Twentieth District PTA

Invites you to the

Annual

Awards Dinner

Date: Friday, May 21, 2010

Place: Tarpy’s Roadhouse

2999 Monterey-Salinas Highway

Monterey, CA 93940

Time: 6:30pm - 9:30 pm

Cost: $30.00 per person

RSVP to Michael Silver…

with your check

11198 Cooper St.

Castroville, CA 95012

Or

By Email michael-silver@sbcglobal.net

Questions? Call or Email Tammi Suber

831-224-9158

tammisuber@yahoo.com

*Cost includes Southwestern Fajita Bar, coffee, tea or ice tea.

No-host bar available.

Meaningful parent engagement in RTTT implementation

In January, the Legislature enacted and Governor Schwarzenegger signed two bills as part of the state's Race to the Top plan. Although California was not among the finalists for the first round of Race to the Top grants, several key provisions of these bills, including those related to meaningful parent engagement in struggling schools and districts, must still be implemented.

As statewide organizations working directly with parents and community members, we understand how critical it is that all stakeholders are recognized as partners in creating and sustaining a vision for their schools. We also know from experience and from decades of research that the most effective parent-engagement strategies are those that are thoughtfully implemented, and that focus on building the knowledge and capacity of parents to be true partners in the education of all students.

With these goals in mind, we share our questions and recommendations regarding key parent-engagement provisions of these new laws as articulated in SB x5 1 and SB x5 4.

1)

Identification of the 5 percent lowest-performing schools and related turnaround work

Given the delay in finalizing the list of California's 5 percent lowest-performing schools, we are deeply concerned about the feasibility of identifying and implementing a sustainable reform strategy prior to September 2010. Included in SB x5 1 is a requirement that parents in schools identified as among the lowest 5 percent be consulted regarding the selection of the most appropriate turnaround strategy, including (but not limited to) a public hearing at each affected school site. We understand the critical importance of making meaningful changes at these schools that result in dramatic and sustained improvements in student achievement. For these changes to occur, the process of selecting and implementing a turnaround strategy must be thoughtful and transparent and must include parents as partners in this effort.

2)

Implementation guidelines for parent empowerment

It is our understanding that the California Department of Education has not yet developed implementation guidelines for the so-called parent-trigger provisions in SB x5 4. As statewide organizations representing 1.3 million families, we have a keen interest in ensuring that the guidelines for the parent trigger are developed in partnership with parent organizations and are clear and uniformly implemented throughout the state. This is particularly important, given recent press reports that groups are already collecting signatures to implement this option.

To that end, we recommend the following:

• The formation of a working group, convened by the California Department of Education, to draft implementation guidelines.
• Among its responsibilities, the group should develop criteria to identify those schools that qualify for a trigger and clarify the process by which signatures must be gathered, including clarity on whether the use of paid signature gatherers is allowable and identifying who is eligible to sign such petitions.
• If, as we believe, the working group determines that existing statutory language provides insufficient guidance to support the development of implementation guidelines, we recommend that clean-up legislation be enacted to clarify outstanding issues.
• As we indicated during the legislative review of SB x5 4, we believe that the most meaningful parent engagement occurs when parents are provided with sufficient information to make informed choices about their children and their schools. To that end, we reiterate our belief that the parent-trigger provision would be significantly strengthened by the annual publication of a list of all schools in the state eligible for the parent trigger. For those eligible school communities expressing interest in exploring this option, public meetings should be held at the affected school site informing parents of the petition option and providing information about the allowable turnaround strategies that can be triggered by a successful petition campaign. We would further recommend that all petitions include information about the group or groups supporting a petition to implement the parent trigger.

3)

Open-enrollment provisions As with the parent-trigger provisions in SB x5 4, we recommend an inclusive and transparent process for developing the implementation guidelines of the recently enacted open-enrollment option. Of particular concern is the potential for certain groups of students, such as English-language learners or students with special needs, to be denied access to this option by districts simply declaring they do not have the capacity to accept them. Further, because the final legislation left open the question of how transportation to a new district would be paid for, we remain concerned about the potential of this provision to siphon much-needed funding out of school districts that are struggling to improve, despite repeated budget cuts.

We would value the opportunity to meet with you and your staff to discuss these concerns and to work together to create and implement policies that provide for meaningful and ongoing participation of parents that results in significant and lasting improvements in achievement for all of California's students.

Thank you for your work on behalf of California's children and for your prompt attention to these issues.

Sincerely,

Debbie Look

Director of Legislation

California State PTA

(916) 204-4987

Roberta Furger

Education Organizing and Policy Director

PICO California

(916) 396-9988

Liz Guillen

Director of Legislative and Community Affairs

Public Advocates

(916)442-3385

About the California State PTA

The California State PTA (www.capta.org) has nearly 1 million members throughout the state working on behalf of public schools, children and families, with the motto, "Every child, one voice." The PTA is the nation's oldest, largest and highest profile volunteer organization working to improve the education, health and welfare of all children and youth. The PTA also advocates at national, state and local levels for education and family issues. The PTA is nonprofit, nonsectarian and noncommercial.

About PICO
PICO California (www.picocalifornia.org) is part of the PICO National Network of faith-based community organizations. In California, we are comprised of 20 community organizations representing 350 congregations and 450,000 families. PICO works to create innovative solutions to pressing community issues and to build a legacy of leadership in communities throughout California and the nation.

About Public Advocates

Public Advocates (www.publicadvocates.org) Public Advocates Inc. is a non-profit law firm and advocacy organization that challenges the systemic causes of poverty and racial discrimination by strengthening community voices in public policy and achieving tangible legal victories advancing education, housing and transit equity.

Registration is open for the 2010 California State PTA Convention

Registration is now open
Invest in your PTA and in yourself: Attend convention

Sacramento April 29th - May 2nd, 2010

The California State PTA's Annual Convention is the ultimate event where training, networking and inspiration all come together. Don't miss it: Sacramento, April 29-May 2. Participate in the important business of the association. Choose among more than 75 workshops. Sample vendors' wares in the exhibit hall. Hear inspiring speakers - including the 2010 Teacher of the Year. Watch student artists perform. Rally at the Capitol to show your support for school funding. Watch the candidates forum for State Superintendent of Public Instruction. For more information, including a new promotional video featuring scenes from last year's convention, click here.

Receive your badge in the mail. Discounted prices now through March 31.



Find lodging.



View convention at a glance and much more.

Free Admission to Exhibit Hall
Thursday April 29
ONLY

Special District PTA Board Training Session April 17th

Mark your calendars, now for a special training session for you and your board! This is a rare mid-term opportunity for training.

Saturday, April 17th, 9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Marina High School, Marina CA - Map below

We have confirmed some very special guests from our State PTA will be joining us to conduct some of the trainings. You won't want to miss these great ladies! They've been involved with PTA for many years and know the answers to all your questions!

President Jo Loss - CAPTA President

Vice President Carol-Ann Koch-Weser - CAPTA VP Membership

Diane Foote - CAPTA Treasurer

Sue King - CAPTA Parliamentarian and

Jackie Wood - CAPTA Leadership Mentor

Please, have your board plan to attend this training - communicate the date to them now so they can hold it open. A more detailed agenda will be out soon.

Map to Marina High:
http://maps.google.com/maps?oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&q=marina+high+school,+marina+ca&fb=1&gl=us&hq=marina+high+school,&hnear=marina+ca&cid=0,0,8126275206475803845&ei=XBBrS_CfB5GKNcLw0JUH&sa=X&oi=local_result&ct=image&resnum=1&ved=0CAoQnwIwAA

How your PTA can help relief efforts in Haiti

I know you all are getting questions from people about if units can contribute here is the PTA policy on this. Please send this to unit presidents and any one that asks for it.

The California State PTA recognizes the need to extend support to the families harmed by natural disasters . Our hearts and prayers go out to these families as they work to rebuild their homes and communities. Since PTAs are often asked to provide assistance with the coordination of relief activities, it is important that the proper guidelines be followed.

PTAs are prohibited from making personal gifts to a specified family or individual. A PTA may not collect and disburse funds for the benefit of specified families or individuals. A PTA's EIN may not be used for the establishment or maintenance of any financial account designated for the benefit of specified families or individuals. The IRS may impose penalties if these rules are not observed.

PTA units, councils and districts may participate in community relief efforts by making a monetary donation to a relief organization recognized by the IRS as a 501(c)(3) organization. Organizations such as the American Red Cross, the Salvation Army, and United Way handle donations for relief efforts under benevolent fund procedures which mean that funds are received for disbursement to a broad class of potential recipients. These organizations may not accept funds for a specific family or individual.

In order for PTA funds to be donated, PTA financial procedures must be followed. The membership is the authorized body to approve, or ratify, the donation to another 501(c)(3) organization. The approval of the donation must appear in the minutes of a meeting of the association.

PTAs may participate in disaster relief efforts by

· Encouraging members to make personal donations to a relief organization of individual choice

· Encouraging members to volunteer to assist at a location providing services to disaster victims

· Providing information on local blood drive locations

· Providing information about other relief efforts in your community

PTAs may participate in personal tragedy relief efforts by

· Working to locate another agency or organization that may handle donated funds to benefit the affected family or individual

· Offering to meet with other community leaders to arrange with a local bank for the establishment of a special account to handle donated funds (Cannot use PTA EIN)

Tom Jennings

20th District PTA

CAPTA Finance Commissioner

831-241-8128

tomjennings20thpta@sbcglobal.net

Founder's Day - February 17th

Founders Day is a perfect time to renew the dedication to the Purposes of the PTA that were defined by PTA’s Founders more than a century ago. Each year in February, PTA honors the three founders as well as past and present PTA leaders. Through special programs and events, PTA also attempts to increase the awareness of its members and the community by highlighting achievements, activities, projects and goals.

Issues concerning immigrants, homeless children and families, the unemployed and the uneducated, and numerous health and safety concerns still need attention. However, through PTA advocacy to enact and enforce laws, children’s health is better protected and children are better fed, housed and educated, with parents more involved in their upbringing. The vision of PTA’s founders has been realized in many ways, and now it is up to present PTA members to continue the vision.

For more on Founder's Day, including ways to celebrate and continue the vision of PTA, see the CAPTA website Founder's Day page.

PTA District Meeting - January 21st - Please come!

Please, join us for one of our few General 20th District PTA board meetings. At least one member of your executive board should attend - preferably, you the President. We need to get to know each other more and work together and meeting together periodically helps us to do that.

We will also have a special guest, our State Representative and Mentor - Jackie Wood who is traveling all the way from SoCal to be at our meeting. If she can travel all that way, we should be able to travel the much shorter distances we have.

The meeting will be held on January 21st at 7:00 in the library at:
Bay View Elementary School
Monterey Peninsula Unified School District
680 Belden Street, Monterey, CA 93940

Here is a map to get you there: http://maps.google.com/maps?q=680+Belden+Street,+Monterey,+CA+93940&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&hq=&hnear=680+Belden+St,+Monterey,+CA+93940&gl=us&ei=tZNHS83xAY6wNvj84JAJ&sa=X&oi=geocode_result&ct=image&resnum=1&ved=0CAsQ8gEwAA

Please come and enjoy our camaraderie and learn more about your PTA District.

PTA President's Challenge: Add 10 in 2010!

PTA President's Challenge

Add 10 in 2010!

Dear PTA Leader:

Happy New Year! Thank you for the important role you play in the California State PTA. If there is but one resolution I intend to embrace in 2010, it is to fully support and empower the work that you do.

You make the difference in serving children and enabling the work of teachers and staff. You are the voice for parent education and involvement. You are the advocate for laws and public policy that ensure the health, welfare and safety of every child. You are the PTA! And your efforts are enriched when PTA membership is strong ... and growing.

So, let's unite behind a positive resolution for the new year: Add 10 in 2010!

January brings new students, second-semester enthusiasm, and wonderful opportunities to welcome a broader circle of parents and community members to enhance PTA's impact on California's children and families.

Reignite your membership campaign, promote the benefits of PTA to your wider community, and resolve to add at least 10 members to your PTA in 2010 before March 31, 2010!

If every unit reaches out to encourage and welcome an additional 10 members by mid-March, we will be dramatically strengthened to meet the important goals we embrace for all children. As president of the California State PTA, I encourage you to help us amplify the collective voice of our organization.

There is no better time than today. In this year of unprecedented school budget and economic challenges, the mission of the 112-year-old PTA becomes ever more crucial for the future of children in our state and nation. Now more than ever, PTA is a rallying point for parents and teachers who resolve to build a stronger and more cohesive school community and a culture of success for all students.

Let's embrace this resolution together! Accept the challenge of a brand new year and "Add 10 in 2010!" To assist you, click here to find a page of ideas you can share with your board and parent community. My best wishes as you resolve to support every child with one voice ... and together we will unleash the power and unlimited potential of PTA membership.

Sincerely,




Jo A.S. Loss
President

To read this letter in Spanish, click here.
Para leer esta carta en español, haga clic aquí.