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In This Issue
Summer Reading Tips from Reading Rockets
Kids look forward to some time away from homework and quizzes, but summer is not a time to take a break from reading. When students don't read for three months, their academic skills can slip. Three months may not seem like a long time, but by middle school, some experts say this down time can put kids many months behind. Reading over the summer not only keeps your child from losing ground, but actually improves skills for the coming year.
Here are some suggestions to keep a book in your child's hands over the summer months:
Check with your school – Some schools lend out books over the summer, or may even keep the school library open during certain hours.
Visit your local library – Libraries offer books, audio tapes, videos, and DVDs that can be borrowed for free.
Make fun reading choices – Summer is a great time to explore new authors and illustrators. Check Reading Rockets' Books and Authors section. Read the reviews together and have your child choose his or her own books.
Bring along a book – Whenever you leave the house, bring a book with you. Kids can find time to read at the beach, at the park, in the car, on the subway, or waiting in line.
Don't make reading a punishment – Reading should just be a part of your day. Don't have kids miss other summer activities by keeping them inside to read.
Reward reading progress – Add a seashell or a stone to a bucket each time your child reads and shares a book. When you've filled it up, do a fun summer activity like making a nice, cool milkshake together!
More information on helping your kids succeed at reading this summer.
Website focuses on parents' needs for back-to-school season
Summer breaks have just started and PTA wants parents and kids to relax and enjoy the summer. We hope to alleviate stress and worry as summer winds down by publishing Back-to-School Central, a comprehensive online parent resource for the back-to-school season.
The site, which will be updated throughout the summer, compiles some of PTA's valuable resources on parent involvement, homework help, study skills, nutrition, and back-to-school preparation. Some of the features include:
- Tips for communicating with teachers
- Transitioning from summer schedules to school-time schedules
- Solutions to common homework challenges
- Healthy snacking options
Enjoy the summer and know that PTA will be there to help you get your kids ready for another school year in the fall.
Our online broadcasts focus on issues affecting families and child advocates, providing real-life answers to everyday problems. Re-launched to bring you robust and engaging content, PTA Radio is full of the latest headline news, issues, and features that affect the lives of children.
The Latest Episodes, June 9, 2009:
Segment #1 - National PTA President, Jan Harp Domene, speaks with CEO Byron V. Garrett and reflects on her term as president and the legacy she leaves behind.
Segment #2 - Our national training staff discusses the 113th National PTA Convention programming, workshops, and training focused on critical issues and developing leadership.
(NOTE: The above segment 1 and 2 links connect to "zipped" files of the episodes, for download purposes. To hear the episodes in your browser, use this link to the main PTA Radio page, online listening, and look for the segments for June 9th, 2009.)
Check-in bi-weekly for featured programming as well as archived episodes.
Honoring the billions of children and child advocates around the world, international multi-platinum recording artist and Billboard star CeCe Peniston and National PTA made PTA's new song available for download today at PTAmusic.org.
This is the first official PTA song released from the organization's recording label, National PTA Recordings. Peniston began recording "Above Horizons" when she became a National PTA Ambassador in October 2008. And PTA's message of parent involvement and student success is captured in the chorus:
We are the shoulders you can stand on, when you reach for something higher.
These are the arms that you can count on, when your dreams have been delayed.
We are the parents, we are the teachers, you are the eagles that fly above horizons.
Young conqueror;
You're never alone.
It's available in three different mixes: "Above Horizons (Original Mix)"; "Above Horizons (Status Mix)"; and "Above Horizons (Aaron Carl Mix)". The cost is $1 per download or all three mixes are available in a bundle for $2.25. Ringtones of each mix are available for $2.49.
Get your cameras ready: The 4th Annual Picture PTA Photo Contest is coming your way.
Picture PTA offers all adults a chance to show off activities and events in their homes, schools, and communities and exercise their creativity. Graduation, end-of-schoolyear events, picnics, and other outdoor fun are just around the corner. Take advantage of these picture-perfect moments to preserve your experiences and try to win gift cards and recognition.
The contest opens May 20 and runs through June 30. Details are available at PTA.org/PicturePTA. Enter for your chance to win a $50 gift card and national acknowledgment online and in PTA publications.
In August, Our Children, PTA’s national magazine, will be a Back-to-PTA Handbook filled with information on all of the programs, events, and resources PTA offers to parents. We want you to share how these PTA programs and resources affected you, your children, your school, or your community!
If your response is selected for publication in the Back-to-PTA Handbook issue of Our Children, PTA will send you a $25 gift card.
Deadline for submission: Tuesday, June 30, 2009.
When submitting your response to forum@pta.org, please include
- Your name,
- The name and town of your PTA, and
- Your home mailing address so we can send you a gift card if your submission is published.
By sending an e-mail, you'll be granting PTA the right to publish your response, which may be edited for grammar, length, and/or clarity.
Some PTA Resources to be Included in the Back-to-PTA Handbook:
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Program & Campaigns
- Healthy Lifestyles
- Reflections
- Teacher Appreciation Week
- Family-School Partnerships
- PTA MORE
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Resources
- Spanish-Language Resources
- Social Networking
- OMDR-Plus
- Online News Room
- Flubusters
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Advocacy & Training
- E-Learning
- Emerging Minority Leaders Conference
- Urban Development
- PTA National Convention
- Legislative Conference
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Make a Father's Day Commitment
Join National Center for Fathering in push for male involvement
The National Center for Fathering, along with its WATCH D.O.G.S. program, a founding member of PTA MORE (Men Organized to Raise Engagement), is asking dads to make a commitment to meet the needs of their children by loving, coaching and being a good role model. In addition, fathers are asked to encourage children without fathers and encourage other dads to make similar commitments.
To join the 2009 Father's Day team, go to PTA.org/MORE and sign up using the National Center for Fathering widget.
Quick Parent Tips
One woman's advice for combating "helicopter parenting" (from MomSpa.net).
Parents Interact
Want to know what is going on with PTA? Join the PTA Facebook fan community.
There are many ways that you can help your child succeed! A few small activities each week will pay huge dividends over the course of the year. Here are a few that you can do this week:
- Recruit community members (seniors, business people) to volunteer at school. – Seleccione miembros comunitarios (empresarios, personas retiradas) para que trabajen como voluntarios en la escuela.
- Become active in community groups such as YMCA and Boys and Girls Clubs. – Adopte una posición activa en grupos comunitarios como la YMCA y los Boys and Girls Clubs.
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