Ohio PTA's 3rd Town Hall / November 18, 2020 @ 7:00 PM

REGISTER HERE: 

https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_nD-lwfc4TI2hAgXObzZg1Q

Speakers

Justin Jennings

Chief Executive Officer @Youngstown City School District

Mr. Jennings was appointed the CEO of Youngstown City School District in August 2019. He attended Purdue University on a varsity basketball scholarship, where he earned his Bachelors of Arts (B.A.) Degree. He would go on to earn 3 Masters (M.A.) Degrees in Educational Leadership, Special Education Administration, and Special Education with an emphasis in Emotional Impairments. In addition, he received an Educational Specialist Degree (Ed.S) in Leadership and is currently completing the dissertation portion for his Doctorate of Education (Ed.D.) Degree in Educational Leadership at the University of Michigan. In 2020, Mr. Jennings earned his National Superintendent’s Certification through the American Association of School Administrators (AASA).

Heather Losneck

@Local Ohio PTA Leader

Mrs. Losneck is the mom of two high school students in the Berea City School District in Northeast Ohio. She is the current President of the Berea-Midpark High School PTSA and serves on the Ohio PTA Report To Results Grant team. She has also served as a National PTA Family Engagement Fellow and is passionate about building strong family-school partnerships.

Shelby Robertson

Director, Office of Accountability @Ohio Department of Education

Ms. Robertson just celebrated her 4th anniversary with the Department. Her work, and her team’s work, focus on managing high-level policy initiatives and implementation for the Office of Accountability including the Ohio School Report Cards, Sponsor Evaluation, and performance data use for school improvement. She also recently completed a two-year fellowship with the Harvard Strategic Data Project. Before working at the Ohio Department of Education, Shelby was working at the Colorado Children’s Campaign where her work focused on standards, assessments, data privacy, and parent engagement in the advocacy process. Shelby earned a Masters in Public Administration from the University of Colorado Denver and a Bachelor of Arts in History and Sociology from Bowling Green State University. 

Topic

Why Should the State Report Card Still Matter During the Pandemic? What Does It Mean for My Child?

Description

What does the state report card look like in this COVID-19 season? Join the Ohio PTA From Report to Results team along with an Ohio Department of Education expert, the Chief Executive Officer of Youngstown City Schools, and an involved parent as they tackle this question and much more.

The webinar’s focus is to help you understand Ohio’s state report cards and the data shared about our local school districts, especially the changes we see on the 2020 Report Card.

Find out the challenges to overcome and critical strategies necessary to ensure that all students and families have the tools needed and are supported to have a successful school year and beyond.

Time

Nov 18, 2020, 07:00 PM in Eastern Time (US and Canada)

REGISTER HERE: 

https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_nD-lwfc4TI2hAgXObzZg1Q

Important Convention Survey

Ohio PTA will be hosting their Annual Convention in June of 2021. With all the uncertainties we are currently facing due to COVID-19, we need your input to help determine the best way for us to host the convention. There are potential monetary loss risks to having the convention at a hotel, should we need to cancel or do not have enough participation. It is also an election year for Ohio PTA and we have business that must take place, so ensuring we meet our quorum is critical. Please take a moment to fill out the survey to assist us in finalizing our plans. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScqNoucqqpP-tzgZ6TZqFzdmZTy7Y4TI-SW_JTUbIIVfFM7_A/viewform?gxids=7757

Voting & Civics: Know Your Ohio Government

 

Help Promote and Share Our New Online Curriculum   Voting & Civics: Know Your Ohio Government      We are excited to announce the launch of a new statewide Voting & Civics: Know Your Ohio Government online curriculum for elementary through high school students. This comprehensive  program is designed to civically engage students of all ages and drive young voter turnout and volunteerism across all elections. Click here to watch the informational webinar held on October 1.    The program offers 12 government/election focused topics and related exercises, activities, lesson plans, exams, and social media resources. Of special note is the specially curated Instructor Resource Guide that includes targeted material and downloads for educators. Click here to watch a short video about the learning curriculum.   As a part of this program, the sponsors are challenging students to explore a civics topic by creating a podcast. The podcast challenge is open to high school and college students only. Submission Deadline is October 19. Students are asked to create a podcast based on one of the 12 government-related topics in the curriculum. Formats include: interviews; exploring a current issue that relates to one of the topics; or creating a self-reflective podcast that explores a topic through their own personal experience. Submissions must be 5 minutes or less. Top finishers will receive $500, 2nd and 3rd will receive $250 each. Ten additional winners, one from each category, will be selected. All winning submissions will be featured on the iHeartRadio podcasting platform. Leaguers are asked to share the platform and the podcast challenge with your area schools districts, Boards of Education, education agencies, teachers, faculty, staff, and students.   Learn more about the curriculum platform on the LWV Ohio website here.

NPR Student Podcast Challenge

 

LA Johnson/NPR The NPR Education Team has some exciting news this week:  The NPR Student Podcast Challenge is back for its third year, with a big new addition: We're kicking it up a notch to include college students. Last year, despite a massive disruption to the school year amid the global pandemic, the contest brought in more than 2,200 podcasts from high school and middle school students in 46 states and the District of Columbia. Ever since the project began in 2018, we've been hearing from college podcasters all over the U.S., saying, Hey, what about us? So this year, we'll host, in effect, two contests: the traditional Student Podcast Challenge with two categories: grades five through eight and nine through 12; and the new SPC: College Edition. All students, regardless of age, pursuing an associate's or bachelor's degree, can apply. And for collegiate podcasters we've got a separate set of rules and procedures, so check that out here. And the rules for the middle and high school contest are here. And, as always, we've got a host of training materials, guides for sound recording and audio production, what you can — and can't — do with music, lists of do's and don'ts, and we even made a podcast about making a good podcast! And the good news is you've got some time to get started. Entries for the Student Podcast Challenge: College Edition will open on Dec. 1, with a final deadline of Feb 15, 2021. For middle and high school students, entries will open on Jan. 1, and close on March 15. We'll have lots of updates, training materials, and make sure to sign up for our newsletter with more tips and advice, here!  Read More Here

OHIO PTA MEMBERS CALL FOR INTEREST IN OHIO PTA BOARD

 

OHIO PTA MEMBERS CALL FOR INTEREST IN OHIO PTA BOARD    If you are enthusiastic about PTA, committed to children,  highly motivated and are looking for a new challenge,  then Ohio PTA wants you!   The Ohio PTA Nominating Committee will be meeting in November to fill the slate for the 2021-2023 Board of Directors.  Elections will be held during Ohio PTA Convention in Spring 2021.  All Board positions are open with the exception of President, President-Elect, Secretary-Treasurer, VP Leadership and VP Field Service, which must be filled by those with prior service on the Ohio PTA Board of Directors, according to Ohio PTA bylaws.  Please email fsp-reflections@ohiopta.org  for more information or any questions.   Submit a completed Letter of Interest form to office@ohiopta.org and fsp-reflections@ohiopta.org    Forms will be accepted until November 15, 2020. Letter of Interest forms can be found at the bottom of this email or on the Ohio PTA website www.ohiopta.org – click “Join Us” on the Ohio PTA/Board of Directors page - or requested by emailing office@ohiopta.org.  The Board of Directors Job Descriptions Handbook is located on the Ohio PTA website under “Helpful Links” on the Ohio PTA/Board of Directors page.     Board of Directors Job Descriptions Board of Directors General Information Board of Directors Application The best way to effect change is a collective common VOICE A Powerful Voice for All Children; A Relevant Resource for families and communities; and A Strong Advocate for the education and well-being of every child.

What is Equity and Why Does It Really Matter in Today's School Environment?

Nomination of Ohio PTA Board Members

Linked at the bottom of this email you will find the information for the Nomination of Ohio PTA Board Members. This information has been updated and is being posted on our website and social media and is being sent to all current PTA Presidents. It is a challenging time so we will need all your help getting the word out and encouraging and soliciting strong leaders for our Ohio PTA Board.

 

We have identified a need for participation in District 6 and District 10 and it would be great to find District Advisors and potential board members to service the population of members in those areas. Any and all help in identifying energetic and committed leaders in those areas and around the state would be appreciated. I am available to talk to any unit or member about the process and opportunities.

 

During this critical and challenging time, it is more important than ever to focus on getting and retaining our members and units and demonstrating our relevance and service to our units.  We need to continue the legacy of a strong committed Ohio PTA  representing our entire state as we strive to continue the mission of Ohio PTA.

 

Thank you for your help in this important process.

 

 

Ohio PTA Board Of Director Job Descriptions

 

Ohio PTA Board of Directors General Information

Ohio PTA Board of Directors Application

 

Performance Standards Confirmation Committees for English Language Arts and Mathematics

 

Performance Standards Confirmation Committees for English Language Arts and Mathematics The Ohio Department of Education is conducting a performance standards confirmation process to evaluate the appropriateness of the performance levels adopted for each of Ohio’s State Tests in English language arts and mathematics. Committees will meet only one time to confirm that the performance levels (“cut scores”) for each test were set appropriately or determine they need to be revisited. The performance standards confirmation committees will consist of Ohio educators from across the state who have expertise and considerable knowledge of the learning standards in the content and grade levels for which they apply. Note that this process will examine performance levels, such as Proficient, rather than Ohio’s content learning standards. The standards confirmation workshop will be conducted remotely with each grade and subject area committee operating independently of the other committees. The workshop facilitator will convene the committee members via the GoToMeeting online meeting software or another similar platform. Training will be provided for all committee members who will use internet-based tools to review range performance level descriptors (PLDs), develop threshold PLDs, review ordered item books, and evaluate the performance standards. All committee members must have a private location in which to work since participants will be working with secure materials and will need to have secure discussions about the materials. Nondisclosure agreements will be signed and submitted at the meeting in order to maintain test security. These meetings will be held virtually on November 17-18, 2020 from 8:30am – 4:30pm. For all eligible meeting participants, costs for substitute teachers will be reimbursed directly to school districts. More information about the meeting logistics will be sent to participants once they have been selected. If you are interested in participating on one of these performance standards confirmation committees, you may complete the online application located at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/PSCC-EDno2. Applicants are asked to describe their experience in education, including expertise with Ohio’s Learning Standards in English language arts or mathematics. Please be sure to identify grade level and content area assignment preferences. Applications for Performance Standards Confirmation Committees must be submitted by 4:00 p.m. on Monday, October 26, 2020. Applicants selected to participate will be notified by the end of October. Please be sure to include an active email address for notifications.

Ohio PTA Virtual District Conference

 CLICK HERE FOR LIVE LINKS TO REGISTER

Be Internet Awesome with Google: #ItsCoolToBeKind Workshop

We are inviting you to attend a Live Workshop and Q&A Session hosted by Google. We would love for you to consider joining us! Please register using the link below!

 

Be Internet Awesome with Google: #ItsCoolToBeKind Workshop

For National Bullying Prevention Month, National PTA and Google have teamed up to share tools and resources for families to help teach kids to be safer, smart, and kind online with the Be Internet Awesome program. During this workshop, you will hear from parent speakers on how they've used Be Internet Awesome resources to teach and inspire kindness, followed by a Q&A session. You’ll have the opportunity to ask questions in the chat-box feature for the parent speakers and Google to answer.

 

REGISTRATION

https://forms.gle/suBEdswSdRYXVtiX8

 

LIVE WORKSHOP

Date: Monday, October 19^th

Time: 11:00 AM – 11:30 AM PT (2:00 PM – 2:30 PM ET)

Forum: via Google Meets

Virtual LegCon 2021 Save the Date

National PTA staff has been in regular communication with Capitol Hill to try to discern if Washington, DC office buildings will be open to visitors in March 2021.  Many advocacy groups have begun to pivot their Hill Day format and agendas, committing instead to a virtual Hill day format, with wrap-around virtual education opportunities. 

 

This communication is to inform you that your Board of Directors has voted to convene an all virtual Legislation Conference and State Leadership Training in 2021.  We made this decision out of an abundance of caution for our membership as we continue to navigate COVID-19. We kindly ask that you save the dates of March 9-12, 2021 for these virtual meetings.  We are confident that we will be able to deliver a high-quality event that mirrors our most recent 2020 Virtual Annual Convention.  More information on the schedule of events, registration, and virtual Hill Day will be forthcoming. 

OAESA ADVOCACY UPDATE

 

Advocacy Update

Please contact your legislator regarding Senate Bill 358 Senate Bill (SB) 358 was introduced a bit over a month ago, but to this point, it has made no movement after three hearings before the Senate Education Committee. Our organization, along with the Ohio School Boards Association, Buckeye Association of School Administrators, Ohio Association of School Business Officials, and Ohio Association of Secondary School Administrators, provided proponent testimony for SB 358 before the Senate Education Committee members on September 2, 2020. That testimony can be found here.   Contacts with local legislators are needed now, urging them to push for the adoption of this important legislation! Please call your House and Senate members this week with these talking points in support of SB 358:   Schools and students are facing tremendous challenges during the Coronavirus pandemic and need relief from state mandated tests, staff evaluations and report cards. As many schools continue to utilize remote learning in some form, in-person assessments may not be feasible; the state superintendent should be permitted to provide alternative options. SB 358 should be amended to stop payments for NEW vouchers deducted from public school districts; school district funding has been frozen at 2019 levels and due to the Coronavirus, funding has been cut even further. The State’s EdChoice voucher program was not affected by state cuts and the number of vouchers has increased this year.   Legislators need to hear a groundswell of concern from educators and school leaders about these issues. Please take the time to make a phone call and send an email to your own legislators urging them to pass SB 358. Don’t let them be completely distracted by the election and other pending legislation before they address this education legislation.   Feel free to contact us with questions or if you need help making contacts.   Barbara Shaner, OAESA Advocacy Specialist barbaracshaner@gmail.com

Funding Formula for Ohio Schools

 

For decades Ohio has had a funding formula that was unconstitutional because it relied too heavily on local property taxes and did not guarantee an equitable education for all Ohio students.

Now, we no longer have an unconstitutional funding formula. We have no funding formula at all. That’s because the most recent state budget eliminated the formula, based school funding on previous funding levels, and tacked on additional funding for student wellness programs. Without a funding formula, school districts are unable to plan for the future and make needed investments in our students’ education.

Tell your legislators that Ohio students have waited long enough: it’s time for an equitable school funding formula.

Along with a new funding formula, the Ohio legislature must also end the voucher deductions that are draining local school budgets. These deductions from local public funds have ballooned in recent years because of a failed report card system and a rushed expansion of the program.

Ohio House Speaker Bob Cupp has been a longtime champion for education funding and will soon begin holding hearings on HB 305, which he co-authored with Representative John Patterson.

HB 305 would:

• Increase state funding for public schools.

• Institute a funding formula based on the school district’s actual enrollment.

• Fund charter schools and vouchers separately from public schools, ending the devastating deductions that are in place in the current system.  

Email your legislators today and tell them to support a fair and equitable school funding formula and an end to harmful voucher deductions.

In Solidarity,

Melissa Cropper, President

Ohio Federation of Teachers