Join PTA in our commitment to #StopCuts To Classrooms

Did you know that Federal funding for public education programs has remained at 2% of the federal budget for decades, despite the increase in public school enrollment and the rising cost of educational resources and services? This disparity between funding levels and actual costs means that the federal government has essentially enacted cuts to classrooms. National PTA is running a nationwide campaign—from July 7 to September 29—to raise public awareness that current levels of federal education funding are an inadequate investment in our children. We need YOU to help to make this initiative a success—Every state PTA, local unit, and PTA member is critical to stopping cuts to classrooms!  Here's how to participate in the STOP Cuts to Classrooms campaign: Sign the petition to #STOPCutsToClassrooms to make your voice heard and receive regular updates on the campaign. Share your thoughts on social media (use our sample tweets and Facebook posts) and participate in Funding Fridays on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram to raise awareness that 2% of federal funding for public education is not enough.  Visit National PTA's #STOPCutsToClassrooms webpage to learn more about federal funding for public education and view the campaign toolkit for more info.

PTA TAKES ACTION!

July 6, 2017 Is Your State Engaging Families in ESSA? Parents and their children are the consumers of our nation's public education system, and parents have always been essential partners in education. However, they haven’t always been included at the decision-making table. The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) provides a unique opportunity for parents and families to give their input and to hold states and districts accountable for their children's educational experience. In this new resource, National PTA has identified six critical ways states, school districts and schools should be engaging parents and families as part of ESSA, and all new education initiatives. Use the rubric on the back to evaluate how your state, school district and school are doing! National PTA Endorses 5 Bills in Congress Aimed at Helping Students and Schools Last month, National PTA endorsed five pieces of legislation intended to improve the education experience of students in the United States. The bills range from improving the infrastructure of school buildings, kitchens and busses to providing necessary funding to serve students with disabilities. Click on the links below to see the text of each bill. Rebuild America's School Act of 2017 IDEA Full Funding Act of 2017 Best to Use Safety Belts Act (BUS Belts Act) Anti-Lunch Shaming Act School Food Modernization Act Check the National PTA Key Legislation webpage for updates on the bills and National PTA’s Legislative Checklist and PTA Advocacy Changes Lives for more information on National PTA’s advocacy efforts. PTA Delegates Pass, Update Resolutions at Annual Convention At Win with PTA ... the 2017 National PTA Convention & Expo, PTA members adopted one resolution and one amendment to an existing resolution. The adopted resolution is about Healthy Sleep for Adolescents. This resolution urges PTA members to educate the community about the positive impact that sufficient, quality sleep has for teens’ health, safety and academic success, and to urge policymakers to develop solutions and policies to encourage quality sleep for teens. PTA members also amended the Sale, Resale and Destruction of Firearms resolution to include a provision about the importance of having research on the causes and effects of gun violence. The National PTA board of directors also passed a Rights and Services for Undocumented Children position statement stating all students, regardless of immigration status, have a right to quality, free public education, students' immigration status must be kept private and that schools should be “sensitive locations” where immigration authorities cannot enforce laws. Tools and Resources Watch These Recorded Advocacy Webinars How to Write a Public Comment on #ESSA state plans Stay-Cation Advocacy: How to Win in Washington From Your Own BackyardPresented by the Congressional Management Foundation Take Our Survey! National PTA Headquarters 1250 N. Pitt Street Alexandria, Virginia 22314 PTA.org Phone: (703) 518-1200 Toll Free: (800) 307-4782 Fax: (703) 836-0942 E-mail: info@PTA.org

The 2017 Back-to-School Kit has launched!

Your 2017-2018 Back-to-School Kit is Here! The 2017-2018 Back-to-School Kit is up and ready! As a hardworking volunteer for your PTA, we know this year's kit will help make your upcoming school year a complete success. To register, visit PTA.org/BTSKRegister. THREE things you should know about the 2017-2018 Back-to-School Kit: We completely revamped the PTA Leaders (formerly PTA President), Finance and Membership sections to make them even more user-friendly than before. When you register for this year's kit, you'll get a Recruitment Tool and a poster-sized Calendar of PTA events. We will mail them at the end of July. The website is mobile-friendly so you can use it on your smartphone, tablet or laptop from anywhere you have an internet connection. If you have any questions, feel free to email BackToSchool@PTA.org.

Connecticut Father Takes Helm of Nation’s Preeminent Child Advocacy Association

Connecticut Father Takes Helm of Nation’s Preeminent Child Advocacy Association

ALEXANDRIA, Va., (June 30, 2017)—James L. Accomando of Fairfield, Conn. has been installed as the 55th president of National PTA, the oldest and largest all-volunteer child advocacy association in the United States. Accomando’s installation took place during a ceremony at the 2017 National PTA Convention & Expo in Las Vegas.

A father of two children, the husband of a public school teacher and with a K-12 teaching credential of his own, Accomando has been engaged in education and active in PTA for nearly 20 years. Accomando firmly believes in the mission of PTA and that everyone can make a difference in the lives and futures of all children.

“Jim is a passionate and dedicated advocate for children and education, and we welcome him as president,” said Nathan R. Monell, CAE, executive director of National PTA. “His steadfast commitment to our mission, his leadership experience at all levels of PTA and his extensive professional career will build on the association’s rich 120-year legacy and make a positive impact on the lives of our nation’s children.”

As president, Accomando is committed to ensuring that all children have equity and quality in learning and access to a first-class public education. He will also focus on making sure PTA is relevant to today’s families.

“This is an extraordinary time in our history, where the issues affecting our children can greatly shift the progress we made in the past and the progress we are going to make in the future,” said Accomando. “These issues, however, provide us with great hope, promise, and tremendous opportunities to make an impact. I look forward to working with the Board of the Directors, members, partners, and staff to meet generational and demographic needs and challenges of today’s families, support and enhance our nation’s school system and make sure every child’s potential becomes a reality. I am honored to lead the association.”

Accomando has served in a variety of leadership positions in PTA. For the past two years, he served as president-elect of National PTA. Prior to his election, he served a two-year term on the National PTA Board of Directors and was also a member of the National PTA Standards of Affiliation Committee. Additionally, Accomando served as president of the Connecticut PTSA, president of Fairfield Ludlowe High School PTA, and was a board member and executive at Holland Hill Elementary School and Fairfield Woods and Tomlinson Middle Schools. While president of Connecticut PTSA, he was instrumental in the Snow Flakes for Sandy Hook Elementary School Healing Initiative.

Accomando will serve as president of National PTA until June 2019.

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.

Media Contact

Heidi May Wilson, National PTA

hmay@pta.org, (703) 518-1242