Families and School Communities in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands

PTA Leaders,

Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands are facing an unprecedented crisis. The islands were heavily damaged by Hurricane Irma, and before they had a chance to recover, Hurricane Maria hit and devastated any remaining structures and supports. 

Families and school communities in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands need our support now more than ever.

Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Maria were the strongest storms to hit the islands in decades—families remain without power and access to basic necessities and schools remain closed. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of the families, educators, schools and communities affected, particularly all of our PTA families. We acknowledge the leadership of Puerto Rico PTA President Vivian Ruiz and Virgin Islands PTA President Richard Muhammad during this difficult time. We are deeply concerned for everyone impacted and encourage all of our members to rally together to assist families and help restore communities and learning environments as quickly as possible.

We urge everyone to donate to our association’s Disaster Relief Fund, which was established to respond to tragedies that grievously disrupt a school or education system. One hundred percent of donations to the fund will go directly to PTAs and schools in need and will help provide important supplies for students and teachers when schools reopen.

We also encourage our members to donate basic necessities and/or make a financial contribution to the American Red Cross, Salvation Army Emergency Disaster Services, National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster or other similar organizations to help the children and families that need it most.

Please share this message with PTAs, members and families in your state to help spread the word about ways to support families and school communities in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands in their efforts to rebuild and recover. Please watch for more information on additional ways to support the recovery efforts.    

The need to give has never been greater and our mission at PTA has become that much more important.

Thank you for your support of those impacted by this unprecedented hurricane season and for everything you do to give our children and school communities what they need to thrive.

Jim Accomando

National PTA President

You belong in PTA! / September is PTA Membership Month

MEMBERSHIP MONDAY!

Join here and now---https://my.cheddarup.com/c/ohioptapartnership

"Cars 4 Classrooms" Program

CHRYSLER BRAND TEAMS UP WITH NATIONAL PTA TO SUPPORT SCHOOLS ACROSS THE COUNTRY THROUGH 'CARS 4 CLASSROOMS’ PROGRAM

• The Chrysler brand is a new Proud National Sponsor of National PTA
• The brand’s ‘Cars 4 Classrooms’ fundraising program will feature test drives in the all-new Chrysler Pacifica and Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid, beginning this month

Sept. 19, 2017, Auburn Hills, Mich.—The Chrysler brand announced today that it has become a Proud NationalSponsor of National PTA, the nation’s oldest and largest child advocacy association. As part of the collaboration, the Chrysler brand and National PTA will support local PTAs across the country in promoting family engagement in education and raising funds for their schools through the Chrysler “Cars 4 Classroom” fundraising program, featuring the all-new Chrysler Pacifica.

Through the Chrysler brand’s “Cars 4 Classrooms” initiative, PTAs and schools have the opportunity to set up test drive fundraising events featuring the Chrysler Pacifica and Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid minivan. The brand will donate $10 to the school for every participant who takes a brief test drive. PTAs can go to cars4classrooms.com, beginning today, to learn more about hosting an event. Participating Chrysler franchised dealerships will work with PTAs, providing the Chrysler Pacifica minivans for the events.

Additionally, as part of National PTA’s Take Your Family to School Week (Feb. 11-17, 2018), the Chrysler brand will support PTAs in encouraging families to visit their child’s school and get more involved in their education.

“The Chrysler brand and its dealer network have worked with families and educators on test drive fundraisers in communities across America for more than 25 years,” said Tim Kuniskis, Head of Passenger Cars - Dodge, SRT, Chrysler and FIAT, FCA - North America. “Through our partnership with National PTA, the goal is to give every school in every community the opportunity to thrive. Every test-drive in the all-new Chrysler Pacifica will help initiatives like after-school programs, new playground builds, and technology updates.”

“Across the country, PTAs work hard to support their school communities and increase family engagement in education, which has been proven to improve student and community outcomes,” said Jim Accomando, president of National PTA. “National PTA is pleased to team up with the Chrysler brand to help PTAs support their schools and get more families involved in their child’s education.”

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.

About the Chrysler Pacifica and Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid

The 2017 Chrysler Pacifica reinvents the minivan segment with an unprecedented level of functionality, versatility, technology and bold styling. Re-engineered from the ground up on an all-new platform, the Pacifica delivers class-leading gasoline and hybrid powertrains to the minivan segment. With more than 100 available safety and security features, the all-new Uconnect Theater rear seat entertainment system, and a full array of comfort and convenience technologies, the Chrysler Pacifica is a no-compromises minivan ideally suited for today's families and has earned its spot as the most awarded minivan of 2016 and 2017.

The Pacifica Hybrid takes this revolutionary vehicle a step further with its class-exclusive, innovative hybrid powertrain. It’s America’s first Hybrid Minivan and achieves 84 miles per gallon equivalent (MPGe) in electric-only mode and 33 miles of all-electric range, with a total range of 566 miles. Chrysler Pacifica and Pacifica Hybrid the ultimate family vehicles.

About Chrysler Brand
The Chrysler brand has delighted customers with distinctive designs, craftsmanship, intuitive innovation and technology all at an extraordinary value since the company was founded in 1925.
 
Whether it is the family-room-on-wheels functionality of the all-new Chrysler Pacifica minivan or the groundbreaking, bold design of the Chrysler 300, Chrysler brand vehicles reward the passion, creativity and sense of accomplishment of its owners. Beyond just exceptionally designed vehicles, the Chrysler brand has incorporated thoughtful features into all of its products, such as the industry-exclusive Stow 'n Go seating and storage system on the Chrysler Pacifica and the fuel-saving Fuel Saver Technology in the Chrysler 300.
 
The Chrysler brand's succession of innovative product introductions continues to solidify the brand's standing as the leader in design, engineering and value. The premium for the Chrysler brand is in the product, not the price.

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National PTA Resolutions

Call for Resolutions for 2018 PTA Convention   On behalf of National PTA, the resolutions committee is seeking resolutions for consideration during the 2018 National Convention in New Orleans, La. All resolutions packets must be RECEIVED electronically at Resolutions@PTA.org by 11:59 p.m. EST, Nov. 10. See our checklist for detailed submission guidelines. Resolutions received after the deadline will not be presented at the 2018 National Convention. Early submission is encouraged. If parts of the resolution or background information are missing, or if edits are necessary, the submitter will need to work with a committee member to ensure the final submission is completed by the deadline date. Fax and hard copy submissions will not be accepted. FAQs   Why submit a resolution? Resolutions call for action by National PTA or its constituent bodies (state, district, council or local units). National PTA resolutions seek to address problems, situations or concerns that affect children and youth nationwide and that require nationwide action for solution.   Who can submit a resolution? Local, council, district/region or state PTAs, National PTA Board of Directors or committees may submit resolutions. Criteria for resolutions to be considered at the convention are the same for all PTA bodies.   What criteria must each resolution meet? Each resolution submitted to National PTA is subject to consideration by the resolutions committee.

For more info, see our PTA Resolutions Toolkit. For questions, email Resolutions@PTA.org.   Please forward this information to your local units and PTA councils and share on social media.

Sample Social Media Messages Twitter Resolutions inform PTA’s advocacy efforts on behalf of kids & schools. Submit resolutions 2 @NationalPTA by Nov. 10. http://bit.ly/2wWVMl8 Resolutions are an important part of the advocacy work of PTA. Submit proposed resolutions 2 @NationalPTA by Nov. 10. http://bit.ly/2wWVMl8 Facebook Resolutions are an important part of the advocacy work of PTA. Submit proposed resolutions to National PTAby Nov. 10 for consideration during the 2018 National Convention in New Orleans, La. View the Resolutions Toolkit for submission details and guidelines: PTA.org/ResolutionsToolkit.