Communicating with teachers consistently and effectively is one simple way of staying involved as a parent. The rewards are many. PTA® posted some tips and resources in Back to School Central to help you learn what it takes to create positive relationships with teachers that lead to your student's success.
For ideas submitted by parents on these and other relevant topics, go to PTAgreatideabank.org.
Find out what you can learn from the latest PTA Radio broadcasts:
- Learn about United We Read, a dynamic partnership between Reading is Fundamental, Communities in Schools, and PTA.
- Listen to U.S. Sen. Blanche Lincoln (D-AR) share her experiences as a PTA mom and how she applies her passion to her work in Congress on behalf of all children.
- Hear Jerry Tello of the National Compadres Network, a PTA MORESM partner, give a fascinating glimpse into the work his organization does to empower Latino men to become more involved in their children's lives.
Listen to the broadcasts now.
School Year's Eve "holiday" helps generate back-to-school excitement
For millions of parents of school-aged children, January is not the real "new year." It's in August and early September — the time of year when mothers, fathers, and children across the country are putting away the pool toys, updating their wardrobes, shopping for school supplies, planning carpools and setting up schedules for caretaking, classes, sporting activities, and more.
To celebrate the return to the school year, PTA® and Cookie magazine created a brand new holiday to mark the occasion: School Year's EveTM. Read on to get more information, learn about valuable resources, and register for a sweepstakes.
Schoolyearseve.com is the go-to resource for families, students, and communities, and offers new ways to prepare for the school year ahead. The site is loaded with fun and educational resources, activities, healthy recipes, parenting tips, special discounts and more. Participants also have the opportunity to enter a sweepstakes for a chance to win cash prizes. Other fun resources in the site's Party Planner section include:
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Check out the School Year's Eve discussion at the PTA Great Idea Bank. |
- School Year's Resolution sheets for parents and students.
- Custom electronic invitations
- Party checklist
- Party recipes
To get information and register for the sweepstakes, visit PTA.org or Schoolyearseve.com and remember to check back often for updates and more great offers and resources during the back-to-school season. Starting August 15, you can post pictures online from your School Year's Eve™ party for a chance to win $1,500 for your PTA unit.
Don't miss the party of the year!
Q: Why should I join a PTA?
A: Aside from supporting work on behalf of all children, joining PTA grants you access to special discount offers from businesses such as BarnesandNoble.com, MedicAlert Foundation, the HP Academy Store, Sharp Electronics, Southwest Airlines Vacations, MetLife, and T-Mobile. To learn more about these member benefits providers exclusive to PTA members, go to the Member Benefits page on PTA.org.
Reflections Program winners featured at convention
At the PTA National Convention, June 26–29 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, attendees experienced firsthand what can happen when imagination and creativity meet the long-standing PTA Reflections Program. Five of the six national Outstanding Interpretation Award recipients were present to share their winning pieces.
The 2008–2009 PTA Reflections Program — themed "Wow!" — boasted participation from more than 500,000 students from local PTAs across the United States and in military installations abroad. In addition to the six national Outstanding Interpretation Awards, PTA awarded 72 national Awards of Excellence and 120 national Awards of Merit across four grade divisions — primary, intermediate, middle/junior, and senior — and six arts areas — dance choreography, film production, literature, musical composition, photography, and the visual arts.
As U.S. schools increasingly lose funding for the arts in classrooms, it is vital that we advocate for quality arts education. One of the simplest ways to promote and celebrate the arts is through participation in the PTA Reflections Program. Help PTA reach record numbers for the 40th anniversary of Reflections; encourage your PTA and your children to take part in the 2009–2010 program. The theme: "Beauty is..." Rules and guides are available at PTAreflections.org.
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:
