News You Can Use - October 4, 2017
Useful Information to Support Your PTAs Success
and to Share With Your Community
This message has been sent to all current PTA leaders in our database.
A Meeting Activity to Engage Your Parents
 
Ed100 has put together  Parent Leader Guides to help you plan 
parent meetings that fuel conversations and answer questions that really matter. Current topics include: 
 
 
The Parent Leader Guides provides you with lessons, sample email invitations, discussion prompts, and suggestions on how to take action, and resources including handouts and additional reading to learn more.
 
Use the material as: 
  • Mini-trainings for your board.
  • At general meetings to support discussions, inform, and engage your parents
  • Informal book club for interested parents and teachers
 
Ed100 is also offering PTAs the opportunity to win $1000.

Parent Education
 
Screenagers Documentary on Social Media
Followed by a facilitated discussion with SCUSD Social Worker.
 
Tuesday, October 17, 2017
7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Mission City Center for Performing Arts
(next to Wilcox High School)
3250 Monroe St [map]
Santa Clara, CA 95051
Free - Students Invited too!
Please RSVP
Sponsored by Wilcox High School PTSA

Award-winning SCREENAGERS probes into the vulnerable corners of family life, including the director's own, and depicts messy struggles, over social media, video games, academics and internet addiction. Through surprising insights from authors and brain scientists, solutions emerge on how we can empower kids to best navigate the digital world.

Community Concerns - Homeless Students

Edsource Special Reports - California's Homeless Students: Undercounted, Underfunded, and Growing [Edsource.org] 

In this Special Report, EdSource spotlights homelessness among California students: who is affected and why it's often underreported and ignored.


California State PTA (CAPTA)


Three Contests for High School Students
 
LegiSchool has an  essay contest, editorial cartoon contest, and photo contest for high school students.
 
Essay Contest (Grades 11 and 12) - "Healthy School Lunches" 
 
  • In many places, here in California, we are seeing organic foods and healthier options being made available to us. Many studies show that students whose nutritional needs are met are more attentive in class and have better at­tendance. A nutritious meal contributes to better learning abilities and better overall physical and mental health. But what about nutrition in schools?
 
  • As a student, do you feel that there are healthy options available at your school? Do you learn the importance of nutrition in the classroom? How would you want your school to provide more healthy choices?Postmark deadline: November 17, 2017
 
Editorial Cartoon Contest (Grades 9 - 12)

  • The editorial cartoon contest gives students a chance to think critically and express themselves creatively. The topic of the cartoon must be an issue that is relevant to California. All California high school students are invited to participate. Winners receive cash prizes and their cartoons will be featured on KQED's website. Postmark deadline: March 9, 2018
Photo Contest: California Through My Eyes
 
  • Step behind the camera lens and capture a quintessential California picture to illustrate how you envision this state. Show us California through your eyes and you can win a cash prize. The photo can be of a person, place or thing - the sky is the limit! Winners receive cash prizes and their cartoons will be featured on KQED's website. Postmark deadline: May 5, 2018
 
All three of the contests are free for students to enter.

The LegiSchool Project is a civic education collaboration between California State University, Sacramento, and the California State Legislature, administered by the Center for California Studies.  The Project's mission is to engage young people in matters of public policy and state government.

Emergency Notification System

In the event of an earthquake or other disaster event, you can receive life-saving information through your County's emergency notification system. 

Each county provides a way to send messages to not only land lines, but also to wireless devices and e-mail addresses of people who have signed up. For residents or anyone who works in a county. Signing up is free.
 
Alameda County - Emergency Email Alert
 
Monterey County - Alert Monterey County
 
San Francisco City and County - AlertSF
 
San Mateo County - SMC Alert
 
Santa Clara County - Alert SCC
 
Santa Cruz County -  Santa Cruz Code Red

First Financial Deadline of the Year

The first financial deadline of the 2017-2018 fiscal year is approaching:
membership pass-through and insurance payments are now due.
 
Insurance rates:
  • Units:      $228
  • Councils: $159
  • Worker's Comp Rate: 5%

Membership:
  • Units must submit per capita for at least 15 members.
  • Remember that membership per capita should be sent in monthly going forward. Yes, even if it is only 1 member. 
  • Hint - Make your first or last check of the month always be the membership per capita one.

 

Units in council, please turn in your membership dues and insurance premiums to your council. Your council will let you know their deadline.
Councils, please forward to Sixth District by October 15.
 
Out-of-council units, please turn in your membership dues and insurance premium (and District Administration Fee) to the Sixth District office by October 15. Please include the  Out-of-Council remittance form.
       Sixth District PTA
       1290 Ridder Park Drive, M/C 214
       San Jose, CA 95131

If you have any questions, please contact Sixth District treasurer, Sandee Ruiz at treasurer@capta6.org
 
PTA Calendar of Essential Requirements
October 2017 -

  • Taxes - due officially to IRS, FTB, and AG no later than Nov 15
  • Founder's Day - Start planning now for February

              Info

              A Brief History: Working Together for Children Since 1897

  • Insurance Premium - $228 for units
  • Fiduciary Agreements - Info and Form
  • Thank your September Volunteers
Previous Issues

Sept 27 - Learn and Gain with Ed100
       - Emergency Notification System
       - Banned Books Week
       - How to Win $1000 for Your School
       - FYI - Simply Shared

Sept 25 - Treasurer Mini-Training and Q&A

Sept 25 - Tax Help Day

Sept 20 - We Have a Vacancy - What Do We Do
       - First Financial Deadline of the Year
       - Parents for Healthy Kids Website
       - The Arts & Equity

Sept 13 - What's the Name of My PTA
       -  Parent Education - "Real Parents, Real Kids, Real Talk"
       - Training Saves You Time
       - National Arts in Education Week
       - Do 1 Thing Monthly Reminder - Be Informed

Sept 6 - The Real Cheerleaders of PTA
       - Incentives to Continue Growing Your Membership
       - FYI - Simply Shared
       -  Parent Education - "Real Parents, Real Kids, Real Talk"
       - CAPTA Regional Leadership Conference
       - Keep Families Informed and Engaged
       - PTA Calendar of Essential Requirements - September 2017

August 30 - What's the Difference Between an IEP and a 504 Plan
       - Can My PTA Help the Harvey Flood Victims - Yes and No
       - California State PTA's Program Grants and Continuing Education                      Scholarships
       - Non-Profit Resources
       - PTA Calendar of Essential Requirements - September 2017
       - Parent Education - "Real Parents, Real Kids, Real Talk"
       - Membership Monday


Feel free to forward this e-newsletter to any and all PTA officers, members and other interested persons, and encourage them to   join our mailing list.      
 
As always, you are encouraged to send us your suggestions for articles and additional information you would find useful. Thanks!  
 
Questions? Comments? Contact
Wendy Akers-Ghose, eNews Editor, Sixth District PTA
Amin Fazal, VP Communications, Sixth District PTA
Vandana Kaushal, President, Sixth District PTA
News You Can Use and News Flash e-newsletters
STAY CONNECTED: