President's Message
Pivot, Outside of the Box, New Normal, and on and on. Are you tired of hearing these words? I get it, we are all tired of these words, but let me say that I would like to say “Thank You” to every single one of you that has had to deal with all of “those” words this year. I tell the BOD every chance I get how much I appreciate them, but we all couldn’t do the work that we do without every single one of you. “Shoes” on the ground, “slippers on the ground”, whatever you are wearing on the ground is where the work is being done. Parents, we love that you have stepped up to the plate and are advocating and educating. Teachers and Staff, you are the heroes in the school building. Kids, keep up the strange schedules, communicating when you can, and just remember that we are all supporting each other every day and I “Thank You!”
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As we prepare for the upcoming school year and the next 100 years of Virginia PTA, we hope you will join us for the 2021 Annual Meeting and Conference. This would, in normal times, take place in person, but we are ALL Virtual and excited to keep everyone safe at home, save on budgets, elect new officers, present exciting new bylaws and resolutions (watch for information soon), and more importantly a NEW FORMAT and SCHEDULE. For more information, registration, information, and more please visit our website. Hope to "SEE" you here, we are preparing for the future!
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Slate of Officers 2021-2023
As per the Virginia PTA Bylaws, I have received the following slated names for the elected Officers for the 2021-2023 term. As a reminder, the President-Elect was elected 2 years ago at the 2019 Annual Meeting and will serve as the new President and has worked with me to prepare for the future. The incoming President is Pamela B. Croom.
President-Elect - Jenna Alexander
Vice President of Advocacy - Julie Shepard
Vice President of Programs - Sara Case
Vice President of Membership - OPEN
Vice President of Training - Michelle Leete
Scott Rhyne - Secretary
Treasurer - OPEN
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Individuals applying for Committee Chair positions will need to make an application by the above date and will be notified of the Post Annual Meeting date where the VAPTA Board of Directors will select individuals for the Chair positions. Please note Committees are subject to change based on the VAPTA Board of Directors' decision of needed committees. The current committees consist of:
- Arts in Education
- Bylaws
- Communications
- Family Engagement
- Health & Safety
- Nominations
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VAPTA Scholarship
Virginia PTA is proud to offer $1,000 scholarships to graduating Virginia high school students from an active PTA/PTSA in good standing. In keeping with the Vision and Mission of the PTA, these scholarships are awarded based on a demonstrated commitment to, and engagement in, volunteerism and community service. The number of scholarships awarded each year depends on the proceeds of special Virginia PTA awards.
Deadline is March 1st!
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Citizenship Essay 2020-2021
If you're interested in our subject for the Annual 2021 Citizenship Essay Contest "How do we stand together while so far apart?" why don't you submit here your words on this appropriate title for this pivotal year.
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As we jump into 2021, just a quick reminder that your participation and membership in PTA is as important as ever! Whether your students are learning at home or at school, PTA is still supporting you! The policies, bills and budget amendments Virginia PTA is advocating for in the General Assembly right now will benefit ALL students in Virginia and your membership reminds legislators of the power of our collective voice!
We’ve updated our website to include the infographics and membership ASKS from our Have Yourself A Member December Campaign. Also included is data from National PTA highlighting the impacts of PTA on a larger scale. You can share (and I encourage you to share) both of these with your members and school community! These can be found at https://www.vapta.org/membership/npta-data-dashboard.
A few tips for Your 2021 PTYAY Membership Drives:
- Make it FUN!
- Puns are always a hit - There’s SNOW place like PTA
- Celebrate Manuary January and focus on male engagement in your PTA
- Offer incentives (like gift cards, spirit wear or discounts) for joining the PTA
- Make it INCLUSIVE!
- Anyone and everyone can join!
- Remind teachers and staff that their support matters too!
- Plan events that are as diverse and unique as your school community. Representation matters!
- Be TRANSPARENT!
- How is your PTA supporting schools, students and staff this year?
- Where does the membership money go?
- Reminder: $1.50 goes to Virginia PTA and $2.25 goes to National PTA to continue to support programs for students and PTAs at the state and national level!
- Submit Updated Membership Lists and Dues by MARCH 1!
- This is the next deadline to remain in Good Standing
- If you have no updates, you do not have to do anything
- We still recommend you send any membership updates to Virginia PTA monthly
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Complete and submit the DO GOOD THINGS FOR YOUR PTA CHALLENGE!
Thank you for everything you are doing for your school, students, and staff. Remember, you are appreciated! Reach out to membershipvp@vapta.org anytime with questions and keep putting the YAY in PTA!
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The General Assembly is currently in session! The bills passed and funding decisions made by the Virginia General Assembly directly impact the level of staffing in your school, the curriculum that is implemented, and resources that are available to your students.
There are opportunities to provide public comment to the General Assembly in the same way you would provide comment to your local school board. Follow-us on Facebook for calls to action and check our website for tools and resources to help you follow the General Assembly and #TakeAction4Kids.
FAST LINKS TO #TakeAction4Kids
PLAN TO JOIN US! On this Thursday's Learning Lab, the Virginia Department of Education will be joining us to talk about testing, what is required by federal and state law and how schools are accredited. This is a great opportunity to directly ask questions and share concerns you have about student testing!
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Testing, Measuring Student Growth and School Success
Thurs. January 21st, 7:00 - 8:00pm
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Child Advocate of the Year Nominations Due Feb. 11th
Do you know someone who has made a significant positive impact for children or a school community through their advocacy efforts? We want to shine a spotlight on their work and inspire others to take action for students.
We will recognize nominees at our March 2021 Annual Meeting and highlight one special individual, youth, elected official, local unit, council, and district as our Virginia PTA Child Advocates of the Year! We look forward to celebrating these special people and their work with you!
NOMINATIONS DUE: FEBRUARY 11, 2020
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SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT
VIRGINIA LOTTERY
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The Virginia Lottery, in partnership with the Virginia PTA, is excited to announce the fourth annual Thank a Teacher Art Contest, and we invite all K-12 public school artists to share their talent with us!
Three student artists, whether enrolled virtually or face-to-face, will be selected to win a $150 gift card, and their school’s art department will be awarded $1,000 from the Virginia Lottery and $1,000 from our partners at The Supply Room.
The winning designs (one each from an elementary, middle and high school student artist) will then be featured on thousands of thank-you notes distributed to teachers during Teacher Appreciation Week in May. Those notes will each feature a unique code for teachers to enter for a chance to win a Virginia-themed vacation.
Check out last year’s top artwork here.
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2019-2021 Board of Governance |
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Executive Committee
President, Donna Colombo
---president@vapta.org
President-Elect, Pam Croom
---pres-elect@vapta.org
VP Advocacy, Jenna Alexander
---advocacy@vapta.org
VP Membership, Kirsten Shabanowitz
---membershipvp@vapta.org
VP Programs, Scott Rhyne
---vpprograms@vapta.org
VP Training, Michelle Leete
---vp@vapta.org
Secretary, Sharon Abernathy
---secretary@vapta.org
Treasurer, Kathy Harrison
---treasurer@vapta.org
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Committee Chairs
Bylaws - Russ Harrison
---bylaws@vapta.org
Family Engagement - OPEN
---familyengagement@vapta.org
Health & Safety, Jenna White
---healthandsafety@vapta.org
Nominations - Tony Shivers
---nominations@vapta.org
Reflections - Katie Sprouse
---artsineducation@vapta.org
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District Directors- Cont'd
Hunt - Kirsten Shabanowitz
---huntdd@vapta.org
Northern VA - Hamid Munir
---novadd@vapta.org
Patriot - Sara Case
---patriotdd@vapta.org
Peninsula - Mychael Willon
---peninsuladd@vapta.org
Richmond - Wanda Green
---richmonddd@vapta.org
Roanoke - Nicole Sheppard
---roanokedd@vapta.org
Southeastern - OPEN
---southeasterndd@vapta.org
Tidewater - Shelly Jones
---tidewaterdd@vapta.org
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Virginia PTA | (804) 264-1234 | (804) 264-4014| info@vapta.org | www.vapta.org |
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