“Gratitude makes sense of our past,
brings peace for today,
and creates a vision for tomorrow.”
— Melody Beattie
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News from MA PTA President, Kathresha Cureton | |
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Celebrating Progress and Looking Ahead!
My deepest gratitude to all of you.
Thank you for all the work and progress you make for the children and families across Massachusetts
The Parent and Community Education and Involvement Advisory Council (PCEIAC) is delighted to commence the 2024-2025 year with our annual meetings. We’re honored to welcome distinguished guests including Secretary Patrick Tutwiler and Deputy, Commissioner Regina Robinson, and other visitors as we collaborate on enhancing educational experiences across Massachusetts. Join us for an inspiring agenda filled with discussions and a Q&A session led by Co-Chairs Adanma Ude and Kathresha Cureton; educators, parents, and community leaders dedicated to student success. For meeting details or inquiries, please contact Olga Lopez DESE Facilitator at olga.lopez@mass.gov or visit https://www.doe.mass.edu/bese/councils/pcei.html.
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Terrific News from MA PTA Membership Team!
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The membership team hopes that you are enjoying this beautiful fall weather and Happy Thanksgiving!
Many, Many Thanks
for all your Efforts!
Keep up the Wonderful work that you do!!
We have had a great start to the school year with many units submitting dues by the November 1st deadline. Please remember Membership is year-round and we need your support as well!!
Congratulations to the units that achieved “Early Bird” status by submitting 100% of last year's membership counts by 11/1/24!
Your diligence is commendable. To celebrate, we’ll host a Facebook Live event. At this event, we will also announce the winner of the $50 gift certificate. Stay tuned to our Facebook page for details!
“Early Bird” Status
Barnstable/West Barnstable PTA
Clinton PTA
East Somerville Community School PTA
Federal Furnace School PTA
Indian Brook Elementary School PTA
Sandwich Elementary PTA
CONGRATULATIONS to the following
Three PTA Units
…they have already doubled last year's numbers (Highflyers)
- Clinton PTA
- Federal Furnace School PTA
- Indian Brook Elementary School PTA
Can you catch them?!?! The competition starts NOW!!!
Submit double last year’s membership counts by January 15, 2025.
We are here to help in any way we can. Please feel free to reach out anytime!!- You can find much more about Membership and Leadership: RIGHT HERE
Until next time!!
Karen DeRoche
Immediate Past President
Membership Chair
k.deroche@masspta.org
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Stop, Look and Read.
Programs for our children, adolescents and students
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We're excited to welcome submissions for this year's Reflections Theme contest! Please have students from your PTA submit themes directly to us at s.lewis@masspta.org
using this form by Sunday, November 24th at 11:59 pm Eastern.
The year's theme is
Accepting Imperfection.
The MA PTA looks forward to seeing your local Reflections winning art for this theme on or before Friday, February 7th at 11:59 pm Eastern.
We will judge and submit winners to the National PTA by March 1st. If you haven't already selected a deadline for your local PTA Reflections submissions, I recommend on or before January 17th, depending on your judges.
Below is a list of some helpful info about each arts category. Be sure to check out the links for the latest detailed guidelines for each of the arts categories. I recommend making sure these are available on your PTA website and/or having an info session to promote Reflections to your school community and sharing these guidelines there as well.
Dance Choreography -- Performances of unoriginal choreography are not accepted (Recitals). Recording should be unedited footage. Detailed Guidelines
Film Production -- Entries must be primarily composed of original footage shot by the student (80-90% original footage). Detailed Guidelines
Literature -- Collections are not permitted. Detailed Guidelines
Music Composition -- Performances of unoriginal compositions are not accepted (Recitals). Detailed Guidelines
Photography -- Photographs may not include graphics, text, digital images, etc. Detailed Guidelines
Visual Arts -- Critical reinterpretations of existing artwork are acceptable if the student creates an entirely new piece
of art. Renditions are not accepted. Detailed Guidelines
Accessible Artist -- Detailed Guidelines
Reflections leaders, if you haven't yet, be sure to bookmark this URL to be able to access great materials like those linked above and promotional materials for your program!
https://www.pta.org/home/programs/reflections/State-PTA-Reflections-Library
As always, feel free to reach out if you need anything!
Email directly to us at s.lewis@masspta.org
Thank you!
Samantha Lewis
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With nearly one million MA students plus staff arriving and departing school each day, safety is center to this free, federally funded program that encompasses education to student route mapping to evaluating the built environment.
Since 2005, MA SRTS works to bridge the gap between health and student transportation for grades K-12 and currently involves 70% of MA schools.
For more information on how the program can best benefit your students and to learn of your community’s SRTS participation, contact Statewide Coordinator Judith Crocker
judy.crocker@aecom.com
Upcoming SRTS events:
Jan 3 - Feb 21 -
Yard Sign Contest
2025 Student Yard Sign Design Contest | Mass.gov
- Grades 2-8 are to create artwork around the safety theme. Chosen submittals are produced as yard signs available to any partner school in the Commonwealth.
Jan 29 - - SRTS Webinar for Municipalities
Feb 5 - - Winter Walk
- Winter Walk & Roll to School Day | Mass.gov
- Join in on the fun as students walk and roll to and from school with the aid of multi-language promotional flyers. Available incentive materials include stickers, reflective bands, and multi-language bookmarks along with Walking School Bus Kits and Safety packages.
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SRTS and Judy Crocker are part of our MA PTA Loyal Partners and Judy is a dedicated member and partner of our MA PTA Health, Safety and Wellness Committee.
Many Thanks Judy.
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Highlighting "Take a Shot" A Health Education Opportunity for MA PTA Units.
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Take the Shot Night – A Health Education Opportunity for MA PTA Units
Sponsored by the Massachusetts Vaccine Confidence Project – Made Possible Through a Generous MA PTA Health Grant and the Massachusetts Teachers Association Grant Program.
-Cynthia McReynolds, MCAAP Immunization Initiative (cmcreynolds@mcaap.org) and Kelly Welch, Team Maureen (Kelly@TeamMaureen.org)
Each year, thousands of people are diagnosed with a human papillomavirus (HPV)-Related Cancer. HPV is incredibly common—4 out of 5 people will have it in their lifetime. And for some people, HPV can cause cancer.
The good news is that there is a safe and effective vaccine to prevent HPV-associated cancers! Everyone, starting at age 9, should ‘Take the Shot’ for protection later in life.
The Massachusetts Vaccine Confidence Project (MVCP), a recipient of a generous Mass PTA Health Grant, is pleased to offer a free health education opportunity for Mass PTA Units focused on preventing HPV-Related cancers. The MVCP, with its partner Team Maureen, will work with local PTA units to host a Take the Shot event in their community.
What is Take the Shot Night?
Take the Shot Night is a free, community-building activity that promotes HPV vaccination to prevent HPV-related cancer beginning at age 9 (middle school).
How It Works – Easy, educational, and fun!
- The Take the Shot Night event is scheduled during a local high school basketball game (public school, private school, club league games and recreation leagues are all eligible).
- Middle school-aged students and their families are invited to attend the game through a customized event flyer.
- The event provides free t-shirts, and includes a half-time free-throw competition, and an educational table for students and families with HPV and HPV-vaccination resources.
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All event materials are provided by the MVCP and Team Maureen. There is no cost to the event host.
- High school students who may have not gotten the HPV vaccine also can learn how they can be protected against HPV-related cancer.
Interested or Have Questions?
Team Maureen and the MVCP are committed to making Take the Shot Night easy for you, and fun for the attendees.
If you are interested in holding an event in your community or have questions, please contact Kelly Welch (Kelly@TeamMaureen.org) or Cynthia McReynolds (cmcreynolds@mcaap.org).
The MCAAP Immunization Initiative and Cynthia McReynolds are part of our MA PTA Health Grants for 2024/25 and Cynthia is a dedicated member and partner of our MA PTA Health, Safety and Wellness Committee.
Many Thanks, Cynthia.
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Donna Grady is a 36 year veteran public school educator, currently teaching in a suburban Kindergarten. She has also worked in private Preschool and Kindergarten as well as in an International School.
Donna is an active local Union President as well as being active in both the Massachusetts and National Education Associations. Currently,
She is now serving as the Chair for the MA PTA Health, Safety and Wellness Committee, an area of interest she brings with her from her Union work with Safe Schools for All.
Donna is also a mom to two teenagers, both currently in High School.
Donna is familiar with the day to day needs of students, academically, emotionally, and healthfully, from both a parent and an educator perspective.
You can contact Donna at
d.grady@masspta.org.
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Introducing Donna Grady:
New Chairperson of MA PTA Health, Safety and Wellness Committee
A message and Information from Donna!
The Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA, July 2024) is a recent Bill passed in the Senate, aiming to protect kids from social media, gaming sites and other online platforms. KOSA would require that companies take "reasonable steps" to prevent harm from online sites minors are likely to use.
Social media platforms would also have to provide minors with options to protect their information, disable addictive product features, and opt out of personalized algorithmic recommendations.
They would also be required to limit other users from communicating with children and limit features that “increase, sustain, or extend the use” of the platform. Proponents suggest KOSA will assist with protecting all kids outside of the home. It also allows State Attorneys to enforce certain provisions to protect kids, while the larger Federal Trade Commission would have content oversight. Opponents are suggesting that KOSA is a “dangerous and unconstitutional censorship bill that would empower state officials to target services and online content they do not like.”
Get involved and be "in the know" for all our kids!
The Massachusetts PTA continues it Health , Safety and Wellness Initiatives, as in the past twelve years under the leadership of Jackie Coogan, with Donna Grady now as its new Chairperson. The committee, including Jackie and all of its hardworking and diligent members, continues its magnificent work and commitment to all of you, always providing programs, training and information. Donna invites all of you to get involved and know there is always "a seat for you at the HSW Committee table".
Many Thanks and Good Health this Thanksgiving, Donna
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Diane Cheverie was born and raised in Massachusetts.
She was educated at New Hampshire College in Business Management. For her internship, she opened a family take out Ice Cream stand to help offset the summer months for my moms Confectionary Store.
When her children were of school age, she quickly found herself subversive into the daily challenges of how to obtain a quality education with all the programs that their schools needed. Advocating on my own was not as much of a challenge as she thought it might be and she knew if she joined a PTA that had all the rules and the “know how’s” , together we could bring the programs to the school that were missing from our children’s education. At Least a fraction of them anyway.
Raising a child with Autism puts its own spotlight on a whole new world of Advocating. When raising a child that had no words by age 3, she quickly became his voice!
Advocating became her daily job from this moment forward. How quickly she became educated about what being different was going to look like for our family.
Through support groups though, she learned that there were so many families that didn’t have the benefits of being home every day with their child.
This then started a new chapter in her life, being the voice for other families.
For Diane, being a part of PTA’s and PTSA’s over the past 30 years, there has always been one mission and that mission is to ensure every child is granted the opportunity to succeed, Every child has a voice and Every child deserves to aspire to have dreams.
You can contact Diane at
d.cheveri@masspta.org
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Meet Diane Cheverie:
New Chairperson of MA PTA Advocacy
Welcome and message from Diane:
She is very excited to learn and work with you. Diane has sent emails to PTA Local Unit presidents introducing herself and offering a lending ear and hand to your needs. In addition to MA PTA Leadership, She is also a member of the Rehoboth PTA
Right now, in Rehoboth, she is attending School Committee meetings to learn more about the deficit in our Special Education Program (more to come at a later date).
She is working with Trooper Derek P. Henneberry of the Mass State Police Department to bring The Blue Envelope Program to our town.
The Blue Envelope Program is a program that was first developed to be used to help advocate for Autistic drivers. The envelope(blue) is designed to hold a copy of the driver’s license and motor vehicle registration. In addition, information printed on the envelope’s exterior identifies the operator as a person with autism spectrum disorder (or now: Any Disability such as ADHD, Hearing deficit, Asthma, Dementia. etc. you just need to identify on the envelope) by doing so, this provides the instructions for a police officer on how to enhance communication with the driver and space for optional emergency contact information for a parent or caregiver. The envelope also lists guidelines for the driver, including what to expect during a traffic stop and how to present the Blue Envelope to the officer.
In Massachusetts, this program was rolled out in April of 2023, however when she researched several local towns, she found they were not in possession of these envelopes. Once a town receives these envelopes, there is to be training on how to use this as a tool to deescalate a motor vehicle stop. This program is being used currently in New Jersey, Rhode Island, Arizona and Massachusetts in one form or another.
Currently, this program is awaiting Legislature to pass a bill to make this program and it’s training available to all states. More Information coming forward.
Diane is looking for leaders, members and community to get involved with the MA PTA Advocacy Committee. She says " Do not be timid, we need strong voices of parents, educators and community to speak out and advocate for our children, families, educators and schools, and our total communities!"
Diane will be working with PTA at the local , state and national levels of PTA
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National PTA and President,
Yvonne Johnson says: Enough is Enough.
The founding principle of National PTA’s mission is to promote the safety and well-being of all children and youth. When discussing school safety, we know that gun violence prevention is top of mind for most parents, school administrators, students and community members. We must work together toward practical solutions to end the gun violence epidemic.
Our new Blueprint for Parent Leaders to Take Action on Gun Violence Prevention is designed as a comprehensive resource to help you find the right safety solution for your community. Learn more.
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Leadership Awards/News!!
During the April 2024 Massachusetts PTA Annual Meeting, I had the distinct honor of presenting to Ms. Jackie Coogan the health award named in her honor - “The Jacqueline M. Coogan Hero for Health Award”!
It was truly the highlight of the day for me!! We are so proud of her accomplishments and contributions to MA PTA and honoring her with this special award was unforgettable! This year we hope you consider candidates from your units and communities, and submit nominations. This award, along with all leadership and membership awards, can be found in our membership packet.
The criteria for this new award is as follows:
1. The MA PTA HSW Mission should be the guiding light of purpose, goals, commitment and accomplishments.
2. PTA Unit(s)Person and /or persons who have established a working and successful HSW committee or initiative, within the Unit and School, which is accomplishing and implementing Goals, Objectives and Outcomes.
3. That this be given to a MA PTA Unit Person, Health Committee and/or Initiative, Program that has successfully accomplished and brought to children and families who have met the MA PTA HSW Mission as well as their own established goals and accomplishments
4. That whole school or system and/ or community could be awarded this Award as long as it was generated and involves PTA units and leader/members working for their HSW Mission.
5. That the PTA person, committee and or Unit accomplishments have been such that “ they have created a project, program and or informational materials and contacts readily available for all children and families to be safe and live in an environment that promotes Health, Well-being, Confidence, Equity and Security free of all harm, dangers, and ill-treatment including racist, unjust and biased attitudes and behaviors
6. Lastly, all children, families, individuals and communities because of PTA Unit members and leadership’s efforts with community and state organizations and health advocacy will be able to have access to affordable and quality healthcare knowledge and emotional wellness.
Please reach out to Karen if you have any questions.
Karen DeRoche
Immediate Past President/Membership Chair
k.deroche@masspta.org
You can find much more about Membership and Leadership: RIGHT HERE
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Tuesday, December 3, is Giving Tuesday!
Your "Giving Gift" honors Barbara Bailey’s incredible legacy and commitment to PTA and MA PTA for over 50 years. She served at all levels, local, State and National PTA. She was our "go to" leader and person with all things PTA!
Thank You Barbara!
Your Donation this Giving Tuesday to the Barbara Bailey PTA Scholarship will allow our Association to establish and award this long-awaited Cranberry PTA Scholarship to high school students for years to come!
We thank the Bailey family for choosing Massachusetts PTA – Cranberry PTA Scholarship to honor Barbara Bailey. She will be deeply missed, and her legacy will continue to live on through the mission of PTA ~ “to make every child’s potential a reality by engaging and empowering families and communities to advocate for all children”. Thank You for your Donation.
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So much Gratitude to all of our Partners, Sponsors and Supporters!
Without your collaboration the Massachusetts PTA could not do the work we do on behalf of Children, Families, Educators, Schools and Communities.
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It is for THEM,
that we need YOU!
To keep them Healthy,
To keep them Safe,
To keep them Well.
Everyone is Welcome at Massachusetts PTA
The Massachusetts PTA
thanks you for everything
that you do for PTA,
our families, our schools, our communities,
but most of all, our children!
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