The Ohio PTA Voice Table of Contents: Pg. 1 - Note from the President Pg. 3 - Childhood Poverty Pg. 4 - Our PTA History Pg. 6 - Families & Engagement Pg. 7 - The Roles of Council Pg. 8 - Black History Pg. 9 - Inspirations in Education Pg. 10 - Reflections Pg. 11 - Start Talking Pg. 12 - Nominating Committee Pg. 14 - Being a PTA Treasurer Pg. 17 - Board of Directors Page 1 February 2016 Advertising in this newsletter does not imply endorsement by Ohio PTA Note from the President... Ohio PTA 40 Northwoods Blvd. Ste.A Columbus, OH 43235-4718 (614) 781-6344 Fax: (614) 781-6349 [email protected]A powerful voice for all children A relevant resource for families and communities A strong advocate for the education and well-being of every child Greetings Family, Happy New Year. During the holiday season I had the opportunity to attend the Capital University Christmas Festival. The program was called “With all of your Heart.” The program brochure spoke of how we are a distracted people. It spoke of how with 24/7 news, social media, Netflix on demand, and the insistent chimes of our smartphones – we don’t have much hope nor the time for giving something our undivided attention, much less our whole hearts. We live in an age of multi-tasking. We fill our schedules up like smorgasbords. In the midst of so many distractions how can we devote our whole heart to anything? When I think about the founding of PTA, our founding ladies, I think of how much heart and soul they must have possessed. They are our heritage. Alice McLellan Birney and Phoebe Apperson Hearst founded the organization when women did not have the right to vote and social activism was not popular. However, they believed mothers would support their mission to eliminate threats that endangered children, and in early 1897, they started a nationwide campaign founded in 1897 as the National Congress of Mothers. National PTA is a powerful voice for all children, a relevant resource for families and communities, and a strong advocate for public education. On Feb. 17, 1897, more than 2,000 people—mostly mothers, but also fathers, teachers, laborers and legislators—attended the first convocation of the National Congress of Mothers in Washington, D.C. Twenty years later, 37 chartered state congresses existed. In 1970, the National Congress of Parents and Teachers (National PTA) and the National Congress of Colored Parents and Teachers (NCCPT) - founded by Selena Sloan Butler in Atlanta, GA - merged to serve all children. As the largest volunteer child advocacy organization in the nation, National PTA is the conscience of the country for children and youth issues. Through advocacy, as well as family and community education, National PTA has established programs and called for legislation that improves our children’s lives, such as: Continued...
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The Ohio PTA Voice
Table of Contents:
Pg. 1 - Note from the President
Pg. 3 - Childhood Poverty
Pg. 4 - Our PTA History
Pg. 6 - Families & Engagement
Pg. 7 - The Roles of Council
Pg. 8 - Black History
Pg. 9 - Inspirations in Education
Pg. 10 - Reflections
Pg. 11 - Start Talking
Pg. 12 - Nominating Committee
Pg. 14 - Being a PTA Treasurer
Pg. 17 - Board of Directors
Page 1 February 2016
Advertising in this newsletter does not imply endorsement by Ohio PTA
A powerful voice for all children A relevant resource for families and communities
A strong advocate for the education and well-being of every child
Greetings Family, Happy New Year. During the holiday season I had the opportunity to attend the Capital University Christmas Festival. The program was called “With all of your Heart.” The program brochure spoke of how we are a distracted people. It spoke of how with 24/7 news, social media, Netflix on demand, and the insistent chimes of our smartphones – we don’t have much hope nor the time for giving something our undivided attention, much less our whole hearts. We live in an age of multi-tasking. We fill our schedules up like smorgasbords. In the midst of so many distractions how can we devote our whole heart to anything? When I think about the founding of PTA, our founding ladies, I think of how much heart and soul they must have possessed. They are our heritage. Alice McLellan Birney and Phoebe Apperson Hearst founded the organization when women did not have the right to vote and social activism was not popular. However, they believed mothers would support their mission to eliminate threats that endangered children, and in early 1897, they started a nationwide campaign founded in 1897 as the National Congress of Mothers. National PTA is a powerful voice for all children, a relevant resource for families and communities, and a strong advocate for public education. On Feb. 17, 1897, more than 2,000 people—mostly mothers, but also fathers, teachers, laborers and legislators—attended the first convocation of the National Congress of Mothers in Washington, D.C. Twenty years later, 37 chartered state congresses existed.
In 1970, the National Congress of Parents and Teachers (National PTA)
and the National Congress of Colored Parents and Teachers (NCCPT) -
founded by Selena Sloan Butler in Atlanta, GA - merged to serve all
children.
As the largest volunteer child advocacy organization in the nation, National
PTA is the conscience of the country for children and youth issues. Through
advocacy, as well as family and community education, National PTA has
established programs and called for legislation that improves our children’s
Advertising in this newsletter does not imply endorsement by Ohio PTA
The Role of Councils
Councils are the key…we on the Ohio PTA Board of Directors say that but why? We say it because councils are the bridge between Ohio PTA and their local PTA units and also the bridge between those units and the school district administration. Councils are truly at the heart of it all!
What is a council? A council is a group of local PTA units, most often in one school district, organized by Ohio PTA for the purpose of conferences, leadership training, and coordination of the efforts of their local units. Councils are democracies just like PTA units. Each local unit is represented on council by their council delegates and sometimes by their president and principal too. By represented, I mean that delegates are voting members of council. Their presence and votes are necessary for council business to be conducted. Councils don’t dictate; they govern with the consent of their units. Council bylaws determine who are the voting members.
Why are councils important? They serve as a place where ideas and best practices are exchanged, common rules, traditions, and programs for local units can be established, and news from school districts and Ohio and National PTA is shared. They are communications channels that ensure that all units receive accurate and timely information. Councils unify PTAs and provide a way for PTAs to act together on large projects that could not be handled by units working alone.
Councils DO:
Inform and instruct Provide an avenue for collaboration Offer assistance and encouragement Coordinate PTA activities Participate in Ohio PTA district activities Councils DON’T:
Legislate for units without consent
Duplicate the work of units
Compete with units
Force units to be a part of council projects
Assess fees without unit consent
Effective councils develop future leaders, promote membership, strengthen their local units, and serve their school districts. They send officers and chairs to Ohio PTA leadership training events. They then use that PTA knowledge to assist local units. They develop district wide PTA programs and coordinate projects that benefit all students and schools. They offer a forum for school district issues to be discussed. They lead efforts to advocate for legislation or to help explain educational changes resulting from legislation. In next month’s article, more specific ideas about the functions of councils will be presented. Until then, Happy Founders’ Day! Share your council’s celebration with us!
The Ohio PTA Voice Page 8 February 2016
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Why Black History Month is February
Negro History Week, the precursor to Black History Month, was created in
1926 in the United States, when educator and historian, Carter G. Woodson,
and the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History announced the
second week of February to be "Negro History Week.” This week was
chosen because it coincided with the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln
(February 12), who signed the Emancipation Proclamation, which freed the
slaves, and abolitionist Frederick Douglass (February 14), dates black
communities had celebrated together since the late 19th Century.
From the event's initial phase, emphasis was placed on teaching the history
of American blacks in the nation's public schools. The first Negro History
Week was met with a lukewarm response, gaining only the cooperation of
the Departments of Education in the states of North Carolina, Delaware, and
West Virginia, as well as the city school administrations of Baltimore and
Washington, D.C. Despite limited acceptance, the event was regarded by
Woodson as "one of the most fortunate steps ever taken by the Association.”
At the time of Negro History Week's launch, Woodson contended that the
teaching of black history was essential to ensure the physical and intellectual
survival of the race within broader society. Woodson believed if a race has
no history, it has no worthwhile tradition; it becomes a negligible factor in
the thought of the world, and it stands in danger of being exterminated.
The Journal of Negro History in 1929 was able to note, with only two
exceptions, that Departments of Education in states with considerable Negro
populations had made the event known to that states’ teachers and
distributed official literature associated with the event. Churches also
played a significant role in the distribution of literature in association with
Negro History Week during those initial interval, with the pages of the
mainstream and black press aiding in the publicity effort.
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2015-2016 Reflections Theme – “Let Your Imagination Fly!” How will you celebrate Reflections this year? Send us pictures and stories of your unit’s Reflections events! Need ideas for how to acknowledge student participation? You can find helpful information by downloading the Reflections Celebration Guide – See www.pta.org/Reflections.
Congratulations and Best Wishes! The following five themes were selected by the Ohio PTA Reflections Committee to advance to the National Theme Search for 2017-2018. National PTA will post the winning theme in the Spring, 2016. “What if..” Kaitlyn Hawkins, District 13 “If I could change one thing, it would be…” Isabelle Preston, District 13 “Do you see what I see?” Anik Soni, District 13 “A Hero is…” Karina Pantoja, District 10 “A helping hand can…” Vincent Vinay, District 13 Results of the 2015-2016 Ohio PTA Reflections program will be announced in mid-March, 2016. Looking ahead to 2016 – 2017: The 2016-2017 Theme is “What is Your Story?” Attention all Reflections Chairs- Please note there will be changes to the 2016-2017 Visual Arts Category. Visual Arts can now be 2D or 3D. There will also be changes to the current size restriction as well as new rules for sending the entries electronically. These changes will be announced at the Ohio PTA Annual Convention April 8-10, 2016 and will be posted on the ohiopta.org website soon after.
Advertising in this newsletter does not imply endorsement by Ohio PTA
Our Children and Autism
I have a daughter with autism. That hasn’t always been easy to admit. There are so
many factors that keep parents like me in the shadows. We love our children and we
want others to love and accept them too. But sometimes neither can get past what
makes our children different. Our daughter will graduate from high school in 2016.
And through time and tears we have triumphed and prepared her for the next exciting
phase in her life. Now I can confidently mentor other parents, who are going through
their journey. Here are a few suggestions.
1) Don’t Lie
After a normal pregnancy and birth, my husband and I were blessed with a beautiful
baby girl. However, months later, we could tell our child was a little different than her
peers. She had developmental delays and challenges with socialization early on; we
were all struggling. However, it wasn’t until after years of psychological and physical
tests, that we finally received the autism diagnosis of Asperser’s Syndrome. Our
daughter was in the third grade. It was very frustrating, taking so long to pinpoint, yet
almost a relief when it was finally confirmed. Yet, my husband and I experienced
sobering guilt, realizing that for years we thought our daughter was not paying
attention in class. The reality - she couldn’t help it. So we had to face the facts, get to
work and find ways to help her be successful, despite her diagnosis. So talk openly and
be honest with yourself and your child, so everyone is on the same page with shared
expectations and goals.
2) Don’t Label
No one wants to be labeled. And when it comes to our children, that desire is
magnified 100 fold. So despite the diagnosis, don’t label your child. Never say, “Since
you have autism, that means you will never be able to…” Don’t set their expectations
to be low or lesser than. Our daughter is an Officer for her Senior Class; member of
the National Honor Society and was elected to be their Historian, Girl Scout Leader
and community volunteer. With an interest in art, we have exposed our daughter to
various art-based careers. She has participated in art classes, camps, recreation center
programs. She is preparing her art portfolio for acceptance as an Art major in college.
Recently, she was selected for an internship at a prestigious local art gallery. There are
no limits in her life!
3) Look Toward the Future
The future is coming way too fast. And like every child, our children with autism must
be prepared. We can’t hold their hands forever. And as scary as it sounds, we must
prepare them for life without us. Now is the time to get them ready for life on their
own. Speak with your teachers, counselors and staff about help after high school.
Find resources to help their independence for education,
transportation and housing. Keep the faith and know that when
you’ve laid the ground work, they will be successful!
N. Michelle Sutton
Ohio PTA Mosaic Committee Member
The Ohio PTA Voice Page 14 February 2016
Advertising in this newsletter does not imply endorsement by Ohio PTA
Being a PTA Treasurer in an Electronic Age
(Part 2)
In continuation from last month’s article, we are discussing the need for today’s PTAs to progress into the modern world as it pertains to technological advancements while still maintaining best practices in PTA finances. As Treasurers’ officer terms end and new Treasurers are elected, whether that be one or two-year terms, we are continually training new officers and re-developing PTA financial systems to best fit the current situations of each individual PTA. In doing so, we need to look at all our options when making decisions on what works best for each new board and its members.
Whether a leader is already experienced with accounting best practices, or newly learning them, could make a big difference in how well or how comfortable any particular Treasurer will be in holding others accountable to those best practices; and how tight the reins need to be in regards to the use of banking and security resources available to PTAs and other nonprofit users.
Just like with the use of credit and debit cards, there is risk involved in banking online and storing sensitive information on the cloud. In some cases the benefits outweigh the risks, especially if units are creating and following close guidelines and using secure passwords which are not shared between officers and members. Again, all the risks versus rewards should be carefully weighed in order to determine if making these changes are right for your PTA.
Many people consider banking online to be convenient. Here is a list of advantages for banking online:
1) Banking online provides a 24-hour service which means volunteers can access their accounts anytime, and not just during bank office hours.
2) Banking online allows for mobility with the assistance of internet connection. Volunteers can access their accounts from home, place of business, school or anywhere there is internet access, even on smart phones.
3) Banking online provides real-time account information. It is always up-to-date and accurate to the records being kept by the bank.
4) Banking online gives your Treasurer and board access to end of month statements prior to receiving them by mail. You can access all statements for the year and beyond at the touch of a button without fees or assistance from bank associates.
The Ohio PTA Voice Page 15 February 2016
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Here are a few important recommended controls which will help your PTA with the fewest possible risks:
1) Consult your bank for the latest online security protocols in place with their institution.
2) Prohibit sharing usernames and passwords amongst your board and volunteers, and be sure to train all involved on policies and procedures regarding use of the account and online access.
3) Assign two persons on your board to be administrators for the online accounts. This way more than one person has access in case of fraud from within you PTA. Some persons can be allowed read-only access to the account when applicable.
4) Set up additional user access with levels that make sense with their individual roles and responsibilities within your PTA. An example of a good separation of access/duties would be: The person who pays expenses is not the same person to approve payments online.
5) Review user online access levels regularly and be sure to delete persons who resign or change positions.
6) Set up account alerts to notify officers when payments or deposits are made.
Other ways to maintain security would be to install antivirus software to all the computers you use for online banking and sensitive data. Be sure to secure your usernames and passwords in a safe place. Choose strong passwords that make it difficult for cyber criminals to hack. And very important…be aware never to respond or open internet links or attachments from suspicious e-mails, even if it appears to come from the e-mail of a person you know, or if it appears to come from your bank. These are known ways in which hackers can potentially attack your accounts.
Cloud Storage
Cloud storage means you are storing data/files by transferring them over the internet to an offsite storage system maintained by a third party. Usually there is a cost involved; however there are some free options out there such as through Microsoft Office 365 for non-profits.
The Ohio PTA Voice Page 16 February 2016
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Having access to files for multiple users is obviously a benefit to storing information in the cloud. Back-ups are usually provided, and often unlimited storage is available. Security can be set up by user to each individual file, and folders can be organized to maximize ease of locating desired information. Some risks or downside would be that if the provider of your cloud storage shuts down or goes out of business, all data could be lost. It is important to know what liability your provider has in case of loss of data. And it may make sense for your PTA to continue to do an additional back-up of files. You also must have internet access in order to access the files, so if this is an issue with your PTA or volunteers, it could pose some challenges. Regardless of benefits for both online banking and cloud storage, there are still risks associated with both. Make sure your board chooses wisely, taking into consideration the needs of your PTA, weighing the risks, and carefully adapting your policies and procedures. But the most important safeguards are holding members accountable for following those procedures and continually revising those procedures as needed to help your PTA run smoothly and safely. Your members will be reassured by your efforts. For any other specific questions not answered here, please feel free to contact me anytime at [email protected]. Suzie Smith-Rios Secretary/Treasurer