California State PTA Online Newsletter
September 2016
Para leer este en español, haga clic aqui.
Your engagement makes a major difference all year
long
Family engagement is a major factor in your child's school success. Check out and share this new video with tips
on how to get and stay engaged during the back-to-school season -- and all school year long!
Click to view family-engagement tips.
Your voice and vote matter on Election Day!
November 8 is Election Day in California and across the nation.
Advocacy is what makes PTA unique, and we encourage everyone to
take the opportunity to register and vote in the election. But please
remember:
PTA never comments on, endorses or supports individual
candidates for office. PTA is a non-partisan association with a
long track record of speaking up for all children and connecting
families, schools and communities.
However, while PTA does not endorse individuals, the association does
consider and take positions on statewide initiatives that impact the
education, health and well-being of California’s children and families.
Learn more about the five ballot propositions the California State PTA
has taken a “support” position on for the November election.
More information on how California State PTA takes positions and other election information is available at
capta.org, as well as on elections do's and don'ts plus a tool to research your local ballot and polling place.
Thanks again for all you do, and don't forget to vote!
California State PTA continues fight for school
funding
The California Supreme Court recently voted to decline hearing
an appeal of the Robles-Wong v. California education-funding
case, upholding a lower-court decision that found no constitutional
basis for challenging the Legislature's authority to determine what
constitutes sufficient school funding.
California State PTA has been a lead plaintiff in this case since
2010 along with many other education associations, school
districts and individual families. California State PTA and the other
plaintiffs argued that inadequate funding has been provided to
meet the fundamental right to an education, while the Legislature
continues to require rigorous academic standards and other
mandates without funding the true costs.
"Adequate school funding for all children is one of California State
PTA's top priorities," said California State PTA President Justine Fischer. "We will continue to fight through every
avenue available to us to ensure policy-makers and the courts fulfill the constitutional right of every child to a
quality, free public education."
Find out more about California State PTA's work on school funding -- and how you can help!
Learn more about student-assessment scores
The California Department of Education has just released the latest
round of student-assessment scores, and California State PTA has free
resources for families to better understand their students' score reports.
Student assessments are just one measure of learning and help map
paths to success. That's why California State PTA continues to speak for
"every child with one voice," advocating for adequate funding, programs
and services to close the opportunity and achievement gaps and ensure
all of California's children are on the road to success.
California State PTA has created excellent free resources to help
parents, families and educators understand students' scores -- download
fliers in English and Spanish as well as the PTA in California newsletter,
available in six languages.
PTA membership matters: Six reasons in six
languages
Just by joining PTA, you do good things for kids. And there
are so many reasons to join, too:
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Get connected -- There's no better way to know
what's happening in schools or to develop
relationships with teachers and principals
Discover great resources -- PTA offers a variety of
unique programs and materials for students, parents,
families, schools and communities
Speak up -- PTA gives families and community
members a " seat at the table" when important
school decisions are being made
Be a role model -- By becoming a PTA member,
you demonstrate to children the importance you
place on education
Enjoy extra benefits -- PTA members enjoy exclusive money-saving member perks including discounts
on school supplies, rental cars, amusement parks and much more
Make a difference -- By working together, PTA members advance local, state and national laws and
policies to improve the education, health and well-being of all children.
PTA membership is open to everybody -- whether you're a parent, student, educator, business leader or community
member. Find out -- and share -- more with this new PTA flier in six languages and do good things for kids!
Be a part of the PTA online community
Get the latest news in education, health, family engagement and community
concerns affecting children, schools and communities -- become part of the ever-growing PTA online community!
Local PTAs, schools and others who care about children and families can exchange ideas, share best practices,
discuss hot topics and get up-to-date information.
Follow California State PTA on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, and use #PTA4Kids, #DoGoodThingsforKids
and #JoinPTA when tweeting or posting to help spread the word!
California State "PTA Connects" is sent monthly to all PTA members and leaders
as well as to all California principals and superintendents.
Please keep in mind that it’s the dues of PTA members like you and the other thousands of parents, families, educators and
community leaders throughout the state that we are able to continue to offer great resources and materials.