Thursday, May 22, 2008

20th District Annual Dinner - Rescheduled



You Are Invited!

Please, plan to attend our annual District Dinner, held this year at Jose's Mexican Bar & Grill.
Details are below and please RSVP by June 5th to:
Tami Baloy - beijingchows@yahoo.com
Date: Tuesday, June 10th
Time: 6:30 PM
Location: Jose's Mexican Bar & Grill
638 Wave St., Monterey, Ca
Cost: $15.00 per person (adult or child)
Please send your checks to:
Michael Silver
3040 Sunset #9
Marina CA, 93933
(email: michael-silver@sbcglobal.net)
Phone: 831-277-3317
If you have already sent a check for the first dinner that was postponed and there are no changes, no action is required. If you have a change of numbers, please contact Michael to correct it.

Menu includes: Beef Tacos, Cheese enchilladas, Chicken Fajitas, Cheese Quesadillas, Spanish rice and beans, chips and salsa, beverage. Dessert will be provided by the 20th District.

Wednesday, April 30, 2008

Day of Education Rally Salinas


California's schools are facing the largest round of education cuts ever proposed in the state -- a staggering $4.8 billion, equal to nearly $800 per student and $24,000 per classroom.

On May 14th, education groups around the state including parents, teachers, support personnel, school administrators, and school board members will be joining forces to demand adequate funding for California Schools.

This is your chance to make your voice heard.

Friday, April 11, 2008

Monday, March 31, 2008

District Dinner, Friday April 25


You Are Invited!

Please, plan to attend our annual District Dinner, held this year at Jose's Mexican Bar & Grill. Details are below and please RSVP by April 20th to:


Date: Friday, April 25th
Time: 6:30 PM
Location: Jose's Mexican Bar & Grill
638 Wave St., Monterey, Ca
Cost: $15.00 per person (adult or child)
Please send your checks to:
Stephanie Bloom
139 Peppertree Place
Marina CA, 93933
Menu includes: Beef Tacos, Cheese enchilladas, Chicken Fajitas, Cheese Quesadillas, Spanish rice and beans, chips and salsa, beverage. Dessert will be provided by the 20th District.


TAKE ACTION NOW!
Join us in protecting our children and California’s future.
The Governor’s proposed 2008-2009 budget contains disastrous cuts to education and children’s programs.
We urge you to take three actions to "Flunk-the-Budget."
1. Starting today and continuing each and every Friday; email, call or visit your local legislators in their district office to express how harmful these budget cuts will be to our children. A sample letter and phone script are available here:
http://www.capta.org/sections/advocacy/downloads/FTBLetterSamples.pdf
To find your legislator go to: http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/yourleg.html
2. Participate in "Flunk-the-Budget Friday" activities, including a SUPER "Flunk-the-Budget Friday" activity on April 25th. Contact your local PTA council or district to see what may already be planned in your area. Send the message loud and clear to your local legislators that this budget hurts our children! For more ideas go to:
http://www.capta.org/sections/advocacy/downloads/FTBTakeAction.pdf.
3. Join us in Sacramento on Thursday, April 24 at 11:00 am for a rally at the capitol. This event will include PTA members from all over the state. (If your PTA is planning to join us, please let Lindsay Shoemaker, Communications Specialist (lshoemaker@capta.org) know.
Please visit the "Flunk-the-Budget" section at http://www.capta.org/ to obtain more information on "Flunk-the-Budget Fridays" activities, fact sheets, sample letters and the "Flunk the Budget" logo.

Monday, March 17, 2008

New Changes in the 20th District Board

At the last executive board meeting, the 20th District Board made some important changes to its members.

We are very sorry to lose Robin Martinez as our Treasurer and Katia Stornetta as our membership chair. They will be greatly missed as they both did excellent jobs in their positions.

We would like to welcome Kevin Singley to the board as our Auditor, a postion that has been sorely needed. Thank you, Kevin!

To accommodate the loss of our Treasurer and Membership Chair, other changes were made on the board. Following is a new and updated list of the 20th District Board.

Thank you very much to Stephanie Bloom, our new Treasurer, Melanie Gibson, our new Secretary, Mark Baloy, our new Historian and Tami Baloy, our new Membership Chair for taking on new positions and challenges to help keep our district successful!

In other announcements, our annual District Dinner will be held on April 25th. Please, mark your calendars now and plan to attend!

20th District Officers:
President Tom Jennings
VP Santa Cruz Mary Marasco
VP Mtry Penin Michael Silver
VP South District Karen Gibbs
Secretary Melanie Gibson
Treasurer Stephanie Bloom
Auditor Kevin Singley
Parliamentarian Michael Silver
VP Membership Tami Baloy
Historian Mark Baloy II
VP of Salinas Sherrie Payne
Convention Chair Rene Keehn
Dir. of Comm. Jenny Wood
Hospitality Chair Tami Baloy
Consultant Jane Mitchel
Reflections Chair Bettina McBee
High School Rep Marylyn Silver
Middle School Rep Theresa (Tess) Bloom

Wednesday, March 5, 2008

Congrats to our Reflections Winner!

Congratulations to Theresa (Tess) Bloom for being honored as the only Reflections artist to be sent on to the State PTA! Below are Tess' photographs which answer the 2007 - 2008 Reflections theme - "I can make a difference by ..."

Thank you Tess and good luck at the State competition. Winners at the state level have their pieces shown at the Convention in May.

"Saving the Planet, One Can at a Time"
"Bags are a Drag""CRV for Me"

"Cash for Trash"

Friday, February 29, 2008

Flunk the Budget!

CALIFORNIA STATE PTA
LEGISLATION ACTION ALERT
February 29, 2008
____________________________________________________

FLUNK THE BUDGET!
Sample Letters and Phone Script
(Please email this to your ALL your PTA unit, council and district members.)

Dear PTA members:

The need for PTA has never been greater. The Governor’s proposed 2008-2009 budget contains disastrous cuts to education and children’s program. For the next several months (or however long it takes), we will be pursuing a statewide effort to make sure every legislator and the Governor hear PTA's message loudly, clearly and often:

FLUNK THE BUDGET!


The proposed budget would make across-the-board cuts to education, health care and other programs that have a direct impact on the safety and well being of California’s children. (Please see the attached fact sheet for details.)

The Governor has recommended a $4.8 billion cut for K-14 education, on top of a $400-plus million reduction for education in the current year.

During the next week, we are asking all PTA members to do TWO things to Flunk the Budget:

1. Call your legislator
2. Write your legislator

Hint: Do both

You can do this at home or as an activity at your PTA Meeting


Suggested PTA Activity:


Bring the information below to your PTA meeting and have all your members make phone calls to their elected officials at the meeting.

Then ask them to follow-up by going home and sending an email.

Make sure you provide your members with the telephone numbers
of their elected officials at the meeting.

Find Your Legislator:
http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/yourleg.html


SAMPLE TELEPHONE SCRIPT
My name is ___________ and I reside in ______________. As a volunteer member of the California State PTA I ask that ___(Your elected official)___
strongly OPPOSE Governor’s proposed budget.

• The California State PTA opposes any cuts to education and children’s programs in the state budget.

• This budget flunks the basic test of good government: It hurts our children.

• Our children did not create this financial crisis and they should not have to pay for it.

Please do the right thing for California's children. OPPOSE the any cuts education and children’s programs in the budget.

SAMPLE EMAIL OR FAX OR LETTER
(You can find your elected official’s email address by clicking on to their home page from the search page Find Your Legislator above.)

Date
Your Address

My Legislator
State Capital
Sacramento, CA

Dear Senator or Assembly member _________:

As one of the nearly one million volunteer members of the California State PTA,
I ask that you strongly OPPOSE Governor’s proposed budget.

• The California State PTA opposes any cuts to education and children’s programs in the state budget.

• This budget flunks the basic test of good government: It hurts our children.

• Our children did not create this financial crisis and they should not have to pay for it.

Please do the right thing for California's children. OPPOSE the any cuts education and children’s programs in the budget.

Thank you.

Sincerely,

Your Name
Your Phone number

Find Out More About the California State PTA Campaign
to Flunk the Budget
http://www.capta.org/

Here is the Flunk the Budget Fact Sheet: http://www.geocities.com/jennywo/Flunkthebudgetfactsheet.pdf

Tuesday, February 26, 2008

PTA and Taxes

From Tom Jennings, 20th District PTA President

As April 15th looms in the near future, I began to think about filing my personal tax return and the responsibilities that I, as an individual, am required to do. I have to gather up supporting documentation in order to complete and file my tax return correctly and on time. You may be thinking, “What does that have to do with PTA?” Well, it may be a stretch, but documentation is the key word.

Under Internal Revenue Service code, PTA is recognized as a public charity and, as such, is required to keep books and records (documentation) to prove that it is complying with tax rules. Due to recent changes in the tax code, every PTA will now be required to file an informational tax return annually. Your PTA must be able to document the sources of receipts and expenditures reported on your 990, 990-EZ or 990-N (also known as the e-postcard.) Which return your PTA files depends on your gross receipts. As a PTA board member, you have a fiduciary responsibility to ensure the prudent management of the organizations’ funds, this includes filing your PTA’s tax return. As an elected or appointed officer, the PTA bylaws require regular attendance at board and association meetings. It is every officer’s responsibility to review financial statements, i.e. treasurer reports, budgets and audit reports, presented at those meetings. What can you do to help ensure that sound financial practices are being followed? The following documents can assist you and your board in maintaining the documentation necessary to complete an audit and to assist you in completing your PTAs tax return.

Budget – an estimate of gross receipts and expenditures for the fiscal year.

Audit Report – an audit must be conducted twice a year: year-end and mid-year. Audits must be presented to the board and the membership for adoption.

Cash Verification Form - completed and signed by two people not related by blood, marriage, or residing in the same household. This form must be completed each time money is counted.

Payment Authorization Form - completed by the secretary or the financial secretary. Bills and/or receipts should be attached to the form as documentation. After the bill has been approved by the association, it is given to the secretary and president to sign. After signatures are collected on the form the treasurer can then write the check.

Treasurer’s Report - must be presented at every meeting of the board and the association. A beginning and ending balance along with a listing of funds received and disbursements must be included in the report. The ending balance
should match the checkbook register, the ledger, and the bank statement (adjusted for outstanding checks and deposits).

Expense Report - this is for officer reimbursement for expenses incurred completing their duties of office. Expenses must be approved by the association.

Request for Advance – a binding contract. Funds must be returned or receipts provided within two weeks of the advance. The advance must be approved by the association.

Annual Financial Report – basically, a treasurer’s report covering an entire year.

Ledger - treasurer-maintained document that lists income and disbursements. Note when bank account is reconciled and when a treasurer’s report has been made.

Check Book Register - just like your own, list deposits as you deposit funds and write down all checks at the time written. Must keep a running balance. Note when bank account is reconciled in the register and when a treasurer’s report has been made.

Bank Statements - must be reviewed immediately upon receipt by the treasurer and the auditor. Statements must be reconciled upon receipt.

For additional financial information and instruction check out your PTA Toolkit, www.capta.org, or talk to your 20th District Treasurer and attend district workshops when offered, and attend the California State PTA Convention.
PTA offers you the support you need!

Reasons to attend convention, from 4th District neighbors

As I visit PTA’s I sometimes witness a tug-of-war about convention attendance. Some PTA leaders see convention as a worthwhile training and networking experience. Others think that sending a delegate to convention is too costly and without value.

Sending a delegate to California State PTA convention is one of the most important uses of PTA funds. PTA is a grassroots organization that takes direction from unit, council and district PTA members. Where are the voices of the grassroots heard? At PTA convention, of course.

Voting on PTA resolutions is the most important thing you will do at the convention. State PTA leaders must show that they have been given the authority by YOU before they can take positions on advocacy issues. Let your voice be heard! Your unit or council should vote to elect your convention delegates. The number of voting delegates you may send to convention depends upon the number of PTA members you have. (Check the California State PTA Toolkit, Section 2.8.1b.)

Final drafts of this year’s proposed resolutions will be available in mid-March. Your PTA should study the proposed resolutions and vote on a position. At the convention, delegates should attend all general meetings and vote as dictated by their PTA association. Sometimes, this will mean voting contrary to their own feelings about a resolution. Delegates should represent the majority of their PTA members, rather than their own interests.

In addition to voting on resolutions, delegates will attend some amazing training conferences, network with other delegates, share experiences, exchange solutions to problems, and grow to their full PTA leadership potential.

Building PTA leaders is essential to a thriving PTA. Anyway you look at it, attendance at PTA convention is a must and well worth the few hundred dollars that are spent. It is an investment in the future leadership of your PTA. Don’t miss the opportunity! See you in Long Beach May 1-4.

Wednesday, February 20, 2008

Scholarship Contest





The Campaign for College Opportunity would like to invite your PTA to join us as a partner in promoting our Save Me a Spot in College scholarship contest with your local youth.

The Save Me a Spot in College scholarship contest will award more than $100,000 in scholarships to over 100 students across California ! The contest provides all California 6th – 12th grade students an opportunity to share why college is important to them by answering the question, “Why should California leaders save you and your peers a spot in college?” Students may submit a written word, poster, and/or a 30-second TV ad that answers this question. Help us ensure that youth in your community are informed about this contest by becoming a Partner. All students who participate in the contest will receive recognition for participating and information preparing them for college, along with their chance to win a $500 to $2,500 scholarship.
As a formal partner in this scholarship contest we will be able to formally recognize you for (1) distributing materials to your students, (2) helping your students register and enter the contest, and (3) coordinating a presentation by a Campaign representative at your local PTA meeting or school who can give your students information about the contest and the importance of going to college. There is no fee or long-term commitment of any sort.

Additionally, we are pleased to offer you access to a new resource recently featured in La Opinion newspaper titled, "Road to College: Know How to Go." This 16-page bilingual (English and Spanish) supplement includes important information that we hope will inspire and inform readers to understand the steps necessary to prepare for college and that college is possible!
We are excited that this publication includes information about California 's community college and university system, steps on how to prepare for college and access financial aid, and inspiring profiles of students and professionals. We hope that this material will serve as an excellent resource for students, parents, and future college goers and are happy to provide copies for distribution.

Your PTA Council, District or Chapter can help us by promoting the scholarship contest in your community. To become a partner and find out more information about this scholarship contest, please visit us online at www.collegecampaign.org/contest. Additionally, if you have any questions or would like to schedule a presentation you may contact Stephanie Romero-Crockett at 800-459-9586 or http://us.f522.mail.yahoo.com/ym/Compose?To=stephanie@collegecampaign.org. Thank you for your time and consideration. Respectfully,
Michele Siqueiros and Stephanie Romero-Crockett
Associate Director Program Associate
******************************************************************************
REMINDER: The deadline for scholarship contest entries is March 15, 2008!
******************************************************************************

Tuesday, February 12, 2008

Web-Wise Kids

WEB WISE KIDS, ESA FOUNDATION AND CALIFORNIA STATE PTA
HELP MAKE TECHNOLOGY SAFER FOR CALIFORNIA’S CHILDREN
Organizations Partner to Provide Parents with the Resources to Keep Kids Safe Online

SANTA ANA, CA - February 12, 2008—Web Wise Kids and the ESA Foundation today announced a joint effort with the California State PTA designed to make California’s children safer online. The initiative, funded by a grant from the ESA foundation will provide WIRED WITH WISDOM, a one-of-a-kind Internet safety education program to the parent members of the California State PTA.

“We believe ‘Wisdom Begins With You’ and we know that it is critical that parents play an active role in their kids’ safety while online,” said Judi Westberg Warren, president of Web Wise Kids. “We are grateful to the ESA Foundation to be able to provide this important educational tool to California parents empowering them to keep their children secure.”

Today’s culture bombards families with new parenting challenges in the field of technology. Making even basic decisions about the family’s computer and Internet usage can be quite a hurdle for parents whose kids are often more Internet-savvy than they are. The need to educate parents is critical and WIRED WITH WISDOM helps to do just that.

WIRED WITH WISDOM is an online, interactive safety program designed for busy parents. The program is comprised of five independent learning segments each of which can be completed in less than 20 minutes. WIRED WITH WISDOM addresses a variety of online issues including: social networking, personal Websites, the World Wide Web, chat rooms, instant messaging, email, cell phone dangers, cyber bullying and emerging technology. The program is being made available to parent members of the California PTA online so they can access it anytime and anywhere.

“The California State PTA works to prevent, control, or eliminate hazards to the health, safety and well-being of all children and youth. We are grateful to Web Wise Kids, and their sponsor for this project, the Entertainment Software Association Foundation, for providing California PTA members cost-free access to WIRED WITH WISDOM to help them protect and guide their children in the careful and proper use of the Internet”, said Kathy Moffat, Vice President for Community Concerns for the California State PTA.

WIRED WITH WISDOM has been uniquely designed to provide parents, teachers, law enforcement officers and youth leaders with useful information and solutions related to the problems faced by today’s e-generation. The program is comprehensive without being complex and the format is attractive and easy to navigate so that even the least Internet-savvy adult can enjoy learning.

“The ESA Foundation is proud to partner with Web Wise Kids and the California State PTA to make the Internet safer for youngsters,” said _________ ESA. “The entertainment software industry is committed to keeping kids safe while using today’s technology through educating parents about resources such as WIRED WITH WISDOM and the ESRB Ratings.”


About Web Wise Kids
Web Wise Kids (WWK), established in 2000 is a 501©(3) nonprofit organization that receives partial funding from the U.S. Congress through the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, Office of Justice Programs. WWK is dedicated to empowering today’s youth to make wise choices online and specializes in providing easy to use, school-approved Internet safety education for youth ages 11 to 16. Today’s e-generation is taught valuable lessons in their own medium using computer games with high tech simulations based on real life criminal cases. For more information about Web Wise Kids please visit www.webwisekids.org.

Contact:
Mary Davis Dan Hewitt
Web Wise Kids ESA Foundation
714.435.2885 ext. 204 202.223.2400
maryd@webwisekids.org dhewitt@theESA.com

Wednesday, January 30, 2008

Insurance and Loss Prevention Guides

In case you did not receive your copy of the Insurance and Loss Prevention Guides, here are soft copies of both the English and Spanish versions.

These guides give you all the information you need on insurance questions and activities that you can and can't do at your PTA events. Please, read through this if you haven't already.

If you have any questions or need an insurance certificate, the last page gives you contact information for Unionbanc Insurance Services, Inc. and a way to print a certificate from online.

Friday, January 25, 2008

PTA 109th Annual Convention 2008, Long Beach - Update

Hello All Ye PTA Pirates (can you guess this years theme?:-)),

Well I can't believe it.....Another year has passed and convention is just around the corner. Please forward this message on to all respective PTA units in the event you see I have missed anyone.

Update: Convention Dates: May 1st - 4th 2008 Registration for Convention classes and exhibits will be done on line: Link is due to be released Feb 2, 2008 and open until April 15th. I will forward to all once received.

Registration books have been delayed at the printers but should be sent next week hard copy and email so you may view all information before registering at the link below. Details of Convention available through this link:http://www.capta.org/sections/convention-2008/

Students planning to attend will need release waiver and be accompanied by an adult(Form to be sent once received via email): Flight reservations and transportation to and from convention are the responsibility of each attendee to organize Hotel reservations: A form is required to be sent to reserve your room. I will email the required form to all above as soon as it comes available.

It is critical all persons planning to attend contact me via email to confirm number attending and names from all schools. Attendees should allocate at least $1000 per person to cover cost of hotel(approx $150 per night, plus tax), Airfare (approx $300, may be less if booked 21 days in advance), Food and Transportation ($40 a day, with exception of PTA event on the first night of convention($35 for event at Aquarium)).

Last but not least please note for those schools requesting assistance, the district is awarded a small amount of money each year to help those in need should they need assistance. This is not guaranteed and will be distributed based on convention committee approval. All schools requesting assistance, need to submit requests by 2/25, each will be contacted to advise if money is available. Look forward to seeing many of you at convention.

It will be a great event!!!!

Sincerely, Rene Keehn
PTA 20th District Convention Chair

Wednesday, January 16, 2008

Time for some advocacy action - State budget alert

CALIFORNIA STATE PTA LEGISLATION ACTION ALERT
_________________________________________
DATE: January 11, 2008

Governor Proposes Drastic Budget Cuts for Students –
The Children of California Need Your Help

IMMEDIATE Action Needed:
Voice PTA’s strong opposition to the Governor’s K-12 education budget proposal.

· Email or call your State Assembly member or Senator right away!

Message: PTA urges legislators not to cut Proposition 98, the minimum public education funding guarantee for our students. The impact of the unprecedented cuts proposed in the Governor’s budget would severely harm each and every school.

Find Your Legislators
Or paste this into your browser:
http://www.capwebworks.com/addresslookup/lookup.aspx

· Forward this alert to others to generate the largest response possible.

· Advise the PTA Legislation Team about your contacts and responses received at legislation@capta.org

· Be ready for additional information from California State PTA. This is the first action in what we expect to be a multi-pronged effort to protect funding for our students.

BACKGROUND

On Thursday, January 10, Governor Schwarzenegger released his state budget proposal. The proposal seeks to address the state’s estimated $14 billion deficit by making the largest reduction to education funding in California history. For 2008-09, the Governor proposes that the Legislature suspend Proposition 98 (the minimum funding guarantee for schools) and cut $4.4 billion (more than 9%) in education funds. The Governor also proposes $400 million in education funding reductions in the current 2007-08 budget year.

While we are still analyzing the details, the proposal calls for:

· $2.6 billion in cuts by eliminating the statutory 4.94% Cost-of-Living-Increase (COLA) for schools, and reducing the revenue limit allocation by an additional 2%. This would create a combined “deficit factor” (money that is statutorily owed to schools as part of Proposition 98) by a total of $2.6 billion, or nearly 7%.
· $1.1 billion in cuts by reducing categorical programs funding, including reductions to the Class Size Reduction program, Instructional Materials, Transportation, Supplemental School Counselors, and many others.
· $360 million in cuts by eliminating the COLA and “growth” funding for special education, as well as additional cuts to special education, which is already chronically underfunded.
· $200 million in cuts by eliminating COLA and growth funding for child development programs (nearly $200 million), which would eliminate nearly 8,000 existing child care slots.
· Reductions in funding for community colleges, as well as University of California and California State University .

* * *

On behalf of California State PTA, President Pam Brady issued the following statement this morning:

Statement on the Proposed 2008-2009 Budget

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE— Sacramento , California , January 11, 2008

Pam Brady, President of the California State PTA, issued the following statement in response to the Governor's budget proposal:

"The proposed California State budget flunks the basic test of good government: It hurts our children. A budget is a reflection of our community values. This budget does not value the education, health, or welfare of our children and the future of California .

"Members of the California State PTA are offended by the failure of the proposed budget to meet the needs of children. The Legislature and the Governor have a responsibility to support the children of California . Any mid-year cuts or suspension of Proposition 98, which provides minimum funding for our schools, is unacceptable.

"We don't move toward Twenty-First Century education by going backwards. It is ironic that the highly touted 'Year of Education' is starting out as the year they tried to take billions of dollars away from our children."

The California State PTA is a branch of the 110-year old National PTA, with over a million members statewide. The PTA is the nation's oldest, largest and highest-profile volunteer organization working on behalf of public schools, children and families, with the motto "Every child, one voice." PTA volunteers work in their schools and communities to improve the education, health and welfare of all California children and youth. The PTA also advocates at national, state and local levels for education and family issues. The PTA is non-profit, non-partisan, non-sectarian and non-commercial. For more information, go to www.capta.org.
###

CALIFORNIA EDUCATION COALITION
STATE BUDGET TALKING POINTS

California State PTA will be working with the Education Coalition to inform legislators and the public about the severity of the proposed budget cuts. Below are some initial Talking Points that you may utilize in addition to the points emphasized in California State PTA’s statement.

While it is clear there are extraordinary challenges in balancing the state’s budget, the Education Coalition strongly opposes the Governor’s 2008-09 budget proposal and his plans to eviscerate Proposition 98. Our students and schools did not create this budget problem, and their progress shouldn’t be undermined because of it.

The governor’s budget reductions would be disastrous to public schools and they are fundamentally inconsistent with the state’s goal of improving student achievement. A $4.4 billion cut to Prop. 98 would mean laying off tens of thousands of teachers and would also result in increases in class size throughout the state, not to mention a further erosion of the support system for students provided by classified and paraprofessional staff.

Voters passed Prop. 98 almost 20 years ago to ensure our students and schools receive minimum funding. They strongly reaffirmed their support for the minimum funding law in 2005. Proposals to suspend Prop. 98 conflict with the will of the voters and jeopardize the minimum education funding levels Prop. 98 provides for students and schools.

According to a report released this week from Education Week, California spends $2,000 less per student than the national average. Other recent studies have shown that California seriously underfunds its public schools, with New York spending 75 percent more than California . The “Getting Down to Facts” studies show that billions more would be necessary to ensure the opportunity for all students to meet the state’s rigorous academic standards. In addition, California has some of the most overcrowded classrooms as well as the greatest shortage of librarians, counselors and other critical support staff in the nation.

Experts including the Fordham Foundation (one of the nation's leading proponents of rigorous academic standards), the Public Policy Institute of California, EdSource and researchers at Stanford University all confirm that California 's K-12 academic and performance standards are among the most challenging in the nation. With hard work, modest investments in teacher training and the adoption of standards-aligned textbooks, our students and schools have been making progress. Reading scores are up 25 percent and math scores have increased 17 percent in the last four years. This progress cannot continue with these proposed cuts to our public schools.

A state budget proposal that looks at cuts alone is not a real solution, because it doesn’t address California ’s underlying problem of inadequate and unstable revenue sources. We cannot talk about spending cuts without also talking about increasing revenues.

The most pressing challenge is to enact a balanced budget that continues the momentum of educational improvement that has been built since the late 1990s. This budget does not do that and anything less is unacceptable

Wednesday, January 9, 2008

PTA January Membership Campaign!

Did you make any New Year's resolutions for 2008? In addition to helping yourself by "getting fit" or "getting organized," you have a chance to make a powerful difference for children: Resolve to help parents be more involved through PTA. The January Membership Campaign, "New Year… New Opportunities" can assist you.

Unlike dieting rigorously or trying to quit a bad habit, PTA membership is easy to sustain and results are immediate—PTA membership can assist many Americans' in keeping their top resolutions. In a November 2007 survey conducted by Opinion Research Corporation:
Thirty-three percent of respondents chose making the world a better place as their top resolution for 2008.Thirty-two percent of those surveyed said spending more time with family would be their top resolution.

Membership in PTA achieves both of these goals.
PTA members spend quality time with family through family involvement activities at home and at school.
PTA members make the world a better place by improving education opportunities for all children.

The bottom line is that the resolutions of 65 percent of respondents can be easily fulfilled through PTA membership, an activity that is not difficult to sustain.

The "New Year… New Opportunities" campaign capitalizes on people's desire to be more productive and proactive in a new year. If you've made use of the online resources and campaign packet delivered in November and implemented a January recruitment plan, you should be experiencing the benefits of strengthening your PTA.
If you have not yet started, don't despair. As with many resolutions, it matters less when you begin and more how you follow through. Act now and you can still run a successful "New Year… New Opportunities" campaign.

Tools are available online, including:
Attention-getting handout cards designed to make parents think about the resolutions they've made for 2008.
Customizable fliers to alert families and community members about PTA's benefits—and that it's not too late to join!
Door hangs to invite your entire community to join PTA.
Fun stickers to start conversations about involvement and PTA.

Go to pta.org/newyear for these and other great resources.

Thursday, January 3, 2008

Happy New Year - January Happenings in PTA

From the 20th District Executive Board, we would like to wish you all a great New Year! It's a fabulous time to renew your commitments and start fresh on all those PTA projects! Don't forget that this is also a great time for another membership drive - keep sending in those membership dues every month and help the California PTA reach 1 Million members!

We want to let you know about 2 very important events this month.

1. The 20th District General Meeting will be held on Thursday, January 17th at 7:00 pm - place TBD. We need at least one member of your board to attend. Look for details on the location.

2. The 20th District Annual Training will be held on Saturday, January 26th from 9:00 am until 1:00 pm at Marina High in Marina, CA. We will have classes on the subjects, below and encourage as many from your board to attend as possible. This training will be extremely valuable and worth your time. We'll even give you lunch so please, come! Communicate this date to your board ASAP and let me (Jenny Wood) know who from your board can attend. Here's a map to Marina High: http://www.mpusd.k12.ca.us/MarinaHS/Directions%20to%20campus.pdf. NOTE: The street address has changed to 298 Patton Parkway.

Classes will be:

President Basics
Parliamentarian and Bylaws basics
Financial/Treasurer Basics
Secretary Basics
Ways and Means
Membership Basics
Advocacy
OMDR
Communications

Also, don't forget upcoming deadlines:
Insurance premiums and Workers Comp forms are due by Jan 17. Bring them to the meeting with you to save on postage! See the earlier blog entry for details.

Reflections entries are due by January 9th. See earlier blog entry for details.