Grants and toolkits awarded as part of PTA Take Your Family to School Week, an effort of National PTA to strengthen family engagement in education and build family-school partnerships
ALEXANDRIA, Va. (Jan. 12, 2015) — As part of its ongoing efforts to strengthen family engagement in education and build family-school partnerships nationwide, National PTA® is pleased to award 50 local PTAs from across the country with $1,000 grants and event toolkits to support their participation in PTA Take Your Family to School Week. PTA Take Your Family to School Week, which will be marked Feb. 16-20, 2015, is designated to encourage families to visit their children’s school and spotlight the importance of partnerships among parents, teachers and administrators to student success. The PTAs were selected to receive the grants and toolkits from more than 230 applicants.
“Ongoing research shows that when families are engaged and families and schools work together, students attend school more often, earn higher grades, have better social skills and show improved behavior,” said Otha Thornton, president of National PTA. “National PTA is pleased to recognize the hard work and dedication of local PTAs and empower the associations with resources to expand and enhance family engagement programs during PTA Take Your Family to School Week and throughout the year.”
This year, PTA Take Your Family to School Week will incorporate the theme “Supporting Student Success” to address risks associated with high school dropout rates. Throughout the week, PTAs and schools nationwide will partner to host family-focused events with an emphasis on the theme. PTA Take Your Family to School Week is sponsored by the AXA Foundation, the philanthropic arm of AXA US. The AXA Foundation has been a proud National PTA sponsor since 2005.
In addition to the 50 PTAs that were selected to receive a grant and toolkit, 150 other local PTAs also were selected to receive a toolkit. The toolkit is designed to arm parents, educators and administrators with resources to host events during PTA Take Your Family to School Week focused on building family-school partnerships and supporting student success. The toolkit features:
View an interactive map spotlighting the 50 PTAs being recognized with a grant and toolkit as well as the 150 PTAs receiving a toolkit. The map includes descriptions of events the PTAs will be conducting in conjunction with PTA Take Your Family to School Week.
Timed in honor of the day PTA was founded—Feb. 17, 1897—PTA Take Your Family to School Week reinforces the association’s legacy and mission to promote children’s educational success, health and well-being through strong family involvement. For more information about PTA Take Your Family to School Week, visit PTA.org/home/programs/PTA-Take-Your-Family-to-School-Week-2017.
About National PTA
National PTA® comprises millions of families, students, teachers, administrators, and business and community leaders devoted to the educational success of children and the promotion of parent involvement in schools. PTA is a registered 501(c) (3) nonprofit association that prides itself on being a powerful voice for all children, a relevant resource for families and communities, and a strong advocate for public education. Membership in PTA is open to anyone who wants to be involved and make a difference for the education, health, and welfare of children and youth.
About AXA Foundation
The AXA Foundation is the philanthropic arm of AXA US. The Foundation directs the company's philanthropic and volunteer activities, working to improve the quality of life in communities across the country where AXA has a presence. The AXA Foundation’s multifaceted signature program, AXA Achievement, supports the company’s strong commitment to Corporate Responsibility and AXA Group’s flagship theme of “Risk Research and Education,” by helping students and parents take the next step toward college. Since AXA Achievement launched in 2003, $24 million in scholarships has been awarded to more than 5,600 students nationwide. For more information, visit www.axa-achievement.com or AXA’s Facebook page.