Focus Newsletter for the fourth week of September 

Why should my local PTA participate in Walk to School Day? 

          1. To enhance the health of kids
          2. To improve air quality and the environment
          3. To create safer routes for walking and bicycling
          

 Many schools in Howard County will be celebrating Walk to School Day on 

 October   8, 2008. This event has proven to be a great experience for students,  

 teachers, administrators, and parents. If you or your Local PTA would like more 

 information or would like to register your event please see www.walktoschool.org. 

COMING SOON

AMERICAN EDUCATION WEEK - NOVEMBER 16 - 22 is a National Education Association Event.

The National Education Association's 87th annual American Education Week spotlights the importance of providing every child in America with a quality public education from kindergarten through college and the need for everyone to do his or her part in making public schools great.

NEA's annual tagline, Great Public Schools: A Basic Right and Our Responsibility, reflects the Association's calling upon America to provide students with quality public schools so that they can grow, prosper, and achieve in the 21st century. This year, AEW will be celebrated November 16-22:  http://www.nea.org/aew/index.html 

TAKE YOUR FAMILY TO SCHOOL WEEK - FEBRUARY 8 - 14, 2009 is a National PTA event.  http://www.pta.org/take_your_family_to_school.asp 

Family involvement in children's education increases student success in school--and has been at the heart of PTA since its founding in February 1897.

With PTA Take Your Family to School Week and the $1,897 Awards, we honor and continue our legacy of building family-school partnerships for the benefit of all children.

Join PTAs across the country in connecting parents to children's school experiences. Be part of PTA Take Your Family to School Week, February 8-14, 2009.

Apply for $1,897 to support your PTA. Go to the link above for more information
(Awards funded by AXA Foundation, Proud National Sponsor of PTA.)

 Treasurer's Trove

Remember to send to Council a copy of your local units annual audit.  This is per the MD PTA bylaws by Oct. 1. 

Nov. 1 - PTA Council Dues are due.   An email with the details will be sent to treasurer's and presidents.

By Nov 15. - all PTAs must file a 990N/99EZ or 990.  For more information, go to:  http://www.irs.gov/charities/article/0,,id=96103,00.html

CALENDAR 

Sept. 24        Reflection Chair meeting 7 pm at Faulkner Ridge

Oct. 6             PTACHC General membership meeting at the ARL

Oct. 11           Coffee and Conversation with BOE 9:30 am - 11 am at River Hill    

                        High Cafeteria

Oct. 13          LIVE on Comcast 95/Verizon42, the Board of Education Candidates 
                        Forum hosted by League of Women Voters 7 pm. This will be 
                    rebroadcast over the next weeks until the election on Nov. 4th 

                    Be an informed voter!

Oct. 16           BOE meets with PTA Presidents and CAC 7:30 pm at BOE

Oct. 29           PTACHC Sharing Session/ Workshop at Faulkner Ridge Center,           

                       10598 Marble Faun Lane Time: 7 pm - 9:30 pm  

2nd Monday Nov. 10       PTACHC General membership meeting meets at the ARL

Nov. 14/15  MD PTA Fall Convention  for info www.mdpta.org 

Dec. 1            PTACHC General Membership meeting at ARL 7:30 pm

Thank you for being an advocate for children