Welcome to the PTA Council of Howard County

All PTAs are an incorporated business. As such, there are many important requirements that the IRS places on private, nonprofit organizations. One is the Form 990. This form is due to the IRS on or before Nov. 15.

Can I reprint articles for my PTA newsletter from Council, MD PTA, or National PTA?

Yes, if you are a PTA member? If so, unless otherwise noted, you may duplicate and distribute all National PTA, MD PTA, and PTACHC materials for your PTA use without express-written permission.

PTA members may reprint or take excerpts from any National PTA materials, including the information found on our website. We require that you cite the source and give attribution to National PTA (e.g., Reprinted with permission from "Making Parent-Teacher Conferences Work for Your Child," National PTA website, www.pta.org).

There is one exception to watch for—some authors who contribute articles to National PTA's Our Children magazine place restricted or one-time use on the article. If that is the case, it will be noted at the end of the article with the author's biographical information and how to contact the author for permission to reprint.

Parent Involvement Tip: Do you enjoy putting together an event? Offer to put on a lunch or a breakfast for the teachers during the school year. Don't wait for the holidays or Teacher Appreciation Week. It can be as simple as muffins and fruit, just because.

Parent Involvement Tip: Are you good at surfing the 'Net? Offer to research grant opportunities for the school or PTA. Learn more about grant writing on the PTA website. Search for e-learning classes—they are free to PTA members!

HC DrugFree is hosting a program for parents and teens, Teen Stress & Depression, on Thursday, November 8th, from 7 - 8:30 p.m. at Atholton High School. The program will address the factors that can lead to stress, depression and/or substance abuse. Dr. David Gold, a counselor with Crossroads Psychological Associates, will talk about how stress affects teens, and the signs of teen depression, as adult and teen depression present quite differently.

Parents will learn about the relationship between stress and peer pressure, and the factors involved, such as divorce, blended families, etc.. They will find out how to communicate about stress with their teen, and how to identify depression, as well as what steps to take if they suspect their teen is depressed. There will be plenty of time for parents and teens to ask questions and share experiences.

HC DrugFree is a Howard County nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering the community to raise drug-free teens. HC DrugFree offers programs, newsletters, a website to help teens avoid alcohol and other drugs. No RSVP necessary. For more information, contact Laura Smit, HC DrugFree, 443-325-0040. For directions, go to www.hcpss.org, click on "schools."

Monday, October 29 - Sharing Session/Workshop, 7 - 9 pm, Faulkner Ridge Center, 10598 Marble Faun Ct. Columbia Topics: Bylaws, Treasurer, FAQ's (for presidents and anyone else with questions, ideas to share, etc.) Volunteerism, After Prom

Monday, November 5 (Meeting is back at the DOE) - PTACHC General Meeting, winter coat drive - please bring good used winter coats, these coats are given through the school system's Pupil Personnel Workers to families in our community who are in need

Treasurer’s Trove