Tuesday, May 22, 2018

We Need All Voices at the Table When Discussing School Safety

Source: National PTA One Voice Blog


We were deeply saddened to hear about the tragic school shooting in Santa Fe, Texas on Friday. It was the second shooting at a high school in the past week and the second mass shooting at a school this year. Every student deserves to learn and grow in a safe environment, and no parent should fear for the safety of their child every time they leave home for school. More must be done immediately to keep our children safe.
After the school shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in February, President Trump established the Federal School Safety Commission led by Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos. Secretary DeVos held an informal school safety meeting last Thursday to discuss lessons learned from previous school shootings. Today, the Department of Education released a video from the meeting.
We greatly appreciate the Secretary’s commitment to addressing school safety. School safety is a critical priority for all parents, educators, students and community members that should be urgently addressed. While we were pleased that the announcement of the Federal School Safety Commissionmentioned the importance of input from students, parents, teachers and other stakeholders as part of the Commission’s work, the commission has not yet publicly announced opportunities for stakeholders to meaningfully engage with the Commission. We urge Secretary DeVos and the Commission to include parents and educators in all aspects of their work.
National PTA—along with 7 other national organizations—sent a letter to Secretary DeVos urging the secretary to meaningfully engage stakeholders in the Commission’s work. It is imperative that the voices of those who attend, work in, and send their children daily to our nations’ schools are intimately involved in these conversations at the federal, state and local levels.
We know that parent engagement is indispensable to an effective public dialogue. Parents are critical stakeholders in education issues who are reflective of their communities and provide invaluable input and perspective as the key consumers of educational systems along with their children. From our experiences with ESSA and other education initiatives, we have learned that engaging all stakeholders, including parents, is essential throughout the entire policy development process.
Our association recently joined the National Association of School Psychologists, National Association of School Resource Officers, National Association of Secondary School Principals, School Social Work Association of America, American School Counselor Association and National Association of Elementary School Principals to release “Considerations and Action Steps for Implementing the Framework,” a supplemental to A Framework for Safe and Successful Schools. National PTA hopes the Commission will advance evidence-based policy and best practices in creating safe schools in states and districts across the country.
As one of the primary consumers of our nation’s education system, parents are essential partners in education who must be brought to the table to improve school safety. Make your voice heard on this important issue by sending your comments and recommendations related to school safety to safety@ed.gov. We also encourage you to reach out to your child’s school and local education leaders to learn more current school safety measures and policies and collaborate with them on ways to improve the school environment.









Thursday, May 10, 2018

2018 NATIONAL FAMILY AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT CONFERENCE



In honor of Teachers Appreciation Week & Mother’s Day, @ielconnects & @FCENetwork is offering $100 off individual & group registration for the National #FCEConf18. Learn more: http://bit.ly/2018FCEConf or email fcenetwork@iel.org This offer is valid now until Monday, May 14th COB and cannot be combined with other promotions or discounted rates (including early bird).




2018 Reflections Winners (7 Ohio Winners!!!)

Congratulations to the following student artists on their national 

achievements in the arts!


Register to attend the 2018 National PTA Awards and Reflections 
Celebration at the National PTA Convention & Expo in
New Orleans on Saturday, June 23, 2018.
All winning works will be debuted at the U.S. Department of Education in
Washington, DC. Save the date for the National PTA Student Arts 
Showcase and exhibit opening on January 22, 2019. 

Special Artist Awards

Outstanding Interpretation Award

Micah Williams The Light That is Still ShiningJames G. Walsh Middle School PTA, Texas

Awards of Excellence

Dance ChoreographyPriya Ramnarine 1000Bel Air Middle School PTA, Maryland
Film ProductionJack Williams Six Ways to Trick Your SisterCoronado High School PTA, Colorado
LiteratureChristopher Fratz Moonlight
Park Western/Harbor Magnet Elementary PTA, California
Music CompositionAbbey Worsdell Within ReachVineyard Jr. High School PTSA, California
PhotographyHannah Cheeseman ReachingJohn G. Dinkelmeyer PTA, New York
Visual ArtsKenny Barr Rock n Roll and Graffiti Within ReachPark Rapids Century School PTA, Minnesota
Reflections Special Artist

Dance Choreography Awards

Outstanding Interpretation Award

Eric Poor The GoalWaples Mill Elementary PTA, Virginia

Primary Division

Awards of Excellence

Dhruthi Tadimalla The Girl who Persevered!Brooklands PTA, Michigan
Harshtha Chander East West FusionHeritage Elementary PTA, Alabama
Kate Baldwin SunshineCanyon Elementary PTA, Utah

Awards of Merit

Arianna Lexi Miller 100 Turns To Find A DreamLandstuhl Elementary Middle School PTSA, European Congress
Elisha L. Castillo Your Dreams Are Within Reach If You Work Hard!Duncan Creek Elementary School PTA, Georgia
Jaylin White Don't Give Up!Leawood Elementary PTA, Colorado
Jenna Le My Rainbow is Within ReachTony Tobin Elementary PTA, California
Trisha Shrestha My Heart's DesiresForest View PTA, Washington

Intermediate Division

Awards of Excellence

Alexander McDaniel DreamerDixie Canyon Elementary PTA, California
Ari Jazz Mayer Hope 2 Against 2000Rogers Park Elementary PTA, Alaska
Ellie Badrock The ClimbParsley Elementary School PTA, North Carolina

Awards of Merit

Elise Trimble Coming HomeRosa Parks Elementary School PTA, Kentucky
Joshua Martin Breakin' to the TopMills Elementary PTA, Texas
Riley Zahorchak Reaching for the StarsOlmsted Falls Intermediate School PTA, Ohio
Sarah Bloomingburg Make a ChangeBell's Crossing Elementary School PTA, South Carolina
Sophie Baldwin Play Your PartCanyon Elementary PTA, Utah

Middle School Division

Awards of Excellence

Erin E. Bailey One DayGreat Neck Middle School PTA, Virginia
Sasha Plowman Getting Through TogetherBernard Campbell Middle School PTSA, Missouri
Vivian Lang The ReturnAccess Academy PTA, Oregon

Awards of Merit

Chloe Furnstahl Your Future is UnwrittenNorth Tapps Middle School PTSA, Washington
Eva Schluter OvercomingFontainebleau Jr. High PTA, Louisiana
Grace Johnson Dancing My Way to My DreamsNorthStar Middle School PTSA, Wisconsin
Jason Shuman Fantasy vs. RealityClarksville Middle PTSA, Maryland
Kara Elizabeth Moy Reach for RedemptionMurchison Middle School PTA, Texas

High School Division

Awards of Excellence

Benjamin Peralta TremorsDouglas Anderson School of the Arts PTSA, Florida
Haylee Richter Try a Little TendernessduPont Manual High School PTSA, Kentucky
Mikaila Murphy All They Know is HateChurchill High PTSA, Michigan

Awards of Merit

Dasia Amos Suddenly Things Fall ApartWeaver Education Center PTA, North Carolina
Isabel Koontz Imagine UnityStandley Lake High School PTSA, Colorado
Kelsey Gilbert DreamsLong Reach High School PTSA, Inc., Maryland
Sophia Gaudiano Dancing Toward My DreamsScience Hill High School PTSA, Tennessee
Spencer Stringham No Labels, No LimitsLayton High School PTSA, Utah
Reflections Dance Choreography

Film Production Awards

Outstanding Interpretation Award

Porter Christensen HELPPineView High School PTA, Utah

Primary Division

Awards of Excellence

Asha Gigani My Ultimate Ninja DreamHighland School PTA, Illinois
Letao Tao Mia the Horse JockeyGarden City PTA, New York
Lukas Althoff Within ReachMonterey El PTA, Ohio

Awards of Merit

Emma Bogle Sadie's Soccer GameOakview Elementary PTA, South Carolina
Landon Gribar Never Give Up, Up, Up!Hahntown PTA, Pennsylvania
Samuel Bae My Journey to Black BeltColumbia Elementary PTA, Alabama
Sanjana Beedupalli Making Peace with Your Sister is Within Reach Eden Gardens Fundamental PTA, Louisiana
Matteo Lambert Lesson From TommyWolftrap Elementary PTA, Virginia

Intermediate Division

Awards of Excellence

Carson Palmer Love Within Reach: A Hamster TaleCastle Heights Elementary PTA, Utah
Javon Leonard Within Reach: The Story of MJVarner Elementary School PTA, Georgia
Shriya Iyer Power of EducationBeverly Elementary PTA, Texas

Awards of Merit

Alysse Davis PuppyFort Dorchester Elementary School, South Carolina
Hannah Symonds My Dream of Becoming a Firefighter is Within ReachBethel Elementary PTA, Virginia
Noah Taylor Within Reach: The Adventures of Education StickbotStillwater Public School PTA, Oklahoma
Abe VanDevender Slappy Fish BattleLewis and Clark Elementary PTA, Washington
Chase Friedman Anything is Within Reach North Polk West Elementary PTA, Iowa

Middle School Division

Awards of Excellence

Griffin Hon The Great Drought of CausbotaniaHarry B Thompson Middle School PTSA, New York
Kameron Owens Hope Is Within ReachNorth Gwinnett Middle School, Georgia
Rumaisa Bhatti Success is Within ReachMurphy Middle School PTA, Texas

Awards of Merit

Benjamin Sauer The ConductorFlorence Pope PTA, Washington
Lauren Mirenda RemembrancesTerrill Middle School PTA, New Jersey
Mark Owens OosiboosCamp Road Middle School PTA, South Carolina
Owen Keller The Golden AcornShore Middle School PTSA, Ohio
Sereen Yusuf How I Portrayed the Voices of the PeopleGunston Middle School PTA, Virginia

High School Division

Awards of Excellence

Ariella Nelson Reaching for HealthMercer Island High School PTSA, Washington
Julian Bass Take ItBrookwood High School PTSA, Georgia
Nina Sehgal Within Reach: The Video GameApex Friendship High School PTSA, North Carolina

Awards of Merit

Ash Martinez Urquiza Within ReachWakefield High School PTSA, Virginia
Brian Lachowski Brain Lachowski's "Within Reach"Fairview Park High School PTA, Ohio
Ellison Mitchum Hang TimeSummerville High School PTA, South Carolina
India Smith Coping with StressduPont Manual High School PTSA, Kentucky
Iseult Lyons Drawing ConclusionsSanta Monica High School PTA, California
Reflections Film Production

Literature Awards

Outstanding Interpretation Award

Emily Liu A Portrait of a Traveler Neuqua Valley High School PTSA, Illinois

Primary Division

Awards of Excellence

Annvi Patnala Happiness Within ReachHenry P. Mohr Elementary PTA, California
Emma Lindsay Freedom Within Reach Windy Ridge PTA, Florida
Nikemi Aworeni Hope in the StormAustin Parkway Elementary PTA, Texas

Awards of Merit

Chloe Marks Sophi Reaching for the StarsRobert Harris Elementary PTA, Indiana
Joseph Hester From Age 7 to Age 28Danville Elementary School PTA, New Hampshire
Julia Malsam Isabella and the Dream Within ReachCC Lee Elementary PTA, South Dakota
Olivia Gabor HappinessDelran Elementary School PTA, New Jersey
Oriana Thomas I Can Do AnythingBower HIll Elementary PTA, Pennsylvania

Intermediate Division

Awards of Excellence

Brian Zhang Within My Reach Amerman Elementary PTA, Michigan
Joshua Johnson Creation Within ReachFox Hills Elementary PTA, Utah
Sarah Koshy Imagination Within ReachEden Gardens Fundamental PTA, Louisiana

Awards of Merit

Anna Ling Finally FreeTarpon Springs Fundamental Elementary PTA, Florida
Danika Curtin A Different Sky Daniels Farm PTA, Connecticut
Elinor Cummings The Last AppleBrookside PTA, Washington
Ishya Bhavsar Stars in the CityBriarwood Elementary PTA, Kansas
Nina Howards A Letter to My Future SelfVienna Elementary PTA, North Carolina

Middle School Division

Awards of Excellence

Kiara Wright In the Worst of TimesLouise Archer Elementary PTA, Virginia
Mazie Johnson ImpossibleJ.W. Williams Middle School PTA, Texas
Quinn Mulvey WildfireBedford Middle School PTA, Connecticut

Awards of Merit

Charimaine Schlosser Within ReachHerndon Magnet PTSA, Louisiana
Delaney Fitzgerald The SpeckBridgeview Elementary PTA, Iowa
Lily Tierney The Spirit of the Wind ChimeWoodhull School PTA, New York
Reese Nelson Mountain BoyCollierville Middle School PTA, Tennessee
Reiyah Jacobs A Baby's UnderstandingEdison PTA, Wisconsin

High School Division

Awards of Excellence

Morgan Miller Cross County - The Only True SportPleasant Valley High School PTA, Iowa
Sarah Kang The Dinner TableHopkinton PTA, Massachusetts
Skyler Wu Thank You, BellyDel Norte PTSA, California

Awards of Merit

Brooke Elliott Among the PearlsLittle Rock Central High School PTSA, Arkansas
Karl Miller Is a Just World Within Reach?Newtown High School PTSA, Connecticut
Laura Miley The Berlin WallByron Nelson High School PTSA, Texas
Rishab Haldar 60 SecondsNorth Star Unit - Minnesota PTA, Minnesota
Tess O'Brien Not AnymoreBlind Brook PTA, New York
Reflections Literature

Music Composition Awards

Outstanding Interpretation Award

Michael Sears SalamPerry Meridian High School PTSA, Indiana

Primary Division

Awards of Excellence

Elina Ojha Reaching for the StarsElizabeth Haddon PTA, New Jersey
Seth Landers Greyhound Racking: Saving Them is Within ReachGeorge Whitlow Elementary PTA, Georgia
Violet Rivers TransformationEagle Rock Elementary PTA, California

Awards of Merit

Adam Starling Car LineJennie Moore Elementary PTA, South Carolina
Julia Amato Magical MountainTuckahoe Elementary School PTA, Virginia
Keshav Kaushik Gopal Cat and MouseBlind Brook PTA, New York
Thomas Frazier Change to RainGrovecrest Elementary PTA, Utah
William Maeda A Violinist's JourneyDooley Elementary PTA, Illinois

Intermediate Division

Awards of Excellence

Latham Young ChangeLone Star Statewide PTA, Texas
Lucas Kreitlow A Man on Mars: Time to Build a New World… From ScratchLandstuhl Elementary Middle School PTSA, European Congress
Rebecca Eifrid MoonflightHaley PTA, Indiana

Awards of Merit

Elijah Crist Upgrading MusicMeadow Lark PTA, Montana
Jarrett Galzki The Unexplored World: It's a Little Out There, but Still Within ReachPark Rapids Century School PTA, Minnesota
Jashan Ahuja My Grandma is Within ReachFairfield Elementary Magnet PTA, Louisiana
Lydia Marden My Dreams are In ReachWindham PTA, Maine
Rachel Rutherford Part of MePlain Elem PTA, South Carolina

Middle School Division

Awards of Excellence

Aidan Scheuer Fluid DynamicsLee Burneson Middle PTA, Ohio
Minjae Eum Grasp the Abrupt SnowBaldwin Arts and Academic Magnet PTSA, Alabama
Shawn Nakayama First StepsVancouver School of Arts & Academics PTSA, Washington

Awards of Merit

Albert Wang The Adventurous Voyage - Hope Within ReachFalcon Cove Middle School PTA, Florida
Brendan Rardon Almost ThereOakbrook Middle School PTSA, South Carolina
Emily Fitzgerald It's PossibleHayfield Elementary School PTA, Virginia
Mason Parker The RideRamstein Middle School PTSA, European Congress
Tiffany Johnson Reach For Your FamilyParents at West Middle School PTA, South Dakota

High School Division

Awards of Excellence

Alexander Behura Une Vie a Paris - A Life in ParisValencia High School PTSA, California
Jenny Xiong Dream GirlInglemoor High School, Washington
Nandita Dey It is CallingDavidson High School PTSA, Alabama

Awards of Merit

Abigail Salamera Bold BeginningsStandley Lake High School PTSA, Colorado
Benjamin Davis Although the Grass Withers (Hope Remains)Emsley Laney High PTSA, North Carolina
Chloe Frantz R.H.Newark High School, Delaware
Connor Squellati Cycle of TranscendenceRock Bridge High School PTSA, Missouri
Thomas Jensen Circa FinemNewtown High School PTSA, Connecticut
Reflections Music Composition

Photography Awards

Outstanding Interpretation Award

Josh Luboski I will. Just Watch Me Mentor High PTSA, Ohio

Primary Division

Awards of Excellence

Lincoln Hodson Magical ReachSacajawea PTA, Montana
Lowri Rogers Girls Can Do AnythingFlocktown-Kossmann PTA, New Jersey
Sydney Jenkins Gold Medal GymnastRosa Parks Elementary School PTA, Kentucky

Awards of Merit

Audrey Anne Spiceland Girl PowerLakeland Elementary School PTA, Tennessee
Micah Hamill My Future is Within ReachCascade Elementary PTA, Utah
Noah Anding Just Hanging AroundNikiski Northstar Elementary PTA, Alaska
Pierra Rozen-Nowac A Helping HandThird Street School PTA, California
Sawyer Watler Within ReachCook Elementary PTA, Arkansas

Intermediate Division

Awards of Excellence

Ella Lindenberg A Friend is Always Within ReachKenbrook Elementary PTA, Michigan
Isabela McMillan Reach For My DreamsRabbit Creek Elementary PTA, Alaska
Nicholas Shortridge Role Models Within ReachHackensack Middle School PTA, New Jersey

Awards of Merit

Addison King Soon I will Be...Southwest Elementary School PTA, North Carolina
Adelaide Flint StrongerGeorge Mason Elementary School PTA, Virginia
Ava MacDowell Dream Big by Reaching High in the SkyHendricks Avenue PTA, Florida
Kerrigan Moses NYC DreamingSteenrod Elementary PTA, West Virginia
Makelle Madsen Catching StarsStone Ranch Elementary PTA, California

Middle School Division

Awards of Excellence

Lucas Burton Brasher Stars Within Reach Briarhill Middle School PTA, Texas
Natalie Keckler One MomentCrosby Middle School PTSA, Kentucky
Zoe Chu Fly FurtherSanford Middle School PTSA, Florida

Awards of Merit

Amanda Beard Nature's BeautyMauldin Middle School PTA, South Carolina
Ansel LaPier Bridges Connect Our WorldGreenacres Middle School PTA, Washington
Jozsef Eyer Szabadsag (Liberty, Freedom)Carmel Middle School PTSA, North Carolina
Lily Vennemeyer Reaching for FreedomHeritage Middle School PTSA, Ohio
Phillip Zhavoronkov Magic is Within YouMeads Mill Middle PTSA, Michigan

High School Division

Awards of Excellence

Ben Eskenazi Above the BelowIssaquah High PTSA, Washington
Cierra Steele Smoke of the Past and FutureThomas B. Doherty PTSA, Colorado
Leah Riben IndestructibleWalled Lake Northern PTSA, Michigan

Awards of Merit

Brianna Martinez Open Hand Open MindHarrison High School PTA, New York
Matthew Benson Wet DiamondsPark Rapids Century High School PTA, Minnesota
Maya Bell Reach for the SkyRock Bridge High School PTSA, Missouri
Rachel Suggs Chew Thin AirStaples High School PTSA, Connecticut
Zachery Key 18th Hole & Par for the CourseLiberty High School PTSA, Virginia
Reflections Photography

Visual Arts Awards

Outstanding Interpretation Award

Elliot Flores SynchronicityOak Lawn-Hometown Middle School PTSA, Illinois

Primary Division

Awards of Excellence

Grace Cao Help is Within ReachCommonwealth Elementary PTA, Texas
Reese Marino You Cannot Say Truth Without RuthRidgecrest Elementary PTA, Utah
Sydney McKernan Losing a DogStratfield Elementary School PTA, Connecticut

Awards of Merit

Aarya Rohith Clean City, My Dream CityMcAuliffe PTA, Washington
Elsie Sorkin Super Dog Reaches for a Cupcake on a TableDennison Elementary PTA, Colorado
Heidi Chen Higher and Higher I GoEnglewood Cliffs PTA, New Jersey
Joseph Yoon The Dream of Reaching Out Under the SeaPoplar Tree Elementary PTA, Virginia
Sarah May Turkey DinnerArrowhead PTA, Montana

Intermediate Division

Awards of Excellence

Dinithi Senevirathna Nothing Is ImpossibleCamelot Intermediate PTA, South Dakota
Katie Ross Nelson Miss Phenomenally PhenomenalRuth Dunn Elementary PTA, Kentucky
Selah Holston It's Within ReachNelson Knights PTA, Virginia

Awards of Merit

Addison Hinson Reach Out for CreativitySherwood Forest Elementary School PTA, North Carolina
Ava Carroll So Close But So FarBelinder Elementary PTA, Kansas
Kai Jo Ya-HoLakeview Elementary PTA, Utah
Kendyl Hartdegen UnityTara Oaks Elementary School PTA, Tennessee
Tanya Rastogi Reaching for MarsRiverdale Heights Elementary PTA, Iowa

Middle School Division

Awards of Excellence

Ashini Modi Peace Within ReachCaddo Middle Magnet PTSA, Louisiana
Erewyn Limric Yearning to Breathe FreeKalles Junior High PTSA, Washington
Harsita Shet UnityWoodlands PTSA, New York

Awards of Merit

Ashley Chi Making a ChangeFrost Middle School PTA, Virginia
Dylan Beckett Bridging the GapAccess Academy PTA, Oregon
Ella Coash-Johnson Different Forest Westridge Middle School PTSA, Kansas
Faseeha Bashir An Immigrant's American DreamEman School PTA, Indiana
James Farrington Endless PossibilitiesWestmoreland PTA, New Hampshire

High School Division

Awards of Excellence

Anna Lim One day...Northwood High PTSA, California
Ellis Chong Found My PaintbrushAllen High School Lowery Freshman Center PTSA, Texas
Sydney Cha Dear RitaLake Braddock Secondary School PTSA, Virginia

Awards of Merit

Allison Sink Through the WindowOlympus High School PTSA, Utah
Ava Ziche The Dreamer Behind the StorySabah Kinder Art Academy PTSA, Georgia
Francis Ian F. Anino The Change Is In Our HandsRobert Service High School PTSA, Alaska
Moy Zhong Stars Within ReachRock Bridge High School PTSA, Missouri
Zhuoyuan Li (Peter) Fight OnMarriotts Ridge High School PTSA, Maryland