and election … Continue reading Nominations and Elections—A How to Guide for PTAs
10 Steps to Deal with Suspected Fraud or Theft in Your PTA
Theft and fraud are relatively rare in PTA, but it does happen. For PTAs that are using best practices when handling money, making deposits, and writing checks, they are even less likely to occur. By being proactive and examining your PTA’s processes and controls, your PTA can better avoid being a victim of theft or … Continue reading 10 Steps to Deal with Suspected Fraud or Theft in Your PTA
Time to Plan for Take Your Family to School Week
PTA celebrates Founder’s Day on February 17theach year, and the week that includes that date is Take Your Family to School Week. National PTA has created a toolkit to help you plan your celebration for February 10-17, 2019. The toolkit walks you through the planning process and provides you with ready-to-use promotional materials. There are … Continue reading Time to Plan for Take Your Family to School Week
7 Tips for Effective PTA Social Media
Social media is one of the most powerful tools a PTA can use to spread its message, but only if it is used effectively. Creating an effective social media presence for your PTA can help you gain members, recruit volunteers, and promote your PTA to potential partners and sponsors. Here are 7 tips to help … Continue reading 7 Tips for Effective PTA Social Media
PTA Board Responsibilities
For many PTA volunteers, serving on the PTA board is “just another volunteer job.” But in reality, your PTA board is running a non-profit organization, and with that comes responsibilities. Part of those responsibilities will be spelled out in your PTA bylaws and standing rules. Board Sourceprovides many free resources to help your board understand … Continue reading PTA Board Responsibilities
One Voice Illinois 