Monthly archives for September, 2009

9/23 Parent Ed Event: California’s Schools: America’s Future

Sep11
2009 Written by Webmaster

In the 1950′s and 60′s, California had one of the best school systems in the country. Now it has one of the worst. What happened in the course of 40 years that led to this decline? And what is California doing to raise its system back up? This was the premise behind John Merrow’s award-winning 2004 television documentary, First to Worst. Last year, he produced an update called California’s Schools: America’s Future, which aired on PBS on June 5, 2008.

Please join us for a free educational forum to view California’s Schools: America’s Future, followed by a panel discussion moderated by John Merrow. Panel members will include:

  • Former State Assemblyman Gene Mullin
  • Former State Superintendent of Public Instruction Delaine Eastin
  • San Mateo County Superintendent Dr. Jean Holbrook
  • San Mateo-Foster City School District Superintendent Dr. Pendery Clark
  • San Mateo-Foster City School District Trustee Lory Lawson

This event is free and open to the public. It will take place on Wednesday, September 23 at 7:00 PM at the Bayside Performing Arts Center, 2025 Kehoe Ave., San Mateo (view map).

This event is being organized by the San Mateo-Foster City forkids! Education Foundation, the San Mateo-Foster City PTA Council, and 17th District PTA. Additional co-sponsors include the San Mateo-Foster City School District, the San Mateo County School Boards Association, the League of Women Voters of North and Central San Mateo County, and the San Mateo Branch of the American Association of University Women.

Don’t miss this opportunity to get informed! The recent budget cuts will drastically affect schools in our county as much as the rest of the state. Come and learn more about how California got in this mess, and what we can do about it.

Download the Event Flyer: In English [PDF] | In Spanish [PDF]

Posted in 17th District News, Events, Health/Community Concerns, Parent Involvement

Parents Know the Answer Campaign

Sep11
2009 Written by Webmaster

Just in time for the new school year, the California State PTA has launched a public service announcement (PSA) campaign to engage families and promote PTA.

These video announcements feature real PTA members speaking straight from the heart about the benefits and rewards of getting involved in their children’s public schools. (They were made possible through the generous support of the Pearson Foundation.)

You can help to spread the PSAs’ message and passion for involvement. Post them on your local PTA website. Encourage schools and school districts to post them. E-mail them to friends, supporters and prospective PTA members – in other words – everyone!

It’s easy: Just click on the image above to watch the initial set of PSAs and to find out more about how to share them. (You can also watch them on the California State PTA website.)

Now more than ever, the children of California need adults to step up and to speak out on their behalf. We hope you’ll agree and lend your voice to the effort.

Posted in Parent Involvement, State PTA News

Remitting Per Capita Dues

Sep10
2009 Written by Webmaster

Councils and out-of-council units: per capita remittance of dues ($3.50 per member) to district, state and national PTA  should be sent in monthly.  Remittance forms can be downloaded from the Forms page. Send checks, payable to 17th District PTA, to

Susan Bell, Financial Secretary
17th District PTA
c/o San Mateo County of Education,
101 Twin Dolphin Drive,
Redwood City CA 94065-1064.

AUDITS

End of year audits are due NOW!  NOTE:  State PTA allows you to send in your audit before it is adopted by your PTA.

PTA units that are part of councils must send their audit to their council.  The council will forward the audit to the 17th District PTA.

PTA units that are not part of councils must send their audits directly to the 17th District:

17th District PTA Auditor, Myra Gruschka,
c/o San Mateo County Office of Education,
101 Twin Dolphin Drive,
Redwood City, CA 94065-1064

When submitting your audit, please include the audit report form, the audit checklist and a copy of the last bank statement of the audit period.

PTA Councils: Your council audit is also due.  Forward your audit along with the unit audits to:

17th District PTA Auditor, Myra Gruschka,
c/o San Mateo County Office of Education,
101 Twin Dolphin Drive,
Redwood City, CA 94065-1064

If you have any questions, please contact Myra Gruschka, Auditor.

TAX FILING

All PTAs, units and councils must file a version of IRS form 990 for the past tax year (2008) by November 15 this year.  Send copy of your filing (or receipt, if filing 990N) to your council or district financial officer.  Observe the IRS deadline, even if only to file for an extension.  Your non-profit status depends upon fulfilling this requirement.

If you have any questions, please contact Helen Geimer, Treasurer or Susan Bell, Financial Secretary.

Posted in Due Dates, Financial Info

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Our MIssion Statement

The mission of the 17th District PTA is to empower local PTA/PTSA associations to support the school community by providing training, resources, education and communication to promote the value of PTA membership, programs, advocacy and networking opportunities.

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