Preventing Learning Loss / Bullying Prevention

[Howard Hartman]

May 2011 PTA Parent
In This Issue: How to Stop Literacy Loss over the Summer PTA Offers Tipsheets on Bullying Prevention Support the Family Engagement in Education Act National PTA Partners with the Military Child Education Coalition National Reflections Winners Announced $20,000 Grant Available for Schools PTA Looking for Fundraiser Ideas Do you have any ideas on how to “torture” a principal as a goal for a fundraiser? Join the conversations in the PTA Great Idea Bank. Need fundraising ideas for your PTA? Consult PTA’s Fundraising Marketplaceand these premier advertisers: •Schools 4 Recycling •Dutch Mill Bulbs •Signature Announcements PTA Networks:	How to Stop Literacy Loss over the Summer As children’s first and most important teachers, families have a major role to play in motivating children to read during the summer months. According to the nonprofit organization Reading is Fundamental, there are many strategies families might employ to encourage summertime reading. [ Read More ] PTA® Offers Tipsheets on Bullying Prevention National PTA® recently launched a campaign called Connect for Respect, an initiative to encourage PTAs to hold conversations in their communities on bullying prevention. To support PTAs in their work, National PTA has created five tip sheets to help parents understand bullying, know where to go if there is an issue, or what to do if their child is a bully. In addition, a mini-toolkit has been created to help PTAs plan their own Connect for Respect event. Through this initiative, parents can do more to help stop the destructive cycle of bullying in their communities. [ Read More ] Support the Family Engagement in Education Act On May 10, National PTA’s strong efforts to make family engagement a federal priority paid off: The Family Engagement in Education Act (H.R.1821/S.941) was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate.The bill provides incentives to schools and districts to engage families meaningfully to improve student achievement. Research demonstrates that family engagement in a child’s education increases student achievement, improves attendance, and reduces the dropout rate. To learn more about the act and how you can support it, go to PTA.org/FEEA. [ Read More ] National PTA Partners with the Military Child Education Coalition In response to First Lady Michelle Obama’s and Dr. Jill Biden’s Joining Forces initiative, National PTA and the Military Child Education Coalition (MCEC) recently announced a partnership to engage military families and support the more than 1 million grade-school-age military children. The partnership will work to build connections between military and civilian parents and students through programs and activities in school districts with a large military presence. [ Read More ] National Reflections Winners Announced National PTA announces the 2011 Reflections Outstanding Interpretation Award winners in six arts categories, as well as almost 200 Reflections Awards of Excellence and Merit. [ Read More ] $20,000 Grant Available for Schools Parenting magazine launched its Mom Congress School Transformation Grant Contest, which will award one needy school a $20,000 grant to provide educational resources. Entries can be submitted at Parenting.com/MomCongress. Entries require a photo or video of the nominated school. In addition, the entry must include a 200-word essay detailing how the school would use the grant money. Visitors to Parenting.com/MomCongress will be able to view each entry and vote for the school they feel is most deserving. The school with the most votes by September 30 will win the $20,000 grant courtesy of Parenting. The winner will be announced this fall.
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