Monthly archives for March, 2010

17th District’s 2009-10 Reflections Results and March 18th Art Exhibit

Mar12
2010 Written by Webmaster

17th District would like to congratulate all 974 students that participated in this year’s Reflections Art Program. This year’s theme was “Beauty Is…” 203 pieces made it to the 17th District level of judging, and of them 17 entries won the Award of Excellence and have moved on to judging at the California State level.

The 203 pieces that were judged at the district level will be displayed at a Reflections Art Exhibit on Thursday, March 18 at John Gill Elementary School in Redwood City (view map). The open-house exhibit will take place during 6-8 PM, and all are invited to come see the visual entries, hear the music entries, and watch the film and dance entries. Snacks and activities will also be provided for the kids.

NEW! Congratulations to the following winners at the California State PTA level! These two students will have their entries on display at the State PTA Convention in Sacramento:
Cameron Marsden, “Beauty is…”
Borel Middle School
Award of Merit in Middle/Junior Literature

Alice Zheng, “Beauty is World Peace”
Brewer Island Elementary School
Convention Display in Intermediate Visual Arts

Next year’s Reflections theme (2010-11) will be “Together We Can”. Students are encouraged to start thinking of ideas for next year! If your PTA is interested in starting a Reflections program next year, or if you have any questions about this year’s judging or the March 18 Art Exhibit, please contact Contessa Messiana, 17th District Reflections Chair.

The full list of winners from 17th District is below the jump.
READ MORE »

Posted in 17th District News, Events, Reflections

Legislative Alert: Support Local School Funding for Local Schools

Mar12
2010 Written by Webmaster

Cross-posted from a State PTA Legislative Alert

Please sign the petition to qualify the Local Control of Local Classrooms Funding Act today! As you know, the California State PTA has endorsed the initiative to lower the passage rate for parcel taxes from two-thirds to 55 percent. We need your help to collect 1 million signatures by the beginning of April to ensure that this measure qualifies for the November 2010 statewide ballot.

The California fiscal crisis is affecting every one of our schools. Passing local parcel taxes is one way to ensure a reliable source of local funds for schools, but they currently require a supermajority vote of two-thirds to pass. The Local Control of Local Classrooms Funding Act will lower the passage rate to 55 percent, making it easier for communities to invest in their local schools.

Please download and sign the petition today. We urge you to download a petition, forward it to your entire membership, and ask them to sign as well. There’s no need to wait. As per our policies; units, councils and districts need not vote to affirm a California State PTA position on a statewide measure in order to take action. Signatures may be collected at authorized PTA meetings or events held on school grounds, as long as you have secured the appropriate use of facilities permission from your school district, and provided that district funds are not otherwise used to support the signature gathering. You should not collect signatures on school grounds in any other manner. Check with your local school district office and/or your school’s principal to verify this complies with your own district’s policies. You may also collect signatures outside of the school in your community – talk to your friends, neighbors and colleagues.
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Posted in Legislation, State PTA Communications

Message from the President – March 2010

Mar12
2010 Written by Webmaster

We hear every day about the effects of budget cuts on our children’s education and health. What can parents do to help our schools? Some of you may have participated in the recent Day of Action on March 4 to stand up for the future of our schools and the future of California. Here are some ideas for taking action this spring:

Collect Signatures for a Ballot Initiative — PTA is serious about supporting public schools. The California State PTA recently announced that it is actively backing the Californians for Improved School Funding’s ballot initiative, the Local Control of Local Classrooms Funding Act. If qualified for the November 2010 ballot and approved by voters, the proposed Act would lower the threshold for passage of local educational parcel taxes to 55% (still a supermajority!). It requires advance disclosure on how funds will be spent, annual audits, oversight by an independent citizens’ committee, and offering an exemption to senior citizens. Funds raised under the initiative could not be taken or offset by the state in its educational funding decisions.

Talk to everyone in your community — friends, family, neighbors – about why their support for funding health and education is needed. Write a letter to the editor of your newspaper.

Attend the State PTA Convention in April — Join the rally at the Capitol on April 29 and the Superintendent of Public Instruction Candidates Forum on April 30. The Forum is co-sponsored by the League of Women Voters.

Schedule a visit to your legislators’ district offices — Talk about local impacts of budget cuts and hand-deliver signed letters from your students. Now is the time, as the budget is being drafted.

Sign up to get Legislative Alerts! — The California PTA web site, www.capta.org, has a wealth of information on current legislation in Sacramento (see the Advocacy Program).

In the past two years, the state has cut $17 billion from schools, and deep cuts to social services have added to the burden borne by children and families. An additional $2.4 billion is now being proposed in new cuts to schools, as well as the possible elimination of entire health programs that serve children. PTA strongly opposes these proposals.

Keep your PTA strong by keeping parents informed and involved. Elect your new PTA officers this spring to give them time to organize for the upcoming year. Send representatives to your council meetings and sign up to attend the 17th District Spotlight on PTA in May.

If your PTA or PTSA needs help or information on these or other issues please let us know!

Sincerely,
Colette J. Rudd
President, 17th District PTA

Posted in Message from the President

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