The first week of February, 2008

reflections arts program

This year, 38 Howard County PTAs participated in the National PTAs Reflections Arts program.  370 entries came to the county-wide competition.  91 winners from each category and age division in literature, visual arts, photography, music, dance, and film/video have gone on to the state PTA competition.  The first place winner of the state will continue onto the National PTA competition. 

PTA Founder's Day, February 17

The 111th anniversary of PTA Founders Day [February 17] is a reminder of the substantial role that PTA has played locally, regionally, and nationally in supporting parent involvement and working on behalf of all children and families. It's a time to reflect and take pride in our many accomplishments, and to renew our commitment to be a powerful voice for all children, a relevant resource for parents, and a strong advocate for public education.

National PTA's founders Phoebe Apperson Hearst and Alice McLellan Birney and the founder of Georgia's Congress of Colored Parents and Teachers, Selena Sloan Butler, were women of imagination and courage. They understood the power of individual action, worked beyond the accepted barriers of their day, and took action to literally change the world. They had a simple idea—to improve the lives and futures of all of our children. As much as other conditions in America may have changed, that idea has not. PTAs keep it alive.

Today, National PTA is the largest volunteer child advocacy organization in the nation. Our Members represent the ethnic diversity of our nation, and they come from the ranks of traditional families, single-parent households, blended families, grandparents, and other caring adults. Together, we continue to serve as the conscience of the country for children and youth.

Bylaws – are your bylaws due for renewal?

If your bylaws are due this year, 2008, now is a good time to get the tri-annual review finished and sent to MD PTA for approval.  Don’t wait until the spring concert to approve the bylaws.  That is a most hectic time to have a PTA meeting.  An alternative way is to change your monthly executive meeting to a general membership meeting with proper notice.   Make sure that quorum is met and vote on the bylaws update.  Then send the approved bylaws with 2 copies to MD PTA and send a copy to PTACHC and keep a copy for yourself.  If you have any questions, please contact the PTA Council office at 410-740-5153.  Need the Bylaws template?  A copy can be found on our website at www.ptachc.org  Reminder that it is still a fill in the blank copy.  Do not make any changes to the sections with the # sign.

  A Tip on Family Media Strategy from National PTA

This Message Brought to You By... Who?
February is a sweeps month, a time when television networks pull out all the stops to boost their ratings. Because these ratings determine what advertisers pay for commercial time, it’s an opportunity to remind your children that modern mass media are businesses that are primarily supported by advertising. TV shows, websites, or newspapers are how these companies deliver consumers to advertisers. Next time your family looks at the morning paper, a website, a magazine, or a prime-time TV show, try to identify which words, images, and sounds are being used to grab your attention and draw you into the ads. For more information and ideas on teaching about media, see PTA's Parent Resources on Media and Technology or Cable in the Classroom's Media Smart resources.

For more family-friendly programs, plus information on using parental controls to block out inappropriate content, go to ControlYourTV.org.  

CALENDAR

 Feb. 4                   PTACHC General Meeting, 7:30 pm at BOE

 Feb. 6, 7, 8            Parent Teacher Conferences (for conference tips  http://www.pta.org/archive_article_details_1118085766734.html )

 Feb. 11                  MD PTA Night in Annapolis www.mdpta.org  

Feb. 12                   Primary Election Day - schools and offices closed    BE SURE TO VOTE

 March 6 & 7  Cultural Arts Showcase – www.hocoarts.org   Registration deadline is Feb. 29

 Thank you for being an advocate for every child, one voice