It's February and love is in the air. THE LOVE FOR PTA

As we celebrate over 120 years of advocacy for National PTA. I reflect on PTA in our county.
Pinellas County Council PTA has served the children of Pinellas for over 58 years. The school PTAs have empowered parents, families, their communities to help every child realize their potential for over 91 years.

That is a long rich history of advocating for one of our most precious resources, the children.

Each year in February, PTA honors the three founders as well as past and present PTA leaders on Founder's Day (February 17). We celebrate the legacy and work of our founders—Alice McLellan Birney, Phoebe Apperson Hearst and Selena Sloan Butler—to better the lives of every child in education, health and safety.

Issues concerning immigrants, homeless children and families, the unemployed and the uneducated, and numerous health and safety concerns still need attention. However, through PTA advocacy to enact and enforce laws, children’s health is better protected and children are better fed, housed and educated, with parents more involved in their upbringing. The vision of PTA’s founders has been realized in many ways, and now it is up to present PTA members to continue the vision.

As we reflect and take pride in our achievements, it is also time to renew our commitment to be a powerful voice for all children, a relevant resource for families and communities, and a strong advocate for public education.

Pinellas County Council and the local units in Pinellas County commit to being a:

  • powerful voice for all children;
  • relevant resource for parents; and
  • strong advocate for public education

Thank you for supporting PTA.

Sincerely,

Lawrence Clermont
President - Pinellas County Council PTA
We LOVE our volunteers and members  ❤️
Selena Sloan Butler founded the National Congress of Colored Parents and Teachers Association (NCCPT) in 1926.

As a teacher and advocate, she saw the need for more parental involvement in schools. NCCPT merged with National PTA in 1970.

#BlackHistoryMonth #BHM #PTAProud
Did you know Pinellas County Council PTA has been advocating for all children for over 58 years?

Our recent trip to Tallahassee, FL continued that purpose as our Advocacy Commission visited local legislators at the Capital to discuss important issues on Teacher Pay, Dyslexia screening, Baker Act, Juvenile Justice Reform, Student Health, English Language Learners, Early Childhood Education, and School Funding.

During our visit, it was a wonderful surprise to run into Superintendent Dr. Michael Grego, and Associate Superintendent of Teaching & Learning Services, Kevin Hendrick as we all made our rounds to speak to each of our Pinellas County legislators.

While the current session is in full swing with many bills proposed, our work is not done as we continue to fight for ALL CHILDREN. We need your help with our advocacy efforts. You can do that simply by signing up to receive notifications from Florida PTA’s Voter Voice Legislative Alerts at https://floridapta.org/voter-voice-legislative/ . Let’s continue to make our voices heard!

PCCPTA would like to congratulate Jessica Marinari-Bishop from Douglas Jamerson Elementary PTA and Cynthia Watkins from Kings Highway Elementary Magnet PTA for winning PCCPTA’s Legislative Conference Scholarship award!

If you are interested in joining our Legislative Committee, please contact Edeline Joseph-Theophile at advocacy@pccpta.org . 
The African American Heritage Trial

“ A people without the knowledge of their past history, origin and culture is like a tree without roots.” -Marcus Garvey

In January, a small group set out to learn about local African American history here in St. Petersburg. The group “hiked” the African American Heritage Trail in the Deuces neighborhood. The trail recounts the first 100 years of African Americans in St Petersburg with the arrival of John and Anna Donaldson in 1868 through the civil rights era.
The group explored each of the nineteen trail markers and discussed the historical impacts and imprints on our families today. Full of culture and out of necessity (due to Jim Crow), the neighborhood thrived while caring for its own. 22 nd St South provided entertainment, professional services, and commercial goods. 9 th Ave South was marked by its numerous churches and educational facilities such as Happy Worker’s Day Nursery and Jordan Elementary.

Today in Pinellas County, you read names such as Douglas L. Jamerson and James B. Sanderlin alongside school buildings. On the trail, the group learned more about who these people were and their significance. This history isn’t all that old either; Sanderlin became Pinellas County’s first black judge in 1972. When you consider such dates, you realize that some of our students’ grandparents and other extended family members were a part of this local history.

The group ended the day in discussion around good food from Chiefs Creole Café. Located on the corner on 22 nd St S and 9 th Ave S in the former Harden’s Grocery Store (owned by Sidney Harden, Sr.).

Thanks to all stakeholders who joined, especially Mount Vernon Elementary PTA who had several members present, including their president.

Be on the lookout for the next Pinellas County Council PTA Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion learning experience.

Kimberly Skukalek
PCCPTA Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Chair
Congratulations to our county winners who will now advance to the state competition.

We wish the best to all 60 entries!


Congratulations to Brian and Sydney on being national winners in last year's Reflections competition.
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Brian Huang, " Slow Down"
PCCPTA is part of the ReadStrong collaborative with R'Club, Early Learning Coalition, and United Way Suncoast.

Our goal is to reach parents and caregivers across Pinellas County to share information, reading resources,and ways to strengthen their child's reading skills, as well as, inspire readers of all ages.

Thanks to Mildred Helms Elementary PTA for hosting us and sharing the importance of grade level reading!
Notes from the Backpack Season 2 Premieres Next Month
 
Notes from the Backpack  returns in March 2020 with new guests sharing helpful advice on the topics you care most about. Catch up on Season 1 and get ready for the return of your favorite family engagement podcast!
We are seeking sponsorships for our awards banquet on May 8th.

If you are a business or individual that would like to be a sponsor, please contact Jenny at BANQUET@PCCPTA.ORG.
Founder's Day

For more than 100 years, National Parent Teacher Association (National PTA®) has worked toward bettering the lives of every child in education, health and safety. Founded in 1897 as the National Congress of Mothers by Alice McLellan Birney and Phoebe Apperson Hearst, National PTA is a powerful voice for all children, a relevant resource for families and communities, and a strong advocate for public education.

Today’s PTA is a network of millions of families, students, teachers, administrators, and business and community leaders devoted to the educational success of children and the promotion of family engagement in schools.

PTA's mission  is to make every child's potential a reality by engaging and
empowering families and communities to advocate for all children.
PCCPTA | WWW.PCCPTA.ORG