illinoispta Advocacy, Family Engagement, Legislation, Running a PTA

The Woke PTA’s Guide to Advocacy

The last few weeks have seen an unprecedented level of civic engagement. Huge demonstrations have drawn out people who have never marched. Congressional switchboards have received more calls than ever before. Your PTA may have many members who are now looking for ways to advocate on behalf of children through PTA. Here’s a guide to … Continue reading The Woke PTA’s Guide to Advocacy

illinoispta Advocacy, Legislation, Running a PTA

National PTA Provides New Resources for PTA Advocates

PTA is the nation’s oldest and largest volunteer child advocacy organization, with a legacy of work that has improved the lives of every child in this country. On Friday, January 27, National PTA announced its 2017 Federal Public Policy Agenda with a Facebook Live event (view recording). As part of this announcement, National PTA released … Continue reading National PTA Provides New Resources for PTA Advocates

illinoispta Cultural Arts, Family Engagement, Health, Marketing, Running a PTA

Plan Your PTA Take Your Family to School Week Event Now

Founders’ Day, February 17th, celebrates the legacy and work of Alice McLellan Birney, Phoebe Apperson Hearst, and Selena Sloan Butler to improve the lives of children. The date marks the first National Congress of Mothers, held in Washington, D.C. in 1897. As part of that celebration, National PTA designates the week that includes Founders’ Day … Continue reading Plan Your PTA Take Your Family to School Week Event Now

illinoispta Communications, Running a PTA

Illinois PTA Clarifies Position on Chartering Scout Units

The Illinois PTA does not allow PTAs to charter Scouting units, including Cub Scout Packs, Boy Scout Troops, and Venturing Crews. This has been a PTA position since 1990. The reasons for this prohibition are as follows. PTA insurance specifically excludes Scouting units. This means that your PTA’s insurance will not cover any Scouting-related claims … Continue reading Illinois PTA Clarifies Position on Chartering Scout Units

illinoispta Communications, Leadership, Running a PTA

4 Things Not to Do When Dealing with an Angry Volunteer

From the National PTA president down to the local unit, PTA is a volunteer association. PTA can’t do what it does without volunteers, and Illinois PTA has shared information on: Getting more volunteers Overcoming objections Making the most of your volunteers Recognizing your volunteers Most of the time, PTA volunteers are happy to share their … Continue reading 4 Things Not to Do When Dealing with an Angry Volunteer

illinoispta Communications, Leadership, Money Matters, Running a PTA, Training

Illinois PTA Launches PTA Essentials Video Series

Illinois PTA offers free training, both in person and online, but realizes that not everyone’s schedule aligns with training opportunities. Today, Illinois PTA launches its PTA Essentials video series with two financial help videos on its YouTube channel: Handling PTA Funds The PTA Audit PTA Essentials is a series of short videos that provide critical … Continue reading Illinois PTA Launches PTA Essentials Video Series

illinoispta Advocacy, Communications, Family Engagement, Marketing, Running a PTA

Turn Your PTA into a Social Media Powerhouse

Social media is the place for PTAs and other organizations to engage their members. Whether it is Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, or some other platform, social media lets PTAs keep their members informed about events, share information, and connect in ways that printed newsletters in backpacks never could. Now, Skills Platform and several nonprofit social media … Continue reading Turn Your PTA into a Social Media Powerhouse

illinoispta Advocacy, Communications, Family Engagement, Running a PTA

New PTA Election Guides Help PTA’s One Voice Be Heard—Add Yours

Election Day is November 8th, and given the state’s budget crisis, your school district may have a referendum on the ballot. Your PTA may also want to ask candidates about their positions on education or other issues affecting children. Illinois PTA has covered the do’s and don’ts of elections for PTAs, and now National PTA … Continue reading New PTA Election Guides Help PTA’s One Voice Be Heard—Add Yours

illinoispta Communications, Family Engagement, Leadership, Running a PTA

Master the Art of the PTA Meeting

We’ve all attended them—PTA meetings that seem to drag on forever, don’t get anything done, and leave you dreading the next meeting. Poorly-run meetings can drive away potential PTA volunteers and leaders. If you’re a new PTA president, or even an experienced one, here are some tips to help you master the art of the … Continue reading Master the Art of the PTA Meeting

illinoispta Family Engagement, Health, Running a PTA

Free Popular Events Idea Booklet from USDA Team Nutrition

We all want our children to be active and to make healthy food choices, and PTAs are always looking for new program ideas. The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service’s Team Nutrition, which supports improving Child Nutrition Programs, has collected 20 themed events from real-life events at Team Nutrition schools in a … Continue reading Free Popular Events Idea Booklet from USDA Team Nutrition

illinoispta Family Engagement, Marketing, Membership, Running a PTA

5 Ways to Fire Up Your Middle School or High School PTA

PTAs and PTSAs at the middle school and high school level often struggle. It’s not that families are no longer involved with the school, it’s that they are now spread out among athletic boosters, band, orchestra, drama, and other groups as well as the PTA. Here are some ideas to fire up families to engage … Continue reading 5 Ways to Fire Up Your Middle School or High School PTA

illinoispta Communications, Family Engagement, Leadership, Running a PTA

News from National Convention—Partnering with Educators and School Administrators

One critical component of running a successful PTA is working well with the teachers and administrators in your school building. A workshop at the 2016 National PTA Convention in Orlando focused on what those teachers and administrators want when working with their PTA. The panel discussion was moderated by Deb Strauss, National PTA Vice President … Continue reading News from National Convention—Partnering with Educators and School Administrators

illinoispta Leadership, Membership, Running a PTA

National PTA Back-to-School Kit Now Available

It's that time of year again! The 2016-2017 National PTA Official Back-To-School Kit launched on Monday, June 27. As always, it's jam-packed with tools, resources and info—all specially designed to help you run your PTA. It's a one-stop click for everything you need to know. For the second year, the kit is completely digital and … Continue reading National PTA Back-to-School Kit Now Available

illinoispta Family Engagement, Leadership, Running a PTA

How High-Poverty Schools Can Engage Families

Academic achievement is often correlated with students’ socio-economic status—students from wealthier families tend to do better. But there is an increasing amount of research that shows that high-poverty schools can have students who achieve at the same level as their wealthier counterparts. The key is family engagement. High-poverty schools have additional hurdles to overcome when … Continue reading How High-Poverty Schools Can Engage Families