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"This is your PTA news source [blog] for deadlines, data, operational options, event reminders, and everything in between," stated Angela Revay, Ohio PTA President [president@ohiopta.org].
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Presidents and Treasurers,
As you start to wrap up your school year, please take the time to submit your unit or council's volunteer hours. This year, the form will only be accessible online here: https://bit.ly/VolunHrs
Please submit by June 30.
ALEXANDRIA, Va., (June 12, 2020)—As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, the National PTA Board of Directors has adopted a position statement on the reopening of public preK-12 schools for the 2020-2021 school year. The statement calls for any decision to reopen schools to involve parents, families, students, educators, school employees, public health experts, health practitioners and community members in the planning, implementation and monitoring stages of reopening. It also calls on federal and state governments to provide the funding necessary to ensure that schools have the resources they need to reopen as safely and successfully as possible.
“Our utmost priority during this crisis continues to be the health and safety of all students, educators, school employees and families. Our association remains committed to advocating for our nation’s students, families and schools to ensure they have what they need during this challenging time,” said Leslie Boggs, president of National PTA. “National PTA believes that inclusive stakeholder engagement is essential for effective decision making and successful implementation of school reopening plans, particularly engagement with parents and students to address unique family needs. We also need significant, immediate and continuing federal and state funding as many of our nation’s school districts are already working without the resources they need to provide an equitable education to all students, and recovery from the pandemic is an added strain.”
National PTA’s position is that plans for reopening must incorporate the best available science and expertise of infectious disease doctors and health practitioners. Plans shall also strictly follow the most up to date Center for Disease Control guidelines, including but not limited to reasonable social distancing, rigorous sanitizing processes and viral screening and testing protocols. The association recognizes that there will not be a one-size fits all process for the reopening of schools.
As outlined in the position statement, effective stakeholder engagement must be inclusive, transparent, provide multiple opportunities for input and include meaningful, clear and concise communication. National PTA recommends that all information and protocols be disseminated to parents, families, students and communities, following current best practices for family and student engagement. The association urges that all communications must be accessible to parents with disabilities and available in other languages.
As also included in the position statement, National PTA strongly supports a robust federal investment to address the impact of budget cuts on public schools and to help pay for the costs for schools to reopen safely and successfully. Recent cost-analyses by national education groups have demonstrated the urgent need for congressional action to ensure schools have what they need to operate safe and healthy environments and provide high-quality teaching and learning. National PTA urges Congress to provide at least $175 billion in funding for preK-12 education in the next COVID-19 relief package. These resources need to be provided now so that schools can begin planning and preparing to reopen in the fall.
“Our public education system is the major vehicle for perpetuating the basic values of a democratic system of government. However, our public schools have been woefully under-resourced for decades,” added Boggs. “Investments in our public education system are more critical now than ever before. Investments must be made immediately to ensure every public school has the proper resources to help every child learn, grow and reach their fullest potential while keeping them safe and healthy.”
In addition to the position statement on reopening of public preK-12 schools for the 2020-2021 school year, the National PTA Board of Directors also adopted a position statement in April on Distance and Remote Learning for K12 Students during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Further, National PTA launched a comprehensive webpage at PTA.org/COVID-19 with resources, tools and information to support families and educators amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The association has also focused several episodes of its Notes from the Backpack podcast on topics of concern for families due to COVID-19. Additionally, National PTA is granting $1.5M to PTAs across the country to help meet critical needs of students, families, teachers and schools due to the virus.
“COVID-19 has had a significant impact on and presented many challenges for families and schools,” said Nathan R. Monell, CAE, National PTA executive director. “National PTA and PTAs across the country remain committed to supporting students, families and schools in this time of crisis.”
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 family engagement 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. For more information, visit PTA.org.
Congratulations to the Ohio PTA Scholarship Winners!
Special Needs Winner is D18 Frank Dawson East
Liverpool Senior HS
Technical Winner is from D19 Devin Winstanley
Warren High School
Academic
Winners by Ohio PTA District:
D1
School District: Sylvania Schools
School Name: Southview
High School
Recipient’s Name: Manhataten Ethington
D3
Emma Klosterman
D4
School District: Kettering City
School District
School Name: Kettering
Fairmont High School
Recipient’s Name: Andrew Suddith
D6
School District: Oak Hills Local
School District
School Name: Oak
Hills High School
Recipient’s Name: Rebecca Gilligan
D7
School District: Elyria School
District
School Name: Elyria
High School
Recipient’s Name: Makenna Barcklay
D10
School District: Worthington City
School District
School Name: Worthington
Kilbourne High School
Recipient’s Name: Jordan Castelli
D11
School District: Bedford City School
District
School Name: Bedford
High School
Recipient’s Name: Anja D. Vanhuffel Gouldlock
D12
School District: Strongsville City
School District
School Name: Strongsville
High School
Recipient’s Name: Samantha Fleming
D13
School District: Green Local Schools
School Name: Green
High School
Recipient’s Name: Dylan Westmeyer
D17
School District: Mentor Exempted
Village School District
School Name: Mentor
High School
Recipient’s Name: Samuel Webster
D18
School District: Austintown Local
School District
School Name: Austintown
Fitch High School
Recipient’s Name: Sydney Fergusen
D19
School District: Warren Local School
District
School Name: Warren
High School
Recipient’s Name: Caspen Ford
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